33: He Jingrui

"Phew, phew, phew, it's over, it's over. I lost the main group, I'm going to be in big trouble when I get back!"

The young combat team member, He Jingrui, ran around in the mountains in a panic, trying to find any trace of his squad.

Though he knew it was a futile effort.

For a combat squad made up of elite soldiers, the meticulousness of erasing their tracks was practically ingrained in their bones. How could a rookie intern like him easily find them?

As a soldier who had only recently enlisted, although he was selected for the squad due to his exceptionally gifted physical condition, his tactical skills hadn't caught up yet!

"Phew, phew."

He Jingrui climbed up the slope, panting, and looked into the distance.

But Yinhua Mountain's terrain was undulating and vast, with nothing but a sea of green in sight.

Just as he turned to head in another direction, a voice suddenly sounded behind him.

"Hello?"

He Jingrui almost instinctively jumped back, pulling out his dagger and looking warily behind him.

"!"

However, the young face that met his eyes made him give an awkward smile.

Damn it, he mistook a civilian for an enemy, and it was recorded by the camera. That's another reason to get punished.

Lu Chuan hadn't expected to encounter a fully armed... special forces soldier? on his way down the mountain.

This isn't a movie, is it?

Or is there an unknown military base deep in Yinhua Mountain?

However, as a local born and raised, Lu Chuan naturally had a good impression of soldiers.

Seeing the soldier in front of him wandering around as if he was lost, Lu Chuan couldn't help but go up and ask.

"Are you lost?"

Upon hearing this, He Jingrui's face immediately showed an embarrassed smile.

As an elite soldier, being asked directly by a civilian if he was lost was truly quite awkward.

Lu Chuan didn't think too much about it; he continued:

"The magnetic field in this mountain is indeed a bit chaotic. I hear quite a few tourists get lost every year."

He Jingrui hadn't expected Lu Chuan to thoughtfully provide an excuse, and immediately gave him a mental thumbs-up.

"That's right, compasses don't work here, which is quite troublesome. Could you help me find my way?"

Lu Chuan nodded, not asking why He Jingrui was there. After a shout to follow him, he turned and prepared to go down the mountain.

He Jingrui quickly called out to Lu Chuan.

"Wait! Can you take me further up the mountain, to find a big, blood-red rock that looks like a crouching ox?"

Lu Chuan turned back in surprise. He naturally knew that large rock, or rather, any mountain-dweller would know it.

Because of its unique shape and striking color, the large rock had become one of Yinhua Mountain's few landmarks.

But that rock was located halfway up the mountain and beyond.

Thinking of the terrifying beast lurking nearby, Lu Chuan felt a shiver.

"How about I take you down the mountain? There's a fierce beast near that big rock; the two of us wouldn't even be enough to fill its teeth!"

He Jingrui was a little confused when he heard this.

"Fierce beast? What kind of fierce beast?"

Afraid that He Jingrui wouldn't believe him, Lu Chuan immediately gesticulated wildly, describing it.

"It has silver fur, a wolf-like head, and claws as big as washbasins!"

He Jingrui immediately waved his hand dismissively, his mouth speaking faster than his brain:

"Oh, that one. Don't worry, it's already been..."

But as soon as the words left his mouth, seeing Lu Chuan's surprised expression, He Jingrui immediately knew he had made another mistake.

Damn it, when will he get rid of this habit of showing off!

He slapped his face in annoyance, then looked awkwardly at Lu Chuan.

"Little brother, about what I just said, could you pretend you didn't hear it?"

Lu Chuan's surprised expression slowly returned to normal, and he looked thoughtfully at He Jingrui's camouflage attire.

His mind worked quickly, and he vaguely understood something, quickly nodding in agreement.

"Understood, I'll definitely cooperate!"

After saying that, he turned and began to ascend the mountain, but his mind was in turmoil.

That damned Silver Beast actually alerted the military?!

So, that dry thunder just now, could it have been... Lu Chuan's expression changed, and he clicked his tongue in amazement.

This is too exaggerated, they even brought out artillery shells!

Tsk tsk tsk, if only he could have watched such a grand scene from the sidelines.

But it doesn't matter if he can't see it; just getting rid of that beast is already a blessing.

Lu Chuan's face showed joy.

Without that beast, Lu Chuan dared to go up to the halfway point of the mountain, which he had previously considered a forbidden zone.

Just below the halfway point, he had already discovered new species such as unknown flowers, mushrooms, wild honey, and black berries, which offered possibilities for improving the system's recipes.

What about above the halfway point, or even the summit?

How many good things could he discover there!

Thinking of attracting wave after wave of diners with his improved recipes, and earning a large number of appetite coins and money, Lu Chuan's eyes immediately curved into crescent moons.

So, today is a good day!

No wonder he heard magpies chirping when he left in the morning.

Thank you, my country, thank you, military! For eliminating harm for the people!

He Jingrui, who was closely following behind Lu Chuan, looked at Lu Chuan's back with a puzzled expression, but didn't ask anything further.

After climbing a bit further, it was noon, and Lu Chuan suggested resting and eating.

After a morning of climbing and searching for ingredients, Lu Chuan was already feeling a bit tired.

And He Jingrui, carrying heavy equipment, although his physical endurance was close to the human limit, his energy consumption was several times that of an ordinary person. So, he naturally started to feel hungry at mealtime.

At once, the two sat down on the ground and each took out their dry rations to prepare for their meal.

He Jingrui took out a beef-flavored concentrated protein bar, which, although its taste was plain, effectively provided a large amount of energy.

Just one bar was enough to meet the daily combat and training needs of a soldier like him.

Lu Chuan's lunch, however, was much more lavish. He lifted a delicate lunch cloth, revealing several tightly wrapped lunchboxes, which piqued He Jingrui's curiosity, making him look over.

Lu Chuan rubbed his hands, then quickly opened the lids of all the lunchboxes.

Instantly, a captivating aroma of food wafted out, making He Jingrui, who was beside him, drool.

He couldn't help but lean over, and was immediately drawn by the meticulously plated, brightly colored dishes in the lunchboxes.

"Why does your food smell so good! Wow, these dishes are too tempting?!"

Inside the lunchbox, perfectly steamed white rice was still steaming, and a quivering, semi-solid soft-boiled egg rested gently on top of the rice, its runny yolk dyeing a few grains of rice a vibrant orange-yellow.

Next to the pristine white rice, crisp, emerald-green smashed cucumber salad exuded a garlicky, spicy aroma, accompanied by bright red chili rings and caramelized, juicy beef slices.

But what He Jingrui found most irresistible was the Mapo Tofu, served separately in a small iron box, glistening with red oil, with pristine white tofu, garnished with green spring onions, and steaming hot.

The numbing aroma of Sichuan peppercorns, the pungent aroma of chili, and the savory aroma of doubanjiang instantly reminded He Jingrui, who was from Sichuan, of his long-absent hometown and aging parents, and his eyes involuntarily moistened.

"If you don't mind, let's eat together."

Lu Chuan's voice sounded, and he offered a pair of bamboo chopsticks.