Chapter 357: Chapter 357, A Line of People

Madam Qian’s group huddled around one pile, Chu Yu’s men around another, and Old Hu’s gang yet another, forming three separate parties who kept to themselves, neither interfering with nor provoking each other.

After all, the remuneration Chu Yu offered was indeed generous.

The overt payment was meant to maintain order, while the private rewards given by Chu Yu left nothing to be said.

Voices came from outside the cave, "Who’s there?"

Chu Yu rose quickly and walked towards the entrance of the cave.

Observing the line of people holding torches, his brows furrowed slightly.

So late at night? Are there still people moving about in the snowy mountains? Do they not value their lives?

Or perhaps the newcomers meant trouble.

Chu Yu called out in a low voice toward the inside of the cave, "Someone’s coming!"

Old Hu immediately gathered his clothes and got up to head outside, while Madam Qian promptly woke Hemei and Henuan.

Despite being tired, the two servant girls quickly became alert and hastily straightened their clothes, standing guard around Yun Jinnian.

Old Hu, noticing the newcomers drawing closer, frowned and said, "They’re locals from Nanjiang!"

Chu Yu quickly grasped some understanding, "Everyone, be on your guard!"

They had entered Tian Mountain numerous times but never found the item; however, this time, with Yun Jinnian with them, there was a persistent feeling that they might find the Tian Mountain Snow Lotus.

And now, these people finally could not stay silent any longer.

Madam Qian also lifted Yun Jinnian into her embrace, concealing her face with a large cloak.

"Madam Qian?" Yun Jinnian whispered.

"Go back to sleep, it’s nothing," Madam Qian replied gently.

Although there were complaints against Yun Jinnian, after all, she was only twelve years old, still a child, and Madam Qian’s anger subsided soon after it flared up.

It wasn’t worth holding a grudge against a child for too long, as that would be embarrassing.

"Madam Qian, let me fix my hair, and I’ve smelled a hint of blood; please remind everyone to be careful!" Yun Jinnian said while feeling for the small cauldron inside her waist pouch.

For some inexplicable reason, she had brought it with her this time.

"Alright!"

After Madam Qian had helped Yun Jinnian tie up her hair and reminded everyone to stay cautious, she once again wrapped Yun Jinnian with the cloak, covering her face.

Hemei and Henuan also sat aside, their hands on the soft swords tied to their waists.

Outside the cave, the torches came closer, and Old Hu shouted in the Nanjiang dialect, "Who are you?"

"We’re searching for the Tian Mountain Snow Lotus, and since it got dark before we could find a cave to rest in, we saw a fire here and dared to disturb you!"

Old Hu said a few words to Chu Yu, who nodded in agreement.

Then Old Hu said, "Our master invites you to rest inside the cave and we’ll even cook a pot of meat soup to satisfy your hunger!"

The people from Nanjiang appeared utterly astonished.

But they still entered the cave.

The cave was spacious, and even with the addition of this group of twenty Nanjiang people, it did not feel crowded. Old Hu took charge of hosting, ordering his men to cook the meat soup and distributing steamed buns to everyone, being polite, thorough, and attentive.

They were treated with great courtesy.

The Nanjiang people went deeper into the cave and looked around.

In the cave were three fire pits; beside one, an old nurse sat holding a child in her arms, flanked by two children, while five women and ten men stood guard behind her, each holding a Precious Sword, clearly there to protect the child in the old woman’s embrace.

Another fire pit was surrounded by more than twenty men, their Precious Swords also at hand.

Those assisting with the soup were Old Hu’s men.

One of the Nanjiang people quietly opened a jade bottle at his waist, intending to pour the insects inside onto the ground, but the insects hid inside the bottle, refusing to come out.

In his haste, he shook it a few times, and although the insect fell out, it quickly crawled to his foot and then fearfully onto his body.

"..."

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