Exiled!? Ha! I have Chapter 39 -

Chapter 39: Chapter

A familiar blue screen appeared before my eyes, glowing softly in the dark.

[Mission completed: Fu family has been successfully separated.]

[Processing rewards...]

My heart skipped.

I held my breath as the next lines appeared, one after another.

[Reward One: Mind Reading Skill]

[Reward Two: Teleportation Skill ×3]

[MIND READING SKILL: Can be used for 5 hours per day. After 5 hours, the skill will be disabled until the next day.]

[TELEPORTATION SKILL: Can only be used three tis.]

[(ACCEPT)????(REJECT)]

For a second, I simply stared.

Then my lips slowly curved upward.

Happy wasn’t even the right word for how I felt. Relief, excitent, triumph, all of it rushed through

at once. The mission was finally done. No more pressure. No more countdown hanging over my head.

And the rewards...

Mind reading.

My eyes lit up.

That skill alone was insanely useful. Knowing what people were thinking, hearing the truth they hid behind smiles and words, especially now, in exile, surrounded by danger and hidden sches. I could protect myself, avoid traps, and stay one step ahead.

And then there was one very specific thought that made my smile widen.

Fu Sheng.

My handso, cold, quiet husband who never said what he felt.

With this skill, I could finally know what was going on in that head of his. No more guessing. No more wondering what his silence ant.

As for teleportation...

Three uses wasn’t much, but in the right mont, it could save a life. Or mine.

I didn’t hesitate.

"Accept," I said quietly in my mind.

[(ACCEPT) CONFIRD.]

[Rewards successfully bound to host.]

The blue screen shimred once, then slowly faded away.

I leaned back against the blankets, "Now things can be much interesting."

.....

Morning ca quietly.

The sky was still pale when the head guards’ voices rang through the camp, sharp and clear, ordering everyone to prepare.

"Ten minutes," they announced. "We leave in ten minutes."

People stirred at once. Blankets were folded, fires put out, and tired bodies forced themselves into motion again.

I sat up slowly and tested my leg.

To my relief, it felt much better. The pain was still there, but it was no longer sharp or unbearable. A night of rest and the ointnt had done their job.

But reality caught up quickly.

There was no wagon anymore.

Without it, there was only one choice.

Fu Tong moved first. Without a word, he crouched down in front of Master Fu and carefully lifted him onto his back. His movents were practiced and firm, his jaw set with quiet determination.

"I’ve got you, Father," he said. "Hold tight."

Master Fu nodded, gripping his shoulders.

Fu Teng took care of the rest. He gathered the remaining bundles, those that had dried overnight and tied them tightly together. They were fewer now, lighter than before, but still precious. Everything they had left was in those bundles.

anwhile, before the guards even began handing out the dry buns for the day, Fu Fei and Mada Fu had already been awake for a while.

They had risen early, moving quietly so as not to disturb anyone, and used the last of the firewood to roast the remaining at from the night before.

By the ti the guards started distributing the dry buns, our family had already eaten sothing warm.

It wasn’t much, but it mattered.

Fu Fei handed out small pieces of roasted at, her face tired but focused. Mada Fu watched over Master Fu, adjusting his clothes and making sure he was comfortable before they moved.

Fu Sheng stood nearby, silent as always, watching everything with calm eyes. When his gaze t mine, I gave him a small, confident smile.

"You seem happier this morning," Fu Sheng said softly, and it made

smile wider.

"Of course. We finally get to go to a village where there are people, markets, and life. I’m not really a forest-and-woods person." I placed my hands behind my back and wiggled a little, acting like a kid.

Speaking of kids, Fu Jin and Fu Jun imdiately ca running toward their papa. Fu Sheng bent down and stroked their heads. "You guys should stay close to Grandma and Aunt Fei, okay? There is no more wagon for any joyride."

He broke the news to them, and they obediently nodded their small heads. "Okay, Papa."

They then ran toward Fu Fei, who caught them with a genuine smile.

Standing up, Fu Sheng adjusted himself before looking down at my legs. "If you feel tired, tell

imdiately."

I raised a brow. "Tell you?" I slowly walked toward him. "Why should I tell you if I feel tired?" I asked, stopping just a few inches away.

He quickly stepped back and turned around. "Just do as I say and stop asking questions," he said hurriedly, then quickly walked away before I could tease him further.

