Chapter 119: 119, Where is the Western Paradise (Third update, requesting monthly votes)

The refugees and the Qing family's battle group eventually formed a latent standoff, and the refugees were not intent on assaulting the battle group—they simply found it hard to accept the outcome for the moment.

Everyone rushed over eagerly to "seek refuge," only to be blocked by gun barrels.

In fact, Ren Xiao Su felt the Qing family's approach was not without merit; he would have done the same.

Yet the refugees, though unable to draw near, deemed it wise to follow the Qing family, settling in place to rest until the Qing family departed, then trailing them in silence.

At least the Qing family knew the way to the 109th stronghold, surely.

Moreover, their vehicles could no longer accommodate everyone, so many had to proceed on foot, and there was no need to fear being left behind by the Qing family.

"Xiao Su, will we be in danger staying so close to the Qing family?" Wang Fu Gui asked anxiously, for during the earthquake, Ren Xiao Su had slain several scouts.

"It should be fine," Ren Xiao Su whispered, stealing a glance toward the Qing family.

A stretch of open ground now separated the Qing family from the refugees, and it seemed the Qing family had no intention of engaging with them.

This was for the best, for thus the Qing family would remain unaware of Ren Xiao Su's presence here.

"You stay here and keep safe," Ren Xiao Su added cautiously: "If things go awry, we flee into the wilderness. Under current circumstances, remaining within the main force is preferable—I fear that once we part from the group, the wolves might prey upon us like soft persimmons."

The wolves dared not challenge a force of thousands, but if Ren Xiao Su and his companions strayed from the group, the outcome was uncertain.

In truth, Luo Lan harbored no particular desire to capture Ren Xiao Su.

When Qing Ziran attempted to call via satellite phone to arrange the apprehension of Ren Xiao Su, volcanic clouds obstructed the signal. By the time Qing Ziran reached a place where the signal was clear, the 113th stronghold had already fallen. In the chaos of Luo Lan's escape, he had not taken the satellite phone, leaving them in a state of disconnection.

"Very well, I leave it to you," Wang Fu Gui nodded.

As usual, Ren Xiao Su went to gather firewood, this time accompanied by Chen Wu Di. He did not intend to task Chen Wu Di, but rather to keep watch, lest the man harbor ulterior motives in joining their ranks.

Within the entire group, only Ren Xiao Su could counterbalance Chen Wu Di, so it was wiser to keep him close.

Though vigilance was tiring, Ren Xiao Su believed caution was never misplaced. Days stretched ahead, and if Chen Wu Di proved innocent, he would welcome him openly.

On the way to gather firewood, Ren Xiao Su noticed the refugees had grown shrewd—they realized enduring to the 109th stronghold without campfires would be arduous, so many had ventured forth to collect kindling, even brazenly begging for flames.

The sight of thousands gathering firewood was awe-inspiring; Ren Xiao Su lamented that he might have arrived too late.

He had not anticipated this turn, and arriving a few minutes late meant he had walked far without finding any firewood.

Chen Wu Di inquired: "Master, you said Western Paradise lay ahead—why have we walked a full day and still not arrived?"

Ren Xiao Su was left speechless, pondering before replying: "Western Paradise... it has shifted..."

Chen Wu Di bristled: "Do you take me for a fool?"

Ah, Ren Xiao Su sighed inwardly—this excuse could not even fool a fool.

"Wu Di," Ren Xiao Su said solemnly, shifting the topic: "Besides accompanying me to Western Paradise, do you have any other desires?"

He wished to converse more with Chen Wu Di, for words often revealed cracks—if the man's intentions were impure and his speech voluminous, some flaw would inevitably emerge.

Yet he suddenly noticed Chen Wu Di growing coy: "Indeed, I have another wish."

"What wish?" Ren Xiao Su asked curiously.

"To find a girl named Zi Xia," Chen Wu Di declared gravely: "Since my reincarnation, I have two tasks to fulfill: one is to escort Master on the pilgrimage for the scriptures, and the other is to locate Zi Xia!"

Ren Xiao Su stared at Chen Wu Di, stunned—what version of Journey to the West had this man read?

He racked his memory, but could not recall any maiden named Zi Xia.

Suddenly, Jiang Wu approached from across the way, her students cradling bundles of firewood.

Upon seeing Ren Xiao Su, her eyes brightened: "You need not go—we have brought back much."

As the saying goes, many hands make light work; Jiang Wu, with her twenty-eight students, proved far more efficient than Ren Xiao Su alone. Not only that, but the firewood they bore seemed sufficient to kindle four or five campfires.

Ren Xiao Su nodded without refusal—reciprocity was a virtue, and he did not mind accepting their kindness.

Several female students blushed, hesitating before approaching Chen Wu Di: "You are so handsome..."

Chen Wu Di blinked, replying: "Thank you, female benefactor."

The words "female benefactor" doused their budding affections like a bucket of cold water.

Unmoved, Ren Xiao Su strode forward, shouting: "Come, come, come—there is something remarkable here!"

Sometimes nature's gifts are bountiful, and with eyes keen enough to discern them, one need never starve.

As Ren Xiao Su turned to return, he noticed the wild grass ahead seemed amiss. Upon closer inspection, he discovered a vast sweet potato field!

These sweet potatoes had run wild here for an unknown span, and now was their prime season!

He called out to Jiang Wu: "What are you waiting for? Dig!"

"Ah, ah," Jiang Wu quickly rallied her students, admitting that without Ren Xiao Su, she would never have known the earth hid such treasures.

They had to act swiftly, lest other refugees catch wind and claim them first.

There were simply too many refugees.

As Jiang Wu directed her students in digging sweet potatoes, she cast furtive glances toward Ren Xiao Su—this youth never failed to astonish, and such surprises gradually bred a peculiar dependency.

In that moment, she even felt that so long as they followed Ren Xiao Su, they would surely survive to reach the 109th stronghold.

Within a minute, other refugees detected the commotion and surged forward.

None dared challenge Ren Xiao Su for the sweet potatoes, yet the field was vast, with ample space to dig.

Ren Xiao Su ignored the others, and he and Chen Wu Di unearthed over thirty tubers before finally ceasing—these sweet potatoes were enormous, enough to spare them food worries for days to come.

When he straightened and surveyed the surroundings, he found the sweet potato field had been stripped bare by the refugees...

Even locusts were not so fearsome.

...

Because yesterday's update was at dawn, today's update at 6 PM would span too great a time, so we advance it.

From tomorrow onward, updates will resume at 6 PM.