Finally, Cheng Jia bounced happily back to the camp. Mr. Cheng saw him and scolded, "Brother Jia, why are you jumping? Don’t you know your foot is injured? Doesn’t it hurt? If it gets worse and you can’t walk, don’t cry!"
Cheng Jia giggled foolishly, ignoring his dad’s reprimand, not bothering to explain anything, just grinning happily, making people worry that he might have gone silly.
The brother and sister exchanged a knowing look, feeling like they were the only sober ones in a world of drunks.
That day, it was Cheng Sicheng, Hu Yixiu, and Cheng Yongtian’s turn to be in charge of the team’s safety.
They all went to the other side of the mountain. Cheng Genzi was very excited; under the snow lay a few Sandalwood Trees, much to the delight of him and his teammates.
A few big n surrounded the large sandalwood trees, each over ten ters tall, excitedly caressing the trunks as if they were treasures, handling them cautiously like children.
These are top-quality furniture materials, whether for making small ornants or large cabinets and chairs, they’re invaluable. These trees rarely grow large before being cut down, and naturally, whoever claims them first owns them, so these few were particularly eager.
Excited, they quickly inford everyone to help, and soon a large crowd gathered, dividing up to cut down the trees.
With so many people together, there was no worry about safety. Cheng Sicheng and Hu Yixiu went deeper into the mountains to see if there were more treasures to be found.
They trudged on with difficulty, the mountain trail hard to navigate, let alone one covered in snow.
Suddenly, Hu Yixiu paused his steps, and Cheng Sicheng also stopped, discerning faint sounds of flowing water, "There’s a water source!"
The two exchanged a glance, no longer struggling on foot, they activated their inner strength and dashed toward the water like it was flat ground.
After crossing a mountain peak, they were t with a surprisingly lush green scene, unimaginable in the cold winter.
The pair suddenly halted, staring in amazent at a stream flowing out of a gorge, the water unfrozen, with a half-grown wild deer drinking from it.
They crouched, moving forward cautiously, eyes narrowed, fixating on the lone deer.
As they were about to close in on the deer, Cheng Sicheng accidentally snapped a branch under the snow, alerting the deer. Sensing danger, it darted away. The two couldn’t miss such a delicious opportunity and swiftly pursued through the woods.
Hu Yixiu, wielding a black-handled short spear, relentlessly chased the panicked deer, shaking the trees and causing the snow to flutter down.
In mid-chase, Hu Yixiu suddenly raised the spear high, leaning back slightly, transferring power from his waist to his arm in a swift throw. With a whoosh, the short spear flew through the air, brushing past the deer’s back and embedding itself in the snow.
The deer’s back bore a bleeding wound, but not a deadly one. More frightened, the deer sped frantically into the forest.
Cheng Sicheng dared not let it escape. Just as it was about to slip away, he launched a dart with a whoosh.
The dart, a streak of light, zipped through the woods, smashing through branches and striking the deer’s thigh accurately, causing the injured deer to tumble down the slope.
As heaps of snow cascaded down the hillside, Cheng Sicheng’s eyes lit up — he had hit his target.
The two rushed forward while the wounded deer, dragging its injured leg, struggled on, leaving a trail of blood behind.
Finally, after a relentless chase, they managed to tackle the deer to the ground. It tried to resist, but Hu Yixiu knocked it out with a punch.
Though it was just a half-grown deer, it weighed about a hundred pounds, a real feast for the team.
The two cared little for their disheveled state, their faces beaming with joy, shedding their earlier composure and sternness.
This was how youths should be.
anwhile, the camp was abuzz with news of the two youngsters’ brave feat. Cheng Xiaoxiao was delighted; not only had they hunted a deer, but they had also found a water source. Tonight, they could feast! She was determined to have roasted venison, her mind already savoring the thought of chili and cumin, making her mouth water.
When the two returned, laboriously carrying the deer to the camp, they received a warm welco from everyone.
Especially the kids, jumping around them in excitent.
They shouted joyfully, "Brother is amazing, we have at to eat! We have at to eat!"
Seeing everyone drooling with excitent.
Cheng Xiaoxiao excitedly decided, "Alright, we’ll have roasted venison tonight."
Yeah!
The children cheered imdiately.
The whole processed deer was set up on a blazing bonfire, sizzling and dripping with oil.
A group of little ones gathered around the fire, eyes glued to the roasting deer, swallowing saliva from ti to ti, their eyes almost sticking to it.
This unexpected bounty of venison was even more exciting than finding the sandalwood trees.
Overall, everyone was overjoyed with today’s bountiful harvest, each face beaming with happiness.
On this snowy night, it felt especially precious.
The four new mbers were deeply moved, surprised to find such good fortune; traveling with the 132th Regint, they never lacked food or drink, plus they could exchange martial skills and share cooking techniques, things they hadn’t expected.
The camaraderie was harmonious, filled with laughter, seeming more like a group on a trip rather than refugees escaping hardship.
But alas, happy days are always short-lived.
After traveling for another two or three days.
Not only did it snow at night, but flakes also fell during the day.
The fluttering snow took center stage in the world, blanketing all vegetation. As the snow piled up thicker, pine trees bent under the weight, grass slowly suffocated beneath, and roads beca increasingly impassable.
The temperature dropped to below ten degrees Celsius. Everyone bundled in layers of coats yet still felt cold.
Luckily, they had ample provisions and were well-fed, but even so, their hands and feet turned red and blistered from the cold.
Every breath turned to frost upon eting the frigid air outside, posing great challenges and difficulties for the won cooking.
A day would pass with little distance covered; even a mule wouldn’t budge, no amount of prodding helped.
Thinly-clad people, so simply froze to death by the roadside as they walked.
This tragic scene worsened as they neared Liao City, where more and more people lay starved or frozen by the road.
The sight saddened everyone.
Old Li lanted repeatedly, "There’s never been such low temperatures before; this year is a disaster year, heaven shows no rcy!"
The little ones didn’t dare even peek out of the carts, as the adults couldn’t bear the chill, let alone such young children.
To keep the two little ones from freezing, Cheng Xiaoxiao had even bought hot water bottles from the store!
User Comments
0 comments from readers