After breakfast, everyone tidied up, distributed all their belongings, and carried them with them. They then extinguished the fire and buried the embers, ensuring no wild fire would spread.
The carriages and horses could not be taken up the mountain. They were initially meant to be left behind to fend for themselves. However, when ascending, Qi Yihan suddenly changed his mind, deciding to leave two people behind to guard the carriages and act as a backup.
A Jiu thought that out of more than ten people, he would surely not be the one left behind. After all, he was the Prince's confidant and skilled in martial arts, and his presence would offer an extra layer of safety.
But he never imagined that Qi Yihan would name him first, assigning him and Old Sun to stay behind and guard the carriages together.
Old Sun, who had tried to keep a low profile all along, let out a sigh of relief. He wasn't afraid of death, but he felt he was far inferior to the Prince's guards. He knew his limits; in his early years, he was a bandit. After becoming a monk, his martial arts skills hadn't improved much, and compared to the Prince's guards, he was a mere novice.
Once they ascended the mountain, it would be a good thing if he didn't become a burden to others; expecting him to contribute anything significant was simply impossible.
Old Sun figured that those left behind to guard the carriages were likely those with mediocre skills, the bottom rung. As for A Jiu, he seemed different from himself.
"Your Highness!" Upon hearing that he was to stay and guard the carriages, A Jiu's pupils dilated in shock. He could not fathom being left behind.
"What? Dissatisfied?"
A Jiu quickly lowered his head. "I dare not, my subordinate is merely perplexed." With his abilities, he should be at the forefront, so why was he being assigned to guard carriages? Wasn't this a waste?
Qi Yihan merely said, "This is your last chance."
A Jiu's heart trembled, realizing Qi Yihan had seen through his machinations. He immediately said, "My subordinate will stay… for backup. Your Highness, rest assured."
Qi Yihan glanced at him no further and ordered the team to enter the mountain.
As Li Man'er left, she cast a look at Old Sun. Neither of them spoke, but Old Sun understood the meaning in Li Man'er's eyes.
Recalling the bundle A Si had given him the previous night, Old Sun marveled at how thorough Li Man'er was in her actions, leaving no loose ends.
A Jiu's expression seemed calm, but a hint of hatred lurked in his eyes. Old Sun pretended not to see it, tying up all the horses and preparing to gather firewood and some fodder for them.
If all went smoothly, they would descend the mountain in five or six days, but provisions were prepared for ten days for everyone.
Old Sun thought to himself, hoping they would all return safely.
The path up the mountain was not difficult at first, but the deeper they went, the denser the forest became, and the deeper the snow. Despite wearing waterproof deerskin boots, walking was still arduous.
After half a day of walking, stopping and starting, and sticking to the outer fringes of the mountain range, the group of over a dozen people discovered numerous hunter's traps. It seemed they still had a long way to go to reach the depths of the Moluo Mountain Range.
Qi Yihan stayed close to Li Man'er, protecting her throughout the journey, fearing she might slip and fall down the mountain or accidentally step into a trap.
Fortunately, his attentiveness was subtle, not easily noticed by others, but Li Man'er could feel it clearly.
"Your Highness, the path ahead is becoming more difficult. Perhaps we should rest for a while and eat something."
Climbing mountains was physically demanding, and one could not rush. Therefore, Qi Yihan immediately ordered the men to find a sheltered spot for everyone to rest and eat some dry rations.
The steamed buns were a bit hard, and with the water from the canteens, they were barely palatable. The boiled eggs were as cold as if they had just been taken out of a refrigerator, biting into them sent a chill through the teeth.
Li Man'er yearned for a bowl of instant noodles. She had them in her spatial dimension, along with boiling water, but unfortunately, she couldn't take them out.
"Can you still hold on?"
"Of course," Li Man'er said, gnawing on a bun. "Do you think my martial arts are just for show?"
As if an idea struck her, Li Man'er took out a bulging purse from her embrace, opened it, and took out a candy, offering it to Qi Yihan's lips. "Have a candy." Replenishing sugar at the right time could keep the body energetic.
"You're still carrying this," Qi Yihan said as he took the candy into his mouth, feeling as if his whole being was enveloped in sweetness.
"Eating candy helps maintain energy." Li Man'er took one for herself as well. "Give everyone one, don't be stingy, I have more."
Qi Yihan felt a pang of emotion, but the greater cause took precedence, so he asked A Wu to retrieve the purse and give everyone a candy.
After eating the candies, everyone indeed felt more energetic, and the fatigue from before had significantly dissipated.
"Let's continue."
The vanguard, wearing the gloves Li Man'er had "invented" and carrying axes, cleared the path ahead. In areas with particularly dense thorns, they chopped them down, leaving an easier path for those behind.
In places with deep snow, they switched to shovels, clearing a path as they walked to prevent anyone from accidentally stepping into a void and falling down the mountain.
The group of over a dozen people walked until dark and finally found a cave suitable for spending the night.
The cave was dry, with no signs of animal habitation. The entrance was narrow, but the interior was spacious enough to accommodate more than ten people.
Qi Yihan sent people to clean the cave briefly, chop firewood for a fire, and cut larger branches and leaves to camouflage the entrance, preventing animals from entering.
Li Man'er opened the large bundle she had unpacked, revealing a neatly rolled fox fur rug. Seeing Qi Yihan staring at the rug in surprise, she said softly, "This fur had flaws. During hunting, it accidentally got a large hole, and the color wasn't good. Several pieces were pieced together to make this rug. It's warm to sleep on, so I brought it."
The Ning family was wealthy; even if it was a fox fur rug with poor fur color, she could still afford one made of sable.
"I didn't say anything," Qi Yihan replied. "You deserve to use whatever good things you have." It was worth it.
Li Man'er spread out the rug happily. "This rug is very large. When rolled up, it doesn't look like much. If you're cold tonight, I'll share half of it with you."
Qi Yihan's throat tightened, and his gaze towards Li Man'er turned fiery. Unfortunately, Li Man'er was looking down, tidying her small sleeping area, and didn't notice.
She had plenty of good things in her spatial dimension; she had food and drink, and if she were alone on the mountain, she could live more comfortably than an immortal. Sadly, with so many people outside, she couldn't take anything out.
A Si found a corner and unloaded her two large bundles, taking out a blanket. She spread a layer of dry grass on the ground, and wrapped in the blanket by the fire, she was sure she wouldn't be cold.
The young lady had thought of things quite thoroughly. The others were already accustomed to roughing it and weren't as particular. As long as there was a fire, they wore thick clothes, and had a hot meal, they could sleep soundly.