36. Another trip

(5 days later, somewhere on the edge of the slums outside Golden Prosperity City.)

The scene unfolded in the dimly lit corner of a narrow alleyway, far from prying eyes. The beggar, a wiry man with scruffy clothing and a face weathered by years of harsh living, stood breathlessly as he clutched a letter tightly in his calloused hands. His heart raced with a mix of anticipation and unease. The messenger bird had arrived—a creature that had flown across treacherous lands, braving storms and fierce winds, to deliver this missive. The letter, sealed in wax, was now in his possession, and he knew it carried something of great importance.

He could feel the weight of the task ahead, knowing the person he had to deliver it to was not someone to be trifled with. But there was no turning back. His fingers trembled slightly as he adjusted the letter in his grip, glancing at the distant silhouette of the mansion in the distance. He made his way through the winding streets of the slums outside Golden Prosperity City with hurried steps, avoiding any unnecessary attention, his mind consumed with the message that had just arrived.

After several tense minutes of weaving through alleyways, he finally reached the entrance to the courtyard, where Li Xue was waiting, her posture as rigid as ever, her cold eyes flicking over him as he entered. She had been expecting something, he could see it in her gaze. She was aware of the constant flow of information reaching her.

"Li Xue," the beggar leader spoke, his voice low and hurried, "A bird arrived from the wilderness. It's from Mo Tian."

Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, the tension in the air palpable. She was quick to step forward, her hands almost instinctively reaching for the letter. "Let me see it."

The beggar handed it over, and as she took it from him, he took a cautious step back. The letter had a familiar seal, marking it as Mo Tian's, yet there was something about the urgency that made her anxious. Without a word, she broke the seal and unfurled the parchment, her eyes scanning the words swiftly.

After a moment, her gaze lingered on the page. "So he's found it… The perfect headquarters." There was no joy, no excitement in her voice. Her words were simply a cold statement of fact.

The beggar remained silent, his posture still and waiting. He knew she would not speak to him unless needed. But as the seconds dragged on, the tension in the air seemed to rise. Li Xue finally lowered the letter, her expression still unreadable.

"Prepare the men," she said, her voice sharp and commanding. "We need to move to the mountain range as soon as possible. Gather the supplies. I'll need to consult with Mo Tian on the next steps."

The beggar leader nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Mo Tian's discovery of the cave, and the potential power it could hold, would change everything. But as much as he wanted to feel a sense of pride in the role he played, he couldn't ignore the sinking feeling in his gut. They were about to step into the unknown, and this new chapter was bound to test their resolve.

Li Xue turned away, already beginning to issue further orders. As the beggar leader left her presence, the urgency of the moment weighed heavily on him. He had no idea how this next phase would unfold, but he could feel the shift in the air, the winds of change were coming, and they would either rise to meet it, or be crushed under its force.

The beggar hastened to assemble the others, his mind racing with the knowledge that everything was about to change.

…

(a few days later, Somewhere in the wilderness.)

The convoy was on the move once again, winding its way through the wilderness, the harsh terrain growing even more treacherous as they neared the mountain range. The path had grown steeper, and the cold, biting winds cut through their clothing like knives. At the head of the convoy, Li Xue rode her horse with a composed, if slightly distant, air, her posture impeccable as she led the group toward Mo Tian's location. Though her face remained stoic, her eyes were sharp and observant, scanning the surroundings for any hint of danger.

Li Xue had become the natural leader of the convoy in Mo Tian's absence. The guards respected her, and even the less experienced ones listened attentively as she barked orders, ensuring everything was in its place and running smoothly. Though she still carried the air of someone who wasn't entirely pleased with her position, she had grown accustomed to her role. She was no longer simply the cold, silent slave but a capable, trusted figure in Mo Tian's ever-expanding network.

The convoy of wagons was heavily guarded, each of them laden with supplies for the base that Mo Tian had started to establish at the top of the mountain. The wagons creaked under the weight of the goods they carried. There were materials for building, food, weapons, and most importantly, tools to begin work on the tunnels Mo Tian planned to construct.

Li Xue's mind was sharp, her thoughts always focused on the task at hand. She'd commanded the guards to stay vigilant, especially since they were entering more dangerous territory. Though the snow-capped mountains loomed in the distance, the air was growing colder, the ground hard and unforgiving. They couldn't afford to let their guard down, for the wilderness was not a place to show weakness.

As they moved closer to the foot of the mountain, Li Xue gave the signal for a stop. The guards began to secure the wagons, setting up camp as they had done countless times before. Li Xue dismounted her horse with grace, her eyes darting to the horizon, where the mountain range stood like a wall between them and their goal.

