Chapter 307: The Journey
Chapter 307: The Journey
In the frostbitten tundra, a group of around three thousand people slowly trudged across the frozen ground. Although their pace wasn't fast, compared to when they were abducted by the foreign tribes and forced to march, these thousands of women and children, despite the arduous journey, now had a glimmer of vitality in their eyes, no longer bearing the defeated look of before.
Lu Yun and a few other women with martial skills stayed at the rear of the procession, offering support to those who struggled to keep up or had fallen behind.
On one side of the procession, over a dozen carriages moved slowly across the frozen ground, keeping pace with the group. The carriages carried injured individuals, very young girls, and supplies like rice and flour—all previously seized from the foreign tribe's military provisions.
The cold wind howled from the north, bringing with it desolation and chill. However, as the wind passed through the caravan, it silently dissipated, leaving the distant procession untouched by its icy breath.
Although the howling wind could be heard, it seemed to bypass the group, as if they didn't feel its chill.
On the carriages, girls as young as ten or eleven years old quietly huddled by the side, their eyes of various sizes fixed on a solitary figure walking alongside the caravan.
They could hear the howling wind and even see the dust it carried from the north. Yet, as the wind brushed past the figure, it vanished without a trace, as if this seemingly frail and plain silhouette were a majestic mountain range blocking all the fierce winds from the north.
The figure was Chen Mu.
He walked calmly with the group, his expression unchanged.
Although he lacked the divine powers of a celestial being, he was, after all, a Martial Dao Master of the Heaven and Earth Path, and escorting a group of thousands was not an insurmountable task, even in the frozen lands of Cold Province.
While he couldn't carry everyone with him, he could easily block the fierce winds, and with his presence, there was no shortage of water, fire, or hot water. The foreign tribe's supplies also included ample food and provisions.
Of course, safely escorting thousands of people to Sand Province was not an easy task, especially without encountering foreign tribe raids. However, after several days, no issues had arisen, and he had already informed the border guards of Sand Province.
As the carriages slowly moved forward, a sudden commotion came from the rear of the procession. Chen Mu turned to see Lu Yun and another martial woman hurrying towards him, carrying a pale-faced woman.
"Sir, she has a high fever."
Lu Yun quickly brought the woman to Chen Mu, speaking softly.
Although the people of Cold Province, even the women, were accustomed to the harsh climate, the tribulations of abduction and long journeys could still take their toll.
The woman being carried was very young, almost a girl, around sixteen or seventeen years old. Her pale face showed fear, and with a weak voice, she pleaded, "I... I can walk, please don't leave me behind..."
In the foreign tribe's procession, those with similar illnesses were often abandoned.
Chen Mu approached, gently touching the girl's forehead, which felt scorching hot. He shook his head slightly; there were no medicinal herbs among the foreign tribe's supplies. In the past, he wouldn't have had a better solution, but now he could guide his inner energy to regulate her chaotic qi and blood, at least to some extent.
"Don't worry, you won't be abandoned," Chen Mu said softly, taking the girl from Lu Yun. With his right hand, he summoned a strand of Heavenly Primordial Energy, guiding it slowly along his fingertips into the girl's body to regulate her disordered qi and blood.
At the same time, he instructed Lu Yun, "I'll regulate her qi and blood, then let her rest on the carriage. You can continue to help others at the back."
"Yes," Lu Yun and the other woman replied respectfully, their eyes filled with admiration for Chen Mu.
Over the past few days, they had learned of Chen Mu's identity—the Jade Province Inspector, the third-ranked on the Gale Wind Rankings, a figure of true status comparable to a Grandmaster. Even in Ice Province and Ice Severance Palace, he held a high position.
Yet, this exalted figure not only rescued them from the foreign tribe but also personally escorted them on their arduous journey, treating the injured and sick, never abandoning anyone. The young girls and the injured were given a place on the carriages.
"Thank you, thank you, sir..." The girl, held by Chen Mu's invisible energy, felt a strange sensation as something entered her body, generating warmth within. For a moment, she didn't know whether to feel grateful or something else, but she managed to utter a few words.
Chen Mu glanced at her calmly, saying, "No need for words. Just close your eyes and rest for a while."
"Yes..." The girl replied softly, her voice weak. Despite her pain, she seemed to have escaped the gloom, and not only did her qi and blood improve, but her complexion visibly brightened.
Chen Mu had spent a moment adjusting the chaotic inner breath and qi blood within the young girl's body. Finally, he placed her on a carriage, and the young girls sitting on it, all around ten years old, quietly made space for her.
"Sister, are you feeling better?"
One of the girls whispered to the young girl.
"Mhm."
The young girl responded softly.
The little girl who was first saved by Chen Mu was also on this carriage, and at this moment, she watched Chen Mu in the distance, following the procession. Her big eyes were filled with anticipation.
