Mo Hua asked, "The mountain paths ahead are diverging; do you know where they lead?"
The old man sighed, "To be honest, it's embarrassing. I've lived more than 150 years in this wilderness, yet have never traveled far. As for where these three paths go, I genuinely don't know. I've only heard from passing merchants occasionally…"
The old man gestured with his hand, pointing: "The path on the left leads to Nanyue; if you keep walking, you'll reach the Dali Mountain State boundary..."
"The middle path leads to the only Third-Grade State Boundary around here, Canglang State..."
"The right path is a desolate road; all 800 miles are deserted mountains, without a trace of human habitation, very few venture there…"
"These are all things I've heard, but the passing merchants all say the same, it's likely not wrong."
Mo Hua cupped his hands, "Thank you, elder."
Having inquired about the paths, Mo Hua wouldn't delay any further and stood up to take his leave.
