Chapter Twenty-Two: Setting Out

  This continent twenty years ago was not as peaceful and prosperous as it is today, people at that time called this continent the Blood Wasteland. At that time, Eastern Jin was not the most powerful country on the continent, but Western Qin, although located in the northwest border, was leading the way in both war and literature, becoming the capital of the time. However, after the downfall of the Yin Dynasty for some reason, the prosperity of Western Qin also became a historical relic. Then, the Crown Prince of Eastern Jin launched a four-sided expedition, making all the vassal states around Eastern Jin look up to it. At that time, Western Qin was in internal strife, and many civil and military officials were purged in the turmoil, causing Western Qin's vitality to be severely damaged, and it almost fell to the army of Eastern Jin at its capital Xianyang.

  Looking at the map of the continent, the current Eastern Jin is undoubtedly the country with the largest territory on the continent. However, how could a monarch with great ambitions allow such an illusory city to exist in the far west beyond Western Qin? He wants to conquer it, especially since eighteen years ago, a madman from that city stole something from him. Although people may have heard of Yunzhong City as a legend, at least the emperor has personally experienced its existence. Over the years, he has continuously sent people to investigate and try to retrieve the stolen item, but except for Liu Ming, the great inner guard who went missing, everyone else either died in the desert or was killed by the Western Qin people. The emperor is still thinking about Liu Ming's name, wondering what Luo Mu had found out on that side. In the magnificent Eastern Jin imperial palace, a middle-aged man stands with his hands behind his back, gazing westward with a profound and meaningful expression.

  。。。。。。

  After that night, Liu Yi had a few words with the fat man from Guo Ran's shop. For all the questions Qī Xiāng asked about Yun Zhōng City afterwards, he was very open and honest, but in his heart, he struggled. On one hand, he didn't want Qī Xiāng to take this risk, but on the other hand, he thought that perhaps there was a kind of spiritual connection between them after all. No wonder this child, who had always been afraid of hardship, was so determined this time. She would eventually return to where she belonged. Thinking this way made Liu Yi feel more at ease, and he even gave many suggestions on route selection. After all, no one knew that only he had been to Yun Zhōng City; it was like a dream. Once he made up his mind, Liu Yi didn't worry about Qī Xiāng's safety on the road at all.

  Qī xiè then showed an unprecedented focus, and all the original life principles were overturned after learning more about the secrets of Yunzhong City. Although she had a general idea of what that place would be like, in her heart, apart from yearning, there was also a strong inexplicable feeling... a feeling of going home, an urgent desire to go home. Foolish, how could that unfamiliar place be home? She knew clearly in her heart that this life, no matter where she wandered with her old father, their home was only in that desert sea.

  In the end, Gan Jing did not obstruct Qi Xie in any way. Since he had agreed to take care of the financial matters, Qi Xie was finally able to relax and slept soundly that night. In her dreams, she repeatedly saw a magnificent palace from a later era, the one closest to the sky. She even saw a pair of resentful eyes in her dream, with dull pupils that couldn't conceal the deep resentment and lingering attachment. Despite being terrifying, those eyes inexplicably made Qi Xie feel warm.

  The next day, Qi Xi, who usually liked to sleep in, got up unusually early and appeared at the Gan family's breakfast table. She smiled and greeted everyone with a "good morning". Even the normally annoying young master of the Gan family seemed less so today. Gan Jing remained silent as usual. The old man had recovered and was also present at the table. Qi Xi couldn't sit still, but somehow managed to stay until the end, perhaps thinking that she should at least accompany her father for this last breakfast together. Ah, silly thoughts!

  But anyway, Father's reaction is a bit unusual, not only did he agree so readily, but also didn't show any reluctance at all. There must be something fishy going on. Although Father didn't say anything, it seems like he wants to follow me on this adventure too, otherwise why would he order the servants to prepare so much dry rations, exactly enough for two people? Judging from the route that Father and she discussed, the first stop is going to be Western Qin, and Shazhou is not far from the border town of Hezhou in Western Qin. However, although Father has a young and lively heart, he's also over fifty years old after all. Just thinking about it makes Qianqian feel a bit guilty. Although she's not his biological daughter, she knows better than anyone how Father treated her these past two years. Even though with Father by her side, she doesn't have to worry about anything, but how can she bear to let him follow her around the world and lead a vagabond life?

