Chapter 586 - 390: Setting Out

Chapter 586: Chapter 390: Setting Out

Tyson came up to Feng Shan and shook the snow from his fur, his eyes glinting with a mix of alertness and excitement.

Even Prince and Princess, leading the Wolf Pack, came running, drawn by the commotion.

In an instant, an animal rescue team had assembled at the door.

Feng Shan knew time was of the essence and that he couldn’t afford to waste a single moment.

He dashed over to the snowdrift covering the sled and, together with Nash, dug it out.

Then he rummaged through the sled and found some rope.

He tied ropes to the necks of Tyson and several other powerful tigers he picked out.

Every second they gained gave Liu Lan a better chance of survival.

Liu Lan was all alone at the Bear Tribe’s camp.

In this world of ice and snow, every second wasted increased the mortal danger she was in.

Once everything was ready, Feng Shan and Nash quickly jumped into the sled.

Feng Shan gripped the reins tightly, gave them a sharp tug, and yelled, "Go! Head for the Bear Tribe camp! Prince, you take the Wolf Pack on ahead! You have to find Liu Lan!"

Tyson understood his master’s command. He threw his head back and let out a deep roar, as if declaring war on the blizzard.

Immediately, he and the other tigers dug their claws into the earth and began pulling the sled, breaking into a wild run through the deep snow.

The sled sped across the snow, kicking up a thick spray of white like a wooden boat crashing through waves.

Meanwhile, Prince led the Wolf Pack. Using their intimate knowledge of the terrain, they took a shortcut across the frozen Melting Ice River, plunging directly into the Mossy Wasteland and charging toward the Bear Tribe camp.

Their figures quickly vanished into the boundless blizzard.

They left only a trail of deep and shallow prints, which were buried by snowflakes a moment later.

「Back in the cabin.」

The cabin was enveloped in a deathly silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The only sound that occasionally broke the stillness was Zicao’s choked sobs, which she desperately tried but failed to suppress.

Every sob struck the hearts of those present like a heavy hammer.

Other than that, there was only a chorus of helpless, worried sighs.

Those sighs were filled with regret, self-blame, and most of all, a profound worry for Liu Lan.

Liu Lan was the joy of the Crown Territory!

Normally, whenever she was in the camp, her clear, pleasant laughter rang like silver bells.

It could be heard at any time, adding endless joy to their otherwise monotonous lives.

She was like a little, shining sun, warming the hearts of everyone around her.

Not only that, but the little girl was also exceptionally thoughtful.

Sometimes, when she saw the adults were busy, she would even run over on her own to help them with their chores.

Her tiny figure would dart about the camp, happily busying herself, and everyone absolutely adored her.

Who could have predicted that a single disaster would lead to such a heart-wrenching situation?

During the evacuation, everyone had been right there. How could a little girl have been left behind, all alone in the Mossy Wasteland as the blizzard raged?

The thought was agonizing for everyone.

Outside, the wind howled, carrying the full force of the blizzard and the cold snap. The temperature was despairingly low.

It felt like the very air was freezing into ice crystals.

So much time had passed since Liu Lan had gone missing. How could her small body possibly withstand such extreme temperatures?

’What would the outcome be?’

In truth, everyone knew in their hearts that under such extremely harsh conditions, a child’s chances of survival were minuscule.

Even so, everyone in the living room made a silent, mutual pact to avoid the thought.

They didn’t dare to dwell on it, didn’t dare to face the cruel outcome that was likely already sealed.

It was as if by refusing to think about it, they could keep a sliver of hope alive for Liu Lan. ’As if she could still return safely...’

"Your Highness, the Indigenous Tribe... they’ve lost a child!" Andrei’s voice was thick with worry.

He had seen Liu Lan in the camp many times—a lively and adorable little girl, like a little Elf.

The sight of her, always with a brilliant smile as she skipped and bounced around, brought joy to everyone who saw her.

But now, the thought of her all alone in the frozen landscape, shivering from the cold, perhaps even already frozen into a small, cold statue of ice...

Andrei felt an indescribable ache, as if a heavy stone was sitting in his chest.

When Natasha heard the news, a trace of sorrow crossed her stunningly beautiful face.

She lifted her head slightly, her gaze slowly falling upon the group from the Bear Tribe, their faces etched with exhaustion and worry.

Her thoughts drifted back to two days ago, when Feng Shan had brought her to the Bear Tribe’s camp.

An image surfaced in her mind.

It was of Liu Lan, blinking her big, clear eyes, her small hands cupping a handful of freshly picked berries.

She had trotted right up to her, her face beaming with an innocent smile as she offered the berries.

She had looked so sweet and endearing.

Natasha couldn’t help but ask herself.

’Liu Lan... is that the little Indigenous girl from the Bear Tribe camp who gave me the berries?’

The answer was so clear, yet so heartbreaking.

And yet, even in this heart-wrenching moment, Natasha found herself admiring Feng Shan’s actions.

In this desperate situation, Feng Shan could have chosen to stay safely in the warm cabin and wait for the blizzard to pass before searching.

But he had stepped forward without a moment’s hesitation.

He had plunged back into the blizzard without a second thought, all to find a lost little girl.

Such selflessness, courage, and willingness to take responsibility were the qualities of a true knight.

In an age of rampant materialism and complex motives, such character was incredibly precious.

Men who possessed such virtue were few and far between.

A hint of admiration shone in Natasha’s eyes as she sat quietly on the sofa, silently praying for Feng Shan and Liu Lan.

She hoped they would both return safely.

...

Inside the duty room at the United States National Weather Service, the cozy, air-conditioned warmth felt a world away from the icy, snow-covered landscape outside.