The carriage sped quickly, and after an hour, they arrived at the city gate.
The guards on duty saw the carriage approaching and immediately shouted, "Who goes there? Leaving the city in the dead of night."
The man driving the carriage raised a token in his hand. The guard immediately fell silent, waved his hand, and the dozen or so men behind him quickly opened the city gates with a creak, letting the moonlight spill onto the ground.
The carriage bolted out, traveling about thirty miles before stopping.
The driver leaped down, and almost at the same time, Yun Xiao and Jing Yun also jumped down. The three of them calmly assessed the group of people who had helped them.
A tall, slightly thin figure with an ordinary face that revealed nothing special. However, when he spoke, his eyes were exceptionally sharp. This person was likely a formidable martial artist. Why was he helping them?
"May I ask who you are and why you have helped us escape this calamity."
"I am acting on my master's orders to escort you out of the city. You may go now."
So, this was merely a subordinate. But why would his master help them? Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow and cupped her fist.
"Please convey my thanks to your master. May I know his name?"
"Yi Yuxuan. My master said that you need not be troubled, young master. We will meet again if fate allows."
As soon as the man finished speaking, he demonstrated his light footwork and sprinted away, disappearing into the night in the blink of an eye.
Yun Xiao was somewhat bewildered. Why would Yi Yuxuan help them? And judging by the subordinate's words, it was clearly to help her, yet she didn't know this person. She raised an eyebrow.
Lost in thought, Jing Yun by her side let out a startled cry.
"Mistress, this Yi Yuxuan is the current leader of the martial arts alliance!"
The leader of the martial arts alliance, Yi Yuxuan. Yun Xiao involuntarily recalled the man she had seen that evening, an exceptional man. And she was certain she didn't know him, so why would he help her?
Despite her confusion, since he had said they would meet again, she decided not to dwell on it. She would find out when the time came. For now, the priority was to leave the vicinity of Su City as quickly as possible.
"Let's go."
Just as before, Liu Xing and Jing Yun took turns driving the carriage, while the two women inside took care of Madam Ning.
Madam Ning had been unconscious for two full days and had not woken up. Yun Xiao worried she might never wake up, not due to her injuries, as her wounds had already scabbed over and were not bleeding, but due to the inner turmoil. Who could heal that?
On the third day, the carriage traveled to a small town nestled against mountains on three sides. The group found an inn, ate something, and discussed where they should go next.
The southern region was predominantly populated by martial artists. Madam Ning, being the former wife of the martial arts alliance leader, might be easily recognized. Ultimately, Yun Xiao decided to return to the capital.
The saying goes that the most dangerous place is also the safest. Shangguan Yao would never dream that she would dare to return to the capital so openly.
On this return trip, if she didn't use the name Feng Guan, who would know? First, she would find a place in Yan Jing City to let Madam Ning recuperate, and then make plans after she recovered.
Once the mistress gave the order, the others could only concur.
However, Madam Ning had finally woken up. The moment Wan Wan spoke, Madam Ning's eyes became filled with ferocity, her pupils turning a blood-red hue. She spoke with a savage tone.
"Don't call me Madam Ning anymore. I detest that surname. It is my eternal shame."
Yun Xiao quickly whispered, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze.
"Mother, it's all in the past. It's okay now. You will be alright."
These soft, delicate words, like wind and rain, reached Madam Ning's—no, Mother's—ears. She suddenly burst into tears. The physical and emotional wounds of this moment erupted, and she cried like a child.
Yun Xiao reached out and hugged her, her heart aching. To be reduced to such a state was the most tragic fate for a woman – losing everything, only to find herself past her prime.
The carriage was silent, save for Mother's crying. Wan Wan beside her also shed tears. The carriage moved on silently.
When Mother was tired from crying, she regained her composure. She looked at her severed arm, thankfully it was her left arm.
She still had her right hand. Compared to the harm she had suffered, losing an arm was insignificant. She raised her head and looked at Yun Xiao coldly.
"What is your name?"
Yun Xiao paused. She had intended to give a false name, but thinking of how Mother had been harmed, her heart refused to hurt her further. She softly replied with a gentle brow.
"Yun Xiao."
"You can get by in the martial world like this? It must have been difficult for you."
Mother closed her eyes slightly, seeming very tired. It was understandable; she had lost so much blood and endured such great trauma. She hadn't eaten anything, but thankfully, Yun Xiao had been feeding her life-saving pills along the way, which kept her going.
As Mother was falling asleep, she slowly spoke.
"I'm giving you my things. There's a pair of sheepskin masks inside. Don't waste them."
After saying this, the old lady turned over and fell asleep. The movement pulled at her wound, causing her to frown in pain, but she didn't utter a sound, showing her resilient nature.
Thinking of how resilient this person was, yet how she had cried like that earlier, Yun Xiao felt a heavy heart.
Wan Wan on the side swiftly took out the brocade pouch she had seen earlier when changing Mother's clothes and handed it to her mistress.
The brocade pouch, embroidered with a phoenix spreading its wings, contained a pair of sheepskin masks, one for a man and one for a woman. These two sheepskin masks were not only exquisite but also breathable, fine, and ultra-thin, indistinguishable from human skin, even better than human skin, so delicate that it was almost translucent and smooth as condensed cream.
Wan Wan, upon seeing them, was already captivated, touching them repeatedly and showing great reluctance to part with them. Yun Xiao glanced at her. Honestly, in a place as vast as Yan Jing, she and Wan Wan were the most conspicuous targets.
These two sheepskin masks could solve their trouble.
Yun Xiao turned to look at the sleeping woman and slowly said.
"Mother, thank you."
After speaking, she handed one mask to Wan Wan. "This is for you, Wan Wan. We still need to be careful when acting in Yan Jing. With these sheepskin masks, things will be much easier."
Upon seeing Yun Xiao give her one, Wan Wan smiled happily. She carefully accepted it and put it away.
The two of them looked at Mother, who was sleeping on the couch. In her sleep, she unconsciously shed tears. Both of them felt a heavy burden as they continued their journey towards Yan Jing City.
The carriage traveled at a steady pace for ten days before entering Yan Jing City at dusk. The bustling streets were as prosperous as ever.
Liu Xing, who was driving, wore a black cloak. Jing Yun sat inside the carriage with them, and Mother also casually leaned on the soft couch within the carriage.
However, she had kept her eyes closed. After ten days of recuperation, her injuries were no longer a major concern. Only the emotional scars might never heal, which was why her expression remained perpetually cold, devoid of emotion.
Yun Xiao and Wan Wan naturally felt pity for her, having suffered such severe trauma, and did not mind her attitude, still addressing her affectionately.
"Mistress, where are we going now?"
Jing Yun asked with a smile. They dared not stay at an inn casually, as encountering the wrong people would be troublesome. Therefore, she was undecided for the moment.