in2ebook Chapter 137 Mutual Suspicion is Easy to Control, Crossing the Thunderstorm to Reach the Top of the S
Chapter 137 Mutual Suspicion is Easy to Control, Crossing the Thunderstorm to Reach the Top of the S
Ma Ruyi got up without making a sound and followed Zhou Qingfeng into the ice house.
Given the limited resources available, the campsite had to make do with what was available on-site, since Despair Slope has no shortage of snow and ice anyway.
The igloo was small, but it could insulate against blizzards and hail, providing Zhou Qingfeng with a safe haven in these extremely harsh weather conditions, further enhanced by the defensive and temperature-regulating formations set up by Master Chen.
The safety and warmth issues have been temporarily resolved.
Ma Ruyi bowed and clasped his hands in a salute: "I wonder what message Special Envoy Zhou needs me to convey to the head of the family?"
Zhou Qingfeng ignored him and said indifferently, "Counselor Ma, do you know your crime?"
Ma Ruyi was taken aback upon hearing this, then smiled and said, "I have been following your orders all along and have not dared to overstep my bounds in the slightest. I really don't know what crime I have committed. I would appreciate it if Special Envoy Zhou could point out my mistake. If I have indeed done something wrong, I will definitely admit my guilt, accept punishment, and correct my error."
Zhou Qingfeng walked unhurriedly to Ma Ruyi's side and looked directly into her eyes.
Ma Ruyi instinctively tried to take a half step back, but Zhou Qingfeng grabbed the back of her neck and forcibly pressed her to the spot.
With Ma Ruyi's hidden strength, she could easily break free from the restraints, but on the surface, she could not go against Zhou Qingfeng's wishes because it was an absolute suppression from power.
"Tell me, was it you who secretly sabotaged them, causing them to suffer heavy losses?" Zhou Qingfeng's expression was calm, his eyes deep and unfathomable, like a still spring, emanating an oppressive aura of a superior that was captivating.
If it were someone else, and they had something to hide, they would probably have confessed without being asked; at the very least, they would be flustered and nervous, busy trying to explain themselves.
However, Ma Ruyi remained calm and composed, with a sweet smile always on her face.
"I didn't do it, why is Special Envoy Zhou accusing me?"
Zhou Qingfeng's expression sharpened as he continued, "Then why have all the teams suffered heavy losses since you, while your men have remained unscathed? Give me a reasonable explanation."
Ma Ruyi smiled as usual: "I was lucky. It just so happened that when I passed through the dead forest, the bone cicadas were still in their dormant period, so I was able to lead the people through safely. They suffered heavy losses, but it was just their bad luck."
"Besides, these people have suffered heavy losses, which is entirely beneficial to you, so why bother to investigate them?"
At this point, Ma Ruyi's eyes flickered. She hadn't expected Zhou Qingfeng to be able to pinpoint her involvement so quickly.
While secretly marveling at Zhou Qingfeng's quick thinking, he was also worried that Zhou Qingfeng might not be able to distinguish between friend and foe and might turn against him.
Therefore, she had no choice but to reveal her identity.
However, if you reveal your identity, you must do so in a valuable way.
Ma Ruyi decided to take this opportunity to improve Boss Ma's image: "Special Envoy Zhou, rest assured, I will not do anything to harm you."
"Actually, I was sent by the head of the family to protect you."
"The head of the family was worried that those scoundrels around you wouldn't be able to protect you, so he specially sent me to hide in the delegation and secretly escort you along the way. He also said that we don't need the treasure; your safety is the top priority."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng frowned slightly, not expecting Ma Dalang to value him so much.
Brotherhood? That kind of thing will definitely develop over time, but I've never met Ma Dalang in private. Even when we talk, it's mostly business-related. Where does this brotherhood come from?
What do I have that makes Ma Dalang treat me like this?
After much thought, he still couldn't figure out Ma Dalang's intentions.
It can only be interpreted as Ma Dalang trying to befriend him.
Zhou Qingfeng's sharp aura gradually subsided, replaced by a calm demeanor. He released Ma Ruyi's neck and moved to the side, saying, "Please thank my elder brother for me. I understand his intentions."
