On their way there, they traveled by boat, with the wind and current in their favor, reaching their destination quickly.

On the way back, they were escorting prisoners, with a long procession trailing behind them. Everyone has their limits on how far they could travel in a day, so their pace was much slower.

They often camped in the wild, and occasionally, due to weather, they entered towns where they had to receive visits from local officials.

All these various matters combined significantly slowed their return journey.

To be honest, sitting in a carriage for extended periods was quite uncomfortable.

Traveling by carriage was not very stable. It was bearable for a few days, but over time, it became increasingly uncomfortable. If one chose to ride a horse instead, after a few consecutive days, the inner thighs would undoubtedly be chafed.

Despite this, Xiao Shan still found it preferable to traveling by boat.

At least he could eat without constantly vomiting.

Thus, the seasick Xiao Shan alternated between the carriage and horseback riding, trying his best not to slow down the group.

The sooner they could deliver these criminal officials to the capital, the sooner they could stop worrying about various issues, and everyone would be more at ease.

These days, Xiao Shan felt a deep admiration for Xie Zhui. Having been tempered by the battlefield, Xie Zhui remained composed and steady whether riding a horse or sitting in a carriage. However, upon reflection, Xiao Shan realized that this calmness was earned through the scars on Xie Zhui's body, filling him with admiration, pride, and an indescribable heartache.

The most arduous and exhausting life was that of the border soldiers.

But not everyone in this world had a heart of flesh*.