The climb continued slowly after the incident.
The tension that had briefly risen settled back into the group, but the pace became more careful. People paid more attention to their steps now, especially after seeing how easily someone could slip on the uneven slope.
I moved ahead without stopping, checking the path as we went. Behind me, the villagers followed in a tighter formation than before, each person more cautious than the last.
Wu Lian, who had just been caught from falling, stayed still for a moment. Her breathing was uneven, and her expression showed clear surprise. She had clearly not expected anyone to reach her so quickly.
For a brief second, her eyes stayed on me.
Then I spoke.
"You are not as light as you think," I said calmly, brushing my sleeve slightly as if nothing serious had happened. "Even someone like me is climbing with ease, yet you are struggling as if your bones are made of paper."
A few people nearby froze.
Then silence broke into small reactions.
