As the carriage moved steadily along the road, the rhythmic clip-clop of the horses' hooves resonated in the air. Bingwen, with an air of anticipation, extended a plate of delicate cakes and colorful sweets to Xiaotian. A smile danced across her face as she happily nibbled on the treats, savoring each bite. Bingwen's attention then shifted to Xiaofen, and he found himself entranced by her enchanting presence. Her lustrous hair swayed gently in the breeze, cascading like a golden waterfall, while her penetrating golden eyes shimmered with intelligence and determination.
Intrigued by her, he tried to initiate conversation, asking about her impression of the town. "Lovely," she replied disinterestedly, not one to engage in chatter or keep conversations. As they traveled through the night, they eventually arrived at a dilapidated house.
Lan Ren knocked a few times, and after a brief moment, he heard the locks being turned. A small head cautiously peeped out, warily observing them. "If you don't mind, we would like to spend the night," Lan Ren requested. The little boy studied them for a moment and trusted his intuition, granting them entry to seek shelter for the night. The house was in shambles, with cracked and ancient walls that hinted at the property's long-standing existence. The furniture was worn-out and the roof peppered with holes. The boy, seemingly the same age as Xiaotian, wore patched clothes, clearly indicating his impoverished state. However, despite his poverty, his features were distinct, and his vibrant emerald eyes sparkled with curiosity. It seemed as though he had taken an interest in Xiaotian, attentively observing her every move. Perhaps they were the same age, and he had never had a friend, especially a female one.
Welcome," the voice sounded friendly, yet shaky, like that of an elderly person. An older man, with a sickly face, approached them slowly. Despite his deteriorating health, he exuded liveliness and cheerfulness. The little boy stepped up to assist his grandfather, showcasing his caring nature. Bingwen respectfully clasped his fists and greeted the elderly man. "Elder, we apologize for bothering you this late at night, and we truly appreciate your hospitality.
The old man waved his hands slowly, reassuring Bingwen that it was no bother. "Young master, you are my guest," he said with a shrug, gesturing to the sitting arrangement.
"Hàoyú, bring our guests some refreshments," he instructed the little boy who eagerly nodded and hurried inside. Xiaofen carefully surveyed her surroundings, and with a curious expression, she asked, "What happened?"
The old man sighed deeply, his gaze drifting as he contemplated. Hàoyú brought over a tea set and the necessary ingredients, along with a pot of freshly boiled water. Despite his slight hand tremor, his movements were precise and skilled, revealing his expertise as a tea master. He poured the tea, filling the air with a sweet aroma. Offering each of them a cup, despite the chipped edge, they gratefully accepted and savored the tea, taking slow sips.
He said "The Xiongnu Army."
Xiaofen's complexion darkened as he recounted his story.
"We were once happy peasants, living a simple life filled with its ups and downs, but overall content," he paused, his voice filled with a hint of sadness. "My son, he found a wonderful maiden, and they fell deeply in love. They got married and soon after, they gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, my grandson," his eyes beamed with pride as he glanced at Hàoyú. He paused, his eyes filled with a mix of pride and sadness.
The joy in his eyes quickly faded, replaced by a deep sorrow. "But then they came," he continued bitterly. "They destroyed everything in their path, slaying the men, harassing the women, and maltreating the children." His voice trembled with anger and grief. "They killed my son and daughter-in-law in the field."
As the old man spoke, Xiaofen suddenly felt a wave of nostalgia and flashback wash over from that fateful day. She could hear Xiaoling's desperate pleas for mercy echoing in her mind. "No, please! Please!" she begged, her voice filled with fear.
But all she received was a sharp and loud slap that resonated in her ear - the sound of a soldier hitting her mother. Xiaofen watched in horror as her mother crumpled to the ground under the force of the blow.
"Mother!" Xiaofen sobbed, her heart breaking at the pitiful sight of her battered mother.
"Stupid bitch!" He held her by the hair and dragged her. Xiaofen broke from the soldiers restraining her and rushed to her mother.
Despite the pain, her mother's voice remained soft as velvet as she gently caressed Xiaofen's cheeks, her eyes filled with tears. Her face was bloody and swollen, yet she managed to smile. "Take care of yourself and your sister," she whispered, and Xiaofen nodded through her tears.
"Hey!" a soldier forcefully yanked Xiaofen away from her dying mother, but she clung desperately to her. "I said back off!"
As Xiaofen toppled onto the muddy ground, mud-splattered across her body, leaving her appearance soiled and disheveled. Inappropriately, one of the guards leered at her and commented, "Is she a beauty?" To which another guard swiftly responded, "She's cursed! Do you want to jinx yourself for life?" The conversation made the second guard think twice, and the sisters were forcefully shoved into a dark dungeon.
"Don't cry," she soothed Xiaotian, as the latter sniffed and hugged her sister for reassurance. Suddenly, Xiaofen's attention was snapped towards a noise. Her eyes widened in horror as she witnessed something that would forever be engraved in her memories. A patrol soldier was forcing himself on a young, beautiful girl, and when she resisted, he struck her hard in the face. Helpless, Xiaofen could only cover her mouth as she watched the guard defile the girl.
She clenched her fists, the memories were too much for Xiaofen to bear. Angry tears streamed down her delicate face. Those people were inhuman! Bingwen observed her reaction, he patted her solemnly on the shoulder. She took a deep breath and tried to push them away. This was not the time for dwelling on past horrors; there was work to be done.
She looked at her older man with determination in her eyes. "We will not let them get away with this," she said firmly. "We will fight back and reclaim what is rightfully ours."
He nodded solemnly, his eyes filled with both grief and determination. Together, they would honor the memory of their loved ones by standing up against those who had caused them so much pain.
And so, Xiaofen set out on a journey fueled by revenge and justice, vowing to bring an end to the tyranny that had shattered their once peaceful lives.
"Allow me to show you to your rooms," the elder stood up, but as he took a few steps, he suddenly felt faint and collapsed. Bingwen and Xiaofen rushed to his side, helping him up. He spat out blood, wheezed, and gasped for breath. The younger children cried out in fear and shock, while Xiaofen remained in a state of shock. Lan Ren carried the old man to his sleeping chamber, while Bingwen tried to transfer spiritual energy to his life energy paths. Sadly, with just one look, it was evident that he was nearing death's embrace.
With effort, Xiaofen comforted the children, and after a while, Bingwen and Lan Ren carried them out while they were still asleep, their expressions filled with melancholy. Xiaofen stayed behind, tending to the old man.
"My child, if I die, please look after my grandson for me," he whispered weakly. This scene reminded her of her mother, and she cried while hugging the old man, who patted her reassuringly. As the night progressed, Xiaofen stayed and eventually fell asleep, tightly clasping the old man's hand. Suddenly, a warm and dim glow emanated from the sleeping Xiaofen. Though faint, it carried a powerful aura and vitality. The glow swiftly enveloped Xiaofen before rushing into the old man's body, restoring color to his appearance.
As the warm sun rose in the sky, its rays seeped through the small holes in the roof, casting gentle beams of light. The soft chirping of birds filled the air, creating a peaceful ambiance. Xiaofen awakened to find the old man still unconscious, but a woman in her mid-forties stood before her with a warm smile.
"I'm Xīn yí. I will take care of old man Lie Jie," she nodded and glanced at him one last time before stepping out.
Xīn yí, a distant relative, was a kind and friendly woman who reassured them of her commitment to taking care of old man Lie Jie's health. They bid farewell to her, expressing their gratitude, and settled the payment with Hàoyú before departing. Surprisingly enough, the old man managed to defy death.