Desperate Rescue

In the end, they traveled for another two hours before stopping in a region that had always been relatively quiet.

Dusk gradually descended, painting the yellow-brown wasteland with a golden radiance.

After setting up camp, the other workers and guards finally relaxed their taut nerves for the moment. They began building fires and cooking, wisps of smoke curling into the air.

Once the convoy came to a halt, Wang Zhuang, as its highest-ranking leader, made a circuit around the entire area. He appeared relaxed, but in truth, he was thoroughly surveying the surroundings to ensure nothing unexpected would happen during the night.

After confirming that all was well, Wang Zhuang went to find his niece again.

"Linger." Wang Zhuang's voice carried the helplessness of someone who had seen it all. "It isn't that your uncle wants to dampen your spirits, but this thing... if he can last until sunrise tomorrow, it'll already be an absurdly tough life. Your moment of kindness will most likely end up being futile, wasting your effort for nothing."

Wang Linger looked at the unrecognizable lump of charred blackness on the pile of grass. The strange scorched stench mingled with a faint smell of blood lingered at the tip of her nose. Her little face turned slightly pale, yet the purity in her eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

She stubbornly pressed her lips together, ignoring her uncle as she nimbly rummaged through her small wooden chest. Its contents were far more complete than anyone could have imagined: clean cloth, fresh spring water, disinfecting medicinal powder, even a small silver knife and several silver needles.

"Then let it be wasted, Uncle Zhuang," she said softly, but with unusual resolve.

"We can't just stand by and watch someone die. Doing more good deeds can never be