Chapter 107: Entering Pingyang County

Chapter 107: Entering Pingyang County

Thus, Zhou Laoba retrieved the large knife from He Zhiran and sliced some fresh bear meat. Then, mimicking her, he bound them with vines, preparing to carry them up the mountain.

Looking at the remaining abundance of meat, Zhou Laoba was somewhat reluctant to leave it behind. With a hint of embarrassment, he proposed, "I descended the mountain before dawn in search of you two and haven't eaten anything since. Why don't we roast some of the bear meat here and have a meal before leaving the valley?"

His words were true. After agreeing with Peng Wang in the dead of night to search for Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran, Zhou Laoba wasted no time. He had ventured alone, torch in hand, following the direction where they had vanished.

Amidst the chaos, he stumbled upon countless corpses of the black-clad assailants. Upon reaching the edge of a precipice, he meticulously observed the signs of numerous footprints that had traversed the area.

The cliff marked the verge of the mountain, and he conjectured that the two individuals might have fallen from this very spot.

Thus, he hastily descended the mountain under the cover of night, venturing into the depths of this valley.

Without Zhou Laoba needing to elaborate, He Zhiran understood that locating someone in this vast valley would undoubtedly consume considerable time.

After such a long journey, it would be unnatural for him not to feel hungry.

"Very well, let's roast the bear meat here and set off together after we're full."

Considering the two injured men, He Zhiran personally took charge, constructing a roasting frame.

Using the same method as before, she skewered the bear meat with branches and placed them over the fire.

Mo Jiuya, now thoroughly familiar with He Zhiran's space, knew that she might retrieve some seasonings from it while cooking. To prevent Zhou Laoba from noticing anything amiss, he deliberately engaged him in conversation about his family on the side.

Seizing this opportunity, He Zhiran discreetly retrieved a few mild spices from her space and sprinkled them onto the bear meat.

Soon, the meat was ready, and the trio ate their fill around the fire before resuming their journey. Zhou Laoba led the way, with He Zhiran supporting Mo Jiuya from behind.

Due to their slow pace, they didn't exit the valley until the afternoon.

The scene before them was not unfamiliar; it was precisely where they had ascended Ox Horn Mountain.

Zhou Laoba glanced at the sky, then pointed in a direction, "Follow this path straight ahead, and after roughly two hours, you'll reach Pingyang County."

He Zhiran knew that it was time for them to part. To reassure Zhou Laoba, she vowed once more,

"Lord Zhou, please don't worry. I promise not to lag behind for too long. I'll have to trouble you to explain the situation to Brother Peng. Also, please convey to our families that my husband and I are safe and sound, and we will meet them in a few days."

Zhou Laoba nodded, "Don't worry, I'll certainly pass on your message. Be cautious on your journey as well."

With that, the trio bid their farewells. It wasn't until Zhou Laoba's figure vanished from sight that He Zhiran led Mo Jiuya to a secluded spot and entered the spatial realm.

If not for Zhou Laoba's presence, He Zhiran would never have allowed Mo Jiuya to travel such a distance.

There was a high chance that his wound had already reopened by now.

Her first priority was to inspect Mo Jiuya's injuries.

He Zhiran casually stored the several bear paws and a bear gallbladder she was holding in a random spot. With the preservation function of the spatial realm, she wasn't concerned about the meat spoiling.

Mo Jiuya indeed felt discomfort in his wound and obediently allowed He Zhiran to examine him.

After the examination, He Zhiran let out a deep breath.

Mo Jiuya's condition was better than she had imagined. The knife wounds on his body were mostly unproblematic, except for the most severe one on his lower abdomen that bled slightly.

Fortunately, there were no signs of the stitches tearing open. It seemed that his excessive movement had caused friction and reopened the wound.

He Zhiran helped Mo Jiuya reapply medicine and bandage the wound, then solemnly said, "Stay in the space for now. I can travel faster alone and try to enter Pingyang County before sunset."

Mo Jiuya understood that, given his current state, accompanying her would only slow her down. Thus, he didn't object. "Alright, be careful on your journey."

"Okay," He Zhiran replied, then swiftly left the space.

The trip went smoothly, and they arrived in Pingyang County before the sun set.

Unlike other counties she had visited, this one required payment to enter...

A modest square table was placed by one side of the city gate, with a wooden chest prominently displayed on it.

Any commoner entering the city would toss a few copper coins into the box.

In He Zhiran's understanding, such a scene usually indicated corrupt officials inventing absurd excuses to exploit the people.

To avoid trouble, she mimicked the other citizens and threw five copper coins into the chest.

Those who had paid the toll all wore expressions of silent suffering as they entered the city.

It was clear that they were displeased with having to pay just to enter.

Just as she was about to approach someone for a more detailed explanation, a commotion of horses and people falling over could be heard.

"Get out of the way, all of you! My horse is spooked, and if you don't want to die, move!"

He Zhiran instinctively stepped aside and focused her gaze on the source of the noise.

There, a young man dressed like a nobleman was recklessly riding his tall steed through the streets.

The horse, after knocking over several roadside stalls, finally calmed down and stopped right next to He Zhiran.

The young nobleman descended from his horse with a grumble, landing right beside He Zhiran.

"Step aside, dare to block this young master's path, are you forsaking your own life?"

With that said, the young master lifted his foot, preparing to kick He Zhiran away.

Raising his leg just then, he caught sight of He Zhiran's countenance.

Even in her tattered homespun attire, her beauty could not be concealed.

The young noble was immediately captivated, his raised leg descending without him realizing it.

"Which family's young miss are you? Why not accompany me for some enjoyment?"

The sight of such a person made He Zhiran feel nauseous.

"Scram, can't you see what kind of person you are?"

With that, He Zhiran turned to leave, her patience waning.

If she didn't wish to cause trouble, she would have given this man a sound beating for his behavior.

The young nobleman, however, was anything but reasonable and had no intention of letting her go so easily.

Just as Zhiran took a step forward, the young man positioned himself in her path.

"Ah... This maiden has quite a fiery temper, and I must say, I find it rather charming."

As he spoke, the young noble made a move to put his arm around her shoulders.

Infuriated by his audacity, He Zhiran swiftly seized his arm and executed a smooth and elegant throw over her shoulder.

"Aaaahhh..."

Accompanied by the young man's agonized scream, he crashed to the hard ground, his face contorted in pain.

With pain etched on his face, he pointed at He Zhiran and verbally lashed out, "Bitch, do you have any idea who this young master is?

Believe it or not, with just one word from me, I can make you vanish from this world?

Not to mention your entire family, not a single one of them will be spared."