Chapter 20: A Difficult Departure

Before dawn, the entire Croop awoke. Today was the day of departure, and everyone was busy—loading luggage, conducting final checks, and even preparing meals. The clerks had already announced some basic rules for the journey eastward, setting time limits for various daily activities such as eating, resting, and using the facilities. The group would set off on schedule and would not wait for anyone, so casual behavior like usual was not acceptable.

In the darkness, crowds gathered, with few people speaking, and when they did, their voices were low. A faint sense of sadness permeated the camp. With today’s separation, it was uncertain when they would return to Tures. Almost everyone here had invested time and effort, leaving behind many memories. Leaving now truly brought deep sorrow.

Not far from the meal distribution point number 6, sudden shouts, curses from men, and women’s cries could be heard.

It wasn’t long before Dev and Ebut arrived with a few militia members. With many witnesses, the situation was quickly clarified: Eli, a known troublemaker in the town, had committed violence against the Shi family over food.

Dev ordered that Eli be whipped three times and denied food for a day. Eli refused, shouting why he should be punished—claiming it was his own family matter. Dev’s reply was simple: “Now, Tures is one family, and everyone’s affairs are the family’s affairs.”

Eli’s wife, however, was timid and unassertive. She knelt down and pleaded for him, arousing both anger and pity in Dev and the others.

“Eli’s misbehavior is largely due to your lack of resolve!” one townsman said rudely in public.

“It’s time to put this kid in his place!” Since Eli wasn’t popular, some added fuel to the fire.

Ebut stepped forward with a whip, asking everyone to be quiet. He declared loudly, “Young Master Dev said earlier that the journey eastward isn’t just one person’s affair—it’s everyone’s. There will be many difficulties along the way. We hope everyone will restrain themselves and cooperate. As for those who can’t consider the greater good, we don’t want to resort to force, but we won’t rule it out either.”

Eli couldn’t avoid punishment. In public, his pants were pulled down, and he was whipped three times on his bare buttocks, screaming in agony like a pig being slaughtered.

Though it was a minor incident, it made the people realize the strict side of their temporary leader and how different this journey eastward was from usual, filling some with awe.

Of course, different eyes see different things. From Zhan Ga’s perspective, a potential ally had appeared.

Despite Dev’s repeated orders not to disturb Neo, he was still awakened by the noise of the people preparing. The commotion was too loud for him.

Compared to the worries in his heart and his concerns about various matters, the fatigue from lack of sleep—such as sore eyelids, a heavy head, and physical discomfort—was nothing serious. Neo was mainly concerned about two things: What was the latest situation with Kuan? And would the people have any problems crossing the Falling Leaves Valley?

The answer to the second question came quickly. Ebut had sent people to the Falling Leaves Valley early. Just after the people finished breakfast, a scout returned with news that everything there was fine.

After the meal, there was a brief rest. The clerks conducted one final check of the supplies, each responsible for their own section—ranging from people to livestock to vehicles—all numbered, which helped maintain order and simplified management.
Thures’s eastward migration party set off. Leading the way today were two groups headed by butcher York and shoemaker Edison: one group escorted the food and supplies for the migration party, while Ebute and a few militia members covered the rear.
Nio was also in the rear group, riding White Sock, appearing drowsy, but in reality, he had entered a light state of meditation, practicing the skill of “life absorption” in reverse.
This was Nio’s fourth attempt, targeting a small branch. He assumed that if he succeeded, new buds and leaves would sprout on it.
The party’s speed was 4.5 kilometers per hour, the normal walking pace, which satisfied everyone, as the route was covered with snow up to mid-calf, not a hardened road.
The weather was poor today, mainly windy, at force 4–5. In the open fields, the wind blew strongly, making everyone feel the chill carrying the scent of ice and snow, adding considerable resistance to progress.
The dim dawn gave way to a late sunrise, followed by the sun climbing weakly into the sky, casting lukewarm light over the land. Thures’s eastward group moved forward like a colorful serpent; from above, it appeared slow but persistent.
A few hundred meters further down, as the members of this “colorful serpent” became clearer, the clerks’ encouraging shouts could be heard—rising and falling, phrases like, “Everyone, push harder! We’ll rest after passing the Leafless Valley.” “We’ve covered more than half the distance; it’s not far!” Such simple words had a significant effect. The migration party, like a long serpent, meant that most people could only see the backs of those in front, lacking a clear idea of the distance left. Over time, this could easily lead to the feeling that the journey would never end. But the clerks’ words were like a clock marking time or a bonfire at the destination, giving everyone a signal from time to time, thus calming their minds.
Dive rode on horseback, inspecting different sections of the party from time to time. He hardly spoke to the people but would ask the clerks about various matters. Hunter Light and another militia member stayed by Dive’s side. People are vain creatures; not only the militia member but even Light felt proud—riding a tall horse, fully armed, and in front of familiar people, both of them stood upright with solemn expressions, indeed exuding a professional demeanor.
At the very end of the party, four slow horses were led by militia members. These horses were equipped with simple sleds made of branches. After being pulled by these sleds, the tracks in the snow became more chaotic but relatively even. With wind like today’s, the tracks would blur after a few hours.

