Xu Yuehuai originally wanted to ask the mysterious person how to find the "Secret Manual of Medicine", but the other party only told them to keep going north and that they would find it if they were lucky.
As dawn broke, Xu Yuehuai and Bei Ye stood at the entrance of the village.
A hint of worry flickered in Xu Yuehuai's eyes as she glanced back at the village that had given them warmth and help, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
"Sister, are we really going to keep heading north? Is what that mysterious person said really reliable?" Bei Ye's voice carried a hint of uncertainty. He gripped the reins tightly, his eyes filled with both longing for the unknown and worry for Xu Yuehuai's safety.
Xu Yuehuai, however, said frankly, "Sometimes, fate hides in the most unpredictable places. Since we've decided to embark on this journey to find the 'Secret Manual of Medicine,' we must believe that every step has its meaning. Do you believe me?"
Bei Ye nodded without hesitation, his eyes full of trust: "I believe you, sister. Even if it's a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, I will walk with you all the way."
The villagers gathered around, each carrying a basket filled with dry food, water bags, and homegrown fruits and vegetables. Their faces were filled with gratitude and reluctance to part.
“Miss Xu, Young Master Bei, you are our village’s benefactors. You must take these things with you.” The village chief stepped forward and handed a heavy bag of grain to Xu Yuehuai, his eyes slightly red. “Without you, our village might still be mired in despair. Please be careful and return safely.”
Xu Yuehuai accepted the grain, deeply moved. "Thank you all for your kindness. We will remember it. Please rest assured, no matter where we are, we will always remember this home."
As they parted, Xu Yuehuai and Bei Ye mounted their horses, the sound of hooves rising and dust billowing as they embarked on their journey north.
As the village receded into the distance, the surrounding scenery began to appear unfamiliar and desolate, and a sense of inexplicable loneliness arose spontaneously.
"Sister, look at the road ahead, why are there so many forks in the road?" Bei Ye pointed ahead, his eyes full of doubt.
Xu Yuehuai looked in the direction he was pointing and saw that there was indeed a desolate place ahead, with several winding paths disappearing into the distance.
“Yes, it seems this road is indeed full of risks, and we must be careful at all times.” Xu Yuehua frowned slightly, then tightened the reins and slowly approached an old man working by the roadside.
She politely asked, "Sir, which way do these roads lead? We'd like to go north to look for something."
The old man looked up, his face etched with the marks of time. He sized up the two of them and slowly said, "Young men, this is all wasteland ahead, hardly anyone in sight. If you really want to go north, you're likely to suffer a lot."
Xu Yuehuai's heart tightened, but she remained calm on the surface: "Uncle, we are not afraid of hardship. It's just that these roads don't look completely abandoned. Do people still pass by occasionally?"
The old man pondered for a moment, then sighed: "Alas, you don't know this, but in recent years there has been constant war. Many people, in order to escape the war or to search for the legendary treasure, occasionally head this way. But very few actually make it to the north. If you really want to go, you must be fully prepared."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuehuai turned to look at Bei Ye. Their eyes met, and without needing to say anything more, they understood each other's resolve.
"Thank you for the reminder, sir. We will be careful." After saying that, Xu Yuehuai spurred his horse and rode ahead along the path.
Bei Ye followed closely behind, and the two figures gradually disappeared into the morning light.
In that wilderness forgotten by time, the setting sun, like a weary traveler, slowly sinks below the horizon, dyeing the sky orange-red.
Xu Yuehuai and Bei Ye, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, continued their unknown journey.
All around was endless desolation, and the occasional passing wind seemed to carry a hint of sobbing, telling the story of the past prosperity and desolation of this land.
"This place is really unsettling." Bei Ye's voice echoed in the empty space, his eyes showing both curiosity and unease.
Xu Yuehuai turned around, her gaze firm yet gentle. "We must be even more careful. In this wilderness, not only is nature treacherous, but the human heart is also unpredictable."
Just then, a faint sound broke the silence, like a distress signal coming from afar.
The two exchanged a glance and quickly followed the sound.
Not far away, a figure was curled up on the ground, his clothes were tattered and his face was covered in blood.
Xu Yuehuai immediately dismounted and strode forward, with Bei Ye following closely behind, his eyes sharp.
"Are you alright?" Xu Yuehuai asked softly, while taking out water and strips of cloth from her bag to prepare for simple first aid for the injured.
The injured man struggled to open his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in his gaze, before he gave a bitter smile. "Thank you both for saving my life. I came here to search for the legendary treasure, but I never expected to encounter such misfortune, and now all hope is lost."
As he spoke, he pulled a yellowed map from his pocket and handed it to Xu Yuehuai with trembling hands. "This is the only thing that is important to me. It marks the approximate location of the treasure. Since I am no longer destined to have it, I will give it to you two. Perhaps it will bring you good luck."
Xu Yuehuai took the map, looked at the injured man, and said with sincerity in her eyes, "We will cherish this gift. You can keep this horse and these medicines. We hope they will help you get out of trouble as soon as possible, recover from your injuries, and leave this place."
Xu Yuehuai and Bei Ye rode together on a horse, struggling to make their way through the wilderness.
Bei Ye sat behind the horse, and with a sudden jolt, the distance between the two seemed to grow even closer due to this unexpected turn of events.
"Sister, you're such a good person. I never thought that my kindness would bring me such a wonderful opportunity." Bei Ye's voice was filled with a childlike excitement.
"No matter the outcome, helping others is always worthwhile. Now, we need to find a safe place to rest as soon as possible." As he spoke, Xu Yuehuai quickened his pace, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, searching for possible shelter.
Finally, on the edge of an abandoned village, they found a dilapidated house that was on the verge of collapse.
Xu Yuehuai dismounted, and together with Bei Ye, tied the horse up before pushing open the door and entering.
Although the interior was simple, it was enough to keep out the cold wind at night.
Bei Ye quickly gathered the scattered dry branches and started a fire. The firelight reflected on his focused face, making him look especially warm.
By the firelight, Xu Yuehuai slowly unfolded the map and began to study it carefully. Her brows furrowed and relaxed intermittently, as if she were contemplating some important decision.
"The markings on this map are indeed mysterious. I wonder what awaits us ahead," she muttered to herself, clutching a piece of dry rations tightly in her hand as she ate and pondered.
Seeing this, Bei Ye came over and said, "Who cares what it is? We're already here, we should at least take a look. Maybe that treasure really can change our fate."
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