Chapter 34: Encountering Soldiers Upon Leaving the Mountains!

Those who were dissatisfied, though reluctant, dared not speak further. They had no choice but to lower their heads and follow along, dejected.

The small group of fifty-odd people slowly headed into the deep mountains, the atmosphere along the way heavy and oppressive. Once they crossed this mountain and walked for a few more days, they would reach the next city. Everyone prayed silently that the barbarians would not move too quickly, hoping they could pass through safely.

Bai Ruyu kept a vigilant watch on her surroundings, gripping a wood-chopping knife as an improvised weapon. Being in the deep mountains, it was better to be cautious; one never knew what kind of wild beasts might lurk nearby.

Day and night blurred. Time slipped away like shifting stars.

A few days later...

On a fairly wide official road, there were many more refugees and people fleeing for their lives. Bai Ruyu’s group was among them.

"Sister Yu, now that we are out of the mountains, we shouldn't eat too well. We must be careful," Madam Jiang said, her expression tense as she looked at the ragged, skeletal people around them.

When those people saw they had come from the mountains with food, their eyes had gleamed like predators catching the scent of prey, trailing them constantly.

Bai Ruyu nodded, her face growing serious. "Mother, I understand."

She tightened her grip on the wood-chopping knife, her gaze sweeping over the covetous crowd. Her eyes were sharp, her expression icy. She looked truly intimidating.

Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats rang out!

The crowd looked on in terror, everyone scrambling desperately into the mountains on either side, fearing that the barbarians from the Nancang Kingdom had struck. Instead, a troop of armored soldiers came galloping toward them.

Bai Ruyu crouched on the hillside, squinting to get a better look. Although she was illiterate, she recognized the national emblem. The two leading soldiers carried flags embroidered with a leaf—the emblem of the Changrong Kingdom.

"Don't be afraid, Mother. They are soldiers of Changrong," she said, letting out a breath of relief. She hugged her trembling mother and little Ya. The others also relaxed, collapsing onto the ground.

The last soldier in the galloping troop suddenly pulled on his reins, his eyes scanning the woods on both sides of the road. With a booming voice, he shouted, "Citizens, do not panic! His Majesty has learned of the Nancang invasion and has already dispatched troops to provide support! If you do not wish to leave your homes, you may wait until we reclaim the cities and then return."

The crowd was overjoyed. Bai Ruyu raised an eyebrow slightly; she hadn't expected the emperor here to act so quickly.

The soldier on horseback added, "If you wish to head to the capital or the northern frontier, there will be patrols of government troops along the way."

Hearing this, everyone’s hearts were finally set at ease. Bai Ruyu stood up from the bushes, brushed the dust off her clothes, and called out to the soldier, "Sir, we are planning to go to the capital. Is the road truly safe?"

The soldier looked at Bai Ruyu’s group and smiled. "Rest assured, young lady. His Majesty has ordered that the safety of refugees be ensured. However, you must still be careful; there are bound to be a few who slip through the net."

Since ancient times, no matter where one went, there were always villains. Everyone stood up from the bushes, thanked the soldiers, and set back out on the road. The soldier’s face turned serious once more as he continued his journey.

They walked along the official road for two more days. True to the soldier’s word, they encountered government patrols twice a day. Just as everyone began to lower their guard, thinking of reaching the next city soon:

[Yuchi Fei: Ah! Streamer, streamer, there are people in the bushes to your front left!]
[Liuer Zui Xiu: There seems to be a figure behind the tree on the right, too.]

...

Over the past few days, Bai Ruyu had basically been livestreaming whenever she could. The audience, initially confused, was slowly becoming immersed in the reality of their flight.

"Mother, Father, Uncle Daniu, let’s stop and rest for a moment," Bai Ruyu said, seeing the comments in the chat. She raised a hand to those behind her. Once they stopped, the others following them did as well.

"Ruyu, what happened?" Village Chief Bai hurried over, his face full of anxiety.

"Grandpa Chief, tell everyone to pick up their tools. I fear the road ahead is not peaceful," Bai Ruyu said in a low, grim voice. The village chief was startled and hurriedly ran back to notify everyone one by one.

The people hiding in the shadows ahead had faces as dark as charcoal.

"What is going on with them?" one man couldn't help but ask his companion. The person asked looked toward their leader. "Boss, these people seem to have something. Should we still attack?"

The man addressed as "Boss" had a long scar on his face and was chewing on a blade of grass. His gaze remained fixed on the group ahead for a long time without speaking.

After a while, he gestured to his men and the group opposite him. "Let them pass. This group is nothing, but that girl..." The scarred man’s gaze finally settled on Bai Ruyu’s face. "She gives me a very different feeling. If we force an attack, something might go wrong."

But just as he finished his gesture and spoke those words, the men behind the trees rushed out, brandishing their weapons.

"If you want to pass, leave everything you have to me!"

Bai Ruyu’s face was cold as she glanced at the scarred middle-aged man in front of her. She gave a cold laugh. "You want to rob us?"

The middle-aged man retorted impatiently, "Are you deaf? Can’t you understand what I’m saying? Leave your things behind, or you won’t be leaving this place alive today!"

*Fine then!*

Bai Ruyu’s eyes crinkled with a smile. She had intended to give him a chance, but it seemed he didn't want one. "I’d like to see what you can actually do."

Bai Ruyu leapt into the air and kicked out. The middle-aged man turned pale, his chest feeling as if it had been struck by a boulder; he suddenly couldn't catch his breath, and it felt as if his bones had shattered.

"Er Mazi!" the men who had come out from behind the trees with him cried out, rushing to support him. After the man got up, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Take him away!" the scarred man approached with a cold face. "I’ll settle this with you later!"

His men dragged the blood-spitting man and the others who had come out with him away.

[Zong Ai Kuji Ji: Friends, this guy looks so masculine, I really want one!]
[Durian Is My God: To the one above, you must be really starving; you'll eat anything.]
[Tu Jiji: You two are two of a kind.]
[Love Picking Details: Am I the only one who thinks this stream is weird? It only streams two hours a day. How much money would it take to set up these backgrounds and hire so many people? If they’re filming a drama, how come when people get kicked away, there are no wires? Too many suspicious points.]
[Liuer Zui Xiu: Actually, I’ve had that feeling for a long time...]

...

The discussion in the livestream grew more intense. Bai Ruyu pursed her lips, not immediately offering an explanation. Sooner or later, they would discover the truth for themselves.