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Due to the urgency of time, the four of them hurried along, and by early afternoon, they had passed through Baisha Village and entered the Yulong Mountain Area.
Although they had not yet truly ascended the mountain, the temperature had noticeably dropped. The Mountain Wind, mixed with icy particles from the snow-capped peaks, rushed towards them from the valleys. They stopped at the foot of the mountain to change into thick cotton jackets and fur boots and hats that they had prepared.
As they climbed higher, the temperature continued to decrease with the elevation. The howling cold wind whipped large flakes of snow against their faces. Moreover, the mountain path became increasingly difficult; in some places, the snow was already knee-deep, making each step a struggle.
"Watch your step!" Mu Qing frequently turned back to remind them, his voice nearly drowned out by the wind. "There are many hidden ditches beneath this patch of snow; one misstep could send you tumbling off the cliff!"
As dusk approached and the temperature plummeted, frost formed on their eyebrows and eyelashes. Mu Qing lit a pine torch he had prepared earlier; its dim light flickered in the wind and snow, barely illuminating a small area at their feet.
"Just a little longer," Mu Qing panted, "Once we get over that ridge ahead, we'll reach Bai Shui Terrace. There are several natural caves there where we can shelter from the wind and snow and rest for the night."
With darkness settling in, the mountain became steeper, and beneath the snow lay large patches of icy rock that were extremely slippery. The group had to use both hands and feet to climb forward. Lin Mingchang walked closely behind Shen Tong, ready to support and protect her at any moment. Although Shen Tong was slender, her deep internal strength allowed her to keep pace without falling behind.
When they finally reached Bai Shui Terrace, night had fully descended. Countless stars appeared particularly close in this high altitude, almost within reach. This was a relatively flat area on the mountain; one side featured a steep cliff with several naturally formed caves.
"We'll spend the night there," Mu Qing pointed to a deeper cave and led the others inside. Although the entrance was narrow, it was spacious enough for all four of them to rest comfortably.
Mu Qing placed his pine torch into a groove in the cave wall, illuminating the entire space. He sat near the entrance and said to the others, "Local hunters often stop here to rest if they can't make it down before dark."
Fang Zigui took out several oil paper packages from his bag and distributed them among everyone; inside were some dried food and cured meat. "Here, eat something first to replenish your energy."
The four of them sat around the torch, sharing dried food and gnawing on tough cured meat. Mu Qing pulled out a small flask from his pocket and took a sip before passing it to Lin Mingchang. "This is Sangji Wine, brewed by our Naxi People; a little will warm you up."
One by one, they took turns sipping from the flask. The spicy liquid flowed down their throats into their bellies, warming their entire bodies.
The night was deep, and the chill from the snow-capped mountains grew more piercing. Mu Qing retrieved several thick wool blankets that had been prepared in advance and handed them to the others.
"The temperature will drop very low tonight; it's best if you all huddle together," Mu Qing advised. "I'll take the first watch while you rest."
Lin Mingchang patted him on the shoulder and said, "You're the guide, and you've expended the most energy on this journey. Let me take the first watch instead; I'll switch with you in the middle of the night."
After reaching an agreement, Lin Mingchang settled near the cave entrance, leaning against the stone wall as he gazed at the snow-covered mountains illuminated by the moonlight in the distance.
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