Reality.
Centipede Mountain.
Dawn arrived, and the sky was faintly lit.
Chen Jichuan opened his eyes and saw that Chen Shaohu in front of him was already awake, staring around vigilantly.
"Why not sleep a bit more?"
Even during the night, even in the Great Yann World, Chen Jichuan would occasionally come out to check the surroundings, ensuring there was no commotion before returning to Great Yann. The last time he came out from Great Yann was half a month ago there, equivalent to an hour ago here in reality.
At the time, Chen Shaohu hadn't woken up yet.
"I slept well."
"I kept an eye on the outside for Fourth Brother, to avoid someone sneaking up on us."
Seeing that his Fourth Brother was awake, Chen Shaohu's face shifted from alertness to a cheerful smile.
Then he stood up and stretched the muscles and bones stiffened from sitting all night. Earlier, he had been worried about waking up his Fourth Brother, but now it didn't matter anymore.
"Good."
"Better safe than sorry."
Chen Jichuan nodded.
Though his consciousness was in Great Yann, he could instantly sense anything happening in reality, making Chen Shaohu's vigilance unnecessary. However, Chen Jichuan appreciated his prudence. Even if it amounts to unnecessary effort, he wouldn't undermine Chen Shaohu's enthusiasm.
Praised.
Recognized.
Chen Shaohu beamed with joy and asked, "Fourth Brother, shall we start moving now?"
Chen Jichuan glanced at the sky.
The sun had yet to rise, the moon hadn't set, but the horizon was bright enough to see the road: "Let's go now."
Centipede Mountain stretches forty to fifty miles.
That's the straight-line distance.
Within the mountain with its undulating terrain, the actual journey is easily over a hundred and fifty miles.
Yesterday, they first ran thirty to forty miles, then changed clothes, cleaned off the dirt, shaved, and ran another thirty-plus miles. By their calculations, they were halfway through Centipede Mountain.
Seventy to eighty miles remain.
For Chen Jichuan, who practices the "Land Flying Skill" and can run a hundred miles in one breath, this was no issue. Even carrying Chen Shaohu, with Source Power replenishing his stamina, Chen Jichuan wouldn't worry about exhaustion.
"Come."
"Get on."
Without dawdling, Chen Jichuan stood up, took the Goose Wing Blade beside him, and crouched in front of Chen Shaohu, signaling him to climb on his back.
"Alright."
Chen Shaohu grabbed his own Goose Wing Blade and climbed onto his Fourth Brother's back.
He knew.
With his physical strength, he couldn't afford to worry about tiring his Fourth Brother. The two brothers both understood—between fatigue and death, the former was hardly worth worrying about.
...
Another burst of running.
On the road.
Chen Jichuan used the foot shooting skill to kick flying stones, killing a wild boar and two wild rabbits. They found a stream, quickly processed them, had Chen Shaohu start a fire, and the pair enjoyed a hearty meal before continuing their journey.
From dawn to morning.
From morning to noon.
Apart from meal breaks, Chen Jichuan spent all his time running. By early afternoon, they had already traversed seventy to eighty miles of mountainous terrain, reaching the edge of Centipede Mountain.
Upon leaving the mountain.
To the west was Jianling County, and to the east was Liding County.
"Yangshuo."
Chen Jichuan avoided the west and east, continuing his path northward.
Gradually, scattered villages and sparse locals began to appear. Most villages were abandoned, and the villagers had fled without a trace.
Yongfeng and Liding counties are relatively warm and boast abundant water systems, allowing for two seasons of rice cultivation. This being shortly after the summer harvest, it was strange to see so many villagers fleeing.
Chen Jichuan carried his doubts as he ran on with Chen Shaohu on his back.
Along the way.
Groups ranging from over a dozen family members to dozens from a single village marched north, carrying bags and wearing anxious expressions.
"Fourth Brother."
"Why are so many villages abandoned, with so many empty rice fields? Why aren't these people staying?"
Clinging to Chen Jichuan's back, Chen Shaohu asked curiously.
There's land and crops.
What's the reason for running aimlessly?
"Bandits sweep like combs, soldiers sweep like fine combs, officials sweep like razors."
"Liding County recently experienced a great battle. These people suffered and had no choice but to flee their homes."
Chen Jichuan held his suspicions.
Judging by the farmland along the way, this year's yields seemed good. Yet, with such harvests, people still abandoned their fields to escape—likely a result of war and plundering.
Historically, Great Chu's troops were known for their unsavory behavior.
Now.
Groups like Wusheng Sect and Lishui Gang, formed by ordinary peasants, could hardly do any better.
"Damned scoundrels!"
"Always bringing calamity!"
Chen Shaohu instantly understood and cursed in response.
Unbeknownst to him.
Back in the day, the Chen Family—once feared like a ferocious tiger—had been no different from these "bandits," "soldiers," or "officials."
Chen Jichuan knew this all too well.
He shook his head.
Avoiding these people, he pressed forward.
"Fourth Brother."
"Why not ask these folks about the situation outside?"
After holding back for a while, Chen Shaohu finally couldn't resist asking.
It's rare to encounter people.
Wouldn't it be wise to inquire about the changes in the Black Prison's surrounding environment over recent years? Instead, why avoid them?
"Too conspicuous."
"These people are obviously family units, or at most a single village, all quite familiar with one another. If we, two strangers, approach asking questions, they won't respond kindly and might even chase us off."
What Chen Shaohu could think of, Chen Jichuan naturally considered as well.
But he thought beyond that.
Having been isolated in the Black Prison for six years, seeking information and understanding the outside world was essential. However, deciding whom to approach was crucial.
In addition to considering the "stranger" factor, it's better to seek out knowledgeable individuals to inquire more effectively.
These villagers likely wouldn't know much.
Ideally, someone from the county or a literate scholar would suffice for reliable information.
Chen Jichuan traveled lightly.
Even carrying Chen Shaohu, his pace remained swift.
They quickly overtook many refugees.
By evening, they finally encountered a loosely gathered group of refugees. After observing for a while, it was evident these individuals, whether scattered in pairs or groups of five or six, were not closely affiliated, making them unlikely acquaintances.