The wheels crushed the dirt road covered with fallen leaves, emitting a muffled rustling sound as they slowly headed towards the dense mountains at the border of the Southern Border and Sichuan.
The roadside trees gradually thinned, revealing layers of gray-blue mountains in the distance, and the air was filled with the desolation of late autumn and the unique damp chill of the frontier.
Inside the carriage, Chen Yi was resting with his eyes closed, while Yin Weiyin sat sideways, watching the autumn colors of the forest flashing by outside the window, his face showing neither joy nor sorrow, only a slight weariness from the long journey.
Upon reaching a small mountain village bustling with people, Chen Yi signaled to stop and took Yin Weiyin into a roadside tavern with a tattered banner hanging in front, intending to gather some news and take a brief rest.
