Mist Empire’s Rise: Fake Noble to Fog Queen

Chapter 382 Mist Empire’s Rise- 381: The Second Task

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Academy badge in hand, yet everyone seemed unenthusiastic.

Under villagers' warm farewell, the eight waved goodbye to Hulata Village, mounting horses to continue their journey.

Along the way, morale was low. The atmosphere grew increasingly silent.

"Whoa—" Luo Wei reined in her horse, turning back. "What's wrong, everyone? Got points but not happy?"

Vina pouted: "So what if we got points? We'll use them up before the return trip. We still can't go home."

Other classmates nodded. Points that couldn't exchange for substantial rewards—might as well not give them.

"Just because of this, you're discouraged?" Luo Wei simply called everyone together, telling them: "Saving points isn't impossible."

"What method?" Everyone looked up excitedly.

Luo Wei smiled: "From now on, we travel during the day and do tasks at night. Tasks won't delay travel time—won't that save points?"

Travel during the day, do tasks at night...

Everyone trembled. This devil-like arrangement—how could she say it so casually?

Just imagining that scenario made Vina despair: "We—we don't rest?"

Without rest she'd die!

"We rest," Luo Wei said. "We travel around sunset. At noon we can sleep three or four hours, avoiding the hottest sun."

"Sleep—sleep three or four hours?" Vina's lips trembled.

Eight hours of sleep wasn't enough for her. Now cutting her sleep time in half—she, she, she wouldn't survive!

Luo Wei looked at her twisted features, raising an eyebrow: "If you want more sleep, that's fine. We're riding horses, not walking. You can catch up on sleep on horseback."

Vina: "...I don't think I can sleep on a horse."

Luo Wei raised her hand in a chopping motion: "I can help. Knock you out and tie you to the horse—should work, right?"

Vina looked resistant: "No, I don't want that. You just want an excuse to hit me. I won't fall for your trick."

She spoke with growing confidence, feeling justified, puffing out her chest: "Hmph, you said before we needed good rest at night to have energy traveling during the day. Now you won't let us rest—your words contradict each other!"

Luo Wei laughed: "Tasks aren't every day. When not doing tasks, we'll resume normal schedules. Don't worry, I won't make you stay up every night."

Vina's momentum weakened: "Then—then what about the horses? Running twenty days straight, they definitely can't keep going. You said that too."

"That's simple—change horses," Luo Wei said casually. "The professor only said no teleportation runes or flying tools. Didn't say we can't change horses. We can rent horses to travel."

"Rent horses? What about our own horses? Leave them on the road?"

"Bring them. Without carrying weight, horses will be much more relaxed. Running seventy or eighty kilometers a day won't be too tiring."

Vina thought carefully. Hey, this really was a good method! She immediately nodded: "Great, great! Let's do it!"

Other classmates didn't agree so readily.

Some families weren't wealthy. Horse rental money was significant expense for them. Spending this money might leave them unable to buy dry rations.

Luo Wei knew three classmates were commoners. Just as she was about to say she'd pay, Vina patted her chest and spoke first.

"Leave renting horses to me! You don't need to worry. I guarantee I'll rent everyone the fastest horses!"

Vina was always generous with her own people. She'd even given expensive gifts to her friends. Renting a few horses was nothing—even buying one horse per person, she could afford it!

The six classmates felt a bit embarrassed, but no one refused.

They really had no money to rent horses. Vina solved their urgent problem, greatly improving their impression of her.

Rumors said Vina was arrogant and difficult. Now it seemed rumors couldn't be fully trusted.

Vina was naive, yes, a bit naive. Her speech was fierce. Sometimes she liked putting on airs.

But she only talked tough—sharp tongue, soft heart. Better than sweet-talking hypocrites.

As for putting on airs—not a big deal. After all, she was an only daughter, pampered since childhood. How could she not have a little temper?

For a moment, everyone thought—if they heard anyone badmouth Vina again, they'd definitely argue back. They'd protect their classmate's reputation!

Vina didn't know her small gesture had increased classmates' favorability. She took on horse rental simply following her father's advice—diligently supporting Luo Wei.

Just now when Luo Wei mentioned renting horses, no one else agreed. How could that work? She absolutely couldn't let her captain fall into an awkward situation!

To get protection, she had to help first. Her father's people all did this. She'd learned well.

Sure enough, after saying this, she received Luo Wei's approving gaze.

Vina felt delighted inside. Success was just around the corner. She was so smart—truly her family's hope!

