Chapter 11

Chapter 11

"Here you are again. You won't learn unless we teach you a lesson, right?" As the words fell, the sound of a whip crack echoed, and the escort officer waded over, his face menacing, lashing out with all his might.

Sui Hu turned his back, the whip's tip grazing his spine. He winced in pain, but Sui Wen'an and Sui Ling weren't as fortunate; the whip rained down on them relentlessly, causing Sui Ling to wail uncontrollably.

"Enough, don't delay our journey." Across the river, an officer with a well-groomed beard called out to stop the beating.

The whip stopped, and the queue of people crossing the river fell silent. When the escort officer's fierce gaze swept over them, they all lowered their heads.

"Sir, it wasn't us causing trouble. It was others who kept provoking us," Sui Ling couldn't hold back her anger. Why should she suffer while others escaped? She stopped crying and pointed at two men approaching the other side of the river. "It was those two men, the one with the mole under his nose and the one carrying a bundle of grass. They pushed us from behind earlier too. They're deliberately causing trouble."

This time, Sui Wen'an didn't stop her. Seeing the shadow of the whip coming, he pulled Sui Ling into his arms, taking the blow himself.

"I'm not here to judge your disputes. Remember your place," the escort officer warned.

"They're young and don't know any better," Sui Hu interjected, taking responsibility for his niece and nephew. He supported Sui Wen'an, gave Sui Ling a nod, and the three of them waded across the river.

Sui Ling was furious, her breathing rapid. Just when she thought the matter was settled, the officer with the well-groomed beard kicked the man with the mole, sending him flying. The other man also stumbled and rolled into the river, hitting his head on a rock, blood immediately seeping out.

"Everyone, see clearly. Anyone causing trouble will meet the same fate," the officer warned.

Sui Ling felt vindicated, suddenly finding the whipping worth it. Even Sui Wen'an felt relieved.

After crossing the river, Sui Hu released Sui Wen'an's arm, and Sui Hui hurried to support him, asking with concern, "Brother, little sister, are you both alright?"

"Will your foot injury affect our journey?" Sui Yu glanced at the main group continuing their march through the forest.

Sui Wen'an sat down against a stone, feeling his ankle and twisting it with a sharp crack, contorting in pain.

"Hurry up," the escort officer behind them urged impatiently.

"Let's go, I'm fine now," Sui Wen'an stood up, testing his foot, and pushed his sisters into the crowd to avoid more whippings.

"Cousin, do you know how to set bones?" Sui Yu found him impressive.

"I know a bit of martial arts and some bone-setting techniques."

Sui Yu looked at Sui Hu, who understood and said, "I don't know how to do that."

Sui Yu responded with an "Oh," turning away, her face falling. How could a daughter not know if her father knew martial arts? She clenched her fists, wanting to slap herself.

"I just wanted to ask if you were hurt," Sui Yu stammered, trying to cover her slip.

"Just minor injuries, nothing serious. Let's stop talking and watch where we're stepping, be careful of snakes," Sui Hu bent down to carry his son.

The mountains were low, the trees dense, and vines tangled, making the ground uneven and slippery. Thick layers of decaying leaves covered the ground, concealing holes and making the journey treacherous. People stumbled frequently, slowing the progress.

As the sun began to set, the light filtering through the trees gradually disappeared, and the forest grew dim.

"Move faster," the whip cracked again.

"Keep tripping, are your eyes in your ass? Move faster."

"If you dawdle, you'll end up feeding the wolves in the dark."

The officers' voices grew more urgent, the whip cracking like wind, silencing everyone. Even coughs were muffled, and the atmosphere became oppressive.

"Ahh!" Niuwa, Zhen's son, jumped in fright.

"Don't scream, move faster," his father dragged him along.

"Dad, carry me, there's a snake on the ground," Niuwa felt a sharp pain in his leg.

His father looked back, seeing no one else having trouble, assuming his son was just being lazy. He slapped him, saying, "Move faster, or the officer will whip you."

