The Northern Song Dynasty returned south, seeking the truth of the Dao.

The jade pendant's light was faint and hidden beneath Lin Qingyan's outer garment. Therefore, none of the three present noticed it. After eating, Lin Qingyan felt much better.

It was already late afternoon, almost past 5 PM, and approaching 5 PM. The sky outside was beginning to turn red; this was usually the time when the sun was about to set. It had been almost half a month since autumn began.

The days are getting shorter and shorter. When Wang Zhenhuan and Lin Qingyan set off, the sun was still setting at dusk. Now, it's already showing signs of setting at dusk, but for Wang Zhenhuan, this is actually a good thing.

After all, the earlier night fell, the safer he and Lin Qingyan would be. After adding a few more pieces of firewood to the fire, Wang Zhenhuan was starving and feeling dizzy. Not only had Lin Qingyan not eaten, but he hadn't eaten anything either.

But he couldn't bear to eat those few duck eggs. So, after thinking for a moment, he asked the woman, "Madam, do you know of any places around here where wild fruits or edible wild vegetables grow?"

Upon hearing his words, the woman tilted her head and pondered for a moment, then frowned, seemingly not understanding. Seeing this, Wang Zhenhuan gestured with his hand while asking again.

"I mean any edible wild vegetables or fruits. To be honest, we've been busy fleeing these past few days and have barely eaten. How about this, madam, you take me to find some, and we'll eat together when we get back?"

Now the short, plump woman finally understood what Wang Zhenhuan meant. She stood up, pointed towards the mountains, and then pointed to the ground. Only then did Wang Zhenhuan notice that the woman's fingernails were very long.

Moreover, it was covered in black grime, probably from digging in the dirt at the doorway earlier. Thinking of digging, he immediately understood what the woman meant. So he made a digging motion and asked the woman.

"Is it something that grows in the ground? Is it edible?"

The woman nodded hurriedly, then pointed to the mountain, then to the sky. Wang Zhenhuan frowned and thought for a moment, then asked somewhat uncertainly, "Does Madam mean it's in a very high place?"

Seeing the woman nod, Wang Zhenhuan pondered for a moment, glanced at Lin Qingyan, and then said to the woman, "In that case, when it gets dark, I'll trouble you to take me there together, Madam."

Wang Zhenhuan decided to go at night because of Lin Qingyan. There was less than an hour until dark, and he would feel much more at ease leaving Lin Qingyan alone there after dark.

Although he knew the path up the mountain would be even more difficult after dark, these concerns paled in comparison to Lin Qingyan's safety. Besides, they had the mute woman to guide them.

After making his decision, Wang Huanzhen sat down next to Lin Qingyan and let her lean on his shoulder. In a small woodshed, the three of them sat around the fire, quietly waiting for nightfall.

Waiting is always the longest and most unbearable time, whether it's waiting for someone or waiting for something to happen. As the sky outside the window gradually darkened, Lin Qingyan closed her eyes and fell asleep. Wang Huanzhen picked up his curved sword, pushed open the door, and went out.

At this moment, only the last rays of sunlight remained on the horizon. Wang Huanzhen stood in the courtyard, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. He watched as the last rays of sunlight cried out for help through the clouds, until the sun was finally swallowed up by the mountaintop.

As darkness fell, all was silent. The autumn wind blowing across the vast wilderness, carrying a chill and a hint of fishy stench, jolted him from his daze. He glanced at the brightly lit city and the silent battlefield; they seemed like two different worlds.

"Let's go, and return as soon as possible. Madam, what are your plans next? My wife and I will rest here for the night, and tomorrow we plan to leave and continue south."

The woman followed behind Wang Zhenhuan, seemingly not understanding his words. She shook her head in confusion, pointed to the path leading up the mountain, and then took the lead.

"Yes, who isn't confused? In this chaotic world, perhaps ordinary people can only save themselves. Let's go, let's find something to eat first."

Wang Huanzhen sighed and followed the woman into the mountains. Autumn already has large temperature differences between day and night, and this was even more pronounced in the mountains. Wang Huanzhen was only wearing a single layer of clothing, and soon felt a chill.

Fortunately, he was climbing a mountain and soon he started sweating. Following the woman through several winding paths, they arrived at a hillside with two barely noticeable forks in the road.

The woman looked around and then headed down the mountain path to the left. Wang Zhenhuan followed behind, constantly observing their surroundings. The vegetation here was noticeably more lush.

He wondered if it was because the place was sunny, but as soon as he entered the valley, he immediately felt that the air was much fresher and the stench of the battlefield had disappeared, and his spirits were lifted.

Continuing forward, the path became increasingly narrow. After rounding a bend, the canyon ahead was so narrow that only half a person could pass through. Wang Huan carefully squeezed through, turning sideways.

After crossing the canyon, the sight before him stunned him. In the middle of the valley stood a towering ancient tree, its trunk estimated to be as thick as four or five people could encircle it.

Beneath the ancient tree lay a large, snow-white tiger with piercing eyes and a white forehead, taking a nap. Hearing someone enter, the tiger opened one eye halfway, squinted at them, and then closed it again.

Wang Zhenhuan dared not utter a sound, frozen in place, not daring to move. The woman was even worse off; after being glanced at by the tiger, she immediately hid behind Wang Zhenhuan, not daring to show her head.

Only after the giant beast closed its eyes again did Wang Zhenhuan finally breathe a sigh of relief. He tilted his head and whispered to the woman behind him, "Madam, you didn't tell me there was such a ferocious beast here."

The woman clutched his clothes, shaking her head vigorously, indicating she didn't know either. Wang Zhen looked around, then suddenly his expression brightened. He watched the large insect and cautiously moved to the right.

Seeing that the large insect didn't seem to intend to attack them, he mustered his courage, crouched low, and jogged to the plant. It was the only thing he recognized that was edible.

This is none other than He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum). It looks somewhat similar to a sweet potato, with long oval leaves and a similar, yellowish-brown fruit. It is a traditional Chinese medicine used to replenish deficiencies.

"This is a good thing!" Wang Zhen actually pulled out his curved sword and started digging in the ground. But unfortunately, the curved sword was too short, and it was very difficult to use it for digging. Just as he was worrying...

The woman beside him seemed to have figured out his intentions. She stepped forward, knelt down, and stretched out her hands. Under Wang Zhenhuan's dumbfounded gaze, she quickly dug out the whole he shou wu (Polygonum multiflorum) plant.

Wang Zhenhuan stammered, pointing at the woman, "Could it be...could it be that, madam, you..."