Luo Wei had looked at Vina several times now. Smiling like a cat that stole fish—who knew what she was happy about.

Spent money yet so happy—was this the legendary easy mark?

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Good thing this easy mark came to astrology class. If she'd gone elsewhere, Luo Wei would be jealous.

Though in other classes Vina might not be so generous. Other classes had more people—treating everyone might bankrupt her.

During the remaining journey, the team's atmosphere livened up again.

The sun had just risen. Temperature hadn't reached unbearable heat. Mountain morning wind still felt refreshing. The group of introverts rarely talked for a while.

"Is that Pufuze Highlands ahead?" Renee asked.

June compared the map: "We should have entered Pufuze Highlands already. Another hundred twenty kilometers and we'll reach the border town—Kakashi Town."

Joan looked ahead worriedly: "Still a hundred twenty kilometers. Can we leave Pufuze today?"

Luo Wei: "If we can't leave before dark, we'll have to rest in the mountains overnight."

Joan said quietly: "I heard there are many wolves in Pufuze Highlands."

"Wolves fear fire. We'll light several bonfires, hold weapons with confidence—shouldn't be a problem." Caesar came from a hunter family. Growing up in that environment, he had methods for dealing with beasts.

With Caesar's guarantee, everyone felt much more relaxed.

Aesar sped up, gripping reins and running forward: "I'll scout ahead."

"Okay, don't run too far. Be careful not to get lost," Luo Wei said.

Aesar nodded, urging his horse forward at a gallop.

Pufuze Highlands had many steep slopes and valleys. Terrain wound up and down. Riding horses wasn't easy—one careless move and you'd circle in the mountains. Scouting routes ahead was important.

Everyone walked and stopped. A morning's time only advanced thirty-some kilometers. Straight-line distance wasn't even fifteen kilometers. Yet noon's harsh sun already beat down on them.

Afternoon was too hot for travel. Caesar found an alfalfa meadow near a stream. Everyone rode horses there to rest.

After eating lunch and napping, the horses had also eaten and drunk their fill. Looking at ground shadows—not yet 4 PM.

Still over four hours until dark. Spirits restored, they continued traveling.

Afternoon progress improved. Before the sky darkened, they advanced over fifty kilometers—almost double the morning's distance.

At this speed, traveling four or five more hours tomorrow morning would reach Kakashi Town.

Dusk fell. The eight chose open flat ground to camp, lighting three bonfires around the perimeter. Before sleeping, they placed swords by their right hands.

Tonight Caesar and Aesar kept watch. Caesar carried bow and arrows. Aesar had received knight education—decent swordsmanship.

Both had hunted wolves. They didn't fear wolf packs.

Night fell. The moon hung high in the sky. Wolf howls hadn't sounded yet, but distant logging sounds drifted over.

Caesar and Aesar stood up, looking toward the opposite valley. They discovered scattered firelight there.

"Someone entered the mountains carrying torches."

"So late—what are they doing?"

After hesitating, Caesar said: "Should I go look?"

"Too far. Crossing the forest at night is dangerous. Forget it," Aesar advised. "As long as they don't come over, we'll pretend not to see."

Caesar was convinced, sitting back down.

Logging sounds grew louder, scaring forest beasts into hiding. The two sat most of the night without wolf packs appearing. Prepared weapons went unused.

That group in the opposite valley seemed tireless. From valley to mid-mountain without stopping—determined to clear a path through the dense forest.

Caesar and Aesar watched numbly. Thinking how strange—people actually chopped trees at night. What, was daytime illegal?

"Could they be stealing lumber?" Aesar guessed.

Caesar: "Maybe they think night's cooler? Like us sleeping at noon, traveling morning and evening?"

"Wait," Aesar suddenly remembered. "I have a friend in swordsman class. Yesterday he showed me their route map. Part of their route is very close to ours."

Caesar's mouth opened: "Could those tree-choppers all be swordsman apprentices?"

Aesar: "Very possible. Swordsman class has over forty people. Count the torches—if the numbers match, we'll know."

Both looked serious, gazing at the opposite slope, squinting to count.

Torches moved slowly. They quickly finished counting.

Caesar: "I counted forty-three."

Aesar: "About the same. I counted forty-two."

If one torch per person, the numbers matched.

"No way..." Caesar couldn't believe swordsman apprentices' training was so basic—worse than their task!

Aesar also couldn't believe it. Yesterday he'd complained their first task lacked difficulty. Now compared to swordsman apprentices, he suddenly felt grateful. Their task beat chopping trees.

