Ning Zhen wove through the forest and along the water's edge. In no time at all, her herb basket was more than half full. Today she was having good luck. With a light heart, Ning Zhen walked along, humming a little tune. Coming to a boulder, she took off her bamboo basket and set it down beside the rock, then gave a light leap and landed atop the boulder. Taking the Jade Flute from her waist, she sat down with one leg dangling and the other slightly bent, her foot resting on the rock, and began to play the flute on her own.
Watching Duanmu Furong and Hong Yue walk toward her, Mo Xian helplessly raised an eyebrow, a pebble already clutched in her hand. Mo Xian prayed that Duanmu Furong and Hong Yue would not walk any closer. Meeting by chance, Mo Xian truly did not want to harm two completely unfamiliar girls. Perhaps she could talk things over with them, or offer a brief explanation. It was just that Mo Xian's current appearance was really not fit for others to see. Though they were all girls, and it wasn't strictly forbidden to be seen, there was simply no way to explain it—especially after having just been suspected by a group of men.
Duanmu Furong and Hong Yue drew closer and closer to Mo Xian. When they were nearly upon her, Mo Xian gritted her teeth and hardened her heart, flicking two pebbles out. They struck Duanmu Furong and Hong Yue, who collapsed to the ground, growing limp before they even had time to cry out.
Seeing the two of them pass out, Mo Xian hurriedly and flusteredly emerged from her hiding spot. Stepping up to Duanmu Furong and Hong Yue, she confirmed once more that they were truly unconscious, then lifted her own hands and stared at them. Her physical skills were getting better and better the longer she was here. Could it be that the ancient space-time she now inhabited was different from the modern world? Those two pebbles had been thrown with astonishing precision.
The feeling of having improved physical skills was not bad at all. Mo Xian felt rather pleased with herself.
She hurried over to the clothes the two had left out to dry, quickly putting some on and gathering the rest in her hands, then turned to leave.
As she turned, Mo Xian glanced back at Duanmu Furong and Hong Yue. Faintly, she saw a cluster of vital energy gathering within each of their bodies, slowly dispersing.
The two of them were about to wake up!
With light, swift steps, Mo Xian hurried away from the pool.
Though she had done this out of sheer necessity, guilt still weighed on Mo Xian's heart—first knocking Duanmu Furong and Hong Yue into the water, and now knocking them unconscious. Yet there was also a trace of gratitude in her heart. After all, she was now wearing Duanmu Furong and Hong Yue's clothes, and this attire was far more convenient than her original outfit. Thinking this, Mo Xian turned her head to look back in their direction once more.
She remembered the cluster of qi she had seen gathering inside the two bodies. When had she developed X-ray vision? Mo Xian was puzzled. Could this, too, be related to the ancient space-time?
Regardless, her top priority was to find people before worrying about anything else. Moreover, judging by that group of men, there should be a village or a densely populated town nearby. The appearance of these two young women made that even more certain.
Mo Xian walked in the direction from which she had heard the men talking, and after the space of a cup of tea, she caught sight of a road.
She had finally escaped!
All of Mo Xian's gloom vanished in a burst of excitement. Where there was a road, there was a direction.
After walking for another cup of tea's time, Mo Xian reached the roadside.
Which way should she go? Mo Xian hesitated. Ordinarily, either direction would be fine, and heading back the way the men had come would likely increase her chances of finding a village or town. But what if she ran into that group of men again? They didn't seem like kind folks. Besides, they had taken her clothes—though they hadn't actually laid eyes on her. What was there to be afraid of? Even so, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble. Furthermore, as long as she ran into people, everything would be easier to handle. After a moment of thought, Mo Xian set off in the opposite direction.
Little did Mo Xian know that the road ahead wound through several massive mountains, leaving the vast area entirely uninhabited, save for the occasional passerby.
She really would have to rely on luck.
When a person has nothing at all, even encountering a horse feels like bliss.
Walking along the road for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Mo Xian spotted a horse not far ahead. By the roadside a short distance away lay an open patch of grassland, bordered by a sparse grove of trees. At the edge of the grass, a horse stood with its head lowered, grazing. When it had eaten its fill, the horse tossed its head and swished its tail, thoroughly enjoying its meal.
At the sight of a living creature, no matter what kind, a wave of excitement washed over Mo Xian. But the excitement faded just as quickly. If only she had run into a vehicle instead. Whether it was a car, a truck, a motorcycle, an electric scooter, or a bicycle, Mo Xian could handle it. But what she had encountered now was a horse—a living horse. Mo Xian didn't know whether to be happy or how to feel. She had no idea what her own emotions were right now.
Here, hoping for a vehicle was nothing more than wishful thinking.
Mo Xian felt helpless and powerless.
Was she reduced to walking on her own?
Perhaps she could try approaching that horse?
Perhaps it would work.
At the very least, she would have a companion, wouldn't she?
Mo Xian walked toward the horse.
The horse showed no reaction to Mo Xian's approach, continuing to lower its head and graze. "It must be a trained horse, not a wild one," Mo Xian thought, a small surge of joy warming her heart.
Perhaps she could try riding it. Maybe in this ancient space-time, she would somehow know how to ride a horse.
With a pounding heart and her eyes fixed squarely on the grazing animal, Mo Xian crept closer step by cautious step, terrified of missing the slightest reaction from the horse.
Truth be told, if she had to face a human opponent in a physical contest to take someone down, Mo Xian wouldn't break a sweat. But facing a horse, she was completely at a loss, with no idea where to even begin.
Step by step, Mo Xian drew closer to the still-grazing horse. When she was just a single step away, the horse suddenly lifted its head, tossed it back, and let out a snort.
Startled, Mo Xian instantly took a step back.
Her eyes went wide as she stared at the horse. The horse lifted its head to look back at her, appearing entirely devoid of hostility—at least, that was how Mo Xian felt. Steadying her nerves, she resolved to get a little closer. The moment she lifted her foot, the horse glanced at her, and Mo Xian froze right where she stood.
The horse was tall and sturdy, with a bright, glossy coat, and was fully equipped with reins and a saddle. It was clearly not a wild animal. Lowering her gaze to the grass, Mo Xian thought for a moment and decided to express her intentions to the horse, making it clear that she meant no harm. Horses were said to be very spiritual creatures, after all.
Looking intently at the horse, Mo Xian spoke: "Little horse, I'm just passing through. I don't know your name, but you look very handsome. I suppose we must have some affinity with one another. Let's be companions."
The horse looked at Mo Xian, blinking its eyes as if it understood every word she said. Its expression also softened considerably.
Seeing this, Mo Xian slowly crept closer. The horse seemed to accept her, standing completely still as she drew near.
Her heart was still pounding wildly in her chest.
Recalling what she had seen of horses in the past—on television, the internet, and in stories—Mo Xian reached out to stroke the horse's mane before grabbing hold of the reins.
Leading the horse, Mo Xian walked down the road.
She couldn't quite explain why she had decided to lead this horse. Perhaps it was simply to have a companion so she wouldn't feel so frightened and lonely.