Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1335 - 435: Yinhe Valley, Bone-Eroding Path, Han Peng’s Choice, Finally Arrives

Jinshan Town consists of nine districts, with Yinhe Valley occupying the westernmost position.

Despite being at the extreme west, much of Jinshan Town's land juts into Moao Mountain, making this zone directly border Moao Mountain.

"No surprise it's called a valley. I spotted it while flying in. Moao Mountain dips sharply here, creating a vast valley area—basically Twin Dragon Valley blown up dozens of times larger, yeah?"

From the northern edge of Jinyang Village, Li Hu and Yang Zhong guided Xia Hong further into Yinhe Valley's northern section, eagerly explaining Jinyang Village's details to him.

Hearing Xia Hong's query, Li Hu nodded at once and explained, "Yinhe Valley stretches mainly north-south, its total size unknown. Yet Jinshan Town controls roughly over 1600 square kilometers—east-west width exceeding 30 kilometers, north-south depth surpassing 50 kilometers. It holds 23 village-level camps plus various medium and large ones. Jinyang Village sits at the northernmost depth of Yinhe Valley."

"Over 50 kilometers north-south depth under Jinshan Town's control..."

Muttering that, Xia Hong gazed northward and inquired, "Past those 50 kilometers, Jinshan Town's uncharted territory—that leads to Cai Qiu, correct?"

Li Hu affirmed with a nod, "Exactly. I've been around over a year and dug into the info. Over twenty years back, Jinshan Town aimed to push north along Yinhe Valley, Moao Mountain's inner flank. But beyond 50 kilometers north through Yinhe Valley lies the Bone-Eroding Path, where relentless black winds howl year-round..."

Mention of the raging black wind made Xia Hong recall the dark cloud zone he'd glimpsed northward upon arriving at Yinhe Valley by flight. He quickly swiveled, eyeing Li Hu with keen curiosity for what came next.

Li Hu clearly dredged up grim memories, terror flickering in his gaze, "The Bone-Eroding Path's black wind is horrifying. It shreds flesh and blood from a body in seconds. Even Cold Resistance Level folks entering face certain death. I'd heard Jinyang Village tales and doubted them. But this May, I seized the chance to scout it personally with my team..."

As Li Hu detailed his May expedition step by step, Xia Hong grasped why his face twisted so at the Bone-Eroding Path's name.

Li Hu described how, that May, he brought his group near the Bone-Eroding Path's brink and witnessed the black wind firsthand. No way he'd venture inside himself—instead, he had Yang Zhong and the Hunting Team herd three Intermediate Thunder Kui into the black wind for a trial run.

Among Cold Beasts, Thunder Kui boasts top-tier skin membrane defenses. An Intermediate Thunder Kui's flesh and hide match a human at Cold Resistance Level Cultivation.

Yet despite that, the three Intermediate Thunder Kui suffered their skin and flesh brutally flayed in an instant, reduced to mere skeletons after only ten breaths.

"Flesh and skin membrane completely peeled off by the black wind—skeletons alone remained!"

Xia Hong's pupils contracted sharply, a grave look instantly clouding his features.

Li Hu bobbed his head solemnly, "Yes, we were stunned too back then. The black wind looked thin and unremarkable, like everyday air currents. I even chucked in some Solidified Fire Oil and a tiny torch to check—no response at all."

How intriguing!

Xia Hong dipped his chin in thought briefly, then pivoted to question, "This March, weren't some folks supposed to arrive from Cai Qiu? Did you spot them?"

Last year, Han Peng stressed Cai Qiu's biannual connections—August, this very month, and March.

Li Hu answered promptly, "We did. March 25 this year, four arrived from Cai Qiu. Their leader's Cai Shiqing, looks early forties, haughty and domineering, nose in the air, total lecher. His followers seemed feeble; we pegged him roughly at Cold Resistance Level but couldn't gauge their precise power."

Individuals hailing from Feudal Town were bound to possess considerable strength. Recalling the seven escorts with Chu Yan’er, each surpassing 20 Zong in power, Xia Hong remained unsurprised. Yet, as Li Hu spoke of Cai Shiqing, fury laced his words, drawing Xia Hong’s curious gaze toward him.

"What, did Cai Shiqing cause you trouble?"

Embarrassment flickered across Li Hu’s face as he saluted and replied, "The lord sees through everything; I wouldn’t dare hide it. Back in March, Cai Shiqing had just arrived and right away commanded Han Peng to round up the village women for his picking. I couldn’t tolerate it, so I spoke up a bit for Han Peng, and ended up getting thrashed."

Xia Hong’s expression darkened instantly upon hearing this.

Yang Zhong, lingering uncertainly nearby, ignored Li Hu’s pleading glances to hold back and stepped up, clenching his jaw to report, "Lord, it went beyond a mere beating. Cai Shiqing stabbed his left chest with a blade, coming within half an inch of his heart and almost killing him."

"Looks like folks from Cai Qiu Feudal Town are no saints either!"

The moment Cai Shiqing landed, he demanded Han Peng collect village women for his choosing—without needing full details, Xia Hong could easily surmise the vile intent.

Evidently, Cai Shiqing was yet another pompous idiot, blinded by his prestigious background, treating the whole Nine Towns Territory like his personal playground to ravage at will.

Harsh realms such as the Ice Abyss always brimmed with types like him. Years back, there were Beishuo, Yang Ning, and Li Hu; last year, Chen Cang plus Chu Yan’er’s seven; and now this Cai Shiqing out of Cai Qiu...