Jiang Qiao fell into a light doze.
The remaining four sat outside the tent around a campfire.
The fishing rod stuck into the ground still showed no movement at all, but they were not anxious in the slightest.
Master Kong Xin took out a wine gourd, took a small sip, and said quietly, "The Northern Territory is becoming more and more dangerous. I'm afraid a great battle will break out soon."
"You should all know very well what level those people outside Fishbone Temple are."
"So, while we still have these few days, you'd better persuade the older generation to move away as soon as possible. Clinging to this tiny patch of land may lead to a major disaster."
"It won't help." The young woman shook her head.
"I tried to persuade them back when the Prayer Association deployed its emergency weapon."
"'Preserve the people and lose the land—the land can still be reclaimed. Preserve the land and lose the people—both the people and the land will be lost.' They all understand this principle very well, but understanding it is one thing. Being able to do it is another."
"So after we finish fishing for the Chi Fish this time, I'll take Xiaoqian and leave the Northern Territory to hide out in the Central Land."
She looked at the girl sitting beside her and said gently, "Xiaoqian is my elder sister's daughter. After my sister and brother-in-law died, she became the only true family I have left in this world."
"I won't let her be buried alongside those dried-up old corpses in the family."
"Alas."
The monk sighed.
"If your elder brother were still alive, perhaps he would have been qualified to take part in this upheaval. Unfortunately, he got dragged into the Liu Family's affairs, and in the end..."