64: Chapter 63 Reindeer Sled Galloping 1 64: Chapter 63 Reindeer Sled Galloping 1 The youth pondered thus, while in the distant ranks, the elderly man hesitated to speak and dared not approach… Once a respected family member of the cultivators, he was now in dire straits, a fallen phoenix no better than a chicken.

It’s hard to say they were entirely innocent; in their past lavish lives, who knows how much compensation they had enjoyed?

Due to the influence of the Quanzhen Sect, the folk customs in Shan Country were generally stern, and little tolerance was shown towards such matters.

Besides, they were worried that staying in Jin City would expose them to revenge from impulsive individuals, the disdain of neighbors, the indifference of the government, the abandonment by the cultivation world… Under such circumstances, it might indeed be better to start anew in Anhe, where at least they would not have to live in fear every day.

But now, a mere journey of one or two thousand li had become an insurmountable barrier for them.

Only when their previous glory was gone did they realize that without a cultivator in the family, they were utterly helpless, and everyone turned against them.

Time passed amidst an atmosphere of despair.

Come evening, the group began to share what little food remained, not knowing how many more days they could hold out.

Passing through the Poplar Forest, the villages near Anhe would become much denser, and the people there were friendlier; there was nothing you couldn’t buy if you had the means.

But this Poplar Forest…

After dusk, as the light faded to a dim twilight, suddenly, a cloud of dust arose in the distance, moving towards the small ridge where they had stopped.

The group didn’t quite understand what this meant; if they encountered bandits now, there truly was no escape.

The young man looked up.

Others might not see clearly, but he knew that the dust wasn’t stirred up by a herd of horses but by…

He spurred his horse to meet the challenge, and sure enough, in the afterglow of the setting sun, six deer sleds charged furiously toward them, each bearing two men, one driver and one hunter, all fully equipped with bows and spears.

As he ran, the youth wondered inconclusively how that unfamiliar cultivator had managed to summon a team of deer sleds so quickly, almost without delay.

How did he accomplish this?

… Leading the charge, Hou Niao handled the situation very smoothly—not because he was particularly eloquent, but because he used the right approach; these border folk did not recognize many things, but they recognized valuables.

Ordinary items wouldn’t do, but what about Spirit Stones?

With that investment, the twenty Spirit Stones Daoist Wang had given him were spent without any remaining, but he had managed to hire six deer sleds; he felt it was worth it, as it hadn’t caused any delay and he had secured twelve men, drivers, and hunters.

Spirit Stones were things you couldn’t bring with you at birth or take with you in death; their best use was when they were needed most.

Easy come, easy go.

Coming face to face with the youth, “I’ve brought the deer sleds for you, how do we proceed from here?

You’re the veteran, you take the lead!

The young man was excited and grateful for the trust from this stranger.

In his pursuit of cultivation, he had always admired the cultivators from major sects, feeling a slight inferiority mingled with pride, which shaped his current mood.

He decided to give his best and show the disciples from well-known sects that the people of the countryside had not only courage but also wisdom.

“Five people per deer sled, divide by weight, not by headcount; keep one sled empty at the back as a precaution, ready to rescue anyone who falls off.”

“I’ll lead the way, and you guard the rear.

Light the torches high on each sled; once we start, don’t stop for anything, no matter what happens!

“Start again at dawn tomorrow when the sun shines bright; most creatures in the poplar woods are dormant then, and the threat is minimized!”

Hou Niao nodded; he trusted expertise.

“Okay, that’s the plan!”

The two men began to assign tasks, with the youth responsible for reinforcing the deer sleds, as they had to withstand a heavy, fast-paced journey the following day without any mishaps.

Hou Niao, the person in charge of the issue, said that the twelve border residents were easy to deal with, as each of them was strong and seasoned, with experiences of running through the Poplar Forest; the problem lay with those among the team who were old, weak, sick, or disabled, who needed to have things clearly explained to them.

Hou Niao gathered them, not mincing his words, “We will depart at the time of si tomorrow.

Everyone will be tied to the reindeer sled, and no one is permitted to untie themselves; apart from mothers who can hold their own children, everyone else must spread out, assigned by weight.

Let me put it bluntly, if a sled encounters trouble, not an entire family will be wiped out!

If someone falls from the sled, whether to save them and whom to save will be my decision.

You have no say in this matter.

What you need to do is hold tightly onto the sled rail and not let yourself fall!

Stuff your mouth with cotton strips, as I don’t want to hear any crying out.

If the cries of anyone attract monsters, I will throw them off; my suggestion is, if you’re scared, you might blindfold yourselves!”

His stern gaze silenced several dissenters, “Regarding valuables, you may bring the most precious gold and silver, but leave the bulkier items behind on the wagons for the border residents, who may then put in more effort!”

This was not up for discussion; it was a command.

He had to appear ruthless to save more people; in an environment like the Poplar Forest, panic caused by fear often posed a greater threat than the dangers themselves, and he intended to minimize this human-induced impact.

Seeing a hint of dissatisfaction still in the eyes of these people, he sighed inwardly, lamenting that often those pitied are also those hated, and he could not expect everyone to be as rational as he.

What exactly was Capital Commandant Li’s purpose in placing him here?

He wasn’t sure, questioning why a few Essence Building Realm cultivators couldn’t resolve the matter instead of troubling him, a minor in the Energy Induction Realm?

He didn’t know, only aware that his own insights and wisdom were nothing compared to those of the high cultivators, but now he didn’t care.

The reason he was willing to take on this responsibility was not because he felt guilty toward these people, but because it was the inherent nature of a cultivator.

He didn’t want to see any man-made accidents; the last time he crossed the Poplar Forest, he had just reached the Energy Induction Realm, and though still in the same realm, his combat ability had seen a substantial leap.

What constrained him was the duration he could persist, as without the support of a Dantian, all he could rely on was the limited spiritual power scattered in the meridians of his body.

For two minor cultivators in the Energy Induction Realm, this was a bit forced.

Therefore, he must intimidate them, “You might not know who I am.

Let me tell you now, I am Hou Niao, yes, the very Hou Niao that placed you in this predicament!

I don’t think you are wronged unjustly, so, if anyone acts out of turn, I will not hesitate to put an end to your struggles!”

Among the twenty or so people, hatred and fear appeared in their eyes, yet they dared not speak out!

Rumored to be ruthless and cold-hearted, this man, who dared to kill someone over a compensation dispute in front of many upper cultivators in Jin City, what wouldn’t he dare to do in the dark, dense Poplar Forest?

Hou Niao achieved his goal, taking out water and dried meat from the Treasure Gourd,

“Distribute this, eat well, have more strength to run tomorrow!”

The sky, drifted down in bursts of autumn rain which, lacking sunlight, significantly impacted their journey through the forest, hopefully, it would stop by tomorrow; they had arranged to use the deer sled with Ancient North Village only for one day, and the villagers wouldn’t wait.

Watching the people hurriedly scramble into the carriages, a sense of resignation rose in his heart; once on this path, there was no turning back, no matter what schemes those above had—a straightforward sword strike would suffice.

… The urgent rain brings the autumn tide, the thunder stirs the green banana leaves.

The Lonely Sword rests at the saddle head, almost soaring through the azure sky.