Chu Qing stared at the rock hanging in mid - air for a moment. Then she immediately realized it was a trap.
"Why set up a trap after already getting the flag?" Chu Qing asked.
Although this trap wouldn't be life - threatening, it would at least waste some time.
For Wei Yi and Ba Te Er, time was as important as the flag.
Was it just to delay time?
Chu Qing promptly voiced her thoughts.
Hearing this, Wei Ying nodded with a smile.
"But... how could he be sure that the other party would... Oh!" Chu Qing suddenly understood and continued, "Is it because he was afraid the other party would follow his trail?"
"Qingqing is really smart," Wei Ying blurted out the compliment.
"Then... who do you think got the first flag, the two of them?" Chu Qing continued to ask.
"Wei Yi," Wei Ying replied with a smile, "But Ba Te Er might also know. It seems... these two aren't completely stupid."
"Shall we go to the location of the second flag?" Chu Qing became even more curious.
Wei Ying nodded, took Chu Qing's hand, and walked further into the forest.
The next location was the highest peak of Ka Ze Mountain.
It was like the head, and there were four flags there.
The first one to arrive would surely return with a full load.
...
The path up the mountain became increasingly difficult to walk on. Fortunately, Chu Qing's physical strength had been well - conditioned by Xiao Rou Qiu Zi. Even though she was pregnant, she showed no signs of fatigue.
On the contrary, Wei Ying was extremely cautious, fearing that Chu Qing might stumble or get hurt. He swung his sword to cut away all the dry grass and twigs in their way.
A path that was originally impassable was turned into a smooth one by Wei Ying.
"Aren't you afraid that you're just making things easier for them if they're behind us?" Chu Qing pouted slightly.
"As long as Qingqing walks comfortably, I don't care about anything else. Moreover... at their speed, they must be ahead of us. If they're behind us, they won't have enough time," Wei Ying replied.
Chu Qing nodded and said nothing more.
When they reached the highest peak of Ka Ze Mountain, Chu Qing followed Wei Ying to check the four positions. She found that all the flags had been taken.
However, there were traps everywhere.
Not only Chu Qing but also Wei Ying raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"The person who got these four flags seems quite capable," Wei Ying commented.
Hearing this, Chu Qing glanced at him and joked, "How does he compare to you?"
"A bit inferior," Wei Ying answered.
"Tsk tsk tsk!"
"What, Qingqing doesn't agree?"
"Agree, agree. My Zi Zhan is the best in the world."
"Then don't you want to reward me?"
"Um..."
Seeing Wei Ying leaning in, Chu Qing couldn't help but kiss his cheek.
She just couldn't stay aloof anymore.
No matter what pose Wei Ying was in, he was extremely attractive to her!
Thinking of this, Chu Qing felt her face getting hot. To avoid whatever else Wei Ying might say, she quickly asked, "Shall we go to the next location?"
Wei Ying felt a bit disappointed. He had hoped for more, but since Chu Qing seemed shy and changed the topic, he had to put away his thoughts and replied, "We can just wait at the foot of the mountain. For the remaining three flags, they are Zhen, Xun, and Gen, corresponding to the feet, thighs, and hands respectively. These three places are quite scattered and the journey is rather long. We don't need to go there."
He didn't want Chu Qing to get too tired.
Even though Chu Qing seemed fine, he just wanted her to have a good rest.
Thankfully, Chu Qing didn't insist on going.
The two quickly went down the mountain.
When they got down, they found that everyone was still waiting in the same place.
Moreover, it seemed that they were divided into two groups.
There seemed to be a pile of things in the middle.
Before Chu Qing and Wei Ying could say anything, Yu Er ran out and excitedly said to them, "Those uncles and brothers are betting on whether Brother Ba Te Er or the other brother will win the competition!"
"Bet?" Wei Ying frowned, then glared coldly at the soldiers in black armor.
Gambling was prohibited in the military camp.
Chu Qing didn't notice Wei Ying's darkened face. Instead, she walked forward excitedly and asked, "How do you place the bets? I'll join too!"
You know!
In her previous life, she always won when she gambled!
She didn't know if it was because of good luck or something else.
In this life, due to her status, she couldn't do some things as freely as in her previous life.
Take gambling for example.
As the Grand Empress Dowager, it was okay to have a small bet with the concubines in her leisure time.
But as the Princess of Ning, she didn't have many opportunities.
However, when she asked excitedly, no one answered.
Especially the soldiers of the Black Cloud Army.
They all lowered their heads timidly...
Chu Qing subconsciously turned around and saw Wei Ying's gloomy face, looking like he was about to explode.
Chu Qing immediately understood. She returned to Wei Ying's side and softly said, "It's quite peaceful now. I think they've been pent - up for too long. Just let them have some fun. Moreover, their bets seem... quite interesting."
Indeed, they didn't use money as bets.
Instead, they used... all kinds of food.
There were steamed buns, big cakes, and some dried meat.
Presumably, they took out their privately - stored dry rations.
Seeing that Chu Qing was speaking up for them, Wei Ying's expression gradually softened. But when he turned to those soldiers, he still said sternly, "I'll let it go this time because the Princess has pleaded for you and the bets aren't heavy. You all know the rules in the army. Don't let it happen again."
"Yes!" the soldiers immediately replied loudly.
"Aren't you going to join?" Chu Qing squinted at Wei Ying and whispered.
Wei Ying pinched Chu Qing's cheek and replied, "Your decision is mine."
Chu Qing said, "Aren't you afraid that I'll make you go bankrupt?"
"Qingqing knows what she's doing."
Chu Qing smiled and then walked into the crowd.
Looking closely, these things were divided into two piles.
Undoubtedly, those who bet on Ba Te Er were the tribesmen of Bu Lan Duo. Those who bet on Wei Yi were, of course, the soldiers of the Black Cloud Army.
Fortunately, not many soldiers of the Black Cloud Army participated.
Otherwise, the difference between the two piles of food would be quite large.
"Princess, which side do you want to bet on?" Yu Er looked up with an excited face.
Chu Qing hooked her lips and then said loudly, "I bet on Ba Te Er! The bet is a sumptuous dinner. If I lose, I'll treat all the soldiers of the Black Cloud Army to a roasted whole sheep tonight! Don't worry, everyone from Bu Lan Duo. I'll pay the corresponding silver for however many sheep are needed."
When the Bu Lan Duo people migrated here, they naturally brought their flocks of sheep.
Hearing this, the soldiers of the Black Cloud Army excitedly shouted that the Princess was sure to treat them!
Chu Qing just smiled and said nothing.
She had her own plan.
Then, Chu Qing was taken back to the tent by Wei Ying to rest.
Maybe climbing the mountain had taken too much of her energy, and she quickly fell into a dream.
Just as she was "fighting" with the God of Dreams, she heard someone outside the tent shouting excitedly:
"They're back!"