However, this tranquility did not last long. Suddenly, an inexplicable chill swept in from outside the window, accompanied by a strong murderous aura. The two became alert almost simultaneously, quickly moving closer together and standing back to back.

"Who is it? Show yourself!" Bei Ye shouted sternly.

Just then, a figure slowly stepped into the firelight. Dressed in night clothes, with a cold and stern face, it was Bai Yu. He stared at the two of them, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "I didn't expect you to be able to escape here and even find the map."

"How did you end up following me?" Bei Ye's voice was full of wariness.

Bai Yu didn't answer immediately, but slowly approached, his gaze lingering on the map in Xu Yuehuai's hand for a moment before finally settling on her face. "Do you really want to escape from my side?"

An indescribable tension and standoff filled the air, as if even the wind held its breath, awaiting the impending danger.

The dim candlelight flickered in the dilapidated house, reflecting the different expressions on the three people's faces—Xu Yuehuai's determination, Bai Yu's worry, and Bei Ye's indignation.

Xu Yuehuai looked directly at Bai Yu: "Bai Yu, you may not understand the weight of this responsibility. The search for the 'Secret Medical Manual' concerns the safety of countless innocent lives. I have personally witnessed the despair in the eyes of those suffering from illness, and I cannot stand idly by." Her voice was soft, but every word was firm and resolute.

Upon hearing this, Bai Yu slowly approached Xu Yuehuai, his tone tinged with helplessness and concern: "I understand your feelings, but this road is too dangerous. What if something happens to you? Besides, I have already made arrangements to ensure the safety of the village and the people in the surrounding area. As for the Ghost Doctor, he left with a masked man, and I can't find any trace of them."

"I've done so much for you, and you still don't trust me."

"Could you please inform me before you take any action?"

“Like this matter, as long as you tell me, I will definitely arrange for many people to do it. You don’t need to do it yourself or take risks on your own.”

Seeing this, Bei Ye could no longer suppress his dissatisfaction. He suddenly stood up, looked directly at Bai Yu, and said with a hint of provocation in his tone, "Bai Yu, what gives you the right to make decisions for my sister? Where she wants to go and what she wants to do is her freedom! What gives you the right to stop her?"

The boy's face was filled with stubbornness and defiance, as if he were ready to stand up for Xu Yuehuai at any moment.

Bai Yu wasn't angry. He merely glanced at Bei Ye, his eyes showing both understanding for the boy's impulsiveness and deep concern for Xu Yuehuai. He sighed softly, then turned to Xu Yuehuai and said, "Xiao Yue, I'm staying not to stop you, but to protect you. This world is far more complex than you imagine. Every additional person adds to our strength."

As he spoke, he walked to a corner, casually found a place to sit down, took out several packets of exquisite dried meat from his bag, gently handed them to Xu Yuehuai, and looked at her with tender eyes, "This is your favorite flavor. Remember to replenish your energy on the way."

Xu Yuehuai didn't immediately go to get the dried meat. "Bai Yu, I appreciate your kindness. But this time, I must go myself. The three of us traveling together, supporting each other, sharing joys and sorrows—that's what I'm looking for. Let's save the food for when it's truly needed."

Seeing this, Bei Ye silently put away his rations and sat back down. Although there was still resentment on his face, the stubbornness in his eyes gradually turned into determination. He understood that he must make good use of his strengths to protect Xu Yuehuai and prevent her from being harmed by Bai Yu!

Silence fell again in the room, but this silence contained an unprecedented understanding and strength. Outside the window, the night deepened, and the stars shone brightly, as if silently watching over the three heroes.

“The Ghost Doctor’s departure may have been his own choice.” Xu Yuehuai suddenly broke the silence, her gaze piercing through the candlelight as if penetrating through layers of mist. “But the appearance of that mysterious masked man was no accident. Perhaps he possesses clues we don’t know about, or even has some connection with the Ghost Doctor. It’s very possible that we will meet again.”

Bai Yu and Bei Ye were both taken aback when they heard this. They knew that Xu Yuehuai's guess was indeed very reasonable.

However, finding out the truth behind this is not such a simple matter.

When the enemy is lurking in the shadows, they are always at risk and cannot do as they please. They must be cautious at all times, which restricts them and makes it difficult to achieve their goals.

No matter how many obstacles the other side sets for them, they will overcome them one by one, eventually reaching the top and looking down on everything!

A pale blue hue had just appeared on the horizon, with a light mist swirling around, giving off a subtle and refreshing feeling.

Xu Yuehuai, Bai Yu, and Bei Ye were all ready to go. They stood in front of the dilapidated house, their eyes fixed firmly on the distance.

Bei Ye stepped forward and extended his palm towards Xu Yuehuai, "Sister, come on up! Let me give you a ride today too."

His tone carried an undeniable authority, as if their shared battle yesterday had solidified their bond.

However, Bai Yu responded with a barely perceptible sneer. He gently blew a long whistle, and instantly, two magnificent Akhal-Teke horses appeared from the thin mist like ghosts, their manes flying and their spirits surging.

"I have already prepared the most suitable mount for Xiaoyue." Bai Yu's words carried a hint of pride.

Xu Yuehua smiled slightly, cast a grateful glance at Bei Ye, and then gracefully leaped onto the crimson, flame-like Akhal-Teke horse.

"Thank you, let's hurry on our way."

The three of them then rode side by side, speeding towards that mysterious world in the north.

As the sun rises higher, the earth gradually reveals its true face.

Xu Yuehuai kept glancing down at the map in her hand, a route she had studied repeatedly last night. She silently wondered, "The markings on the map for this area of ​​mountains are blurry. What exactly is hidden within them?"

She turned to look at Bei Ye and Bai Yu beside her, and their expressions also became serious.

Unexpectedly, they did not encounter any of the anticipated dangers along the way, but instead found themselves in a desolate wilderness so quiet it was unsettling.

The silence was broken when a mountain villa nestled among the mountains came into view. Although the villa was there, it appeared unusually desolate, completely out of place with the vibrant natural scenery around it.

"This place is so desolate, yet people still live here." Xu Yuehuai was suspicious and spurred his horse forward first, with the other two following closely behind.

Upon entering the mountain village, one sees weeds growing rampant in the fields, crops withered and dead, and villagers who are all emaciated and pale, their eyes filled with a lifeless despair.

"Are the people in your village always hungry? Why don't you trade food with people from other villages?" Xu Yuehuai asked, puzzled.

An elderly villager walked over shakily, tears welling in his eyes: "Our villagers have lived on this mountain for generations, and we can't leave easily. This year, for some reason, all the crops have been destroyed, and we've run out of food. We can only stay here and wait to die."