The Lucky Farmgirl

Chapter 2263 - 2238: Checkpoint

In fact, with so much meat cut away, most of the poisoned meat has been removed. It’s just that the wound has been damaged, so it’s difficult to heal, and the poison has entered his body through the blood, so he still has some toxin inside.

Manbao turned around to prepare the medicine.

At that moment, she truly felt she was too wise to have prepared such a comprehensive array of medicines.

Zhi Ren saw the packages of medicine in her luggage, wrapped in oil paper with names labeled on the outside, and was amazed at how complete they were, just like a mobile pharmacy.

Manbao fumbled in the dark to fetch medicine for Jiechen and personally watched Zhi Ren brew the medicine before giving it to him to consume, only then did she go to wash up.

After showering and changing out of her blood-stained clothes, Manbao didn’t go to rest but instead went to find Bai Shan and the others to discuss the journey ahead.

As soon as she opened the door, Bai Shan looked back in the yard and nodded to her, saying, "Assistant General Nie is also waiting with Mr. Zhuang. There might be some unexpected changes in the road ahead."

When Manbao was treating Jiechen’s injury, Assistant General Nie and others were also busy, inquiring with the villagers about the upcoming road, only to learn that the road ahead was blocked.

He said, "It’s not just heading to Anxi; even the road to Kucha is blocked."

Manbao asked, "Why block the western and northern roads? Is it marauders plundering?"

Assistant General Nie replied, "It shouldn’t be just simple marauders. According to Master Zhi Ren, Yutian Town and Kucha are not very peaceful, and Xizhou might send troops, possibly borrowing soldiers from Shazhou. Thus, those bandit’s action of blocking trade routes is quite sinister."

In other words, they intend to cut off Xizhou’s path for seeking reinforcements, as well as the incoming assistance from Shazhou.

Manbao asked, "Then how do we proceed?"

"The people of this village are originally drifters from the market near the old city ahead. Their previous residence is considered a large settlement where merchants used to stay. Now that place has been occupied." Assistant General Nie said, "But they know of a path to bypass those checkpoints; only, with so many of us, we might get noticed."

This information actually came from Master Zhi Ren. Although they were generous after arriving, the villagers weren’t willing to tell them such things.

They only agreed to send Master Zhi Ren and his disciple out, which, compared to their caravan of over a hundred people, would be much easier to pass undetected with just the two of them.

Assistant General Nie expressed concern, "I want to persuade the village chief to take me on that route first, ensure its feasibility, and then proceed."

Bai Shan then turned to Manbao and said, "It’s just right, Jiechen needs time to heal. The people of the Western Regions have a good impression of monks; even marauders would show a bit of respect to them."

Manbao looked doubtful.

Bai Shan smiled and said, "Jiechen was injured because the two of them encountered marauders slaughtering villagers and intervened. They were wounded after saving them. The marauders let them go in the end because Master Zhi Ren is a monk who persuaded them."

Otherwise, who would rob two monks with only two horses carrying a pile of dried goods?

Therefore, Bai Shan wanted to take the two monks along, believing that Zhi Ren and Jiechen surely also wanted to join them, especially since Manbao’s medical skills were undeniable, and they carried so many medicines.

Zhi Ren indeed thought the same, sitting by his disciple’s bed, pondering. When he saw him wake up drowsily, he fed him rice soup, and Jiechen became much more alert.

Jiechen had been in a comatose state for two days, needing great effort to awaken him. Seeing him regain consciousness, Zhi Ren felt greatly comforted and strengthened his resolve, "Jiechen, how about we travel with Benefactor Zhou and the others?"

Jiechen, who was groggy all day, asked in confusion, "Benefactor Zhou?"

"It’s Imperial Doctor Zhou. She was the one who treated your injuries."

Jiechen couldn’t help but recite a Buddhist chant, as he had felt someone cutting his flesh in his dazed state, briefly opened his eyes seemingly only to be given medicine, he thought it was his master.

He asked, "Why is Benefactor Zhou here?"

"This is quite a long story. It’s a coincidence that they are also heading to Xizhou, so I thought we might as well travel together."

Jiechen smiled bitterly, "I fear I will burden Master. Wouldn’t it be better for Master to go ahead with them?"

Zhi Ren said, "Foolish child, it’s precisely for you that I want to join them."

He continued, "Benefactor Zhou’s medical skills are excellent. She treated your wound, and with just two doses of medicine, you’ve woken up. Having her by your side, your chances of recovery are much higher."

Jiechen knew some medical skills himself, learned from his master, and he understood that his injuries were life-threatening. Now, he felt fortunate to have woken up.

Given the chance to live, who would choose death?

So Jiechen opened his mouth but said nothing.

But he thought of something and hurriedly asked, "Master, what about the marauders ahead? How will we get through?"

"You don’t need to worry about these issues; your master will handle them."

Jiechen felt reassured, lay back on the bed, and drifted off to sleep again.

On the second day, Master Zhi Ren took Manbao and the others to a high point. It was a stone wall. Pointing to a distant spot, he said, "It’s that place. Do you see those remains of walls?"

After looking for a while, Manbao nodded, "There’s a wall that seems like it could be from a building." But it’s really far away.

"That is the old city of Loulan," Master Zhi Ren said. "That direction leads to Puchanghai, and you can see the river flowing in that direction. After Loulan Old City was abandoned, people gathered to live there, calling it a market, but it’s almost like a small city."

The Western Regions are different from the Central Plains. In the Western Regions, if you can gather a hundred families, it’s considered a small city, unlike in the Central Plains, where such a gathering would only be a large village.

"Two years ago, when I passed through here, they were still living in that small city. Half a year ago, they were expelled by marauders. These houses were built recently. Luckily, they had farmland here, or they might have had to drift elsewhere."

Due to these farmlands, despite the presence of wolves, they wouldn’t leave.

"Therefore, the villagers are very familiar with this area, even more than the marauders. Only if they lead the way can we bypass those marauder checkpoints."

Manbao pondered, "Master, do you want to travel with us?"

Zhi Ren smiled slightly, "Benefactor Zhou, as long as you don’t mind us being a burden."

He paused before continuing, "If we’re unfortunate enough to be discovered, I am willing to try to barter the passage with a few Buddhist scriptures, just that Benefactor Zhou should be prepared for losses."

After all, they were carrying quite a load, making them appear wealthy.

Upon hearing this, Manbao’s mind was moved.

She couldn’t help but turn to Bai Shan.

Bai Shan silently looked at her, "What’s wrong?"

Manbao withdrew her gaze, secretly thinking: this matter is important, let’s discuss it later.

Bai Shan also withdrew his gaze, pondering something.