Chapter 1, Bayang Snow

Xu Xing said: "Let us turn into the mountains, wait for those people to pass, and then escape towards Bayang City. I believe those remnants of soldiers do not have the courage to linger in Bayang."

A person pushed through the crowd and exclaimed with surprise, "Zixing, I never expected to encounter an old friend on this journey of escape. Haha, the heavens have not treated me, Boyang, poorly." After saying this, he laughed heartily and embraced Zixing. This person was Zhang Boyang, a renowned scholar from Yongning. Approaching fifty years of age, he had three strands of long beard, wore a blue robe, and carried a qin on his back, his ethereal and refined demeanor undiminished even amidst the dust of escape. Behind him, a delicate young girl held onto his sleeve, her lively eyes gazing at the wine jug in Xu Ruyu's hand. Xu Ruyu noticed that the girl still had a childlike innocence, appearing two or three years younger than himself, dressed in a white dress, with a green bamboo flute slanted at her waist. He turned the wine jug behind him and gave her a peculiar smile. The girl also smiled back, revealing a faint dimple. Boyang pulled the girl in front of him and said, "This is the young girl, Xuanji. Come, Xuanji, greet your Uncle Xu and your brother Gengsu." Xu Ruyu noticed that the girl still had a childlike innocence, appearing two or three years younger than himself, dressed in a white dress, with a green bamboo flute slanted at her waist. He turned the wine jug behind him and gave her a peculiar smile. The girl also smiled back, revealing a faint dimple. Boyang pulled the girl in front of him and said, "This is the young girl, Xuanji. Come, Xuanji, greet your Uncle Xu and your brother Gengsu."

Baiyang heard his daughter scream and quickly asked, "What happened?"

You are surprised and say: "Do you know me?"

After walking another four or five li, you foolishly listen to the sound of hooves as if they were whispering in your ear, thinking that the ghost riders from Qingzhou must be very close, and then inform your father and Zhang Boyang. Zhang Boyang instructed everyone to cover their mouths and quietly move towards the left side of the mountain. The horse-drawn carriage followed, and Xu Xing leaned out from the back of the carriage, using a large branch wrapped in clothing to sweep away the chaotic traces. The slight sweeping marks were soon covered by the heavy snowfall that followed. The horse-drawn carriage followed, and Xu Xing leaned out from the back of the carriage, using a large branch wrapped in clothing to sweep away the chaotic traces. The slight sweeping marks were soon covered by the heavy snowfall that followed. The fleeing crowd escaped into the mountains, and before long, they faintly heard the sound of hooves approaching on the official road. Upon careful listening, the hurried hooves seemed to be filled with panic and anxiety. Zhang Boyang ordered everyone to stop moving to avoid leaving any traces for the ghost riders from Qingzhou to detect. Before long, the sound of hooves that had been pounding in everyone's hearts vanished, and everyone suddenly realized they were drenched in cold sweat, shivering in the cold wind. Zhang Boyang ordered everyone to stop moving to avoid leaving any traces for the ghost riders from Qingzhou to detect. Before long, the sound of hooves that had been pounding in everyone's hearts vanished, and everyone suddenly realized they were drenched in cold sweat, shivering in the cold wind

Xu Xing sighed deeply upon hearing this and said, "This matter is difficult to explain in a few words. You and your father should get in the car and tell us how you became refugees."

Xu Xing remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

Xu Ruyu stood up and saw smoke rising in the distance along with some illustrations, alerting the crowd. Zhang Boyang exclaimed in shock, "The ghost riders of Qingzhou have been defeated so quickly." He then stood up as well, imitating Ruyu by shielding his eyes to gaze westward, but all he could see was the dim twilight, with no trace of smoke. Xu Xing knew that Ruyu practiced the Frightening Spirit Technique, and although he was not immune to the cold, his five senses were significantly sharper than those of ordinary people. He urged everyone to hurry on their way, fleeing towards Bayang City after crossing the Ba River Bridge.

Your foolishness is such that it only deepens my sorrow. Although you, in your ignorance, have managed to suppress the chill with Chen Ang's accomplishments, you still need to drink constantly to alleviate the coldness in your heart. The father drives the carriage while the son drinks, and I think to myself that it is rare to encounter such an eccentric father and son in this world, and I am momentarily taken aback. Suddenly, I am alarmed; it is better not to be influenced by such despondency. The frown on Xu Xing's brow dissipates, and he speaks cheerfully: "I am worried that we won't find a place to stay after crossing the bridge, so we might as well enjoy the night snow all night long."

