No war, no missions, no spies, no hostages, no terrorists, no blood on her hands, no endless gunfire and rain of bullets, and more importantly, no Chu Li, no imperial palace, no cold sharp swords, no countless conspiracies and schemes – only warm wind gently blowing by her ears. She lay on a warm bed where she could sleep peacefully. No one would come to disturb her, no one would come to assassinate her. This was truly wonderful.

When had she forgotten that she was just a young woman in her early twenties?

When had she forgotten that she too was a person of flesh and blood?

Watching this completely unfamiliar woman’s lips suddenly curve into a faint smile, the white-clothed young master also felt a wave of gentle warmth. He slowly curved the corners of his mouth and then smiled softly.

Uncle Zhong quietly peeked at the door, then silently closed it and carefully withdrew.

This sleep, she didn’t know how long it lasted. When Qing Xia awoke, it was already dusk. Golden sunlight gently streamed through the window, illuminating the entire room with a bright yellow glow. She hadn’t opened her eyes for a long time, and for a moment felt the sunlight stabbing her eyes painfully. Unconsciously, she wanted to reach out her hand to shield her eyes. However, another hand moved faster than hers. A slightly rough palm gently blocked Qing Xia’s eyes as a mellow voice sounded beside her: “You’re awake.”

“You… who are you?” A low, hoarse voice suddenly rang out. Qing Xia was startled and quickly covered her throat with her hand, as if suspecting there was a hole there – how could such a voice come out?

“You haven’t spoken for too long. The physician just left. You’re only slightly injured, nothing serious.” The white-clothed man said. His tone was light as clouds and gentle as wind, as if everything in his eyes was not a big deal.

Qing Xia cleared her throat twice, then said, “Where am I? Who are you? Why are you with me?”

This was a very calm woman. He knew this from the first moment she opened her eyes: “This is Huanchao City, the last city on the northern border of South Chu. Beyond Huanchao City, to the north is Great Qin, to the west is Xichuan, to the east past the Yunxiu River is East Qi, to the southwest is Nanjiang occupied by the Ludan people, and following the town’s official road south will lead to the capital of South Chu. I am a passing medicinal materials merchant. You collapsed from hunger on the road, and my servant rescued you.”

So this person was her benefactor. Qing Xia looked around upon hearing this, though there really wasn’t much to examine. The wounds on her body had already been treated with medicine and bandaged. What she wore was no longer the previous black night clothes. Looking around, it was indeed a typical inn setting. After surveying the area, she finally smiled kindly at the man across from her: “Although great kindness needs no words of thanks, I still must thank you for saving my life.”

The white-clothed man smiled slightly and stood up. Only then did Qing Xia notice two subordinates in blue clothes following behind him. They appeared unremarkable – the type who would disappear in a crowd without being noticed – yet they emanated a special aura, hiding inconspicuously in place so well that even Qing Xia hadn’t detected them.

It seemed this merchant was no ordinary trader, to be able to hire such high-quality bodyguards.

The white-clothed man, seeing that she had awakened, left without a word. Soon the fragrant aroma of food wafted in. Qing Xia hadn’t eaten for a long time and was already dizzy with hunger. After eating heartily, she noticed a kind-faced, white-bearded elderly man sitting across from her.

“Child, are you full?” The old man smiled gently and asked.

“Yes, I’m full. Thank you, elder.” Qing Xia wiped her mouth and smiled as well. After all, at this moment, a full meal was truly equivalent to the grace of rebirth.

“Child, what is your name? Where are you going? In these chaotic times of war, it’s very dangerous for a young girl to wander alone in the martial world.” The old man asked with a kind expression.

“My surname is Tang,” Qing Xia said with a smile. “I’m going to Qin to find my older brother.”

“To Qin?” The old man’s brow furrowed slightly. “Qin is thousands of miles away from here. You’re a young girl going alone to find your brother – don’t you have family to accompany you?”

“It’s alright,” Qing Xia shook her head. “I’m going to Bailing Prefecture in Qin. My brother and I agreed to meet there.”

“Bailing Prefecture?” The old man’s brow knitted tightly as he said gravely, “Bailing Prefecture is in the extreme north, where barbarians gather. It’s cold and remote. Why meet in such a distant place?”

“Is it very far?” Qing Xia asked in a daze. An ominous premonition suddenly rose in her heart, but she quickly pushed that feeling aside, smiling with firm determination: “It’s alright. If the place is far, I can ride a horse there. If it’s cold there, I can wear more clothes. No matter how far the road, it can eventually be traveled.”

The old man was stunned upon hearing this. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, “The young lady is right. With a steadfast heart and mind, even the most distant road will eventually be completed.”

“Elder, were you the one who saved me?”

“No, it was my young master. Otherwise, as a mere servant, I wouldn’t dare bring you along on the journey.”

