In Dragon Town, the companions were discussing departing early for Eagle Beak Cliff to attend Xin Ci's wedding.
Uncle Xu quietly reminded the captain and his own son, "According to the old rules, pregnant women are not allowed to attend weddings."
"That's perfect," the three men thought. They didn't want their wives to suffer on the mountain road, and Uncle Xu's words provided them with the perfect excuse.
"It's just a bit unfair to Xin Ci."
"It's alright, Xin Ci will understand us."
As the group was talking, Xiang Tong and Lan Tianyao arrived.
"Is there something?" the captain asked, taking the lead.
"On behalf of all the residents of Dragon Town, I've come to congratulate Miss Fu."
"Me too, I'm here representing Qilin Town."
"Very well, then we can travel together."
After speaking, the captain gave a few more instructions to Uncle Xu and Uncle Sun, and then they all set off towards Qingxi Town.
This was Lan Tianyao's first time traversing this mountain path, and the captain asked him,
"Old Lan, did you receive the letter Xin Ci sent?"
"The one about the Wokou nearing their end?"
"Yes."
"We've already made our arrangements. If they don't show up, so be it, but if they do, humph, they'll face our hunting rifles."
"Wow, Old Lan, how many do you have?"
Upon hearing that Qilin Town had good things, Fatty Dun was so focused on looking back at Lan Tianyao that he didn't watch his step and nearly tumbled down the mountain ridge.
"Hey, you're going to be a father soon, can't you be a bit steadier? You have to set a good example for your child."
Fatty Dun initially wanted to argue, but hearing Xu Jiacan mention setting an example for his child, he deflated and remained silent.
Xiang Tong glanced at the captain, implying that this man would likely become a doting father.
"Most people who survived the apocalypse are alone. Having a family like yours and Old Lan's, where everyone is still together, is extremely rare."
The captain didn't say anything, but for those who were left alone, knowing that their lineage could continue, they wished for a child of their own more than anyone else.
The captain's words reminded Lan Tianyao of the day the apocalypse began, when his family was having a meal.
He was luckier than most; not only were his family members all present, but no one turned into a monster. This spared him the agonizing process of searching for them.
When he bravely ventured outside to investigate, he even rescued Zhang Ning and her son, who were fleeing and hiding from the monsters.
This apocalypse made him profoundly understand the importance of luck.
Otherwise, even in his dreams, he wouldn't have imagined they could be living in ancient times.
He thought that their current agricultural life, though somewhat monotonous, was something they cherished deeply.
No pollution, no monsters.
Just a casual glance up at the pure, unblemished azure sky made all their hardships and exhaustion feel worthwhile.
Xiang Tong hadn't expected Lan Tianyao to be more enthusiastic than them, walking with sweat pouring down his face without suggesting a break.
The captain noticed this and felt admiration.
They all possessed supernatural abilities, and their skill levels were quite high.
Lan Tianyao, however, was only at level two, the lowest among them, yet his current stamina was better than theirs.
What was going on?
The captain and the others looked back, gazing towards Dragon Town, which had long since disappeared from view.
Xiang Tong: "Look at you three, you've lost your minds with your wives not around."
"Not lost, they're at home," Xu Jiacan, ever the bold one, replied. "Being good to your wife is nothing to be ashamed of."
Xiang Tong: He felt he couldn't bear to watch.
Lan Tianyao understood, "Who hasn't been young once?" Thinking of his past impulsiveness, this was nothing.
Fatty Dun: "Boss Lan's words are always pleasant to hear." He liked it.
For the rest of the journey, due to their shared topic, Lan Tianyao and Fatty Dun chatted so harmoniously that Fatty Dun almost called Lan Tianyao his elder brother.
Xu Jiacan: Toothache.
Xiang Tong: Toothache plus one.
The captain's eyes fixed on the path ahead, "Once we cross this mountain ridge, we'll be at Eagle Beak Cliff."
"This place is really nice."
"Yes, a part of it is by the sea."
"Ah? That must be beautiful. Hey, you guys have to accompany me to the beach." Lan Tianyao had lived inland before the apocalypse. Although he had visited Tianya Haijiao, he hadn't been anywhere since the apocalypse.
"Alright, we'll go together." Xiang Tong also had the same idea.
The captain nodded. He suddenly remembered something.
"When Xin Ci sent us the letter, she mentioned that those Wokou planned to land on that beach."
"What?" Lan Tianyao's interest piqued tenfold at the captain's words.
"Why don't we stay here for a couple more days? It would be wonderful if we happened to encounter those beasts."
The captain and the others, who had been eager to return home, suddenly became energized.
"Hey, Boss Lan, your idea is exactly what I was thinking."
"Yes, it pleases me greatly."
After hearing Fatty Dun's joking remark, Xiang Tong promptly reminded him,
"We've already entered the territory of the Great Ming. It's best not to make such jokes, or Xin Ci could be implicated because of us."
Hearing Xiang Tong's words, Fatty Dun quickly covered his mouth.
Given Xin Ci's special status, they really couldn't joke around and bring trouble to her family.
With these concerns in mind, the group's mood became less cheerful than before.
Fortunately, Lan Tianyao was a good at lifting spirits.
He pointed at the horizon where the sea and sky merged and discussed with the group,
"What do you think, should we take a dip in the sea when we get there to have some fun?"
Before Lan Tianyao could finish speaking, Xiang Tong looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"Hey, Xiang Tong, why are you looking at me like that?"
Xiang Tong didn't answer immediately, just tidied his clothes before glancing at him with a worried expression and asking, "Are you sure about going into the sea this season?"
Lan Tianyao surveyed everyone, then remembered that it wasn't summer yet. Swimming in the sea at this time would make him look like a fool.
Heh, in a moment of carelessness, he had indeed acted foolishly.
However, he didn't mind.
After all, they had experienced the apocalypse, so what hadn't they done before?
As the white moonlight bathed the land, Eagle Beak Cliff finally appeared in their sight.
Standing on the hillside and looking at the tranquil courtyard by the river, Xiang Tong spoke,
"It's about nine o'clock now, it's too late, so let's set up camp here for the night."
In the apocalypse, they had endured all sorts of harsh environments, so camping in the wild here was a piece of cake.
"Mmm."
Seeing that everyone agreed, Xiang Tong found a sheltered spot and took out a tent and several sleeping bags from his spatial ring.
Everyone was an old hand at setting up tents, and within fifteen minutes, the tent was erected.
Inside the tent, Fatty Dun was practicing his aim with the oversized sleeping bag.
"Fatty Dun, why aren't you lying down yet?"
"We've been walking all day, aren't you tired?"
Fatty Dun: Could he say that he might not be able to use this sleeping bag?