The danger level in the entire Tibetan region was high. A mysterious "Godfather" was secretly aiding the Madman. The risk here was no less than the island they had visited before. In fact, the island might have been safer.
Zhu Yanyi thought for a moment. "Maybe we should go straight to the central area in a few days. We might meet Grandpa Wisdom there."
Master Wisdom had not contacted Zhu Yanyi since arriving in Tibet. If not for the news from Old Man Zhan, Zhu Yanyi would have thought he had disappeared like Medicine Elder.
Because they had lost contact for so long, Zhu Yanyi felt that Old Man Zhan and others might be hiding something from her. However, Master Wisdom had always been kind to her. She did not want to suspect her.
"That is fine. Go early, finish things early." Yan Aohan agreed with Zhu Yanyi’s plan. Their main goal here was to deal with the Madman. They decided to leave for the snow mountain the next day.
"Aohan, look, there are mushrooms here."
In the depths of the grassland, they occasionally found mushrooms. The ones here tasted good.
Yan Aohan smiled lightly. "They look fresh. There are quite a few. You are lucky. Pick them up. We can make soup."
Zhu Yanyi did not hesitate. She took out a bag and started collecting the mushrooms.
After wandering around and gathering some information about the snow mountain, they left.
Zhu Yanyi returned to Ula’s house with a large bag of mushrooms. Amuduo saw them and laughed. "It rained last night. I thought there would be mushrooms nearby. I wanted to pick some for soup. Now you brought them back. I don’t need to go."
"I just happened to find them while walking," Zhu Yanyi said with a smile. "Aunt Amuduo, let me help you wash them."
"Okay." Amuduo had a good temper.
That evening, Zhu Yanyi told Ula that she and Yan Aohan would leave the next day. They planned to visit the snow mountain.
Ula thought for a moment. "The snow mountain is dangerous. Why not let Wumeng go with you?"
Wumeng was Ula’s son. He had already taken the antidote.
Zhu Yanyi shook her head slightly. "No need. You need time to adapt to the antidote. Besides, we are not in a hurry. We are just going to play. We will visit you again after we come down from the mountain."
Ula considered this. "That won’t do. The Family Head said you are our honored guest. You cannot be harmed. I will take you there myself."
Zhu Yanyi naturally disagreed. "Uncle Ula, don’t worry. Aohan is very skilled. Ordinary people like you cannot get close to her, even if there are seven or eight of you."
"Really?" Ula did not believe it.
"If you don’t believe it, you can find some people to spar with her," Zhu Yanyi suggested. This was the best way.
She did not distrust Ula’s group. However, her and Yan Aohan’s skills were far superior. If they went along, they might become a burden. Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan did not mind, but the others might. So, she decided to let them experience Yan Aohan’s strength firsthand.
"Fine. We will spar after dinner." Ula decided to test Yan Aohan’s skills. Otherwise, he would not feel at ease.
The result was predictable. Yan Aohan defeated everyone from Ula’s side completely. Ula no longer opposed Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan going to the snow mountain alone. However, she still asked Amuduo to prepare extra dry rations for their journey.
Yan Aohan and Zhu Yanyi left their jeep at Ula’s house. Instead, they asked Ula for two horses. After entering Tibet, riding horses was safer than driving cars.
Both Yan Aohan and Zhu Yanyi knew how to ride. So, riding was more convenient.
Each took a horse and headed toward the snow mountain.
It was Zhu Yanyi’s first time traveling by horse like this. She felt very excited. After riding for about two hours, they found a sheltered spot to rest.
Amuduo had prepared rich dry rations. There were pancakes, milk cakes for energy, and hand-held mutton.
Zhu Yanyi moved some of the rations into her Ruyi Space. She left only a small amount outside. This way, they could pretend to have limited supplies if they met anyone.
Since no one was around, Zhu Yanyi took two apples from her space. She gave one to Yan Aohan. They ate them. After finishing, Zhu Yanyi buried the apple cores in the sand. She laughed. "Maybe apple trees will grow here someday."
"Ani, forget that idea. Apple trees cannot grow here," Yan Aohan said, teasing her.
"Can’t I just imagine? Why do you always tease me?" Zhu Yanyi made a funny face. "Yesterday you called me sweetie. Today you dislike me." She sighed dramatically, acting like a drama queen.
"Stop acting," Yan Aohan laughed. "We have rested enough. Let’s go."
Zhu Yanyi made another funny face at Yan Aohan. Then she smiled and got back on her horse. They continued toward the snow mountain.
"Do you think the free clinic team has entered Tibet yet?" Zhu Yanyi asked Yan Aohan.
Yan Aohan thought for a moment and smiled. "They should have entered Tibet. They will probably start moving from the outskirts to the center for their free clinic activities in the next day or two."
While Yan Aohan and Zhu Yanyi talked about the free clinic team, the Godfather and the Madman were discussing the same thing.
"The free clinic team from Beijing has entered Tibet. They will start their free clinics in the border towns on the outskirts," the Godfather said. Since he knew the Madman’s plans, he shared some information.
The Madman sneered. "China is just putting on a show. What free clinic? I have never respected it."
The Godfather glanced at the Madman. "I knew you would think that. So I told you in advance. Do not cause trouble. If you bring unnecessary trouble, I cannot protect you."
Although the Godfather’s words made sense, the Madman might not listen.
"This is your territory," the Madman said. He did not believe the Godfather could not protect him.
The Godfather spoke calmly, his face expressionless. "Although it is my territory, I dare not appear openly before the higher-ups of China now. I even need to arrange an identity when I go out. Do you think I can protect you?"