"Prepare the wagons," she said, her voice firm yet controlled. "We need to move quickly once we reach the base of the mountain. The sooner we unload and establish a safe perimeter, the better."

She wasn't just acting as the leader of the convoy; she was fully aware that Mo Tian's success depended on their efficiency. The supplies they carried were critical to the next step in his plans. Everything from the stone for construction to the food to keep the workers fed needed to be moved quickly and securely.

As the night fell, the group set up camp, their fires lighting up the snowy terrain, providing warmth and some comfort. Li Xue stood at the edge of the camp, staring into the darkness beyond, her senses on high alert. She'd been around enough trouble to know that things were never as simple as they seemed. The wilds were dangerous, and the mission at hand was only going to get more perilous.

After a while, a runner arrived with a message from Mo Tian, confirming the location of the next staging area. Li Xue's lips curled into a tight smile, a mix of relief and determination. It wouldn't be much longer before they reached Mo Tian's outpost and began working on the infrastructure that would solidify his hold on the region.

"Ready the wagons," she ordered. "We move at dawn."

She turned away from the campfire, heading toward her personal tent, her mind already shifting to the next phase of the journey. Mo Tian's plans were ambitious, and though she still harbored a deep, unspoken resentment for him, the reality of their situation was clear: her future was intertwined with his. Whether she liked it or not, her survival depended on his success.

Li Xue's thoughts drifted as she entered her tent, thinking about the mysterious mountains that lay ahead. The wilderness was far from forgiving, and while Mo Tian had already claimed part of it, the true dangers still waited to be discovered. Her hands clenched into fists. It was not just the mountains that would test them; it was the intrigue, the rivals, and the growing web of power that Mo Tian was weaving, and which she was now part of.

She didn't have much time for self-reflection. Tomorrow, the journey would continue, and she would remain steadfast at the helm of this convoy, ensuring that it reached Mo Tian's base without issue.

The journey through the wilderness stretched endlessly before them, and Li Xue's resolve was tested day after day. What was meant to be a swift trek had turned into a grueling six-month ordeal, spanning the harshest of spring and summer. Every day seemed to bring a new challenge, a new threat. Yet, through it all, Li Xue remained steady, her calm leadership keeping the convoy intact.

Their first real encounter came about two months into the journey. The bandits had been lying in wait, taking advantage of the fact that the convoy, though protected, was traveling through a known bandit territory. As they crossed a narrow, forested path one afternoon, a group of masked men emerged from the underbrush, their weapons drawn. They were armed with crude blades, bows, and makeshift spears, hastily gathered but deadly in the hands of those accustomed to fighting for survival.

Li Xue immediately sprang into action, ordering her guards to form a defensive perimeter around the wagons. The bandits, sensing an opportunity to catch them off guard, rushed forward with reckless abandon. The first few moments were chaos. Arrows flew, and swords clashed with steel. Li Xue, mounted on her horse, directed her guards expertly, moving like a conductor orchestrating a symphony of battle. Her sharp eyes caught every movement, and she was quick to identify weak points in the bandits' formation.

"Guard the wagons! Form ranks! Push them back!" she commanded with a forcefulness that brooked no argument.

Her forces obeyed, pushing forward against the bandits, cutting down the weaker ones with practiced precision. It wasn't long before the remaining bandits realized they were facing trained warriors, and the tide began to turn. The attackers faltered, unsure of how to deal with the seasoned soldiers Li Xue had rallied around her.

The battle was over within an hour, but not without cost. Two of their guards had been severely injured, and several of the wagons were damaged. Yet, Li Xue felt a grim satisfaction as she surveyed the aftermath. Not a single one of her own had been lost, and the bandits had been forced to retreat, their morale shattered.

After tending to the wounded and patching up the wagons, the convoy continued on, but the danger wasn't over.

A few weeks later, while traversing through thick, fog-covered forests, they encountered an even greater threat, one that seemed to rise from the very ground beneath their feet. A massive, ferocious tiger had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. The beast was as large as a horse, its sleek fur a deep golden hue with black stripes running through it like cracks in a stone. Its eyes gleamed with malice as it approached the convoy, and before anyone could react, it pounced on the rear guards with terrifying speed.

The tiger was like a force of nature, impossibly fast, powerful, and relentless. It tore into the convoy, swiping at anyone it could reach. Li Xue's horse reared back in fear, and she barely managed to keep her seat as the beast launched itself at a wagon. Without hesitation, she drew her sword, spurring her horse forward. She had no time to think. The tiger's roar echoed through the trees, and she steeled herself for the fight.

