Starting from Robinson Crusoe

However, the result was quite disappointing for him; there were only people in white clothing heading this way, no sign of the Brown Armored Man.

Reflecting on the journey here, everything he observed indicated the activity of just one person, and Chen Zhou gradually developed a sense of foreboding.

...

After a few more steps, now almost within twenty meters of the person in white, the man still hadn’t lifted his head.

Walking through the dense forest covered with snow seemed to be a great physical drain, even though he had only walked a few steps, the man in white was already panting heavily.

Recalling this man’s agile posture and light steps during battle with the Mammoth, Chen Zhou even felt that this might not be the person he knew.

He was neither agile nor alert, even appeared somewhat sluggish and overly despondent.

Adjusting his angle, Chen Zhou attempted to see clearly the face of the visitor concealed by the beast-skin hat, yet could only see a messy, untrimmed beard, resembling not a Ranger of the Martial World, but an elder of the Beggar Gang.

At this moment, Chen Zhou could confirm that during their disappearance, this duo of Rangers indeed encountered some kind of mishap.

Not all challengers hold affection for Huaxia People, nor can everyone end in friendly exchanges after cooperation; the cruel challenge rules turn people into beasts.

And when people and beasts coexist in the same place, the first to get hurt is undoubtedly the human.

It’s possible the Brown Armored Man is already dead.

Realizing this, Chen Zhou’s mood couldn’t help becoming heavy, causing him to halt his steps and refrain from moving forward.

From the start of the challenge till now, the number of challengers he interacted with had surpassed two graspful, most of whom came from distant lands.

Although not everyone was of inferior character, as the saying goes, people act self-interested, very few truly possessed straightforward, chivalrous demeanor.

Accurately speaking, only this duo of Rangers inspired goodwill in Chen Zhou, allowing him to completely put away his murderous intent.

Chen Zhou always felt this pair of Rangers was because he abandoned the scramble for airdrop supplies.

He could never have expected that after a long absence, things would have changed dramatically, and the spirited Ranger had fallen into such a state.

...

The sound of footsteps on snow creaked sharply, Bi Kai walked forward with his head down until he almost bumped into Chen Zhou before noticing someone standing ahead.

The corner of Bi Kai’s mouth lifted in a smile tinged with helplessness and even despair; he loosened his grip, causing the fawn in his arms to tumble to the ground, the torch tucked under his armpit fell obliquely to the side.

He had already given up resisting, waiting for death like a turtle retracting into its shell, yet he did not expect a hand to reach out midway and catch the torch, followed by a familiar voice.

"Is this how you greet your benefactor?"

Startled as if struck by electricity, Bi Kai raised his head, and by the torch’s glow gripped in Chen Zhou’s hand, he saw that unforgettable face. Just as he was about to speak, thinking of his current predicament, he hurriedly lowered his head again.

Seeing this, Chen Zhou couldn’t help feeling rueful.

Both the person in white and the Brown Armored Man were quite young, to suffer heavy blows during their most youthful and vigorous time, it’s hard to avoid feeling despondent and ashamed, especially when encountering an old acquaintance during this time.

When he was young, not doing well at work, he couldn’t lift his head in front of relatives and friends, preferring to hide in corners during holidays and remain silent.

Compared to him, the person in white’s setback was far more severe; this feeling he could comprehend, since Huaxia people all care about their reputation.

Holding the torch steadily, he gently patted Bi Kai’s shoulder.

"Let’s go, you lead the way, when a friend comes from afar, one should certainly invite them in to sit."

Bi Kai nodded slightly, saying nothing, merely turned to lead the way ahead.

The fawn on the ground was kicking its legs ineffectively in the snow chill, bleating softly, the three Saw-toothed Tigers thinking it was food dropped for them, all gathered around.

Hearing the fawn’s cries, Bi Kai suddenly remembered his fawn, turned back with the intent to pick it up, and was startled again seeing the three young tiger cubs.

