Chapter 473 - Safe Return
Chapter 473
Safe Return
All the snow around Shao Xuan had been blasted away so he was directly sitting on salt. There were lines on the ground, all pointing outwards.
As for the rest, many were blasted into the air like Duo Kang. Some directly hid inside the layer of snow, only coming out later.
Shao Xuan’s reminder had given them just enough time. While most were blasted away and sustained injuries, not many were severely injured.
Duo Kang and Lu slowly got up. More people walked over from afar. Some were dragged out of the snow. Unconscious warriors were dragged out of the snow, for they could freeze to death if left inside for long.
Zheng Luo faced the largest impact because he had turned around to get Shao Xuan. However, he was also one of the strongest and most of the force had been blocked by Shao Xuan. Although he had been knocked unconscious after being blasted into the air, it was still good news that he was alive. They had to carry him.
They continued looking for unconscious men, also bringing the dead bodies from the previous battles. Shao Xuan helped them find buried bodies using his special vision to look into the snow.
The severely injured and unconscious individuals were carried by the ones well enough to walk. They hurried along their journey.
“We will not rest tonight. We’ll continue travelling,” decided Zheng Luo.
The two chiefs did not object. At this point, all they knew was that staying with the Flaming Horns was better than making their own decision.
Hurrying through the night was not easy. There were many dangers in the forest and they had to climb hills too. One wrong step and they could die.
Shao Xuan had recovered a lot. At this point, the glowing crystals were not very useful either. He walked in front with Wacha and his wife. They had been here many times so they were familiar. Occasionally, Shao Xuan would ask questions to confirm their direction.
On the second day, the sky brightened and it started to snow again. The winds were strong enough to blow a person away.
“At least we’ve passed the most dangerous hill,” sighed Wacha.
After leading for one night, another person took over in clearing the way so Shao Xuan could rest.
The skies were dark, darker than when they were at the salt mines. The skies resembled a perpetual evening, dark and sombre.
Two more days passed. They finally arrived in familiar territory. They were not far from the tribes now.
The Mountain Wind people had left a day before, taking another path.
“Thank you all so much for this time. If you need any help, just ask us,” said the Taihe chief when they separated from the Flaming Horns.
Without the Flaming Horns, he wasn’t even sure if ten out of a thousand of his men would return alive.
Zheng Luo wrung his hands but did not speak. He was still carried on a stretcher.
“There’s a path ahead!” shouted the warriors in front.
A path had been cleared in the middle of the thick snow. They didn’t have to do it themselves anymore.
“It’s made by the tribe! And there’s food!” Wacha took down a pouch tied to a wooden pole next to the path. Although the dried meat inside was already frozen hard, it seemed freshly made.
It’s good to be home.
This was what everyone thought.
After walking for some time, they saw the patrol team, each wearing thick fur. Their faces were covered too, only their eyes peeked out of the fabric.
When they saw the group, the patrol team hollered and cheered excitedly.
“We send a team here every day to clear the path,” said the patrol guard.
After counting the number of people, the guards were more relieved. This was a lot better than they imagined. They were all mentally prepared for the worst, yet so many returned.
“Chief, how is the situation at the salt mines?” asked the patrol.
“We’ll talk about it later.”
The guards did not ask more questions.
In the middle of a two-meter thick layer of snow, a curved path led them to the river in front of the tribe.
The river was frozen over so there was no need for a bridge. Everyone could cross on the ice.
Many people had already received news of their arrival, greeting them at the entrance. There were people serving hot meat soup too.
When they returned the past events seemed like just a nightmare. They had finally woken.
“Elder! Elder Shao Xuan!” someone squeezed his way through the crowd.
Shao Xuan blocked his face from the flying snow. It was the duck house keeper.
“What, did the fat duck cause trouble?” asked Shao Xuan.
“No, they hatched! The duck’s eggs hatched!”