Chapter 811 Into the Mountains, In Danger
In the early spring of April, the branches of the trees spread out luxuriously. The green, fresh, and trembling leaves weaved into a fine net of domes and dark green clouds, stopping in the clear blue sky. Walking in the jungle between the mountains was somewhat disappointing the beauty of the spring scenery.
They were a group of 13 people. In addition to the 10 secret guards, Shen Xiaoxiao and Yan Kuan, there was also a doctor from the base who was proficient in Chinese and Western medicine accompanying them.
Each of them was leading a horse and carrying their supplies. Of course, there were also people. Walking in the mountains and forests, especially in this completely undeveloped mountain forest, the best means of transportation was the horse.
They had been trying to reduce the burden and physical waste. From the range they had surveyed, it would take at least a day to walk to the place they were going to.
They set off at 6 am. Every two hours, they let the horses rest for 15 minutes before continuing. At night, they would set up camp and rest in an open s.p.a.ce. Similarly, three groups of people would take turns on duty.
“After walking for a day, are you tired? Eat something.”
As it was the first day, when they left in the morning, 19 even packed a dozen sandwiches for Shen Xiaoxiao to bring. It happened to be early spring, so even when they took them out from the sealed box, they did not spoil at all.
The only problem with their departure this time was Shen Xiaoxiao’s food. Of course, Yan Kuan would not let anyone touch the things that Shen Xiaoxiao wanted to eat, so he carried them all on his back personally. Although it was some dry food, there were some nutrients as well. They were all supplies that Shen Xiaoxiao needed. Drinking a bottle every day could maintain her energy for a day. “I’m fine. has everyone settled down? According to today’s schedule, we would arrive at our destination around noon tomorrow. I don’t know what it would be like over there, but today is peaceful. Is there barbecued meat outside? It smells so good.”
“They killed pheasants and hares. There’s a lot of prey in spring. Even if it’s not enough meat, it’s not enough fat. This is for you.” Shen Xiaoxiao took a small barbecued chicken and ate it. Yan Kuan tidied up the things in the tent and started chatting with Shen Xiaoxiao.
“I think we left very smoothly today. There were no accidents at all.” When she was with Yan Kuan, Shen Xiaoxiao did not care much about how she ate, let alone how she ate.
Yan Kuan naturally knew what Shen Xiaoxiao meant by this. After tidying up the bed, he slowly said, “So, tonight is the key. Whether it’s the wild beasts or those people, they have been hungry for a whole winter to hunt for food. Seeing the delicious food in front of them, they naturally can’t resist the temptation.”
“Do you think Jiang Haoting will send people? And Dark 1?”
“I don’t know, probably. But I still don’t know which side Dark 1 is on because his loyalty to me is definitely not fake. And I found out that he is targeting you.”
“Me? Why?”
“Because it’s you. So I think Dark 1 either has a connection with the old woman or your grandfather Shen Guoan.”
“So you don’t agree to bring Lin Jiahui, Han Jia, and Liu Yufei now?”
“Bringing three women who are in the way won’t help us. I’ve already made arrangements. Someone will help us send them over so that we can save labor.”
Shen Xiaoxiao quickly finished a whole chicken and drank a mouthful of water before continuing to eat the sandwich. As she ate, she continued to say, “In other words, if Dark 1 or the other people hiding in the dark were also targeting the Shen family’s secret fund, they would definitely try to rescue them while we were away. They might even bring them here, right?
“After all, the key to opening the Shen family’s secret fund is with me.”
“Mm, that’s indeed the case.”
“Every time I mention the Shen family’s secret fund, I feel awkward. I think it’s more reasonable to say that it’s the Shen family’s ancient tomb. It’s been buried in the wilderness for thousands of years. If it’s not a tomb, then what is it?”
“Who gave the secret fund its name? How is it nice to hear?”
“If you like to call it an ancient tomb, then it’s an ancient tomb. You, eat something and get some rest. Tomorrow is the most important day.”
“Okay. Are you going on patrol?”
“I’m going to take a look, but I’m just outside the tent.”
“Okay, then I’ll sleep first.”
Shen Xiaoxiao couldn’t compare to Yan Kuan. She knew this better than anyone else. So when Yan Kuan said that he was going to go out to investigate, she simply wiped her face after eating and fell asleep. With this man by her side… It was much easier.
In the early spring, the forest was always cold at night. Fortunately, their battle uniforms were made of special materials, and they were not afraid of being frozen even in the middle of winter.
However, it was just past 12 o’clock in the middle of winter in a place that was not afraid of heavy snow. Almost everyone woke up from the cold at the same time.
This kind of cold was the same kind that came from the ground. It was not the cold wind, and the leaves did not move at all.
Just this strange weather alone made everyone run out of the tent, including Shen Xiaoxiao.
“Why is it suddenly so cold?”‘Shen Xiaoxiao asked Yan Kuan.
Yan Kuan did not know what was going on, but the thermometer suddenly dropped from 10 degrees to-10 degrees.
This was definitely not normal. Frost fog and ice shards had already appeared at -10 degrees.
However, there was not a single bit of frost on the surrounding gra.s.s.
“Look at the fire.”
The secret guards cried out in surprise. Everyone looked at the bonfires in every corner.
Their tents were formed in a circle. There was a fire in the middle of the tent and a few bonfires around the tent.
This was also to prevent wild beasts from approaching. Wild beasts were afraid of bonfires, and this was a common practice.
But it was because of this that everyone saw something strange. These bonfires had all turned from orange-red flames to orchids at this moment. This scene made people’s hair stand on end.
Under what circ.u.mstances did this fire turn into orchids?
When they encountered phosphorus or something else in the air.
“Everyone, put on your gas masks.”
However, no matter what they encountered, the sudden change in the flames was definitely not simple. They had yet to reach their destination and were at least a hundred miles away from their destination. Now, such a strange scene had appeared… Then what would happen next?
What else would appear?
Just as Yan Kuan finished speaking and asked everyone to put on their gas masks, it was already a little late. The first to show symptoms was Dark 20. He was the closest to the bonfire and was also the weakest one.
His scalp was numb, his limbs were weak, and his head was dizzy. If it wasn’t for his strong will, he would have fainted on the ground long ago.
Immediately after, the other secret guards also showed the same symptoms. In less than 10 minutes, other than Yan Kuan, Shen Xiaoxiao, and everyone else who was still standing on the same spot, all of them fainted on the ground without exception. What was going on? Why were only the two of them safe and sound?