Chapter 38: Take This Woman Along

On the western side of the village lay a suitable spot. After surveying the area, Ye Tian began to dig. By the time Taya emerged, he had already made over a hundred pits.

“Gehr, you should take a break,” Taya said.

“It’s all right, I’m not tired,” Ye Tian replied with a smile.

“Gehr.” Alansa tugged at Ye Tian’s sleeve.

“Don’t worry, this is nothing for me,” he said, turning to the woman who had followed them outside. “I’m hungry. Go make something to eat.”

“Gehr…” Taya began, watching the woman as she left, her tone uncertain.

“She is the only survivor, yet she’s lost the will to live,” Ye Tian said as he continued to dig. “Don’t show her pity—that will only deepen her sorrow.”

“Then what should we do?” Alansa asked anxiously.

“Don’t pay her any mind,” Ye Tian replied, still focused on his task. “By the way, we’re not traveling today. You two should go practice—especially you, Alansa. Work on your stance so I can teach you more.”

“Gehr…” Taya said softly.

“It’s fine. Go ahead, I’m quick with this.” Ye Tian smiled and kept digging. Taya and the others glanced at him, bit their lips, and then headed back to the village.

The meal the woman prepared was quite good, and after eating, Ye Tian returned to his work. The woman simply stood there in silence, watching him. Neither spoke—only Ye Tian’s diligent efforts broke the quiet.

At last, four hundred seventy-three graves were finished. Ye Tian plunged his spade into the earth and made his way back to the village. He gently lifted the first body, laid it in a freshly dug pit, and covered it with soil—then the second, the third...

When all the bodies had been buried, Ye Tian realized he didn’t even know their names. He sighed and let it be.

Back in the village, Taya and Alansa still practiced intently. “Let’s rest tonight. Tomorrow, we travel. Taya, where’s the nearest town?”

Because of Taya, they had always avoided populated areas; Ye Tian didn’t want to run out of flint and be unable to cook.

“Northwest, not far,” Taya answered, consulting the map. “It’s called Beach Town.”

“Let’s head there, then,” Ye Tian said.

The three women nodded. Ye Tian built a huge bonfire, so it wouldn’t be cold sleeping in the square. As for the bandits—they were long forgotten.

After two days of hard work, Ye Tian was thoroughly exhausted. As soon as he lay on his blanket, he drifted into dreams. In that hazy state, he felt a smooth, warm body wrap tightly around him. He opened his eyes to find the woman clinging to him, tears slipping silently down her cheeks. Ye Tian sighed and let her hold him through the night.

The next morning, he was jolted awake by Alansa’s shrill cry.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.

“Gehr, Gehr!” Alansa pointed at his blanket.

“What is it?” he frowned.

“Nothing,” Alansa quickly replied, falling silent as the woman stirred awake, rubbing her eyes as the blanket slid from her—revealing nothing beneath.

Blushing deeply, Alansa hurriedly gathered her things and ran off to fetch water. Taya was already gone, likely to wash up as well. The woman rose, intending to help Ye Tian dress.

“No need,” Ye Tian said, and dressed her himself. “Don’t crawl into my blanket again,” he said seriously. The woman nodded meekly.

“My name is Ye Tian. From now on, call me Gehr, understand?”

She nodded. “What’s your name?”

“Mina,” she replied softly.

“Mina. I’ll remember that.” Ye Tian tidied her clothes. “From now on, you belong to me. Everything about you is mine. Listen to what I say, understand?”

Mina nodded.

“No more hurting yourself, do you understand?”

She hesitated, then nodded again.

Supporting her gently, Ye Tian said, “I know it’s cruel to ask you to forget the past, but I still hope you can. Do you understand?”

She nodded. “Go say goodbye to your family, then gather your things. We are leaving.”

And so, one man and three women set out together—a strange procession. Two days later, they reached Beach Town—a small place with a population of just over thirty thousand; in the Leighton Duchy, it was little more than a village.

“Excuse me, could you tell me where the mayor’s residence is?” Ye Tian asked the guard at the gate.

“What? The what?” the guard looked baffled.