Ma Ruyi rubbed the back of her neck and said with a smile, "I will definitely relay the truth."
Zhou Qingfeng glanced at him sideways and said indifferently, "This is a one-time thing, and there will be no next time. Remember your excuse: this is just their bad luck, they happened to encounter the awakening of the Bone Cicada, and it has nothing to do with anyone else."
Ma Ruyi's expression shifted slightly. She knew perfectly well that Zhou Qingfeng had defined the nature of this incident, sparing her this time, but also warning her that if there was a next time, it wouldn't be them who died, but her.
Ma Ruyi then clasped his hands in a fist and smiled, saying, "How could I dare disobey the special envoy's orders?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng gave Ma Ruyi a deep look but said nothing more.
Because this matter truly brings me many benefits.
Firstly, the manpower of various forces has been greatly reduced, and the decline in strength means a significant reduction in influence and voice. This will make it easier to control the situation on the ground and will reduce many constraints in doing things.
Secondly, this opportunity allowed the Gu family to owe a great favor, paving the way for bringing the Gu family under his control in the future. He only needed to wait for the right opportunity to completely bring the Gu family into his camp.
Thirdly, after getting to know Ma Ruyi better, he learned about Ma Dalang's attitude towards him and thus realized that Ma Ruyi would stand by his side at crucial moments.
Fourth, this matter will make them wary and suspicious of each other, thus preventing them from colluding behind each other's backs and secretly conspiring, greatly reducing the possibility of them turning the tables.
After a moment's thought, Zhou Qingfeng led Ma Ruyi out of the ice house and to the campfire.
The crowd called out to Special Envoy Zhou and were about to rise and pay their respects.
Seeing this, Zhou Qingfeng waved his hand and said, "We're out in the wild, so let's keep things simple and don't stand on ceremony."
Everyone then slowly sat down.
A breach of etiquette can be a big deal or a small one. In this corrupt and chaotic world with a strict hierarchy, superiors may not care, but if subordinates dare not bow to their superiors, they will be severely beaten and forced to relearn how to write the word "rules".
Zhou Qingfeng faced the crowd and said, "Everyone, this matter has been investigated and clarified."
"It can be confirmed that it is unrelated to the map provided by the Gu family head."
"I just questioned Miss Ma in detail."
"Miss Ma also safely led people through the dead forest according to the information provided by the map. When she passed through, the dead bone cicadas had not yet awakened, while you were a little slower and the dead bone cicadas just happened to awaken when you passed through."
"Let's stop suspecting each other. The most important thing now is to work together to find the treasure and face the challenges ahead, instead of doubting and blaming each other. That won't do any good for any of us."
Ma Ruyi stepped forward at the opportune moment and said, "I can testify that what Special Envoy Zhou said is true."
Upon hearing this, the head of the Gu family felt as if he had been granted a pardon and immediately stood up, saying, "You all heard that, right? The information recorded on the map is true. Your heavy losses have nothing to do with me."
Upon hearing this, everyone reacted with varying expressions, some believing and some doubting.
They couldn't believe that such a huge loss was caused by just bad luck.
However, they also have no evidence to suggest that it was done by any one person.
Raising questions at this point is pointless and a waste of time. Instead, it's better to be vigilant and guard against others trying to trip us up, so as not to fall into their trap again.
Zhou Qingfeng sat cross-legged in front of the campfire, took out some dry food to heat up, and ate while warming himself by the fire. Ma Ruyi returned to her seat and sat down, holding a cup of hot water to drink.
First Yujing, First Duanmu, and First Jinse rose, clasped their hands in farewell, and took their leave first, returning to the ice house to rest.
First Jinse knelt on the carpet, took the zither from her back and placed it aside: "Duanmu, Yujing, do you believe Zhou Qingfeng's words? Is it really just that we were unlucky?"
First Jade Capital calmly said, "Perhaps it was man-made disaster, perhaps it was an accident. The truth is no longer clear."
"If it really is a man-made disaster, then we should hope that he will strike again, and then we will still have a chance to catch him and provide evidence."
