CHAPTER 81: CHAPTER 79: QI NANFENG TREATS IT LIKE A TREASURE!

Not far ahead was the only group of houses within a radius of ten miles, the Longchang Post Station.

After nearly four months of arduous journey, they finally reached their destination — Wuheng.

Today, however, was just a handover at the Longchang Post Station. Perhaps tonight, or maybe tomorrow, someone would take them to Wuheng Earth City, which was where they would ultimately stay.

Most of the exiled prisoners to Wuheng would be taken under the ancient city to serve the Armored Soldiers as slaves. Every day, they would either build city walls, reclaim wasteland, or be temporarily assigned to places like the post station and government farms to do odd jobs.

The daily tasks were heavy and arduous, and the food was extremely limited. It was not easy for those exiled here to survive.

The Longchang Post Station was different from other post stations, as it was right next to several huts, which were dwellings of some who had been exiled here before and had settled.

Yet there were no indigenous people to be seen.

Ruan Qingsong told Ruan Mian that the indigenous people of Wuheng were a tribal group that lived by hunting in Longchang Mountain all year round. It was wise for those exiled here to avoid interactions with the natives as much as possible.

Looking ahead at the icy and snowy land, apart from the post station, there was no other sign of life in the vast world. The snow-covered plains were swept by violent gusts, blinding everyone with the wind and snow.

They had only heard of Wuheng’s bitterness and hardship but had never seen the desolation here with their own eyes.

Not even a shadow of the natives could be seen.

Even though the scenery here was majestic and enchanting, no amount of beauty could surpass the barrenness in their hearts. Before they even reached the gate of the post station, cries of lamentation were already heard in the procession.

In such an environment, even the usually composed Ruan Mian frowned.

The beginning of this journey seemed even more difficult than she had imagined; it could be said this place was nothing but void.

But looking at it another way, precisely because there was nothing, she had plenty of room to exert her abilities.

At least she wasn’t alone, she had her left arm and right arm with her, the entire Ruan Family was intact. They had hands and feet, and she had such a huge space. Even if they were to build a city here, it wouldn’t be that difficult!

Honestly, if she discarded all the difficulties and looked at the current situation, Ruan Mian felt as if she had come to an unreal paradise.

The swirling snow, the world of white made the place pure and flawless, as if unstained by worldly concerns, leaving only serenity and purity.

By the time they reached the post station, the swirling snow had also stopped. The setting sun near evening hung at the horizon, and the golden sunlight slanted, dyeing the world in a warm golden hue.

Snowflakes shimmered in the sunset, like thousands of diamonds scattered across the ground, sparkling brightly.

The golden rays covered the snow-covered mountains, turning the cold world into a splendid and colorful painting.

Standing at the gate of the post station were a few constables on duty, who led them inside the post station.

During the handover by the government officers, they waited in the backyard, and soon saw a few officers carrying a freshly hunted deer into the yard.

With swift knife moves, the huge deer was cut into several pieces in no time.

The venison was still warm, with steam rising from each incision, condensing into gas in the cold air, rising slowly.

These officials were accustomed to eating wild food and had already built a fire, skewering the cut deer meat on long spears and throwing them onto the fire to roast vigorously.

Once cooked, they ravenously tore into the meat and feasted heartily.

Though simple and rough, it made everyone drool, watching enviously.

Especially the family from Uncle’s Mansion and Qi Mansion, who hadn’t tasted meat along the way. Their drool almost froze at their mouths as they longingly watched the venison, swallowing hard.

What they ate most were dry, unfulfilling wheat cakes. The people from the Ruan Family were better off, having Ruan Mian’s care, occasionally tasting cured meat or fresh rabbit meat, with a balanced diet of meat and vegetables.

But even they hadn’t tried venison.

Ruan Mian pondered for a moment and was about to speak when an officer approached them with a piece of cooked meat, smiling with a bit of boastful teasing.

"Want a taste?"

"You’ll be taken to the Earth City tomorrow. It’s pitiful, so today I’ll be kind and reward you with some."

Upon hearing it was a reward, those people’s eyes widened!

But the officer suddenly changed the tone: "Buy it with Silver."

Hearing they still needed to pay, their faces fell instantly.

Yet people like Liu Family couldn’t resist the lure of meat. Swallowing her saliva, she turned her back and fished out a few treasured copper coins and a broken silver from her clothes, and tottered over to exchange for meat.

However, halfway there, Qi Nanfeng snatched them away!

"Mother, you have Silver Coin?"

Liu Family hurriedly said, "This is mother’s last bit of money for support, Nanfeng. We have gone without meat for too long, let’s eat to our heart’s content today!"

Saying this, she reached for the Silver Coin, but Qi Nanfeng held her hand down with a tug at the corner of his mouth.

"Mother, I’ll buy it, you wait here."

Remembering the last time with the wild boar, Liu Family didn’t dare trust her son. Yet before she could refuse, Qi Nanfeng had already walked with those broken silver towards the officer.

However, what he bought was not venison.

Lately, Qi Nanfeng felt something wrong with his body; no matter what he did, a certain part seemed unresponsive.

To know, he had always been proud of his prowess, being young and capable, with a strong body. It was for this reason that when he traveled south with his uncle, he won the Princess’s favor.

He still hoped to rely on himself, dreaming of the day he could please the Princess and escape this predicament!

But if his most prized skill was lost, how could he ever leave this damned place!

Wouldn’t he die here in humiliation?

So, by any means, he had to try.

Deer antler, as described incredibly in books, was something he would occasionally supplement after traveling south with his uncle.

Now having fresh ones, wouldn’t the effects be even better?

Thus, without hesitation, he walked to the officer and specifically asked for the deer antler.

The officers exchanged glances and easily cut it off, but laughed at the pitiful copper coins in Qi Nanfeng’s hand.

"Do you think you can buy such an essential part with just these?"

Qi Nanfeng seemed prepared, as he promptly pulled the maid Xiao Huan over from behind and shoved her to the officer!

"My maid, take her as compensation!"

Xiao Huan was Qi Nanfeng’s concubine, raised in the Qi Mansion from a young age.

All along the way, she was careful not to step out of line with him and Liu Family, only to be offered like a commodity to the officers at the last moment!

"Master, don’t, Master!" Xiao Huan pleaded in tears, but Qi Nanfeng kicked her away, staring unmovingly at the deer antler in the officer’s hand.

Seeing that Xiao Huan was young and beautiful, they threw the deer antler in front of Qi Nanfeng.

Qi Nanfeng obtained it as if it was a treasure!