Chapter 422 Beyond one's expectation

　　Under the blazing sun, Thousand Pines Mountain offered a refreshing and comfortable escape.　　Zhou Ge sat by the pond in the mountain stronghold, casting his fishing line, much like he had after returning from Tianshun County. Yet, there was a difference; his mindset had shifted, with much of his previous disappointment now gone.　　There were two other differences as well. First, he was alone, with no one else by his side. Second, he had brought along a small carving knife, occasionally sculpting a wooden butterfly.　　After careful consideration for many days, he had concluded that investigating Fenglong Island was a task for Shen Huan alone. However, it was a treacherous place, and precautions were necessary. Hence, he was waiting for Lady Wuxia.　　On the tenth day of the ninth month, the sun shone brightly, and the sky was cloudless—the weather was impeccable.　　Zhou Ge was fishing and waiting for someone as usual, when suddenly, a bear's roar echoed from the dista