"If it's an accident, then we'll accept it."
"The important thing right now is that Zhou Qingfeng has taken advantage of our mutual distrust, turning us into a disorganized mess, so that we can no longer unite with other families to influence his decisions."
Upon hearing this, First Jinse nodded and looked at First Duanmu: "Duanmu, what do you think we should do next?"
First, Duanmu sat cross-legged and said coldly, "The only course of action now is to endure and observe the situation."
“If Zhou Qingfeng wants to control the situation, just give him control. As long as we can get back the Xiyi Treasure, we can recover all the losses we have suffered with interest.”
"Be more vigilant on the road ahead. Apart from Zhou Qingfeng, no one else can be trusted, especially Ma Ruyi and the Gu family head. We need to be extra cautious."
"As for others, don't get too close for now. They won't trust us. If we deliberately get close, it will only make us suspicious and cause unnecessary hostility."
A chain of suspicion has now emerged that cannot be verified.
The further back a team climbs up, the more suspects it faces; the closer a team climbs up, the fewer suspects it faces. However, the teams at the front cannot prove their trustworthiness to those at the back.
Just like the current situation of the three of them, Duanmu, Yujing, and Jinse, they have two suspects: the Gu family head who provided the map of Despair Slope, and Ma Ruyi who is ahead of them.
They can be sure they're fine, but the teams following behind won't believe them.
First Jinse frowned: "I understand being wary of Patriarch Gu and Ma Ruyi, as both are suspects. But if we trust Zhou Qingfeng, does that mean he won't harm us?"
First Duanmu said, "If he wanted to keep the treasure for himself, why bother with all this trouble? He could have just brought his men in private."
First Brocade: "..."
The three talked in private for a long time in the igloo, while the others gradually returned to their respective igloos to rest.
It was past midnight.
Jin Wei, who was on duty, suddenly rushed in, clasped his hands in a fist and said urgently, "Young Master, the thunderstorm clouds are showing signs of dissipating."
Zhou Qingfeng, who was sleeping fully clothed, immediately threw off the covers, got up, and strode out of the igloo upon hearing the news: "Time waits for no one. Gather everyone immediately and prepare to cross the thunderstorm cloud."
Upon hearing this, Jin Wei clasped his hands in a fist salute and left, quickly going to inform the various factions and his own troops.
Soon, most of the able-bodied people had arrived. As for those who were too badly injured to move, they were left behind. Each group left people to care for the wounded and wait for their condition to stabilize before looking for an opportunity to return the way they came.
Tang Yijun, the representative of the Tang family, was unable to accompany Zhou Qingfeng due to severe injuries. The remaining three followers at the Food Fiend Realm level could only stay by his side to take care of him and could not continue with Zhou Qingfeng's actions, thus marking their complete withdrawal from the scene.
Everyone was poised outside the thunderstorm clouds, waiting to unleash their power. As the thunderstorm clouds in the distance began to dissipate and the blue lightning within them diminished, they knew the time had come.
"Let's go!" Zhou Qingfeng immediately led his men uphill, not caring whether the others could keep up, because no one knew if the thunderstorm clouds would return, and they had to hurry to get through.
Traveling at night undoubtedly increases the difficulty of the climb and the risk of falling off the cliff, but there's no time to think about that right now; everyone is desperately climbing upwards.
Suddenly, Manager An cried out in alarm, his foot slipped, and he plummeted towards the bottom of the cliff.
However, Manager An reacted quickly and grabbed the arm of one of his men. In his panic, the man grabbed another man, and the three of them fell down the cliff like dumplings being dropped into a pot.
"Ah~~~ Help, help!!!" Manager An and his two subordinates tried to fly into the air, but under the abnormal gravity, his falling speed was getting faster and faster, and there was no way to stop him.
Everyone turned around in unison, glanced at each other with expressions of horror, then collectively held their breath and slowly looked up.
Only after confirming that their screams hadn't triggered an avalanche did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.
Zhou Qingfeng secretly broke out in a cold sweat and said, "Fortunately, there are thunderstorm clouds covering this place and very little snow. Otherwise, just those shouts would have caused a massive avalanche, and everyone would have fallen off the cliff together."
