As Zhao Ming turned away from the officer’s tent, Xu Liang approached with a relieved expression.

  "You’re early," Xu Liang said with a grin.

  "So are you," Zhao Ming replied.

  Xu Liang chuckled and gestured behind him. "I couldn’t wait any longer. My family is coming with us."

  A few steps away, a woman with gentle features and weary eyes stood holding the hands of two children—a boy and a girl. Lin Yue, Xu Liang’s wife, offered Zhao Ming a polite nod, her face filled with quiet gratitude.

  "Ming-ge," the little girl, Xu Mei, squealed upon spotting him. Without hesitation, she ran up to him with outstretched arms.

  Zhao Ming caught her and lifted her up. "Mei’er, you’ve grown since I last saw you," he teased.

  Xu Mei giggled, clinging to him. "You’re just weak, Ming-ge!"

  Xu Liang laughed. "She’s got a point."

  Zhao Ming smirked before setting the girl down, ruffling her hair. "Alright, let’s get everyone ready."

  Xu Liang turned to the group that had agreed to leave. "Each family, check your belongings. Make sure you have everything. Once we leave, we’re not coming back."

  The refugees murmured in acknowledgment, making final preparations. Some tied up bundles of clothes, while others secured makeshift carts filled with what little they owned.

  Zhao Ming watched as Xu Liang guided his wife and children toward their things, helping them pack efficiently. His movements were swift, but there was a tenderness to the way he handled his daughter’s belongings and reassured Lin Yue.

  Once everyone was ready, Zhao Ming approached the camp officer. "We’re leaving now."

  The officer stood from his seat, arms crossed. "I won’t stop you. The fewer people here, the better."

  Zhao Ming gave him a respectful nod. "Thank you for letting them go."

  The officer hesitated for a moment before exhaling sharply. "A word of advice—be careful of the noble families. Today, they failed. But they won’t forget this humiliation. You’ve drawn their attention."

  Zhao Ming’s expression darkened slightly, but he nodded. "I know. I’ll be careful."

  The officer sighed. "Then, good luck."

  With that, Zhao Ming turned back to the group. "Let’s move out."

  As they began walking toward the exit, the weight of what they were leaving behind settled over them. Just as they reached the camp’s edge, desperate cries broke out.

  A group of refugees rushed forward, pleading with the guards.

  "Please, take us with you!"

  "We don’t want to die here!"

  "Scholar Zhao, we’ll do anything—just don’t leave us behind!"

  Some clung to the wooden stakes of the camp’s perimeter, tears streaking their dirt-covered faces. The guards, however, remained firm, pushing them back with the blunt ends of their spears.

  Zhao Ming’s chest tightened. He wanted to help them all. But he knew he couldn’t.

  Xu Liang placed a hand on his shoulder. "We’ll come back," he murmured. "One step at a time."

  Zhao Ming took a deep breath, forcing himself to look ahead. "Let’s go."

  Without looking back, the group left the refugee camp, carrying hope for a better future—but also the weight of those they had to leave behind.

  As they stepped into the settlement, Xu Mei’s eyes widened with excitement. The open space, the smell of fresh earth, and the sight of people working together gave her a sense of hope.

  “Are we going to stay here now?” she asked eagerly, tugging at her father’s sleeve.

  Xu Liang smiled and patted her head. “Yes, Mei’er. This will be our new home.”

  Beside them, Xu Jian, her older brother, remained quiet, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Unlike his sister, he wasn’t as easily impressed—years of hardship had made him cautious.

  Lin Yue, carrying a small bundle of belongings, was already observing the area. She turned to Zhao Ming. “This place looks much better than the camp. It’s still rough, but at least we have space.”

  Zhao Ming nodded. “It will take time, but we’re working to make it livable. We have food supplies, water, and shelter. It’s not much, but it’s a start.”

  Xu Mei suddenly ran a few steps ahead, looking at the makeshift houses. “Which one is ours?” she asked excitedly.

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  Lin Yue chuckled. “We’ll set it up soon. But first, stay close to me.” She turned to her husband. “Where should we put our things?”

  “We’ll find a spot near the others,” Xu Liang said. He looked around and pointed toward an open area near some already built shelters. “Over there should be good.”

  Xu Mei, still holding onto her father’s sleeve, looked up at her mother. “Can I help?”

  Lin Yue smiled warmly and knelt down to her daughter’s height. “Of course, but you have to listen carefully. We need to unpack first, then set up our bedding. After that, we can see what else needs to be done.”

  Xu Mei nodded eagerly. “I’ll be the fastest helper!”

  Xu Jian, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. “What about food?” His voice was calm but firm, carrying the weight of responsibility beyond his years.

  Lin Yue turned to him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “We’ll have a proper meal today, Jian’er. No more waiting in long lines or eating cold porridge.”

  The boy’s expression remained serious. “And after that? What if food runs out again?”

  Zhao Ming crouched slightly to meet his gaze. “That’s a good question. Right now, we have supplies, and we’re working on securing more. Hunting, farming, and trade will help us stay stable.” He paused before adding, “But what we need most is people willing to help. Are you willing to work hard for your family, Xu Jian?”

  Xu Jian met his gaze without hesitation. “Of course.”

  Zhao Ming smiled. “Good. Then we’ll make sure no one here goes hungry.”

  The boy gave a small nod, accepting the answer, though he still looked deep in thought.

  Lin Yue sighed in relief. “Thank you, Zhao Ming. For giving us this chance.”

