Chapter 1340: Chapter 742: Desperate Situation, Deathtrap!

Countdown 84:00:00.

The Sherpas paved the way as they journeyed, reaching the C1 Camp at an altitude of 5900 meters by noon, with the sun blazing fiercely.

Nima, carrying Qing Chen’s large mountaineering bag, curiously asked, “Young boss, what exactly are you carrying in this bag? It’s much heavier than everyone else’s…”

Qing Chen smiled and said, “Everyday necessities.”

At this time, the Sherpa leader had already explained that Nima didn’t need to help everyone else pave the way or carry oxygen tanks, he just needed to take good care of this young boss.

After all, when the young boss was happy, the tips were gold bars of 100 grams each.

Leader Ming Ma had already realized they had encountered one of those true “money-is-no-object” wealthy clients.

Ming Ma glanced at the sky: “The C1 Camp is currently unsafe. Since we’ve finally waited for a window period, let’s keep moving directly to the C2 Camp at 6400 meters, set up the kitchen tent there, and start a fire to cook. Someone, carry the young boss up the mountain.”

Qing Chen laughed helplessly.

According to the rhythm of climbers, everyone would depart on the first day, reach the 5900-meter C1 Camp by noon, and by then their physical energy would be mostly exhausted.

So, they would rest here overnight and then set off for the 6400-meter C2 Camp the next day.

That place is more open, safer, and the Sherpa kitchen tent is there, where all climbers can stay for a day or two and eat some hot meals.

However, the Sherpas are not as fragile as the climbers, and they earn their money by risking their lives, so they plan to cross both the C1 and C2 distances in one day.

The only thing that worried Ming Ma a bit was whether Qing Chen, this wealthy client, could keep up physically.

But it didn’t matter; the Sherpas had plenty of strength, and it was just like carrying seven or eight more oxygen tanks…

Qing Chen smiled and declined, “No need to carry me, just keep moving forward; I’ll speak up if I can’t keep up.”

On the way to the C2 Camp, Nima was always worried about Qing Chen’s condition, frequently glancing at this wealthy patron, not even daring to chat with Qing Chen, fearing he might faint from lack of breath…

But Nima suddenly noticed, even at over 6000 meters altitude, this young boss was still smiling as he enjoyed the scenery.

You must know, even the Sherpas would gradually slow down at this altitude.

On the path, there were two nearly vertical ice walls requiring aluminum ladders to climb, which were also the most dangerous spots.

But Nima found that when the young boss climbed up, he was perfectly fine, not even out of breath.

Nima was already a bit amazed by this time.

“Young boss, have you really never climbed a summit above 8000 meters?” Nima asked.

Qing Chen smiled and shook his head, “No, I haven’t.”

The Sherpas didn’t know that this might be the endpoint for many climbers, as it was for them.

But for Qing Chen, this was merely a starting point.

He focused solely on enjoying the beautiful scenery, and in doing so, attempted to use the Breathing Technique to adjust his state to the best.

Qing Chen had prepared for this matter of life and death for so long, and after eliminating many dangers, now only 10% of the journey remains.

Yet even Qing Chen didn’t know, the transparent dragonfly above his head always followed his steps, reaching the summit of Mount Everest.

…

Countdown 78:00:00.

In the evening, everyone arrived at the C2 Camp and took a brief rest overnight.

That night, Qing Chen briefly disappeared for an hour, nearly scaring Nima out of his wits when he noticed. However, just as they were about to go out to search for the young boss, he returned, smiling.

…

Countdown 32:00:00.

The Sherpas arrived at the C3 Camp at an altitude of 7300 meters.

Here, it was the last stop to sprint to the 8848-meter summit.

If it were ordinary climbers, they would return to the lower mountainside, such as South Pool Market or Kathmandu, after arriving at the C3 Camp.

The lower altitude there allows your physical strength to gradually recover, and as long as it doesn’t exceed a week, it’s entirely permissible.

Until one day, the guides confirm that Mount Everest has a clear “window period,” and then everyone returns to the Mount Everest Base Camp to review problems encountered in the first climb, before launching the final assault.

Everyone waits not for their bodies but for the weather.

In this place, you will understand human insignificance and begin to learn to respect this world.

Here is already the zone of death.

At the C3 Camp, the strong winds howled, making all the tents flapping loudly, and the temperature dropped to minus 36 degrees at night. If you overnight outside, you are likely to succumb to hypothermia and die.

Qing Chen sat cross-legged in his tent, breathing.

Ming Ma and Nima suddenly crawled into the tent together, speaking seriously and solemnly, “Young boss, tomorrow morning we will make a sprint for the Hillary Step, completing the final setup work there. But the weather has already changed; you cannot continue forward. Even for us, we cannot ensure we will return alive.”

Nima echoed, “Young boss, if you’re wanting to see how we work, you’ve already seen it on the road before. Tomorrow, stay safely at the camp, and when we return, we’ll take you back down the mountain. Then wait for the new window period, and we’ll take you to the summit again. Rest assured, the prior payment is already sufficient…”

Qing Chen suddenly asked, “I’m curious about one thing. Clearly, the weather has worsened, and a ‘black storm’ could arrive at Mount Everest at any time, putting your lives in danger. Why continue to pave the way? Can’t you wait a bit longer? This obstinacy is going against your own lives.”

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