Black Triangle City Sealed Off, Searches Conducted

That very night, the group left the residence.

Lu Yuan packed up every bit of dried provisions, clothing, and bedding they could use from the residence.

He also found some plant ash and scattered it as they traveled.

The purpose was to mask their scent.

So they would not be caught by tracking demonic beasts.

"Hopefully, this journey goes smoothly."

Lu Yuan murmured.

Chen Wang's injuries were severe, and You Tai supported him.

Lu An supported his mother, Liu Ying, while Lu Qing supported her grandfather, Liu Tieshan. The group deliberately chose remote mountain paths, hiding by day and traveling by night as they slowly made their way toward Black Triangle City.

These three days on the road had let everyone truly smell the stench of chaotic times.

The countryside, once relatively peaceful, was now empty in nine homes out of ten.

Eight or nine villages out of every ten they passed had suffered calamity. Some had been plundered by demonic beasts, their houses collapsed and savage claw marks left upon their courtyard walls.

Others had been visited by disorderly soldiers and bandits. Their brushwood gates stood wide open, their stoves cold and their pots empty.

From time to time, they saw refugees on the road fleeing with their families, carrying burdens on shoulder poles. Every one of them was sallow and emaciated, their eyes numb.

"Demonic beasts are terrifying enough already, yet some people still collude with them. They're worse than beasts."

Watching the scene from afar, Lin Ruoxue could not help saying angrily.

Lu Yuan said nothing, merely steering well clear of the crowds.

In particular, large groups of soldiers occasionally thundered past along the official road, while members of various sects and gangs dressed in martial attire took advantage of the chaos to plunder.

Lu Yuan avoided