In the frigid lands, after my exile, I began to slay demons and monsters.

Chapter 51 The Pleasures of Simple Exile

In the afternoon, taking advantage of a break, Ning Xiaoxi continued along the stream, with Ning Ziqing following beside his sister. He didn't know how his sister recognized those wild vegetables, but being able to eat fresh and delicious food on this arduous journey was much better than gnawing on those fist-sized hard steamed buns.

The old doctor Zhao also slowly followed behind the brother and sister, carrying his shackles.

In a wetland, Ning Xiaoxi saw a large patch of mugwort.

In early spring, mugwort sprouts tender green shoots and emits a unique fragrance.

"Doctor Zhao, look, there's mugwort here," Ning Xiaoxi called out to the old man behind her.

The little old man came running over with a bouncy gait, the clattering sound of his footsteps adding to the comical effect.

"Young lady, this mugwort is a good thing. Come, let me help you."

"No need, no need." Ning Ziqing stopped the old man, feeling tired just looking at him carrying shackles and handcuffs. "You and your sister stay here, I'll go." With that, she took a knife and went to cut the grass.

Ning Xiaoxi divided the mugwort her brother had cut into two portions. Without any hesitation, she handed one portion to Doctor Zhao, saying, "Doctor Zhao, you are more familiar with herbs, so could you please help me process it?" Ning Xiaoxi originally intended to put the other portion in her basket, but then she thought that if she wanted to make mugwort dumplings or something, she wouldn't have any glutinous rice, so she simply handed that portion to the old man as well.

The old man reached out and took it, smiling happily. "This mugwort can be stored after simple drying. Don't worry, just ask me for it if you need it later."

After the midday rest, the sun rose higher and higher, and the caravan slowed down. A messenger cavalryman arrived quickly and then left just as fast.

Wu Dayong also got off the carriage and walked to Ning Xiaoxi's side. "Miss, we have just received the King's decree, which has pardoned your crimes. You may leave at any time."

Ning Xiaoxi nodded. The Celestial Master Pavilion acted quite quickly. "Thank you for your care, Officer Wu. My parents and brothers are here, and I will stay with them."

"The young lady is very affectionate; Lord Ning is truly blessed." After saying this, Wu Dayong greeted the guards on the side and returned to the front of the line.

"Xiao Xi, what did Wu Cha Tou mean?" Ning Shi asked after watching Wu Dayong leave.

“Father, I helped the Celestial Master Pavilion in Panhou Mountain City by providing them with information. In addition, I accumulated merit by eliminating the Spirit Crystal Demon in the valley earlier. Therefore, I reported to the King and he pardoned my crimes.”

"Really? Is he really forgiven?" Ming Luoying's surprised voice came from the side, and Ning Ziqing's eyes also lit up.

Ning Xiaoxi nodded emphatically, "It's true."

Ming Luoying's voice was uncontrolled, and several nearby families heard the news of Ning Xiaoxi's pardon. Seeing her nod, they couldn't hide the envy in their eyes. Ever since the experience of the Earthly Fiends' officials bringing someone back, everyone had some suspicions, but they didn't expect it to be confirmed so quickly. Sure enough, anything related to demons was the King's top priority.

Ning Shi couldn't hide the smile on her face. She tightened the shoulder straps of her basket again and again, muttering repeatedly, "Good, good, great, great."

"Father and Mother, you don't need to worry. I'm now officially a member of the Celestial Masters Pavilion. If I can accumulate more merits in the future, I will definitely try to get a pardon for you and my brother."

Ning Shi grabbed his daughter's hand and said, "No need. Your parents are fine. You don't need to try to earn credit."

“Sister, Father is right. Your safety is the most important thing. Now that you've shed your criminal status and are no longer a criminal, we don't need to fight for anything else. As long as our family is together, that's enough. You don't need to risk your life for it.” Ning Ziqing said in a heavy tone. That day, Chang Qing's waist token shattered, Ning Xiaoxi's resolute departure with Chang Qing, and Xiaoxi's heart-wrenching cries last night all made his heart ache like it was being torn apart. That was his gentle and frail sister. How could she have to face those demons? He didn't want his sister to experience those dangers again.

[Ding! Awakening Intermediate Social Charm Insight Assessment. This allows for quick and accurate observation and analysis of a target person's personality traits, spiritual potential, interests, and potential development trends, and determines whether to gain their approval.]

Ning Xiaoxi was stunned. What was this little dumpling up to? Why did it suddenly awaken a skill for her at such an emotional moment?

[Ning Ziqing, male, fifteen years old, with a steady and responsible personality, possesses spiritual veins and roots, capable of cultivation. With sufficient resources, he can cultivate to the level of a high-ranking Celestial Master. His host's elder brother, fiercely loyal.]

Ning Xiaoxi stared blankly at the glaringly obvious introduction above her brother's head, feeling incredibly awkward. Even knowing her brother possessed spiritual veins, she had no idea how to get him to cultivate them. What use would this skill be to her?

Ning Xiaoxi shook her head, obediently followed her brother, and whispered, "I know, don't worry, brother, I will be careful from now on."

Ning Ziqing smiled indulgently. How come she hadn't noticed how well-behaved and considerate her little sister was before?

Soon, the group reached a hillside where wild scallions and garlic grew haphazardly. Although these scallions and garlic were not as neatly arranged as those grown by humans, they exuded a rich, pungent aroma.

Ning Xiaoxi ran over quickly, dug up the scallions and garlic by the roots with a small shovel, carefully shook off the soil from the roots, and put them into a bamboo basket. Ning Ziqing quickly followed suit; he had also noticed that following his sister always resulted in picking better ingredients.

There were quite a lot of wild onions and garlic in this patch, and the procession slowly walked past. The guards watched the brother and sister from a distance but did not come over to call them.

Wild scallions and garlic not only add flavor to dishes but also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making them a precious ingredient during their exile in unsanitary conditions. While gathering them, Ning Xiaoxi secretly placed some scallions and garlic in her cave dwelling and planted them in the spirit field. Although she felt it was a bit of a waste of the spirit field's spiritual energy, the bland ingredients really needed some seasoning.

As the sun set, the group stopped on a flat lawn. In the distance were dense forests and mountains, and birds could be seen returning to their nests and landing in the woods from time to time.

Ning Xiaoxi saw how lively the place was and suddenly thought of going there to see if there were any pheasants or rabbits to add some meat to dinner.

"Brother, let's go into the woods and see if we can find any pheasants or rabbits!" Ning Xiaoxi said coquettishly, pulling on Ning Ziqing's arm.

Ning Ziqing glanced at Ning Shi, and seeing him nod, she took her sister's hand and walked towards the woods.

As soon as she reached the edge of the woods, Ning Xiaoxi saw a dense clump of raspberries. The bright red berries hung from the branches and looked very tempting. "Quick, brother, raspberries, they're sweet, you can eat them." After saying that, she picked a few and put them in her mouth.

"Xiaoxi, wash them before you eat." Ming Luoying quickly stopped Ning Xiaoxi's hand and took the raspberries from her.

“Mother.” Ning Xiaoxi followed her mother’s hand and put the raspberries into the basket. “There are still many here. We can pick more. We can eat them raw or make jam. The jam can be eaten with steamed buns. My brother and I will walk a little further in.”

"Okay, be careful."

Although the sun had not yet set, the light in the forest had already begun to dim.

"Flutter!"

"Cuckoo!"

A flurry of leaves and branches caused several pheasants to suddenly flap their wings and fly out of the woods, seemingly startled by something.

Ning Xiaoxi and Ning Ziqing were startled, and then they heard a series of "humming" sounds.

Wild boar?