Chapter 14: A Lifeline Amid Desperation, The Strategy to Break the Deadlock

Chapter 14: Salvation at the Brink, A Strategy to Break Free

Wu the cart driver’s voice trembled like a withered leaf shivering in the wind. He pointed at the few hard, stone-like biscuits, his face deathly pale. “This... this little bit, how could it possibly get us to the capital?”

The other examinees around them also began to stir, the joy of surviving their ordeal swiftly replaced by fear and despair.

Parched lips, empty stomachs, and the endless uncertainty that stretched ahead pressed down on them all like a mountain, making it difficult to breathe.

Lin Shiya looked at the meager supplies, her brow tightly furrowed, a heavy shadow flickering through her clear eyes.

She swept her gaze over the crowd, taking in each person’s expression, her mind whirring as she swiftly weighed their options.

The setting sun stained the horizon with a desolate orange-red, the dying light like blood.

They sat huddled together, faces clouded with misery, silent as frost-stricken eggplants, a palpable air of hopelessness hanging over them.

Fear loomed, an invisible beast swallowing their last shreds of hope.

Suddenly, Zhao Er’s mocking voice shattered the silence: “Well, Master Lin, aren’t you the clever one? Now we’re stranded in the wilderness with barely any food or water. If you’re so resourceful, why don’t you come up with something?”

His remark was a pebble tossed into a still lake, sending ripples through the crowd.

The examinees quickly chimed in, blaming Lin Shiya for leading them into this dire state.

“That’s right, Master Lin! You promised you’d see us all safely through, and look where we are now…”

“If only we’d stuck with Escort Qian and his men, at least we’d have had a bite to eat…”

“My wife’s waiting for me back home—I don’t want to die out here in the wild…”

One complaint after another, their voices rose and crashed like waves upon Lin Shiya.

She listened in silence, a glint of cold steel flickering in her clear eyes.

Zhao Er, emboldened by her silence, strode up before her, his tone mocking: “Cat got your tongue, Master Lin? Out of schemes at last?”

But Lin Shiya did not argue as she usually might; instead, she quietly walked away, her slender figure stretched long by the dusk, swaying like a bamboo shoot in the wind.

The others watched, puzzled, whispering as they speculated about her intentions.

Zhao Er snorted, his lips curled in contempt: “What an act.”

Ignoring their chatter, Lin Shiya bent to examine the roadside plants, her delicate fingers brushing over leaves as though feeling for their very pulse.

From time to time she paused, carefully identifying the different species, parting the thick undergrowth to search for hidden secrets.

The dying sunlight bathed her in a golden halo, highlighting her focused expression.

Her actions only deepened the group’s confusion.

Someone muttered, “What’s she doing now? Looking for something edible in that brush?” Another scoffed, “Dream on. There’s nothing here worth eating.”

Lin Shiya paid them no mind, her searching gaze missing nothing.

At last, in an inconspicuous corner, she found a cluster of wild greens, their leaves lush and fragrant.

She gathered them carefully, placing them in the cloth pouch at her waist.

Next, she moved to a low-lying patch of ground, studying the earth intently.

She noticed the soil was moist, with faint traces of a trickling stream.

A flicker of hope stirred within her—there might be a water source here.

Drawing her small knife, she dug into the ground. Sure enough, a spring of clear water bubbled forth.

Delighted, Lin Shiya cupped the water in her hands, drinking deeply. The sweet water soothed her parched throat, kindling a spark of hope within her.

She filled her water skin and, along with the wild greens, returned to the group.

They stared in disbelief at the food and water she had found. In this desolate place, Lin Shiya had truly discovered sustenance and hope.

They gathered around her, eyes filled with admiration and gratitude.

“Master Lin, you’re incredible!”

“I can’t believe you actually found something for us to eat and drink!”

“You’re our savior!”

Praise and thanks spilled from every mouth; their respect was plain to see.

Even Zhao Er, who had ridiculed Lin Shiya at every turn, now looked at her with new eyes.

Lin Shiya’s lips curved in a faint smile as she took in their joy.

She divided the wild greens and water among them. “It’s not much, but it will sustain us for now. We must hold on—we will reach the capital.”

Her words filled them with hope. They devoured the wild greens and drank eagerly, as though tasting the finest delicacies.

As night fell and the sun disappeared, they gathered around the fire, warmed by one another’s presence and buoyed by hope.

