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Xiang was growing weaker with each step, exhausted from walking. Seeing her condition, Shi Bao became worried and said, "You should sit on the horse; we'll travel with you." He gently helped Xiang onto the horse. After a while, they came across a simple but beautiful palanquin. An idea suddenly struck Shi Bao, and he suggested, "Let's ask if we can use the palanquin to make our journey easier."
They approached the palanquin and politely asked, "Would you allow us to ride in your palanquin for a short distance?" A young man who appeared to be a prince sat inside. One of his servants replied, "Sorry, we cannot let anyone ride in the palanquin. My master is inside."
Just then, the curtain of the palanquin was drawn back, and a voice asked, "What seems to be the problem?" The man stepped out, and when his eyes landed on Xiang, he immediately took notice of her beauty and fragility. Without hesitation, he decided to help.
He gently helped Xiang into the palanquin and said, "Only one person can sit in here, but would you mind sitting in front?" Shi Bao hesitated, unwilling to leave Xiang alone with a stranger. "Master," she said nervously, "My mistress is very frail, and she may need something at any moment. It's better if I stay outside the palanquin."
The young master agreed. As they sat down, Xiang opened her eyes and asked, "Who are you, and why are we in this palanquin?"
Shi Bao answered, "Your health had deteriorated, so we sought help from him."
The young man introduced himself, "My name is Yang Xi." Xiang nodded and thanked him. "Thank you for your help. I'm grateful for your kindness." She then settled into the palanquin, and it began to move, with Wen Shia following behind them.
As he watched from a distance, Wen Shia's concern grew. How can she trust a stranger like this? What if something bad happens on the road? What if these people have ill intentions? His thoughts spiraled, but he couldn't do anything about it. He continued murmuring to himself.
Xiang chatted with Yang Xi for a while, then closed her eyes, trying to rest. After some time, her stomach growled. She didn't say anything but quietly clutched her stomach. Yang Xi noticed her discomfort and asked softly, "Are you hungry? I have some snacks. Would you like some?"
He reached into a bag and pulled out an assortment of treats: sweets, walnuts, and other simple, delicious snacks. Xiang ate a little and felt full. "Thank you for sharing your food," she said. "You've done me a great favor. I'll be sure to repay you someday. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
As they approached their destination, Xiang realized they were heading in different directions. "You can drop us here," she said. "We can continue on foot. My destination is close now." She dismounted from the palanquin, thanked Yang Xi, and accepted some food from him before parting ways.
"We are grateful for your help. If we ever need assistance, we will remember you," she said. Without further delay, she and Shi Bao continued their journey.
After walking a little further, Shi Bao remarked, "We must be very close to our destination now." Xiang, however, grew more tense as she realized they were approaching a dangerous forest, known for being inhabited by demonic creatures and evil forces.
As they ventured deeper, Xiang noticed the many demonic animals surrounding them. Suddenly, a monstrous creature emerged from the woods—its body as large as an elephant, its face resembling a monkey, with thick hair covering its entire body. Despite its size, it moved swiftly like a kangaroo. Without warning, it leapt toward Xiang.
But just as it lunged, a sword sliced through the air, intercepting its attack. The creature recoiled. Xiang turned to see Wen Shia standing behind her, sword in hand, ready to defend her. His presence, though unexpected, was a welcome sight.