Chapter 600: Chapter 400: An Ordinary Stone (Double Length) (Part 2)

Although the scenery in this area remained as breathtaking as ever, the group no longer felt the excitement they did when they first arrived.

Especially De Gaulle, who hadn’t said much from the beginning, and nobody knew what he was thinking.

Qi Yun walked at the back, continually observing the primitive forest ahead of him.

The breeze blew gently, causing the treetops to sway slightly, as if silently bidding farewell; perhaps this would be the last time humans set foot here.

Suddenly, Xiao Wu, who was walking beside him, stopped and abruptly turned around to look back, his expression tense.

Qi Yun noticed his unusual behavior and stopped to ask, “Xiao Wu, what’s wrong?”

Xiao Wu stared at the jungle behind them for a few seconds, then shook his head: “I have a feeling something has been watching us this whole way, yet I found no trace.”

“Maybe I’m just mistaken…”

Qi Yun frowned; he knew that someone like Xiao Wu, who practiced internal martial arts, had senses far sharper than average people.

“Brother Quan, did you sense anything?”

Upon hearing the question, Brother Quan stopped and looked back at the jungle behind them, frowning as well: “No.”

“Perhaps you guys should go ahead; I’ll stay back and observe for a while.”

Qi Yun thought for a moment, then slowly shook his head: “No need. Even if some animal is watching us, as long as it doesn’t attack, we shouldn’t bother with it.”

“Just stay alert.”

Seeing Qi Yun make a decision, Brother Quan didn’t insist any further, lowered his pace, and walked behind Qi Yun, while unlocking the safety on his handgun.

After traveling through the forest for several hours, the group finally arrived at the entrance of the cave they had come through at around noon.

The vines at the cave entrance were still in the same position as when they were pushed aside before, with sunlight slanting in, revealing shallow footprints on the ground. There were no other unfamiliar traces.

Everyone entered the passage and took out glow sticks for lighting.

Xiao Wu, who was at the back, looked back again, his brows knitted together.

As soon as they entered the passage, the air grew stuffy.

The mysterious energy field seemed to take effect again; all electronic devices failed, and even their bodies felt slightly uncomfortable.

The group pressed on, though they didn’t know how long they walked, taking several breaks along the way, until they finally arrived at the spot where the German soldier’s remains lay.

Qi Yun considered burying the remains for a proper resting place but decided against it, preferring not to disturb the original state here.

After rounding a corner, a ray of sunlight streamed in from the blown-open gap, ushering them back to the outside world.

Outside the passage, Chen Wei, Niu Da, An Zai, and the two guides were camped at the exit. Seeing Qi Yun emerge, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Boss!” An Zai rushed forward, taking the equipment from Qi Yun.

Qi Yun nodded and immediately looked up at the sun in the sky, which was slanting westward.

He then raised his watch, where the dial’s hands pointed to the five o’clock position.

Five o’clock!

They had entered the passage at two o’clock!

Time had not vanished.

Unlike the other day.

Why did this change occur…

“Director Qi, it’s getting late; should we descend now, or wait until tomorrow?” Guide Losang approached and asked.

Qi Yun glanced around at the snow and wind, then replied, “Let’s descend.”

This place was over four thousand meters above sea level, making it quite uncomfortable for someone like Ignacio, and the cold was considerable. Even with tents and sleeping bags, it would be tough to endure.

“Alright, alright, we’ll pack up and start soon,” Losang agreed and went to pack up the tent.

Qi Yun called An Zai aside and whispered instructions, “Later, we’ll leave with Losang, and you stay here with the other guide…”

…

Past ten o’clock at night, the group returned to the herders’ home, where the Mongolian yurt’s stove drove away the outside chill.

After a hot meal, the group, tired from the day’s exertions, each went to rest.

Qi Yun and Chen Wei shared a large heated platform, and after getting under the covers, Qi Yun asked Chen Wei, “Brother Wei, what time was it when you exited the passage the other day?”

