25 Through the Mountains part 1 (1/2)
”Everyone ready to go?”
Xiong Zhelan asked Nero, Zhu Tai, and Xun Lan, who already had their backpacks and bags ready to go.
”Sure.”
Nero answered in his usual serious tone. People were already used to him not showing emotions except when it was about Marie.
”Yes, me too.”
Zhu Tai responded in a respectful form that he always spoke to Xiong Zhelan.
”All right!”
Xun Lan was by far the most exciting and jumped up by raising her arm in agreement.
”So let's go. Will you follow us to the exit of the city?”
Xiong Zhelan asked Xun He, who had previously mentioned that he would escort them to the city limits to wish them a good journey.
”Yes, let's go.”
Then the group now formed by those who were going to travel, and some members of the Xun Family went north of the city.
The streets were full of people coming and going from various places. It was an animated day in the center of the small town, as there was a significant change in the arrangement of powers.
People talked a lot everywhere about Xun Family, becoming the most influential family in the city. Many said that they had attacked the Dai Family and killed most of their forces. Others said it was someone new to the town who had disagreements with one of the Dai sisters.
There were also rumors that someone in the shadows was protecting the Dai sisters, and even the Xun Family could not touch them. Everyone had many doubts and assumptions, but no one dared to think of harming them.
The group cannot help laughing about the rumors they heard as they walked to leave the city. Xun He was a good person and only wanted the best for Abun's people. So he wished that this matter is forgotten and that everyone progress.
Nero found it particularly interesting what people said about a person all in black walking through the night like a shadow. He loved that humans feared him. Sarah thought it was very childish, but he just laughed about it.
After walking for less than an hour, Nero could already see a wooden fence on the edge of the city where the houses ended, and the cobbled street became just dirt.
The houses closer to the city limits were very humble, made of wood and clay. The fence was very simple and should not hold a normal wolf, but as far as Nero knew, the beasts did not come so far south of the mountains, and that fence was enough to mark the city limits.
The fence had a wooden arch as a gate written 'Abun' with flowers as details. After the arc, Nero could see a multitude of green landscapes with few trees.
The northern part of the Green Valley was a clear horizon to the mountains, and the southern part was just forest. One opposite the other but with terrible dangers, the further as someone went ahead.
As they got closer to the exit, Nero could see animals like cows, horses, and goats in the fields outside the fence.
He asked the group if it would be better for them to go horseback riding, but Xiong Zhelan replied that they could not go on the mountain roads with regular horses as they would not be able to run there and would also attract many beasts that could cause problems for them.
”We are here.”
It was easy to see that Xun He was discouraged by his tone. But it was to be expected because he was saying goodbye to his only and beloved daughter.
Xun Lan could return alone when she was stronger or even require help to come to visit him, but she had to focus on cultivation for a long time from now on.
”Dad! I will really miss you so much, but I won't hesitate to come to visit you.”
Xun Lan hugged her father and brother tightly as she said goodbye with tears in her eyes. She was not sad to go to the great Black Sword Sect but knew that she would miss her family.
”Nero, please treat my daughter well. Even though we haven't known each other for a long time, she thinks of you fondly, so if you can at least be a friend to her, I would be less worried.”
Xun He, like everyone else, still had many doubts about Nero. No one knew for sure much about him other than the story of living in the forest with his grandfather and having lost his mother at birth.
But nobody thought badly of him just that he was very mysterious and impulsive. Xun He knew it would be difficult for his daughter to adapt quickly to a new place, so having someone she knew would be nice. That friend could very well be Nero, who was going with her from the same place.
Nero didn't want to be too involved with Xun Lan, but he knew that the Xun Family had been good for him, so it was okay not to be hostile to the girl. Then he nodded in agreement leaving father and daughter Xun with smiles on their face.
”Remember, treat Marie well, and when she wakes up, tell her about the situation, as I explained.”
Nero once again spoke to Xun He about explaining to Sarah everything that happened in the way he said when she woke up. He feared that she would misunderstand things and think badly of him even though they might never meet again.
”Do not worry. I will take care of her and keep an eye on the Dai sisters.”
Xun He was a decent man and would keep his word even though he was not a non-human sympathizer, but he would not hurt Marie without reason, and Nero was a great reason to take good care of her.
”Goodbye!”
After all, was said and confirmed, the farewell ended, and Nero's group went the dirt road towards the mountains in the north.
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The group did not run, but they also did not walk very slowly and always kept the same speed. For more than five hours, they walked through the same landscape that was green pastures and a clear horizon with few trees.
It was tranquil, and they talked to pass the time because there were no beasts sighted, and they would see any danger that could appear from afar.
Zhu Tai talked a lot with Xun Lan about Black Sword Sect and other things. Xiong Zhelan sometimes spoke useful things about beasts that occupied the mountains and even possible bandits on the other side of the mountain.
Nero was always walking in silence and didn't even make sounds. The others tried to start a conversation, but he just nodded, making it clear that he didn't really like small talk. But in fact, he talked a lot with Sarah in mind about things of all kinds.