Chu Yi felt that he wasn’t suitable to meet President Yu recently, and since the Fu Family had asked him to make a trip to Liang Province, he informed his agent Lin Hang and then set off lightly packed.
Young Master Fu was going to Liang Province, so the accompanying personnel naturally weren’t simple. Besides Chu Yi, Ouyang Yuyuan, Uncle Ping, and the doctor, there was also a group of special forces soldiers. The small team leader in charge of that group of special forces soldiers was named Fu Chengmao, who was also a distant cousin of Fu Huaiyan.
They first took a chartered plane to Liang Province, then were taken by a convoy of off-road vehicles into a certain base, and from there switched to a helicopter.
It was Chu Yi’s first time flying, and he got quite a scare on the plane. By the time they transferred to the helicopter, he was practically stiff as he clung tightly to his seat, afraid that this big iron bird might malfunction and fling them all out.
When they got off the helicopter, Chu Yi’s legs were numb, and his face didn’t look too good.
Ouyang Yuyuan turned around with a grinning face. “Yi Ge, I thought you feared nothing in heaven or earth. Turns out you’re afraid of heights?”
Chu Yi, who wasn’t even afraid of Peach Blossom Evil, was scared of flying! He had secretly recorded a short video on the helicopter and posted it to his Moments, and Jiujun, Yun Kai, and even Big Cousin had quietly liked it.
Chu Yi’s face turned iron-blue. “I’m not afraid of heights. I just think it’s not safe.”
What a joke—he could jump down from a three- or four-story building without fear, so how could he be afraid of heights!
“But Yi Ge, your face looks awful. Even Yanyan was fine. Yi Ge, just stop forcing yourself.” Ouyang Yuyuan patted Fu Huaiyan’s head, not noticing the tangled looks from the group of special forces soldiers over there.
Uncle Ping the butler, was already used to it and rolled his eyes. If he tried to stop it, Ouyang Yuyuan would just rub his young master’s head even more right in front of him. The key was that his family’s Eldest Young Master foolishly cooperated!
Chu Yi said, “Since you’re all so bold, if any snakes, insects, rats, or ants come out later, I won’t warn you.”
The teasing smile on Ouyang Yuyuan’s face vanished instantly. “…Yi Ge, I was wrong!”
Chu Yi slanted a glance at him but didn’t bother arguing.
After getting off the helicopter, the team rested in place for a bit. Except for Chu Yi and the others, every special forces soldier carried a large pack on their back, containing not only weapons but also supplies for three to five days. Since vehicles and helicopters couldn’t enter this swamp, they had no choice but to go on foot.
Fu Chengmao was skeptical about Chu Yi’s abilities. He walked over with a compass in hand. “Master Chu, should I lead the way, or…”
Chu Yi smiled faintly. “You’ve been here before, haven’t you? For now, Captain Fu can lead the way.”
Fu Chengmao didn’t feel embarrassed at all and said businesslike, “Since I’m leading, let’s make this clear first: you can’t stop unless I say so, and you can’t leave the team at will. If you need to use the bathroom midway, inform me in advance, and I’ll find a safe spot for you to handle it.”
It wasn’t strange at all for Fu Chengmao to say this—he was a soldier, and on missions, he hated uncooperative targets the most. Ouyang Yuyuan and Chu Yi didn’t seem like the obedient type, so courtesy before force with a tough attitude might make the two of them push on a few more steps out of pride.
Fu Chengmao didn’t want his comrades to have to carry them. This place was full of swamps one after another; if someone stepped into a trap by accident, the one at the bottom would suffer first, and they might not even be able to save them in time.
Chu Yi nodded. “That’s only right.”
He didn’t throw a tantrum because of his status as a Xuan Arts Master, so Fu Chengmao actually gained a bit more respect for him. He quickly ran ahead to organize the team.
Ouyang Yuyuan pulled a long face. “A forced march…”
What he feared most was the long hikes during military training. That little team leader’s attitude was like this too—wasn’t it just because he was afraid they’d hold them back? He felt looked down upon and couldn’t even retort. So frustrating!
Chu Yi glanced at him and took out a Qi-Supplementing Pill from his pocket. “Here, stop complaining. Later, follow right behind me and step in my footprints. It’ll keep you safe.”
This batch of Qi-Supplementing Pills wasn’t refined from Yellow Jade Bodhi—the previous ones had all been used up. These were improved with ginseng, snow lotus, and other herbs, so the effect was a bit weaker. But Ouyang Yuyuan was just an ordinary person, so it was more than enough to replenish his qi, blood, and energy.
“Hee hee, thanks, Yi Ge.” Ouyang Yuyuan beamed and popped it into his mouth without another word.
“What did Yuanyuan eat? Yanyan wants some too!” Fu Huaiyan had just been pulled away by Uncle Ping, but in a moment of inattention, he scooted back to Ouyang Yuyuan’s side, noisily demanding a Qi-Supplementing Pill.
Though Chu Yi thought he was sturdy and didn’t need it, for Ouyang Yuyuan’s sake, he still gave him one.
“Mm… it’s bitter!” Fu Huaiyan frowned as soon as he put it in his mouth and opened up to spit it out.
Ouyang Yuyuan reacted quickly and immediately covered his mouth. “No spitting!”
Fu Huaiyan’s long eyelashes instantly brimmed with tears, and he started shaking his head. “Mm mm, mm…”
