The Pastoral Life of a Cultivation Master

Chapter 2932 Giving Up the Team Leader Position
Ouyang Nan seemed to know what everyone was thinking, so he continued, "I've gathered everyone here today for two reasons. One is to inform you about what I just said. The other is that since I'm going to participate in a small expedition team, I can no longer lead this expedition. Therefore, I intend to entrust the important task of leading the team to Elder Ouyang Min."

"What?" Everyone was surprised when they heard this.

Ouyang Min was also somewhat surprised; he genuinely hadn't expected Ouyang Nan to say such a thing. Originally, he had planned to seize control of the entire team while Ouyang Nan was on a mission. Now, without even making a move, the power was already in his hands. It felt like he had gotten what he wanted without even trying.

“Don’t be too surprised, everyone. After all, this mission is quite dangerous. If something happens to me, the team will be without a leader, or we have to decide on a leader later, which may cause some delays. It’s better to settle this before I leave, so as not to affect the subsequent matters,” Ouyang Nan said.

In fact, as long as she was absent, the entire Ouyang family's force would be under Ouyang Min's leadership. After all, these martial artists were all members of the Grand Elder's faction, and Ouyang Min had been sent here to cooperate with Ouyang Nan.

If Ouyang Nan has any ulterior motives or makes any mistakes during the mission, then the responsibility of leading the team will fall on Ouyang Min.

Therefore, Ouyang Nan did this simply to confirm things publicly. In reality, there was little need for it.

“Elder Ouyang Min has been working with me to take charge of the entire team for this mission, so I feel more at ease leaving the team leader to Ouyang Min when I’m not around,” Ouyang Nan said.

Although it was essentially about passing the buck, the words couldn't be said outright, so they could only speak in a positive light. Anyway, if anything happened to the team in the future, it would be Ouyang Min's responsibility, while Ouyang Nan would bear no responsibility.

Upon hearing this good news, Ouyang Min was overjoyed, but he still showed some courtesy, trying to appear magnanimous: "Elder Nan, you can go and carry out your mission with peace of mind. I will take care of the entire team while you are away. I will return the authority to you when you return."

Ouyang Nan smiled slightly and said, "No need, Elder Ouyang Min. From now until the end of this expedition, you can continue to lead the team. Even if I return from a mission, there's no need to hand over the leadership duties to me again. After all, handing over duties back and forth not only delays things but may also lead to misunderstandings. It's better for you to take charge from now on; this will be better for the management of the entire team."

Damn, that sounds nice. Ouyang Min didn't expect Ouyang Nan to be so self-aware. So, as long as this woman doesn't cause trouble, he'll let her go. They're all members of the same family; it's just a competition for interests.

Since this woman has given up, he is not a petty person and will not harm her.

However, this is all contingent on the woman completing her mission and returning safely. If she dies, it won't be his fault.

After a brief exchange of polite words, Ouyang Min smoothly took over the responsibility of leading the team.

"Alright, that's the gist of it. I've explained everything that needed to be said and done. Now, Elder Ouyang Min will take charge. I need to make some preparations. After dawn, I'll lead a group to scout the temporary camp over in the canyon. So, I'll be going now." After Ouyang Nan finished speaking, he gestured to Chen Mo and the other two, then turned and left.

Of course, as he turned to leave, he made a point of giving a wink to someone in the group.

After Ouyang Nan left, Ouyang Min naturally took on the responsibility of leading the team, instructing everyone to go back and take shelter from the snowstorm until dawn. He also reminded them to conserve their energy while sheltering from the snowstorm, saving it for unexpected situations.

Although everyone knew about the situation, Ouyang Min, as the team leader, still gave a special explanation.

When Ouyang Nan and the other three returned to their original spot and could no longer see each other, Ouyang Ruoxi said, "Aunt, did you really hand over the leadership to Ouyang Min?"

“That’s right. Besides, these people will make me hand over the team leader to Ouyang Min sooner or later, so I might as well hand it over now and at least get a good reputation,” Ouyang Nan said.

“Aunt, I don’t think you’ll get this good reputation. After all, these people won’t appreciate your kindness; they’ll only complain about you after you leave,” Ouyang Ruoxi said.

“It doesn’t matter. Leading and protecting them was already exhausting enough, and I’d wanted to quit for a while. But I kept trying because I thought these people were all martial artists from their families, and I could protect as many as I could. But starting yesterday, these guys secretly teamed up and wanted Ouyang Min to be the leader. I knew that good intentions sometimes don’t yield good results, so it’s better to just let go,” Ouyang Nan said.

Ouyang Ruoxi, Chen Mo, and Ouyang Nana all nodded in agreement.

