Their usual source of food was by catching small animals from the outside. Due to the extreme temperature difference between day and night here, it was a bit better during the day. But at night, the temperature would drop to tens of degrees below zero. Those with low cultivation dared not go out.
Life here was extremely difficult, and merely surviving was a luxury.
Ning Beichen's heart felt heavy after listening, but there was nothing he could do.
He had flying machines, but he couldn't take all these people with him. At most, he could take eight or ten people, which was far from enough for the population here.
Soon, led by the young boy, they entered the city. Many people were watching them, some with malicious glares.
However, as long as they didn't cause trouble, Ning Beichen paid them no mind, or rather, he couldn't be bothered to.
There were inns in this place, but Ning Beichen didn't have local currency. However, he could trade goods.
In this place, even the most ordinary healing medicine was very valuable.
Besides medicine, weapons, daily necessities, and even clothes could be exchanged for money, which showed how scarce living supplies were.
Furthermore, due to the large temperature difference, it was difficult to grow crops for food here, making food the most precious commodity. After all, other things could be managed, but starvation was a real threat without food.
However, Ning Beichen didn't need food. Before coming, he had prepared a large amount of food in his storage artifact, enough for several years.
"Xiao Qi, take us to see your home."
Ning Beichen said to the young boy.
"Sir, my home... is dirty."
The young boy hesitated.
"It's fine, just take us there."
Ning Beichen told him.
"Yes, we don't mind dirt."
Liu Yilin and the others held his small hand and said.
"Alright then, my home is over there."
Encouraged by them, Xiao Qi agreed to take them to his home.
However, what Ning Beichen and the others didn't expect was that Xiao Qi's home could hardly be called a home. It was located outside the city, a place built with rags and wood.
This place was drafty and could barely be called a shelter, let alone a home.
This made Liu Yilin and the other women feel heartbroken.
Moreover, they weren't the only ones living there. Many people nearby also resided there, all in tattered clothes, with sallow complexions and no nutrition.
"Why don't you live inside the city?"
Ning Beichen asked him.
"We don't have money. To live inside, we have to pay."
Xiao Qi lowered his head and said.
"Pay? Pay to whom?"
Ning Beichen frowned. This place was ownerless, yet they had to pay.
"To the officials in the city."
Xiao Qi replied.
"Heh, isn't this just pushing people to their death?"
Ning Beichen's expression turned grim.
"Beichen, how about... we pay for him, so Xiao Qi and his mother can live inside the city?"
Liu Yilin said with concern.
"Pay them? For what reason!"
"Xiao Qi, take me to find that official."
Ning Beichen's killing intent was stirred.
Not long after, Ning Beichen saw the so-called official. A few minutes later, his corpse was hanging above the city gate.
Then Ning Beichen and the others began to help Xiao Qi move.
But Xiao Qi's mother was unwilling.
Finally, out of desperation, she revealed the truth.
"Sir, Xiao Qi and I are very grateful for your help, but we cannot go in."
Xiao Qi's mother said.
"Why?"
Liu Yilin asked her, confused.
"Sir, you cannot stay here forever. Once you leave, my son and I will have no self-protection. At that time, our fate will likely be even more tragic."
Xiao Qi's mother said courageously.
Suddenly, Ning Beichen and Liu Yilin were speechless, because Xiao Qi's mother was not imagining things, but stating a fact.
Ning Beichen and his group would not stay here long; they might leave in a few days.
But after they left, their anger would likely be vented upon this mother and son. This wouldn't be helping them, but harming them.
Killing the so-called official now was not a big deal, and no one would suspect Xiao Qi. At most, they would think that the official had offended Ning Beichen and was killed.
But if Xiao Qi and his mother moved into the city, the outcome would be different, as anyone with eyes could see that Ning Beichen was doing this for them.
Just as Ning Beichen was at a loss for what to do, he saw Xiao Qi's mother suddenly kneel down and kowtow repeatedly to him.
"Sir, please take Xiao Qi away. He is a very sensible and obedient child. He will absolutely not cause you any trouble."
Ning Beichen hurriedly helped her up, but as soon as he let go, she wanted to kowtow again. Ning Beichen had no choice but to say:
"Alright, I promise you. You don't need to kneel anymore."
Hearing Ning Beichen's promise, Xiao Qi's mother finally stood up, a happy smile on her face.
Although her child would be leaving her, she felt it was all worth it if it meant giving him a better future.
"Beichen, have you really decided to take Xiao Qi with you? What about his mother?"
Outside, Liu Yilin quickly asked him.
"If she is willing, I will take her too. I can't do much for them, but I can at least do this."
Ning Beichen sighed and said.
"This is for the best. The child is indeed very perceptive."
Liu Yilin nodded.
"However, it seems they won't let us leave so easily. I've been sensing several different presences watching us."
Ning Beichen said to them.
"Who are they?"
Liu Yilin whispered.
"I don't know. They should be powerful figures here, possibly even some hidden old monsters."
Ning Beichen replied.
"Beichen, do you have confidence in dealing with them?"
Haitang asked from the side.
"It shouldn't be a big problem. As long as they are not Heavenly Venerates, I am confident."
Ning Beichen reassured them.
There was one thing Ning Beichen didn't say.
That was, even if they were Heavenly Venerates, he, Ning Beichen, would not fear them, unless several Heavenly Venerates attacked him.
"That's good. What should we do now?"
Liu Yilin and the others asked Ning Beichen.
"Since we are here, we naturally have to go and meet the local overlords."
Ning Beichen said.
"You're going to meet the Mad Emperor Qin Shangren?"
Liu Yilin immediately understood Ning Beichen's intention.
"Yes, I plan to meet him and see if he is truly mad or just pretending."
Ning Beichen nodded and replied.
Of course, Ning Beichen had other thoughts about meeting the Mad Emperor. He would only be able to make decisions after meeting him and understanding what kind of person he was.