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Chapter Fifteen

As the night grew deeper, the people who'd been talking slowly fell silent. Lu Yuxuan and Yuechan walked along, not speaking. The woods around them were filled with the buzz and noise of moving animals.

Yuechans back was covered and sweat, and her mouth was dry. She'd taken many sips of her water, but Yuechan knew that no matter what tactics she used to ease the wear and tear on her body, it still wasn't fully healed from being half-starved two months ago. She'd be dying if she hadn't worked on building on her endurance the last two months.

She took a deep breath and squinted her eyes on Si Muchen, who road steadily ahead of them and the wagons, wishing he'd signal them to stop already.

"Are you all right?"

Lu Yuxuan's voice was rough from the road's dust that was also affecting her.

She offered him a tight smile, "As good as I'll ever be. I'm just eager to take some rest."

He nodded, narrowing his eyes on Si Muchen's back. "If he doesn't stop soon, a few of the others might fall dead at this pace."

"You're right," she glanced over her shoulder. The faces of a few of the older prisoners were pale, and some looked like they were one step from falling to the ground. "Maybe that's his goal."

Facing front once more, her eyes caught what looked like a flicker of silver light, but as she looked back, she frowned when she saw nothing. She raised a hand to rub her eyes and blinked a couple of times. "I must be really tired; I'm even seeing things."

"Here," Lu Yuxuan took her hand. "I'm sure he'll stop soon; I'll help you keep pace."

Taking his hand oddly comforted Yuechan, though she felt a bit guilty about him not only dragging her along but also carrying her brother. "I should really take a turn carrying him," she said.

He snorted, raising her thin arm and giving her a small shake. "You would be tired after three steps."

She glared at him, "Are you calling me weak?"

Playfully, he quirked a brow without saying anything.

"Humph, who wants to hold your rough hand," she muttered, trying to yank her hand out of his. But he wouldn't let her and tightened his hold on her hand.

"Let go, muscle head," she ordered.

Lu Yuxuan lifted her hand and used her on hand against her, by tapping it against her forehead. "You should talk to your husband nicely."

"Ah! You!"

Just as she raised her hand to knock him on his forehead, a sharp whistling sound penetrated the peace of the night and slammed into the rear of the wagon up ahead. Frozen, Yuechan eyes landed on it in surprise, and it took her a few seconds for it to penetrate through her surprise that they were being attacked.

"Bandits! Men forward, prepare to defend!"

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