"Alright, you three rest here for now. I have some things to take care of, I'll be right back." After saying that, Ouyang Nan turned around and disappeared into the mist.

"Amo, where is Aunt going? Why is she in such a hurry?" Ouyang Ruoxi asked.

"I don't know either. If you want to know, why don't you just ask her when she gets back?" Chen Mo smiled slightly and said, holding her soft hand.

Ouyang Ruoxi nodded and stopped dwelling on the matter.

Chen Mo actually guessed what Ouyang Nan was going to do. After all, although she had left the team to her own devices, there were definitely one or two people within the team who were her people, so she naturally had to go and give them an explanation. Otherwise, who knows what kind of ideas those people might have.

Just as Chen Mo had guessed, after the meeting, Ouyang Nan gestured to her trusted confidant whom she had placed in the team, and then walked to a slightly secluded spot to wait for him. Due to the harsh environment, low temperature, and snow, she didn't go very far. She made sure no one could see her, and she even turned on a flashlight, but covered the light source with a red cloth.

This piece of cloth was the pocket fabric of the inner lining of her winter coat. She wouldn't have torn it off if it weren't for the need to avoid drawing red light from it.

After waiting for a while, a figure emerged from the thick fog.

"Elder!" the visitor greeted softly.

"Abei, did the others notice you when you arrived?" Ouyang Nan asked.

This man named Abei was originally a member of the Grand Elder's faction, but due to some events, he switched sides to Ouyang Nan's side. Therefore, he joined the expedition team and became Ouyang Nan's ears in the team.

Although the team only had twenty members when it was formed, people's hearts are the hardest thing to control, and apart from a few special individuals, the others were all members of the Grand Elder's faction. Therefore, having an "ear" in the team was also necessary.

Just like yesterday, when Ouyang Nan left the group to accompany Ouyang Ruoxi while waiting for Chen Mo, if I hadn't been listening, I wouldn't have known that Han Chengye had contacted Ouyang Min twice.

Although she hadn't found out what Ouyang Min and Han Chengye were talking about, she was still quite clear about some of the team's situation. This was one of the reasons why Ouyang Nan wanted to let go after learning about some of the team's circumstances.

However, the reason he asked Ah Bei to find him this time was to give him some instructions before leaving.

After all, it wouldn't be good for a trusted confidant to leave without giving any explanation. Training someone to act as an informant is no easy feat, and these people can still be used as informants once they return to their families.

“No, only two people knew I was coming, and they thought I needed to use the restroom. So, I can’t take too long,” Abei said.

“Okay, it won’t take too long. I’ll just give you some instructions.” Ouyang Nan looked at Abei and continued, “Now, I’ve handed over the leadership responsibilities to Ouyang Min. From now on, you should keep a close eye on the situation in the team, and pay special attention to Han Chengye and Ouyang Min.”

"it is good."

"Also, the mission I'm carrying out this time might be quite dangerous. If I don't make it back, and you encounter any problems, go find Ouyang Nana. I'll tell her your identity," Ouyang Nan said.

Ouyang Bei knew Ouyang Nana and was quite familiar with her, so Ouyang Nan asked him to find her. Of course, although Ouyang Nana knew Ouyang Bei, she didn't know his identity. She would explain it to him when they were on the mission.

As for Ouyang Ruoxi, she didn't want her to get involved in this kind of thing. Besides, Ouyang Bei didn't know Ouyang Ruoxi after she was disguised, so it would be better to let him go find Ouyang Nana.

"it is good!"

“If even Ouyang Nana hasn’t returned, then go to that young man named Li Mo and tell him what happened. He’s someone you can really trust,” Ouyang Nan said again.

“Okay!” Ouyang Bei’s reply was brief and forceful, and his voice was soft but trembling slightly, which revealed that he was not so calm inside.

Indeed, as the team's henchman, he already carries the guilt of betrayal, and the person in charge is going to carry out a mission with a near-death experience. If something happens, who can he turn to? Furthermore, if he returns to his family and finds out that Ouyang Nan is dead, will they cause him trouble?
Therefore, Ouyang Bei was very unsettled.

"Alright, that's all. I don't have anything else. Do you have anything?" Ouyang Nan asked.

"No." The reply was brief and forceful, but the voice was very low. If Ouyang Nan hadn't been right next to her, she wouldn't have been able to hear it clearly.

"Okay, you can go back now. Also, take care of yourself," Ouyang Nan instructed.

Ouyang Bei nodded, turned around and strode away.

Ouyang Nan watched Ouyang Bei's departing figure, remaining silent for a long time. This young man had actually had a difficult life, and had suffered great injustice over there before being recruited by her. Therefore, Ouyang Nan sometimes felt a sense of sympathy for Ouyang Bei.

Sigh, I hope he's safe and sound.