Chapter 112

Around 4 a.m., the truck finally arrived at the Kush outpost.

The journey took us through countless hairpin bends and bumpy, narrow paths that didn't really look like roads at all. The mountains murmured in the darkness, tall and deep, distant and silent, watching the small convoy as it drove into the desolate Kushkhaze.

The sky was like a gray mirror, reflecting a hazy light.

The lush trees grew even taller, their leaves withering away in the deep autumn light. In the heart of this remote primeval forest, a few scattered lights suddenly appeared.

Jiang Wenxing vaguely heard the crackling sound of the walkie-talkie. He wrapped his coat tighter and turned his head with difficulty. Under his stubborn, slender eyebrows, his eyelashes were covered with a layer of dew and became wet.

He saw the lead convoy speed up, and the following vehicles also gradually accelerated. Alena and Arno couldn't help but show a relaxed expression. After a night of traveling, cold and hungry, they finally arrived at their destination—Kush Outpost.

Jiang Wenxing couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief; he was too cold and too tired.

The lights were on in the outpost.

As the distance drew near, a leveled area came into view, marked with countless tire tracks, and a thin layer of soil rose in the dim morning light.

Jiang Wenxing saw many tall sentries running around. He nimbly climbed onto the truck, inspected the truck, and couldn't help but smile when he saw the full load of supplies. He chuckled and tossed the supplies from the truck to his comrades, making the huge supply boxes look like small toys in their hands.

These sentries were very strong, stronger than any sentries Jiang Wenxing had ever seen, but since it wasn't the first time he had seen them, he wasn't surprised.

Arno seemed to be quite familiar with the situation and didn't show any surprise. Zhu Ning, on the other hand, looked very shocked and kept saying, "This is outrageous! What kind of power is this? How could someone like this stay here?"

Jiang Wenxing didn't pay attention to what Zhu Ning said; he felt very happy and remembered the names of these sentries.

These people had died once in his memory, and Jiang Wenxing was unable to save them because Kush's condition was too bad at that time.

He saw two brothers, the older brother named Calvin and the younger brother named Khalil. The older brother sacrificed himself to protect his younger brother and wanted to smoke a cigarette before he died.

However, supplies such as cigarettes and alcohol had long been exhausted. The only remaining carton of cigarettes was illegally traded by Director Liu with the border residents in order to save the life of the injured guide.

No one blamed Jiang Wenxing, not even Kalil. When Jiang Wenxing left, Kalil wanted to see him off, but he was held up by his mission.

Jiang Wenxing's eyes stung, and he rubbed them. Perhaps because he had been staring intently, the sentry's sensitive senses detected the unusual gaze and he quickly turned around.

Jiang Wenxing was wrapped up like a rice dumpling. He wasn't a very outgoing person, but these sentries were all his familiar comrades-in-arms, so he wasn't afraid at all. He waved awkwardly at Kalil.

The sentries who were carrying things were stunned. They looked at each other.

No sentries passed by the guide vehicle. Director Liu had told them before picking them up that they were not allowed to scare the people. The Kush sentries had become accustomed to the guides coming here to "gild their resumes" over the years and didn't really want to deal with them. Nobody bothered to approach them.

But the person wrapped up tightly in a military overcoat waved to them, and even though he was wrapped up so tightly, you could still tell that he was the guide!

The sentries exchanged glances and winks. One gestured, "What's that young vixen up to?" Another raised an eyebrow, shrugged, and pursed his lips, "I don't know. Who knows what those pedantic scholars are thinking?"

you go?

Tch, go ahead and go ahead.

Tsk tsk, I'm not going. Whoever goes will be the one who gets this treatment.

After a round of arguing, they all gave a cold snort and decided not to greet anyone, instead carrying their luggage in a very aloof manner.

They, the Kush, don't need guides.

Jiang Wenxing was rebuffed and his face turned red. He forgot that they didn't know each other yet.

Zhu Ning gave Jiang Wenxing a strange look, said something to Yano, and Yano laughed and cursed at him. Zhu Ning glanced at Jiang Wenxing and a mocking look appeared on his face.

The truck's side panel was lowered, and Zhu Ning took the lead, jumping down with his luggage. Arno followed closely behind. Both of them moved swiftly and decisively, without any hesitation.

Alena's lioness helped carry a bag of luggage, flicked her tail, and jumped out of the car. Alena, carrying her own bag, readily asked, "Jiang, need any help?"

Jiang Wenxing turned around, intending to agree, but his own health was not good and he didn't want to force himself. However, he caught a glimpse of a small fur ball in the package, and after a half-second of surprise, he shook his head at Alena.

Alena didn't press the matter further. She had only known Jiang Wenxing for half a month and knew that he was extremely strong-willed and most likely wouldn't agree. Forcing him to help would only lead to an argument, so she didn't insist and got off the truck with her luggage.

Jiang Wenxing glanced around and approached the package where the little mouse was buried in its head. It contained small snacks for mental energy, which were considered luxury items and were specially supplied to the military, but Jiang Wenxing had never applied for them.

The little mouse really wanted to eat it, but that was all he could think about. He would stare at it longingly when no one was around, knowing that Jiang Wenxing wouldn't give it to him.

