After leaving the city, the convoy took to the main road. As they traveled farther from Big Stone County, Zhao Feng noticed far more ragged refugees than there had been a few months ago. Previously, these refugees would put up shacks outside county towns, and the authorities and great local families would distribute porridge regularly. But as their numbers grew, the burden became increasingly unbearable. Sooner or later, it would blow up.
This time, the convoy would not pass through Three Yang County. Instead, they took another main road, hoping to reach Cross Pass Town before dark and spend the night there.
To do that, the convoy had to keep moving without stopping. They could spare no more than ten minutes for a lunch of dry rations and cold water if they wanted to reach Cross Pass Town before nightfall.
Almost everyone in the convoy remained on high alert along the way. However, they encountered only harassment from small bands of roving bandits, who backed off when they saw how many Martial Masters accompanied the Wei Family convoy.
Toward evening, just before they reached Cross Pass Town, they encountered a band of several dozen robbers—a force of some substance. But Seventh Uncle cleaved their leader to death with his long saber in a single exchange, and the rest scattered.
After a journey of scares but no real danger, they reached Cross Pass Town and stopped for food and lodging.
The Wei Family booked an entire inn in Cross Pass Town and let the horses rest and eat. The experienced Seventh Uncle ordered the guards under him to inspect the fodder and feed the horses themselves, rather than let the inn staff handle it. He also assigned men to take turns keeping watch through the night.
Fortunately, the night passed without