Chapter 74
Chapter 74
Old Han’s cave was about ten li away.
Ten li was not far on level ground. But ten li through a mountain forest in extreme weather could cost a person their life.
Even so, they had no other choice.
Staying outside meant certain death. If they took the risk, they still had a chance to live.
Old Han had six Snow Camels, each capable of carrying two people.
Xiao Jingyu and Jin Bao rode with Xiao Che, while the other ten people fit perfectly in pairs.
By daybreak, the group finally reached Old Han’s cave.
He had divided it into inner and outer chambers.
There was even a hot spring inside.
Once the Snow Camels entered, they knelt beside the hot spring on their own.
Xiao Che helped Old Han build a large fire.
Xiao Jingmo and Xiao Jinghao helped him treat Old Madam Xiao and Nanny Chen.
After two hours, the two elderly women were finally out of danger. Frostbite was unavoidable, however, and they suffered greatly.
Old Han used dried wild vegetables and jerky to cook everyone a steaming meat-and-vegetable soup.
Pei Wanqing helped Old Madam Xiao drink some, then settled her nearby to rest.
Thanks to the hot spring, the cave was as warm as spring.
The bitter cold outside felt like a nightmare.
After eating their fill, the Xiao Family’s women and the officers grew drowsy.
They had not dared sleep before and had forced themselves to endure. Now that they were warm, fed, and safe, heads began to nod one after another.
Old Han brought out every hide he had saved and spread them over the ground for everyone to sleep on.
Soon, snores rose and fell throughout the cave.
Xiao Che remained curious about Old Han’s identity. Since he was not tired, he sat beside the fire and chatted with him.
Xiao Che held Jin Bao in his arms, while Xiao Jingmo leaned against the rock wall nearby with his eyes half closed.
Apart from the snores, only the crackling fire disturbed the quiet.
Outside, snow and wind raged. Inside, the cave was warm as spring and utterly peaceful.
“Old Master Han, may I see that notebook of yours?”
Xiao Che was deeply curious how Old Han had created it. The notebook was several times more detailed than the map the Northern Frontier had submitted to the imperial court years ago.
Old Han took it out and handed it to him.
“Marquis, have you seen the imperial court’s Map of the Northern Frontier Mountains and Waterways?”
Xiao Che stared at the old man in surprise. How did he know about that?
Could the court’s map have something to do with him?
“I have, but compared to yours, the difference is like heaven and earth.”
A proud smile lifted Old Han’s lips. Then he seemed to remember something painful, and the smile faded.
“My real name is Han Zhaoshan. I joined the army at fourteen. Because my sense of direction and endurance far surpassed ordinary men, I was selected as a scout. My performance earned me promotion after promotion until I became a Scout Captain in command of fifty elite scouts.
“To create a Map of the Northern Frontier Mountains and Waterways for the court, I spent fifteen years charting every mountain and river in the Northern Frontier.
“It recorded the territories of every northern faction, their seasonal migration routes, supply points, underground rivers, and the terrain of the mountains and waterways.
“Once the atlas was submitted, it became a priceless Border Defense Map. I received an exceptional promotion and became the youngest Chief of Scouts in history.
“During one mission, I encountered a White-Hair Howl. I led twenty scouts into it, and only five survived.
“I nearly died in that White-Haired Blizzard too. The White Spirits appeared and saved us.
“Afterward, I raised those White Spirits behind the military camp and planned to form a Snow Camel unit.
“But the good times didn’t last. More than ten years ago, Prince Cheng began secretly deploying troops in the Northern Frontier. He tried to buy my loyalty, but I chose death over submission. Vice Commander Lu framed me for colluding with an enemy nation and selling the Border Defense Map. I was arrested and locked in a secret dungeon.
“My men knocked out the guards and freed me in secret. I fled through a hidden passage with my Snow Camel unit and the atlas I had drawn.
“I’ve hidden in these mountains for more than a decade. With nothing else to occupy me, I refined the original atlas. What began as an assignment became a personal passion, so I devoted even more care to it.
“After expanding the old atlas, I gave it a new name: the Secret Atlas of Mountains and Rivers.”
Xiao Che had already examined the entire Secret Atlas. Compared with the Map of the Northern Frontier Mountains and Waterways, it marked many more hidden passages and caves.