As the Valley of Falling Leaves came into sight,Neo suddenly opened his eyes, patted the wolf’s neck, and White Socks turned to run back. After running for a while, it suddenly stopped. After listening carefully and sniffing repeatedly in the direction from which the migration group had come,Neo turned back and delivered bad news to Ebute: Dark Claws were chasing after them.
“Blow the horn?” Ebute asked, trying to stay calm.
Neo shook his head. “Don’t alarm everyone. Have the three groups of Team 1 gather at the back of the group.”
The order was quickly passed down. The three groups of militia gathered at the end of the line with those at the rear, bringing the total to 63 people, includingNeo and Ebute.
By then, Ebute, reminded byNeo, had a clearer idea. Looking at the militia, who were nervous, sensing that battle was imminent, he said, “Brothers, I have good news for you—there are living targets for us to practice on…”
Ebute’s speech to motivate and boost morale was still quite immature, but he at least grasped the main points. After his encouragement, although the militia weren’t eager to fight, they became much calmer. Under Ebute’s guidance, they prepared for battle and listened to the precautions for combat.
Zhanza also actively participated in this interception battle. SeeingNeo standing silently nearby, Zhanza was secretly pleased—his first target was right here, and his opponents were just a bunch of inexperienced militia. If things went well, he might be able to complete the mission early…
At the end of the snowy plain, a group of enemies charging on beasts appeared. Roughly counted, there were nearly a hundred of them, charging recklessly with a terrifying momentum.
“Brothers, this time we don’t have to worry about missing our targets!” Although Ebute said this, despair rose in his heart. After all, he had received systematic professional training and had a much better eye than the militia. He could see that these Dark Claws, in terms of both numbers and individual combat strength, were far superior to their side. With such enemies, not to mention them, even the entire migration group would likely be at the mercy of the enemy!
Neo gave Ebute a glance, then walked calmly through the ranks. *Dang!* He tapped one of the militia’s wooden shields with the hilt of his sword. “Do you know what kind of people these Dark Claws used to be?”
“Thugs, scoundrels?” the militia member holding the shield asked nervously.
“Smart.”Neo scanned the crowd. “You’ve all heard it—these guys used to be nothing but thugs and scoundrels! Who has trained with me this year?”
“I!”
“I!” Some people in the crowd answered. Quite a few had participated in this summer’s militia training.
“Do you remember how we taught those ignorant thugs on Sol’s Street?”
“I remember!”
“We beat those guys black and blue. They’re just a bunch like them—how did we do it back then?”
“Formation!”
“Unity!”
“Yeah, that’s right.”Neo said loudly, “Don’t think of yourselves as a ragtag bunch. The real ragtag bunch is right in front of us. These guys are like those two big guys we dealt with back in summer—strong on the surface but weak inside. Don’t tell me you can’t take them down!”
“If it’s like that, definitely no problem!” a militia member replied loudly.

“Raf, you bastard! I remember you. I’ll see if you’re just bluffing!” Neo pointed at the militia member.
“Hehe…” People laughed.
“Nico, you jerk! Why are you shaking your legs? If you need to pee, hold it in. Use those damn dark brats as urinal later! I also have urine to release, and I’ve been itching to cut those scumbags apart! After we throw the spears, I’ll be the first to charge—there’s no way I can’t kill those bastards! Damn!”
Neo cursed nonstop, but at that moment, everyone found it amusing and satisfying. Many echoed, “Damn!”
Zhan Ga stood by, raising his eyebrows secretly, thinking, “Damn, he’s quite a good actor too…”
Crack, crack! Neo stretched his muscles. His armor seemed a bit loose, and he held a spear, ready to throw it. The other militia members followed suit.
The enemy was already very close, and battle was about to begin.
With another glance, Ebute understood Neo’s intention once again and gave orders—after all, it was still him in charge. “Neo, we clearly have a great example here. Alright, I order now: form two lines, prepare to throw from maximum distance, two-person, three-throw sequence! Ready, ready… Go!”