Only when Chen Zhou grabbed Tiger First by the scruff, disciplined the three-headed Saw-toothed Tiger, and ordered them to follow obediently, forcing the three little ones to walk away dejectedly did Bi Kai manage to block the slender body of the fawn with one hand and cradle it in his arms to continue walking forward.

...

Though the torchlight was not bright, Chen Zhou walking behind Bi Kai could tell the man in white was familiar with this forest, even without the light guiding the way, he managed to avoid bumping into things, only proceeding slowly.

Comfortably snuggled in Bi Kai’s arms away from the snowy terrain, the fawn sniffed the familiar scent, gradually regained its sense of security, and closed its eyes slightly, striving to retract its hooves.

Both remained silent, with only the crunching sounds of feet on snow in the woodland.

Soon, a slightly broader clearing emerged ahead.

A nest resembling a bird’s nest was made from relatively straight branches, with a bonfire set by its entrance, its firewood crackling heartily.

Next to the nest, a small pool had been dug; the bonfire long melted the snow on its surface, revealing ice within and half a pool of water, whether for the fawn’s or daily use was unclear.

Two wooden stumps lay beside the bonfire, covered with animal fur, resembling benches crafted by Primitive People.

Bi Kai carried the fawn back home, out of breath, finally reaching the bonfire; he didn’t bother with politeness towards Chen Zhou, merely plopped down on a wooden stump, saying nothing, focusing solely on warming himself by the fire.

The tallest stag among the herd stood next to the nest, noticing strangers, it eyed Chen Zhou and the three Saw-toothed Tigers cautiously several times, also glancing at Bi Kai.

Awaiting Bi Kai’s command to no avail, it turned away, while not reacting overly, it perpetually kept its guard up without lowering its head.

...

Bi Kai refrained from speaking, and Chen Zhou remained silent.

He could hear the violent heartbeat of the man in white, and even a bellows-like sound from his lungs.

From this, he inferred the man must have suffered severe internal injuries, merely reclaiming a life, yet consequently faced a massive decline in physical fitness.

As for the man in white’s martial arts, they were probably entirely lost, to put it harshly, staying alive now is already extremely fortunate.

Having undergone such experiences, the man in white surely couldn’t keep everything bottled up; encountering someone familiar, he would inevitably speak about it.

But for now, perhaps he just needed to rest first.

Patiently waiting for a moment, Bi Kai’s breathing finally stabilized; he first set the fawn down, allowing it to warm itself by the bonfire, then removed the beast-skin hat, revealing his disheveled hair and haggard face.

"Benefactor, please sit."

Bi Kai’s beard lifted slightly, Chen Zhou sensed he seemed to be smiling at him, yet under such circumstances, even his smile appeared especially bitter.

Sitting heavily on the adjacent bench, Chen Zhou curiously glanced at the nest.

He pinned his hope on the Brown Armored Man being seriously injured, now recuperating within the nest, unable to venture out.

Yet a cursory look proved disappointing.

Aside from beast skins messily spread on the ground, some irregularly cut wooden cups, a few beast bones, some hung meat, there was nothing else in the nest.

After contemplating for a while, uncertain where to start or how to speak, Bi Kai rose once again.

"Benefactor, I don’t have any tea to offer, not knowing if you’ve eaten anything tonight, I..."

Before he could finish, Chen Zhou interrupted him.

"What’s your name?

Where has your companion gone?

What’s the matter with your injuries?"

Asking three consecutive questions, Chen Zhou removed the sheathed Long Saber from his waist, placed it on the bench, and raised his head to gaze at the man in white.

Following a brief silence, Bi Kai’s Adam’s apple bobbed, the head he had laboriously raised lowered again.

Sinking back onto the bench, after contemplating for a while, he sighed deeply before responding to Chen Zhou’s inquiries.

You what happened with your injuries?"

Asking three consecutive questions, Chen Zhou removed the sheathed Long Saber from his waist, placed it on the bench, and raised his head to gaze at the man in white.

Following a brief silence, Bi Kai’s Adam’s apple bobbed, the head he had laboriously raised lowered again.

Sinking back onto the bench, after contemplating for a while, he sighed deeply before responding to Chen Zhou’s inquiries.