It is said that in the county of Guiyang in Guizhou, there lived a scholarly family by the name of Zhou. For generations, they had been devoted to the pursuit of both farming and learning. However, in the current generation, there were nine brothers who were exceptionally filial and close-knit. They had not separated and all lived together harmoniously under one roof. The youngest among them had achieved academic success, with one brother having earned the title of "Xiu Cai," and the others being "Ju Ren" and "Jin Shi."
The brothers were extraordinarily affectionate towards each other, and their household was filled with familial bliss and harmony, a true picture of domestic happiness. Yet, there was one blemish on their otherwise perfect lives: out of the nine brothers, eight were burdened by the concerns of an elder, each with their own family to care for. Only the seventh brother, named Zijing, had, at the age of thirty-six, finally become a father. His son, Yun Cong, was exceptionally bright and virtuous from a young age, with an extraordinary disposition. As the only son among the nine families, Yun Cong was born into a prosperous household and was cherished like a pearl in the palm of their hands. Strangely, he had an ardent passion for learning. At the age of fifteen, he enrolled in school, and by eighteen, he had passed the imperial examination for "Xiu Cai" with flying colors.
However, he was not content with his success. Immediately after becoming a "Xiu Cai," Yun Cong expressed his desire to go to Beijing to prepare for the highest level of imperial examinations. Although his father and uncles were somewhat concerned about the long and treacherous journey, they couldn't bring themselves to hinder Yun Cong's ambition, as they saw his determination and zeal for scholarly pursuits. They selected a capable family servant named Wang Fu and a young boy named Xiaosan to accompany Yun Cong on his journey.
After a few days of travel, they met several others of the same age who were also heading to Beijing to participate in the imperial examinations. With fellow travelers to keep them company, their journey became less lonesome. As they continued their journey, more and more people joined them, and they eventually formed a group of seventeen young scholars bound for Beijing. These young nobles were full of spirit and enthusiasm.
Yun Cong proposed, "If we proceed directly to Beijing according to the schedule, we will still have several months of free time. Ancient scholars said that reading ten thousand books is akin to traveling ten thousand miles. Both experiences and knowledge are equally important. Why don't we take advantage of this free time to visit famous scenic spots and savor the beauty of the world? It would not add too much difficulty to our long journey." One of the candidates named Song Shi agreed, "I wholeheartedly support Brother Yun's idea. I've heard that Sichuan has many beautiful places. Why don't we take a few days to visit Chengdu?" Everyone, being young and adventurous, readily agreed to the proposal. After finalizing their plans, they had their servants pack their essentials and set off for Chongqing to meet up.
The group of sixteen travelers, accompanied by Yun Cong's servant and a young boy, each carried a small bag with their personal belongings and took the scenic route towards Chengdu. Wang Fu, fearing that they might be cheated, tried to dissuade them multiple times. Song Shi assured him, "I've been on the road for ten years, and I'm familiar with the ways of the world. You can rest assured, old steward." Reluctantly, Wang Fu allowed them to proceed. He also took aside the young boy and emphasized the importance of taking good care of their young master, urging him not to cause any trouble. Although the young boy was of tender age, he was quite clever and nodded his understanding. They bid farewell and set off on their journey. The group of sixteen, traveling in high spirits, reached Chengdu and found accommodations at a large inn. Each day, they explored the famous sites and enjoyed the delights of their journey.
One day, Yun Cong and the group went out for a leisurely walk. After some sightseeing, Yun Cong suggested they visit Wangjiang Tower for a small drink. They had visited it a couple of times in the past few days. Since most of them were affluent young men, they weren't particularly frugal when it came to spending money. The innkeepers were pleased to see their return and eagerly accommodated their request. Yun Cong proposed that they skip the private rooms and instead have three or four people at each table by the window so they could enjoy a distant view of the Yangtze River. Everyone readily agreed to this idea.
When they arrived at the tower, they found that only four tables by the window were available, and at one of those tables, there was a Daoist priest lying across it, sound asleep. Song Shi asked the waiter to wake the Daoist priest. The waiter, who had already been less than thrilled with the Daoist priest because he had been drinking since the morning and had been there for hours, was even less inclined to accommodate the guests who now wanted the window seats. He politely asked the group to sit at the other three tables for the time being.
The waiter then tried to wake the Daoist priest by shaking him. The Daoist priest didn't wake up and, in fact, started snoring loudly. Song Shi was a rather fiery character within this group of young travelers. Upon seeing this situation, he couldn't contain his irritation and was about to say something. Suddenly, the Daoist priest let out a yawn and asked for another gourd of wine. It was only then that they noticed he was clutching a red gourd in his arms as he slept. The waiter suggested to the Daoist priest, "Master Dao, have you had enough to drink already? You've been here since morning and have had quite a lot to drink. It wouldn't be good for your health to keep drinking. In my opinion, you should return to the temple." The Daoist priest retorted, "Nonsense! You run a tavern, and you won't allow me to drink? Don't babble on; quickly fetch me more wine."
