(10)
"With only four copper coins left, we are finally one step closer to regaining freedom." This was what she should have planned.
According to past habits, Yu Ke would often encourage himself in his heart in order to find some solace from the hard days with no end in sight.
Yes, Yu Ke recalled being locked up in a small dark room countless times when he was a child. In that narrow and dark place, he also dreamed of "freedom" countless times. But now, she no longer has such thoughts.
She clutched the remaining four copper coins and held them to her chest as if she were protecting some treasure. She truly felt the fact that although she was under control before and now, the person she was taking orders from now was not simply a general. She treats him as a servant girl, and Yu Ke can often see things in the young swordsman that others don't.
Sometimes, he will mercilessly cannibalize the enemy's body like an eagle, accurate and ferocious; sometimes he will spread his wings to cover others, warm and reliable. It seems that the temperament is repetitive, but in fact it is always the same.
"I don't understand many things, but the only thing I know is that I stayed with him voluntarily. One day, I will become the sharpest 'sword' in his hand."
The voice in my heart kept echoing, shouting rhythmically with my breathing. Soon, another voice called her.
"Ake, how are you? Your head is so hot!"
Yu Ke opened his eyes in a daze and saw Ayu waiting anxiously beside him and said, "I don't know, I always feel top-heavy."
"I asked Mr. Bai to come over and take a look."
After a while, Bai Feng came over, touched her forehead and palms, and said, "It seems that she had an excessive convulsion and contracted the wind and cold."
Ayu said: "Then we still have to set off today?"
Yu Ke reacted quickly at this time. Before Bai Feng could say anything, she affirmed: "Brother, I'm fine. Let's get on our way as soon as possible!"
"I have no intention of spending time letting you rest." Bai Feng sneered: "We will leave after we get the silver reward later."
"Yes!" Yu Ke immediately put on his shoes and socks and returned to Bai Feng, saying that he was ready to go at any time.
The few people packed up their luggage, exchanged a few words with the innkeeper, and then left to go to the government to receive the reward.
Coincidentally, today happens to be the fifteenth day since they came to the town.
The town official Lin Qi set up his posture to receive the guests early in the morning. The hundred taels of silver reward were cushioned with exquisite cloth and plates and piled up into a hill. When people saw Bai Feng coming, they greeted him warmly and shouted the name "General Bai Feng".
Bai Feng ignored this, just went over to take the silver reward, turned around and left. Unexpectedly, all the people in the town, young and old, arrived at some unknown time and blocked the gate of the government office.
"General Bai Feng, thank you for eliminating banditry for the villagers."
"Yesterday, it was so exciting to kill!"
"Thanks to General Bai Feng, we have a chance to turn over and become human beings!"
This group of people all took the most valuable things in their homes and wanted to give them to General Bai Feng to express their gratitude, but Bai Feng said: "Everyone has devoted manpower and material resources to suppress the bandits, and there have been many casualties. How can I ask you Something? Only this bounty is justified. I have eradicated the 'bear problem' in the town, and now it is time to leave."
Ayu watched helplessly so many good things passing by under his eyes, and he was torn in his heart: he hated Bai Feng for not knowing good and bad, and at the same time, he felt ashamed for accepting so many gifts.
There was nowhere to vent her resentment, so she vented her anger on Fu Wentao and said, "Wen Tao, do you think we want these?"
"How do I know?" Fu Wentao didn't know why, so he pushed the other person and said with a smile: "If you want it, go and ask for it yourself!"
"You!" Ayu was ashamed to let strangers see his greed for petty gains, so he drove Fu Wentao to another place and treated him in his own way. He also pushed him and replied: "Of course I want to I want it, but 'that person' won't let me take it..."
Upon seeing this, the town official Lin Qi walked to the crowd with a smile and said to everyone: "Dear fellow villagers, General Bai Feng is right. Everyone has contributed to the suppression of bandits, whether they went to the battlefield or in the army. Everyone in this town has taken credit for protecting our home for us! Therefore, we do not owe General Bai Feng any favors. It is our government that owes General Bai Feng. Therefore, I will offer a reward of one hundred taels of silver as agreed. Bai Feng The general also happily accepted it, so let’s all disperse now!”
After everyone listened, they all nodded and said it was reasonable, and gradually left.
Lin Qi turned to Bai Feng and continued to ask: "General Bai Feng, do you really want to stay for a few more days?"
"I have a tight journey, so I don't dare to delay."
Lin Qi expressed a little regret and continued: "I wanted you to stay in the town. I am willing to find a full-time position for the general. I believe that with your ability, you will be put to good use soon."
"Thank you, Mr. Lin, for your kindness. Please forgive me for refusing, because there are more important things waiting for me to do." Bai Feng said, "By the way, why don't you see Liu Mo today? Where are the others?"
Lin Qi was a little disappointed and replied: "Liu Mo didn't come back. He said he would never come back again."
"Is that so?" Bai Feng shook his head and looked at Yu Ke beside him, as if he could still feel her guilt. "It's okay if you don't come back," he continued, "I just hope Mr. Lin can listen to my advice. If you really want to protect the people of a place, you can't abide by too many strict laws and regulations - train troops when you should, and take in disciples when you should. . This troubled world is not what we want, but we have to endure it. Being a 'good person' cannot protect others."
Lin Qi silently agreed, then saw off the distinguished guests and walked to the Ten Mile Pavilion outside the town before giving up.
With this travel expenses, the trip for Bai Feng and his four people suddenly became much easier. They no longer had to sleep with the horses in a hotel because they didn't have enough money. Yu Ke's coldness did not get worse because of the journey, but he took a few rests. The day was almost healed.
And after eradicating the "bear problem", they encountered significantly more tourists than before. People nearby heard that the bear problem had been eliminated, so they all chose to change their route.
That is to say, Bai Feng and the others don’t have to move cautiously like trying to find a road through hazelnuts. Every morning is happy and every night they don’t get cold; they can find the way in time when they lose their way, and they can even communicate with strangers. Traveling together, Ayu is very willing to make a small amount of money as a guard.
They walked very fast on the short half way to the capital, as fast as they arrived in the blink of an eye, but they did walk for a long time.
Yu Ke is the person who can best prove this. Along the way, she has never stopped practicing swordsmanship. Her arms and calves are getting stronger day by day. Her swordsmanship has improved rapidly. This is not only due to Bai Feng's frequent interactions with The reason for practicing martial arts is because she has an extraordinary attachment to the "sword" in her heart.
"I think she looks a lot like me." Fu Wentao often lamented to Ayu in private.
After walking for more than two months from Cangzhou to the west, from the heavy snow in the sky to the return of spring, they finally arrived at their destination, Jinyang City.
