The mountain wind swept up the chill of Kunlun Mountain Pass, making their robes snap and flutter. Mingche looked at Su Mu beside him and quietly waited for him to make up his mind.
Su Mu gazed into the depths of Kunlun Mountain, shrouded in clouds and mist, and pondered for a moment. A sharp gleam suddenly flashed through his previously calm eyes. He looked at Mingche and nodded, settling on a decision.
Seeing that Su Mu had agreed, Mingche hesitated no longer. He turned to Li Mo, who stood nearby with worry written all over his face, and spoke.
His voice was low and steady, carrying the assurance unique to a chief instructor. "It's all right. Since we need to scout the way ahead, the three of us will go in together. That way, we can look out for one another."
Li Mo's brows were tightly knitted. He had wanted to urge the two of them not to rush deeper into the mountain, but seeing that it was his own chief instructor, Mingche, who had spoken,
he ultimately swallowed the warning on the tip of his tongue. He could only cup his hands in salute, his voice full of lingering worry. "All right, then. Chief Instructor, Senior, please be careful once you enter the mountain. Keep your guard up at every turn."
With their plans settled, the three turned onto a mountain trail buried beneath wild grass and scattered rocks, making their way step by step toward the heart of Kunlun Mountain.
But they had barely gone a few steps when Su Mu, walking at the rear, suddenly stopped. Mingche's heart tightened, and he did not dare delay for even a moment.
He immediately stopped as well and turned toward Su Mu, even softening his breathing as he quietly