The white cranes flew on for some time. They had now reached Xichuan Province and were above Dao Xing Prefecture, southwest of Yunlu Prefecture.
By now, Pan Wentang and the three children were no longer quite so terrified of the altitude. Even so, being high above the heavens still felt somewhat unreal.
From this great height, they could look west and even see the far side of the distant mountains, where they met vast stretches of grassland.
In earlier years, Dao Xing Prefecture had been an exceptionally chaotic and dangerous place. Back then, the grassland tribes had run rampant, frequently crossing Great Yan's western border to plunder. Half plains and half hills, Dao Xing Prefecture lay near the area where their warhorses usually turned back.
That made their raids here all the more ferocious. Who knew how many people in Dao Xing Prefecture had suffered in those days?
Dao Xing Prefecture was still far from peaceful, but it was considerably more stable than in previous years. At least the grassland tribes had behaved themselves since Great Yong destroyed the Wusa'er Khanate.
Once they reached this area, the white cranes clearly began following the white-feathered crane in the lead as it descended, heading toward a cluster of towns among the hills of Dao Xing Prefecture.
Hui Mian poked his head out from among the crane feathers around Yi Shuyuan's neck.
"Sir, I think we might as well take them straight to Great Yong. Southern Yan's capital has fallen, and the Great Yan Dynasty is essentially finished, but the strife under heaven is far from over. There'll be more chaos before a new dynasty rises."
"You have a point, but that may not be what they want. I can save people, but that doesn't mean I must keep holding them back. Where