The waiter complied with a submissive "Yes, yes" and a forced smile on his face. He said to the Daoist priest, "Master Dao, I have a small request to make." The Daoist priest asked, "What business could a poor Daoist like me have to do with you?" The waiter continued, "We had arranged for these four tables yesterday. Several officials from the other side reserved them for this time today. We thought you'd leave in the morning after drinking, which is why we initially gave you this seat. However, now that the officials have arrived, we kindly ask that you switch to another table." The Daoist priest, upon hearing this, grew furious and said, "How can you move me? If you're charging people to drink here, then you should let me drink too. Don't bother me; just fetch me my wine."
Song Shi had waited for some time and had grown impatient. Seeing the Daoist priest's impoverished appearance and arrogant tone, he couldn't control his anger. He walked over and said to the Daoist priest, "This table was originally reserved by us. If you don't move, don't blame us for acting discourteously!" The Daoist priest retorted, "I don't see any reason to move. Why should I move for you? Do you have any abilities? Go ahead and try."
Song Shi, hearing this, approached the Daoist priest and gave him a slap across the face. Yun Cong, who had wanted to mediate the situation, was too late to intervene. A loud "Ah!" was heard as Song Shi held his hand in pain, screaming. The slap he had delivered to the Daoist priest's face felt like hitting solid iron or stone, causing excruciating pain. The other candidates couldn't stand for this and exclaimed, "Outrageous! Outrageous! Drag him out and give him a beating, then hand him over to the authorities for punishment!"
Just as everyone was about to step forward, Yun Cong quickly intervened and said, "Please, my fellow friends, allow me to say a few words." Given that Yun Cong had the most money among them and was willing to spend it, he had unofficially become their leader. With his words, the group temporarily ceased their actions to see what he had to say.
As Yun Cong approached, the Daoist priest had already stood up and carefully observed him. Yun Cong noticed the sharpness in the Daoist's eyes and realized that this was no ordinary individual. Wang Fu had often told him that the world was filled with extraordinary people, and one should be cautious not to offend them inadvertently. He addressed the Daoist and said, "Master Dao, please don't take offense. The sixteen of us are close friends and have come here today to drink and chat together. That's why we wanted to sit together and had the waiter come to you. Whether you allow it or not doesn't matter; please don't be upset."
The Daoist replied, "Who is blaming you? I got hit, but I didn't hit back!" At this moment, Song Shi was holding his aching right hand, which had become swollen and red within moments. He muttered, "This Daoist must have some magical powers. He should be reported to the authorities." Yun Cong signaled Song Shi not to speak. While Song Shi held his aching hand, Yun Cong continued, "Our friend hit you unintentionally. Master Dao, do you possess any magical methods to ease his pain? He is suffering greatly now, and we hope for your compassion to help him."
The Daoist responded, "He's suffering because he doesn't know how to hit properly, and he's brought this pain upon himself. I haven't moved, and I haven't used any magic." The innkeeper, now understanding the situation, became anxious, fearing that it might escalate. He joined the conversation, attempting to mediate, but the Daoist remained adamant and refused to accept responsibility.
Eventually, after Yun Cong pleaded earnestly, the Daoist said, "I have no desire to be angry with someone who is already on his deathbed. He is suffering because he doesn't know how to strike someone properly and has strained his tendons. If it weren't for your presence, I'd let him endure the pain. Bring him over, and I will help him."
Song Shi was still angrily muttering curses when Yun Cong came over and helped him walk. Song Shi continued to complain vociferously. Yun Cong was concerned that the Daoist might refuse to help if Song Shi continued to complain, so he tried to persuade him to be silent. However, Song Shi paid no heed, making Yun Cong quite distressed.
To everyone's surprise, the Daoist seemed unfazed by Song Shi's curses and turned to Yun Cong, saying, "Don't worry, I don't want to quarrel with a dead man." He then took Song Shi's hand. With both of the Daoist's hands covering Song Shi's, he applied a gentle pressure. Yun Cong watched in amazement as the Daoist said, "All better. Next time, don't be quick to use your hands to strike others."
The Daoist glanced at Song Shi and let out a faint sigh. Song Shi's hand, apart from a little redness, was no longer swollen or painful. Yun Cong, worried that Song Shi might provoke further conflict, quickly led him away from the situation. Yun Cong approached the Daoist and thanked him, asking the innkeeper to inquire if the Daoist wished to continue drinking. The Daoist replied, "I've had enough to drink. Just bring me five jin of Daqu liquor for my evening meal." Yun Cong instructed the innkeeper to fulfill the request and pour the liquor into the Daoist's gourd. Without a word of thanks, the Daoist accepted the gourd, slung it over his back, and left without looking back.
