The cockroaches seemed unable to fight back. With a single round of attacks, the entire swarm was wiped out.
It happened so fast that, counting it carefully, not even a minute passed before everything was over.
Even with the cockroaches cleared, the team members kept a wary eye on their surroundings. The professor team of eight had been well protected, yet they were badly frightened, especially Professor Pei. Professor Pei stumbled back and fell. Thankfully, the people beside Professor Pei caught him in time. Otherwise…
Once the danger passed, Captain Zhang asked after Professor Pei's condition. Seeing no real problem, He said, "Let's leave this spot. Looks like nothing else is coming."
Their packs had never been set down, so there was nothing to gather. Almost as soon as Captain Zhang spoke, they started uphill again.
The main group moved without fuss, but Pei Xin, who had been taken along under restraint, made a scene. Pei Xin planted her feet and refused to move. "I am not going. I am not going. I am exhausted. I cannot walk."
"Then stay here and feed the cockroaches."
One of the men in the team answered carelessly, which drew a stream of abuse from Pei Xin. "What do you mean by leave me here alone? Why not throw me back on the ship?"
That had in fact been the original plan. Pei Xin had committed wrongdoing and was supposed to be kept on the ship until they returned to base for punishment. Right before departure, Professor Pei insisted there were things only Pei Xin could accomplish, so Professor Pei demanded she be brought along.
No one else knew what Pei Xin knew. Professor Pei had gone to great lengths to help Pei Xin avoid the worst outcome.
If Pei Xin truly made a contribution this time, then even with Shen Zhiyan's powerful background, saving Pei Xin's life should still be possible, even if Pei Xin would not regain her freedom afterward.
So Pei Xin came along.
Going up the mountain quietly would have been fine. Seeking trouble would not.
Shen Zhiyan gave Pei Xin a single look and said, "What good can come from a mountain like this? If you go up alive, you also have to come down alive."
The slopes ahead were indeed more treacherous than the foothills. Whether or not Shen Zhiyan's words hinted that Pei Xin should turn back, Shen Zhiyan clearly believed Pei Xin would not make it down.
Seeing Lan Jin's meaningful look, Shen Zhiyan said, "Do not overthink it. I do not need to lift a hand. With that temper, Pei Xin will bring disaster on herself along the way."
So far, Pei Xin had already started.
Pei Xin kept fussing, but she could not really stay and rest among cockroaches. Captain Zhang barked, "Up the mountain."
Pei Xin still refused. Suddenly Pei Xin pointed at Lan Jin. "I want her to carry me. If she does not carry me, I am not going."
Ling Jiang stepped forward. "You have got some nerve."
Lan Jin held Ling Jiang back and said, "If you will not walk, tie a rope to you and drag you up."
Whoever wished to give a piggyback could do it. Lan Jin would not.
Besides, Pei Xin was under punishment. Whatever Professor Pei intended, Pei Xin had earned no merit yet, so none of it applied.
At the words "tie a rope," Pei Xin instantly thought of the dog Lan Jin kept, and how Lan Jin liked to walk it on a leash around the base. The sight had annoyed Pei Xin many times.
"What do you mean? Who are you calling a dog?"
"Whoever is barking here is the dog. I did not say you. Why are you barking?"
Professor Pei wanted to help, but Xi Yu, who stood beside Professor Pei, stopped him. Xi Yu was Professor Pei's last disciple. Back when Pei Xin clashed with the team, Xi Yu had been the one to apologize. Just now, Xi Yu whispered something to Professor Pei. Professor Pei, who had meant to intervene, did not step forward. Instead, Professor Pei turned and went up first.
Xi Yu had said, "Pei Xin is too afraid of death. Pei Xin will not dare to stay behind alone. Let the team grind down Pei Xin's temper. Please do not add confusion."
Professor Pei thought it over, nodded, and climbed.
Seeing everyone truly ignore her, Pei Xin pictured being dragged like a dog and hurried to follow, tail between her legs.
Professor Pei glanced back when he had a moment. He had to admit they handled it better than he could.
"Sigh. I hope this mission can save Xin Xin's life. I am not young. Who knows how long I can live? If she can turn over a new leaf, that would be good."
Xi Yu wanted to say that one mission could not reform Pei Xin. Such words could not be spoken aloud.
Before long, Xi Yu heard Professor Pei again. "If I do not make it back, please look after Xin Xin. You do not need to do much. Help at key moments."
Xi Yu did not answer directly. He only said, "Professor Pei, we will all return safely."
Professor Pei understood what Xi Yu meant. He sighed and shook his head again.
They had meant to rest earlier, but the cockroach swarm delayed them. After climbing a bit more, they found a safer spot and halted.
They had been ascending for a long time, with several breaks already.
The base team did not need so many rests, but no one could ignore Professor Pei's age. When it was time to pause, they did not delay. It was not yet dinner. They gnawed on ration biscuits and drank some water, then continued toward the peak.
Climbing a whole mountain in a single day is hard for an eighty-something, but the floods had not fully receded, so it was not a full ascent. It did not overtax Professor Pei. By dinner time, they reached the summit.
The summit was not ideal for a night camp. After a brief rest, Captain Zhang said, "Professor Pei, this spot is not good for staying overnight. We will rest a little, then move over there."
Captain Zhang pointed to a pavilion not far away. "We will sleep over there."
Professor Pei nodded and sat back in the chair the base members had set up for Professor Pei.
Pei Xin had seen the pavilion too. The "long" distance nearly broke Pei Xin. Pei Xin snapped, "Why is it still so far? Can we not just rest here?"