Chapter 122: The Mountain Path is Not an Option

The next morning, Xiang Xinyao took the initiative to find a place to store the carriage and let the others buy the horses.

After everyone left, she took advantage of the moment alone to store the carriage in her spatial space. A luxurious carriage like that—she didn’t want to leave it with strangers who might use it behind their backs.

Xiang Xinyao also bought a few blankets and straw mats. Since her parents and sister couldn’t practice martial arts, they would need proper sleep at night. In the middle of winter, without proper bedding, they’d easily fall sick.

When everyone returned with the horses, she was already waiting for them in the inn’s lobby.

Her mother smiled as she walked over. “Yao’er, did you take care of the carriage?”

Xiang Xinyao nodded. “All sorted. Just tie the supplies to the horses, and we can set off.”

“I’ll handle it,” Mo Jinnan said.

Mo Jinnan and his servant Rufu, along with the guards, tied all the supplies to the horses, including the blankets and straw mats Xiang Xinyao had bought.

Leading the horses by the reins, the group walked out of the city.

On the way, Xiang Xinyao walked beside her mother and asked, “Mother, what relatives do we have?”

Her mother replied with a smile, “Child, your father has five brothers, but only your eldest uncle and third uncle live in Bianjing. Your eldest uncle is a jealous, petty man, and we don’t have a good relationship with him. Your third uncle, however, is upright and often keeps in touch with us. As for my side, you have two uncles. Both your grandfather and grandmother have passed. Oh, and you probably don’t know this—my surname is Bai, and my name is Jing. Your eldest uncle is Bai Mu, and your second uncle is Bai Hao.”

Xiang Xinyao nodded. “I didn’t know that, Mother.”

Bai Jing chuckled. “It’s my fault for not telling you sooner. Both of your uncles are good men. They helped search for you all these years, though no one expected you’d be sold so far away.”

Xiang Xinyao smiled. “Mother, maybe it was fate. Perhaps I was meant to be away for a few years to gain some experience. From now on, we should treat the relatives who treat us well with kindness and keep our distance from those who don’t.”

“Yes, you’re right, my child. We’ll stay away from your eldest uncle’s family from now on.”

Once they left the city, they mounted their horses and rode out.

Though Bai Jing and Xiang Xinyu hadn’t endured much hardship, they were skilled riders. Xiang Yanhuo and Xiang Yanlin had taught them; when they’d searched for Xiang Xinyao in the past, they’d often traveled on horseback.

Each horse carried provisions, such as dried food, sausages, or cured meats. Eight guards rode ahead, with Xiang Xinyao’s group in the middle and the rest of the guards bringing up the rear.

After they entered a wooded trail, the path grew narrow and rugged. Xiang Xinyao, not being an experienced rider, grew a bit worried—not for herself, but for her mother and Xiang Xinyu, who lacked martial skills.

Indeed, as the trail became more treacherous, Bai Jing and Xiang Xinyu’s faces paled with tension.

Mo Jinnan rode behind Xiang Xinyao, prepared for any mishap. Behind Xiang Xinyu was her eldest brother, Xiang Yanhuo, and behind Bai Jing was Xiang Yanlin.

Seeing Xiang Xinyu’s anxiety, Xiang Yanhuo encouraged her. “Xinyu, try to relax your body and look straight ahead. Don’t worry.”

Xiang Xinyu nodded slightly, gradually relaxing. After covering a long stretch, her nerves eased.

Bai Jing also adapted, and her face regained color.

Xiang Xinyao asked, “Young Master Mo, are you certain this mountain path will get us to Bianjing faster?”

Mo Jinnan nodded. “Definitely. Though difficult, this route is nearly five hundred li shorter than the main road.”

“That’s not bad. Let’s try to push forward and return to Bianjing as soon as possible. I want to be back in Dawai Village before the Grain in Ear Festival.”

“Alright.”

At noon, the group chose a spacious clearing, built a fire, and cooked some meat buns, steamed buns, and braised meat. They also roasted some boiled eggs by the fire to warm them up.

After filling their stomachs, they continued their journey without rest.

The day went smoothly, with no incidents.

By evening, they ate some dried food to satisfy their hunger, leaving a few guards on watch while the rest rested or practiced martial arts.

Xiang Xinyao took out the straw mats and blankets she had bought, laying them by the fire so her parents and sister could sleep warmly in the bedding.

The blankets were large—half used as a mattress and the other half for covering, ensuring warmth.

Xiang Xinyao, Mo Jinnan, and her three older brothers sat cross-legged by the fire, beginning their martial arts practice.

The air in the wilderness was rich with energy, which was excellent for martial artists. Absorbing this energy to cultivate inner strength could yield better results with half the effort.

Xiang Xinyao fully absorbed the energy in the air, letting it flow through her meridians before storing it in her dantian.

That night, she greedily absorbed the energy from the air, and though she didn’t sleep, she woke up feeling unexpectedly refreshed.

Upon further inspection, she realized her inner strength had grown quite a bit, and she felt more upbeat than before.

She got up, added more firewood to the fire, and took out the steamed buns and braised meat to warm them up.

After eating, the family continued their journey.

However, not long into their ride, the sky started to snow heavily.

Xiang Xinyao frowned. A heavy snowstorm on a mountain path was too dangerous.

Moreover, since her parents and sister couldn’t fight, continuing on the mountain path was even riskier.

Xiang Xinyao turned to Mo Jinnan and said, “Young Master Mo, the snow is too heavy. It looks like we’ll have to find shelter and wait until it stops before we can continue.”

Mo Jinnan nodded and led the way to a slightly wider area ahead.

“You all continue slowly. I’ll go ahead and see if there’s a place to take shelter from the snow.”

“Wait.”

Xiang Xinyao stopped him, watching as the snowflakes grew heavier, her brows furrowed in concern.

No, they couldn’t keep taking the mountain path.

There was no telling how long the snowstorm would last, and if the temperature dropped and the road iced over, they could get stuck in the mountains for a long time.

Mo Jinnan looked puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

Xiang Xinyao’s expression grew serious. “We’re not taking the mountain road anymore. We need to go down the mountain as soon as possible and switch to the main road. The snow is too heavy, and it’s too dangerous up here.”

Mo Jinnan thought for a moment before nodding. “Alright, we’ll hurry down the mountain. It’s indeed dangerous up here.”

Xiang Xinyao explained, “The temperature in the mountains will drop even more, and the worst part is the road freezing over, which will make it impossible for the horses to move. If the snow keeps falling for days, we might end up stuck up here for a long time.”

“Then let’s head back the way we came and get the carriage from the city.”

Xiang Xinyao shook her head. “No, it’s not worth going back. We’ll hurry down this mountain. I’ll take care of the carriage issue. You all find somewhere on the main road to wait out the snow.”

“But how will you go alone? I should go with you!”

Xiang Xinyao firmly rejected him. “My parents and sister can’t fight. In this snowstorm, you need to stay behind to keep them safe. Don’t worry, I’ll catch up with you quickly. I can move faster on my own.”

Without waiting for Mo Jinnan’s response, she grabbed the reins and turned her horse’s head, riding off alone.