Hahaha... I can’t wait to start reading your mind, my cute hubby. Muahahahaha.

We started moving again.

At first, it was the sa slow walk, tired feet dragging forward, everyone too used to the road to complain anymore. But little by little, the surroundings changed. The trees beca fewer, the road wider, and the air felt lighter, fresher, carrying slls that didn’t belong to the forest.

Then soone at the front spoke.

"I see houses."

Not long after, Wu Village ca into view.

Roofs appeared first, then fences, small paths, and people moving about. Smoke rose from chimneys, and voices carried through the air. There was laughter, calling, and the sound of daily life.

We had finally arrived.

Wu Village was lively, just like any normal village. Near the entrance was a large market already busy for the morning. Stalls were lined up with vegetables, grain, and goods. Vendors called out, and the sll of food filled the air.

I smiled without thinking and rested my hands on my waist. For the first ti in a long while, it felt like we were back among people.

As soon as we arrived, one of the guards went ahead to inform the village chief. It didn’t take long before the chief hurried over, bowing to the head guard and listening carefully.

"This humble one greets the head guard," the village chief said. "We were inford that an exile group had arrived. Please forgive us for being late."

The head guard nodded, his expression serious. "You are the village chief of Wu Village?"

"Yes," the man replied quickly. "I am."

The head guard gestured lightly behind him, toward all of us. "These people will be staying in Wu Village for a short ti. By imperial order, they are to rest here today. Tomorrow, they will continue their journey to the barren lands."

The village chief straightened at once. "Of course. Wu Village will fully cooperate."

The head guard continued, his voice firm. "They will need proper shelter. Cabins suitable for official use. Nothing extravagant, but secure."

"There are three cabins built for governnt use," the village chief replied imdiately. "They are old, but strong and clean. I will have them prepared at once."

"That will do," the head guard said.

He then added, "We also require dry buns for the remainder of the journey. Enough to last until the next checkpoint."

The village chief nodded without hesitation. "Understood. I will order my n to prepare the dry buns imdiately and have them delivered before nightfall."

The head guard studied him for a mont, then said, "See that everything is done properly. These people are under supervision, but they are still subjects of the empire."

"I understand," the village chief said seriously. "We will not neglect our duties."

With that, the head guard gave a short nod. "Good. Lead the way."

The village chief stepped aside and gestured forward. "Please follow ."

As we were led deeper into Wu Village and soon arrived at the cabin space. There were three big cabins.. enough for all of us.. the other exile groups were about 20 to 30 then there was the Fu family, or should i say the two Fu family.

As soon as we arrived, the head guard turned to face everyone. His voice was clear and carried easily across the open space.

"This is where you will be staying," he announced. "The Fu family were once nobles, so they will be given one full cabin to themselves. The remaining exiles will share the other cabins."

He paused, then added, "My n and I will stay separately. You are not to enter our area without permission."

No one argued.

With that, the head guard waved his hand, and everyone began moving toward their assigned places.

Fu Sheng and I followed the rest of the Fu family toward our cabin. The mont we stepped inside, a cloud of dust rose into the air. Cobwebs hung from the corners of the ceiling, thick and untouched, and the place slled old and damp.

Fu Fei froze near the doorway. "I swear I just saw sothing move," she said nervously.

Before anyone could answer, a small rat darted across the floor and disappeared into a crack in the wall.

Fu Fei let out a small scream and jumped back. "I knew it! There are rats!"

Fu Tong frowned deeply, looking around in disgust. "This place is filthy. How are we supposed to live here?"

I folded my arms and glanced around calmly. "It’s not that bad," I said. "It just needs a good cleaning."

My eyes landed on a wooden broom leaning against the wall. I walked over, picked it up, then grabbed another one nearby and handed it to Fu Fei.

"Co on," I said lightly. "Let’s clean this place and get rid of the cobwebs first."

Fu Fei nodded, though she still looked uneasy, glancing around as if another rat might appear at any mont.

Just as I was about to start sweeping, Fu Tong stepped forward and took the broom from my hands. "I’ll do it," he said firmly. "You shouldn’t work too much."

I sighed but didn’t argue. I handed the broom over and turned to walk toward Fu Sheng instead.

He was standing near the doorway, watching everything quietly, his expression calm as always, as if dust, rats, and broken cabins were all the sa to him.

I stopped beside him and smiled faintly. "See? We’ll be fine," I said. "This place just needs a little life."