Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Manbao Didn’t Say Anything

When the team left, the sun had already risen.

The temperature was noticeably warmer than at midnight, but without the campfire, everyone felt colder instead.

The children were all wrapped in blankets and placed on the wooden cart.

The bottom layer of the wooden cart was covered with burlap sacks, all filled with chestnuts.

Other luggage or chestnuts were placed around, forming a nest in the middle where the children sat to keep warm and prevent them from dozing off and falling.

The adults were all walking, even the elderly.

The wives helped push the cart, while the men pulled it.

Qi Dalang was still pulling the cart for Qi Quanjin’s family, while Qi Quanjin walked at the forefront, holding a stick in one hand and an axe in the other, continuously tapping the withered grass ahead.

First, to test if the ground was even, and second, to scare away any snakes or insects possibly hiding under the grass.

After two days of rest, everyone’s spirits had noticeably improved, and even after a tiring half-night, their pace was much faster than before.

After nearly a full day, they finally reached the relatively low mountain basin across the valley.

The forest here appeared significantly less dense and much lower compared to other areas.

However, as night fell, they did not dare to venture into the forest rashly, deciding instead to rest at a flat spot at the mountain foot.

As before, they cleared the ground and lit campfires around.

That night passed without incident.

The next day, ascending the mountain, they walked all day to reach the highest point of the mountain basin.

Both sides were high mountains, with significantly fewer trees.

While inspecting the surroundings to ensure there were no signs of large animal activity, Qi Quanjin discovered a cave.

The cave was not large, accommodating at most a dozen people.

Yet, everyone was very pleased.

The elderly and young children were settled in the cave to rest, and the presence of the cave eased everyone’s minds considerably.

Another quiet night.

On the descent the next day, everyone became much more cautious.

Ascending the mountain was easier than descending, as a small slip might cause them to tumble down with all their supplies.

Still, whether due to luck or some other reason, they managed to reach the plain at the mountain foot before nightfall.

The ground had much less dry grass, but there were still no signs of human passage, not even a decent path.

They managed through another night.

Initially expecting this night to be like the previous two, unexpectedly, a series of wolf howls came from the mountain forest at midnight.

“Oh my, could those wolves have caught up again for water?”

Qi Quanli’s face turned pale.

Others did not look well either.

Though the wolf pack hadn’t harmed them, with their current water supply, sharing any with the wolves might only leave enough for two or three more days.

“Now that we’re out of the mountains, perhaps we should push on for a while under the cover of darkness?”

Zhou Tao approached Qi Quanjin with his suggestion.

Others stayed silent, all looking at Qi Quanjin.

Everyone had grown accustomed to following Qi Quanjin’s lead over these days.

Qi Quanjin pondered, frowning: “Traveling now might not get us far, and at night, we can’t see clearly. Falling into a ditch would be disastrous.”

After a pause, Qi Quanjin added, “How about this, I’ll take some people to scout around, while others keep the fires burning.”

“Alright, Brother Jin, I’ll go with you!”

Zhou Tao immediately volunteered to join.

But Qi Quanjin shook his head: “You stay, Second Brother, Third Brother, and wife, you three come with me.”

“You reckless boy, let the men scout, why bring your wife?”

Aunt Zhou was immediately displeased: “What can your wife do? Fight wolves?”

Having heard her husband’s plans and offering to accompany him, Yi Meng had guessed his intention.

He wanted to find a separate spot to draw water and prevent the wolves from scaring others again.

So, Yi Meng quickly said, “Aunt Zhou, let me go with them! My eyesight is sharp, and I can see the path at night.”

“You child…”

Aunt Zhou wanted to say more, but Mrs. Qi stopped her: “Sister, let the young ones handle it! Let’s hurry and get some food ready for the kids.”

Aunt Zhou opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing.

Qi Quanli jumped up to join, only to be kicked by his father.

“Dad, why did you kick me again?”

Qi Quanli looked at his father in grievance and discontent.

Qi Zheng coldly said, “Don’t you know why? Go help clear the ground and light the fires! Always picking the easy tasks!”

“I… I didn’t!”

Qi Quanli was infuriated.

Qi Quanjin patted his shoulder: “Old Six, hurry and get to work! Let’s spare our father and uncle some effort.”

“Fourth Brother…”

Qi Quanli tried to negotiate.

Qi Quanjin shook his head, indicating he should not cause trouble.

In the end, Qi Quanli obediently went to work, hanging his head.

The chosen Qi Ercai and Qi Sangui, each wielded an axe and a cleaver, protectively surrounded Yi Meng in the center.

The four figures quickly disappeared into the forest.

Qi Manman blinked and nudged Qi Shilang beside her, saying, “Brother Shi, we’ll have some fresh meat tonight.”

“We have meat every day!”

Qi Shilang didn’t even glance at his sister but salivated as he watched Grandma take out a bundle of jerky from the cart.

Qi Manman pouted: “That jerky is too dry, today’s meat is better!”

Mrs. Qi overhearing this, hurriedly looked at Qi Manman.

Catching her grandmother’s frown, Qi Manman instantly covered her mouth with her small hands, mumbling, “Manbao didn’t say anything.”

“Be good, Grandma will cook you some jerky later.”

Mrs. Qi was slightly annoyed.

Indeed, just a child. Earlier, she promised not to mention fresh meat, yet so quickly forgot.

Fortunately, the little girl still understood, acknowledging her mistake promptly.

As children do, with guidance, they’ll only improve.

Meanwhile, after the four entered the forest, Yi Meng checked for any observers and saw none before Qi Quanjin took the lead by stopping.

Qi Ercai curious: “Fourth, what’s up?”

“Second Brother, Third Brother, help dig a pit.”

Said Qi Quanjin, raising the hoe he brought to start digging.

Qi Ercai was puzzled: “Dig a pit for what? Set a trap?”

“No more questions, just help.”

Qi Quanjin wasn’t planning on explaining much.

Sometimes, explanations only complicate things, better to give straightforward orders.

Sure enough, as he said it, Qi Ercai and Qi Sangui asked no further.

However, they lacked long-handled tools and could only use cleavers to dig.

Yi Meng watched, twitching her mouth.

In fact, there were tools in the space; she just wasn’t sure if taking them out now would frighten the two brothers-in-law.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep