The road stretched far beyond the settlement.
Uneven.
Quiet.
Untouched by most.
Xu Tian walked steadily, his steps light but controlled.
The children rested in his arms.
The boy's breathing had improved slightly.
The girl remained awake.
Watching.
Always watching.
Xu Tian's gaze stayed forward.
The world felt different now.
Wider.
More open.
But also-
More dangerous.
"…Too quiet," he thought.
There were signs of passage.
Faint tracks.
Worn paths.
But no one nearby.
That alone was enough to raise caution.
Xu Tian slowed slightly.
Not stopping.
Just adjusting.
The energy inside him responded naturally.
Spreading outward.
Sensing.
The air.
The ground.
The space ahead.
Then-
Movement.
Faint.
But clear.
Xu Tian's eyes sharpened.
"…There."
Ahead on the road, figures appeared.
Three of them.
Walking toward him.
Not hiding.
Not rushing.
Normal pace.
Travelers.
Or at least-
They appeared to be.
Xu Tian didn't change direction.
He continued forward.
The distance closed slowly.
The three figures came into clearer view.
Two men.
One woman.
Their clothing was simple.
But not worn.
Their posture was relaxed.
But not careless.
Xu Tian observed quietly.
"…Not ordinary."
They noticed him as well.
Their steps slowed slightly.
Their gazes focused.
One of the men spoke first.
"Traveler?" he called out.
Xu Tian didn't answer immediately.
Then nodded once.
"Yes."
The group stopped a short distance away.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Cautious.
The woman's gaze moved to the children.
Her expression shifted slightly.
"…You're carrying them alone?" she asked.
Xu Tian remained calm.
"Yes."
Silence followed for a moment.
Then the second man spoke.
"You came from the mountain?"
Xu Tian met his gaze.
"I did."
The three exchanged a brief glance.
Subtle.
But noticeable.
Xu Tian saw it.
"…They know something."
The first man stepped forward slightly.
"We're heading toward the outer road," he said. "There's a town not far from here."
Xu Tian listened.
But didn't respond yet.
The woman looked at him again.
"…You should come with us," she said. "It's not safe to travel alone here."
Xu Tian remained silent for a moment.
Then asked,
"…Why help?"
The question was simple.
Direct.
The three paused.
The first man smiled faintly.
"Because we know what's out here," he said.
Xu Tian studied them.
Carefully.
Their presence was steady.
Not weak.
Not strong enough to threaten him directly.
But experienced.
Used to this kind of road.
Xu Tian glanced down briefly at the children.
Then back up.
"…A town," he repeated.
He needed supplies.
Time.
A place where the boy could recover.
Xu Tian made his decision.
"…I'll walk with you."
The three relaxed slightly.
Not completely.
But enough.
The man nodded.
"Good," he said.
Then turned, continuing down the road.
Xu Tian followed.
His steps steady.
But his awareness remained sharp.
Because even as he walked with them-
He knew one thing clearly.
This road-
Was only the beginning.