The morning air carried the scent of damp earth as the last traces of mist drifted between the trees.
The camp was already awake.
Unlike the previous mornings, however, nobody prepared for another expedition into the mountains.
Instead, ropes tightened around supply carts, horses were saddled, and every mercenary seemed occupied with loading the results of the journey.
The expedition had come to an end.
Today, they would finally leave the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
Xiao Feng finished tying down one of the wooden crates before stepping aside.
Inside were nothing more than common medicinal herbs gathered during the past several days.
They weren’t especially valuable.
Most could be purchased in any large city.
Yet after watching the Little Fairy Doctor carefully preserve each one, he realized something.
Value depended on the person using it.
To an ordinary physician, they were medicine.
To an alchemist, they were ingredients.
To a merchant, they were profit.
To a dying man…
They could become life itself.
The herb hadn’t changed.
Only the perspective had.
“Still thinking?”
The Little Fairy Doctor had walked over carrying a basket of freshly prepared medicine.
Xiao Feng smiled.
“A little.”
“I’ve noticed.”
She gently placed the basket onto the wagon.
“You think more than most people.”
“That’s not always a good habit.”
“It doesn’t look like a bad one either.”
Xiao Feng chuckled.
“If you spend enough time thinking, you eventually start asking questions nobody can answer.”
She looked at him curiously.
“And does that bother you?”
He considered it for a moment before shaking his head.
“Not really.”
“If every question already had an answer…”
“…life would become rather boring.”
The Little Fairy Doctor lowered her eyes, quietly repeating those words in her mind.
For some reason…
They sounded exactly like something he would write in his diary.
Several dozen meters away, Xiao Yan finished checking everyone’s equipment.
Although he wasn’t leading the convoy, many of the younger mercenaries naturally looked toward him whenever something needed to be done. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
His confidence had changed.
Months ago, he would have avoided responsibility whenever possible.
Now…
He accepted it almost unconsciously.
Yao Lao noticed the change immediately.
“You’ve improved.”
Xiao Yan grinned.
“Finally admitting it?”
“I’m referring to your judgment.”
“…”
“As for your cultivation…”
The old man stroked his beard.
“…there’s still plenty to criticize.”
Xiao Yan sighed.
“There it is.”
“I was wondering how long the compliment would survive.”
The convoy finally began moving.
Wooden wheels rolled across the uneven mountain road while horses pulled the heavily loaded wagons through the forest.
Nobody hurried.
The mountain paths were far too narrow for reckless travel.
Along the way, Xiao Feng occasionally glanced toward the surrounding trees.
Not because he expected danger.
Simply because he enjoyed observing them.
The deeper parts of the forest possessed a quiet rhythm of their own.
Birds called to one another overhead.
Small magical beasts darted between bushes before disappearing into the undergrowth.
A breeze carried the scent of pine and wildflowers through the valley.
It was peaceful.
Remarkably so.
Near midday, the convoy stopped beside a shallow river to rest.
Several mercenaries immediately began filling water skins.
Others searched for dry firewood.
Within minutes, smoke rose from a newly lit campfire.
As everyone busied themselves, Xiao Feng wandered toward the riverbank.
The flowing water was clear enough to reveal the smooth stones beneath.
He crouched and picked one up.
Rounded.
Perfectly smooth.
No sudden change.
No miraculous transformation.
Only countless tiny changes repeated over time.
He turned the stone over once before quietly placing it back.
Perhaps…
People weren’t so different.
“Found treasure?”
Xiao Yan walked over carrying two wooden cups.
“Unfortunately.”
Xiao Feng accepted one.
“It’s only a rock.”
Xiao Yan looked down.
“You spent five minutes staring at it.”
“I was thinking.”
“Dangerous.”
“You’ve been spending too much time with Senior Yao.”
Xiao Yan laughed.
“He’s rubbing off on me.”
“I noticed.”
The cousins sat beside the river without speaking for a while.
The silence wasn’t uncomfortable.
Sometimes conversation wasn’t necessary.
The sound of flowing water was enough.
By late afternoon, the familiar outline of Qing Shan Town finally appeared beyond the trees.
The mercenaries immediately became more energetic.
Some pointed toward the distant buildings.
Others began discussing where they planned to eat first.
One loudly declared he intended to sleep for three straight days.
His companions informed him that his wife would never allow it.
The entire group burst into laughter.
Even the Little Fairy Doctor couldn’t hide a smile.
After spending so many dangerous days together…
The simple sight of home carried unexpected warmth.
Standing near the front of the convoy, Xiao Feng quietly watched the town grow larger with every passing minute.
The expedition had ended.
But somehow…
He felt another chapter of his life was only just beginning.