As dawn broke, the caravan hurried on its way towards Dongyue Town. A heavy rain in the preceding days had caused stones to tumble down the mountains, scattering across the official road.
The carriages rumbled over the stones, their bodies lurching with each bump. I was sleeping soundly when the jolting woke me.
Suddenly, as the caravan was moving, a dazzling white light flashed from the nearby woods, followed by a roar: "Brothers, charge!"
Then, a dark mass of people surged out of the forest, encircling the entire caravan. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Curiosity piqued, I peered out the carriage window. Outside, a crowd had gathered. Judging by their attire, they looked like mountain bandits.
The people in the caravan also drew their sabers and leaped from their carriages to confront them. The seasoned caravan leader, unfazed by such occurrences, slowly rose and stepped out of his carriage. He cupped his hands and addressed the group, "Brothers, may I ask who is in charge here?"
As he spoke, a man with a red headscarf, appearing to be in his thirties or forties, with a dignified demeanor, stepped forward and replied, "That would be me."
The caravan leader cupped his hands again and asked, "May I know which mountain you hail from?"
"Why do you need to know so much?"
"I, Chen, have made many friends throughout my life. I know the masters of Qiling Mountain, Dayuan Mountain, Yilai Mountain, and Jiji Mountain. I have also shared 'friends' wine' with several of them. The closest one around here is likely Yilai Mountain. You brothers must be under the command of the Yilai Mountain Master, correct?"
The leader, seeing that he spoke so knowledgeably, recalled hearing about a man named Chen who had visited Yilai Mountain long ago and befriended the master.
A wave of confusion washed over him, wondering if it was a case of mistaken identity. He asked, "May I ask your esteemed name?"
"My surname is Chen, and my given name is Ji."
"Chen Ji!" The leader suddenly remembered that the master had mentioned this person, describing him as a righteous and loyal friend, someone worthy of respect.
With this in mind, he felt more at ease and replied, "So it is Chief Chen. I heard from my brothers that you had settled in North Divine Capital. What brings you to this desolate place?"
Chen Ji explained, "I was entrusted by a friend to escort this caravan to Dongyue Town. I never expected to encounter you brothers here. I am on good terms with the Yilai Mountain Master and intended to visit him after ensuring the safety of this caravan to Dongyue Town. Since you brothers are here, please deliver some gifts for me. I will visit the master in a few days to catch up."
With that, he turned to someone beside him and said, "Someone, bring the items I prepared for the master from my carriage."
"Yes," replied a young stable boy.
He then entered the carriage and retrieved a wooden box about the size of a head, handing it to Chief Chen. Chief Chen, in turn, passed it to the leader. The leader took the box, opened it, and saw it filled with pastries. Scattered among them, some pastries appeared to be made of gold.
The leader was quite pleased. He nodded and said, "Thank you, Chief Chen. I will surely convey your regards to the master. I will also speak with my brothers along the route and ensure smooth passage."
"I appreciate your trouble, brother."
They bowed to each other and parted ways. The leader waved and led his men out of the road and back into the woods. Chief Chen also had his men put away their weapons and resume their journey in the carriages.
Curiously, I asked Ah Li, "Ah Li, do you know who those people were?"
As Ah Li drove the horse, he explained his observations, "Those people were from Yilai Mountain. Their mountain master is like our South Mountain's mountain god. The difference is that they are located near the official road and don't need to exploit villagers; they can sustain themselves by raiding."
"So, aren't they as wicked as mountain gods?"
Ah Li shook his head, unusually speaking in their defense, "They are actually all unfortunate souls. Due to the chaotic region and the inaction of the four cities, after losing their homes and families, they followed others up the mountain and became bandits."
I inquired, "The four cities are so prosperous and their military strength is formidable. Would they really neglect their citizens?"
Ah Li sighed helplessly, "The four cities only focus on major affairs. Such minor matters of livelihood are not within their jurisdiction."
"If a government is established not for the happiness of its people but for its own amusement, then does such a regime have any reason to exist?"
"I don't know. Everyone lives like this. Perhaps this is a characteristic of this other realm, living so casually."
I laughed heartily and teased, "It's fortunate you don't eat much. If it were me, I would have starved to death hundreds of times by now."
"It can't be helped. We can only live our own lives well."
After a brief chat, the carriage ahead suddenly stopped. I leaned out worriedly, asking, "Did something happen again?"
Ah Li replied, "Probably not."
Two people suddenly appeared by the roadside. They were Fei Xiong and Dao Lang. They walked directly into the middle of the road and blocked the caravan. The caravan leader, seeing them, immediately recognized them and asked, "Brothers, what brings you here?"
Dao Lang smiled, "Boss Wan, I didn't expect to meet you here. We are heading to Dongyue Town and have been traveling for days. Two legs are no match for four legs. Would you mind giving us a ride?"
