The Secretly Rich Man

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 1641

“Captain Wang, we… Both of us are just ordinary people! W-we’re afraid of dying too, you know…?!” stammered Kaleb as he lowered his head, not even daring to look into Patrick’s eyes.

“You…!” growled Quest, growing more infuriated by the second.

“So… Let me get this straight. Both of you are trying to secretly escape just because you’re afraid of dying?” said Gerald as he added more fuel to the fire. After all, he didn’t really have much of a good impression on the duo.

Regardless, upon hearing Gerald’s words, Kaleb and Malcolm were so embarrassed that they could only further lower their heads.

Boiling mad, Quest then suggested, “People like these two… They should be captured, Captain Wang!”

Upon hearing that, Patrick paused for a moment. Turning back to look at Quest, he then casually said, “…Just… forget it… It’s not a crime to fear death!”

Capturing them was a bit unnecessary. After all, the duo hadn’t really done anything illegal to warrant Quest’s suggestion.

Either way, Patrick didn’t really want to force the duo to come along with them so he simply turned back to look at them before saying in a frigid tone, “Whatever the case is, if you’re that afraid of dying, then just leave!”

With that said, Patrick then began leading the others way, leaving Kaleb and Malcolm—who were now free to leave—behind.

To Patrick, having them leave early was way better than allowing the timid and terrified men to stay in the long run. By getting the burdens out of the way early, future unnecessary trouble could definitely be avoided.

Regardless, upon realizing that Patrick was granting them permission to leave, both the delighted men then kowtowed—while facing him—before shouting, “Thank you, Captain Wang…! Thank you!”

Hearing that, Quest made a brief glare at them before sneering and returning to the tent.

Gerald himself couldn’t be bothered with the two, so he simply carried his backpack before entering the same tent that Quest had.

Noticing Gerald’s presence, Quest—who was still angry with the turn of events—then scowled, “How absolutely infuriating…! I truly hadn’t expected them to be this afraid of dying!”

Chuckling in response, Gerald then replied, “Well, it’s not like I don’t get where they’re coming from. After all, the duo has little to no experience in adventuring! With that in mind, it’s no mystery why they’d be so terrified of undergoing such dangerous affairs!”

“…Hmm? You say that, but aren’t you the same as them? Why didn’t you run with them?” asked Quest rather curiously. After all, Quest had initially thought that Gerald was similar to people like Kaleb and Malcolm. As it turned out, however, he had been wrong.

“I’m nothing like them! After all, I’m someone who’s training to attain spiritual enlightenment!” replied Gerald in a confident tone.

Upon hearing that, Quest instantly got to his feet before staring at Gerald in surprise. After a few seconds, he then said, “…No wonder you didn’t leave! To think that you’re actually training to attain spiritual enlightenment!”

“Indeed. Regardless, know that since I have a good friend in the adventure team, I’m heading there to save her no matter the costs! Even if I have to risk my life!” explained Gerald as he looked at Quest determinedly.

Hearing that, Quest nodded in satisfaction before stretching out his hand toward Gerald.

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 1642

“I apologize for my earlier bad attitude. With that said, I hope we can cooperate throughout this rescue mission!” said Quest.

Not one to fuss over such small matters, Gerald was starting to feel that Quest was actually a rather nice person. What more, Quest was a professional adventurer with great courage and an adventurous spirit.

With that in mind, Gerald found himself smiling as he returned Quest’s handshake while saying, “Likewise. Regardless, allow me to formally introduce myself. Gerald Crawford!”

“Quest Leane!” replied Quest with his own smile.

Following that, both of them then began chatting rather cheerfully till they eventually drifted off to sleep at around three in the morning…

By seven the next morning, all fifteen of the rescue team members had already assembled and were ready to set off for the holy mountain.

Being the pioneer of the group, Quest was the first in line, followed by Gerald, Patrick, then the other members of the team.

