The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 281: Down the Hill

Chapter 281: Down the Hill

While Jie, Bo, and Xu Hu Zhe, effortlessly carried extra supplies for their day long adventure, Xu Feng found himself lost in the sheer greatness of the landscape.

They’d taken a longer break at the top of the hill. While he had gathered his breath, Xuan Jian charted the part of the forest they would hunt. They, meaning Xuan Jian, Xuan Yang, Jie and Bo.

Xu Feng had never hunted in any world or body, and he wasn’t dumb enough to think he could do it in one shot. Taking him along on a hunt would slow the group down.

The lanky teen, Xu Hu Zhe, had filled out since his earlier days, and his strength was evident as he bore the weight of their provisions with ease. In contrast, Xu Feng had only a humble cloth bag, crafted for him by Xu Si.

But at the very least, Xu Hu Zhe wasn’t part of the hunting team either. He wasn’t the only one!

Xu Feng was secretly happy to not be the only one left out, but he wasn’t silly enough to not see the meaning behind Xuan Jian and Xuan Yang’s actions. Leaving Xu Feng alone wasn’t something they would do.

Leaving him with Xu Hu Zhe he would be protected.

Xuan Jian had been training Hu Zhe since the start of winter, and his efforts had paid off. Xu Hu Zhe had earned the iceberg’s trust.

Luckily for Xu Feng, his babysitter wasn’t Jie or Bo, he could do more than sit around and twiddle his thumbs.

In the middle of the towering trees and the symphony of nature’s sounds, Xu Feng knew this forest and this mountain scape was full of treasures.

As they made their way up the hill, Xu Feng’s eyes keenly searched the surrounding terrain for any signs of valuable treasures that might be hidden within the mountains’ territory. His excitement grew with each step as he envisioned the possibilities that lay ahead.

In the rugged terrain, his sharp gaze fell upon an ancient ginseng plant, parts its gnarled roots exposed by the passage of time. This discovery was a treasure in itself—a rare and precious specimen of ginseng, not too old but old enough to hold some value.

It was a promising start to their foraging expedition, and Xu Feng couldn’t help but smile at the prospect of finding more treasures.

Yet, even as he reveled in the discovery of the ginseng, Xu Feng felt an irresistible pull toward the ancient forest that beckoned beyond the peak of the hill.

While Xuan Jian busied himself with plans for a hunt to provide food for their group and even more game to take home, Xu Feng’s mind was consumed with his own goals. The multiple pulls he felt from his ring in various directions tugged at his curiosity, each one promising the allure of hidden treasures.

The vast expanse of the mountain range stretched endlessly before him, disappearing into the horizon like an uncharted frontier. Even from the hill’s peak, Xu Feng realized that the breathtaking view he could see was only a mere fraction of the expansive domain that lay before him.

Although he understood that the land beyond his Nanshan Estate’s three mountains did not belong to him, the allure of treasure hunting in this unclaimed territory was too tempting to resist.

Who could possibly stop him from exploring this vast and untamed wilderness? The elders of the immortal beast descendant clans or rogue cultivators might be a problem...but that was a concern for another day.

Xuan Jian and Xuan Yang would be in the area, nothing and no one should bother them on the outskirts of the mountains...

Xu Feng made mental notes of the areas he could perceive as part of his official "territory." The three mountains that cradled his Nanshan Estate would be his initial focus, as they promised their own wealth of undiscovered treasures.

Descending the hill was a much easier task than the challenging ascent, and Xu Feng’s mind buzzed with anticipation and excitement as he thought of the wealth in the lush and unexplored virgin forests.

Moving toward the area near he remembered the Xuan ancestor’s realm to be was Xu Feng’s secret goal. There was another pull to the east of the area, and he wanted to cultivate when the men went hunting.

He could be in and out of the realm in a few seconds. It would be days in the realm, but time would have barely moved forward in Nanshan!

Xu Feng’s excitement was growing as the men prepared to depart. He cast his gaze toward the eastern edge of the virgin forest, where his destination lay. It was a place teeming with potential treasures, both edible and mysterious. His keen eyes scanned the landscape, but his thoughts were consumed by what lay ahead.

Xuan Jian had chosen a serene spot to set up a temporary camp. The slightly elevated ground offered a comfortable vantage point for the two who would remain behind. He exuded a sense of readiness, his connection with the natural world apparent in his every movement.

As plans were finalized and preparations were made, Xu Feng’s attention seemed lost in the depths of the forest. He watched the swaying branches and listened to the gentle rustling of leaves, but his mind was adrift.

Suddenly, without warning, Xuan Jian leaned in for a kiss—a sweet and unexpected gesture that caught Xu Feng by surprise. His initial shock was quickly replaced by a warm flush that crept up his cheeks. He surrendered to the kiss, his heart racing as he deepened the connection between their lips.

Xuan Jian’s smile, illuminated by the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves, was captivating. In this forest, he seemed wild and unrestrained, like a hunter poised for the chase.

Xu Feng finally regained his breath, and his radiant smile lit up the forest. It was a smile filled with genuine joy, a reflection of the happiness he found in the presence of his husband.

Before he could fully recover, another pair of lips met his own—this time, softer and lighter, as if Xuan Yang were mindful of their public setting. Xu Feng couldn’t help but laugh at the scholar’s careful approach, and he playfully pecked Xuan Yang’s lips in return.

"Good luck out there," Xu Feng said with a smile, his voice filled with emotion. "Bring me something delicious for lunch."

Xuan Yang nodded. "I’ll hunt you some pheasant," he declared confidently.

’I hope we find something that pairs well with pheasant." Xu Feng thought.