The road widened as they continued.
The ground became smoother.
More worn.
Signs of frequent travel appeared.
Carts had passed through here.
Many times.
Xu Tian noticed it all.
"…Closer," he thought.
The three travelers moved steadily ahead of him.
Not too fast.
Not too slow.
They didn't speak much.
But their awareness never dropped.
They were experienced.
Used to the road.
The girl in Xu Tian's arms shifted slightly.
Her eyes remained open, scanning the surroundings.
Xu Tian adjusted his grip.
"…We're almost there," he said quietly.
The boy remained asleep.
But his breathing was steadier now.
That alone was enough.
The trees began to thin.
The road opened up.
And then-
It appeared.
A town.
Not large.
But not small either.
Wooden structures lined the outer edge.
Fences.
Simple gates.
People moving in and out.
The air changed immediately.
No longer quiet.
No longer empty.
Voices.
Movement.
Life.
Xu Tian's gaze sharpened.
"…So this is what lies beyond."
The three travelers slowed.
One of them spoke.
"This is one of the outer towns," the man said. "It's not safe, but it's better than the road."
Xu Tian understood.
There was no such thing as a truly safe place.
Only places that were less dangerous.
They approached the entrance.
No guards stopped them.
But eyes followed.
Careful.
Evaluating.
Xu Tian felt it immediately.
This place was different from the settlement.
More people.
More activity.
And-
More hidden strength.
"…Not ordinary," he thought.
They stepped inside.
The ground was packed dirt.
The buildings close together.
Voices overlapped.
Merchants.
Travelers.
Locals.
Xu Tian moved slowly.
Taking it all in.
Nothing here was simple.
Not the people.
Not the place.
The woman from the group spoke again.
"There's a place you can rest," she said. "Near the center."
Xu Tian nodded slightly.
"…Lead the way."
They moved through the town.
Past small stalls.
Past quiet alleys.
Xu Tian's gaze shifted constantly.
Observing.
Measuring.
A few presences stood out.
Not obvious.
But there.
Stronger than the rest.
Watching.
"…So even here," he thought.
They stopped in front of a larger building.
Wooden.
Stable.
More maintained than the others.
"A resting house," the man said. "You can stay here for a while."
Xu Tian looked at it.
Then at the people passing nearby.
This place was not peaceful.
But it was useful.
For now.
He stepped forward.
Then paused.
"…Why help me?" he asked again.
The three looked at him.
The man gave a small smile.
"Because we might meet again," he said.
Xu Tian didn't respond.
But he understood.
Nothing here was without reason.
He stepped inside.
The noise outside faded slightly.
The air inside was warmer.
Quieter.
But not safe.
Never safe.
Xu Tian moved to a corner and sat down carefully.
The children remained still.
He adjusted them slightly.
Then exhaled.
"…For now," he murmured.
This would be enough.
But only for a short time.
Because even here-
He could feel it.
The same thing as before.
People watching.
Waiting.
And somewhere in this town-
Someone stronger than the rest.