Su Xiao wiped her hands under the horrified gaze of the guards and other exile before walking to the carriage. The head chief snapped out of his daze and with the help of the brothers began disposing of the bodies.
Mu Wei inspected one of the bodies and found a totem which he was familiar with. Anger surged through him. It wasn't enough that the had him crippled and exiled, they still wanted his family dead. He stood up and walked to the carriage.
Su Xiao who found herself being hugged tightly by the crying twins could only helplessly console them.
"Waah! So much blood"
"Mum is hurt"
She could only patiently console them that she wasn't injured. After a few words and patting, they slowly calmed down. Their eyes were already puffy and her heart ached at the sight. They exhaustion finally kicked in and they drowsily feel asleep. After making sure they were okay and not traumatized or hurt, she got off the carriage.
Mu Wei was standing outside looking tense. She immediately knew he had found something.
"What's wrong?"
"It's the imperial shadow guards"
"Tsk, So ruthless. They really think highly of you husband"
Despite the situation he couldn't help but smile.
"How are the kids?"
"They're fine. A bit scared and exhausted"
"They have suffered. Hopefully we will get to the Northern wilderness by dawn"
"Where are we now?"
"The road to the Northern Pass. Once we check in here, we will then be taken into the Northern gates".
After a few brief silence. She walked to the injured ones and applied treatment to their injuries. After everyone was gathered and everything was put in order, the reminder was only a pitiful amount of fifty people. The once crowd were now only amount to this. The Chief guard gave everyone only fifteen minutes to bury their loved ones and arranging their stuff. Once the fifteen minutes elapsed, they were back on the road.
Finally, they arrived at the Northern Pass where they made to queue up. The Chief guard went inside and came out with a man whom they assumed was an official. He scanned the crowd outside, before sitting down. Then they went through a process of submitting their household registration book while being crosschecked in the official imperial exile book. After two hours of checking, they were assigned three burly men.
"I'm the head balif here, and these three men will lead you to the entrance of the Northern wilderness"
With that, he turned and went inside not sparing them another glance. To him, they were no more royals but exiles, he didn't owe them any courtesy. The head chief waved his hands and the other guards began unshackling them. The chains were to be taken back. After that it was time for them to leave. He gave them a last glance before saying,
"This is as far as I can take you all. The Northern wilderness is a lawless and dangerous place, whether you can survive depends on your luck and strength"
With that, he cupped his hands in a farewell and left. The burly men assigned to them moved and they followed. After wandering in what seemed like a maze, they finally stopped. The paved imperial road abruptly ended swallowed by deep churned up snow and mud. In front of them was a large barbed wire fence made from thorns and thistles. An entrance on the side of the fence was the way in.
"We have arrived"
The men gruffly announced. Everyone was hesitant to step foot inside which made the men frown.
"Don't even think of running away, you will be immediately written off as criminals and killed at sight. Better to be obedient and make a life for yourself here" One of the men with a hideous scar cautioned.
With that said, they all marched inside with slow steps. Once everyone was in, the men turned and left leaving them there with the sound of wind whistling. Su Xiao and Mu Wei were already on high alert as the surveyed the environment. The atmosphere immediately changed as the walked forward.
Inside was a chaotic gateway settlement like slums. A miserable sprawl of tents made of animal skins, half collapsed wooden shacks and smoke from damp, choking firewood filled the air. Countless gazes turned to them as the walked in. Hostile, malicious, greedy and pitiying. Sullen, hardened criminals, rogues and desperate outcasts were huddled around sparse fires as they walked the new exiles walk in. Women and children looked sickly and malnourished.
A man walked up to them dressed fairly better than others. Without a word, he signaled them to follow him. Mu Wei and Su Xiao exchanged glanced understanding the meaning in each other's eyes. They followed the man. Some were already shivering from the cold which was getting unbearable. They were only hoping to find a settlement to survive the night.
They arrive at a wooden house which looked much habitable than those they have seen so far. The man leading them walked in and came out with a bald man and a pot belly. He had a smoke pipe in his mouth as his gaze scanned them before landing on the carriage. His greedy gaze roamed over it before he averted his gaze and then looked at owners.
Su Xiao and Mu Wei calmly meet his gaze without flinching. He observed them carefully as they did the same. The couple and their family looked well fed and neat highly unlikely for an exile. The carriage they arrived with alongside the kids in the carriage was enough prove that shouldn't be messed with. It was clear they were capable people.
His plans of snatching their carriage was briefly abandoned. Until he could gauge their ability, it was best not to make any moves. He grabbed a seat and sat down before speaking,
"I'm boss Chu, the man in charge of land. This is my assistant Wu. If you need to buy a land to build or rent a house, I'm the right man to meet"
Looking around to make sure his word sank. He continued,
"As you all know, this is a lawless place. The only laws here are your fists and strength and of course silver. Hahaha, that would be all. If you're interested in house or renting then step forward. Remember, your past titles or positions mean nothing here so tread carefully. Welcome to the Northern Wilderness".