Chapter 32: Overnight in the Mountains (6/10)

"Dad is right, we need to keep things stable!"

Yuan Pandi stepped in decisively to flatter, "Being a bit poor doesn't matter, as long as the family is safe and sound, it's better than anything."

"Big brother is right!"

After Yuan Pandi flattered their father, Old Yuan, Yuan Wangdi, Yuan Laidi, and Yuan Zhaodi followed suit, agreeing with their eldest brother's brilliant summary.

"Get lost, all of you!"

Old Yuan looked at his sons with an annoyed expression.

A serious discussion about an important issue was turned utterly ridiculous by them.

"Yes, sir!"

"Right away!"

The five sons responded in unison, then quickly left.

This little path was quite hidden, naturally making it difficult to traverse.

Adults could manage the path with some ease thanks to their height and long legs.

However, for women and small children, it was noticeably hard to walk.

Yuan Pandi and the others had to clear the way at the front, and because of this delay, the group didn't manage to leave the mountains before nightfall, forcing them to camp overnight in the mountains.

With high mountains and dense forests, there were undoubtedly plenty of wild animals around.

To ensure safety for the night, Old Yuan straightforwardly instructed the five sons to take turns keeping watch. Additionally, they hastily gathered a large amount of dry firewood.

Several bonfires were lit.

It was early spring, and still very cold at night.

Multiple bonfires served to keep warm and to deter any wild beasts lurking in the dark from approaching easily.

"Dad, go get some sleep, we've got the night watch covered, we'll ensure everyone's safety!"

It was late at night, and seeing his father's eyelids drooping, Yuan Pandi, the eldest son, spoke up dutifully.

"I'm not sleepy!"

Old Yuan forced his eyes wide open, shaking his head slightly.

He truly was tired, but no matter how exhausted he was, he didn't dare to sleep.

Seeing the family was close to escaping safely, it was precisely at this final stage that they couldn't afford to be careless. Although he hadn't read much, he knew the saying about failing at the last moment.

"Dad, we still have half the journey left, like how a horse tires before it reaches the mountain!"

"You're the stabilizing force of our family; if you don't rest well, should anything happen on the road, it will be even more difficult for us to get out of these mountains quickly!"

Yuan Pandi looked earnestly at Old Yuan.

Unfortunately, Old Yuan still waved his hand dismissively.

Seeing this, Yuan Pandi fell silent, suddenly feeling he was just being a nuisance. Judging by his dad's demeanor, he might just fall asleep on his own soon enough.

Sure enough, before long, Old Yuan started nodding off, and soon after, the sound of snoring filled the air.

"Asleep?"

As soon as Old Yuan started snoring, Yuan Zhaodi came over to his eldest brother.

Yuan Pandi chuckled and said, "Yes, he's asleep!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhaodi leaned directly against a tree beside their father and slumped to the ground, saying, "I'm exhausted!"

"Stop complaining and stay alert!"

Yuan Pandi looked at Yuan Zhaodi with annoyance, "We're in the mountains now, we can't afford any carelessness."

"Big brother, just let me nap for a bit!"

Yuan Zhaodi was truly tired.

The entire journey, he'd been cautiously carrying a daughter in front and a son on his back.

In comparison, the brothers who were only carrying bags had it much easier.

"Big brother, let the fourth brother nap for a while!"

Yuan Wangdi also came over, "The third brother and I can keep watch just fine!"

Among the five brothers, Yuan Wangdi and Yuan Laidi were the most robust and the best at fighting.

If it weren't for Old Yuan's good teaching and keeping the two brothers' tempers in check since childhood, who knows how much trouble the pair would have gotten into by now.