Qin Suining took out more self-defense tools—an hoe and a kitchen knife.
These were items she and Madam Zhou were already familiar with using, easy to handle and unlikely to raise suspicion.
Inside the space, there was also a dagger and a long blade, both kept within easy reach.
After preparing everything, and seeing that the bullet comments had nothing useful for the moment, she took out a map and studied it carefully.
This was the southern region of the Dingtian Dynasty—Lingjiang Prefecture.
The Zhou family’s maternal uncle’s residence, Dingshuo Prefecture, was at the far northern end of the map.
In other words, if they wanted to take refuge with Uncle Zhou, they would have to cross almost the entire territory of the Dingtian Dynasty.
Looking at the dense mountains, rivers, and prefectural cities marked on the map, Qin Suining felt a headache forming.
Even with a carriage, this journey would not be easy.
But if they didn’t go, they had nowhere else to turn.
Ahead was an endless road full of danger.
Behind them were pursuers waiting at any moment—capture meant death.
She had no retreat.
She could only force herself forward.
After memorizing the route through several prefectures, she stored the map in the space.
“Mother, teach me how to drive the carriage later. Once I learn, we can take turns and rest.”
But Madam Zhou shook her head immediately.
“No need, no need. I finally get to drive a carriage—I’m still excited.”
And it was true. Even after not sleeping all night, she felt full of energy, as if she had endless strength.
“Alright then. I’ll nap for a bit. Call me when you’re tired.”
Qin Suining lay down on the carriage mat.
She wasn’t actually sleepy, but pushing herself nonstop wasn’t a solution.
There was still a long road ahead.
Just as she was about to close her eyes, bullet comments drifted across the air again.
“This mother and daughter really escaped through faking death… lucky break.”
“They escaped, but the others are doomed.”
“Drought always leads to locusts.”
“It’s over—whatever grain was left in the fields has been eaten clean by locust swarms.”
The discussion grew intense.
Qin Suining’s sleepiness vanished instantly.
She sat up abruptly, then lay back down again in resignation.
Even if they were still in Qin Village, there was nothing they could have done.
The crops weren’t ready—harvesting early would still yield nothing.
She had never seen locusts herself, but she had heard of them from the elders.
When they came, it was like a tide—covering the sky and blocking the sun.
Wherever they passed, grain, bark, grass roots—everything was devoured in an instant.
Even people and livestock that couldn’t escape would be covered and bitten until their bodies were riddled with wounds.
If a large-scale locust disaster truly came, famine would follow—and once people had no food, the world would descend into chaos.
Qin Suining grew uneasy and quickly told Madam Zhou.
But Madam Zhou only frowned.
“Even if those ‘immortals’ are telling the truth, we can’t warn others.”
She had already concluded that the “bullet comments” were some kind of heavenly message.
“We are just trying to survive. If we speak up and no one believes us, we might even be accused of spreading lies or witchcraft.”
Before they could continue, Qin Suining suddenly looked up.
“…It’s too late.”
The sky, which had been bright just moments ago, was now covered in a gray haze.
A deep, growing buzzing sound filled the air.
“Buzz—buzz—buzz—”
Madam Zhou’s expression changed instantly.
“Run! We can’t stay here!”
She whipped the carriage forward.
People still traveled along the road—they couldn’t just disappear into the space in front of others.
The chestnut horse also seemed to sense danger and sped up frantically.
“Mother! There’s a forest ahead—we can hide there!”
They rushed toward the woods.
As they entered, Qin Suining looked back—and saw it.
A dark, overwhelming mass.
Countless gray-brown locusts, blotting out the sky like a falling curtain.
They had arrived.
Fortunately, the carriage had made it into the forest just before the swarm descended.
But they weren’t alone.
“Ah, more people coming in!”
A woman carrying a basket stepped forward.
“Brother, you got lucky—you made it in just in time.”
She leaned closer, trying to peek into the carriage.
“Such hot weather, why not get down and walk around a bit to cool off?”
She reached for the carriage curtain.
“Thanks for your kindness, but we’re in a hurry and must leave soon.”
Madam Zhou blocked her hand with the whip.
Qin Suining also pulled the curtain aside coldly, holding her familiar hoe.
“Heh… I was just being nosy. Don’t take offense.”
The woman laughed awkwardly and returned to a man beside her.
Not far away, four other men stood—tall, strong, and looking fierce.
They glanced at the carriage, said nothing, and quickly looked away again.