“Oh,” Qing Xia nodded. “What is your young master’s name? If I have the opportunity in the future, I will certainly repay him.”

These words came from her heart, but to others’ ears, they seemed somewhat childish. Uncle Zhong smiled and patted Qing Xia’s shoulder, saying, “Rest well. If you need anything, just call the shop boy to find me.”

After Uncle Zhong left, Qing Xia leaned against the bed, her expression gradually becoming calm. After eating a meal, her mind began to work more clearly.

She could be certain that the pursuing soldiers that day were not Chu Li’s people!

When she left the capital that day, Chu Li had not sent out a large army in pursuit, so he definitely wouldn’t have launched secret attacks on the two of them afterward. Moreover, the methods used by those who came were all ruthless to the bone, every move fatal. After Qing Xia and Yang Feng experienced three days of fleeing like homeless dogs, they were finally trapped on Wu Mountain.

To escape, the two agreed to break out from both sides of the mountain peak, then meet two months later in Bailing Prefecture in Qin.

But when Qing Xia escaped down the other side of the mountain peak, she discovered that all the pursuing soldiers had been led away by Yang Feng. Riding on her warhorse, she watched all along the way as torchlight stretched like a long dragon through the sky, following Yang Feng southward. She felt only despair rising within her. Torrential rain came crashing down, instantly drowning all her consciousness.

Zhuang Qingxia’s body had never been strong. Since arriving in this ancient chaotic world, she had been constantly fearful and anxious, suffered serious injuries, and during their escape had been exposed to wind and rain while hungry and cold. How could the body of this pampered daughter of a wealthy family endure such hardship? After this serious illness, no matter how clever and resourceful Tang Xiaoshi was, she had no choice but to admit defeat. If not for Uncle Zhong’s rescue, she might have died long ago on the desolate plain.

She hadn’t expected that her frantic flight would bring her to the border of Chu. Thinking that tomorrow she could leave this place, Qing Xia couldn’t help but feel relaxed. Drowsiness after eating a full meal crept over her mind. Leaning against the soft bed, Qing Xia soon fell asleep.

When she woke in the morning, the sky was already bright. She stood up and dressed, and just as she was about to open the door, she saw Uncle Zhong standing at the entrance, smiling gently while holding a bundle, which he handed to her saying, “Miss, we’re about to leave. These things are prepared for you.”

Qing Xia was stunned and quickly shook her head, saying, “Elder, you saved my life, for which I can never repay you. How can I accept your things?”

“Miss, please accept them. From here to Bailing Prefecture is more than a thousand miles away. For a young girl to travel alone is already very dangerous. Without some silver for travel expenses, how can you make it to Qin?” The old man’s expression was kind, like the old director of the orphanage where Qing Xia had stayed as a child. A warm moistness suddenly filled her eyes. This was the first time since arriving in this ancient world that someone had been so unreasonably kind to her. All those previous people – whether Chu Li, Father Zhuang, Concubine Rou, Qi’an, or even Yang Feng – had their reasons for treating her well. Either because of the previous Zhuang Qingxia, or because they had received favors from her. None were like this old man before her, who had no ulterior motives and was simply kind by nature.

“The journey is long. Take care of yourself, miss. There are many escort agencies in this city. You might travel with them – it would be both safer and reduce many troubles.”

Qing Xia nodded with emotion. Uncle Zhong smiled and said, “I must leave now. Miss Tang, until we meet again.”

“Elder, thank you. Please take care of yourself too.”

The convoy slowly set out. A gust of wind suddenly rose, inadvertently lifting a corner of the curtain of the middle carriage, revealing a white figure. By the time Qing Xia wanted to look again, it had already disappeared from view. Qing Xia watched them gradually vanish into the bustling crowd of the street, then turned around and walked out of the inn’s main gate with the small bundle Uncle Zhong had prepared for her.

The appointment with Yang Feng was for two months. Although she worried about him, she still believed in Yang Feng’s martial abilities. Qing Xia didn’t dare think toward the negative possibilities, only thinking she should hurry to reach Bailing Prefecture. Once there, she would have an answer.

Uncle Zhong had left Qing Xia sufficient silver. Qing Xia bought a horse and some warm clothes, changed into men’s clothing, and prepared plenty of dried food and fresh water for the journey. After completing all this, it was nearly noon. She casually ate something at a roadside food stall and prepared to set out.

After paying the city exit tax, Qing Xia spurred her horse into a gallop on the official road. Her horsemanship was now quite good – incomparably better than when she had first arrived here to rescue Qi’an. After traveling for about two hours, she suddenly saw a convoy ahead. Qing Xia followed curiously, and when passing by, she was astonished to discover it was Uncle Zhong and his party’s convoy.