Near dawn, the commotion on the opposite mountain finally stopped.

That group really chopped from base to peak. Looking from afar, that forest section had thinned considerably.

The two watched all night. Eyes were dry. Only now did they withdraw their gazes. Seeing dawn break, they called teammates up.

Soon, they extinguished bonfires, packed luggage, and mounted horses.

The eight rode around the river valley, crossing two low hills, unexpectedly meeting a large group of classmates in the valley.

Luo Wei immediately spotted the silver-haired girl among them—Gladys with huge dark circles under her eyes.

Turned out to be four swordsman class teams.

Looking closer—good heavens, every swordsman class person had panda eyes. Under their eyelids, one darker than the next—looking utterly depleted.

Two classes meeting naturally required greetings.

Luo Wei rode over. Gladys also saw her. A smile floated across her tired face. Dropping the horse rope, she ran over.

Teams behind them looked at each other, also riding toward the opposite side.

Reaching the middle, Luo Wei dismounted.

Gladys called out happily: "Luo Wei! So good seeing you!"

Luo Wei looked at her face, frowning: "Why do you look so bad? Haven't slept well?"

Thinking of unhappy things, light dimmed in Gladys's eyes: "No sleep. Travel during day, chop trees at night."

"Chop trees?" Luo Wei was surprised. "The people chopping trees on the opposite mountain last night were really you?"

Last night she vaguely heard Caesar and Aesar saying something about swordsman class maybe chopping trees. This morning they also mentioned it. But she thought it was just coincidence. Didn't expect it really was them.

Gladys poured out complaints: "First day, help villagers, chop firewood. Second day, help loggers, chop trees."

Luo Wei: "You've already completed two tasks?"

Gladys shook her head, holding up one finger: "Only counts as one."

Luo Wei: ...The coach exploited people ruthlessly.

"So you haven't slept two nights straight?"

"Mm," Gladys nodded. "Hurry travel, save points, go home!"

"But you can't ignore your body," Luo Wei said with concern. "Sleep at noon. How can you not sleep after staying up all night?"

Young people not caring for their bodies—continuing like this was dangerous.

Gladys's eyes sparkled: "Sleep this afternoon. Arrive county, stay big manor!"

"You're going to Kehe County? How far from Kakashi Town?"

Gladys pulled out a crumpled map, showing Luo Wei: "Here!"

Luo Wei looked down, mouth twitching.

She thought the coach had grown a conscience, taking students to stay at a manor. Seeing the map's notation, she realized she was wrong. The coach had no conscience.

Next to Kehe County was clearly written: Helai Quarry.

This was making swordsman apprentices chop firewood, chop trees, then quarry stones. She wasn't this cruel even to prisoners.

Luo Wei sympathetically patted Gladys's head, taking out beef jerky and bones from her ring, stuffing them in her arms.

"Eat more. Otherwise you won't have strength."

Quarrying was hard labor. In ancient times only criminals did it. The coach was grinding them to death!

After briefly gathering, they headed in their respective directions.

Two classes took different routes. Astrology class went southwest, swordsman class went southeast.

This was just one intersection point. Next meeting would be the six classes' first convergence.

Two hours after parting, the astrology squad still sighed over the other side's fate.

Vina kept shaking her head: "They're so miserable! Good thing I didn't go to swordsman class!"

Aesar felt lingering fear: "I almost went there. If not for seeing too many people—hard to stand out—I'd probably be with them now."

He was nobility-born, qualified to be a knight. Like most minor nobles' second sons, at seven he was sent to serve as a page.

But he couldn't endure hardship. After wavering, he used tarot cards to divine for himself.

Divination showed studying astrology had better prospects. So he chose astrology.

Though prospects were still unclear, facts proved one thing—not choosing swordsmanship was right!

If he'd chosen, tonight he'd be digging stones!

In pity for swordsman apprentices, the astrology squad happily reached today's destination—Kakashi Town.

Kakashi Town was lively. People coming and going had kind faces.

Just didn't know why—from entering town, people kept looking at them. While looking, they pointed fingers, saying something.

Everyone carried doubts, stopping before an inn.

"Boss, we need lodging. How many rooms do you have? I'll take them all!" Vina jumped off her horse, walking through the door.

The innkeeper raised his head, sweeping a glance at the eight of them. His face immediately showed an enthusiastic smile.

"You're the 'Find Chickens Seek Dogs One Copper' squad, right? Perfect timing! A chicken in our backyard flew somewhere. Quick, help me find it!"