This distance, if we used ropes to descend, could be achieved. The key now is to wait until dawn and see what the terrain at the bottom of the canyon is like. If it's suitable, we'll stay here.
After waiting for about half an hour more, Liu Rumei and the others arrived.
Chen Xiaobei smiled and said, "The depth of this canyon is about fifteen zhang. Are the ropes you brought long enough?"
Liu Rumei looked bewildered. "How did you know?"
Chen Xiaobei smiled faintly. "I threw a torch down and calculated the time it took to hit the ground. That's how I figured out the depth."
Chen Xiaobei's words left her stunned. Liu Rumei thought for a long time but couldn't figure out how throwing a torch could reveal the depth. It must require immense skill.
After a brief rest, the difficulties began to mount. The first, naturally, was the cold. Although they had found a sheltered spot, the surroundings were bare with no firewood. They could only rely on blankets to keep warm.
Even more critical was that Chen Xiaobei still had no blanket, so no matter how they shared, one was still missing.
Liu Rumei still handed her blanket to Chen Xiaobei. She, Xiao Qing, and Xiao Hong huddled together under two blankets.
Initially, they were scattered, but by the latter half of the night, everyone was squeezed together. Even so, they were still too cold to sleep.
At this point, Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei were pressed so close together that they could feel each other's breath.
Liu Rumei had never experienced such close physical proximity with a man, and she felt quite shy.
Chen Xiaobei, catching her faint fragrance, felt a momentary stirring of desire. But a gust of wind would instantly bring him back to his senses.
In this desperate escape in the wilderness, he thought, he deserved to be scolded for thinking such unruly thoughts.
After enduring waves of torment, they finally saw the first hint of dawn.
Chen Xiaobei was the first to rise, quickly rushing to the edge of the cliff and peering down again.
Below, lush trees covered everything, making it impossible to discern the exact terrain.
However, with trees came animals, which meant their food problem could be solved. Thus, it was worth the risk to descend.
After hearing his suggestion, Liu Rumei looked at Ma Biao.
Although they had wandered the martial world for years, they had little experience in the mountains.
Therefore, besides supporting Chen Xiaobei's suggestion, they had no better ideas of their own.
Liu Rumei nodded. "Then let's descend from here. Walking on this bare rock after dawn would make us too obvious a target."
Soon, the rope was lowered to the bottom of the cliff. Ma Biao volunteered to go first.
Watching Ma Biao slowly slide down, everyone's hearts were in their throats.
It was very high. According to Chen Xiaobei's estimate, it was about fourteen or fifteen zhang.
And that was Chen Xiaobei's conservative estimate.
Fortunately, apart from the height, there were no other mishaps. Ma Biao reached the bottom in no time.
He surveyed the surroundings and tied the rope securely to a large tree.
Then, he made a gesture to Liu Rumei above.
Liu Rumei nodded and immediately ordered everyone to descend one by one.
Finally, her gaze fell on Chen Xiaobei. "Chief Chen, can you manage?"
Chen Xiaobei nodded. Having experienced climbing ropes twice before, he no longer felt as fearful about descending.
"Alright, I'll go first, and you follow closely. If anything happens, I'll protect you."
Liu Rumei's concern moved Chen Xiaobei deeply. If something happened to him and he let go, it would likely drag Liu Rumei down with him. She was risking her life to protect him.
Liu Rumei did as she said. After sliding down only a little over two zhang, she called out to those above, telling Chen Xiaobei to slide down with her.
This scene made Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong's hearts pound in their chests, and even True Master Taiping broke out in a sweat.
Fortunately, Chen Xiaobei had climbing experience. He knew to use his hands and feet, gripping the rope tightly.
Below, Ma Biao was greatly shocked to see Liu Rumei choose such a daring method to descend with Chen Xiaobei.
Under everyone's concerned gaze, the two of them slid safely to the valley floor, one after the other.
Seeing them land almost simultaneously, the people present let out a long sigh of relief. Xiao Qing's eyes even welled up with tears of joy.
As soon as Chen Xiaobei landed, he rushed into the woods without a moment's rest. Everything was as he had expected. The trees grew in the crevices of the rocks, which had one advantage: less undergrowth.
This would actually make their progress easier.
It took a full hour for everyone to descend to the valley floor.
With tall trees overhead, their tracks were completely hidden from view, which greatly eased Chen Xiaobei and the others' minds. As they moved through the thicket, they saw pheasants, birds, and even rabbits, so they didn't have to worry about food.
Of course, they would eat these at night. During the day, cooking would produce too much smoke and attract attention.
Meanwhile, Liu Ce and his men were also busy. To better deceive Sima Wushuang on the opposite bank, Liu Ce first ordered his men to light cooking fires. They deliberately used damp branches, creating thick smoke that could be seen from twenty to thirty li away.
He then took two men and returned to inspect the iron chain bridge.
Indeed, seeing the cooking smoke rising, Sun Jian rushed to report.
Upon hearing his report, Sima Wushuang was very pleased. He cupped his hands towards the Supreme Daoist and said, "The Daoist Master's plan is truly divine. Without lifting a finger, they are trapped in a desperate situation."
The Supreme Daoist laughed heartily.
"It's merely a trifle, not worth mentioning. When the smoke stops, we can go over and collect their corpses."
Before they knew it, it was noon.
Ma Biao was about to go hunt some wild game to roast, but Chen Xiaobei stopped him. "Brother Ma, that won't do. If we make smoke here, they will know people are in the canyon below, and Steward Liu's efforts will be in vain."
Thinking about it, it made sense. Liu Rumei smiled and said, "Then let's eat some dry rations and wait until tonight."
After lunch and a brief rest, they pressed on. However, the situation rapidly deteriorated.
Further ahead, the fallen leaves in the forest accumulated thicker and thicker. In some places, they were knee-deep. Every step required strenuous effort.
But now, there was no other way but to continue forward.
What made them feel even worse was that the dense canopy of trees made it dim even during the day.
As soon as the sun slanted and couldn't reach the canyon, it became pitch black. Yet, with so many dry leaves underfoot, they dared not light a fire.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, Ma Biao, who was leading the way, finally couldn't bear it any longer.
"Miss, let's rest here. I really can't walk any further."
Liu Rumei nodded. "Alright, everyone clear away some leaves and find a place to rest."