The procession continued forward, and after walking for about half a day, a large group of people appeared on the horizon of the grassland. There seemed to be only about a hundred people, not a large number.
However, as soon as they appeared, the entire procession, including Lu Yun and the others, became tense. Their steps slowed, and they anxiously watched the approaching group.
But when the group of people drew near, they finally relaxed. Although they were all armored soldiers, they did not have the appearance of the outlying tribes. The leader, despite his large build, had a weathered face with white hair at his temples, giving off a calm and cheerful aura.
"Junior Brother Chen, it's been a long time since we last met."
He glanced at the group of women and children, then turned his gaze to the side of the procession, where Chen Mu was walking alongside the carriage. He called out to Chen Mu with a hint of admiration.
The person who had arrived was none other than Xia Hou Yan, the defender of Yunlu Pass in Sha Prefecture.
"It's been years, Senior Brother Xia Hou, and you haven't changed a bit. You still look as energetic as ever."
Chen Mu smiled and greeted Xia Hou Yan.
Previously, Chen Mu had informed the border of Sha Prefecture, and they knew that someone would be sent to assist soon. However, he didn't expect it to be Xia Hou Yan. Currently, both Yunlu Pass and the northern border of Sha Prefecture were on guard against the Celestial Demon Sect, the Heaven Corpse Sect, and the outlying tribes. There were even Sect Masters from the Seven Mysteries Sect stationed there, and the overall defense structure had been altered. Xia Hou Yan was responsible for a portion of this defense.
Xia Hou Yan looked at Chen Mu, his eyes filled with emotion. "I haven't aged to the point of becoming an old man in just a year or two, but Junior Brother Chen..."
When Chen Mu first arrived in Sha Prefecture and displayed the Heavenly Firmament Intention, Xia Hou Yan knew that Chen Mu's talent was not just a rumor. He was destined for greatness. Later, when he witnessed Chen Mu's Heaven and Earth Intention in the desert, he was even more impressed. At that time, he already knew that Chen Mu would become a renowned figure in the Northwind Rankings.
However, even then...
Xia Hou Yan never imagined that after Chen Mu left Sha Prefecture, in just a short year or two, he would reach such heights. Not only did he make it onto the Gale Wind Rankings, but he was now ranked third!
What did it mean to be in the top three of the Gale Wind Rankings?
Figures like Feng Hongsheng, Shi Zhenyong, and Fu Jingyuan were all renowned Martial Dao Masters in the Northwind Rankings. They were among the strongest of the Sect Masters, and being in the top three of the Gale Wind Rankings meant standing alongside them!
Although Chen Mu was not yet a Martial Dao Master, his strength could rival half of the Martial Dao Masters. This was almost the pinnacle that one could reach below the Bone Marrow Master realm. It could be said that Chen Mu's current status was already comparable to the Elders and Peak Masters of the Seven Mysteries Sect!
Even when Chen Mu was in Sha Prefecture, his strength surpassed Xia Hou Yan's.
But in just a year or two, the gap between them had widened to an unbridgeable extent. Chen Mu could now contend with powerful Martial Dao Masters like Feng Hongsheng. Xia Hou Yan couldn't help but marvel at the difference between a peerless genius and an ordinary mortal.
Even Xia Hou Yan, who was once the true transmitter of Spirit Profound Peak and a famous genius in Jade Province, could be considered an ordinary mortal when compared to Chen Mu.
"It's just a minor achievement, not worthy of praise."
Chen Mu smiled faintly, "I'm grateful for Senior Brother Xia Hou's assistance in coming to our aid."
Xia Hou Yan listened to Chen Mu's words and couldn't help but laugh and shake his head. He didn't know what to say. If making it into the top three of the Gale Wind Rankings was considered a 'minor achievement', then what would be considered a major accomplishment worthy of praise?
"It's my duty; there's no need to mention it."
Xia Hou Yan's gaze swept over the group of women and children and nodded slightly, "Moreover, Sha Prefecture is currently sparsely populated. Having these women and children settled in Sha Prefecture will help replenish its population."
Upon hearing Xia Hou Yan's words, a hint of strangeness flashed in Chen Mu's eyes. He couldn't help but think that if these words were spoken in his previous life's world, it would cause an uproar. However, even though some of the young girls on the carriage heard it, no one showed any unusual reaction. Instead, many of them were delighted at the prospect of being resettled in Sha Prefecture.
"Mhm."
Chen Mu nodded slightly and watched as Xia Hou Yan's men began to take over the procession. "I eliminated a group of foreign soldiers, and I'm not sure if they will let it go. There's still a few hundred miles to go, so I'll escort you for a while longer."
"Good, with Junior Brother Chen's escort, we'll be much safer."
Xia Hou Yan smiled and said.
(End of Chapter)
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