Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 962: Chapter 354: Volunteering for a Dangerous Mission (Part 3)

Dajue Temple is very dangerous, and Lower River Village is not safe. This is a judgment made personally by the Lord, even urging someone as strong as Xu Ning to retreat quickly. It is imaginable how much courage it requires for Xia Hong to propose staying in Lower River Village to continue gathering information.

Xiang Liang was clearly not acting on impulse. Seeing the five people looking at him, he cupped his hands towards Xu Ning and said in a deep voice, “Sir, Wang Chuan is already suspicious of us. If all six of us leave together, wouldn’t that confirm his doubts? It will be much harder to infiltrate someone in the future. My current cultivation is only at the Earth-digging Realm Limit, not too conspicuous. Moreover, Wang Chuan clearly intends to recruit me as a son-in-law, making it most suitable for me to stay here.”

Hearing Xiang Liang’s words, a trace of interest flashed across Xu Ning’s face.

Wang Chuan is the leader of Lower River Village. Because of Wang Chuan’s suspicion, the six of them have struggled to gather useful information in Lower River Village.

As for Xiang Liang’s statement that Wang Chuan intends to recruit him as a son-in-law, it’s indeed true, but it happened completely by coincidence.

In March, when Xu Ning led five people to blend into Lower River Village, they had put in considerable effort.

Seizing the opportunity when a small hunting team from Lower River Village went out, they secretly followed and played some tricks to attract a few Intermediate Cold Beasts over. Naturally, that hunting team faced danger, and Xu Ning then led the five to pretend to be drifters crossing the border who just happened to save them, thus successfully infiltrating Lower River Village.

Just so happened, Wang Chuan’s daughter, Wang Yuxiu, was in that hunting team. Xiang Liang played the hero saving the beauty, naturally winning Wang Yuxiu’s favor, which led to Wang Chuan intending to recruit him as a son-in-law.

Though understanding that Xiang Liang is the most suitable to stay, after much consideration, Xu Ning still refused, shaking his head, “No, it’s too dangerous for you to stay here alone. If something happens, there’s no one…”

“It’s indeed not suitable for Xiang Liang to stay alone. Even if he knows any important information, there’s no one to pass it to. Sir, let me stay as well!”

Xiang Liang interrupted by Bai Shanqiu, Xu Ning’s expression slightly tensed.

Bai Shanqiu clearly also wanted to stay but was preempted by Xiang Liang, which was something he could naturally see. After all, with Xiang Liang voluntarily offering to stay, even if he said nothing, no one would blame him.

Everyone knows how dangerous it is to stay.

“If it weren’t for the Lord, let alone breaking through to Cold Resistance Level, it’s uncertain whether Bai could survive till today. This old body of mine, it’s also time to do more for Great Xia.”

Looking at Bai Shanqiu and Xiang Liang, Xu Ning first showed a hint of emotion, then slowly said in a deep voice, “I originally planned to stay myself, but with my strength, it’s hard to gain Wang Chuan’s trust. You two are indeed more suitable. However, you both know how dangerous staying here is. I won’t force you; I only ask once if your willingness is genuine?”

Seeing the two nod resolutely in response, Xu Ning’s expression also became more straightforward.

“Alright, since you volunteered, I won’t say much. I’ll only tell you that this mission to gather intel on Dajue Temple holds extraordinary significance for Great Xia. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to bring you five people to infiltrate Lower River Village and stayed for a full six months.

If you are successful later, I’ll personally petition the Lord for merits on your behalf. Of course, even if no useful information is found, just for your voluntary request at this moment, I won’t treat you unfairly.”

Bai Shanqiu and Xiang Liang were clearly waiting for these words. The two exchanged a glance, then bowed together to Xu Ning, speaking in unison.

“Thank you, sir!”

Nodding, Xu Ning said, “In that case, start preparations in the coming days. The other four of you get ready. Qiaoru and Liu Kai, pretend to take the child out for gathering tomorrow night. Then, when Liu Kai returns, he’ll have some wounds, and he’ll say they encountered an incident while gathering, and that Qiaoru and the child were carried off by Cold Beasts. In a moment of urgency, I’ll join you to search for them, so Wang Chuan and the others hopefully won’t be suspicious.”

In the Ice Abyss Camp, a few people going missing is nothing out of the ordinary, as long as there’s a reasonable excuse, it generally won’t arouse suspicion, especially since their family of six—two members remain here.

All five nodded, and then Xu Ning arranged the specifics of the retreat planned for tomorrow night. After much discussion, they each dispersed.

Returning to his room, Xu Ning did not rest. Instead, he continued looking at the map, with his gaze lingering on the location of Qinghe Village, full of hesitation on his face.

……

The seventh year of Great Xia, September 16th

After nightfall, Xu Ning’s retreat plan systematically began.

Fortunately, the child portraying the elder grandson brought by Xu Ning was already ten years old, so taking a ten-year-old son to help with gathering wasn’t unreasonable, thus not arousing anyone’s suspicion.

Less than an hour after the three went out, Liu Kai returned with injuries, anxiously informing Xu Ning that his wife and children had encountered misfortune in the wilderness and were carried off by Cold Beasts.

In his naturally anxious state, Xu Ning explained the situation to Wang Chuan, expressing a desire to accompany Liu Kai to search for his family. Wang Chuan, still somewhat wary of him, although he expressed intentions to send people to help, it was clear that they were mostly empty words.

Xu Ning was happy with this, offering only a brief thank you before hastily indicating for Liu Kai to lead the way, promptly following him out of Lower River Village.

Once the two left Lower River Village, they walked more than ten kilometers along the riverbank to the west, quickly reuniting with Hong Qiaoru and the two others ahead.