It was indeed a possible situation which needed precautions. Su Xiao lowered her gaze and pondered for a while before replying.
"We will talk to the ballifs and not take this route"
Although it seemed feasible but it was likely the ballifs wouldn't listen to them. Shi Dong also expressed his concerns.
"Madam, I don't think the ballifs will agree to this as they're eager to get to the Northern Wilderness faster"
Everyone kept quiet considering this situation. Mu Wei kept quiet his gaze unfathomable not giving a hint of what he was thinking. After some minutes he broke the silence.
"The only path to avoid the dam is the Shi forest"
On hearing that, everyone sucked in a deep breath looking frightened. Su Xiao glanced at their frightened expression and knew something was wrong with that place. Sensing her confusion, Mu Wei explained.
"It's a legendary forest inhabitated by no human. No one who entered there managed make it out alive and those who managed to come out goes crazy and die after a few days"
Su Xiao was surprised. It sounded dangerous to take such a route so she couldn't understand why Mu Wei mentioned such a place despite knowing the risks.
"If it is so dangerous then why did you suggest it?"
Mu Wei kept quiet for a while before replying
"Because I have been there before"
Gasps rang in the room and even Su Xiao was dumbfounded. If the place killed people then how was he still alive. Mu Wei didn't say anything concerning there again only shifting back to the main topic.
"The path to Yue city dam collapses,then the water will flood the path no one knows how far it will reach. We're supposed to take a ferry once we get to Yue city crossing the boundary and entering Ruoshu Desert"
Everyone nodded in understanding and Mu Wei continued.
"The ballifs want to arrive quickly so they will definitely not believe us. The Shi forest has unknown dangers and also takes a longer path to arrive at the Yue city where they plan to stock up supplies"
Although they could avoid the flood, they would still arrive at the Yue city as the ballifs need to stock up supplies which they would feed on till they reach the borders. After Yue city there was no other place to stop and buy things, so they surely had to purchase a lot of supplies to sustain the exiles.
Even if they decided to find a higher ground to stay and decide not go through the Shi forest then who knows how long it will take for the flood to recede. The best option was to gather every valuable things they had and embark on the journey to Shi forest to avoid being swept by the flood. Not to talk of the disease that could come with the flood after it recedes which might become a plague.
Everyone felt disheartened just thinking of the situation. Just when they felt like they could relax, another problem just comes up. It was almost afternoon, Su Xiao urged everyone to go sleep since they had eaten. Despite their heavy heart, they felt a sense of security knowing that Su Xiao and Mu Wei were here with them. Although it seemed absurd, they had this faith that with them,they were safe.
Su Xiao didn't hide their discussion from the kids as she couldn't protect them forever. They looked at her in worry although they didn't understand the whole conversation. They're able to grab that there was danger ahead of their Journey. Mu Yu was the first to speak.
"There is danger ahead right mother?"
"Yes"
It was Mu Wei that answered bluntly and the kids became more worried. Su Xiao couldn't bear seeing them so downcast so she comforted them.
"Don't worry babies, mother is here"
They kids nodded in agreement. Their parents were powerful and wouldn't harm come to them.
"Yes. Father and mother are here so nothing is going to happen"
"Hm. I believe mother and father"
"They're both powerful!"
Su Xiao laughed at their adorable banter before taking them to the house. The previous solemn atmosphere was all cleared up by their laughter. Mu Wei also smiled at the harmonious scene and his heart felt lighter. Su Xiao carried the kids into the room and laid them on the bed to sleep. Although she had been feeding them they were not growing up showing lack of calcium.
She had to search for a way to get a cow to get milk. She had powdered milk in her spatial storage but how to explain the origin. Sighing, she could only use other alternatives to feed them. After an hour of playing, the kids fell asleep. Mu Wei was sitting down beside the window looking outside at the heavy rain in silence. Suddenly feeling curious, she couldn't resist asking.
"How did you end up in the Shi forest?"
Mu Wei hid the smile in his eyes hearing the woman cautious but curious tone. It showed she wanted to know him more. The thought made him unable to supress his joy. Not turning to look at her he answered.
"When I was young, I was kidnapped from home on our way back from a banquet. When the kidnappers let their guard down I escaped and stumbled into the Shi forest. Later I managed to escape and my parents found me after searching for me for a month"
Although he said it casually, Su Xiao could already imagine what a young boy surviving alone in such an unfamiliar forest must have felt facing dangers. She felt pity and couldn't help comforting him.
"It's alright. You're safe now"
"Hm".
Although he could no longer remember that memory well he still felt comforted by her words. They were akin to a warm blanket wrapping around him. He stood from the chair and hugged her abruptly. Su Xiao was startled by the sudden hug but didn't resist. In her mind, she thought.
'He must have been frightened'
Feeling sympathetic, she gently pat his back to comfort him. Mu Wei smiled at the woman's clumsy but heart warming effort. She was so kind and pure unlike him who was black hearted. He had forgotten that it was still the same kind woman who slit some one's throat a few days ago. Of course if asked he would obviously retort that she was right.
Su Xiao broke the hug and urged the man to go rest. He flashed her a gentle smile that stole her breath. She hastily got into the bed and closed her eyes afraid her pounding heart might be heard. Mu Wei smiled gently at the woman's embarrassed actions finding her adorable then got into the bed too. The journey ahead was perilous but he believed they would surely overcome it.
In Shi Dong's room, the situation was still the same. The couple cuddled each other as they thought of their future.
"Don't worry wife, everything will be fine"
"I believe you husband"
After the comforting words they slept off too. Li Gu comforted his brother before urging him to sleep too. The whole house descended in silence and everyone slept peacefully.