"Really...for me?" Doctor Zhang's hands trembled with excitement as he wiped them repeatedly on his clothes before reverently accepting the bottle of medicine.
This was the priceless Detoxification Pill, of which there were only a few in the world that money couldn't buy. Divine Doctor Xuan would only take out a couple of them each time, causing fierce fights on the rivers and lakes just to obtain them.
"Yes, for you. However, there are only three left in this bottle. Take it if you don't mind."
"Three!!!" Good heavens, there were actually three of them! "Not at all, not at all. How could I mind?" He clutched the small medicine bottle and laughed heartily on the corridor.
Xuan Little Four: Is this old man out of his mind? It's just a few pellets, no need to laugh so crazily.
Su Yue: Let's go. Your third senior's man seems a bit eccentric.
As the two were about to take their leave, a middle-aged man in a dark green robe hurried in. "Little Four is here?"
"Oh, Uncle Xu, it's me." Xuan Little Four quickly went to greet him.
"You finally came. If you hadn't come, I would have..." Manager Xu, spotting the graceful young man beside Xuan Little Four, paused briefly before recognizing him. "Ah...Little Five, I almost didn't recognize you in that outfit."
Xu Liang, the manager of the Divine Medical Hall, was Xuan Little Three's man in charge of various Divine Medical Halls across nations. He spent most of his time traveling, only staying at the Fengyun Town Divine Medical Hall when he wasn't. He often delivered messages to Older Xuan on the mountain, so he was familiar with Su Yue.
"Yes, it's me. I dress like a man when traveling for convenience," Su Yue replied.
"Indeed, indeed. But you've also come down the mountain? I was just about to head up to find you. Regarding the medicine from last time..." Xu Liang paused. "The master is asking urgently for it to be delivered."
"Uncle Xu, no need for you to go. Master has assigned Little Five and me to go. Please arrange two fast horses for us immediately. We'll depart right away and won't be slower than you," Xuan Little Four said cheerfully.
"Older Xuan arranged it? Alright, alright, if Older Xuan arranged it, it must be right. I'll make the arrangements now." He then rushed off in a flurry.
Outside the city.
"Little Four, this mission is urgent. I won't keep you two any longer, but I'll treat you to something delicious when you return," said Uncle Xu.
"Sure, Uncle Xu, remember your promise!" Xuan Little Four replied while riding his steed with a dashing air.
"Of course, of course. Take good care of Little Five on the way, and don't dally. Go and return quickly."
"Got it, Uncle Xu. We're off then." He cracked his whip and galloped away.
"Uncle Xu, take care," Su Yue called out as she followed closely behind.
"Be careful out there!"
Uncle Xu didn't turn back until their figures disappeared from sight.
After riding nonstop for two days, they finally neared Xuancheng City within a couple of hours, arriving even faster than expected. The two weary siblings-in-arms found a pavilion to rest briefly.
"Little Five, give me another apple. This jerky is too dry," said Xuan Little Four.
"But you have water, don't you?"
"Water isn't sweet and lacks the fruity fragrance. Quick, quick, don't be stingy."
"Crunch, crunch. Mmm, so delicious and sweet."
"Fourth Senior, don't eat too much or you'll get a stomach ache from the rocking motion when we ride again," Su Yue cautioned.
"Anything that makes it into my stomach won't come out. It doesn't even have a window, let alone a door!" Xuan Little Four turned and continued enjoying his meal.
Su Yue sighed inwardly, "Indeed, when it comes to eating, you're unrivaled in the world."
It was the transition between spring and summer, and the midday heat was still a bit stifling, though the pavilion provided some shade and an occasional light breeze.
Suddenly, Su Yue's expression grew alert. "Someone's coming."
"Hm? Who?"
Su Yue leapt forward to investigate.
A large group of people in tattered clothing approached in droves, around a hundred or so by her initial estimate. They appeared to be refugees fleeing from somewhere.
After examining them, Su Yue returned to the pavilion. "Fourth Senior, let's hurry on once you've finished eating."
"Alright, sure. Who were those people?"
"Ordinary civilians, judging by their clothes. Probably refugees coming from somewhere."
"Refugees? But we're almost at the border city of Xuancheng. How could there be refugees heading this way? If there was a lost battle, it should be the locals from the border region fleeing outward," Xuan Little Four remarked.
Su Yue didn't respond. Having lived in seclusion on the mountain, she had never ventured out before and thus knew little about the outside world's situation. However, even without prior knowledge, she could tell this was abnormal. It was crucial they reach the border city and reunite with her third senior as soon as possible.
The two mounted their horses and galloped away swiftly.
Along the way, they encountered several more groups of refugees, all emaciated and haggard. Many collapsed on the road, never to rise again.
As Xuan Little Four and Su Yue rode past these refugees on their horses, some eyed their mounts with vicious glares, as if ready to attack at any moment. After all, the two young riders seemed unlikely to put up much resistance.
Even the dimwitted Xuan Little Four sensed something amiss. He casually drew the soft sword from his waist and, with a few sword techniques, sliced down a few small trees by the roadside, immediately deterring the crowd.
He then sheathed his sword, exchanged a glance with Su Yue, and they continued on without stopping.
At the gates of Xuancheng City.
Well-trained soldiers lined both sides of the city gates, meticulously scrutinizing the household registration documents of every person entering the city.
Recently, the number of people entering had been increasing daily, mostly residents from neighboring towns and villages reportedly driven out by bandit raids, leaving them with no choice but to flee to the city for refuge. Orders from above demanded thorough verification to prevent enemy infiltration under such circumstances.
"Whoa! Whoa!" Xuan Little Four, overjoyed at finally reaching their destination, eagerly cracked his whip twice as they approached the city gates.
As they neared the gates, the soldiers noticed them and signaled for them to dismount and lead their horses.
"Who are you, and what business brings you to Xuancheng? Present your household registration documents," a soldier demanded.
"Registration documents? Good sir, I've never heard of needing such documents just to enter a city before," Xuan Little Four exclaimed in surprise.
"No documents, no entry. The situation is dire, and this is the general's direct order - to verify everyone's household registration before allowing them into the city."
As he spoke, Su Yue arrived at the city gates as well.
"The circumstances are so severe? We left in a hurry and didn't prepare anything. Could you make an exception for us, good sir?" Xuan Little Four pleaded politely.
"No exceptions. No documents, no entry. Move along and don't obstruct our duties," the soldier responded impatiently.
"Good sir, we have urgent business at the mansion of the Zhenguo General. Please show some leniency," Xuan Little Four persisted.
"The Zhenguo General's mansion is not a place you can just waltz into on a whim. Step aside before I have you arrested for obstructing official business," the soldier threatened.
"Hey, you..." Xuan Little Four began, but Su Yue cut him off, "Show him the token Uncle Xu gave you before we left."
"Oh, right, I almost forgot!" He then retrieved a black token from his pocket. "Here, with this, it should be fine, right?"