Zhao Er watched Lin Shiya, now surrounded and celebrated, and his fists clenched slowly at his sides.

The night deepened. The fire crackled, illuminating faces weary yet alive with new resolve.

The fragrance of wild greens blended with the faint scent of smoke, dispelling the despair of the day.

Lin Shiya chatted idly with the others, all the while keeping a careful watch on her surroundings.

She noticed Zhao Er’s frequent glances toward the water source, his eyes glinting with menace.

He burned with envy at her easy camaraderie with the group. Each of his schemes to frame her had failed, leaving him seething with resentment.

Feigning a need to relieve himself, he slipped away toward the spring.

Under the moonlight, his shadow stretched long and thin, like a venomous snake lurking in the darkness.

He drew a small paper packet from his chest. Unfolding it revealed a pale gray powder, tinged with a faintly fishy odor.

He grinned wickedly, dumping the powder into the water and erasing his tracks before quietly returning to the fire.

From the corner of her eye, Lin Shiya had seen everything. Though outwardly calm, inside her mind ripples spread across the surface of her thoughts.

Her expression never changed. She continued to laugh and talk with the group, knowing that to confront Zhao Er now would only make him more cautious.

Rising quietly on the pretext of adding wood to the fire, she moved to Qian San’s side and murmured, “Escort Qian, be wary of the water. Do not drink from it lightly.”

Qian San’s brow furrowed. He glanced at her, then unobtrusively shifted closer to the water source, keeping a sharp eye on his surroundings.

The fire snapped and crackled, casting jumping shadows across their faces.

Feigning thirst, Zhao Er called out, “Ah, after all this walking, I’m parched. This spring water is sweet and cool—come, everyone, have a drink!” His tone was laced with sly persuasion, drawing the group’s attention.

Just as they were about to move, Qian San stood and fixed Zhao Er with a hawk-like gaze, his voice brooking no argument: “Wait! Someone should inspect the water first.”

The group froze, glancing uncertainly between Qian San and Zhao Er.

The atmosphere grew tense, the air thick and still.

Zhao Er’s face went rigid, his forced smile faltering as he glared daggers at Qian San.

Lin Shiya watched quietly, a subtle, meaningful smile touching her lips.

Qian San’s words rang like thunder. His eyes bore into Zhao Er, his tone steely: “This water has been tampered with!”

Zhao Er blanched, stammering defensively, “E-escort Qian, what nonsense is this? The water’s clear as day—how could it be tainted?” His eyes darted about, refusing to meet Qian San’s gaze, beads of sweat standing out on his brow.

Sensing the moment had come, Lin Shiya stepped calmly before the group, her eyes clear, her tone cool: “Zhao Er, what were you doing skulking around the water source just now? Did you really think no one saw your little tricks?”

The group’s realization came in a wave. All eyes turned to Zhao Er, his face ashen and his words stumbling: “I... I was just... just...”

His excuses were hollow, his guilt plain.

Lin Shiya gave a cold laugh. She strode to the water’s edge and examined the surface, pinching a residue between her fingers.

She brought her fingers to her nose; her face turned slate gray. She held out her hand for all to see. “Look for yourselves. Someone’s poisoned the water! This powder has no color or taste—if I hadn’t been on guard, we’d all be dead by now!”

Gasps erupted from the group. They recoiled, staring at Zhao Er with disgust. Someone even spat at his feet: “Despicable wretch! You’d actually try to kill us all!”

“And we thought he was a good man—shows you never really know someone’s heart!”

“Such a person should be cast out—let him fend for himself!”

Zhao Er’s plot lay in ruins. He slumped to the ground in despair, never having imagined that Lin Shiya’s sharp mind could see through his malicious scheme.

He was now an outcast, scorned by all.

Lin Shiya shot him a cold, dismissive look and addressed the group: “Be careful—this man is ruthless. We must remain vigilant from now on.” They all nodded earnestly, their respect for her only growing.

As they prepared to set out again, the sky abruptly darkened with thunderclouds, and the wind picked up, wild and frenzied.

Distant thunder rolled, heralding an oncoming storm.

Lin Shiya gazed up at the oppressive sky, her brows knit with concern.

She knew that the storm would only make their already arduous journey even harder.

But something else gnawed at her: was this storm merely the weather—or a harbinger of even greater danger yet to come?

Staring at the roiling clouds, Lin Shiya urged the group onward, quickening their pace.