Boss Wan laughed heartily and stepped out of his carriage, inviting them, "Of course. There's plenty of space here. You can choose whichever carriage you prefer."
Dao Lang did not stand on ceremony. He looked around and said, "Boss Wan, you've brought a lot of goods this time. This last carriage seems quite light. We'll ride there."
Boss Wan looked back, appearing hesitant, "That carriage behind us doesn't belong to our caravan. It also seems to be going to Dongyue Town. We haven't greeted them yet."
Fei Xiong patted his shoulder, "No worries, we'll go ask. They are not petty people; they should let us ride along."
Boss Wan felt a bit uncertain but still trusted them, "You two have your own ways of doing things. If that's the case, then go and ask."
"Alright, we'll go then."
"Go ahead."
After catching up with Boss Wan, the two walked towards us. I looked closer and suddenly saw two terrifying figures. Panicked, I tugged at Ah Li, saying, "Ah Li, Ah Li, something's wrong, something's wrong."
"What is it?" Ah Li looked up in confusion.
I pointed ahead, "Those two persistent kidnappers are here again."
The only ones who could be referred to as kidnappers were the two who had previously abducted us.
"Are you referring to the two who kidnapped us at South Mountain?"
"Yes, yes, yes. They are coming. What should we do?" I became flustered, unsure of what to do. We had just left North Divine Capital, and I didn't want to be kidnapped and sold elsewhere again.
Ah Li, however, was not worried at all and comforted me, "Don't worry, I have a way."
With that, he waved his hand, summoning a leaf. He placed it in his hand, transforming it into a silk scarf, and wrapped it around my head. He then smeared some red marks on my face. After this, my original appearance was no longer discernible.
Ah Li then raised his hand and smeared something under my nose, instantly creating a dark beard. He then extended a finger and spun it around my head, and a hat made of white cloth appeared on my head. He stood up and turned, instantly transforming into attire that resembled something from the Western Regions.
I watched in astonishment and thought that this outfit wasn't quite right either, so I quickly called out to him, "Me too, me too."
"Watch this."
He blew a breath at me, and instantly, my somewhat worn clothes transformed into a red outfit from the Western Regions.
Ah Li pondered for a moment and then told me, "Now our identities are that of a young couple from Xizi Kingdom visiting relatives in Dongyue Town. They definitely won't recognize us."
I chuckled and patted his face, "You know, they really can't tell you're original appearance at all. You look like someone else."
Ah Li beamed proudly, "This is the result of my transformation techniques practiced for many years. Remember to respond as I say when they ask questions later."
"Okay."
"Sit properly, they are coming."
"Mm."
Following his words, I quickly sat beside him in a well-behaved manner. Dao Lang and Fei Xiong slowly approached and, upon seeing two unfamiliar people at the carriage, asked us, "My brother and I are going to Dongyue Town. Is it convenient for the carriage owner to give us a ride?"
Ah Li, in a mature voice, replied to them, "There are indeed some empty seats in the carriage. You two may come aboard."
"We appreciate it."
With that, Dao Lang and Fei Xiong unceremoniously boarded the carriage and sat inside. I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they hadn't recognized us.
Just then, Chief Chen from the front shouted loudly, "Depart!" The entire caravan began to move like a flexible centipede, seemingly having rested enough.
Ah Li also drove the carriage to follow them. At this moment, Fei Xiong suddenly poked his head out to chat with us, "I see your attire resembles that of Xizi Kingdom. Are you two from Xizi Kingdom?"
Ah Li calmly replied, "Your eyesight is sharp, elder brother. This is the attire of people from the northern part of Xizi Kingdom."
"Are you from the northern tribes?"
"Indeed, we are originally from the Xuanyuan clan of the north."
"That's an old royal lineage."
Ah Li feigned a helpless sigh, "Yes, if it were a few thousand years ago, there might still be some hope. Now, after a thousand years, where are the old royal lineages? There are only some living Xuanyuan clansmen."
Hearing the name Xuanyuan, Fei Xiong also became interested and leaned closer to chat, "Hey, I heard your clan has many treasures. Is that true?"
Ah Li shook his head, "After Xuanyuan Kingdom's city was breached, all sorts of treasures within the city were looted and divided by various factions. Where are the treasures now? If there are any, it's only us poor treasures."
"Hahaha!" Ah Li's words made everyone burst into laughter.
I was surprised that Ah Li knew so much. It seemed his excursions with the elder had broadened his horizons.
Dao Lang also sighed helplessly, "Xuanyuan Kingdom was once the foremost great nation a thousand years ago. Who would have thought it would eventually fall to ruin?"
Ah Li, however, accepted it with equanimity, "History progresses; there are ups and downs, periods of prosperity and decline. Therefore, no matter how strong Xuanyuan Kingdom was, it could not withstand the passage of time."
