Chapter 62: 62, Retain dignity

The soldier pointed at by Yang Xiaojin happened to be the one who had harassed Luo Xinyu most frequently, so Ren Xiaosu wondered if Yang Xiaojin was about to intervene on Luo Xinyu's behalf.

Previously, Ren Xiaosu had assumed Yang Xiaojin was someone who kept her distance from matters that did not concern her, but he had not expected her to be unable to bear witnessing Luo Xinyu being harassed—perhaps it was a line only a woman could draw.

Those ahead turned to gaze at the commotion here, eager to see whether Yang Xiaojin would clash violently with the private militia soldier.

Ren Xiaosu glanced at Xu Xiancheng, only to find him frowning but not stopping them, as though even Xu Xiancheng deemed the soldiers' actions excessive.

Yet none of the other soldiers dared speak up for their comrade—an unmistakable testament to their unity, or lack thereof.

Still, Ren Xiaosu had no intention of being polite; he strode directly to the soldier and wrenched the weapon from his waist. In their haste to flee, the soldiers had abandoned their rifles for lighter pistols.

The soldier hissed, "Do you know the gravity of seizing a private militia's arms?"

Yang Xiaojin replied calmly, "Threaten me again, and you may die here and now."

Ren Xiaosu nearly applauded—truly, a decisive woman...

As Ren Xiaosu drew the weapon, the soldier clutched his waist with his right hand, attempting to silently deter him. Yet Ren Xiaosu's strength now surpassed imagination; he wrenched the fingers apart with brute force, and had the soldier not relented midway, he might have snapped them outright.

It was a firearm, and Ren Xiaosu could finally brandish one openly. Since acquiring advanced marksmanship skills, he had never had such an opportunity to wield arms with legitimacy!

The disarmed soldier stared at Ren Xiaosu: "You've already taken my weapon—what more do you seek?"

"Where's the magazine?" Ren Xiaosu asked.

"...Unbelievable," the soldier muttered. "Left side of your combat uniform."

He allowed Ren Xiaosu to search him while sneering at Yang Xiaojin: "Even if you give him the gun, can a wanderer like him use it?"

Others nodded in agreement, but Yang Xiaojin, observing Ren Xiaosu's grip, frowned slightly.

Among them all, Yang Xiaojin was undoubtedly the most versed in firearms—otherwise, the palace's praise for her would not have been so effusive.

Thus, while others assumed Ren Xiaosu's handling of the weapon was clumsy, she clearly discerned the natural, practiced posture of his hold, the angle of his dangling arm perfectly poised for swift elevation!

Such technique was unbecoming of a wanderer; others could not tell, but Yang Xiaojin could.

Yet she did not dwell long on her doubts, merely telling the soldier, "Leave."

To be disarmed was perhaps one of the gravest humiliations for a soldier. The man's face darkened as he retreated, and Xu Xiancheng, seeing the matter resolved, said, "Onward—we must find suitable lodgings before sunset."

Xu Xiancheng too wished to avoid entanglement in the group's chaos; his mind was fixed solely on Jingshan, nothing else.

Along the way, the private militia and Luo Xinyu, Yang Xiaojin, and Ren Xiaosu formed a stark divide, each keeping their distance.

Yet Ren Xiaosu pondered a dilemma—if Yang Xiaojin insisted on aiding Luo Xinyu, even to the point of leaving Jingshan together, he might have to abandon this fleeting alliance.

At that moment, Luo Xinyu spoke to Yang Xiaojin: "Thank you for your aid. May we work together in the days ahead to escape Jingshan?"

But Ren Xiaosu clearly saw Yang Xiaojin hesitate, then say, "I didn't help you for free. Return the money you borrowed from me first."

Luo Xinyu was taken aback, fumbling a stack of ten thousand from her pack: "You lent me five thousand—I give you ten thousand now, as thanks."

Yang Xiaojin gave a noncommittal hum, tucking the bills into her pocket without ceremony.

Seeing this, Luo Xinyu smiled: "Then you'll help me along the way, won't you?"

"I must correct you," Yang Xiaojin replied. "I never intended to help you leave Jingshan. I can only ensure you die with dignity."

Luo Xinyu: "..."

Ren Xiaosu grasped her meaning—she merely sought to prevent the private militia from violating Luo Xinyu. Whether she lived or died mattered little to her...

Luo Xinyu was pitiable, having ventured forth from the stronghold only to find no one trustworthy.

Ahead, a fork in the path split into two mountain trails, each leading in opposite directions.

The towering trees here blotted out most of the sky, leaving all uncertain of the sun's position—even Jingshan's direction grew hazy.

Xu Xiancheng turned to ask Ren Xiaosu, "Which way do we take?"

At that moment, a voice echoed within the palace: "Mission: Guide the way."

After a pause, Ren Xiaosu said, "Left."

"Mission complete. Reward: 1.0 agility."

Ren Xiaosu felt his muscles condense once more, confirming a truth: strength and agility combined equaled true physical prowess—either alone was insufficient.

Then the disarmed soldier sneered, "You claimed you'd never ventured deep here. I recall you said you hid in the canyon for days before emerging. How do you know the path?"

Ren Xiaosu replied evenly, "I don't know the way."

Xu Xiancheng: "..."

Yang Xiaojin: "..."

All fell silent—why guide them blindly?

Yet Ren Xiaosu felt no pressure; the palace's mission was merely to guide, not specify which path. Ignorant or not, he would point regardless...

He truly did not know, but the task had to be fulfilled!

Xu Xiancheng hesitated, then asked, "Why the left path?"

"Though I don't know the way," Ren Xiaosu said, "I know Jingshan lies to our left front..."

"Fine," Xu Xiancheng nodded. "We'll take the left. Signal if you spot a suitable campsite."

When making decisions in the wilderness, Xu Xiancheng habitually sought Ren Xiaosu's counsel—and experience proved his judgment rarely erred.

Along the way, Ren Xiaosu climbed every pine tree to pluck cones and plump needles, puzzling the others; gathering pine nuts was understandable, for they were edible.

But why harvest needles? They watched him squeeze the needles, extracting pale green sap, which he licked clean. "Those unwilling to die of thirst may learn from me."

Some hesitated, unsure whether to follow, but Yang Xiaojin and Xu Xiancheng climbed up without hesitation.