Yan Li and Gu Chenzhou were skilled fighters. Although Gu Chenzhou was far from Yan Li's level, he could handle a group of refugees with ease.
Before long, several refugees had been killed.
The other refugees, smelling the blood, were terrified and turned to flee.
Some of the injured refugees who couldn't escape cried out in fear, begging for mercy.
Yan Li was not one to kill indiscriminately. After repelling the refugees, he put away his weapon and turned to Gu Chenzhou.
It was pitch black all around, and he couldn't see Gu Chenzhou's face clearly, but he could hear his slightly labored breathing.
"Zhou'er, are you alright?"
The strong smell of blood could easily agitate Gu Chenzhou.
Not wanting him to have another episode, Yan Li called out towards the earth kiln, "Fatty girl, come quickly."
Gu Chenzhou gritted his teeth and stopped him. "Master, I can manage."
He had to force himself to adapt! Otherwise, he would never be free.
Yan Li knew his intentions and, though worried, agreed with a determined nod. "Then speak up if you can't bear it. Take your time."
Gu Chenzhou nodded, trying his best to suppress his emotions and the churning in his stomach.
Jiang Wan and the others emerged from the earth kiln. Chen Yuezhi quickly handed handkerchiefs to Jiang Wan and Jiang Xiao, telling them to cover their noses.
Jiang Xiao obediently covered her nose and mouth, blocking out the terrible smells.
Jiang Wan, however, paid no mind. She stuffed the handkerchief into her sleeve and said to the group, "Let's find a place to settle down first, and then we can try to contact Madam Shen."
Yan Li was familiar with the area. He led them forward for a while, venturing into the mountains. After another half an hour, they stopped before a cave.
The cave wasn't very large, but it was enough to accommodate them.
Yan Li fumbled around inside the cave and brought out a bundle of dry firewood. He lit it with a fire starter, and soon the cave was illuminated.
In the firelight, Jiang Xiao's face looked very pale.
Even paler than her was Gu Chenzhou.
Yan Li asked, "Zhou'er, how are you?"
Gu Chenzhou forced a smile. "Master, I'm fine."
Jiang Wan looked at his uncomfortable expression and tutted. This child's allergic reaction was even more severe than she had imagined.
She leaned closer to Gu Chenzhou and gently stroked his head. "Just a little pat, it won't scare you."
As she patted him, she took the opportunity to transfer some of her abilities to him.
This was the first time Gu Chenzhou had clearly felt Jiang Wan's soothing power.
She had only patted him a couple of times and cooed at him, and he had inexplicably begun to calm down and feel at ease...
This was truly miraculous!
His master had told him before how Jiang Wan had helped him, but he had been in a frenzy at those times and hadn't felt anything, always thinking his master was tricking him.
After all, when his condition flared up, he lost all sense of reason. How could a young girl's gentle pats and coos calm him down?
Now, he had no choice but to believe.
This little girl's hands seemed to possess magic. With every touch, his mind cleared, and his emotions were quickly soothed.
What was going on?
Seeing him look at her with confusion, Jiang Wan grinned and said, "Little brother, you're so timid, how can you wander the martial world?"
Gu Chenzhou didn't speak and sat down against the cave wall.
Yan Li went out and returned with a wild rabbit that had been drained of blood.
They had been on the move all day and were all starving.
Yan Li skillfully skinned the rabbit and roasted it over the fire, sprinkling spices on the meat as it cooked.
The aroma filled the cave, and their stomachs rumbled.
When the rabbit was finally cooked, they quickly devoured it.
With something in their stomachs, everyone felt much more relaxed.
Yan Li picked his teeth and said, "Now, let's figure out how to get a message into the city."
Jiang Wan flopped down onto the dry grass in the cave, propping one leg over the other. "Leave this to me."
Yan Li turned to look at her. "You have a way?"
Jiang Wan yawned. "Of course. You'll know tomorrow. Hurry up and sleep, I'm exhausted."
With that, Jiang Wan closed her eyes, and soon her breathing became even.
Yan Li turned to Jiang Pan and Chen Yuezhi. "Brother Jiang, Sister-in-law Jiang, do you have any good ideas?"
To his surprise, the couple looked at Jiang Wan. "Wan Wan said she has a way, so we don't need to worry. Let's sleep. We've been on the move all day and are truly exhausted."
With that, the couple lay down beside Jiang Wan and even tugged at Jiang Xiao, signaling her to sleep as well.
Jiang Xiao looked bewildered.
Yan Li and Gu Chenzhou exchanged glances, thinking that the Jiang Pan couple had gone mad!
The next day, after waking up, Jiang Wan went to the cave entrance, tore a piece of cloth from her tattered clothes, and picked up a half-burnt piece of charcoal from the previous night's fire. She began to write on the cloth.
Yan Li leaned over to look. It read: "Madam Shen, hello. We are the Jiang family who helped you with the delivery last year. We have a favor to ask. Please meet us at the city gate at noon today."
After writing, she called her little bird, crumpled the cloth, and stuffed it into its claws. "Go, and make sure Madam Shen sees it personally."
The little bird chirped twice and flew away with the cloth.
Yan Li and Gu Chenzhou were somewhat shocked. Sending messages by pigeon was not uncommon, but this bird was not a pigeon! Could a wild bird, not specially trained, successfully find its target?
Jiang Wan patted her dark hands. "Let's get some breakfast. After eating, we'll head to the city gate."
Yan Li hurried, "Are we really going? What if the bird delivers it to the wrong place? Even if it doesn't, will Madam Shen really come?"
Jiang Wan smiled enigmatically.
Yan Li turned to look at Jiang Pan and Chen Yuezhi. He expected the couple to try and dissuade Jiang Wan, but to his surprise, they had already started preparing.
"Are we really going?"
Jiang Pan nodded. "Of course, we are. Wan Wan's bird is very smart; it won't go to the wrong place."
Yan Li's mouth twitched. "Even if it doesn't go to the wrong place, will the Shen family really show up because of a piece of cloth?"
Jiang Wan tutted. "We'll know if we go and see, won't we?"
Yan Li was at a loss. If they were going, they were going. When they got there, they would realize how arrogant those officials were.
To expect the Shen family to show up with just a piece of cloth? Too naive!
After finishing breakfast in the cave, they descended the mountain and headed towards the city gate.
They reached the city gate at noon.
The little bird circled above the crowd, chirping and reporting the situation to Jiang Wan.
It had dropped the cloth in front of Madam Shen. Madam Shen was stunned and had someone pick up the cloth. The servant noticed there was writing on the cloth and immediately exclaimed.
Madam Shen had the cloth brought to her and her eyes lit up. She immediately arranged for people to scout the city tower.
Jiang Wan smiled with satisfaction. Things were proceeding according to her plan.
After great effort, they managed to squeeze to the foot of the city wall. Soon, the little bird reminded Jiang Xiao in mid-air that Madam Shen's envoy had arrived.