Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 320: Giant Footprint

Chapter 320: Chapter 320: Giant Footprint

After taking two days for rest, Gu Fan and his team finally restored their energy, regaining feeling in their legs. Without delay, they packed up and set off. Their goal was to scramble up the mountainside as fast as possible, then circle around in search of any signs of Lin Xi and his group.

Only a few hours into the trek, their legs started to give out, making it increasingly difficult for them. They silently cursed the steep slopes, wishing for a ski lift which would certainly feel like royal treatment.

"What is that?" Lu Yi pointed to something in the distance, immediately capturing everyone’s attention. One by one, they rushed over to take a look.

Once they got a clear view, they gasped in shock. It was a massive footprint, over twice the size of a human’s. It was clear that it could not have been left by a human.

"No way, could there really be a snow monster?" Everyone began to worry. Lu Yi, however, was snapping photos and remarked, "Imagine if we could catch a snow monster, wouldn’t we be rich?"

"If snow monsters were that easy to catch, it wouldn’t be up to you to do it." Su Hui retorted, holding up her shotgun. She pointed forward, "There’s more over there, probably tracks left by the snow monster. Should we follow them?"

"Sure, we’re curious to see what a snow monster looks like." Everyone agreed, setting aside their concerns for safety. Besides, they had four shotguns; although ammunition was limited, it was enough for any emergencies.

Thus, they continued following the tracks. Unconsciously, several hours slipped by. Just as their energy started to dwindle again, another snowstorm descended upon them. It was a clear signal of trouble.

Unlike at the base of the mountain, where there were plenty of cabins for shelter, on the slopes of Yuxueyun Mountain only their tents could offer a refuge, and even those might not be enough.

Old man Tian suggested they didn’t pitch their tents until nighttime, wanting them to travel as far as possible whilst battling the blizzard.

The frigid wind sliced at their faces, making each breath a struggle. As the journey became increasingly challenging, they cursed their luck. It appeared as though the weather liked to turn on a dime, making them wonder if their luck had turned sour.

The blizzard quickly covered the footprints, and they lost their direction. They found themselves in unfamiliar territory, a place even old man Tian seldom visited. Unsure of their path forward, they knew they would have to rely on luck.

As a precaution, Gu Fan split the group into two teams. The first team consisted of Su Hui, Zhuo Hang, Jie, and Ouyang Jin.

The second team consisted of Gu Fan, Lu Yi, Ning Qi, old man Tian, and Xu Haowen.

The two teams decided to march side by side to cover and protect each other. If anything went awry, they would run, not waiting to figure out what the problem was.

Old man Tian repeated multiple warnings to refrain from firing their shotguns or shouting aloud. They had to be cautious, as Yuxueyun Mountain was constantly covered in a thick layer of snow, which could easily trigger an avalanche if disturbed.

After hearing this, everyone fell into a sudden panic. They weren’t even allowed to shout loudly, the situation seemed perilous.

Lu Yi posed a question, "What would happen if a pack of wolves approached and started howling?"

"That’s why there’s scarcely any wildlife on Yuxueyun Mountain, they’re scared off by the avalanches." Old man Tian’s words added pressure to the already tense situation. Those in possession of guns hurried to ensure the safeties were on, fearing an accidental discharge.

As suddenly as it had started, the blizzard stopped, leaving everyone a bit speechless.

Old man Tian explained, "The closer we get to Yuxueyun Mountain, the more unpredictable the weather becomes, and the more frequent the snowstorms."

"As long as avalanches aren’t involved, I couldn’t care less about the snowstorms," Lu Yi proclaimed, expressing the sentiments of the group. Suddenly, they spotted the faint smoke of a distant fire rising into the air, suggesting a nearby presence.

"There’s someone out here cooking a meal," a troubled Gu Fan noted, before adding, "Let’s move faster and check it out."

However, to their surprise, old man Tian took the lead, causing Gu Fan to wonder why the old man was showing such enthusiasm.

For some reason, Gu Fan was reminded of their departure. At the outset, old man Tian had definitively refused to join them. Yet, after taking a call in his house, he’d swiftly agreed to lead their team.

Despite having journeyed for so long, old man Tian showed no signs of fatigue and maintained a steady focus on the journey. His dedication impressed Gu Fan. However, Gu Fan noted that the old man’s unwavering focus on their journey was worrisome.

There were numerous times that they had set out at the behest of old man Tian, as Ouyang Jin had previously pointed out, the longer they stayed the more money they made. Yet, why was old man Tian so eager to reach their destination?

Gu Fan purposefully slowed his pace to sync with Ouyang Jin, and asked, "What’s your connection with old man Tian anyway? How are you related?"

"Well, he’s the son-in-law of my great-great-great-grandfather. He’s a bit of an eccentric, but we generally get along," Ouyang Jin replied, prompting Gu Fan to ask, "Could you tell me what your great-great-great-grandfather did for a living?"

Ouyang Jin appeared reluctant to reveal, but managed a dry chuckle, "Well, you know how everyone has hobbies they enjoy? Some of these hobbies may not always be admirable, but it’s better to have them than not, right?"

From Ouyang Jin’s vague response, Gu Fan assumed his ancestor must have taken part in something unsavory, which was why his words were so elusive.

Gu Fan pressed further, "So why did your great-great-great-grandfather come all this way and find old man Tian a bride?"

"That... uh..." Ouyang Jin hesitated, prompting Gu Fan to drop the subject.

They walked for a seemingly endless amount of time, feeling as though they’d almost circled Yuxueyun Mountain. The energy they had restored during their rest was almost depleted, and they came to the consensus that their current course was unsustainable.

As night fell and they were preparing to set up camp, to their surprise, they saw a light nearby. Gu Fan gritted his teeth, "Let’s persevere and see who’s there."

Su Hui grabbed Gu Fan’s arm just as he was about to move, causing him to pause. Following her nervous gaze and pointing finger, he saw another massive footprint, and this time there were multiple.

"What on earth is going on here?" Gu Fan felt a knot in his stomach, fearing something was about to go terribly wrong. He didn’t know what created these giant footprints, but he did know they were heading towards the light.

"Now we must go check it out. Everyone, get ready." Gu Fan gritted his teeth and continued on.