Fortunately, the weather was rather good, so the rescue team’s journey up the mountain proceeded rather smoothly. Even so, the higher they went, the colder it got. Aside from that, the air pressure was also gradually intensifying.

Sensing that, Patrick and the others quickly made sure to put on oxygen masks. Naturally, Patrick offered one to Gerald as well.

In response, however, Gerald simply said, “It’s fine, Captain Wang. I don’t need one!”

Such air pressure was nothing to Gerald, and it was evidently nothing to Quest as well since he refused to wear an oxygen mask too. Quest, for one, was a seasoned adventurer, and he was already used to dealing with pressures like these.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel slightly concerned over Gerald’s safety, so he turned around to ask, “Are you sure you don’t want to put one on, Gerald? The pressure’s only going to get lower the higher we get, and air will become much scarcer then…”

Hearing that, Gerald simply shook his head before replying, “Don’t worry about me. I don’t need to wear one!”

Gerald meant every word that he had said. After all, the essential qi in his body actively cushioned the negative effects of the pressure. Due to that, not only was Gerald unaffected by the freezing temperatures, but Gerald was also able to continually maintain his breathing.

With how sure Gerald sounded, Quest didn’t say anything else. Even so, he now had a new outlook on Gerald, thinking that the youth was rather different from the others.

Regardless, the rescue team finally arrived at a resting spot after hiking for a little over three hours.

While taking their temporary rest, Patrick double-checked their location before saying, “Alright, we’re currently at an altitude of three thousand feet up the holy mountain. From what we’ve previously gathered, the other adventure team disappeared at around nine thousand and eight hundred feet. With that said, we’re only at a third of our journey to where we need to get to!”

“I suggest we try to reach our target location before the weather gets too bad, Captain Wang. After all, the weather conditions up here appear to be much worse than what we had initially anticipated! With that said, even the slightest change in weather will hinder our progress up the mountain!” said Quest as he looked at Patrick.

While—the remaining—six thousand and eight hundred feet may not sound too bad a hike on paper, it was, in fact, extremely far from where they currently were.

What more, while it had taken the group about only three hours to get to three thousand feet high, the terrain they had to walk through earlier wasn’t as bad as what was to come. After all, the higher they went, the more uneven the holy mountain’s terrain was going to get. Steep cliffs, for one, would certainly become more frequent, and if they weren’t careful, slipping off one wasn’t completely out of the question…

With that in mind, the rescue team then set off again after completing their brief rest.

It wasn’t long after before the rescue team met with a predicament.

There was no further road to speak of where they currently were! Essentially, that meant that the only way to head forward was to climb a steep cliff before them…

Looking down into the three-hundred-feet deep abyss below him, Gerald could tell that many would definitely feel terror-stricken just from seeing how deep the fall was.

Even so, it wasn’t as if the others had any other choice. After all, it would definitely take way too much time and energy for them to head back and attempt to find another road. With that in mind, the steep cliff truly seemed like their only way of progressing.

Thankfully, this wasn’t Quest’s first rodeo. Quest had scaled cliffs like this before, so it honestly wasn’t anything too difficult for him.

With that in mind, everyone then watched as Quest took a rope—with a hook attached to it—before flinging it toward a rock atop the cliff.

After testing how firm the hook had lodged itself into the rock, Quest then easily climbed up the rope…

Gerald Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter 1643

Naturally, scaling the cliff wasn’t an issue for Gerald either.

After taking a few steps back, Gerald dashed forward before making a giant leap! Seconds later, the youth then landed right beside Quest!

Upon seeing that, Quest and the others all felt their jaws drop. What immense jumping capabilities! He truly was a person who was training to attain spiritual enlightenment!

Eventually shaking their shock off, the others then quickly began climbing up the rope as well…

It was when most of them had already made their way up the cliff when a sudden roar of thunder could be heard!