Ah! Xuanji exclaimed

Xu Xing could not help but smile bitterly. As he opened his mouth, he felt the cold wind rushing in. He hid behind the carriage, discussing some urgent matters with Boyang while walking.

In the carriage, Si Er had been neighbors with Xuan Ji since childhood, both receiving enlightenment in literacy from Bo Yang. Now, believing that Xuan Ji was being bullied by Ru Yu, everyone treated him with cold disdain. Seeing this, Ru Yu was even less inclined to explain, feeling wronged and weary in a corner, wishing only for his father to drive them off the carriage. It was unclear how much time had passed when "bang." Ru Yu felt a sudden alertness, as the distant chaotic hoofbeats seemed to resonate clearly in his heart. He hurriedly lifted the curtain, standing on the carriage to call for his father. It was unclear how much time had passed when "bang." Ru Yu felt a sudden alertness, as the distant chaotic hoofbeats seemed to resonate clearly in his heart. He hurriedly lifted the curtain, standing on the carriage to call for his father.

"The calamity of war is merely an escape from disaster"

Xu Xing was even more astonished. The Qingzhou troops had always plundered from Yingdu to the surrounding areas of Tong County. When had they ever had the capability to break through Yixing and approach the walls of Baishi City?

Xu Xing was greatly astonished upon hearing this. "The East China Sea and Yongning have not raised troops for a long time, how can there be talk of disaster?"

Xu Xing and Zhang Boyang were both taken aback and lost their color. Since nightfall, the fleeing crowd had only managed to crawl a little over 20 miles, and they were already utterly exhausted. At this moment, upon hearing that the ghostly riders from Qingzhou would soon arrive, the timid among them felt their legs go weak; taking a single step was an immense struggle, let alone running faster than a galloping horse. How could this group of people possibly escape and survive? Xu Xing couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency.

If it were daytime, Boyang would surely notice that your foolish, dark blue lips have already bled from biting. You foolishly fled with the crowd, and upon hearing the sound of hooves, you remained constantly tense, listening for the movements of the Qingzhou Ghost Riders, without having a single sip of wine to ward off the cold. At one moment of relaxation, the true cold of the Yin formula from the Dan Mansion surged violently, rolling like a snowball, and in an instant, the Dan Mansion felt as if it were filled with piercing foreign objects. Although the strands of cold air that drifted into your four limbs melted immediately upon encountering the true fire of the Yang formula, the cold within the Dan Mansion was the most substantial cold, recklessly becoming purer and condensing your life force little by little. You thought to yourself, a man must do what he says, and naturally, you would not allow your father to retract his words in front of others. You also thought, to help others, one must go all the way, and thus should not leave anything for oneself. Therefore, you took out all the wine and let your father distribute it among the crowd. Xu Xing, unaware of your intentions, assumed you had kept a portion for yourself, and together with Zhang Boyang, urged everyone to finish the small amount of wine, before returning to the official road to continue fleeing towards Bayang City.

Zhang Dong's only son, Zhang Ziqiang, lost his life this summer at the hands of Wu Chu beneath the city of Bianyi. He was filled with rage, and to avenge this death, he would not hesitate to destroy the entire Yongning. It is a pity for the common people among the three cities who are caught in this disaster. When Xu Bodang was clearing the area, the three cities were plundered, and the Qingzhou Ghost Riders came, committing acts of arson, murder, and looting without restraint. As the battle progressed, when the Qingzhou Ghost Riders ran out of supplies, they resorted to consuming the populace of the three cities. A thousand miles of fertile land became nearly devoid of human presence, truly a hell on earth. "Baiyang's chest heaved violently, as if filled with endless hatred. He gazed into the distance for a long time before calming down somewhat and continued, "I suspect that the Qingzhou army, upon suffering defeat, will flee towards Bayang along the Ba River from the direction of Baishi. I have led the villagers to escape first. I only hope that once we enter Bayang City, the Qingzhou Ghost Riders will restrain themselves somewhat, merely taking some valuables, and not use my head to claim military merit."

