Shamoli, along with a few loyal members of his tribe, snuck through the forest for several days and nights, not daring to look back or light a fire to cook. When hungry, they ate a few fruits; when thirsty, they scooped up water to drink. They had finally managed to escape the territory of Eastern Mount Yue.0

Upon encountering the bustling and affluent towns of the Easterners filled with throngs of people, they were stupefied by the sight. Disguised as refugees from Mount Yue, they were taken into custody and could only watch from a distance as the lively scenes of horse-drawn carriages and cloud-like canopies moved westward; the sound of opera drifting in the air.0

"This Eastern lifestyle... it's practically divine!" Shamoli remarked in awe, finally understanding why the slaves were so desperate to flee eastward.0

After being...0