The heavy snow continued to fall, a natural disaster that Zhu Yanyi observed with a doctor’s heart. While she understood the weather was beyond control, the thought of people falling ill due to the cold made her sad. As a healer, her greatest wish was for fewer patients in the world.
"This must be the river," Yan Aohan said, pointing to a stream about fifty meters wide.
Zhu Yanyi nodded slightly. "Fortunately, it hasn't frozen yet."
She raised her hand gently. Invisible, scentless medicinal powder drifted from her palm, scattering into the water. Anyone who drank from this river would be protected against disease. Her philosophy was simple: treat the sick, strengthen the healthy.
To others, this medicine was rare and precious. To Zhu Yanyi, it was easy to produce. She gave it freely, driven only by her desire to prevent illness. Strange weather often brought strange sicknesses.
"Done," Zhu Yanyi said to Yan Aohan.
Yan Aohan nodded. "Let’s go that way." He pointed in a direction.
No one objected. In such a situation, cooperation was natural. They followed his lead.
The path was empty. No other travelers were in sight, highlighting the desolation of the place.
"Based on the layout, there should be people here. Why are there no houses?" Zhu Yanyi asked, puzzled.
"There should be. Look, isn’t that a village ahead?" Ouyang Tianyun pointed.
Zhu Yanyi followed her finger. They had been looking up, missing the village nestled below them.
The layout was odd. The river was on their left, higher than the road. The village was on the right, in a low-lying area. It felt eerie.
"This layout is so strange. Usually, villages are high, and rivers are low," Yu Qingyun noted.
"It is unusual. But I’ve heard some ethnic groups prefer lowlands. They believe it keeps them grounded and life smooth," Yan Aohan explained.
Zhu Yanyi smiled, amused. "What a strange idea. I’ve never heard of that."
"Every group has its customs. It’s normal," Yan Aohan said seriously.
Zhu Yanyi thought about it and agreed. She didn’t argue further.
"Let’s go down and see. I’m curious which group lives so low. Don’t they know it’s dangerous?" Zhu Yanyi sighed.
"I don’t think it’s dangerous," Sikong Xuran said carefully. "Look at the terrain. The river above looks like a tilted pitcher, pouring water away from us. We are on the stone that holds the pitcher. The village below is actually the safest spot."
Zhu Yanyi looked again. "She’s right."
Yi Yunfei added, "That’s surprising. The seemingly dangerous place is the safest. The ancestors who chose this spot were wise. We couldn’t find such a place."
Zhu Yanyi smiled silently. Yu Qingyun said, "People say ancestors were smarter than us. We just refuse to admit it, thinking we are the smartest."
Zhu Yanyi glanced at her. "So, Senior Brother Qingyun, are you saying you are the foolish one?"
Yu Qingyun blinked. "No! Don’t talk nonsense. How could that be?"
"Then you must think you are the smartest," someone teased.
Yu Qingyun looked at them helplessly. "Can’t you see the good side? I’m not like that. I just think I’m a little smart. Not the smartest."
Everyone rolled their eyes at his shamelessness.
"Hello," a voice called out.
They turned. An old man in a raincoat was approaching.
"Hello, Grandpa," Zhu Yanyi said with a smile. "We are tourists driving through. It rained heavily yesterday, and now it’s snowing. We came to check things out."
"It rained so hard yesterday. Where did you rest?" the old man asked, surprised.
"In a pavilion ahead. We brought tents and sleeping bags. The pavilion was useful," Zhu Yanyi explained.
"I see." The old man seemed relieved. "Where is your car?"
"It’s at the foot of the mountain. The rain made the road impassable," Zhu Yanyi lied smoothly. If anyone checked, Yan Aohan could use a small spell to create an illusion. There was indeed a car-like shadow at the mountain base, but it was magic, not a real vehicle. To ordinary eyes, it looked real.
"So the car at the bottom is yours," the old man said, more at ease. "Where are you going?"
"The snow is too heavy to travel. We plan to stay in a nearby inn until it stops," Zhu Yanyi said.
"Stay at my house," the old man offered kindly. "My surname is He. You can call me Uncle He. My son and daughter-in-law moved to the city with their children. My daughter is married. It’s just my wife and me. It’s quiet here. It’s convenient for you to stay with us."
"Thank you for your hospitality," Zhu Yanyi said. "Uncle She, don’t worry. We will leave payment for our stay when we leave."
"Payment? No need. Travelers should help each other. We can’t let money risk your lives," Uncle He said warmly. "Follow me."
"Thank you," Zhu Yanyi said.
In this group, Yan Aohan disliked interacting with strangers due to his noble background. Ouyang Tianyun and the others didn’t know how to talk to locals. Yu Qingyun wanted to talk but feared slipping up. So, Zhu Yanyi handled all the conversation. To an outsider, it might have looked like the men were relying on her.