The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 280: Xu Feng’s Climb

Chapter 280: Xu Feng’s Climb

Love is great, love is grand.

The twinkling warmth that lights the way in the darkness of the world...

Yada yada, yada.

As for Xu Feng, he felt like flaming crap.

He’d spent hours struggling to keep up with the group of martial artists and nearly full fledged demon beasts. The journey up the Nanshan Mountain range felt like a painful climb.

Unlike the men from this world, whose physical fitness seemed to be at an advantage compared to a man from the 21st century like Xu Feng, he found himself laboring with every step after the first 15 minutes.

It had been at least two hours since they’d begun their ascent, and the rolling terrain made the journey all the more challenging.

The "hill," as Xuan Jian called it, was steep, with thick bushes, underbrush, and tangled vines barring their passage. The land was wild and untouched by man.

The men in the group moved with casual ease, navigating the steep mountain range effortlessly. For them, it was steady ground without too many dangers, but for Xu Feng, it was a grueling tribulation.

It was an actual nightmare scape...

Despite his experiences...his one, single experience, with a stealth mission in his modern world, he struggled to keep up. They had to take frequent stops, partly due to his inability to match their pace.

No one said anything, but the fact that no one else was winded had really gotten to him. All the men in the group scaled the hill easily, like it was a speed bump on a road they just walked over...

It was annoying!

Initially, Xu Feng had tried to push past the pain and exhaustion, determined not to be bedridden by his husbands after they got back. After all, the two men had a VERY adventurous night, and they were both moving easily and quickly through the terrain.

Even Xuan Yang, the scholar proved the muscled body he hid under his scholar’s robes weren’t just for show. There was practiced strength in his body.

Hot. But again, annoying at the moment. It would be more attractive then anything when they were out of the forests.

As Xu Feng struggled to keep pace with the group on their ascent of the Nanshan Mountain range, he couldn’t help but be in awe of the natural beauty that surrounded them. The journey had taken them at least two hours due to the rolling terrain, and the uphill climb still wasn’t over.

"We’re nearly there," Xuan Jian had called back to the group, but his eyes had been firmly set on Xu Feng, and slightly grazed Xuan Yang.

At that point, Xu Feng was already beyond exhausted. Too much so to mouth off, or quip back with something funny, or at least kind of funny. He’d only been able to nod at the iceberg, and show he heard the other man.

He knew both Xuan Yang and Xuan Jian, were slowing their pace for him, and had taken positions toward the middle and back of the group to stay near him.

It was not so annoying...just a little, but more cute than he was willing to admit out loud.

The other men in the group, including Jie, Bo, and Xu Hu Zhe, moved effortlessly over the terrain, making it seem as though they were walking on steady ground. Their confident stride and physical prowess were annoyingly evident, and they tackled the steep mountain range with ease.

But for Xu Feng, every step was a challenge, and at a certain point, there was a burning and piercing pain in his belly.

He didn’t want to become a burden to the group, however, when the urge to vomit returned, accompanied by a growing ache in his belly and dizziness, he realized that pushing himself to the limit would only lead to further discomfort.

It was better to be safe than sorry.

Reluctantly, he’d begun taking periodic breaks to rest, trying to maintain his composure and keep up with the rest of the group. Normally, he would have persevered through physical challenges, but the thought of taking any bitter medicine prescribed by Doctor Ping, was a possibility he wanted to avoid at all costs.

Ancient medicine wasn’t for the faint of heart.

He almost whished he had the talent in ancient Dongmen or even Donghua medicine. It would be a great money making venture if he could make the ancient medicine taste better.

He could sell his good tasting medicine to the nobles and big families like the Xuans!

The stunning beauty of the Nanshan Mountain range provided some consolation in the middle of his physical struggles. Beyond the small, foraged forest near the Nanshan estate, the landscape stretched out before him, revealing a world of natural wonders.

Though the journey was demanding, the breathtaking scenery was more beautiful and the diversity of plant life was greater than what he and Bai Mo had seen on their last trip.

Xu Feng couldn’t help but be captivated by it—after nearly dying on the rock at the peak of the "hill" for several minutes until he could finally sort of breath again—it was beautiful.

The virgin forests stretched out before him in all their pristine glory, offering a glimpse of untamed wilderness that seemed almost surreal.

The possibilities hidden within this kingdom, were as vast as the forest itself. Xu Feng couldn’t help but imagine the countless treasures that lay hidden beneath the dense canopy of ancient trees, waiting to be discovered. From prized mushrooms and herbs with medicinal properties to rare and exotic flora, this land held the promise of untold riches.

Some of which should be geared towards cultivators.

The scenery itself was nothing short of breathtaking. The landscape was a masterpiece of nature, with towering trees that seemed to touch the heavens, their branches laden with vibrant, green foliage. The air was crisp and invigorating, carrying with it the scent of blooming flowers and the earthy aroma of moss covered stones.

Even as he struggled to catch his breath, Xu Feng felt an undeniable sense of belonging in this wondrous space. After all, he was descended from demon beasts, and the mountainous terrain and primeval landscapes felt like a part of his heritage. The fresh, unpolluted air filled his lungs, invigorating his spirit and soothing his soul.