"Many are starving and dying, you know. Some settlements were conquered, and most people were killed on the spot. Only those who look decent or have some special skills were taken back as slaves."

"Being a slave is miserable, but at least they're alive. That means there's still hope," he said with a sigh.

"Is that the only option..." Tilan didn't say anything more, just looked up at the blue sky above.

"Hey, you guys, come over here." Guy shouted from afar.

The three of them quickly walked over and found Guy discussing by the cart with some men and women from the settlement.

"They said the clothes Hexia made are very good, and are willing to trade enough goods for them," Guy said, sounding very happy.

Nearby, four or five women and three or four men were watching the fur coats that had been turned out. These were all made by Hexia, exceptionally neat and tidy, not only allowing for agile movement but also keeping warm and comfortable. Compared to the coarse fur coats worn by the settlement's shepherds, they were on a whole different level.

"I want two coats, one horse," said a slightly taller man with a red face, gesturing before having his wife lead over a gray-haired, short-legged horse.

Others around also wanted some, crowding and gesturing at Guy.

"Slow down, speak one by one," Guy raised his hand to quiet them down, then called Hexia over.

"Before, in the settlement, I just thought the clothes you made were good. But I didn't expect such quality. Compared to what their settlement wears, anyone who tried them on was reluctant to take them off," Guy was speaking as more people from the settlement had gathered around.

"To them, these warm clothes are strategic winter resources, necessities, just like guns in their hands."

"But we still have to go to Shilin Mountain Castle; we can't sell all the clothes here. At most, we can let go of four pieces. Everyone now is willing to trade with us, Hexia, come and pick, see which pony you find decent," Guy asked Hexia to choose the horse, considering she made all these clothes.

"Four clothes for two horses, is that it?" Tilan spoke up.

"That's right, if you feel it's a bit lacking, I'll discuss with Daozhuang to compensate a little," Guy replied.

"It's nothing, they hosted us warmly yesterday, let's treat this price difference as a gift," she shook her head.

"About the horses." She looked at the few brought by the shepherds, and walked over curiously.

The horses were short and not tall, but the benefit was they ate less, had good endurance, and could withstand the winter cold better.

The young girl extended her finger, touched a horse's head, blinked her eyes, and tried to establish a weak mental connection to sense its emotions. Then she walked a distance with each, helping to check them.

Although she didn't know about horse raising, due to the Songstress talent, she easily discovered uncomfortable areas on the horses and pointed out to the shepherds where some had foot and leg issues, and one had persistent stomach pain, hinting at possible sickness.

Thus, after Tilan carefully selected, she chose two healthier and fairly obedient ponies, one gray with white fur, another light brown.

"Let's give you names, the gray one will be Grey Furnace, and the light brown one will be Palm," Tilan named the two ponies based on their colors, slowly teaching them that these would be their names going forward.

"Come, eat slowly," Tilan held some beans, approaching the two horses. They soon licked her palm, rolling the beans into their mouths as they chewed happily.

"Haha, it's a bit ticklish, stop licking, there's no more," after feeding a few times, Tilan stroked the two now obedient ponies.

At this time, Ores curiously followed beside the girl, cautiously and carefully touching the two ponies, quickly becoming familiar with them with Tilan's help.

"Time to set off." Guy waved from beside the cart, after which two people led the horses over and borrowed harnesses for driving from Daozhuang, putting them on the horses.

Before leaving, people from Lake Wind Settlement gave them a small bag of beans, saying it was dry food for the road, for both people and horses to eat.

"Thank you," Guy expressed gratitude, thought for a bit, and gave the other party a whistle he had made. Though not very valuable, it was a handy item on this prairie.

"Goodbye~" The four waved their hands, sitting in the cart to bid farewell, with Guy and Flan taking turns driving at the front, while Tilan and Ores sat in the back, cushions made from traded fur coats.

The journey was bumpy, but with fur cushions, it wasn't uncomfortable, and they could even take turns sleeping.

This way, the road ahead for the four became much easier, and Tilan could spare time to gaze at the sky and earth in the distance, enjoying this brief period of leisure.