In the peaceful and prosperous era where she had lived before, ordinary people couldn’t see these things.

She couldn’t help murmuring: “Why must there be war?” According to legend, prehistoric humans lived miserable lives, suffering oppression from foreign tribes, monsters, and immortals; now that these three mountains of burden were gone, why was the life of common people still without joy? Setting aside natural disasters, man-made calamities had never ceased.

What force was at work behind all this?

Though her voice was low, Yun Ya heard her and turned back to say softly: “A short pain is better than a long one.”

Feng Miao Jun didn’t understand this statement. But the man before her was also one of the instigators, and she had no interest in understanding his invader’s logic.

As the war progressed, scenes like this would only become more common.

For the first time, she had no appetite in the morning.

The further west they traveled, the more scenes of war’s ravages and people’s suffering Feng Miao Jun witnessed.

War was perhaps the most terrible demon in the world.

The closer they got to the main battlefield, the stricter Yao Kingdom’s control over civilians became, eventually simply blocking the roads and forbidding passage.

Two days later, as they passed through a hilly area, Feng Miao Jun finally witnessed the scene of battle with blood staining the yellow sand and red blades flashing.

This was probably a chance encounter between forces, with about two or three thousand people on each side, wearing armor and uniforms she recognized. Without a doubt, this was a battlefield where Yao and Wei’s armies were locked in close combat, fighting with no clear resolution.

The thick scent of blood drifted several li with the wind, invading people’s nostrils, and many vultures already circled in the sky, patiently waiting for the coming feast.

Feng Miao Jun turned her head to look at Yun Ya, wanting to see how the State Preceptor of Wei Kingdom would react. But his gaze merely swept over the battlefield once before he said, “Bad luck, these people are blocking our way.” He pointed toward the southwest, “We’ll have to take a detour. I remember there’s a pass there, and beyond it a large river. Following it downstream for half a day will take us to Wei territory.”

Feng Miao Jun pointed at the battlefield, asking uncertainly: “Don’t you need to do something?” After all, those fighting for their lives down there were Wei soldiers too.

“Does An’an want to fight as well?”

She hurriedly shook her head like a rattling drum.

“Then let’s go.” He turned and walked forward, “This is merely a skirmish.”

Feng Miao Jun was a bit confused: Did he think the battle was too small-scale to be worth his effort?

The mountain path had become too steep for horses to walk, but fortunately, crossing mountains and ridges was as easy as walking on flat ground for the two of them. The trouble came after crossing the mountains when they encountered a rapid river.

The river was several hundred zhang wide, winding and tortuous. Following it downstream would mean taking many detours.

Yun Ya asked her: “Did Mo Tizhun have any methods for crossing water?”

Feng Miao Jun answered truthfully: “When we crossed White Elephant Lake, he summoned a cultivated bream fish demon to carry us across the water.”

“That’s indeed a solution.” Yun Ya lowered his head and patted the soil on the riverbank, “Now this place is already occupied by Great Wei, so we can summon the local water spirits.”

Feng Miao Jun saw him produce a long sword from somewhere and thrust it into the water, silently chanting something. Water has no constant form or substance, yet strangely, the long sword seemed to be stuck in a cake or sponge, somehow suspended in the water without moving.

As soon as his voice fell, a huge whirlpool formed in the middle of the river. Soon after, a giant figure leaped out and jumped in front of the two.

Feng Miao Jun looked carefully. It was originally a big blue fish about five or six zhang long, splashing vigorously when out of water. After landing, it transformed into a large man with a fish head and human body, respectfully holding Yun Ya’s long sword with both hands up to his chest.

It could even speak human language: “State Preceptor, please command me.”

The voice was hoarse, unlike human speech, but at least Feng Miao Jun could understand it, and she felt great amazement:

So this was a river god?

The river god of this long river was transformed from a large carp. Once a monster is appointed as a mountain or water spirit, it can move freely in its territory, unaffected by spatial constraints.

Yun Ya took back his sword and unhesitatingly ordered: “Take me to Jin Jun City in Wei territory.”

The fish demon complied, turned, and jumped into the river, retrieving a giant turtle shell: “Please be seated.”

The turtle shell was as large as a door panel, but the inside was full of water plants, obviously having stayed at the bottom of the river for many years. The fish demon carefully cleaned it, then drilled two holes at the edge of the shell, attached ropes, and invited the two to take their seats.

Yun Ya led Feng Miao Jun onto the turtle shell, where they sat cross-legged, and this strange container became a small vehicle.

The fish demon jumped into the river, returning to its original form, and bit the rope, pulling the turtle shell forward.

Its true form was enormous, about five zhang long (sixteen meters), and it pulled the turtle shell forward with no effort at all, creating white foam on the water surface wherever it passed.

Going downstream with the flow was much faster than crossing mountains and ridges on land. Most importantly, the checkpoints on land couldn’t stop them now. The river was quite wide, with many dangerous rapids along the way, and knowledgeable fishermen would not approach.

This fish demon’s speed was much faster than the breamfish, and Feng Miao Jun finally experienced the thrill of “returning to Jiang Ling in a day from a thousand li away.” With quick eyes and hands, she caught a black fish over two feet long from the water, its tail slapping against the turtle shell, splashing water all over their faces.

Feng Miao Jun felt somewhat embarrassed and wanted to apologize to Yun Ya. When she turned her head, their gazes met.

He was also looking at her, his handsome face covered with water droplets, but the look in his eyes was somewhat profound. She couldn’t understand it, but it made her uneasy, so she hurriedly said, “I’m sorry, let me wipe that for you.” With one palm, she knocked out the overly lively stupid fish and then took out a silk handkerchief to wipe Yun Ya’s face.

Unlike his usual harshness, he simply closed his eyes and allowed her to gently wipe his face, from forehead to cheeks, from the tip of his nose to his jaw…

Her movements were gentle and careful, just like the person herself.

Yun Ya didn’t open his eyes again.

Feng Miao Jun waited for a while, and seeing his breathing become deep and even, she realized he had fallen asleep.

“…” He could fall asleep sitting in such a turbulent small boat?

A true master of sleep!

The next day was bright and sunny, with sunlight reflecting on the water’s surface, creating a dazzling golden display.

At midday, the fish demon carried the two of them to Jin Jun City, bowed to Yun Ya once more, and then leaped into the river and swam away.

The two had avoided the war zone by taking the waterway, and now they were within Wei territory. Jin Jun City was eighty li away from the front line, so the flames of war had not reached here. Instead, the city had become a transit point for strategic supplies, making it even more bustling than usual.

This day happened to be the fifth day of the new year.

During this New Year’s holiday, Feng Miao Jun and Yun Ya spent it at the front line in the Yao Kingdom, where cannon fire was constant and lives were devastated. People there were grateful just to be alive; who had the heart to celebrate the new year?

Now that they had entered Wei territory, the festive atmosphere became stronger. The fifth day was when merchants worshiped the God of Wealth of the Five Roads and shops opened for business. The streets were crowded with people, and both adults and children were dressed in new clothes, filled with joyful voices and laughter.