Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1296: 424: Suffering the Consequences, Hezang’s Orphan, Upheaval and Hatred_5

Ji Hong's frame shuddered fiercely. He wheeled around to face Chen Yiqing, his blood-drenched eyes devoid of any feeling, and declared in a grave tone, “Senior Chen speaks correctly. Heading back now guarantees death. I was befuddled…”

After hesitating briefly, he pressed on with his question, “I recall Senior Chen originates from Beishuo Town. Might you guide Ji Hong onto a safe course?”

A faint glow appeared on Chen Yiqing's face. He agreed with a nod, saying, “Ji Hong, my young friend, we've known each other a while, so no need for ambiguities. With Great Xia's might now and the Zhao Family's sway, lingering near the Nine Towns will eventually draw them to you. Better to depart this area, seek a secure haven for dedicated cultivation, and bide your time until you're powerful enough to return and exact vengeance on the Zhao Family for your sister. It's not too late, right?”

Ji Hong nodded vigorously toward Chen Yiqing, evidently touched deeply.

“Since you place faith in me, Ji Hong, follow along. Your safety is assured under my watch.”

“Very well, I’ll rely on Senior Chen. But…”

Ji Hong halted once more, cradling his sister's remains tightly, before adding, “I cannot abandon Ah Jiang’s body to rot in the wilds. Senior Chen, grant me a moment; I wish to bury Ah Jiang fittingly, perform a rite, and then depart.”

Chen Yiqing nodded promptly, replying, “That's proper indeed. Yet Zhao Bao might dispatch men here at any moment, so make haste, Ji Hong!”

Ji Hong agreed with a nod and wasted no more time. Rising up, he scanned the area, spotted a sheltered location, and bore his sister's body there. He shoveled away the snow and started excavating a hole with hands and blade alike.

Though Ice Abyss's soil proved tough, his Nine Manes power allowed him to swiftly carve a two-meter-deep oval trench. Checking its dimensions, he leaped free and gently lowered his sister's form inside.

Gazing upon Ji Jiang's body in the hole, anguish twisted his features terribly; he resisted covering her, eyes flicking often to the hefty saber gripped in his hand, obviously pondering a drastic act.

Abruptly, he lifted his gaze and addressed Chen Yiqing standing nearby behind, “Senior Chen, allow me a private moment to speak with my sister, if you please…”

“Of course, I'll stand guard southward; any approach, and I'll alert you right away!”

Chen Yiqing raised no protest, nodding as he strode south, halting more than a hundred meters distant, appearing genuinely vigilant for Ji Hong.

Ji Hong drew in a heavy breath, at last commencing to shovel dirt back into the grave.

“Ah Jiang, fear not, your brother shall avenge you for certain!”

“Zhao Bao, Zhao Hu, Zhao Long, the whole Zhao Family—none shall escape. They'll join you in the afterlife, every last one.”

“My strength falls short for now, but one day, when power surges through me, nothing will halt my wrath. I'll slaughter them all, slaughter them…”

……

Within the grave, Ji Hong murmured these vows over and again, steeling his determination for retribution against his sister's killers.

From over a hundred meters off, Chen Yiqing's ears flicked subtly, a sinister grin curling his lips.

However, unseen by him, Ji Hong discreetly drew forth a yellow candle amid his mutterings.

He raised Ji Jiang's corpse and stealthily ignited the yellow candle upon her back.

The instant the flame caught, twin black specks materialized in Ji Hong's eyes. Their arrival brought agony to his visage. Gradually, the candle's glow vaporized them into dark vapor, tendrils curling upward from his irises.

As the dark vapor fully dispersed, Ji Hong's form convulsed sharply.

“Zhao Bao, Zhao Hu, Zhao Long, and Zhao Yuanxiu—all must perish!”

“The Zhao Family too, not one will survive my blade!”

“Ah Jiang, sleep soundly; I'll annihilate the Zhao clan to send them with you…”

In the pit, Ji Hong's fists balled rigidly as he persisted in his oaths, yet his stare had slyly turned southward to Chen Yiqing's position. Seething loathing blazed in his eyes, almost solid, soon joined by crimson tears streaming down.

Ji Hong hastily completed the interment of his sister's remains, felled a nearby massive tree, and fashioned a plank swiftly. With his saber, he etched “Ji Jiang’s Grave” upon it, then erected it before the fresh cairn.

“Senior Chen, we're off!”

Chen Yiqing glanced back, noting Ji Hong's renewed vigor, and flashed a pleased smirk before nodding and guiding him due east.

“Hongmen Realm lies closed to us now. Traverse eastward via Beining Mountain to Jiangyan Realm in Chui Mountain Town. From there, push north for relative safety.”

“Senior leads, and I shall follow!”

……

Ninth year of Great Xia, March 5th, dawn's first light.

“Ah Jiang, Brother Ji, you home?”

Before Ji Jiang's home in Hongmen North District.

Confusion filled Zeng Rou as she eyed the firmly barred entrance.

“Four days running now—did I miss them once more? This time of day, they'd be back, no? Perhaps out hunting by daylight?”

On March 1st eve when Ji Hong arrived, Zeng Rou learned of it; he brought Ji Jiang to the Treasure Tower for her. Regrettably, night shift pinned her there. By the time she reached her North City abode, the siblings had ventured for the hunt.

Regret tinged the early month bustle; mere four rest hours daily, commencing the night's final hour.

Zeng Rou knew Ji Jiang fretted over supply lines lately. With Ji Hong's seven free days, aiding in Beast Skin hoarding made sense. Eager pursuit? Forgivable.

But four days straight, all misses?

Far too convenient!

Zeng Rou's brow creased as she rapped sharply on a neighbor's door.

A young lady emerged promptly, beaming at Zeng Rou, “Miss Zeng, truly you?”

“Sister Zhu, spotted Ah Jiang or her brother leaving or returning these four days?”

North City folk hailed from Great Xia; Zeng Rou's frequent Ji Jiang visits fostered neighborly bonds.

Sister Zhu pondered, replying, “Figured Ah Jiang returned to Xia City alongside her brother. Truth is, no sightings whatsoever! Empty house these four days—no entries or exits.”

Zeng Rou's face paled at the words.

Noting it, Sister Zhu grasped the gravity, crying, “They never reached Xia City…”

Her look sobered; urgently she urged, “Four days absent, no word—trouble surely. Miss Zeng, alert the Prison Department at once for inquiry.”

Great Xia's governance had matured well. Save elites, travel demanded permits within realms; resource zones dotted bases. Vanishings without trace? Rare. Extended absences warranted notice. For Ji siblings: peril or worse.

“Grateful, Sister Zhu—off to Prison Department!”

Tension gripped Zeng Rou; no further delay, she dashed toward the Ministry Building.

Sister Zhu observed her flight, then eyed the sealed door beside, sighing faintly.

“Alas, fate plagues these siblings too!”