The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress-Chapter 976 - 953: Glory Amidst Chaos 21

After the wildfire incident, everyone became even more cautious.

Heading further south, more and more refugees lay by the roadside, and the odor filled the air as the carriage moved.

Anning had already taken out the masks she had made and put them on the children.

Xiao Yin wore the mask, her eyes blinking constantly.

When Anning was making the masks, Xiao Yin suspected Anning was a time traveler, but later when she saw the Hui Family, she wasn’t surprised at all. She carefully inquired with Xiao Fu and learned that masks had already existed, seemingly created by a Divine Doctor from a previous dynasty.

Back then, there was also an epidemic, which spread to several cities in a short time. The Divine Doctor, upon learning of this, went to the affected area and devised masks to prevent the spread.

Knowing this, Xiao Yin no longer suspected Anning was a time traveler.

There was another reason that dispelled Xiao Yin’s doubts.

It was Anning’s remarkable familiarity with the rules and systems of Ancient times, and while traveling, Anning took the time to teach the children to read. Her knowledge was vast, she could effortlessly quote the Four Books and Five Classics, and she could also compose poems.

This convinced Xiao Yin that Anning was a native old soul, an exceptionally clever person who knew a lot, rather than a modern person.

Early in the morning, the whole family set off, and along the way, they spotted several refugees suddenly collapsing, vomiting, and having diarrhea.

Anning looked out through the carriage window, then turned back, her face solemn: "Everyone be careful, wear your masks properly, and stay away from the refugees."

Xiao Fu also looked out through the carriage window and saw the situation outside.

"Mother, what’s wrong with these people?"

Anning replied gravely: "They’ve caught cholera."

"Ah!" Xiao Yin exclaimed.

Cholera is a disease Xiao Yin had heard of; in her world during the medieval times, a cholera outbreak nearly wiped out several countries. Even in modern times, humanity hasn’t completely eradicated the disease.

Xiao Yuan was outside driving the carriage and obviously saw those sick people too.

He said nothing, silently driving the carriage quickly.

When they found a place without people to rest, Xiao Yuan went to talk to Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling: "Keep your masks on, stay away from crowds, avoid contact with refugees, and don’t drink untreated water."

"Third Brother, what illness do these people have?"

Xiao Ling knew many people were sick, but he wasn’t clear on what disease it was.

Xiao Yuan replied calmly: "Cholera."

As soon as the word was spoken, everyone’s expression changed.

"What the hell kind of world is this?"

Xiao Jin couldn’t help but curse.

A slight twitch appeared at the corner of Xiao Yuan’s mouth: "Be careful, there’s nothing we can do."

Xiao Yuan had practiced medicine for many lives, and seeing patients stirred his urges to treat and save people.

But now, he could only resist, not daring to make a single move.

Along the way, too many were ill, and at this point, it was impossible to isolate the sick. Everyone was focused on survival, indifferent to the presence of epidemics. Even without the disease, those lacking food and water wouldn’t last very long.

If Xiao Yuan attempted to save people, how many could he save?

Even if he managed to save these few, the sick would continue to spread the infection. His own strength couldn’t rescue many people.

Moreover, he would endanger his family.

Just he and Anning, the two of them could make sacrifices, save whomever they could, but they had children.

If anything happened to them, their children would suffer even more than the children of the refugees.

Also, there were Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling who had always supported him; he was the backbone of this group, and the two families were living with him, so he couldn’t afford to be careless, couldn’t allow his personal struggles to endanger everyone.

Xiao Yuan could only hold back and pretend not to see those who lay dead by the roadside.

Day by day, he became increasingly silent.

Anning occasionally sat beside him, and neither of them spoke.

However, Anning would hold his hand, and that provided some comfort.

"Healing a few is nothing compared to healing a nation."

Anning softly said to Xiao Yuan.

Only then did Xiao Yuan’s eyes show a hint of a smile when he looked at Anning.

Those who fell dead by the roadside did not even earn a sympathetic glance from passersby, let alone someone to help bury them.

Some fell by the river.

The river had some muddy water at the bottom, and those who were desperate for water wanted to drink, some fell directly when they reached the riverbank, some fell before reaching the river.

Those who fell would pollute the very little water available, and healthy people would come to drink, leading to a high risk of infection.

This situation was far too common throughout their journey.

Gradually moving south, there were signs of water sources, but Anning and the others still didn’t dare drink river water.

They didn’t know if the water source had been contaminated, and dared not fetch water from the river.

This group could only rely on Anning to find some water sources to cook and quench their thirst.

Fortunately, Anning was quite capable.

Leaning on Feng Shui knowledge accumulated across unknown lifetimes, she was always able to find water sources. Although the water found was limited, it allowed this group to survive.

Along the way, many tried to take advantage of Anning’s group, wanting to rob them of their belongings or people, but Xiao Yuan and his brothers dealt with them all.

After all they had been through, Xiao Yuan and his brothers were truly ruthless when needed. To protect their families, anyone who dared to target them faced their harshest response.

They tied up a few refugees who tried to steal, slicing their flesh, and after these refugees died, burned their bodies to ashes with fire, ensuring no one dared target them again.

These refugees knew only that the three brothers were ruthless men who could not be provoked.

They didn’t know how after the killing, Xiao Ling hid at night alone, crying and vomiting, nearly falling seriously ill.

Nor did they understand the deep pain within Xiao Yuan and Xiao Jin.

Thankfully, these tough times didn’t last too long.

Another half-month journey, moving further south, and it wasn’t as dry. The fields had crops growing, and farmers were harvesting.

At this point, they were nearly reaching Southern Yi.

Further along, there was a large river, plentiful with water. Looking at the surging river, Anning and Xiao Yuan couldn’t help but relax.

Even the children’s faces showed smiles.

To cross the river required boats, so Xiao Yuan and Xiao Jin found several large boats that could transport both people and carriages across. Of course, crossing cost quite a bit of money.

After crossing the river, they arrived at a very large city.

Perhaps due to some refugees fleeing here, the city rarely allowed outsiders to enter, requiring a substantial entry fee.

Fortunately, Xiao Yuan had exchanged for enough Silver Tael previously to pay the entry fee.

Once inside the city, they found a fairly decent inn to stay and rest.

After settling in, the first thing Anning’s group did was to use water to bathe.

This journey had been so lacking in water, bathing was rare, and the scorching heat made everyone smell.

The children bathed first, followed by the adults.

After Anning and Xiao Yuan both showered and changed into clean clothes, they felt alive again.

They had been surviving on dry rations, so upon reaching the inn, naturally, they ordered a feast to eat and drink heartily.

This wasn’t the moment to mind gender segregation; the whole family crowded around a large round table, eating fiercely with all the food spread before them.

The boys, led by Xiao Ying, shared a roast chicken; Xiao Fu and the other girls drank sweet soup. Xiao Ling consumed several pieces of beef before starting on the fruits, munching as he said: "Now we’ve come back to life, this is how people should live. The way we lived before doesn’t even count as living, just thinking about it makes me uncomfortable."