Her guards moved in formation, trying to distract the beast and draw its attention away from the wagons. But the tiger was too focused, too enraged, and with each swipe of its claws, another guard went down. Blood stained the earth beneath them.

Li Xue's heart pounded in her chest as she pushed forward, closing the distance between herself and the tiger. She knew that only one of them would leave this encounter alive. Gathering her focus, she drew upon all her skill, the sword in her hand an extension of her will. With a battle cry, she launched herself at the beast.

The next few moments were a blur of blood and motion. The tiger's claws missed her by inches, its jaws snapping with deadly intent. She danced around the beast, narrowly avoiding its strikes, before lunging in with her sword. With a strike of precision, she sank her blade deep into the tiger's side. The beast let out an earsplitting roar of pain, its eyes burning with fury.

But it was too late. With a final, agonizing shriek, the tiger collapsed to the ground, dead.

Li Xue stood over it, panting heavily, her clothes torn and stained with blood. She was covered in scratches and bruises, but she had won. Her guards, battered but alive, cheered, rallying around her. The beast had been slain, but at a heavy cost. The convoy was wounded, some critically, and many of the wagons were destroyed.

Despite the victory, Li Xue's heart remained heavy. They were so close to reaching Mo Tian, but they had paid a steep price. Yet, she had no choice but to press on.

As they continued their journey through the wilderness, the weather grew harsher. The late summer heat was replaced by biting winds, and the air turned crisp and cold. The mountains loomed ahead, towering over the landscape. Their destination was within reach.

After another month of arduous travel, through rainstorms and snow, the convoy finally reached the foot of the mountain range where Mo Tian had established his base. The cold air stung their faces, and the altitude made every breath feel shallow, but they had made it.

Li Xue looked up at the towering peaks, the mountain range stretching endlessly into the sky. It was a stark contrast to the life they had known in the city. But she didn't let herself become distracted by the beauty. The work was far from over.

"Prepare the camp," she ordered, her voice steady despite the exhaustion in her body. "We rest here for the night, and tomorrow we move forward to the peak."

The wagons were unloaded, the guards took positions, and the workers began to prepare shelter for the night. Mo Tian's outpost was near, and though the convoy had been severely weakened by their journey, they had made it. Li Xue didn't know what challenges awaited them, but she was ready. She had led them this far, and she would see it through to the end.

In the distance, through the darkening clouds and the quiet of the mountain, she could almost feel the weight of the future pressing down on them. They had survived, and now, the real work was about to begin.

…

As the convoy finally reached the base of the mountain, Li Xue, bloodied and weary from the trials of the journey, stepped off the carriage. Her gaze flickered toward Mo Tian, who stood at the edge of their camp with a commanding presence, his dark eyes assessing the group.

For a brief moment, there was something different in her look, a subtle respect. She couldn't help but recognize that Mo Tian had truly become the pillar of their efforts. He had set the foundations, and despite the journey's hardship, he had remained steady, working toward their goal. Still, that was as far as it went, respect didn't equal warmth, not for her. Their relationship was still built on the lines of master and servant, no matter the slight shift in her view.

Mo Tian's gaze met hers, his expression unreadable. He gave a nod, not one of approval, but one that simply recognized her efforts.

"Rest for now," Mo Tian commanded, his voice steady and firm. "We'll begin work on the tunnels and the courtyard once everyone is recovered. No one leaves their posts."

He turned and walked toward the spot he had claimed as the future site of their sect. There was no celebration, no triumph in his demeanor. His focus remained on the long-term goal, the expansion, the foundation, the future.

Li Xue watched him walk away. There was no further conversation. His orders were clear, as they always were. For now, she would follow. But in her chest, there was a flicker of something more, a determination to gain his recognition.

Mo Tian turned back to Li Xue, his expression serious as always, but his words were calm. "I will return to the city for a while. There are matters I need to attend to, and you must stay here. Oversee the construction of the tunnels and make sure everything is designed as I've planned. The courtyard, the gates, the defenses, everything. Don't let anything fall behind. I will return in due time."

Li Xue nodded silently, her usual calm demeanor masking the weight of responsibility he had placed upon her shoulders. There was no objection, no question. She simply turned to the group and began organizing them, as if she had been expecting this. Mo Tian's expectations were clear, and she had learned to fulfill them, no matter what.

Mo Tian turned away and began his journey back to Golden Prosperity City. The mountain path was long and arduous, but now, with the plan in motion, there was no hesitation in his steps. His thoughts were consumed with the next stage of his strategy. He had started to build the foundation; now, he needed to solidify his position in the city, establish more connections, and prepare for the long road ahead.