The Game Heroine's Cannon Fodder Leopard Cub - Chapter 14

A few days later, Nora appeared in Ji Qi’s courtyard at dawn.

She cradled Yi’an in her arms, her backpack was neatly packed, and two daggers were once again strapped to her waist.

“Leaving already?” Ji Qi leaned against the wall, her gaze fixed on them, a faint smile playing on her lips, though a hint of reluctance lingered in her eyes. “Why not rest a few more days?”

Nora paused briefly but shook her head, her gaze clear and resolute. “Little Leopard has recovered. I want to set out as soon as possible. The longer we delay, the more complications might arise.”

As she spoke, she carefully placed Yi’an into her backpack, leaving only the Little Leopard’s furry head visible.

Yi’an yawned, her ears twitching twice, and lazily glanced up at Ji Qi. After a brief moment of eye contact, she seemed to lose interest and turned her gaze away.

Just as Nora turned to leave, Ji Qi’s voice called out from behind, “I’ll escort you to the Snowline.”

Nora stopped and turned back, slightly surprised. “There’s no need. Your people still need you here…”

Before Nora could finish her sentence, Ji Qi stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder to cut her off. “Below the Snowline is our Greenfolk territory. I know this land better than you do. Getting you there is within my power, and it’s what I should do.”

With that, she walked to the wall and retrieved her longbow from its hook.

The bow radiated an ancient luster, its surface intricately carved with fine runes that shimmered faintly in the morning light. It exuded an aura of authority, clearly no ordinary weapon.

“However,” Ji Qi added, checking the arrows in her quiver, “once you reach the Snowline, you’ll be on your own.”

Her tone left no room for argument. Even Nora, accustomed to acting alone, paused in surprise before nodding slightly, accepting this unexpected kindness.

The two women and their leopard set off lightly equipped, following a mountain trail toward the Snowline. Unlike their previous journeys, this trek proceeded with almost unbelievable smoothness.

Perhaps Ji Qi’s presence brought order to their progress. Even the strange creatures that had previously plagued their path vanished without a trace.

Perhaps Ji Qi’s aura acted as a deterrent to these creatures, or perhaps her familiarity with the terrain allowed her to avoid potential trouble.

Whatever the reason, their pace had significantly quickened.

Areas that previously required cautious detours and careful navigation were now traversed smoothly under Ji Qi’s guidance. Even Yi’an couldn’t resist peeking out of the backpack, her round eyes widening with curiosity.

After about half a day, the surrounding landscape began to change. Initially, their path was covered in dense shrubs and damp moss, but as they climbed higher, the vegetation gradually thinned and became sparser, replaced by vast stretches of arid grassland. The terrain grew increasingly steep, and a chilly, damp air permeated the atmosphere.

“Once we cross this desert, we’ll reach the Snowline,” Ji Qi said calmly, stopping and gazing into the distance.

Yi’an sensed the growing chill in the air, a clear indication of their high altitude. A cold wind swept past, causing her to shiver. She wriggled out of the backpack, patted Nora’s shoulder, and gestured with her paw to be let down.

Nora understood and carefully set her down.

After landing, Yi’an stretched her limbs, shook her fluffy body to adjust to the ground’s chill, and then obediently followed at Nora’s heels, climbing step by step.

Fortunately, the weather was exceptionally clear that day. Even at this high altitude, there was surprisingly no fog, the sky was a deep azure, and the distant views stretched unobstructed, with even the clouds appearing thin and sparse.

At Ji Qi’s reminder, they slowed their pace and maintained steady breathing to acclimatize to the increasingly thin air.

Soon, even the sparse desert grassland vanished completely, leaving only bare, frozen soil and jagged, frost-covered rocks. The thin layer of frost made the rocks slippery, requiring the trio to slow their pace further and tread with greater caution.

Before long, the snowline finally came into view. It was a distinct boundary, as if dividing the world into two realms. Above the snowline lay a vast, white expanse, with mountain peaks standing silently like natural barriers, separating them from the unknown world beyond.

“Let’s stop here,” Ji Qi said, halting her steps. She retrieved a small padded jacket from her backpack and handed it to Nora. “The temperature will plummet beyond the snowline. Little Leopard needs to stay warm too.”

Nora glanced down at the spirited Yi’an, a faint smile curving her lips. “I’ve prepared thick clothes for Little Leopard.”

Ji Qi didn’t retract her hand, instead giving Nora’s attire a meaningful once-over. “Your preparations might barely suffice for Rose Castle’s winter, but above Morong’s snowline, they’ll fall far short.”

With that, she retrieved an even thicker padded jacket from her bag and handed it to Nora. “So, it’s not just Little Leopard—you need to change as well.”

Nora paused, slightly surprised, before accepting the jacket.

She couldn’t help but sigh. “I thought I’d prepared thoroughly, but this journey has taught me that plans can never keep up with reality.”

Ji Qi chuckled, her tone carrying a hint of deeper meaning. “Sometimes, no matter how meticulous your preparations, there will always be gaps. The world is vast, and unexpected events lurk everywhere.”

Nora lowered her head, offering no reply. She knelt down and carefully helped Yi’an into the padded jacket.

Little Leopard clearly resented the confinement, rolling around on the ground and trying to rub the jacket off.

Nora watched her tumble a few times. Perhaps because of the frozen ground, the jacket remained clean, so she let the girl struggle.

Soon, Nora had changed into a thick cotton-padded coat. Compared to her previous gear, the warmth now enveloping her made her relax considerably.

She stood up and looked at Ji Qi with genuine gratitude. “Without your help, I truly wouldn’t have known how to reach this place safely.”

Ji Qi waved her hand, maintaining her usual calm demeanor. “The journey ahead is the most crucial part. I’ll come to the Snowline every two days. I hope to hear good news from you then.”

Nora nodded silently, slung her pack over her shoulder, and patted the Little Leopard beside her to ensure she wasn’t cold. Then, she turned and began walking toward the Snowline.

Ji Qi stood watching as the figures of the woman and the leopard gradually shrank into the distance, until Yi’an’s fluffy silhouette merged seamlessly with the pristine white snow.

“May the Goddess protect them,” she murmured, retrieving the arrow from her bowstring. She slung the longbow over her shoulder and turned to retrace her steps.

Just as she turned, a dark shadow flashed across the distant Snowline like lightning, vanishing into the swirling snow.