Following that, the weather began changing rather rapidly, and soon enough, dark clouds had covered every inch of the sky…

Understanding that the weather was only going to get nastier, Patrick—who was adamant about getting up the cliff last—anxiously instructed, “Everyone, hurry!”

Once everyone had made it to the top, Patrick quickly began climbing the rope as well…

Of course, trouble always came unannounced. The others had considerably worn the rope down, so halfway up, it ended up snapping!

Watching in utter horror as Patrick began falling into the abyss, the other team members instantly began shouting, “Captain Wang!”

Gerald himself quickly untied the rope around his waist before tossing it toward Patrick! Upon coming into contact with the falling man, the rope instantly wrapped itself around him!

to him while shouting

the rope as

actions, Patrick was able to avoid

had thought that it was all over for him just

by Patrick’s side and asking in a concerned tone, “Are you

shook his head as he replied, “I… I’m fine… Regardless, thank

“There’s no need

moment, it was then

yelled, “…Things are looking bad. We

practically suicide and everyone understood that. While it was true that they were undergoing a rescue mission, it wasn’t big enough an emergency for all of them to risk their lives for. With that in mind, the best they could

managed to locate a spacious area underneath a

as Quest suddenly shouted, “…Hey, look

hearing that, Gerald and Patrick quickly ran over

his words, a pile of burned charcoal could be seen there…

have stayed here before in order

Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest)

is still relatively new. The ones who lit the fire should have stayed here around

Gerald and Quest turned to look at each other. This was good news! After all, it at least proved that the adventure team was still alive two

moment. We’ll continue our journey once the snowstorm is over!” said Quest as he laid

same, Gerald chose to continue inspecting the surrounding cliff area instead.

proceed to. The only way to ascend the mountain from this point on is by climbing. To support that statement, just have a look there. If you

all that, both Quest

me, Gerald, how do you say we should proceed with this?” asked Patrick

our best option right now would be for me and Mr. Leane to head up to scout ahead. You and the others can wait here for us. Once we’ve located the

about thirty feet high. With that in mind, Gerald was afraid that a precarious situation—similar to what Patrick had earlier

that, Patrick then turned to look at Quest before asking, “What do you say

to agree with Gerald. We’ll be scouting ahead then!” replied Quest

Since there aren’t any objections, let’s just go with that!” said

both Quest and Gerald immediately began getting themselves ready. After packing all the necessary equipment into their backpacks, they returned to the thirty feet high

himself frowning slightly as he asked, “A bit too high for my tastes… How do you reckon

sturdy enough to be

it to me, Mr. Leane!” replied Gerald with a confident smile as he took out a piece of talisman paper as

be that you know how to craft secret technique talismans?” asked Patrick—who had followed them there together with the rest of the team to see them off—in a surprised

talismans, and though Gerald didn’t reply, Patrick got his answer when the youth began drawing

his complete talisman into the air… and just like that, the talisman materialized a golden ladder out of thin

Gerald as he turned to look at

his name, Quest quickly snapped out of his shock and

how to make his own secret technique talismans! It made Patrick admire Gerald greatly. What more, it explained why Gerald had been

to the rescue team. If he hadn’t

Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter

bidding farewell to Patrick and the others, Gerald and

and Quest managed to find a cliffside to proceed under. In other words, they had minimal contact

walked on, Quest found himself asking, “What would you

sure, but I think they should still be alive. I’m assuming they’re currently trapped someplace on this mountain!”

that they were still alive. He couldn’t bear the

“Regardless,

at an altitude of seven thousand and five hundred feet. If that’s the case, then we should be two thousand feet from where the adventure team disappeared! Judging from our current progression speed, we’ll need

the area now, the journey there was still

The sound was

was happening, Quest quickly said, “This… This

looking around to survey the area… But to his dismay, there was nothing to shield them against an incoming avalanche! Sandwiched between two stone walls, both of them knew that if they didn’t think quickly, they were going to be hit by the avalanche and subsequently thrown into the

hide, Gerald…!

