Chapter 19: Seemingly Calm, Yet Truly Out of Moves

Su Xiaoyun remained calm and turned to look at the man. "Did you bring any gear?"

Huo Congjing spread his hands with a wry smile. His lean, muscular waist was wrapped in a standard military uniform, devoid of any equipment.

*It’s over… he didn't even bring a single shell casing.*

Su Xiaoyun felt a wave of helplessness. "What do we do now? Judging by the hoof prints, they must be nearby." She kept her voice low.

Huo Congjing narrowed his eyes. After a moment of thought, he said, "We’ll find a place to spend the night and try to signal down the mountain. Meng Qinian and the others will come to rendezvous with us." He added, "Of course, we must get as close to the foothills as possible to make the search and rescue easier."

Su Xiaoyun rubbed her throbbing temples. "That’s all we can do for now."

Wild boars were not only ferocious but also possessed a keen sense of smell. Their eyes might not be much, but those long snouts were no mere decoration; they could easily track the scent of berries from kilometers away. With the current severe drought, everything edible on the mountain had been scavenged by humans, and the beasts were likely starving and desperate.

The two treaded lightly, avoiding any noise, until they reached an area where there were no signs of wild boar activity, at which point they finally exhaled in relief. But this was unfamiliar territory. Su Xiaoyun could count the number of times she had been up this mountain on one hand; she was completely lost. After walking back and forth along the mountain paths, she sat down on a rock to rest.

Huo Congjing took out two flatbreads. "It’s getting dark. Are you hungry? Here."

Su Xiaoyun was surprised. She took one—a flatbread made of cornmeal mixed with wild vegetables. She chewed it in small, careful bites. "It must be seven or eight o'clock by now, right?"

Huo Congjing, busy gathering dry wood, gave a hum of agreement.

*Crackle!*

The man’s arm muscles tensed as he started a fire with a wooden drill in just a few movements. The flames, stirred by the mountain breeze, flickered in clusters. Huo Congjing turned to meet Su Xiaoyun’s clear eyes and said, "While the sky hasn't gone completely dark, smoke is the fastest way to let people know our location."

Su Xiaoyun cupped her chin with one hand. "I know, and it will also mask our scent."

Huo Congjing was surprised that she had thought of that. A flicker of approval crossed his eyes. Perhaps his gaze was too direct, for Su Xiaoyun sighed helplessly. "Everyone in the village says I’m lazy and greedy, always looking for a free meal. I suppose you’re surprised because I don't seem like that?"

Huo Congjing was momentarily stunned, then nodded—though not entirely.

Su Xiaoyun had no interest in explaining. She used a thick branch to stir the fire, letting the black smoke billow upward. She only needed to mind herself; surviving was what mattered most. She had no time to worry about what people whispered behind her back.

Down the mountain, Meng Qinian’s team had already returned with water and had been waiting at the base. They hadn't seen the pair, but then they spotted wisps of black smoke rising from the mountaintop.

"Damn it!" Meng Qinian slapped his thigh, his upturned, phoenix-like eyes darkening. "All of you, follow me immediately! The rest of you, take the water back to the village!"

He led his men straight up the mountain. Unless something had gone wrong, there was no way a fire would have started. The only possibility was that the Regiment Commander and the others had run into trouble! Su Xiaoyun and Huo Congjing were both up there—one was a village educated youth, the other a military regiment commander; neither could afford to get hurt!

"Southeast corner, side peak..." Meng Qinian ran as he moved. The winding, undulating mountain range seemed endless. Finding someone in the deep, old forests was like looking for a needle in a haystack; it would take time. Meng Qinian was frantic. If he had known, he would have made them take the lower path! Now that night had fallen, it was going to be a difficult task.

...

The night grew deeper. Inside the cave where they had taken shelter, the two remained silent. Su Xiaoyun fought the urge to sleep; it was dangerous, and besides, it was almost midnight! The lottery for a new day was about to begin. She rubbed her hands together, eager and impatient.

She had asked Huo Congjing earlier; his wristwatch glinted brightly in the moonlight.

*Eleven-fifty-eight, fifty-nine... System, draw!*

Perfect timing. She prayed for something big! At the very least, some biscuits or food—she was starving. Her frail, bean-sprout body felt like it was wasting away.

*Ding.*

A subtle sound echoed. Su Xiaoyun’s eyes lit up, a bright sheen reflecting in her amber pupils. This time, she didn't pick the first or the third option. She skipped the ends and went straight for the middle!

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining a blueprint for a portable folding cart.]

The mechanical voice faded in her mind.

Silence. Dead silence. The smile remained on Su Xiaoyun’s face, but the crescent shape of her eyes gradually flattened. *Fine, fine, fine.* After all that anticipation, they gave her a piece of paper. She laughed—a laugh born of pure frustration. It was completely useless! She couldn't eat paper; how was she supposed to survive? She turned her back to Huo Congjing, her slender, thin shoulders trembling slightly. She was so angry she wanted to tear the system apart!

Suddenly, the grid containing the blueprint in her storage space lit up. *A portable folding cart?* Su Xiaoyun’s mind turned. It might actually be useful. Looking at the long term, this cart was a godsend. It could easily triple the efficiency of her water hauling. She examined it closely; the design was clear and easy to understand, with every step labeled and broken down. If she could find a carpenter in the village, it would be easy to build. The only prerequisite was that she had to draw the blueprint out.

In the middle of the wilderness, unable to sleep anyway, she decided to get to work. Su Xiaoyun grabbed a branch, cleared away the tangled dry grass on the ground, and began to sketch.

At first, Huo Congjing assumed she was just bored. But when his gaze accidentally fell upon the ground, he froze!

"Are you drawing... a cart?" he asked, his tone slightly hesitant.

Su Xiaoyun grinned and looked up. "You figured it out? My drawing skills aren't too bad, then."

Huo Congjing moved closer to get a better look at the pattern on the ground. It was indeed a cart he had never seen before, yet the design was ingeniously crafted, with every part perfectly placed. He raised an eyebrow. "How did you think of this? If you use this cart to haul water, one trip would equal three. It saves both time and labor."

Su Xiaoyun blinked slyly. "You’d be surprised. I have plenty of ideas in my head." She kept the mystery alive; she couldn't tell the truth at all. The system panel was right in front of her eyes; tracing it out was easy. She looked at it with satisfaction. "Once I get back to the village, I’ll find a carpenter and see if it can be built."

Huo Congjing’s dark eyes shifted. "Why not ask me?"

"Huh? You can do this?" Su Xiaoyun’s eyes widened in surprise, like a curious young deer.

A smile tugged at the corner of Huo Congjing’s mouth. "It’s not difficult. I know a bit of carpentry."

"When we go back, I’ll build it for you."

Su Xiaoyun’s smile deepened, her bright face tinged with a hint of playfulness. "That would be great! When I get back, Wanqing and I will make something delicious and bring you some!"

Huo Congjing raised an eyebrow. This girl was quite the calculator. She was clearly implying that she wouldn't have to pay him, saving herself a carpentry fee. Su Xiaoyun smiled craftily. *So what?* She was serving the people! Once she drew more items from the system, she could provide for Huo Congjing in the future.