"That's true," Dao Lang agreed with Ah Li's words. He didn't ask any more questions on this topic but instead asked us, "Since you are from Xizi Kingdom, why are you here?"
Ah Li explained, "My wife and I have a relative in Dongyue Town. We are coming to visit her this time."
Fei Xiong looked at me and asked doubtfully, "This young brother, I feel like I've seen your wife somewhere before."
As he said this, my heart suddenly tensed, fearing he might recognize me.
In a flash of inspiration, I defended myself, "Elder brother, you must have come to Xizi Kingdom often, right? We must have met in Xizi Kingdom."
Fei Xiong laughed heartily, "I traveled extensively in Xizi Kingdom in my younger days. Perhaps we met then."
"That truly is fate, meeting here today as well."
"Yes, yes, it's quite fated."
Ah Li, on a whim, wanted to probe their intentions and asked, "Are you two elder brothers also going to Dongyue Town to visit relatives?"
Dao Lang replied, "Not exactly. We were entrusted by a friend to go to Dongyue Town to find someone."
"Is it a relative?" Ah Li deliberately asked.
"No, it's two friends we recently met."
"Oh, so they must be very important to you."
"Somewhat. Regardless, we have to meet them."
"I see."
Hearing Dao Lang say this, the two friends he mentioned must be Ah Li and me. However, Ziye had already agreed to let us go. Why were they chasing after us? Could they be planning to kidnap us again?
Thinking this, my heart grew uneasy. Seeing their shifty eyes, I was certain they intended to kidnap us again.
From here, after passing two more hills, we would enter the low-lying plains. Crossing the plains would lead us to Dongyue Town.
As the caravan passed the second hill, the sky had gradually darkened. The carriages ahead, taking advantage of the last bit of light, drove into the plains.
Ah Li and I followed closely behind. Once the caravan entered the plains, it stopped. It seemed we would be spending the night here.
People from the carriages ahead disembarked one after another and lit bonfires along the side of the road.
Ah Li and I also got off our horses, intending to find a place to start a fire. At this moment, Boss Wan and Chief Chen walked over, each holding two cups filled with fresh milk.
Upon seeing us, they handed us the milk, "Try this. It's our homemade soy milk. For those who travel long distances, drinking this soy milk is equivalent to having a meal."
We successively accepted the soy milk and thanked them, "Thank you, Chief Chen, thank you, Boss Wan."
Chief Chen looked at our attire with curiosity and asked, "Are you two from Xizi Kingdom?"
Ah Li replied, "Indeed. My wife and I are here to visit relatives."
Boss Wan also seemed surprised. Xizi Kingdom was thousands of miles away from Dongyue Town, and it was unusual for people from Xizi Kingdom to come here. He wondered, "It's rare to see people from Xizi Kingdom traveling from North Divine Capital to Dongyue Town. They usually take the South Sea City route."
Ah Li explained, "My wife and I originally came to North Divine Capital to broaden our horizons. Later, we thought since we were already out, it would be a good opportunity to visit our relative whom we haven't seen in many years."
The two understood Ah Li's explanation and then asked us, "The journey from North Divine Capital to Dongyue Town is long. Have you two brought enough provisions?"
Speaking of this, I remembered the flower cakes that Brother Mu and Sister-in-law Mu had given me. I had been reluctant to eat them these past few days, and it was time to share them with everyone.
So I said, "Before we came, a friend gave us some specialty products from North Divine Capital. I'll take some for you all to try."
The two felt it would be impolite to refuse and could only say, "We'll trouble you, sister-in-law."
"It's nothing," I replied, and then went to the carriage, took down the basket hanging from the roof, took out a few flower cakes from it, and came out. I then distributed them one by one to Ah Li, Dao Lang, Fei Xiong, Chief Chen, and Boss Wan.
Boss Wan took the flower cake, sniffed it, and smiled knowingly, "By the smell, I can tell these are authentic North Divine Capital flower cakes."
Hearing his compliment, I smiled happily, "We are not from North Divine Capital, so when we eat these flower cakes, they just taste crispy and sweet. We don't know if they are authentic or not."
Boss Wan then told us about the complex process of making authentic flower cakes, "Our North Divine Capital flower cakes are different from those elsewhere. First, we dry a hundred types of edible flowers, grind them into powder, stir-fry them over high heat, and then dry them for a day and a night before adding water to knead the dough to make the cakes."
"So complicated," I thought, feeling overwhelmed. If I had to do all this, I would definitely lack the patience.
Chief Chen chuckled, "It is precisely because of the need for absolute patience that a unique flavor can be achieved."
Ah Li also affirmed, "Yes, eating these flower cakes, one can almost feel the painstaking labor of the baker."
"Yes, it's that taste of hard work."
As they chatted, they unknowingly finished all the flower cakes in their hands.