adventuring experience, Quest was now feeling slightly terrified

few seconds, Gerald then quickly retrieved his talisman-making kit before saying, “Don’t worry, I have an

the talisman! The second he was done, Gerald then threw it forward, prompting a golden ray of

in time as the avalanche came crashing down on them! Thankfully, the golden shield was sufficient in guiding the avalanche away from them, keeping Gerald and

further sounds could be heard. Still safe underneath a layer of snow, Gerald then cleared out the snow

out with a huff, Gerald then followed

honestly still quivering a little—then said, “Thank god you’re here with me, Gerald… Otherwise, I’d

him, Gerald simply shook his head in silence before resuming the journey up the mountain together with Quest. It was about an hour and a half

Now much nearer to the mountain’s peak, Gerald and Quest began scanning the area below them. Unfortunately, thick, misty clouds—that were everywhere

over to Gerald before asking with a deep frown on his face, “…There doesn’t seem to be any traces of them being here

Crawford:The Secretly Rich Man Novel (Invisible or Poorest) Chapter

his divine sense out to scan

up to a few hundred feet. Though that wasn’t a small range by any means, Gerald still wasn’t able to find any traces of the adventure team after quite

think that the adventure team isn’t here because…

the suggestion sounded rather preposterous, it wasn’t completely out of the question either. After all, since there were zero traces of the adventure team here, the only other way they could’ve headed to—without bumping into the rescue team

let’s proceed further up

that, both of them then continued scaling the

now had total trust in Gerald. He felt that as long as he remained close

snowflakes caressing their cheeks the

a cave. With how pitch dark it was inside, Gerald and Quest found themselves instantly wary of

mouth of the cave, Quest found himself saying, “How odd… A cave

have a look around!” replied

activating them.

quiet, it was also quite damp. With that said, occasional drops of water could

a faint orange glow from within the cave… It appeared to be the light of a campfire, and the duo could

other, Gerald and Quest felt that they must have finally located

greeted by the sight of several sleeping people lying against

they had thought, they had finally located the adventure team! Gerald was made extra sure of this when—after scanning

“Nori!” shouted Gerald.

everyone jolted awake, and

out to her, Nori instantly teared up as

girl then ran over before embracing Gerald

a while to calm down, but once she did, Nori looked at

something had happened to you and your

that mean that you came over just to save me…?”

revealed a gentle smile and nodded, not seeing any reason

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Nori was instantly overjoyed. After all, the fact that Gerald had come all the way here

truly hadn’t expected him to come here in the first place since Nori was sure that she had never even mentioned her trip to the holy mountain to

then curiously asked, “…Speaking of which, how did you even know I

I headed to your manor and your father

fact that you came here mean that your talisman crafting training with Master Hunt got disrupted?” asked Nori

that in mind,

surprise, however, Gerald simply chuckled before gently patting Nori on

tucked in the inside of his jacket—Gerald

Talisman Master Badge?! It’s barely been half a month! You really are

quickly… That just showed how capable and powerful he truly

came over to look for some ancient herb. The thousand-year-old panax ginseng, if

can only be found on this mountain! With that in mind, I followed the others here after hearing that it was about time it

before replying, “Your lives are much more

out a photograph from her backpack

had petals that resembled ice crystals. The sight of it alone was enough to make anyone feel that it was something extremely precious. No wonder Nori and the others had been so keen

that such a

pellet known as the rejuvenating pellet! The pellet

Gerald

didn’t know about this mysterious world… Even so, a pellet that was capable of bringing back the dead? That was a little too farfetched, even for him. After all, even people as

that it was strictly just a rumor. Even she wasn’t sure how authentic

checking around, I’ve found that only a few of the team members have suffered minor injuries. The rest are thankfully fine. With that said, we can pretty much pack up and begin leaving this

Novel (Invisible or Poorest)