Chapter 72

Through Father Pan Ma's account, Wu Xie and the others gradually pieced together what had happened back then. In the 1970s, an archaeological team led by Chen Wenjin entered Banai holding official credentials issued by the state. The terrain in the mountains of Banai was treacherous at the time, and outsiders could easily get lost. To save time and avoid risks, the archaeological team requested a guide. Father Pan Ma was the most renowned hunter in the village, and there wasn't a single deep mountain or old forest around that he hadn't explored. He was the undisputed choice for the job. Moreover, serving as a guide came with a stipend. For Father Pan Ma, who had just gotten married around that time, it was a timely help in a time of need, so he went out of his way to be as enthusiastic and helpful as possible.