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"You're down to just a few people?" Having resumed his position at the very front of the team, Cao Fei asked the small boy ahead.
This boy who led the way was named Liu Zhu, with the common nickname Zhu Zi, a vulgar and ubiquitous Zheng Country name, found everywhere.
The boy deftly parted a leaf and grasped the neck of a small snake, tossing it aside, and without looking back said, "My dad and several uncles were killed by Shen Country men, the remaining uncles and brothers all fled deep into the mountains... Grandpa said, we must always leave some 'fire' (descendants) behind."
"We are here now; you won't have to hide in the mountains anymore."
"There are only a few of you. There are so many Shen Country soldiers... our Zheng Country military has been defeated and is fleeing everywhere..." The boy still did not believe what Cao Fei said, replying with great disdain.
Cao Fei didn't say much, just smiled and followed behind the boy.