Xu Bodang, at the cost of the cities of Bianyi and Yixing, opened the city gates wide, allowing for plunder, and lured the Qingzhou Ghost Riders to the foot of Baishi City. He then drove his troops to retake the cities of Yixing and Bianyi. Between the three cities, with strong walls and cleared fields, whenever the Qingzhou Ghost Riders attacked, the gates would be closed in refusal. If they attempted to retreat by a side road, they would be pursued and struck, making it impossible for them to retreat or attack, thus trapping them between the three cities

Xu Xing, still filled with doubts, waited for the group to approach and blocked one person, asking: "Brother, what brings you to travel so hurriedly?" The man was already like a startled bird; upon seeing someone blocking his way, his body trembled uncontrollably. He stared blankly at Xu Xing but could not utter a single word.

Uncle Boyang, I can handle it, so please share the wine with everyone.

"How far can you hear from here?" Zhang Boyang asked anxiously

The thick shadows linger, and several bare branches of weeping willows on the riverbank sway chaotically in the wind. The grass on the bank, either battered by the wind or trampled by humans and livestock, has become a disordered mess. The river water surges, resembling mountains in furious convergence, while waterfowl occasionally take flight from the surface of the river. With a sigh, I continue to drive forward.

You are foolish not to wish for others to show him sympathy. Hearing his father speak of him outside the car, he had long been feeling gloomy. When Xuanji said this, he turned his head aside and ignored her. Seeing that Ruyu was silent, Xuanji moved closer and took his hand. Ruyu felt greatly embarrassed and hurriedly waved her hand away.

Xuanji faintly heard the two people conversing in the car, and then softly said to Ruyu: "I was wondering why you were drinking"

Xu Ruyu heard his father sigh deeply in the carriage. He lifted the curtain, took a seat beside his father with a wine jug in hand, and looked around.

In previous years, the first snowfall would only occur after the coldest days of winter, but this year it has arrived more than a month early. If Uncle Cao Zichan were here, he would surely say that the heavens are showing ominous signs, and great calamities are imminent. As Xu Ruyu lowered his voice to mimic Cao Zichan's tone, Xu Xing couldn't help but smile. However, in a moment, his expression turned serious, and he said with resentment: "Across the world, the various prefectures and states are in turmoil, with warlords vying for power. For the sake of a piece of land, they gather armies, and where they point their weapons, rivers run with blood and bones lie scattered for miles. There is no greater calamity than this; it has plagued the world for decades, yet no one can put an end to it. How can it not be imminent?" He continued with bitterness: "The Hu Lan people have invaded the Central Plains, pillaging for thousands of miles, and no one can stop them. This great calamity has long been in the making, tracing back nearly two hundred years. How can it not be imminent?" At this point, Xu Xing noticed a group of people approaching from a distance and fell silent.

I hear the sound of hooves

It seems that this is the only way. I hope they are even more eager to rush than we are, and have no mind to pay attention to us

Xu Ruyu observed that his father suddenly fell silent, following his gaze into the distance. Over a hundred ragged individuals were staggering toward them, their expressions filled with fear. He thought to himself: "They must be refugees." He blurted out: "Fugitives."

This plan would lead to mutual destruction. Zhang Dong has painstakingly managed Yongning for thirty years, with more than half of his family fortune invested in Yixing City. How could he bear to abandon this capital and undertake such a risky scheme

"Where is it coming from?" Xu Xing and Zhang Boyang immediately stepped forward, standing at the front of the car, casting anxious glances into the vast night, barely able to discern the dark snowflakes before them

"We shall see how they break through," Zhang Boyang scoffed repeatedly, as if harboring endless resentment in his heart. "Hmph, Yongning has recently acquired a great general, Xu Bodang, who is known for his military prowess and strategic acumen. It was he who led the Qingzhou Ghost Riders to Baishi."