"Alright, hurry up and watch your step. We've come this far, don't let a slip ruin our journey."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded solemnly.
After this incident, everyone became more careful as they climbed the rugged, snow-covered slope, and deliberately kept their distance from those around them, for fear that if someone slipped and fell off the cliff, they would instinctively grab them and fall down with them.
After a difficult two-hour climb, we finally broke through the dark clouds and escaped the dangerous area where the thunderstorm clouds had appeared.
By this time, it was already getting light.
The blizzard started blowing again.
The group was too exhausted to continue climbing, as the intense climb had pushed them to their physical limits.
Zhou Qingfeng unfolded the map of Despair Slope in his hand, scanned the surrounding terrain to determine his location, and said, "Everyone, let's rest here for a while, eat something and drink some water, and continue on our way after an incense stick has burned, while it's still light."
Xiao Hongyun and Ye Tingxiu bent down and surrounded them; Xiao Hongyun wiped his face with ice and snow, forcing himself to be alert, and asked, "Where are we?"
Looking at the map of Despair Slope, Zhou Qingfeng said, "At six thousand feet, the road will become narrower and narrower, the blizzard will become stronger and stronger, and the gravity will reach an unprecedented level. Apart from that, there are no other dangers."
Panting heavily, Ye Tingxiu lay down on the snow beside Zhou Qingfeng, resisting the pressure from the blizzard, and took out a meat pie that he kept close to his body and handed it to him: "Have some, it's warm and won't hurt your teeth."
"Thanks, Lao Ye." Zhou Qingfeng took the meat pie, nodded slightly, took a bite of the warm meat pie, and looked up at the seemingly endless hillside above. Even with his iron will, he couldn't help but feel a sense of despair.
But he quickly shook off that despair, knowing that every success comes at a price.
To obtain the rare treasure and acquire wealth that others cannot earn in a lifetime, one must face despair and difficulties that others cannot encounter in their lifetime. The only thing one can do is persevere and persevere again.
Persist until the very end, until you see the light of day. As long as you don't give up, victory will eventually be yours.
He quickened his eating pace.
After eating, they lay down on the snow to rest.
After resting for a while, my strength has recovered somewhat.
Zhou Qingfeng turned around and said, "Keep going, everyone! We're still 749 zhang away from the summit. Perseverance is victory! We must reach the top of Despair Slope today!"
Led by Zhou Qingfeng, the group rallied and pressed on toward Despair Slope once more. Despite being extremely exhausted, the remaining members of the group gritted their teeth and continued climbing.
Although a height of 749 zhang (approximately 123 meters) may not seem too far under normal circumstances, at this moment it represents a severe challenge to their physical and mental limits.
People kept exhausting their last bit of strength, losing their balance and falling into the abyss, while their companions could only watch them go with numb but resolute eyes.
Then continue to struggle forward on this line between life and death.
Finally, just before darkness completely fell, the team successfully reached the top of Despair Slope.
Unable to contain his joy and excitement, Zhou Qingfeng turned to the crowd and said, "We have reached the summit. There is still time. Master Chen, according to the map, immediately begin setting up the altar to awaken the gate to the Xi Yi Treasure."
Upon hearing the sound, Master Chen stepped onto the narrow peak without hesitation.
Due to the extremely narrow terrain, Zhou Qingfeng had to carefully step down to give Chen Fuzi enough room to maneuver, so as to avoid accidentally falling off the cliff in this dangerous place.
Despite the severe blizzard, Master Chen began setting up the altar according to the instructions in the Moon Worship Diagram.
As time passed and night fell, a crimson moon rose and hung in the sky, casting its light upon this land of despair.
At this moment, the blizzard suddenly stopped, and the sky became clear and cloudless, providing everyone with a rare chance to catch their breath and recover some of their strength and energy.
The altar has now been set up.
Suppressing his surging emotions, Zhou Qingfeng climbed to the altar and personally hung the moon-worshiping picture on it.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have come here with great difficulty, and we can finally awaken the door to the treasure of the unknown."