The Journey of Immortal Cultivation

Chapter 1245: Chapter 635: Qiu Niang (Happy Laba Festival) (2)

"Official, official!" She called out loudly, her anxious and sharp voice carrying far into the night sky.

Even the night owls seemed to have fallen silent. The surroundings suddenly became eerily still.

The official did not respond.

She had to find him. Qiu Niang took a few breaths before slowly rolling over to sit up, forcing herself to endure the pain as she moved her limbs.

Fortunately, apart from her arm, neck, and face being severely bruised, it seemed she hadn’t broken any bones or suffered any obvious internal injuries. She looked up and assessed the situation; the bottom of the ditch was almost ten feet from the ground. She had fallen into the ditch from a speeding carriage, yet she hadn’t broken her neck? Heaven truly protected her, but would the official be as fortunate as she was?

Thinking of this, she grew anxious and seemed to find strength, managing to stagger to the edge of the ditch, using hands and feet to try climbing out.

The ditch probably went dry in winter, but its walls were coated with ice, slippery and difficult to grip. She tried several times but was unable to climb up. Qiu Niang grew anxious and looked around, finding a sturdy wooden stick at the bottom of the ditch. She used it to break the ice — surprisingly, this method worked well. Perhaps in her anxiety her strength increased, and after a few hard hits, the ice broke open, revealing intertwined old tree roots beneath.

After 15 minutes, she finally managed to climb up. She looked around, but was suddenly stunned.

This was a vast ice field; the snow on the ground reflected the pale moonlight, allowing her to see far into the distance. Within her sight, everything was empty, only a few clumps of low shrubs. No people, no creatures, nothing that moved, and no — oxen cart! Naturally, there was no trace of the official either.

She was alone here!

Qiu Niang was bewildered: "What is going on?" The barren field made the cold feel even harsher, and she shrank as she stood up, her breath turning into white puffs. Despite being dressed warmly, wrapped in three layers of thick cotton clothing, the cold wind attempted to seep through her collar but was thoroughly blocked outside.

Perhaps this thick and elastic clothing saved her life? She thought uncertainly, then started to move, beginning her search.

No signs here.

No signs here either.

Behind this clump of shrubs was also flat snow, no ravines; where did the official fall, why couldn’t she find him?!

...

Two hours later, Qiu Niang, feeling numb all over, finally gave up and collapsed on the soft snow, crying loudly. In such bitter cold wilderness, if the official had fallen with severe injuries, it would likely spell disaster!

She cried so intensely that the heavens seemed to darken.

Unknowingly, after crying for a long time, the sound of moving vehicles suddenly came from afar, as if someone was approaching.

Never had she thought the sound of hooves and wheels crunching through ice and snow would be so lively and pleasant! Qiu Niang jumped up, hastily wiping her tear-stained face, and ran towards the direction of the sound!

On the horizon, sure enough, a caravan was in sight.

She’s saved! Qiu Niang was overjoyed, lifting her skirt and rushing forward, shouting to block their path: "Help!"

The leading horses drew closer, getting closer and closer...

She could see that most of the vehicles in the caravan were ox carts, only the leading few were horse-drawn, seemingly a merchant team traversing between counties. They moved quickly; although the faces of the leading riders were smeared with a thick layer of grease for warmth, they still had thin cuts from the knife-like icy wind. Their eyes were filled with anxiety, and if not for considering the slow pace of the ox carts behind, they might have spurred their steeds to gallop away.

Qiu Niang’s expression changed as the caravan showed no sign of stopping, instead moving faster and faster.

She could see the white vapor emanating from the horses’ nostrils; if they did not halt, they would run over her!

The fear of death overcame everything else. She screamed once, before quickly stepping aside. The gust from the speeding vehicles blew, disheveling her hair and dress.

The people in this caravan, how ruthless they were!

Before she could voice her curse, a child in one of the rear carriages already cried out in a childish voice: "Mother, look, there are many small lanterns behind!"

A female voice on the carriage, filled with panic, cried out urgently: "Peng’er don’t look, don’t turn your head!"

Small lanterns?

Qiu Niang turned in astonishment, looking towards the back of the caravan.

Sure enough, beyond a thousand feet, there were hundreds of faintly glowing green lanterns floating close to the ground, following as the caravan moved, appearing incredibly eerie.