  Zhao Ming shook his head. “It’s not just me. This settlement exists because of everyone working together. We’re all building a future here.”

  Xu Liang placed a hand on Zhao Ming’s shoulder. “And that future starts today.”

  With that, the family moved to set up their new home. Xu Mei was already chattering about how she would decorate their space, while Xu Jian quietly helped his father unpack, his mind still processing everything.

  As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the settlement, Zhao Ming and Xu Liang moved through the newly arrived families, assigning tasks to help them integrate into their new home. Some were sent to assist in building additional shelters, while others were directed toward food storage and the farming plots where early crops were being prepared.

  Everything was progressing smoothly—until a figure came rushing toward them.

  “Xu Liang! Zhao Ming!” The man, one of Xu Liang’s trusted scouts, was panting, his expression grim. “We found the one who leaked information to the nobles.”

  Zhao Ming’s eyes sharpened. “Who?”

  The scout hesitated before answering. “Zhang Fu.”

  Xu Liang’s expression darkened. “You’re sure?”

  The man nodded. “He got drunk at an inn last night and started a fight. The guards had to drag him back. When they searched him, they found some leftover silver taels—far more than he should have.”

  Zhao Ming’s jaw tightened. “Blood money.”

  Xu Liang clenched his fists. “Where is he now?”

  “Outside the camp, sobering up. He’s awake and begging for forgiveness.”

  Without another word, Zhao Ming and Xu Liang followed the scout toward the outskirts of the settlement. A small crowd had gathered, murmuring among themselves as they stared at the disheveled figure slumped against a tree.

  Zhang Fu looked up as they approached, his face bruised from the fight the night before. Panic flashed in his eyes as he scrambled to his knees.

  “Xu Liang! Zhao Ming! Please—I was drunk, I wasn’t thinking straight! I made a mistake!” he pleaded, his voice raw with desperation.

  Zhao Ming’s expression remained cold. “A mistake? You sold us out to the nobles. People could have died because of you.”

  Xu Liang stood stiffly, fists clenched at his sides. “I trusted you, Zhang Fu. We all did. And this is how you repay us?”

  The man hung his head. “I had no choice… They offered silver, and I—I thought it wouldn’t do any harm…”

  “There is always a choice,” Zhao Ming said.

  Zhang Fu trembled, realizing that his words would not save him.

  Behind them, the settlement’s refugees watched in silence, the weight of the moment pressing on them all. The past weeks had been full of hardship, and betrayal was not something they could afford.

  Finally, Xu Liang exhaled, his voice heavy with disappointment. “We cannot allow a traitor to stay among us.”

  Zhang Fu’s face paled. “No—please! I’ll do anything! Just don’t send me away!”

  “You are exiled,” Xu Liang continued, his voice firm. “Take what you can carry and leave before nightfall.”

  Zhang Fu fell to the ground, his forehead pressing into the dirt. “Where will I go? I—I won’t survive alone out there!”

  “You should have thought of that before betraying your own people,” Zhao Ming said.

  Xu Liang turned away, unwilling to hear any more pleas. Two guards stepped forward, standing on either side of Zhang Fu. The decision was final.

  As the guards prepared to escort him away, the settlement remained silent. No one stepped forward to defend him. No one pitied him.

  Trust was hard-earned, and once broken, it could never be fully restored.

  After dealing with the rogue refugee, Zhao Ming stayed in the settlement for a week, working closely with Xu Liang to manage the refugees and strengthen their living conditions. The days were long, filled with organizing food rations, overseeing shelter repairs, and ensuring that everyone had a role in maintaining the settlement.

  One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Zhao Ming and Xu Liang sat near a small bonfire, a pot of tea resting between them. The settlement had grown quieter now—children had been put to sleep, and only a few night watchers remained awake.

  Xu Liang poured Zhao Ming a cup and sighed. "It’s been a difficult few weeks, but I think we’re finally at a point where people aren’t just surviving—they’re starting to live again."

  Zhao Ming took the cup, nodding. "We’ve come a long way from the chaos of that first attack. But keeping order is an ongoing task. People have food and shelter now, but security is still a concern."

  Xu Liang took a sip, his gaze serious. "I’ve been thinking about that too. We should start organizing a proper watch. Not just a few men standing around at night, but actual patrols. If we don’t prepare, another attack could catch us off guard."

  Zhao Ming agreed. "That’s a priority. We can train some of the younger men in basic defense and rotate them on shifts. I’ll speak with the more experienced fighters and see if they’re willing to guide them."

  Xu Liang nodded. "I’ll handle assigning them. And we need to keep an eye on new arrivals. We don’t want another situation like Zhang Fu’s betrayal."

  At the mention of the traitor, Zhao Ming’s expression darkened. "Yes. If there’s one lesson we’ve learned, it’s that hunger and desperation make people reckless. We need to prevent that before it happens."

  Xu Liang let out a weary sigh. "At least with the food storage finally organized, we don’t have to worry about shortages anytime soon."

  Zhao Ming took another sip of tea and leaned back. "Which means it’s time for me to return to Murong Trading House. There are still things I need to take care of there. Besides, we’ll need more supplies if we’re going to keep this place running long-term."

  Xu Liang smirked. "Just don’t forget to bring back some good wine. After all this, I think we’ve earned it."

  Zhao Ming chuckled. "That, I can do."

  The two sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the flames flicker. Despite everything, the settlement had survived. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

  At dawn the next day, Zhao Ming set out for Murong Trading House, ready for the next steps.

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