Chapter 1925 - 1923: Crossing the Swamp
Chapter 1925: Chapter 1923: Crossing the Swamp
Luckily, these two people were not ordinary; if they were, they would never have kept up with the sika deer’s intricate path.
Standing at the edge of the forest, their feet rested on solid ground. This swamp isolated many large animals, and of course, also humans.
No one would risk passing through here, so while they were organizing themselves in this forest, it was silent all around.
By now, it was already noon. When they left, they had told the butler they were visiting friends, and it would take two or three days before they returned, so naturally, they brought many supplies.
The sika deer had no concept of distance or time, so asking it was pointless. However, the deer would lead them through this vast forest. This forest was quite dangerous; they didn’t know if there was miasma inside, but were certain there were many large wild beasts. It was best if they could avoid meeting them.
Though physically fit, they still spent over two hours crossing this swamp, and they had to remain fully focused, naturally leaving them a bit weary.
Qin Yize insisted that Gu Qiaoqiao sit down to rest first. Nearby, he gathered a pile of dry wood, and they cooked noodles together. He had already used an instrument to test the area; there were no signs of human activity for over a hundred miles around. In other words, to get through this forest on foot would take more than ten hours. Since it was going to take so long, there was no use in rushing; better to conserve energy.
In case they really encountered a group of mystic sect members with strange cultivation techniques, they would be in their best condition to fight.
Thinking about this, Qin Yize allowed himself a bitter smile. When had the two of them ended up on such a path? Clearly, when he took over the Qin Family business, he intended to become the richest man in the world, so his wife and children would want for nothing, but now it seemed things had not gone as planned.
He only hoped that once this matter was resolved, they could have some peace for a while.
After all, this road was full of dangers and unknowns, beyond human control. Not like his Qin Group, where everything was under his command.
Gu Qiaoqiao noticed her hands were dirty, and though they had a canteen of water, it would be a waste to use it for washing hands. She casually asked the sika deer, "Is there a stream nearby where I can wash my hands?"
The sika deer tilted its head, seemingly thinking, and after a few seconds, it cheerfully said, "I know a place. It’s just ahead, but that water is hot and probably not drinkable."
Gu Qiaoqiao didn’t mind; it was likely a hot spring.
Turning her head, she saw Qin Yize half-squatting on a clean patch of ground. The fire was already set, and over it hung their trusty camping pot, with small wisps of steam rising, indicating it was about to boil. Nearby was a bag of instant noodles and two sausages.
After all, no matter how large a backpack, it couldn’t hold much, so they only took essentials and convenient items.
Even without knowing what had been added to the pot, a faint aroma wafted through the air.
"Ah Ze, I’m going over there to wash my hands, I’ll be right back."
"How far is it?"
Gu Qiaoqiao looked at the sika deer and asked the same question, "How far is it?"
The sika deer looked at Gu Qiaoqiao confused, unsure how to respond to this query. Gu Qiaoqiao chuckled and shook her head, turning to Qin Yize, "I’ll take Little Deer with me to check it out. If it’s too far, I won’t go. I’ll call out to you when I reach the spot."
Qin Yize glanced at his wife’s little hands, sure that the mud from the sika deer’s body had gotten on them.
"...There’s water here, no need to go a long way," Qin Yize frowned slightly.
"I still want to take a look. The sika deer said the water is warm; it might be a hot spring. If it’s not far, you can go wash up later too."
Seeing Gu Qiaoqiao eager to go, Qin Yize didn’t stop her. He had to keep an eye on the pot but still cautioned, "Call out to me when you get there."
Gu Qiaoqiao cheerfully replied, then followed the sika deer quickly towards the place it mentioned.
It wasn’t far. After walking a hundred or so meters, the sika deer stopped, and sure enough, the sound of flowing water reached their ears.
A small stream wound through the area, its source unknown and destination uncertain. But thinking about the swamp, Gu Qiaoqiao guessed it probably flowed towards it.
The water’s origin was unclear, and of course, it couldn’t be consumed. Who knew if there were any microorganisms or parasites in it, even if boiled?
Gu Qiaoqiao knelt down and washed her hands clean.
Suddenly, she sensed something unusual in the air here. Looking around, it was quiet, with no trace of others, not even large animals.
Where did this strangeness stem from? And yet, the unusual aura emitted a comfortable feeling, making Gu Qiaoqiao’s fingers twitch with a hint of longing.
Her heart quickened. Could there be a place rich in spiritual energy here?
She couldn’t help but glance at the sika deer, which was bending down to drink, and asked, "You said the water was warm. It’s not warm here; it’s cool, even chilly to the touch."
The sika deer quickly lifted its head, shaking the water droplets from its head, looking a bit puzzled. After all, it hadn’t gained sentience back then, and couldn’t remember much. It had only heard from Xiao Bai that the gold mine was important, so it wandered around there sometimes. As for why or how the water, once warm, was now cool, it didn’t know.
Gu Qiaoqiao did not trouble the sika deer further. She reached out and gently patted its head, "Go on, drink. I’ll look around here..."
Then she remembered to call out, "Ah Ze, I’ll be back soon."
From afar, Qin Yize promptly replied, "Alright, the noodles will be done soon."
Following that faint anomaly in her heart, Gu Qiaoqiao walked to a thicket, surprised to find it unusually lush and green. By this time of late autumn, many trees had shed their leaves, some reduced to bare branches, yet this bush was vibrantly verdant, seemingly overflowing with vitality.
It formed a stark contrast with its surroundings.
Strange indeed, as if she had passed by this route before.
How had she not noticed it? Given the obvious difference, could there be a natural formation here?
Intrigued, Gu Qiaoqiao started investigating around the bush and soon discovered a peculiar stone. On a closer look, it appeared quite ordinary, like a river pebble.
But upon even closer inspection, the spiritual energy fluctuations from it were substantial. Gu Qiaoqiao looked around thoughtfully, then decisively moved the stone aside...