The Pastoral Life of a Cultivation Master

Chapter 2974 Self-doubt

Everyone looked up and saw a figure rushing towards them from a distance. Judging from the figure, they could guess that it was Qian Zhenghao.

Chen Mo nodded to everyone, then put the rope in his hand into the backpack on his back, and waited with everyone for Qian Zhenghao to arrive.

"This rope?" Ouyang Nan asked.

"Let's not talk about it now, let's talk about it after everyone has crossed the canyon," Chen Mo said.

"why?"

"Hehe, I want to see this kid's reaction."

“Alright, it’s good to scare this guy.” Ouyang Nan went along with Chen Mo’s suggestion. Of course, she also secretly wanted to see Qian Zheng make a fool of himself. Although she couldn’t retaliate against Qian Ying now, scaring this younger member of the Qian family was still an option.

As for Ouyang Ruoxi and Ouyang Nana, they smiled knowingly after hearing this.

Last night, after returning, Qian Zhenghao went back to the Qian family's campsite and told Qian Ying what Chen Mo had said. However, because the details were limited, especially after Qian Ying and the others had left, Chen Mo told Qian Zhenghao to go back with them and meet up the next day.

Therefore, there were relatively few things to discuss, and there wasn't much to say. As for Qian Zhenghao telling Qian Ying all the details, it was merely to impress Qian Ying.

After giving his instructions, he didn't go looking for Ouyang Nan, but stayed with the Qian family's group, waiting for dawn.

Although he didn't know if the beasts would attack again that night, he was absolutely certain that he was safe with Elder Qian by his side. With anyone else, safety was out of the question. Especially after last night's overwhelming attack by the beasts, he was still shaken.

His own strength wasn't very high, so the safest place to avoid danger was near his own innate elder. Therefore, he could avoid danger for as long as possible, and searching for Ouyang Nan during the day wouldn't be a problem. Besides, his orders were to monitor Ouyang Nan and the others, and nighttime was too dangerous; he didn't want to be with them.

After daybreak, Qian Zhenghao found Qian Wantong and told him what happened, then immediately headed towards the canyon.

He didn't know what had happened last night or whether the strange beasts had come out, so he was moving slowly in the hilly nursery area, especially since visibility was poor, which took him a lot of time.

Once they reached the edge of the barrier and found no danger, they increased their speed.

Fortunately, although it took a lot of time, Chen Mo's side did not start taking action, so they were able to catch up.

"Captain Ouyang Nan, I'm so sorry I'm late," Qian Zhenghao said apologetically to Ouyang Nan as he approached. However, the depth of his apology was anyone's guess.

Ouyang Nan didn't bother to argue, since everyone knew what kind of person this guy was, so he nodded and said, "It's nothing, we haven't set off yet. Since we're here, let's cross the canyon together."

Chen Mo glanced at Qian Zhenghao, then said to Ouyang Nan, "Captain, is our mission today to scout the other side of the canyon?"

“That’s right, we’re just exploring the other side of the canyon. As for how far we can explore, that depends on what we encounter. If everything goes smoothly, the exploration distance should be quite far,” Ouyang Nan said.

“Alright, we’ll do as you say, Captain. However, Qian Zhenghao and I are the only two men in the team, so I’ll lead the way across the canyon with him. After all, we men are tougher and can hold out longer if there’s any danger, which will be enough time for you to come and help us.” Chen Mo finished speaking and turned to Qian Zhenghao, saying, “What do you say?”

"Ah, well, you're absolutely right, absolutely right!" Hearing Chen Mo say this, Qian Zhenghao felt a surge of conflict and frustration: 'What a jerk! What kind of man is he? Doesn't he know about gender equality? And he wants us men to lead the way? That's like holding a lantern in the toilet—purely asking for trouble! What the hell can I say in protest?'

However, it was impossible for Qian Zhenghao to refute Chen Mo. After all, Qian Zhenghao was just a lowly Karami at the eighth level of the Acquired Realm, while the person in front of him was a master at the tenth level of the Acquired Realm, a formidable figure who had defeated his own steward, Qian Wantong. Therefore, he naturally had to admit defeat.

"Haha, you're good, kid. I knew you'd do well. In that case, you lead the way, and I'll follow." Chen Mo pointed to the rope and said to Qian Zhenghao. The playful glint in his eyes was almost impossible to suppress.

Upon hearing this, Qian Zhenghao's expression immediately changed. He had come here with Qian Ying yesterday and had heard that there was something wrong with the rope in front of him, so how could he have crossed the canyon?

If, while crossing, one falls directly into the canyon, then it's game over.

He had just been thinking that Chen Mo was courting death, and his mind was focused on Chen Mo leading the way so that he could follow. So now that he heard that he was in the lead, how could he not show his anger?

"This, this..." For a moment, he was speechless, anxiously trying to find a way to explain himself, but he didn't know what to say. Ouyang Nan, Ouyang Ruoxi, and Ouyang Nana all stared wide-eyed at Qian Zhenghao, wondering what he would do.

