Chapter 132: Do You Not Blame Me Anymore?
The young officer hurriedly took out a small pouch from his chest and carefully placed the silver note inside before tucking it back into his clothes.
“Brother Yuan, since you’ve accepted their goodwill, why don’t you go out and explain the situation in the wilderness to the group? That way, they won’t end up dead after just a short time here.”
After storing the silver safely, Old Zhuang looked at the younger officer and spoke in a relaxed tone.
“Alright!”
Hearing this, Yu Zhengqing followed him outside.
Old Zhuang initially wanted to keep Yu Zhengqing for a longer conversation, but seeing that he was also heading out, he simply set the roasted meat aside on the stone table and followed along.
When everyone outside saw Yu Zhengqing emerging with the two officers, they were surprised, especially Yu Luo and her parents.
They had never expected that in such an exile destination, the Lan Yue Dynasty had not stationed a military force to guard it. Did the court not fear that prisoners would escape?
“Listen up, all of you!
In the Lan Yue Dynasty, we don’t require much from exiled prisoners. This wasteland is merely a slightly more free version of a prison.
This is a borderland shared by three countries, filled with all kinds of people.
Five hundred miles north lies the desert. To the west is the border of Xi Mo Kingdom. To the east is Dong Feng Kingdom. Northeast, beyond an uninhabited region, is a vast ocean. To the south is our Lan Yue Dynasty, where tens of thousands of bandits roam the Jiuzhong Mountain.
If you want to become fugitives, you can try sneaking into another country—if you have the luck to survive the journey.
If you wish to return to Lan Yue Dynasty, you’ve already seen it—there are only two of us stationed here. We won’t stop you. Even if you walk right under our noses, we’ll pretend not to see.
But if you manage to cross Jiuzhong Mountain, then you truly are extraordinary. This wasteland doesn’t belong to any country—not even to the Lan Yue Dynasty. But once you leave here, you’ll need official travel permits to go anywhere.
Even if you hide deep in the mountains, sooner or later, you’ll need to descend to buy salt and medicine when you fall ill.
In short, you’re on your own. You either travel two hundred miles to Feng City, where rogue warriors gather, to buy supplies, or you hunt and survive out here.”
After speaking, Yuan Xiao glanced at the group’s sled carts and raised an eyebrow.
“Though it seems like you all have plenty of supplies—it just depends on how long you can make them last.”
As soon as Yuan Xiao finished explaining the rules of the wasteland, the exiles, dressed in prisoner’s garb, became utterly disheartened.
Indeed, this place was even harsher than they had imagined.
Even without government oversight, just surviving here was already the greatest challenge.
No wonder the imperial court didn’t bother sending more guards. Crossing Jiuzhong Mountain, guarded by thousands of bandits, was nearly impossible for the average person.
Even if someone managed to escape the mountain, they would still face countless identity checks in cities and villages. No one would allow a person with an unclear background to stay, for fear of being implicated.
“May I ask, Officer—how many people are typically exiled to the Lan Yue Dynasty’s wasteland? And where do most of them settle?”
Encouraged by Yu Luo, Ye Jiamei quickly stepped forward and asked.
Hearing her question, Yuan Xiao turned his gaze to her.
Even in prisoner’s garb, Ye Jiamei’s delicate features stood out. His expression revealed a trace of pity.
“Most exiles live thirty miles ahead. There, the court once set up wooden stakes marking the boundary.
“All exiles must cross that boundary to settle. So, most choose to stay close to the Lan Yue Dynasty’s side of the border. But… there are only two of us here. So you do as you please.”
Ye Jiamei nodded in appreciation.
That meant they still had to continue traveling today and cross the wooden boundary before they could settle.
Even though Yuan Xiao said they were free to stay, this area was desolate. To Ye Jiamei, it seemed far safer to live where there were other people—at least they would be in a community of their own countrymen.
Looking around, the landscape was flat and barren, offering few places to take shelter.
“In that case, we won’t trouble you further. I’ll make sure to escort them beyond the boundary by today, so I can leave tomorrow and report back.”
Yu Zhengqing called over his two sons, still dressed as officers, and had them unload two sacks of white rice and flour from the sleds, placing them before Yuan Xiao.
“Oh, personally delivering it to us? Alright then. But be careful—there are wild beasts about. Even lone beasts in these parts are ferocious. Since you’re escorting them all the way, I won’t stop you.”
With that, Old Zhuang and Yuan Xiao each hoisted a sack of food and carried it into their stone house.
Yu Zhengqing quickly urged the group to keep moving.
With nightfall approaching, they had to cover as much distance as possible.
However, crossing the boundary today was impossible.
After walking a few hundred meters, Yu Luo frowned in doubt.
“Do we really need to cross that boundary? This side and that side seem the same.”
“Let’s go. Don’t forget, your father and the others are pretending to be officers—they can’t just turn back without completing the escort.”
Ye Jiamei reasoned that danger was everywhere in this wilderness, so it didn’t matter where they settled.
What was another few dozen miles after traveling thousands of miles already?
But Yu Luo was worried about more than just the location.
“Father, go ask Yu Zhengqing—what if Pingyang City realizes that Liang Chao never returned? Won’t they send people to investigate? If they do, won’t our entire group be exposed? And if that happens, how do we deal with it?”
“That’s true!” Ye Jiamei’s expression turned grim.
“This is mutiny—prisoners killing their escorting officers. That’s a grave offense. If the imperial court gets wind of this, they could execute us all!”
“Didn’t Yu Zhengqing say that in less than six months, we might be pardoned? It’s not worth getting caught now!”
Realizing the possible consequences, Ye Jiamei felt a headache coming on.
Yu Haojie’s expression darkened, and he immediately approached Yu Zhengqing.
“This won’t be easy to cover up. Our only choice is to bribe those two officers. If that fails… then for the sake of our family’s survival, I will do what must be done. Even if I don’t want to kill them, I will.”
One must look out for themselves, especially when the survival of an entire family is at stake.
Even though Yu Zhengqing admired those two men for enduring decades in exile, he knew he couldn’t risk their lives.
“Then tonight, we should pay them another visit.”
Hearing Yu Haojie’s words, Yu Zhengqing’s eyes lit up with joy.
He looked at Yu Haojie, his voice filled with unexpected delight.
“Second Brother… does this mean you don’t blame me anymore?”
Yu Haojie lifted his gaze, meeting Yu Zhengqing’s eyes—ones filled with anticipation and relief.
