Chapter 209: They Aren’t Even Worthy of My Contempt!
Zhang Yangqing couldn’t care less about those stares. With night falling, he just wanted to find a place to rest.
First, he started a fire to ward off the chill, then focused on filling his stomach. If any other climbing teams wanted to start trouble, it would be their end.
The Black Feather Clan’s chieftain was on good terms with the Goatee Captain and invited the climbing team to stay at his home. Zhang Yangqing merely needed to exchange a glance with the Slicked-Back Haired Man, who immediately nodded. Feigning not wanting to trouble them, the Slicked-Back Haired Man, representing the group, opted for the inn instead.
Because the teammates certainly didn’t want to venture into a ‘dangerous’ area. If the Goatee Captain was part of the supernatural and conspired with the Black Feather Clan’s chieftain from the inside, then staying at the chieftain’s home would be a death sentence. Although the gazes of the climbers near the inn were far from friendly, they were, after all, also outsiders and presumably wouldn’t collude with the Black Feather Clan. In that sense, staying at the inn seemed slightly safer.
The Black Feather Clan’s chieftain didn’t insist, but insisted the Goatee Captain have a few drinks with him until they were thoroughly drunk. The Goatee Captain reluctantly agreed, instructing the climbing team to head to the inn first, and they would regroup tomorrow.
This only deepened the teammates’ suspicion: were the two in cahoots? Were they plotting something?
After entering the inn, the Chosen Ones heard news that the path ahead frequently experienced avalanches, which had already buried some climbing teams. That’s why the two teams here had stopped at this place, waiting for the avalanches to subside. No one knew how many days these avalanches would last.
Taking advantage of the Goatee Captain’s absence, the teammates held a small meeting.
In a relatively large room, Zhang Yangqing and his three teammates gathered around a lit fire pit.
Before the meeting even started, the three teammates meticulously checked for eavesdroppers, as usual.
The Purple-Eyed Woman, true to form, placed special cards in certain spots, their purpose unknown.
Once everything was settled, everyone sat around to begin the day’s meeting.
Not just at Zhang Yangqing’s location, virtually all Chosen Ones’ screens showed similar small meetings underway.
A moment of silence hung in the air, as if no one wanted to speak first. After all, speaking up might offend someone.
The Slicked-Back Haired Man, seemingly impatient, spoke bluntly, “To be honest, I find the locals here rather eerie. And our captain acted somewhat strangely earlier; he seems connected to that Black Feather Clan chieftain. What if he sells us out?”
He reasoned that when they went to the Nameless Mountain Village, the people were very hospitable, yet they faced danger the next day. So, he felt that the Black Feather Clan’s enthusiasm upon their arrival was definitely fishy. The four present all tacitly acknowledged coming from elsewhere, temporarily placing them in the same camp. He believed this had to be guarded against. Even if there was no issue, preparations were necessary to avoid being dealt with during the night.
The Gold-Rimmed Glasses Man adjusted his glasses and began his analysis, “I think we can find a way to verify this tonight. Because the people here all have special abilities, and the idols here can bestow special powers. What if they use us as sacrifices?”
He had also gleaned some information from conversations with the Chosen Ones and the Goatee Captain.
At this moment, perhaps because the room had grown warm from the fire, the Purple-Eyed Woman took off her thick climbing suit, revealing her slim and graceful figure beneath. In a way, it could be said to approach the golden ratio. The curves of her body, both concave and convex, drew sidelong glances from the Gold-Rimmed Glasses Man and the Slicked-Back Haired Man, who seemed momentarily mesmerized. Some Chosen Ones even briefly wore a foolish, leering expression before snapping out of it.
They had guessed the Purple-Eyed Woman’s figure would be good, but they hadn’t expected it to be this exceptional.
The Purple-Eyed Woman flicked her hair and said, “I think the avalanches might be man-made. We need to find a way to leave and find the Ice Crystal Fruit. We’ve come this far; we shouldn’t proceed following normal procedures.”