“Around noon; I didn’t pay attention to the exact time.”

“An Zai, how about you guys?”

“Around four in the afternoon.”

Four o’clock… An Zai and Niu Da had also started in the morning the previous day, and their pace was a bit faster, coming out an hour ahead, which aligned closely with the timing.

What’s going on here…

As the sounds of snoring grew around, Qi Yun also gradually fell into a deep sleep…

The next day, Qi Yun called the two guides over for a private talk.

He took out the prepared documents and placed them in front of the two, speaking sternly, “Do you recognize this?”

The two guides leaned in for a look, and their expressions became tense.

Losang swallowed nervously and tentatively asked, “Director Qi, we haven’t done anything illegal.”

“Don’t be nervous; I’m just showing you my identity.” Qi Yun withdrew the documents, lightly tapping the table with his fingers, “And to remind you that what I’m about to say is very important, and you must always remember it.”

The two guides exchanged a glance and nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes, Director Qi, go ahead; we’ll definitely keep it in mind.”

Qi Yun’s gaze swept over the two men’s faces, and he said in a low voice, “First, about taking us up the mountain and the entrance of that cave, you must take it to your graves.”

“You must never reveal a word, whether to your family, friends, or anyone else who inquires in the future.”

“Second, if you find out that anyone wants to go to that mountain in the future, you must notify me immediately. I will leave you my contact information later.”

The two quickly agreed, “Yes, Director Qi and the country can rest assured, we won’t say anything about it!”

“Yes, yes, if someone goes up there, we’ll report to you first.”

“Good.” Qi Yun nodded in satisfaction, “Is there any other route besides the one we took to reach that mountain?”

“There’s only this route!” Losang replied firmly, “The climate in this part of Kunlun Mountain is cold, and ice covers everything; there’s no way to bypass it unlike other places.”

“To reach the mountain, you have to pass through that canyon and go this way.”

With this definitive answer, Qi Yun had a clear understanding.

He turned and took a bundle of cash from his bag, placing it on the table: “Here’s a hundred thousand yuan as compensation for your efforts this time and the subsequent reward.”

“When you speak to this herder in a moment, tell them that if they see strangers heading into the mountains, they should inform you.”

Upon seeing the money on the table, Losang and the other guide’s eyes lit up momentarily, but they quickly restrained their expressions, repeatedly shaking their heads, “Director Qi, that’s too much; we’re just leading the way, we don’t need so much…”

Despite their words, their eyes seemed fixed on the cash.

“Take it, no need to decline.” Qi Yun pushed the money toward them, his tone softening a bit, “Remember what I’ve told you; this is the task entrusted to you by the country, and you must commit it to memory.”

The two exchanged another glance, their faces brightening with barely contained joy, then clumsily stood upright, solemnly promising, “Understood! Please rest assured, Director Guo!”

“Alright, thank you for your help this time, you may go.” Qi Yun waved, indicating for them to leave.

After handling this matter, the group set off for Yutian.

However, An Zai was arranged to stay temporarily at the herders’ home and would return later.

By nightfall, the convoy arrived at Yutian Airport, where the group parted ways.

Before leaving, Qi Yun had a conversation with De Gaulle, hoping the latter could keep the location of Shambala’s entrance a secret, explaining the reasons.

De Gaulle paused in silence before ultimately agreeing to the request: “Alright, I will warn them not to reveal it; I won’t mention the exact location to my family either.”

“You know my family has always pursued only that secret, and such sites are not what they’re interested in.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun breathed a sigh of relief internally, although he still didn’t feel entirely secure.

Even though his contingency plan wasn’t necessary this time, who knew if it was because “eternal life” wasn’t what De Gaulle expected.

Since there was no conflict of interest, nothing drastic had happened.

Regardless, when dealing with people backed by powerful forces, Qi Yun always maintained a necessary level of vigilance.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep