Under the old locust tree of Dawnlight Village, Chen Jieqi wrote two letters.
A letter to Xue Qinghe: "Three villages, one hundred and thirty-seven people, need carriages and guards. Cangmang Mountain Range southeast exit, three days later."
A letter to Dugu Bo: "Grandpa, I brought some people back, see you at the mine."
He took out a cage from Ruyi Treasure Pouch. There were two carrier pigeons in the cage, which were specially used to send messages.
He tied the bamboo tube to the pigeon's leg and raised his hand to send it away.
The homing pigeon flapped its wings and flew toward the southeast.
On the third day after the homing pigeon flew away, Captain Zhao, with thirty cavalrymen and five carts, appeared on time at the southeast exit of the Cangmang Mountain Range.
"His Highness said that he would be taken back and sent directly to the mine."
Chen Jieqi nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
People from three villages were already waiting at the exit.
The old man Dawnlight Village stood at the front, followed by all the men, women and children in the village.
The yellow dog squatted at his feet, sticking out its tongue. It didn't know what was going to happen, but it looked very excited.
People from the other two villages crowded on both sides. Some were carrying burdens, some were carrying burdens, some were leading oxen, and some were holding chickens.
The child burrowed in and out of the cracks among the people, and when the adults shouted at him, he shrank back, and then came out again after a while.
Chen Jieqi stood at a high place and looked at this group of people.
One hundred and thirty-seven people, old, young, sick and weak, not many can work and many need to eat.
"Get in the car," he said.
The crowd moved.
The old man climbed up to the car with his bundle in his arms, and was given a hand by the young man next to him.
The woman lifted the child onto the carriage. When the child cried, she coaxed her, and the yellow dog was picked up, jumped down, and was picked up again.
Guard Captain Zhao stood aside, frowning.
"Mr. Chen, these people..."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Captain Zhao glanced at the yellow dog that jumped down again, "I just didn't expect that the dog would have to be transported."
"Dogs also have their lives." Chen Jieqi said.
The convoy walked for a long time and stopped in front of a mountain stream.
The bridge was broken. It was not a natural break. The wood on the bridge deck had charred marks, as if it had been burned by something.
Guard Zhao's expression changed, "Is there Soul Beast? It stands to reason that there will be no contaminated Soul Beast around here..."
He paused and his voice lowered a bit, "Could it be... that he ran out of the depths of the mountains?"
Chen Jieqi did not answer the call, dismounted and walked to the bridge, Holy Light Perception leaned out.
In the woods opposite the mountain stream, there is a faint breath. It is not Evil Soul Master, but a Soul Beast, a Soul Beast that has been eroded by pollution.
"You guys stand back."
After he activated the first and fifth Soul Skill increases, Ashbringer condensed in his hands, and a Cross Light Blade Slash came out.
That Soul Beast was purified by the Holy Light before it even had time to show its face.
It's just that the bridge is broken and we can't cross.
Chen Jieqi took a look at the mountain stream, which was less than ten meters wide.
"Build a bridge." He told Captain Zhao, "Use the planks from the carriage."
Half an hour later, the convoy continued on its way.
Guard Captain Zhao followed him on horseback, glanced at him, and said nothing.
But Chen Jieqi knows that after returning, Captain Zhao will tell Xue Qinghe everything he saw today.
Set up camp in the evening.
The bonfire was lit, and the villagers sat around the fire, eating dry food and talking. Children ran back and forth between the fires, laughing loudly.
Chen Jieqi was sitting under a big tree in the distance, leaning against the tree trunk, closing his eyes and meditating.
"Benefactor."
He opened his eyes, and the old man Dawnlight Village came over carrying a bowl of soup.
"Have a sip of soup, don't be tired after a long day's journey."
Chen Jieqi took the bowl and took a sip. The wild vegetable soup was a bit salty but very warm.
The old man did not leave, but sat down next to him.
