Panic is contagious. Whispers began, tension mounting.

Miao Miao and her group weren't ones to offer comfort, knowing that sweet words would be futile at this moment.

Zhou You thought to himself: I once isolated myself in the deep mountains for a decade-long retreat. That was much harder than this. Why is everyone so scared when we have strength in numbers?

He turned on his phone, blasting downloaded old songs at full volume, which immediately drowned out the anxious chatter. Recognizing the old tunes, people began to sing along, gradually shifting the mood.

Following suit, individuals from other vehicles started singing. Music transcends boundaries and has a way of uniting people. The collective singing did wonders to dissipate the anxiety and uplift spirits.

After singing for several hours, the thick fog that surrounded them started to clear, revealing a vast snow-covered meadow in front of them. The grass, almost as tall as a person, was bent under the weight of the snow. Still, it retained its lush green hue.

"Have we made it out?" everyone asked in disbelief.

Shao Qi checked the map and declared joyfully, "We have indeed made it out. We've veered slightly off course, shortening our current path but extending our journey ahead. We need to pick up our pace."

Laughter erupted among the group. "As long as we're not walking through that marshland anymore. God, it was so suffocating!"

Knowing that the group hadn't undergone any special training and that making it this far was already an achievement, Shao Qi ordered a brief rest stop. "Let's stretch our legs and breathe. We'll resume our journey in two hours."

The group looked back at the marshland they had left behind, shouting joyfully, "Once we're home, I'll tell everyone I walked out of the abyss of death alive! Hahaha..."

Chapter 170: A Legitimate Partnership

With only two hours to rest, everyone hurriedly prepared a flat area to lay down, setting up a tarpaulin and moisture-proof mats. Only Zhou You busied himself making a pot of steaming noodles over a fire.

"Isn't he tired?" they observed Zhou You bustling around, now fetching ingredients from the vehicle, now picking wild fruits, looking like he was on a picnic.

Many salivated over the pot of noodles, large enough for ten servings. Those familiar with Zhou You's habits knew whether they'd get a share or not. The rest lay downwind, munching on dry rations, out of sight, out of mind.

Xuan Jue had already stationed herself near the fire, rubbing her hands. "Brother Zhou, can I have a small bowl? It smells so delicious."

Of course, it was aromatic. Zhou You had brought rich soup bases and seasonings from home. A tiny cube transformed the soup into a delightful treat. With some of the meat he had hunted earlier, it was a balanced meal.

"Help yourself, grab a bowl," he offered without particular invitation. Those close to him helped themselves. Shao Qi, having slept beside Zhou You without rest the past days, was now deep in slumber, having drifted off almost immediately after exiting the marshland.

After eating, Zhou You reorganized the vehicle's supplies, discarding anything unnecessary. They needed to be nimble for the journey ahead.

Seeing this, others began checking their supplies. Zhuo Hao inventoried the remaining weapons. They had consumed a significant amount in recent days, particularly with the loss of two vehicles, which were fully stocked with weapons.

Some noticed Zhuo Hao packing the belongings of the two fallen comrades, meticulously and without omission. They were placed in Zhou You's vehicle, likely because it was deemed the safest.

Shao Qi's vehicle was also relatively secure, but it always led the way, facing more potential dangers and higher risks.

Relaxation often led to reflection. Comrades, who had once laughed and chatted with them, were now gone forever, leaving a void in the group's heart.

When they started, most were strangers. But the shared adversity of the past few days had deepened their bonds and reduced bickering.

After just over an hour of sleep, Shao Qi woke up, consumed the remaining noodles, and then snuggled against Zhou You. They walked hand in hand to a distant thicket, ostensibly to scout ahead.

"The relationship between Captain Shao and Lieutenant Zhou..." Some were only now realizing the depth of their bond. Earlier intimacies might have been dismissed as camaraderie, but now their close connection was evident.

Watching the two walking away hand in hand, it was clear to anyone what their relationship was.

Miao Miao glanced around at everyone's expressions, and replied with a smirk, "Oh, those two? They're a married couple, legally recognized."

Even Sang Liwu and Tang Jiu, who knew them, were taken aback. They hadn't heard that the two were legally married. How could such news be hidden? Could their sources be wrong?

Zhang Dingshan sidled up to Li Yunxi, whispering, "Yunxi, when did they get married? Did they have a wedding banquet? Do I still have a chance to join in the festivities?"

Li Yunxi, not fond of him, glared back, "Who are you calling 'sister'?"

"Alright, alright, Miss Yunxi, is that a better title?"

Li Yunxi rolled her eyes, unwilling to engage, but Zhang Dingshan, not daring to ask anyone else, persisted with both apologies and flattery. "I know you're angry with me because of that young man, Song Jin'an. But he was with me at the time. How could I let you kill him in front of me? And after he died, didn't I keep your name out of it?"

"Hmph, do you have any evidence? What does this have to do with me?"

Zhang Dingshan licked his lips and chuckled, "His head clearly looked like it was cut off by a knife. I recall you're skilled with one. It’s not definitive evidence, but combined with your private feud, there's motive."

"Oh, why haven't you reported me then?"

"No, no, no, don't get me wrong. I was quite angered by what that lad did in the past too. If I hadn't saved him for you to take revenge on, I would've killed him long ago," Zhang Dingshan said, full of indignation.