Bo Yang laughed heartily again: "Of course I know you. The term 'more vulgar' was coined by me. Yet, I do not understand how it is that you, so young, have become a drunkard"

Behind you

Father need not worry about more mundane ailments. Father does not often teach about the mundane; life has always been about the triviality of life and death

You have yet to explain how you became a drunkard

Very well, let us walk along the road for a while before turning into the mountains. Even if the ghost riders from Qingzhou come looking for us, they will only search in the mountains on either side where our traces have disappeared. Who would know that among us there is someone so clever and resourceful? You, Fool, upon hearing this, felt very pleased in your heart, yet your face turned crimson with embarrassment. Zhang Boyang laughed heartily, standing at the front of the cart to inform everyone of this plan, instructing them to proceed accordingly. Seeing that Zhang Boyang's voice showed no sign of panic, everyone felt a bit more at ease and suddenly found a surge of strength to escape, moving much faster than before. Zhang Boyang laughed heartily, standing at the front of the cart to inform everyone of this plan, instructing them to proceed accordingly. Seeing that Zhang Boyang's voice showed no sign of panic, everyone felt a bit more at ease and suddenly found a surge of strength to escape, moving much faster than before. You, Fool, sat at the front of the cart, constantly listening for the movements of the ghost riders from Qingzhou, not daring to be the slightest bit negligent. Zhang Boyang would inquire once in a while. The children in the cart occasionally poked their heads out to observe the situation outside, but were scolded back by Zhang Boyang. Upon hearing this, you felt that everyone was relying on you at this moment, and naturally felt quite proud, casting aside the slight discomfort you had just experienced in the cart. The children in the cart occasionally poked their heads out to observe the situation outside, but were scolded back by Zhang Boyang. Upon hearing this, you felt that everyone was relying on you at this moment, and naturally felt quite proud, casting aside the slight discomfort you had just experienced in the cart.

You can reach Bayang City to seek the sun; when the time comes, you can buy wine to make up for it. Your moment of foolishness will not cause any significant harm.

As they walked slowly, shaking off the accumulated snow from their clothes, they instructed Ru Yu in the carriage to distribute the remaining strong liquor among the others to keep warm

Alas, Ziang can protect the eastern sea, yet he is powerless to the west. I would rather hope that he could raise troops for Yongning, allowing the people to endure temporary suffering in exchange for decades of peace. Isn't that still the matter caused by the Ghost Riders of Qingzhou

yet it feels different

Hearing their discussion, you cannot help but recall a method you used to hide while playing, and you quickly say to them: "Shall we have the cart follow behind the crowd, using branches to conceal our tracks?"

Zhang Boyang was unwilling to abandon the others and let the horse-drawn carriage proceed first, so Xu Xing and his son followed the crowd. After traveling about one or two miles, heavy snow began to fall in large flakes, and the cold wind grew stronger. The refugees had originally set out in a hurry, dressed in thin clothing, and after a long journey, they had no appetite for a proper meal. In the biting cold and snow, suffering from hunger and cold, and struggling to move forward, they would have long since sat down and refused to walk if it were not for the fear of the notorious Qingzhou Ghost Riders. At this time, it was difficult to cover even ten miles in an hour. Xu Xing gathered four children from the refugees along with Xuanji and Ruyu into the carriage, distributing Ruyu's warming liquor among the group, while he and Zhang Boyang trudged forward with great difficulty.

Boyang blocked the way: "No, you and your son have greatly assisted us. How can we use this last bit of the more common wine, which is meant to fend off the cold within, for the benefit of others?"

You are foolishly bewildered, not knowing what to do, staring blankly into the dense darkness behind you. Suddenly, you discern the sound of hooves mixed with a dull thud, as if stepping on bricks and stones. Your heart stirs, and you say: "They are crossing the stone bridge"

After just two days, the Xu family arrived at the southern bank of the Bashui River in the evening. Beyond the Bashui River lies the territory of Bayang County in Qingzhou Prefecture. In less than a day, they could reach the foot of Xiaoqingshan Mountain, where they could turn onto the official road of Qingzhou. At that point, they could travel a hundred miles in a day, allowing them to traverse Qingzhou Prefecture and reach the borders of Youji Prefecture in eight days.

Xuanji replied, "It's nothing." Xu Xing knew a thing or two and instructed the people in the carriage not to disturb Ruyu. He then elaborated to Boyang about how Chen Ang used the Jing Shen Yang Jue's Great Zhou Tian technique to store the true fire of the Yang Jue within Ruyu's four limbs, evenly distributing the true fire throughout Ruyu's body, causing her internal and external body temperature to be significantly higher than that of an ordinary person. When Ruyu blocked Xuanji, she inadvertently touched her hand, startling her, which led to the earlier exclamation.