After speaking, Zhao Ya turned around and went back inside, leaving Meng Shiwen alone, sitting in the courtyard in a daze.
"Who was it, Ya?" Zui’Er, half asleep, vaguely heard voices in the courtyard and couldn’t help but ask.
"It’s nothing, hurry and go back to sleep. We have to get up early for the journey tomorrow!"
"Okay!"
Zui’Er suspected nothing and went back to sleep.
Zhao Ya heard a slight noise in the courtyard and knew that Meng Shiwen had already left, prompting him to sigh inwardly.
He really didn’t want to get involved in these kinds of matters.
But when he remembered how his master, Meng Lei, had proudly boasted about his daughter’s excellence before he died, he couldn’t help but feel a little soft-hearted.
Forget it.
He had already done everything he could.
As for whether to go or not, that was no longer something he could decide.
Zhao Ya closed his eyes to feign sleep and soon fell into a dream.
Before dawn the next day, Zui’Er got up to start packing.
By the time Zhao Ya got dressed, breakfast was already prepared.
After eating a few bites, Zhao Ya picked up his belongings and left the small courtyard with Zui’Er.
No one saw them off.
Because apart from telling Lu Dingtai and Meng Shiwen, only Shang Luoluo knew about Zhao Ya’s departure this time.
When they reached the outside, a long-distance carriage was already waiting by the roadside.
Zhao Ya had prepared it in advance.
The distance between Yunxiao County and Wuxiang City wasn’t too far. If Zhao Ya walked along the official road, it would take only five or six days at most with his current pace.
But it was different with Zui’Er.
He couldn’t let this little girl suffer like himself, dining under the sky and resting on the ground.
The last time they came was out of necessity, taking the mountain trails, which made Zhao Ya feel heartache, thinking Zui’Er was aggrieved.
This time, the situation had changed dramatically, with powerful strength backing him. Zhao Ya feared no one and could naturally walk the main road openly.
After securing the luggage, Zui’Er got into the carriage, while Zhao Ya sat at the front to drive.
Zhao Ya took one last look at the martial arts hall’s gate, seeing the empty pathway with no one in sight, he couldn’t help but sigh softly, then gently flicked the whip.
Slap.
The carriage rumbled on its way, heading towards the city outskirts.
When they arrived at the city gate, it had just opened, and those entering and leaving were mostly vegetable farmers coming to sell or merchants leaving for business.
Zhao Ya’s carriage blended in seamlessly, and with the large bamboo hat he deliberately wore to hide his face, they exited the city smoothly.
Once outside the city, they followed the main road and soon entered the suburbs of the commandery city.
Although it was early winter, the wheat seedlings in the fields were still lushly green, with many farmers hard at work.
After the beast tide siege and the cavalry chaos, Yunxiao County finally ushered in a rare peace.
Especially with the Martial Artist faction holding power, and Zhao Ya’s firm insistence, much care was given to these lower-tier masses.
As a result, Yunxiao County and its surrounding areas quickly became a rare haven in these chaotic times.
In this environment of rejuvenation and good relations with the people, Yunxiao County and its surroundings became bustling and lively.
Although not everyone could yet afford to be well-clothed and well-fed, at least the situations of people starving to death greatly diminished.
The roadside was no longer lined with those expressionless, despondent poor folk.
Zhao Ya felt much better at heart.
Although his power was limited, at least through his efforts, he changed the ecology of a place.
Zhao Ya didn’t consider himself a saint, but having come to this world and gained enough power, it was only right to help these bottom-level masses to reduce their suffering a bit.
As they moved forward, a figure suddenly appeared beside the official road ahead.
Meng Shiwen stood by the roadside with a small bundle on her back, waiting.
Although her face was veiled with a thin layer of gauze, her graceful figure and clear eyes still attracted many glances.
However, seeing the Dingtai Martial Arts Hall emblem embroidered on her cuff, many people quickly withdrew their gaze in awe.
Nowadays, Dingtai Martial Arts Hall’s prestige in Yunxiao County was at its peak, with Temple Master Lu Dingtai being a formidable man who had consecutively defeated two Fifth Realm experts in the Capital City. Under him were disciples at half-step to Fifth Realm and Fourth Realm.
Such a strong lineup could traverse Yunxiao County unhindered.
But Dingtai Martial Arts Hall was disciplined, and its disciples never bullied others. Besides, it was Dingtai Martial Arts Hall that first put an end to the cavalry chaos, which won them a good reputation.
Especially Zhao Ya, countless impoverished families set up long-life plaques for him, offering daily tributes.
Because people heard, their well-being in the commandery city was largely due to this Young Hero Zhao.
So upon seeing Meng Shiwen being from the Dingtai Martial Arts Hall, both passing merchants and common folks willingly gave way without disturbance.
When Zhao Ya saw Meng Shiwen, he was first stunned but then smiled. He steered the horse to Meng Shiwen’s side.
He didn’t ask Meng Shiwen why she suddenly changed her mind or why she was waiting outside the city.
He simply said one thing.
"Senior Sister, get in the carriage!"
Zui’Er also saw Meng Shiwen and couldn’t help but excitedly lift the car curtain.
"Senior Sister, are you coming with us?"
"Yes, going back to have a look." Meng Shiwen got into the carriage, trying hard to maintain a calm demeanor, but her slightly trembling hands gave her away.
But Zhao Ya pretended not to notice, smiled slightly, and said, "Hold on tight!"
Then, with a gentle flick of the whip, the carriage sped up, heading towards Wuxiang City.