334: The Artist’s Trip Back Goes Wrong

The Artist’s Trip Back Goes Wrong

The group spent two more days exploring Huangshan. For one of those days, Yujia went climbing a mountain peak with Xie Yufeng, getting to see and draw more of the wondrous scenery. For the other, she decided to relax some, taking advantage of the excellent tourist conditions to just take a break from all the traveling and moving.2

Although she caught a few Guozijian disciples through her peripheral vision at times, she no longer ran into any of them, which she found to be quite nice. After what happened between the two groups, tensions were high, and running into them would make for quite an awkward meeting. 

It wasn't like talking to them would make Yujia's impression of that school improve either. First, there was that unpleasant encounter with Han Shiche. After that, though Han Shiche appeared apologetic and all, he just wanted to cheat to win his pride back. Those two things added up were enough to permanently ruin her impression of Guozijian students and their morals.

Regardless, Yujia didn't choose to think about those people all too much. She would rather enjoy her experience and have fun. It would be a pity to have her trip ruined by these people.

On the last day of staying at Huangshan, Yujia picked up a slip of paper and some ink, preparing a letter that she would mail to Zixu when they arrived at the next city. 

"Huangshan was amazing to experience. We did have a competition with Guozijian students. Curious to how it turned out? I'll tell you when I get back. All is well. I'll be back within the month. Miss you lots." 

As she concluded her letter by signing it with her name, she gave a heavy sigh. Yufeng, who was lounging by the side, raised an eyebrow at the sound. "Why the long sigh?" Yufeng asked.

Yujia rested an elbow on the table and propped her chin up on her hand. She tapped her fingers against the side of her face. "Actually, I'm not quite sure," she replied. 

There was quite a foreign feeling within her. It was one of longing, not just Zixu, but rather all of the things she left behind in Chang'an for the trip. She missed Lingxin Pavilion, and she missed talking to her master, Chef Hong, Lili, and the others. Huangshan was beautiful and otherworldly, yes. But she would give anything to snap her fingers right at this instant and be teleported back home.

Home.

A wry smile surfaced on her lips. Was this what homesickness felt like? 

"I guess I just miss being home," she ended up continuing with her words, upon arriving at this realization. "What about you?" Her gaze shifted to observe Yufeng.

Yufeng's expression was unchanging. "I've been moving from place to place for so long. I can't remember where my original home was."

Thinking about how this was the first time she felt homesick, after all her experiences back in the modern world, Yujia suggested, "The place you originally came from is not always your true home. Home is a place that you choose. Or perhaps… a group of people that you choose."

"You think so?" Yufeng tilted her head by the slightest degree.

"Of course." Yujia looked down for a second, tapping her fingers against the side of her face again. After a brief pause, she continued, "I know you said that you are staying with me so that you have a place to go until you get the chance to fulfill your goals, but… if you want, you can stay at Lingxin forever. You are welcome to treat it like your home, if you would like."

She liked Yufeng. Although her first impression of Yufeng was not the greatest, over time, she had grown to truly view Yufeng as a friend. At the end of her offer, she looked back up, giving the girl a smile.

Yufeng's expressionless face shifted, reflecting a smile back. "Thank you. I appreciate the offer, but I don't think I can stay permanently. Once I complete my goals, I'll be leaving. Not because of you, but rather, I don't want to be a burden."

A burden?

Yujia's smile faltered just a bit. She had a feeling that the burden was not referring to just food and housing. "Well," Yujia added on, quickly putting her smile back up, "if you ever change your mind, my offer is still up."

"I'll keep that in mind," Yufeng affirmed with a nod.

…

The journey back home began. 

The group loaded the carriages up. Yujia, dressed in a fresh set of robes— she had just taken a last bath at the lodging— sat back in her old carriage with Yufeng. She braced herself for the long traveling that was to come.

Progress for the first few days went well. They arrived at their various destinations on time. Yujia had the chance to mail Zixu her letter, hoping that the pigeons would deliver it well. Then, once that happened, it was back to traveling.

Although the trip back was smooth, it did not stay that way for long. 

It was a sunny day when things began to go wrong.

The weather had been perfect. Just enough sun was out to keep the chilly temperatures from getting too cold. The group was passing by another mountain range, carriage wheels rolling evenly on the dirt path. Yujia was looking out the window, bored at the passing scenery despite the perfect weather. 

Trees… bamboo… trees… bamboo… 

She almost fell asleep at the repetitive scenery flashing by her eyes. It was to be a day of pure traveling like no other, in her mind.

But then, a different color flashed by her eye. Something dark. The loud sound of people tearing through branches and trees, shouting at the top of their lungs as they did so, jolted her awake. 

With terror, she stared at the sight through the carriage window. It was a sight that she would have never expected to see. It was a sight that belonged in stories and films, not real life.

A horde of people— hundreds of them— were rushing down the mountains, running right towards their carriages.

It wasn't just her who noticed it. At the same moment that her eyes caught it, all of those in the traveling group did. Before she could even make sense of what was happening, one of the drivers called out an alarm, hollering, "M-mountain bandits! They're coming! Run!" 

Mountain bandits? 

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