Early the next morning, around five or six, the miners, now fed and rested, began leaving the mining area in groups.
The gang of bandits that usually kept watch outside seemed to have vanished without a trace.
Xiao Ran rode a horse, pulling a sled with Golden Toad Son, Wu Man, and Qi Jinguang sitting on it. The group followed alongside the miners at an unhurried pace.
"Martial Uncle, will they be able to keep going? Should we draw them some more talismans?"
Qi Jinguang looked at the long line of people, worried the miners wouldn't be able to hold out. It was bitterly cold, and they were walking through the snow. He feared they wouldn't be able to take it.
"Don't worry. I added something to last night's meal. They could walk for three days and nights without feeling tired."
Wu Man grinned mischievously from the side.
He had anticipated this when he cooked the night before. That pot of pork stewed with vermicelli would leave even ordinary people feeling full of energy, with strength to spare.
Hearing this, Qi Jinguang felt much more at ease. After all, if you were going to help someone, you might as well see it through. It would be a shame if these people, having narrowly escaped death, ended up freezing on the road.
They walked for about a day and a night before returning to the town.
But Xiao Ran and the others didn't continue into town. Golden Toad Son simply whistled, and the Tiger Demon came trotting out of town.
"Martial Nephew, we'll go our separate ways here. The rest of the journey is our own business. If you come with us, you might get dragged into trouble. Let's part here."
Xiao Ran turned to Qi Jinguang.
At this, Qi Jinguang