"Father, let's leave," Chen Yuezhi said, her face pale. She didn't want to stay here any longer. The clothes on the corpses made her, a commoner, tremble with fear.
This was not something they should know about, nor did they dare to get involved.
Jiang Pan was also a little worried and wanted to leave, but seeing Jiang Wan's eyes shining with excitement, he hesitated.
Those were two fine horses. As long as they recovered from their injuries, they would be of great help to their family. Even if they didn't sell them, one horse could fetch over a hundred taels of silver.
He was truly reluctant to give them up.
Jiang Wan rubbed her hands, "Father, fortune favors the bold. Once this opportunity is gone, it won't come again!"
Stimulated by these words, Jiang Pan's mind heated up, "You're right! Wan Wan, you wait here. I'll go get the horses."
Jiang Wan wanted to go herself, but Chen Yuezhi absolutely refused to let her.
That was a pile of dead bodies; how could a child go there!
Jiang Pan, mustering his courage, entered the pile of dead bodies and managed to get the two horses out.
One horse was black, and the other was a dark chestnut. Both were severely injured, with several sword cuts on their bodies, each wound deep enough to see bone. The black horse's leg was broken, and it took a lot of effort to get it out.
Chen Yuezhi frowned, "They're so badly injured, they'll just be a burden."
Jiang Wan circled the horses, examining them carefully. She noticed that both horses had brands on them.
"Father, what character is this?"
Jiang Pan stepped forward and looked, "It seems to be the character 'Gu'."
When Chen Yuezhi heard that the horses were branded, she wanted them even less. "These horses have a significant background. With this brand, they might cause trouble in the future. Husband, Wan Wan, let's throw them here and leave quickly."
Jiang Wan giggled, "Mother, can you be a little braver? Our family is protected by an old immortal. What's a mere brand? Just watch, the old immortal is about to show you his skills."
After speaking, Jiang Wan reached out and touched the black horse, channeling her ability into its body.
The brand immediately flattened and disappeared. Then, the horse's wounds rapidly healed, becoming smooth and even at a speed visible to the naked eye. The broken leg also quickly grew back.
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, who would believe that the horse was covered in injuries just moments ago?
Feeling that she still had a little over half of her ability left, Jiang Wan did not hesitate and placed her hand on the dark chestnut horse.
After this horse's wounds also healed, Jiang Wan's ability was completely depleted.
To fully heal the horses, she had overdrawn her ability, and her entire body felt drained, collapsing to the ground.
The couple were terrified, rushing to pick her up, "Wan Wan, what's wrong?"
Chen Yuezhi quickly checked her pulse. It was weak, but she didn't seem to have any serious issues.
Jiang Wan, with her last bit of consciousness, said, "Mother, I'm fine. I just want to sleep. Remember to discard the saddles."
After saying this, Jiang Wan fell into a deep sleep.
Chen Yuezhi, panicked, checked her pulse again. After confirming there were no problems, she quickly said to Jiang Pan, "Quick, take out the ginseng. Wan Wan is like this again, just like last time."
Jiang Pan quickly took out the ginseng, cut a slice, and put it into Jiang Wan's mouth.
Chen Yuezhi couldn't help but whisper, "Oh, old immortal, why is it that after you use your divine powers, Wan Wan becomes like this? Is it because she's too young to withstand it? If so, please don't use her anymore. Use me instead. I'm older and can bear it."
Jiang Pan also said, "Let me do it. I'm a man, and my body is stronger."
But the 'old immortal' made no sound.
The couple sighed helplessly and turned to look at the two horses standing quietly, their expressions complex.
Following Jiang Wan's instructions, the couple removed the saddles from the horses and threw them into the weeds. They then pulled some grass to wipe the bloodstains off the horses, fearing that traces might be discovered. They even grabbed mud and smeared it on them.
Finally, they carefully inspected the horses' reins, ensuring there were no suspicious marks. Only then did they pick up Jiang Wan and lead the horses back.
They had no choice. Neither of them knew how to ride a horse. If they didn't want to be thrown to death, they could only lead them.
In the small mountain village's group.
The villagers were urging them, "Why aren't we leaving yet? What are Da Pan and his wife doing? Why haven't they come back yet? We can't let their family delay all of us."
Da Lang and the others were embarrassed and, at the same time, very worried about their parents and sister. They didn't know what they were doing. Didn't they say they were just going for a walk nearby? Why hadn't they returned yet?
San Lang was too worried, "Brother, why don't we go look for them? If they don't come back after so long, could something have happened?"
Da Lang couldn't sit still either, "Alright, let's go look for them. A Luo, Er Lang, you two watch the belongings. Don't let anyone steal them."
Just as the brothers were about to set off, they heard someone shout, "They're back, they're back."
"Heavens, what are they leading?"
"It's horses!"
Da Lang and the others quickly turned their heads. They saw their parents leading two very beautiful horses back!
Everyone was stunned, some even doubting if they were seeing correctly, rubbing their eyes.
After confirming that the horses were not their imagination, many people ran over and surrounded them, asking, "Where did you get these horses? Did you buy them? How much silver would they cost?"
"Da Pan, I really didn't realize your family had so much wealth!"
Jiang Pan smiled 'humbly', "What are you talking about? We can't even afford the city entrance fee, where would we get the money to buy horses? We found these horses."
"Found them?"
Chen Yuezhi nodded, "Yes, we found them. We don't know which wealthy family would abandon such fine horses. My husband and I had to try very hard to catch up to them."
On the way back, the couple had already decided on the horses' "origin." Saying they bought them was impossible, as everyone in the village knew their family's financial situation. Saying someone gave them to them was even more unlikely. Who would be so generous as to give two horses?
So, the couple decided to mix three truths with seven lies. As for whether others believed them, they didn't care.
The villagers had no choice but to believe, as the two large horses were right before their eyes.
"Where did you find them? Are there any more?"
They also wanted to try their luck.
Jiang Pan looked at the person asking as if they were an idiot, "Do you think there are any more?"
The person was not giving up, "What if there are?"
If Jiang Pan and his wife could find them, maybe they could try their luck too!
Many people had this thought, so they looked expectantly at Jiang Pan.
Jiang Pan had no choice but to point in the direction they came from, "Just go forward, about four or five li away."
As soon as he finished speaking, several people dashed out.
Jiang Pan didn't stop them. After all, if he stopped them in such a matter, those people would surely say unpleasant things later.
The direction he pointed was opposite to the mountain hollow, so he wasn't worried about the villagers encountering the corpses.
San Lang rushed over, looking excitedly at the two horses, "Father, Mother, are these really our family's horses? Can I ride one?"
Er Lang also hurried over.
His backside, which had been kicked by Da Hua, hadn't fully recovered, and he limped comically as he ran.
"I want to ride too!"
Jiang Pan kicked the two of them, "Behave yourselves. Do you know how to ride horses? Be careful you don't break your necks."