Its connection with its owner was weak, so it didn't notice Jiang Wenxing standing behind it until a very fragrant and delicious smell wafted over.

The little mouse squeaked, its fur standing on end in fright. Upon seeing Jiang Wenxing, it immediately raised its paw to indicate that it hadn't touched him.

But there was no cold, impersonal voice; instead, there were familiar, fair hands, and in one hand was a fragrant piece of candy.

The little mouse hesitated, wanting to disappear immediately, but the temptation of that hand was too great.

Jiang Wenxing didn't speak. The little mouse's figure gradually faded away this time, not disappearing immediately, but it didn't go to take the candy either.

As Jiang Wenxing and the other spirits disappeared, he silently put away the candy. Before he could even sigh, he was suddenly bumped in the lower back, causing him to stumble and almost fall over.

The familiar giant wolf suddenly appeared, circling around Jiang Wenxing as if searching for something.

Just then, a large orange tiger with its big, round feline eyes climbed up, picked up the guide's bag with its teeth, and prepared to get off the vehicle. The wolf immediately bared its teeth and pounced on the tiger.

"Ilya! Ilya! Damn it, control your wolves!"

The spirit and its master were in sync. The sentry who was speaking cried out in pain. The giant wolf on the truck easily subdued the tiger, letting out a low howl from its throat. The tiger was unable to move, and the giant wolf swaggered over its opponent.

Jiang Wenxing wanted to help, but the truck suddenly lurched. A lithe figure easily flipped onto the truck, grabbed the giant wolf, and pulled it backward.

The giant wolf, which had been so arrogant just moments before, instantly became docile. It lay prostrate at Ilya's feet, rubbing against him innocently.

"team leader."

Ilya turned around, somewhat puzzled, but more embarrassed, unable to explain the behavior of the spirit entity.

However, that slight embarrassment was quickly overshadowed by the man's serious and calm expression. He glanced at him and understood why Jiang Wenxing was left behind. This guide didn't look like a child who grew up in the rough wilderness. After traveling all night, his face was pale, and he looked at him with some unease and difficulty, feeling left behind.

Ilya thought it was normal that Jiang Wenxing couldn't move these things, so he didn't say anything, but waved to the other side. Two sentries immediately came over and saluted in unison: "Captain!"

The sentry was much stronger than the guide, and Jiang Wenxing didn't have to lift a finger before his luggage was emptied.

He was in a hurry; he knew Ilya didn't like these "spoiled soldiers," so he tried to fight the sentry for the luggage.

But the sentry acted as if it was no problem and told Jiang Wenxing not to be polite. Jiang Wenxing couldn't argue with him and ended up sneezing several times because of the cold wind.

Ilya was busy handing over with the people at the stronghold. After making some simple arrangements, he jumped off the vehicle. The giant wolf, swishing its tail, followed him off, looking back every few steps, but he didn't hear Jiang Wenxing's footsteps for a long time.

Turning around, Jiang Wenxing stood pale-faced at the edge of the barrier, his expression grave, biting his lip, afraid to jump.

They look useless and have no soldier's bearing.

Ilya asked him, "What's wrong?" His tone wasn't too nice, but it wasn't too bad either; it was more of a businesslike inquiry. The events in the carriage didn't cause him too much trouble.

Jiang Wenxing respected Ilya. Based on his experience from two lifetimes, he believed that Ilya was the most upright and reliable captain, but he never became overly close to him.

Ilya is the alpha wolf of the Kush, their spiritual core. In Jiang Wenxing's mind, he is so serious that he is almost emotionless. The only time he saw him sad and upset was when he was the captain, seeing off the team's guide.

Jiang Wenxing was mentally writing a report when suddenly his body was suspended in mid-air and he was pulled down by a warm body.

He stared in astonishment, mouth agape, at Ilya, the... captain...

Ilya raised his hand to press down the brim of his hat and asked, "Are you cold?"

He realized that Jiang Wenxing wasn't afraid to jump; he was just stiff from the cold and couldn't move his legs. This was common for new sentries who had been traveling all night.

Jiang Wenxing wanted to shake his head, but for some reason, he shrank his neck and whispered, "It's cold."

He had always kept his feelings a secret from everyone, but now he wanted to be honest with Ilya about his former captain, with whom he had fought side by side.

Ilya showed no impatience or disdain. His handsome brows furrowed slightly as he casually pulled an old pair of gloves from his pocket and handed them to him: "Take these first. It'll be warmer inside. Go on."

Ilya exhaled a puff of white mist and pointed in a direction for Jiang Wenxing. The white wolf paced anxiously around Ilya, howling, but no matter how much it lingered, Ilya did not give it permission to move freely. Therefore, it could only shake its head and follow its master away.

Jiang Wenxing took a deep breath and reassured himself that it was normal and not to make a fuss. He waved to Ilya, turned around and jogged to catch up with the sentry who had helped him carry his luggage.

The giant wolf looked up at its master and snorted indignantly. Ilya's expression remained unchanged, but his fingers twitched. He had just... secretly measured the other's waist and felt that the other's body was ice cold.

Author's Note:

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!!!