Her words gave everyone pause for thought. If what she said was true, then the climbing team felt this was a massive trap. After all, they hadn’t witnessed the avalanches themselves. It was the situation encountered by the climbing teams that came before. Those other teams had no reason to lie; they would go check tomorrow anyway.
The Purple-Eyed Woman’s suggestion was to find a way to blend in with the Eternal Clan. The Eternal Clan was powerful and didn’t need to resort to such underhanded tactics. Under the Eternal Clan’s protection, the climbing team would be safer tonight. At worst, they could return in the morning. If other climbers ran into problems, they’d know this was a trap. If other climbers were fine, then they’d know they’d wronged the Black Feather Clan.
Since the Goatee Captain intended to get thoroughly drunk with the Black Feather Clan chieftain, he definitely wouldn’t come looking for them tonight.
Whether it was because her figure was so captivating or because her plan seemed reasonable, everyone seemed to agree with her.
However, the Egyptian Chosen One, Rahman, spotted a potential flaw. “That plan is good, but a blizzard has already started. If we can’t get into the Eternal Clan’s territory and can’t return, wouldn’t we freeze to death outside?”
Rahman was puzzled. The Purple-Eyed Woman kept mentioning going to the Eternal Clan. Did she have a way to get in? In Rahman’s view, the Purple-Eyed Woman’s identity was becoming more and more mysterious.
“Then what’s your idea?” The Purple-Eyed Woman, her train of thought interrupted, seemed somewhat displeased but couldn’t well refute him.
Seeing everyone’s eyes on him, Rahman began outlining his plan.
He said he wanted to check out the White Feather Clan. Upon arrival, he noticed some discord between the White and Black Feather Clans. They might learn something from the White Feather Clan. Since the rules mentioned the White Feather Clan, they must serve some purpose here.
Rahman’s idea was sound, but a hint of discord emerged within the team.
The Purple-Eyed Woman stated that if Rahman wanted to go, he should go, and to get useful information quickly. She certainly wasn’t planning to go with him.
Her words carried a tone of pique, but Rahman didn’t have the prestige of the Goatee Captain and genuinely couldn’t order his teammates around.
They were merely discussing strategies here; no one had the authority to command the others. They would act based on whose ideas seemed most sound, synthesizing opinions. When opinions diverged, it was about who could persuade whom. At other times, Rahman first convinced the Goatee Captain, who then directed the team’s actions. Now, with the Goatee Captain absent, they lacked a central figure.
Rahman spoke at length but failed to persuade the Purple-Eyed Woman.
To his surprise, the Gold-Rimmed Glasses Man offered to accompany him.
In everyone’s impression, the Gold-Rimmed Glasses Man played the role of the Purple-Eyed Woman’s admirer. Wouldn’t she be upset if he just went like that? Rahman certainly wouldn’t dare go outside alone, but this was just a trip to the White Feather Clan. After thanking him, Rahman left the place with the Gold-Rimmed Glasses Man.
It could be said it wasn’t easy; Rahman’s mouth went dry trying to get someone to follow him.
Other Chosen Ones were in the same boat, afraid of running into trouble alone, always needing to find someone to help.
Things were simpler on Zhang Yangqing’s side. He warmed himself by the fire for a while as the discussion among the other three reached its conclusion.
Zhang Yangqing directly gave the concluding remarks, “Are you done talking? If you’re done, then follow me.”
The small meetings other Chosen Ones held, lacking a central figure, resulted in no one being able to convince the others.
Zhang Yangqing didn’t need to consult with them at all; he had absolute authority. The so-called small meeting was essentially the three teammates presenting their thoughts to Zhang Yangqing, with the decision resting with him.
He only needed to utter a sentence, and the other three had to obediently comply.
What the teammates said wasn’t really important; what mattered was what Zhang Yangqing said.
