From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

Eighteen horse-drawn carriages and more than 150 people, but in reality, the search team consisted of fewer than 100 people; the rest were for logistics.

For example, there were cooks, coachmen, doctors, and other miscellaneous staff, totaling fifty or sixty people.

An army marches on its stomach; logistical support is fundamental, and that is undeniable.

Following the crowd, Chen Shi observed that all the members of the search team were likely rank-7 martial artists. This made sense; otherwise, they wouldn't be able to withstand not only the strange beasts in the mountains, but also the bitter cold of the biting winds and snow.

Whether it was logistics or members of the search team, most of them walked with the horse-drawn carriages, and only a few were qualified to ride in the carriages.

For example, Jia Shun, as a "household retainer" and a seventh-rank military officer, sat in an empty cargo wagon.

There were also about ten other people traveling in a truck. Some of them were probably members of a clan and of high seniority, while the identities of the others were currently unknown.

As for the first three carriages, which were originally for carrying people, it is unclear who was in the other two carriages besides the one where the team leader, Steward Sun, was in.

The people in those two carriages never showed themselves.

Who cares?

Whoever it is, it should have nothing to do with Chen Shi, so I might as well stop thinking about it.

As he hurried along, he took out a small booklet from his pocket and flipped through it.

It's only the size of a palm, about seventy or eighty pages long, and each page has illustrations depicting rare and precious materials that might be found in Yongqiu Mountain.

These so-called rare and precious materials are things many people have never even heard of, let alone recognized. This booklet is designed to help members of the search team identify these treasures.

Each image is accompanied by text, detailing the criteria for identification and the methods of collection.

Many rare and precious materials require specific methods or times of collection; otherwise, their efficacy will be greatly reduced, or even their spiritual energy will be completely lost.

However, it does not specify a name or efficacy.

The reason for not writing these details is likely to prevent the search team from knowing its value and becoming greedy, thus keeping the treasure for themselves instead of handing it over.

Each member of the search team carries a copy of this booklet with them, so they can refer to it at any time after entering the mountains.

But Chen Shi still felt it was safer to remember. Since he was just traveling and didn't need to be distracted by anything else, he simply walked and read, silently memorizing the information.

In just half a day, Chen Shi had memorized almost everything.

It wasn't because these were all similar medicinal herbs, but because he had an exceptionally good memory.

As the sun set, the convoy stopped. With no village or shop in sight, they decided to set up camp in the open field.

With so many people and hundreds of warriors, they were not afraid of ordinary jackals and wild beasts at all.

Besides pots, pans, and grain, the carriage also contained some tents.

Of course, most of the search team members were not qualified to live in tents and could only sleep under the open sky.

Fortunately, they don't have to lift a finger to start a fire and cook; there are dedicated cooks in charge.

The grooms also untied the horses and fed them hay and water.

"This time, we'll go into the mountains in pairs. Before we reach our destination, everyone can form groups to avoid being alone later."

As soon as they stopped, Steward Sun got out of the carriage and shouted to the crowd.

Two people per group?

That's right. Since we're searching for treasure, we can't all gather together. The more we spread out, the greater the chance of finding the treasure.

However, the situation in the mountains is complex, and if you are alone without anyone to look after you, it is easy to get into danger.

Therefore, pairing up in groups of two is the most suitable approach.

Thinking of this, Chen Shi couldn't help but look at everyone.

This trip into the mountains is for treasure hunting. Although we don't know the specific effects and value of these treasures, we at least know that as long as we bring them out of the mountains, we will receive a generous reward from the Marquis's mansion.

Aren't there enough cases of people prioritizing profit over morality and even committing murder for money?

If you actually discover a treasure, your partner might turn into someone who stabs you in the back and tries to kill you!

Therefore, it must be someone trustworthy, or at least someone you have some understanding of.

Chen Shi had only been in the manor for a short time and didn't know many people. Among the search team, there were even fewer people whose names he could recall.

However, it will take another seven or eight days to reach Yongqiu Mountain, so there will still be time to observe and select.

"……Um?"

But soon, Chen Shi realized that he might be overthinking things.

When they saw him looking over, everyone quickly dodged and avoided him.

Chen Shi didn't know them, but they did. Xiao Fengxiao's riot in the main house not only solidified her reputation for being shrewish, but also spread Chen Shi's name throughout the Marquis's mansion.

Now everyone knows that Chen Shi killed A Qing and offended Master Lie. Under these circumstances, who would dare to team up with him?

"never mind."

Chen Shi shook his head, trying to comfort himself, thinking that being alone was fine, at least he didn't have to worry about being stabbed in the back.

I decided to stop thinking about it. The rice wouldn't be ready for a while, so I walked to a slightly more open space and started practicing my knife skills.

The more you practice, the more refined your skills become. Although the moves may be simple, repeated practice can lead to mastery.

Of course, the most important thing is to improve your explosive energy cultivation through practice.

As for why he didn't practice the "Soaring Through the Void" technique, but instead practiced the already mastered "Night Battle in All Directions," the reason was simple: he didn't want anyone to know his true abilities.

"We're about to eat, and you're still practicing your knife skills."

While they were practicing, a slender man walked over, talking to them.

"Um."

Chen Shi responded but ignored him and continued his cultivation.

"Hey, how about we team up?"

The man standing to the side suddenly said something else.

Chen Shi was taken aback and stopped.

This person actually offered to team up with him?

Did they not know his situation, or were they deliberately playing a trick on him?

Chen Shi frowned and turned to look.

By the light of the campfire over there, Chen Shi's eyes widened when he finally saw the other person's face.

"...Fourth Miss!"

Although she had changed into a servant's clothes, wrapped her long hair in a headscarf, and even smeared her face with mud, Chen Shi still recognized her at a glance.

The person in front of me is none other than the Fourth Miss, Gu Hanying!

"How...how did you recognize me?!"

Gu Hanying's eyes widened, and she pouted angrily.

"I thought I had disguised myself very well."

"Fourth Miss, what are you doing here!"

Chen Shi, disregarding everything else, asked a question with a look of surprise on his face.

This is a search team heading into Yongqiu Mountain!

"What do you think I'm doing here? Of course, I'm joining you guys on a treasure hunt in the mountains!"

really.

Chen Shi was speechless. This fourth young lady was too audacious to disguise herself as a man and infiltrate the search team!

"No! You're a young lady, how can you..."

"You're not going to report me, are you?! Let me tell you, if you dare report me, I'll go find my second brother and have him punish you!"

"Fourth Miss, this is not a child's play."

Going into the mountains to search for treasure is extremely dangerous. Gu Hanying is a precious person; what if something goes wrong?

"If you're not afraid, my cultivation is even higher than yours, what do I have to be afraid of!"

Gu Hanying gave a confident snort, then waved her hand, unwilling to waste any more time arguing with Chen Shi, and asked again.

"Are you willing to team up with me or not?!"

"Let's form a team..."

Looking at Gu Hanying's serious expression, Chen Shi couldn't help but frown.

If Chen Shi pretends not to know, even if something really happens to Gu Hanying, he won't be blamed.

But if they team up, he won't be able to escape the involvement.

"Okay! I agree!"

After a moment's hesitation, Chen Shi's pupils contracted slightly, and he readily agreed.