Chapter 190 - Meeting Squire Liu Again (1/2)

Travelling across Wuyang Mountain, they came to an open plain. They had a wide view from here, bringing everything into focus. This eased their tension to some degree. However, the place was dotted with an unusually large number of people. Some were taking a rest, while others were walking back.

Ye Xiaoxian wondered why they had returned to the dangerous mountain. But after all, no one would commit robberies in public. Therefore, she suggested having a rest here and filling their empty stomachs. Their hearts were still fluttering with fear after their hair-raising adventure. A rest would help to calm their nerves.

They unrolled the mats and began eating some solid food. They were now totally listless, lying or sitting on the mats and losing hope for the future of their journey. The kids who had been chattering excitedly were just like withered flowers at this moment.

Feeling their depression, Ye Xiaoxian tried to inspire them. “I know you’re tired, but this is normal for an escape. Do you know what an invaded city is like? I learned from books that corpses will be strewn everywhere. Some families will die completely and some will have only one or two members left. It’ll do us no good staying in our village. It’s our good fortune that we’re all healthy and safe. Even if we really get into trouble, we can die together. Anyway, we must unite as one and share joy and sorrow together. I’m convinced that we can overcome the difficulties through our joint efforts!”

However, her words set almost everyone off weeping. Except for Old Mr. Xiao. He had been complaining the entire way, but n.o.body cared about what he said. His words were as trifling as farts and as insignificant as croaks.

Ye Xiaoxian suspected that she had said something wrong. But as she understood it, a general would encourage his soldiers in just the same way. The tougher the situation was, the braver they needed to be. Otherwise, they would defeat themselves before suffering any real setbacks.

After a moment of embarra.s.sment, she heard Wong Mudan sobbing, “You’re right. I’ve never fought so desperately. But from now on, I won’t fear bandits anymore. Win or lose, I’ll fight to the bitter end!”

Chen Ju nodded in tears.

Xiao Tieshu said, “Little Ye does much better than me in planning for our future. I…oh dear! It’s right to let her lead us all this way. Little Ye, we will follow you for the rest of the journey.”

Xiao Tongshu agreed with him. “I’ve never heard such brave words before. Well, I’ve made up my mind. I will fight with my life rather than wait to die!”

Ye Xiaoxian was amazed by their words. She hadn’t expected that her words would not only comfort but inspire them. “I say these things more often from now on,” she thought.

Their morale boosted, they recovered their appet.i.tes. Pleased to see this change, Ye Xiaoxian gave out the rest of the food for them to eat. Anyway, she could make food another time.

Suddenly, Xiao Baofeng cried, “Sister Ye, that looks to be Miss Liu and her father!”

“Really?” Ye Xiaoxian was doubtful. Liu Qianqian should have been far away by now. But then, she spotted a group of carriages.

However, they were going the opposite direction.

Now losing their initial vigor, they looked extremely down and had even stronger depression showing on their faces than the Xiao family did.

Seeing Ye Xiaoxian, they stopped in a tired manner.

Ye Xiaoxian asked, “What’s wrong? Why are you coming back? Why aren’t you heading to Zhengwu county? Has something happened there?”

Liu Qianqian answered with sadness, “I’m afraid that Zhengwu county has been sealed off. There were countless refugees at the entrance. Some have waited for two days, but the gate is still shut for them. We also waited for a whole day in vain. The b.a.s.t.a.r.ds in the county are afraid that we will occupy their domain, consume their food or cause panic there.”

“What?” the Xiao family exclaimed in chorus.

Li Hongmei asked, “Then where can we go?”

Squire Liu replied from the carriage, “Anywhere else. The people in Zhengwu county won’t let us upset their peaceful life. After all, they are far away from the war.”

“Are there any other ways to get across the county?”

Squire Liu said, “Perhaps, but it is likely to be an untrodden path. It’s not worthwhile to take the risk. We might be killed by bandits or beasts before we can starve to death.”

The Xiao family’s morale dropped immediately. The steamed buns were no longer as appetizing.

Ye Xiaoxian asked, “What do you plan to do next? Return to Qinghe county? We can’t tell whether it has been invaded or not.”