Chapter 33: One of Two Choices—Go to Kyoto!

"Stop howling, all of you! Do you want to summon every barbarian from the foot of the mountain?"

Bai Ruyu’s delicate face was as dark as a storm cloud. She hissed the command, her voice low and sharp.

The crowd, still wailing, froze instantly and fell silent. Everyone knew the truth: they were in a position of extreme concealment, and if they were discovered due to the noise, the consequences would be unthinkable. It was common knowledge that martial artists possessed senses far keener than ordinary people. Who could guarantee that there wasn’t a formidable expert among those down below? If someone were to lead a search party up the mountain, what chance would seventy or eighty common farmers have against them?

Bai Ruyu lowered her eyes, deep in thought. She had only taken a strength-enhancing pill and practiced a little martial arts in the past. If she were truly to face a group of ruthless enemies armed with real weapons and superior skills, her own survival was far from certain. These were not the masked men from that night; against the overwhelming strength of a professional military force, any attempt at stealth would be an arduous, likely futile, endeavor.

Her fists tightened, her palms slick with sweat.

"Shut your mouths! Every one of you, be silent and follow Ruyu's lead!" Village Chief Bai stepped forward, his expression grave as he gestured for the crowd to remain quiet. Seeing the state of the village, even those who felt resentful dared not speak up; they simply lowered their heads and listened.

"We cannot go back to the village," Bai Ruyu said, her voice heavy. She stared intently at the settlement below, now shrouded in thick smoke and flames. "The entire village is a sea of fire. We don’t know if the people from the Nancang Kingdom will stay or return. If we go back, we’ll be walking into our own graves."

Hearing the severity of her words, the crowd’s faces turned pale. They furrowed their brows, gripped by anxiety, unsure of what else to do. If they couldn't go home, where could they possibly go?

"Ruyu, what should we do now?" Village Chief Bai asked, remaining calmer than the rest of the panicked crowd.

"Grandpa Village Chief, in my opinion, we must find a way to circle out through the back of the mountain," Bai Ruyu replied thoughtfully. "As I see it, we have two choices: head for the capital or flee toward the Northern Frontier."

***

After a brief moment of reflection, Bai Ruyu had made up her mind. The capital was under the direct protection of the Emperor; even if the political situation grew turbulent, such chaos rarely reached the common folk. The Northern Frontier was guarded by the Great General of the State, and under his governance, the neighboring regions had become dependent on the Changrong Kingdom, making it unlikely to see war. Both options were viable.

"Let’s go to the capital," Village Chief Bai decided after a brief deliberation. He had been considering this ever since he sent the villagers to check grain prices daily. The Northern Frontier was too cold; they might not be able to adapt. The capital had a more temperate climate, giving them time to adjust. Furthermore, despite the constant natural disasters of recent years, the capital had remained untouched, suggesting it was protected by the Imperial aura. At the very least, they would not starve in the capital and could find ways to support themselves.

"The capital?!"

"Village Chief, we left in such a hurry, we didn't bring much grain!"

"The road to the capital is so long—what are we going to eat?"

Some began to complain loudly. They had thought the "silly girl" was just spouting nonsense, so they had only grabbed essential items and a small amount of food, leaving most of their belongings behind. How long could such a small amount last?

Bai Ruyu didn't want to waste her breath. They hadn't believed her then, and now they were desperate.

"It’s all Ruyu’s fault. Why wasn’t she more forceful? If she had been, we would have listened," a woman muttered.

"Exactly. Everything in the village has probably been stolen now; her family should be held responsible," another man chimed in.

"I agree. They put us in this position; they should share their grain with us."

Bai Ruyu: ??? What on earth?

***

How much more "forceful" could she have been? Was she supposed to pack their bags for them? Or hold a knife to their throats? And now, they had the audacity to openly extort her family? If she had known this would happen, she would have just notified the people she trusted and left with them, without bothering to bring these rotten-hearted people along.

"Heh!" Bai Ruyu let out a cold laugh, her gaze darkening. "Do you want to see if I’ll send you down there to join the barbarians right now?"

With a swift kick, she sent a thirty-or-forty-pound rock flying. Her cold expression and sudden display of strength terrified the agitators into silence; they lowered their heads, not daring to utter another word.

"Whether you go to the capital or not is up to you. My family will make it there safely on our own," Bai Ruyu said. She picked up little Ya and turned to leave.

"Ruyu, we’re coming with you," Chen Daniu said, leading his ox cart forward. He pointed to an empty spot. "Let little Ya sit up here; it’s hard for you to carry her."

Bai Ruyu glanced at the cart. Uncle Daniu’s children, Er Zhuang and San Ya, were sitting there, and a spot had been intentionally left open. "Thank you, Uncle Daniu." She didn't stand on ceremony and placed little Ya on the cart.

Once settled, little Ya smiled, her voice sweet and milky. "Thank you, Uncle Daniu, you’re so kind." She then leaned over to whisper to Er Zhuang and San Ya, the three children smiling, completely unaware of the peril they were in.

Aunt Wang spat in the direction of the complaining group. "Bah! Shameless! You’ll say anything to drag others down. Can’t you survive on your own anymore?" She glared at them, then turned to lead her family after Bai Ruyu and the Chen family. The other families followed suit.

"You lot... sigh!" The Clan Elder sighed from his seat on an ox cart and instructed his son, "Let’s go, too."

Village Chief Bai looked at the group still standing there, feeling a sense of helplessness. Most of the seventy or eighty people who had escaped were close to the Xiu Ming family, and they were all leaving. It was only the dim-witted ones left behind, which gave him a headache.

"Let’s move. Don’t waste any more time. You may not have brought much grain, but you must have brought money. We can buy supplies once we reach a town," Village Chief Bai said, gesturing for everyone to follow.

"Village Chief—" some still wanted to object.

Without looking back, the Village Chief cut them off firmly, "If you want to live, follow the group and keep your petty thoughts to yourselves."