It also contained detailed notes on the terrain changes and shifting tribal powers of recent years.
Xiao Che’s astonishment was beyond words. For such a gifted man to be driven into hiding was Great Xia’s misfortune.
Prince Cheng! Him again!
“Old Master Han, what do you plan to do now?”
Old Han smiled bitterly. “What plans could I possibly have?
“At my age, I could lie down with these mountains and rivers any day. I only pity my White Spirits. No one will care for them after I’m gone.”
Old Han gazed lovingly at the Snow Camels beside the spring. They were both his children and his friends, companions of more than ten years.
“Have you never considered leaving the mountains? It would be a pity for talent like yours to remain buried here.”
Xiao Che immediately wished to recruit him.
“Marquis, don’t joke. I’m still a wanted criminal. The moment I show my face, they’ll arrest me. I’ve grown used to life in the mountains…”
Desolation and loneliness covered Old Han’s face.
Xiao Che understood. Old Han lived this way only because he had no choice.
Who could endure such loneliness day after day?
“Old Master, I have some news. After hearing it, perhaps you’ll reconsider leaving the mountains.”
Old Han’s eyes brightened before he feigned indifference. “What news?”
“I heard Prince Cheng has already set out for the Capital, and the Emperor’s health has recently declined. Everyone knows what Prince Cheng wants. The dynasty may soon change hands.”
Xiao Che had inferred this from the information Xiao Jingxing sent him, though it was not an outcome he wanted.
If the dynasty changed hands, their group would likely have no path to survival. Prince Cheng would never spare the Xiao Family.
Old Han’s face filled with rage.
“If that treacherous dog Prince Cheng dares rebel, I’ll leave these mountains and kill him myself.”
“Then why not come with us into the Northern Frontier? I can keep you safe and prevent anyone from recognizing you.”
Xiao Che’s words shook Old Han. After a long silence, he said, “Even without your protection, Marquis, I would still leave. I will never stand by while Prince Cheng throws the realm into chaos.
“He’s a despicable villain. Even if he becomes Emperor, he’ll be a foolish tyrant. Great Xia will be doomed in his hands.”
Xiao Che had not expected Old Han’s hatred of Prince Cheng to run so deep, but his agreement to leave was good news.
The White-Haired Blizzard raged for three days and nights. The sky did not clear until the fourth day.
Old Han spent those days packing. He owned little of his own; most of what he prepared belonged to the Snow Camels.
He would also need to find somewhere to settle them after leaving the mountains.
The Snow Camels could not yet appear in the Northern Frontier. No matter how well Old Han disguised himself, their presence would expose his identity.
The moment the sky cleared, everyone resumed the journey.
With Old Han’s Snow Camel unit and his living knowledge of the land, they crossed Black Bear Ridge within ten days despite the snow covering the entire forest.
The delay carried them into the beginning of the ninth month.
The Xiao Family had now spent four months on the road since their exile.
Xiao Che studied the map Old Han had drawn.
Once they crossed one more river, they would officially enter the Northern Frontier.
The group followed the official road for another ten or so days and finally approached the Yehu River, a tributary of the Huntong River.
Compared with the bitter cold of Black Bear Ridge, the air here was unbearably hot. The weather truly changed every ten li.
Not a breath of wind stirred in the stifling heat, and the clouds barely moved. Everyone wore only a single padded jacket, yet sweat poured from them.
“Old Master Han, isn’t there something wrong with this weather?”
Sweat streamed off Xiao Che, and he could wring water from the handkerchief in his hand.
“There is. We call this weather the Bone-Scorching Wind, and it’s extremely dangerous. The greatest threat is that the glaciers upstream may melt and rush down with old river ice. That’s the autumn flood. Anyone caught in it has almost no chance of survival.”
No sooner had Old Han finished than Jin Bao, held in Xiao Jingmo’s arms, pointed upstream and urged him in a soft, anxious voice, “Second Brother, run! A huge wall is running toward us. It’s faster than Baby and so scary.”
Xiao Jingmo and Xiao Che had warned Jin Bao not to announce her visions. She had to tell them privately so others would not discover her ability.
Jin Bao was clever and remembered every word. She did not cry out now, but clutched Xiao Jingmo’s lapel with one small hand, her childish voice trembling.