The pain vanished, and Niuwa assumed it was just a scratch from a branch. He breathed a sigh of relief and continued walking with his parents.

After crossing the mountain, they reached a town in the valley, visible from the hilltop by its flickering lights and the smell of food.

"Dad..." Niuwa gasped, his voice barely audible, drowned out by the rumbling stomachs around him.

"I'm so hungry, starving," Sui Yu peered ahead at the houses.

Children holding bowls stared curiously at the passing travelers.

"A child died," a girl screamed outside a tavern.

People stopped, cries echoing. Sui Yu tiptoed, asking, "What happened up ahead?"

"It seems a child died."

"How did they die?"

The crowd buzzed, blocking the road. After a while, Sui Yu pieced together the local dialect: a child had died from a snake bite.

"Before we leave tomorrow morning, wrap your legs with straw ropes," Sui Hu instructed.

"Alright, that's scary," Sui Ling shuddered, grateful the snake had fled when they passed.

The cries grew closer, and Sui Yu recognized the voice, her heart sinking. It was Zhen sobbing over her child. Their eyes met, and the lifeless woman's eyes flashed with hatred, her icy gaze piercing Sui Yu, making her shiver.

Sui Ling and Sui Hui were terrified, not daring to breathe until they reached the station. Sui Ling rubbed her arms, muttering, "We didn't cause this."

Sui Yu elbowed her, sternly warning, "From now on, keep your mouth shut. If you can't help it, say nothing."

Sui Ling protested, but her brother intervened, "Listen to Yu, if you cause more trouble, I won't protect you."

She immediately quieted down.

Entering the woodshed, Sui Hu chose a spot farther from the clan members and mixed with the prisoners from Chang'an.

Sui Yu went to fetch some dry straw for bedding. On her way back, someone stepped on her foot viciously. She hopped on one foot, turning to look for the culprit, but they had already run away.

"Useless." She muttered under her breath, limping back into the woodshed with the bundle of straw.

"What happened to your foot?" Sui Hui asked.

"Nothing. Don't go out; you three stay put." Sui Yu worried someone might attack from behind.

Sui Hu went out again to fetch another bundle of straw. Sui Liang lay down and fell asleep immediately. The others sat on their straw beds, stripping straw stalks to make ropes, tossing them aside in a heap.

The full moon emerged from the clouds, and the crying outside the station ceased. During mealtime, Auntie Zhen and her husband entered like lifeless puppets.

"Buried the child?" Aunt Chun asked.

"Buried." Auntie Zhen replied blankly.

"Don't think about it. The child is at peace now."

Auntie Zhen did not respond.

In the middle of the night, a thin silhouette approached the corner. Sui Hu sat up, staring at the shadow without making a sound. They stood and sat, facing each other silently.

Sui Liang woke up needing to urinate. He turned over and got up.

"Need to pee?" Sui Hu whispered.

Sui Liang nodded, watching the departing figure for a moment before following his father to the door.

"Pee right here. I'll wait for you here." Sui Hu stayed by the door, watching the corner.

After Sui Liang returned to sleep, the loud snoring was interrupted by a woman's sobs, which continued until dawn.

For the next few nights, Sui Yu kept watch and did not see Auntie Zhen get up again.

...

Exiting the valley revealed vast grasslands. From below, the pasture looked like a waterfall, with no sign of horses, only occasional neighing. When the herd ran, the river rippled with their movement.

"Truly amazing, a grassland surrounded by mountains. Walking this far has opened my eyes," Sui Hu marveled.

Sui Wen'an nodded. "You don't know what's out there until you step out. Who knows what lies ahead."

Sui Yu, feeling warm, walked to the river to splash water on her face. She then stepped onto the stones in the middle of the river, drinking the cool water.

Ahead was the herdsman's yard. The soldiers approached seeking lodging, but the guards with spears coldly chased them away.

The main group detoured and continued, stopping only when it was dark.

