Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1275 - 420: Rest in Fengyang Village, Ambush and Severe Injuries, Hatred and Fury

Ninth year of Great Xia, February 18

Late night in Southern Chui Mountain Town

Amidst swirling wind and snow on the Bluestone Road of Jiangyan Realm, five figures dash southward—two ahead, three trailing—all burdened with backpacks, their breaths ragged and urgent, signs of an exhausting long journey.

The front-left man, appearing in his early thirties, dons a white summer garment with a longsword at his waist, his features sharp and gaze radiating commanding authority, unmistakably the group's leader.

His right-side companion seems older, around early forties, clad in yellow summer attire, gripping a standard knife; his heavy panting reveals strength inferior to the leader's.

The trio in black trailing them span ages 30 to 40, faces red and breaths labored, yet they push hard to match the pace of the leaders ahead, clearly in a follower's role.

The white-clad youth abruptly eases his speed, glances back at the disordered breathing of the three nearby and behind, and speaks steadily: "Alright, another five or six kilometers and we’ll reach Peak Mountain Realm, no need to rush!"

The three in the rear instantly match his slower pace, exhaling in quiet relief.

Li Longkai, in yellow garb, follows suit by slowing down; once his breathing evens out, he faces the white-clad youth with a wry grin: "No use trying to compete, right? Fortunately, Lord Lin paced with us the whole way—if he went full speed, forget those three, even I couldn't keep pace."

This white-clad youth is Lin Kai, newly appointed Hongmen Guardian from last year.

Lin Kai turns to Li Longkai with a smile upon hearing this: "Cultivation levels differ; my power edges out Brother Li's a touch, so my stride's naturally swifter. Those three can't match it for sure, but Lord Li claiming he can't—that's overstating it a bit."

"Alright, Lord Lin, no need to console me!"

Li Longkai dismisses with a wave; he had served as Deputy Military Preparation of the East Eighth District Camp Supply Department before, promoted alongside Lin Kai last July to Military Preparation Envoy of Hongmen Supply Department.

His background boasts impressive depth.

Prime member of Great Xia's inaugural Hunting Team; among the first Nobles after the Longyou War; Valley Guardian; East Eighth District Camp Supply Deputy Military Preparation Envoy; now Hongmen Supply Department Military Preparation.

Such a stacked career screams major feats—without them, steady climbs like his wouldn't happen, and his power grew steadily with each step.

When arriving at Hongmen last year, he stood at 26 Manes, sensing Lin Kai stronger but not by much, maybe 3-4 Manes apart.

Over half a year later, he's hit 29 Manes, expecting the gap with Lin Kai to shrink some, yet this Muyin trek proved him dead wrong.

Last year, he could gauge their difference roughly; now, Lin Kai's Qi Muscle shifts elude him entirely, showing not a narrowing gap but a widening one.

"We both rely on Dan Medicine for power boosts, but Lord Lin has a Superior Battle Body, superior talent, youth on his side, and assets topping Great Xia's elite—meaning more cultivation resources at his disposal than mine. With talent, age, and wealth stacked, his faster progress makes perfect sense!"

While Li Longkai reflects, Lin Kai guides the four onward south another five or six kilometers; he lifts his eyes ahead and remarks: "We've stepped into Peak Mountain Realm—the nearest spot here is Fengyang Village, yeah?"

Li Longkai nods at once: "Yes, Fengyang Village, roughly seven kilometers away."

"Seven kilometers..."

Hearing the span, Lin Kai frowns in thought briefly, then shakes his head: "Too distant—skip Fengyang for now, let's grab a close spot to rest first, recover fully, then head straight back to Hongmen."

The Hongmen-to-Muyin route tops five hundred kilometers, so outdoor camping the whole way was never feasible; Ice Abyss Wilderness teems with threats, making village camps far safer and cozier for breaks.

Pre-trip, they'd mapped the full itinerary, pinpointing rest and resupply stops in detail.

Original intent was a Fengyang pause; Lin Kai's shift to any nearby rest spot marks a sudden plan tweak.

Li Longkai feels the fatigue, craving a village halt, but with Peak Mountain near Hongmen—direct return under 40 kilometers—Hongmen rest tempts more, so he agrees with a nod.

The trailing three offer no dissent; seeing Li Longkai's approval, Lin Kai scans about for a fire-friendly site for their five-man group.

"Lord, our packs lack water, coal stone's all used up—wood-extracted water's too sluggish; better to push to Fengyang Village for rest?"

Just then, one trailing follower advances, cups hands uncertainly, and voices the idea.

As the follower speaks, Lin Kai's brows lift faintly; after the pitch, he exchanges a quick look with Li Longkai, then affirms: "True, no water for 40 kilometers won't work—we'll follow the original plan, rest at Fengyang Village!"

Lin Kai surges south in the lead; Li Longkai hurries to join, brows knitting tight; the suggesting follower keeps up, eyes flashing briefly; the last two stay silent, hastening after the quartet.