At the rear of the group, no one from the front came specifically looking for them from the escort agency, allowing Bai Suihe and the others to enjoy two days of comfortable living.

In these two days, the Gu Family didn’t come to make trouble either. Bai Suihe knew that Gu Kaiyuan had explained things clearly, which led to the Gu Family Brothers developing a sense of rejection.

This was just what she wanted. Did they really think they were a hot commodity that everyone wanted to be near?

On the afternoon of the third day, the weather cleared up, and when the sun shone on everyone, they all began to cheer.

Everyone laid their damp clothes on the roof of the carts, finally driving away the gloom of the past days.

However, Gu Kaiyuan became even more vigilant, even ordering Zhuang Datou to slow their pace and move alongside the escort agency.

Liu Pingkang and his group saw this but remained silent, knowing that Gu Kaiyuan didn’t have the guts to escape. Let’s not forget that their household registrations were entirely in their hands.

With two escort agencies accompanying them, the pressure on their side was significantly reduced.

"Keep everyone alert," Liu Pingkang instructed, looking around at the dense mountains and forests.

Everyone was relaxing their vigilance now when caution was more necessary than ever.

Veterans like Ma Zhi immediately heightened their alertness, strapped on their weapons, and began urging everyone to speed up along both sides of the road.

But these people were enjoying the sunlight and were reluctant to quickly enter the forest, dawdling in place.

This time, Ma Zhi and their whips didn’t crack the air. When the screams rang out, everyone dared not procrastinate anymore.

Seeing the group begin to pick up speed, Liu Pingkang sat on top of the carriage, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings.

The two escort agencies noticed his demeanor and immediately became cautious, even organizing for the ox-cart carrying Bai Suihe to be positioned in their midst.

"Miss," Dongmei and the others were quite nervous.

"It’s okay," Bai Suihe was curious about ambushes but knew that survival was the priority.

She didn’t consider herself an average person who could, like a main character, repeatedly avoid danger or have someone else take the fall for her.

Bai Suihe was determined not to be drawn by curiosity along the journey ahead.

Call her fearful or timid, but she had no intention of putting herself in harm’s way.

Such glorious sunlight, yet nobody was warmed up before venturing into the eerie woods again.

This area was colder than the previous rainy weather, and combined with the smell of rotting leaves, everyone couldn’t help but cover their noses.

"This place reeks," some couldn’t resist complaining, mainly due to the repulsive odor.

Even though they themselves emitted a certain smell, it was much better than this.

"Everyone, pick up the pace. Resting here would surely be our demise."

Now, without the escorts’ urging, those at the front rushed their ox-carts forward, families without carts ran alongside.

Bai Suihe placed some spices in the carriage to balance things out.

"Generally, the air in the forest after rain should be fresh, so why this strange smell?" Bai Suihe couldn’t understand and had to ask Gu Kaiyuan.

Gu Kaiyuan didn’t want to explain but had to since Bai Suihe asked, "The forest covers hundreds of miles; it’s complicated inside. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Towering trees on both sides block the sunlight.

It’s perpetually damp, gradually forming this smell."

"This is just the beginning. The deeper you go, the stronger the smell.

If you can’t bear it, use a sachet to cover your nose."

"How long does it take to pass through this woodland?"

"It might take several days. This is the only way to Lingnan. No matter which path you take, you must cross this dense forest."

What he didn’t say was that this place breeds many poisonous insects, so it’s best for everyone to stay inside.

Initially curious about the ancient forest, Bai Suihe has completely lost interest now.

Li Chun and her companions already used needle and thread to make simple fixes to the curtains, preventing them from flapping in the wind and drawing in the outside smell.

They were also curious about why the lord knew these things but dared not ask.

Because they felt the speed of the convoy picking up outside, occasionally hearing startled cries as if stepping on something.

If you listen closely, you might hear about centipedes, insects...

But the forest stretches so long and far that it’s impossible to rush through in one go.

After covering more than ten miles, they finally reached an open area where trees weren’t as dense. Seeing some sunlight, everyone sighed in relief, finally getting a whiff of fresh air.

Just when the pace seemed to slow down, Liu Pingkang urged everyone to accelerate again.

"Lord, even if we don’t need to catch our breath, the animals need rest. They can’t run much longer."

After this period of travel, people knew to care for their livestock; they were vital for the journey and couldn’t suffer any losses.

"They need to run even if they can’t. Do you know this place? Dare you stop for a rest? You want to throw away your lives."

The escort cracked the whip, hitting the lead animals, which then bolted, and their owners hurriedly followed.

People were practically seeking death. If this place was restful, would they stop?

Having traveled together for so long, they still lacked situational awareness.

Both escort agencies were cautious, driving their carts close behind.

The originally stationed Lin Hua, Lin Wei led dozen strong men to completely surround Bai Suihe’s cart.

Zhuang Datou dared not ask questions, following behind while cracking their whips.

As the convoy advanced rapidly, they suddenly stopped at the front.

Liu Pingkang’s heart sank, as what was meant to come finally arrived.

Rather than rushing forward, he found Liu and the others at the back.

Escort Head Xu declined his invitation, "Mr. Liu, we’re not government officials; it’s not suitable for us to intervene in your affairs. Rest assured, if there’s danger, we will assist.

Our primary mission is escorting goods; we can’t neglect so many shipments.

We don’t know if there will be anomalies behind us; we have to guard here."

Liu Pingkang glanced at their escort flags, sighed, and left.

Gu Kaiyuan finally opened the curtain, and Lin Hua asked with concern, "Young Master, should I send someone to check?"

Gu Kaiyuan shook his head; even in the last life, Liu Pingkang could smoothly handle this minor difficulty alone without two escort agencies, so there was no need to worry this time.