  After breakfast, Qiuxi slipped into Gan Jing's study. Although she didn't have great martial arts skills, she was quite skilled at sneaking around and managed to enter the young master's forbidden territory - the study - without anyone noticing. Of course, she wasn't interested in the Gan family's account books or anything like that. It just so happened that she had seen an interesting book in Gan Jing's study the night before, but if she had asked him for it directly, he naturally wouldn't have given it to her. After all, it was something left behind by his ancestors. Qiuxi thought that the previous generation of the Gan family must have been much more romantic than Gan Jing. The cover page of this book was written in Liu's script with four characters: "Old Gan's Travel Notes". Qiuxi couldn't help but think of the famous "Lao Can's Travel Notes" from her past life.

  Ka-chunk, Qiuxi tore out one of the pages. A map was naturally indispensable when going out, but taking the whole book would be too conspicuous and unnecessary. Although she was curious about where Old Gan had gone all those years ago, just looking at this old map made her admire it - Old Gan's hand-drawn maps were many times more detailed than the ones circulating in Dongjin City. Qiuxi carefully hid the torn page in her sleeve and bowed solemnly to "Old Gan's Travel Notes".

  The dry rations were prepared by the servants of the Gan estate, who only knew that the Seventh Young Master and Mr. Liu were about to head to the capital. Qi Xi had not brought many things with her, apart from a few sets of spare clothes, there was only that extremely simple hairpin. She did not dare to put her mother's heirloom in her hair again, next time if she encountered such unambitious robbers, she would not have the confidence to retrieve her belongings.

  Now it seemed like everything was ready, just waiting for nightfall, why wait until evening to set off? Since that night when there was a heavy rain, the weather had been getting hotter and hotter every day. It was only then that they chose to travel at night, supporting safety issues. Qi Xi narrowed her eyes again, touching the waist where she kept the embroidery needles she had stolen from Moon Granny last time. There were still many left, she had experimented before, those embroidery needles were all coated with anesthetic. It seemed that it was not a coincidence that Moon Granny let her steal so many needles easily.

  This day seemed to be dragging on, Gan Jing walked around in several rooms as usual, but his heart had long been flying elsewhere. Since he couldn't stop her and couldn't abandon the entire Gan household, let Ah Guan accompany her instead. Having someone by her side wouldn't make it too difficult, Ah Guan was also clever and could handle a few people. He called out to Ah Guan, whispered a few words in his ear, Ah Guan's face looked bitter but deep down he still had some expectations. Ever since the Seventh Young Master arrived at the manor, the Young Master seemed to be distant from him. This time, following the Seventh Young Master on this trip, could it be that the Young Master had a new favorite? Oh, Young Master...

  The red glow filled the sky, Qiuli quietly placed a white envelope on her father's bed. At this moment, Father should be buying a pair of leather shoes at the fruit shop. Of course, she never thought that it would be so easy to get rid of Father, but mountain people have their own clever ways. Qiuli carried a black bundle on her back and slipped out of the back door, avoiding the ears of the people below. Naturally, she was not hiding from the Gan family, but from her dear father.

  "Seventh Young Master." The originally thought-to-be flawless escape plan was unexpectedly halted by a similarly backpack-carrying youth, who seemed to be in cahoots and lowered his voice before speaking, "It's Young Master Jing who asked Ah Guan to follow you."

  "He thought I was just going on a pleasure trip, what's the use of you little fellow following me? Go back, go back, and tell your young master that I appreciate his kind intentions."

  Qī Xié led the horse out of the city, looking back at the sandy island city bathed in the evening sun's glow. A surge of inexplicable melancholy rose up in her heart. Although she had no sword in hand, with just one person and one horse, she seemed like a wandering lone guest. The lingering sunset stretched her shadow very long, and at the other end of the shadow was another person and another horse. Qī Xié felt utterly defeated: "Guān Guān, didn't I say you really look like bubble gum?"

  "Seventh Young Master, what is chewing gum?"