Although all Chosen Ones were mixed within the climbing team, their respective statuses differed.
This outing also didn’t require going openly, as a precaution against the Black Feather Clan.
The time was 10 PM, still relatively early, but the sky was dark, a blizzard howled, making it the perfect time to relocate.
The climbing team members climbed out the window, avoiding areas with many people, and slowly made their way from behind the houses towards the White Feather Clan’s area.
Upon reaching the White Feather Clan’s settlement, Zhang Yangqing struck up a conversation with a local, asking this person to take him to see the White Feather Clan’s chieftain.
From the dialogue, it was clear Zhang Yangqing was a rather direct person.
The other teammates felt somewhat anxious, worried the White Feather Clan might take action.
But the White Feather Clan wasn’t that barbaric, just not as enthusiastic as the Black Feather Clan.
The person Zhang Yangqing spoke to quickly led them to a relatively luxurious dwelling and knocked on the door.
The White Feather Clan chieftain was somewhat surprised by their visit but still invited them in.
At this stage, other Chosen Ones would first shower the White Feather Clan chieftain with flattery, ingratiating themselves before stating their purpose, all to avoid seeming presumptuous for arriving unannounced.
Zhang Yangqing didn’t even bother with the pleasantries and directly asked, “Do you have any troubles? I can resolve them.”
This statement left the White Feather Clan chieftain rather dumbfounded.
He thought to himself, This guy has quite the nerve! Daring to say such a thing without asking anything first… I like people like this!
The White Feather Clan chieftain then stated his request. The White Feather Clan’s combat prowess was lacking, but they could fly—their advantage and something the Black Feather Clan lacked. However, when the Eternal Clan seized their settlement, they also took the White Feather Clan’s sacred artifact, causing them to lose their ability to fly.
If the climbing team could help them retrieve the sacred artifact, they could carry the climbers past the avalanche area, allowing the team to reach the Ice Crystal Fruit’s location ahead of schedule.
Zhang Yangqing nodded and said, “No problem. I’ll be right back.”
The White Feather Clan chieftain said, “Wait, let me tell you some things first.”
Following the normal procedure, when other Chosen Ones arrived here, the White Feather Clan chieftain would explain how to infiltrate the Eternal Clan’s territory—after all, it was originally their dwelling place. He might even provide the Chosen Ones with a rough map to help them avoid dangerous areas.
Zhang Yangqing found this troublesome. It was already 10 PM, and he wanted to get back early to sleep. So he simply said, “No need. Just tell me where the thing is. I’ll go ask for it directly.”
Upon hearing this, the White Feather Clan chieftain and the nearby clansmen were momentarily speechless.
Do you really not take the Eternal Clan seriously? You make it sound like you’re going to your own home.
Since they finally had a climbing team willing to help them offend the Eternal Clan, the White Feather Clan chieftain patiently advised, “Friend, I know you have skills, but don’t underestimate the Eternal Clan, or you’ll suffer greatly.”
The nearby White Feather Clan members even felt Zhang Yangqing’s words carried a hint of contempt for the Eternal Clan. Because other climbing teams, upon hearing about sneaking into the Eternal Clan’s territory to steal something, would refuse outright as if seeing a ghost. How come you seem completely unfazed?
Zhang Yangqing yawned and said, “I don’t mean to insult the Eternal Clan; they aren’t even worthy of my contempt.”
He was simply stating the truth. Those worthy of his contempt were people of a certain caliber. This Eternal Clan? Truly not qualified.
These words shocked everyone present.
Everyone felt this young climber was just short of pointing at the Eternal Clan’s nose and calling them trash.
The White Feather Clan members looked at the climbing team members behind Zhang Yangqing with questioning eyes, as if asking, Is this big shot really that amazing?
The firm and fearless gazes of the climbing team members behind Zhang Yangqing seemed to reply, Yes, he’s always been this amazing!