Finally, after a frantic brainstorming session, Qian Zhenghao came up with an excuse: "This, Senior Li, my strength is rather weak, so I can only cooperate with you. When I joined the expedition team, my elder Qian Ying also instructed me to humbly follow the seniors and learn as much as possible. So if I cross over first, I really won't be able to handle any dangers that may arise. I'd rather follow behind you, Senior, so that I can not only broaden my horizons but also learn more."

Although Chen Mo appears to be much younger than Qian Zhenghao, Chen Mo's superior strength makes him a respected senior in the martial arts world.

However, the way he was being addressed as "senior" was giving Chen Mo a headache. He hadn't even done anything yet, and his seniority had already increased.

Ouyang Nan's opinion of Qian Zhenghao had changed somewhat; he was quite the talker. If Chen Mo hadn't already told her that there was something wrong with the rope, she would have actually believed what this guy said.

"Alright, Amo, you lead the way. Qian Zhenghao, follow, and then Ouyang Ruoxi, Nana, and I will follow behind." It's getting late, so we should hurry over there. Who knows what the situation is like over there?

Although everyone knew that Chen Mo was teasing Qian Zhenghao, time was of the essence.

Chen Mo chuckled and agreed. He took out a thin rope from his backpack—the same one he had used yesterday—and tied it to the slipknot of the rope on the rock base. After leaving the rope long enough, he tied the other end to the rock base. Once he had done this, he nimbly stepped onto the rope and used the momentum to dash towards the other side of the canyon.

Ouyang Nan was slightly surprised by Chen Mo's actions, but didn't say anything, knowing that he must have his reasons. Since Chen Mo hadn't told her yet, she would just ask him later.

Ouyang Ruoxi and Ouyang Nana also saw Chen Mo's actions and were somewhat curious, but neither of them asked. They believed that Chen Mo had his reasons for doing so.

Qian Zhenghao watched Chen Mo's back, but muttered to himself, "Break it quickly, break it quickly..." As for the thin rope that Chen Mo had just tied to the rock base, he was no longer paying attention to it. What he was concerned about now was that the thick rope should break.

"Huh? Why isn't it broken? Is there nothing wrong with the rope? Didn't they say the rope had been tampered with? Did Elder Qian not do anything yesterday or..." Seeing that Chen Mo had reached the other side of the canyon in a short time, yet the rope was still intact, Qian Zhenghao was completely puzzled and somewhat surprised.

"Qian Zhenghao, it's your turn!" Ouyang Nan urged.

"Huh? Oh, oh, oh!" Qian Zhenghao was suddenly reminded and felt a pang of guilt. He then looked at the rope, thinking, 'My Elder Qian is a master of the Innate Realm, so if this rope were tampered with, it would definitely break. But why hasn't it broken? Could it be because he lacked strength, so when that guy surnamed Li ran over, the rope wasn't a big problem? Is it waiting for the second person to cross before it breaks?'

"No, no, I can't be the second one." Qian Zhenghao suddenly felt a little guilty, then his eyes darted around and he said, "Oh dear, I... I feel a little dizzy. I probably didn't sleep well last night. Captain, why don't you go first, and I'll catch up later?"

Ouyang Nan glanced at Qian Zhenghao, chuckling to herself. This guy was really something else. But she didn't say anything. Since he seemed guilty, she figured she might as well let him be guilty for a while longer. She nodded and agreed, "Okay, I'll go first. After the three of us have all gone, you can come over when you've calmed down. But don't waste time, because we need to be back before tonight, back to the hillside nursery."

"Yes, Captain." Qian Zhenghao felt relieved. As long as he wasn't the second one to go, everything would be fine.

However, when he saw Ouyang Nan, Ouyang Ruoxi, and Ouyang Nana successfully cross the canyon one by one, his expression froze. Was there nothing wrong with the rope? What did his elders do yesterday? Did they just talk the talk but not walk the walk?

No way, this shouldn't be happening! In an instant, Qian Zhenghao was plunged into deep self-doubt.

"Amo, you're really something, kid. Look, you scared that kid so much he's too scared to come any closer," Ouyang Nan said to Chen Mo with a low laugh after they crossed the canyon.

"Hehe. I just want to see how this kid will change his expression," Chen Mo said with a smile.

At this moment, Ouyang Ruoxi also crossed the canyon. After seeing Chen Mo, she smiled and whispered, "You're so naughty!"

This immediately caught Chen Mo's eye, and he was captivated by the beautiful voice. Even with the mask he had been given, she seemed quite charming with that smile; without the mask, she would truly have mesmerized him.

With a "smack!", Ouyang Ruoxi gently patted Chen Mo, telling him to stop drooling.

Ouyang Nan smiled knowingly. In her eyes, playful bickering between couples is normal and can even deepen their relationship.

When Ouyang Nana arrived, Qian Zhenghao was still hesitating, which left Ouyang Nan speechless. She then waved to him, signaling him to come over quickly.

That old fox Qian Ying, arranging for such a timid and cowardly fellow is such a waste of time.

If Qian Zhenghao could hear Ouyang Nan say that about him, he would definitely jump up and refute it. He, Qian Zhenghao, was definitely not cowardly, but because he had clearly heard yesterday that there was something wrong with the rope, yet today all four of them walked over it and it still didn't break. What the hell did that mean?