"We'll camp outdoors tonight and continue our journey tomorrow morning to find the next station," the soldiers announced.

"Fine, it's not cold anymore. Sleeping outdoors won't freeze us," Sui Yu said, collapsing onto the grass. After walking all day, her bones ached.

"Will we have food tonight? Can we make a fire?" someone asked.

"Yes, you can make a fire. There's horse dung on the grasslands; collect it to burn."

Those with food and pots quickly gathered horse dung. Sui Wen'an stepped on a clump of dung to prevent others from taking it, but they had fuel without food.

"Let's boil some water first," Sui Yu said, handing over the pot. "Father, go fetch water from the river."

"Watch your brother," Sui Hu said as he left.

Sui Yu saw people searching the grass for something edible. She knew they were looking for wild herbs. She and Sui Liang joined in, pulling up grass roots that had been chewed by horses. She found six bunches of leeks and threw them into the boiling water.

"Brother, can we borrow your fire and pot?" another prisoner asked.

"Sure," Sui Hu agreed without hesitation.

Once the water cooled, he drank a mouthful first. The soft leeks and unknown herbs filled his mouth. He held his breath, chewed, and swallowed.

"Third Uncle, aren't you afraid of getting sick?" Sui Wen'an implied the risk of poisonous plants.

Sui Hu waved his hand. If Sui Yu dared to cook it, it must be safe.

The family of three ate their share, leaving the rest for Sui Wen'an and his siblings. Despite disliking the taste, no one wasted it.

They lent the pot and fire to others. Sui Hu packed up their straw bedding and moved to a new spot.

The night wind carried the scent of fresh grass, mingled with the sounds of horses snorting. Nearby, people whispered. Lying on the grassland, gazing at the starry sky, Sui Yu relaxed, her hands behind her head, soon falling asleep.

As the night deepened, the fire fueled by horse dung died down, revealing only embers when the wind blew. Everyone was fast asleep.

A scream pierced the quiet night, jolting everyone awake. Another scream followed, and everyone scrambled to their feet.

"Wolves, wolves are coming."

Sui Hu immediately picked up Sui Liang and grabbed a plank for defense. "Don't get separated. Wen'an, you know martial arts; keep an eye out and protect your sisters."

The wolf pack revealed themselves, emerging from the grass, methodically selecting targets among the fleeing crowd. Screams erupted everywhere.

Five figures led the wolves toward a specific location. Suddenly, someone fell, and Auntie Zhen tried to pull them, dragging both the person and the wolf. More wolves approached, and she laughed maniacally.

When Sui Wen'an fought the wolves, she stood aside, laughing with satisfaction.

Sui Hu saw Sui Yu recklessly swinging the plank at a wolf's waist. He retreated with his son, then saw Sui Wen'an being bitten while protecting Sui Hui. On the other side, someone pushed Sui Ling toward the wolves. He set Sui Liang down, telling him to hide, and charged at the wolf biting Sui Wen'an, smashing its head with the plank.

"Go save Sui Ling." Filled with rage, seeing Auntie Zhen attacking again, he dragged her toward the wolves. "Want our lives? Die then, all die—"

The wolf bit into his leg, and Sui Yu pounced to strike. She smelled the blood and broke down in tears, crazily grabbing the wolf's head and pounding on it while straddling the beast. Later, Sui Hui joined in, and the wolf gradually went still.

Bathed in moonlight, he saw the gruesome wound on his leg, the flesh torn away from his calf. Sui Hu's heart sank as he turned to see Auntie Zhen staggering to her feet. He lunged at her to strangle her. If he couldn't live, he would take her with him, for a mad person was more terrifying than a wolf.

"Father, she's already dead, and the wolf is dead too," Sui Yu said, her voice trembling as she approached.

Sui Hu's face was half-covered in blood. He lifted his head and first looked for Sui Liang. Seeing Sui Hui holding him back, he withdrew his gaze and asked hoarsely, "Sui Yu, where is your supernatural power?"