Deities Are All Just My Food
Chapter 580 - 286: The Land of Death, Mysterious Herbs!_1

Chapter 580: Chapter 286: The Land of Death, Mysterious Herbs!_1

In the winter mountains, far as the eye can see, the scenery is all withered and desolate, the leafless trees standing like old people on the brink of death.

The cold wind assaults the face, biting like a knife.

Dae Jang Geum wrapped herself in her down jacket. In winter, unless absolutely necessary, she would not go up the mountain to gather herbs because of the risk of freezing to death, but today, she felt warm.

This coat is really comfortable to wear!

Probably even the Middle Palace Madam doesn’t have one?

Dae Jang Geum looked up at Lin Baici’s figure ahead.

He is so capable; in the Heavenly Dynasty, he must be a person of high status, mustn’t he?

"Mr. Lin, we’re almost there. Walk forward for another quarter of an hour, and we’ll reach our hunting and herb gathering grounds!"

Lee Taehyun unzipped his down jacket, too warm it was making him sweat. He originally planned to save it, to wear it when he got married.

"Another half hour?"

Gu Qingqiu stopped, bent over with hands on her knees, gasping for breath. Her constitution was not strong, and traveling on the mountain’s rough paths was truly torturous.

"I told you to stay at the foot of the mountain. You wouldn’t listen!"

Lin Baici had advised her, to no avail. Girls like Gu Qingqiu had their own independent thoughts, or should I say, they were stubborn and wouldn’t take others’ advice.

Gu Qingqiu was proud. After hearing Lin Baici’s words, she fought to control her breathing and then continued forward.

She couldn’t allow herself to be underestimated, yet in her heart, she began to blame herself.

Gu Qingqiu, you’re too arrogant. You worried that they would miss important clues by going into the mountains. In fact, it was quite unnecessary; Lin Baici’s mind was very sharp.

"I should trust him!"

Gu Qingqiu reflected. She had only ever felt secure about her father, and now Lin Baici has earned the right to be the second.

After more than half an hour, everyone arrived at a sloping area in the mountains, where a wooden hut was built, appearing to be more than a decade old by its looks.

"This is where hunters, ginseng gatherers, and herbalists come to rest after entering the mountains. Firewood can be used, but you have to replace what you use!"

Lee Taehyun was explaining the unwritten rules as he pushed open the door of the hut.

The interior was simple; firewood was stacked to the west, and to the east lay several logs about a foot high off the ground, preventing moisture—serving as a floor and also as beds.

In the log beds, there was a fire pit dug out, above which hung a rope suspending a dirty clay pot.

After eating, a wooden board could be placed over the fire pit. The residual warmth would make sleeping above it quite comfortable at night.

Lin Baici took one look, judging by the thickness of the dust, no one had stayed here for several months.

"It seems, Li God Doctor hasn’t come into the mountains!"

Gu Qingqiu sighed.

Li God Doctor was over fifty this year. In an era where life spans were not high, this was considered a ripe old age. If he had been in the mountains alone for many days, the hope for his survival wasn’t great.

Gu Qingqiu felt that Li God Doctor would not do such a foolish thing.

"Pair up in teams of two, go find Li God Doctor, and meet back here tonight!"

Lin Baici assigned tasks, his fierce gaze sweeping over the people: "Don’t be lazy. If I find out, I’ll make sure you suffer more alive than dead!"

"Mr. Lin, rest assured, we will definitely find Li God Doctor!"

The bearded men hurriedly promised.

"Lee Taehyun, lead the way; to the forbidden territory!"

Lin Baici urged, pressed for time. He didn’t know how Hua Yue Yu’s illness was fairing. Therefore, if they could return a day earlier, it would be one less worry.

"Are we really going there?"

Lee Taehyun swallowed nervously: "There’s a Divine Beast there, intruders will be killed!"

"Then we’ll kill the Divine Beast and have it with our drinks!"

Last night, Lin Baici, in the guise of casual conversation, talked with Lee Taehyun and Dae Jang Geum for most of the night and learned about a forbidden area in the mountains.

Lin Baici’s intention today was not only to find Li God Doctor but also to look in the forbidden territory. What if there were clues about purifying the rule pollution?

"Mr. Lin, instead of letting those soldiers wander aimlessly like headless flies, why not follow us?"

Quan Sangin whispered suggestively, feeling that in a critical moment, they could use these people as bait to distract the monster, even if only to buy a few minutes, that would be enough.

"Whatever, do what you want!"

Lin Baici didn’t care.

Quan Sangin immediately stopped the bearded men, instructing them to have their troops follow.

The team set off again and, after an hour, reached a valley.

"Just ahead is the entrance to the forbidden territory."

Lee Taehyun pointed to a large rock in the distance, on which ’Trespassers will be killed’ was written in the fresh blood of some animal.

Next to the rock, there was a circle of wooden stakes, with the rotten skull of a human head on each one.

Lin Baici glanced at the stakes and, unbothered, led the way in: "Spread out in a fan formation, each person twenty paces apart. If you find anything, shout out!"

Quan Sangin, unconcerned with such warnings, yet the local bearded men were very anxious. Just as they were about to concoct a reason to stay back, Lin Baici’s cold glare was already fixed on them.

"..."

The bearded men shuddered, not daring to waste words, obediently following. But they were sly; they stayed near Lin Baici so that if they encountered danger, they could quickly move closer to him for protection.

The group continued on, the temperature very low, their breath forming white mist.

Lin Baici touched his stomach.

No sense of hunger, he had to rely on luck to find something now.