The Snowman

"How much farther?" Han Juanjuan craned his neck as far as he could and looked toward the peak above. The urgency in his eyes was impossible to hide. The other team was risking their lives to buy them time, and Lu Yu was alone in the cave. He couldn't stop worrying about them.

Shang Zuo stopped to adjust the loose brim of his hat. The long climb was taking its toll, and he answered between gasps, "W-we're almost there. Once we get past that mountain pass, there's a small trail behind it. That's the way we came down last time. It's not far now."

They hadn't rested once along the way. Zi Gui had told everyone to discard anything they didn't need and travel light. They'd kept only one tent, and the Fatty was carrying it now.

The Fatty had barely spoken during the journey. He remembered Jiang Cheng's instructions to keep a close eye on Shang Zuo. Shang Zuo had to stay alive until they reached the Saintess's Tomb.

"Don't talk," Zi Gui reminded them. "Keep moving. We're short on time."

They were already close to the summit. The high altitude meant thin air, and every step demanded an effort that people used to the plains could hardly imagine.

Fortunately, everyone had decent stamina, especially Wang Fugui. Zi Gui had spent much of the journey keeping an eye on him.

As a teacher, Zi Gui felt responsible for her students and the rest of the team, so she was still somewhat wary of the Fatty, an outsider.

No one knew what was going on in the mind of someone who seemed so simple and honest.

The treachery of the human heart had been laid bare in their missions. Even though the Fatty had shown them kindness before, it could