“Oh, could you tell us where the mayor’s house is?” Taya asked with a smile.

“Ah, head west. The largest house there is his,” the guard replied, blushing.

“Thank you,” Taya said politely, pulling her cloak tighter.

“N-not at all,” the guard stammered, sneaking a glance at Taya before lowering his gaze.

“Gehr, do you really have to go?” Alansa tugged at Ye Tian’s sleeve.

“If you don’t want to, then stay at the inn. I won’t be long,” he said, patting her head.

“All right, but don’t be too long,” Alansa said reluctantly.

“Taya, you should come too—it’s not convenient for you to walk much. Mina, will you go with me or stay with them?” Ye Tian asked, turning to the woman beside him.

“I’ll go with you,” Mina answered quietly.

“Very well, see you later,” Ye Tian said, leading Mina toward the mayor’s house.

Beach Town was small, with no official offices; the mayor’s home served both as residence and administrative center. Ye Tian knocked, and after a moment, a maid answered.

“Hello, I have matters to discuss with the mayor. Could you please inform him?” Ye Tian asked politely.

“Come in,” the maid said, leading them to the parlor. “Please wait. My master worked late last night and is still resting. I’ll wake him now.”

“Oh, no need. I can wait—let him rest. I have plenty of time,” Ye Tian said with a smile.

“Then please make yourselves comfortable,” the maid said, bowing and leaving.

Ye Tian sat on a soft sofa, curiously studying his surroundings. Everywhere was arranged differently from any place he’d known; even the chair beneath him was soft and extraordinarily pleasant.

“Mina, come sit,” Ye Tian called.

She shook her head gently. Ye Tian scratched his head. “All right, then I won’t sit either.”

Mina said quietly, “Now that I’m your servant, a servant has no right to sit.”

Ye Tian smiled. “How could I ever deserve such a beautiful servant?” No sooner had he spoken than Mina’s eyes brimmed with tears, shimmering in the light.

“My mistake, my mistake!” Ye Tian immediately raised both hands in surrender. “Do as you wish.” He sighed, and Mina quickly regained her composure, standing quietly at his side. Ye Tian sighed again and resumed his inspection of the room.

At that moment, the maid returned, bearing a tray with a teapot and cups.

“Please, have some tea,” she said, pouring Ye Tian a cup of fragrant black tea before stepping aside.

“Mmm, it smells wonderful,” Ye Tian remarked, taking a sip. It tasted like black tea with milk and brown sugar—a delightful flavor. He took another sip, then set the cup down.

An hour later, a middle-aged man in pajamas, corpulent and ruddy-faced, entered. On seeing Ye Tian, he started in surprise. The maid approached and whispered in his ear, after which the man came forward.

“Hello, I am Forbes, mayor of Beach Town. How may I serve you?” His gaze flickered briefly to Ye Tian’s chest.

“Greetings, Mayor. I am Gehr, an adventurer,” Ye Tian replied courteously, rising to bow.

“No need for such formality,” Forbes said amiably. “Forgive me for my tardiness. I worked late into the night—there are so many matters in this little town requiring my personal attention. It’s exhausting.”

“I can see that you are diligent, Mayor. The town’s prosperity and peace are thanks to your efforts,” Ye Tian said, offering a small compliment.

Forbes chuckled, clearly pleased, and took a seat opposite Ye Tian, lifting the cup of tea poured by the maid. “How can I help you today, Mr. Gehr?”

“Five days ago, a village near here was destroyed—its people massacred. This woman is the sole survivor,” Ye Tian said, indicating Mina.

“How did you know?” Forbes set his cup down, astonished.

“I happened to pass by, saw the criminals still committing their atrocities, and managed to save this lone survivor,” Ye Tian explained.

“Is that so? Outrageous!” Forbes exclaimed. “Lora, fetch Captain Jack.”

“Yes, sir,” the maid replied, bowing and departing.

“Mayor, is this your only servant?” Ye Tian asked, watching Lora leave.

“We used to have a steward, but he retired due to age,” Forbes replied, sipping his tea. “Mr. Gehr, if you know anything else, please tell me everything.”