In the frigid lands, after my exile, I began to slay demons and monsters.

Chapter 9 The Night Before the Exile Begins

Ning Xiaoxi really didn't have anything to say to the mental recovery system, and she didn't want to argue with this system that had a clear class goal. She felt rather disliked it.

Perhaps sensing Ning Xiaoxi's low spirits, the system automatically entered upgrade mode and stopped popping up to make noise.

"Xiaoxi, don't be afraid, don't be afraid, it's alright. With Lord Disha here, nothing will happen." Ming Luoying hugged her daughter tightly, constantly murmuring to her. Although she couldn't control her trembling body, she was a mother and had to protect her precious child.

Inside, the other families were also huddled together, while the only remaining constable stood by the door, holding his waist knife, listening solemnly to the sounds coming from outside.

Gradually, the sound faded away.

The constables still dared not relax, their eyes glancing every now and then at the roof that the cat demon had punctured, as snowflakes began to fall again.

"My lord, the headcount has been completed. One person is dead; he was sentenced to exile today, and his name has been verified with the head constable. The four prisoners who escaped from the room earlier have been re-detained. Three constables have fractures in their hands and feet, as well as internal injuries, and are no longer fit to escort prisoners. I will report this to the court council to replace the constables." The voice came from outside the door, indicating that Lord Di Sha's subordinates had finished cleaning up the battlefield.

"You stay here to clean up the mess, the rest of you continue with me on the return journey."

"Yes, my lord."

Tap tap tap tap

The rhythmic sound of horses' hooves rang out again, gradually fading into the distance.

"Guards and constables from each room, come out."

The guard by the door sheathed his sword, then opened the door and went out.

Everyone in the room visibly breathed a sigh of relief, quietly staying with their families without saying a word.

Ning Xiaoxi looked at the slightly ajar door and could hear low voices, a few soft moans, and footsteps coming and going outside. She looked up at her parents and older brother, wanting to ask them something, but not knowing where to begin.

Before long, the guard returned. "The cat demon has been killed by the lord. You should all rest early, as we need to set off early tomorrow morning." After saying this, he turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Looking at the large hole in the roof where snowflakes kept falling in, even though there was no wind, it seemed like a demon ready to devour anyone, constantly eroding the temperature inside the room.

Fortunately, there were still embers in the stove in the room, emitting a faint warmth.

"Brother, go add some firewood to the stove." Ning Xiaoxi looked at the dying fire; if they didn't add more firewood, they would freeze all night.

Hearing his sister's words, Ning Ziqing calmed down from her fear, turned to look at the stove, dragged her shackles over, picked up the chopped firewood beside the stove, examined it for a moment, and then turned on the stove to put in the firewood. The shackles were inconvenient, but fortunately it was just adding firewood.

Ning Xiaoxi wriggled out of her mother's still trembling embrace and held onto her mother's arm. "Mom, let's see what brother bought." They had to set off tomorrow morning, so they needed to pack.

Although the situation was urgent, Ning Ziqing didn't abandon the basket she was carrying; it was still filled with some things. It just seemed she wouldn't be able to pay the grocer.

Ning Xiaoxi squatted down and looked at the basket her brother had brought back. She didn't take everything out, but separated the baskets that were stacked together. Then she tried putting the packages that her second uncle had brought into the basket. Because they were all thick cotton clothes, although they looked big, they could all be stuffed in. It seemed that some small things could be stuffed into the bottom of the basket.

Finally, I looked at the basket that was filled with things, but there were no cotton-padded clothes inside. It seems that my brother hasn't had time to buy any yet.

The flatbreads, still quite soft to the touch, were counted and there were exactly forty, packed into two bundles. There was also a clay pot, along with a spoon, four clay bowls, and four pairs of chopsticks. In addition, there were ten catties of coarse rice, ten catties of coarse flour, five catties of salt, and four water bags.

Ning Ziqing also came over to help her sister check the supplies she had bought. In addition to the items her sister had asked for, she also bought some extra items based on the advice of the general store owner.

"Big brother, you're amazing! I didn't even remember the bowl and chopsticks." Ning Xiaoxi smiled sweetly as she praised her brother, pleased to see his ears turn slightly red.

Seeing that the two siblings could get along harmoniously in such an environment, Ning Shi and Ming Luoying felt much less tired and scared.

At this moment, whether it was Ning Shi's family or the others in the room, everyone seemed to silently ignore the thrilling battle that had just taken place, just as the bloody smell and chilling demonic aura brought by the biting wind and snow were nothing out of the ordinary.

"Put the earthenware pots, bowls, and chopsticks in Mother's basket, the coarse rice in Father's basket, the coarse flour in Brother's basket, and the bread and salt here. It's late today, so we should rest quickly. Take out these thick cotton clothes to use as bedding. We'll see tomorrow morning whether to wear them or put them in the baskets."

Ning Xiaoxi muttered to herself as she packed her belongings, trying to clear her mind through busyness. She didn't want to think about the system's goals or about demons and monsters; she only wanted to get her family out of exile. Fortunately, the woman didn't need to wear handcuffs, and although her legs were heavy, she could still persevere.

Then I opened each of the packages my second uncle had sent a crack to peek inside. My parents and I each had two sets of cotton-padded clothes and trousers, and a pair of shoes. My brother had three sets of clothes and trousers, and a pair of shoes. Judging by the thickness of the clothes, they probably wouldn't offer much protection against the cold wind. Well, even if my second uncle tried to avoid taking things that were considered taboo, we were still a wealthy family in the capital. How many families actually needed to wear such thick cotton-padded clothes?

After filling the basket, she seemed to realize something and looked at her parents and brother. She took out four flatbreads from the basket and gave them to her parents and brother. "We've been worried and walked such a long way all day. Everyone should replenish their energy before going to sleep, otherwise it will be uncomfortable if we wake up hungry in the middle of the night."

Looking up into the room, Ning Xiaoxi saw a simple square table with a large teapot on it. The material of the teapot was indistinguishable, but it was shiny white. Ning Xiaoxi quickly went over to pick up the teapot.

Ning Ziqing saw through his sister's intention and quickly went over to lift it up, preventing his sister from doing so. The handcuffs struck the edge of the teapot heavily, making a dull sound.

"Brother, put it on the stove." The iron stove is just right to warm the water in the teapot, and it's enough to fill you up with some flatbread.

The people in the room watched as the young lady from the Ning family busied herself with her brother, making arrangements in an orderly manner, while Ning Shi and his wife simply sat by with smiles. They couldn't help but feel a little envious. Seeing their own children, whom they usually pampered, huddled together like quails, they felt a chill run down their spines.

Because the fire in the stove was already strong, the large teapot was soon turned on. Ning Xiaoxi took out the four ceramic bowls and asked her brother to scald them with boiling water before filling them with water. One bowl for each of the four family members.

This day was truly eventful, from a noble family to prisoners, from the execution ground to exile, and then encountering demons at the post station! It was incredibly fortunate that the whole family could sit together, have a sip of hot water, and eat some dry rations!