"Benefactor, my grandson is six years old this year."
Chen Jieqi glanced at him.
"His parents died the year before last." The old man's voice was very calm, as if he was talking about someone else's business.
"I looked for those who were captured by those men in black, but couldn't find them."
Chen Jieqi said nothing.
"I brought him out." the old man said,
"If I want him to live a good life, he doesn't need to be rich and powerful, just be safe."
The old man turned his head and looked at Chen Jieqi.
"My benefactor, I will kowtow to you."
He was about to kneel down as he spoke, and Chen Jieqi stretched out his hand to support him.
"No need."
"I want it." The old man's voice was trembling.
"You saved our lives. If we can't pay it back in this life, we will pay it back in the next life."
Chen Jieqi looked at the old man's eyes, which were cloudy and filled with tears, but very bright.
Chen Jieqi said without hesitation, "When we get to the mine, let your grandson awaken Martial Soul first."
Chen Jieqi said, "After awakening Martial Soul, only if you have Soul Power can you be self-reliant and strong."
The old man was stunned, his lips trembled a few times, and then he nodded heavily, tears flowing down the wrinkles on his face.
"Hey! Hey! Thank you, my benefactor! Thank you, my benefactor!"
He wiped his face, his voice choked,
"This child's life is miserable. His parents... if his parents knew... ugh..."
Chen Jieqi did not interrupt him, but just reached out to support his kneeling body.
"Go ahead. The soup is delicious."
The old man stood up, wiped his face again, turned around and walked back.
After taking a few steps, he looked back, moved his lips, and finally said two words:
"Benefactor..."
Chen Jieqi has closed his eyes.
The old man didn't speak anymore, and his steps were much lighter than when he came.
The next few days were uneventful, and on the evening of the fifth day, the convoy arrived at the East Foothills of Tiantou City mine.
Looking from a distance, a bluestone city wall has been erected at the mouth of the valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, with sentries standing on the top of the wall and a sentry tower standing on the ridge.
In the valley, several rows of wooden houses are arranged neatly. Although simple, they are many times better than the original adobe houses of the villagers.
Chen Jieqi rein in the horse.
"Arrived."
The crowd poured out of the carriage.
Someone was standing on the ground, staring blankly at the house in front of him, not daring to move.
Someone squatted down, touched the soil on the ground with his hands, and shed tears.
Someone was holding a child and standing at the mouth of the valley, his lips were trembling and he couldn't say a word.
Dawnlight Village The old man was holding the yellow dog, standing in the crowd, looking at the wooden houses in the valley, his eyes were red, but he was not crying.
He lowered his head and said to the yellow dog, "We're here."
The yellow dog wagged its tail, as if he understood.
Chen Jieqi stood at the mouth of the valley, looking at these people.
They come from polluted land, from the shadow of Evil Soul Master, from fear and despair.
Now, they stand here, alive.
"Mr. Chen." Master Li from the Defense Clan came up and introduced,
"The residential area has been built and can accommodate two hundred people. We have also prepared some food and grass, which is enough for half a month."
Chen Jieqi nodded, "Arrange for them to stay."
"Yes."
Master Li turned around and ordered his men.
Chen Jieqi stood at the mouth of the valley, watching the villagers file in.
The old man is holding the yellow dog, the child is holding the package, the woman is supporting the old man, and the man is carrying the luggage.
They walked into the valley mouth, walked into those wooden houses, and walked into a tomorrow they never thought they could have.
After nightfall, Chen Jieqi stood on the sentry tower of the mine, looking at the lights.
"Sheng Hui." He muttered silently.
"Hmm."
"These people will be the first batch of Chapel of Light's Hope from now on."
"You're finally starting to think about it."
"It's not that I want to." Chen Jieqi said, "It's that we have come to this point."
"Is there a difference?"
"Yes." Chen Jieqi said, "Thinking is just a dream, walking is just a rush."