The group was in an uproar, with some suggesting that the Daoist was a supernatural being, while others thought he was trying to trick them into paying for his drinks. Once they saw someone capable of settling the bill, they decided not to reserve the seats any longer. Yun Cong, however, watched as the Daoist left the premises and realized that he had forgotten to ask for the Daoist's name. Ignoring the commotion and discussions among the group, he gazed out of the window and observed the Daoist's departure.
To his surprise, as the Daoist left the inn, the crowded street somehow made way for him. No matter how tightly packed the street was, there was always a foot or two of space surrounding the Daoist, as if something prevented anyone from getting too close to him. Yun Cong found this quite astonishing. Feeling that he hadn't asked for the Daoist's name, he couldn't resist shouting, "Master Dao, please stay!" The Daoist was initially walking at a leisurely pace along the street but, upon hearing Yun Cong's shout, turned his head to look up at the inn. Yun Cong assumed he would come back, but the Daoist suddenly quickened his pace and soon disappeared from sight.
Unmindful of the murmuring crowd, Yun Cong continued to observe the Daoist's departure. In the end, he joined the others at their table and carried on with the drinking and chatting. Song Shi, still nursing his wounded hand, wanted to avoid further trouble and suggested returning to their lodging after the meal. Since Song Shi's request was met with approval, Yun Cong settled the bill, and they descended from the tower to return to their lodgings.
The following day, after breakfast, Song Shi proposed visiting Ciyun Temple on the outskirts of the city. Ciyun Temple was well-known in Chengdu, with its graceful architecture, curved halls, lush gardens, and a serene atmosphere. The temple was endowed with considerable wealth, and its monks were disciplined and practiced Zen meditation, making them renowned throughout Sichuan.
The group had heard of Ciyun Temple and its location about thirty miles outside of the city. Yun Cong suggested, "We've explored all the attractions in Chengdu, and this peaceful place is the only one left. How about we set off today, stay at an inn nearby for a day, explore the temple, and then head to Chongqing tomorrow?" Song Shi, who was eager to leave Chengdu after the unpleasant incident the previous day, readily agreed to the plan.
Thus, they set out, and after about thirty miles of walking, they reached a village near the temple. Upon asking for directions, they learned that Ciyun Temple was not far from there. Most of the locals in this area were involved with the temple, which was the primary source of their livelihood. After a hasty meal at a local inn, they left Little San to look after their belongings and set off for Ciyun Temple.
After walking for about half a mile, they entered a lush forest with dense trees and abundant greenery. In this setting, a corner of a red wall became visible. As a breeze rustled through the leaves, they faintly heard the sound of Buddhist chanting. The temple was indeed a tranquil place of worship. As they approached the temple gate, they noticed a slight increase in temperature, possibly due to their heightened excitement.
Upon arriving at the temple gate, they were welcomed by a knowledgeable monk who served as their guide. After offering them a serving of light tea, the monk attentively led them around the temple, explaining its history and significance. The guide was named Liao Yi, a person of refined speech and manners, who provided excellent hospitality, aligning perfectly with Yun Cong and the group's preferences. After a half-day's visit, Liao Yi guided them to a Zen hall where they could rest.
The Zen hall was exquisitely decorated, adorned with famous calligraphic scrolls, neatly arranged writing tools on the table, and two summer mats made of coarse cloth on the west side of the meditation platform, meant for meditation practice during the evening. The group was intrigued by one of the scrolls, which was hung in a manner that seemed unusual. They were just about to ask Liao Yi about it when a young novice entered the hall, saying, "The Abbot requests the presence of the guest monk for a conversation." Liao Yi responded, "The temple buildings are quite labyrinthine. You won't find your way easily, so I suggest you wait for my return, and I'll accompany you on another tour."
With that, he left in haste.
Song Shi, on the other hand, was skeptical and wanted to confront the abbot immediately. He suggested that they confront the abbot and expose his shady activities. Yun Cong advised caution, recalling the advice given to him by his servant Wang Fu. He explained that while temples and monasteries might seem like serene and pure places on the surface, many were hiding dark secrets. Some monks and nuns, despite their outward appearance of piety, were involved in deceitful and immoral activities behind closed doors. It was best to be cautious and not provoke them.
As they discussed this, Song Shi noticed a mallet hanging beneath the painting of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, which was unevenly secured. It was about a person's height and one foot three inches wide, and it held a small gong. Curious, he picked up the mallet and gave the gong a light tap, causing a clear and crisp sound. He struck it twice more, intrigued by the unexpected discovery.
Just then, three gongs sounded, followed by a grinding noise, and a small door in the wall appeared. In front of the door stood a seductive woman who, upon seeing the group, let out a surprised "oh" and quickly retreated. Song Shi was about to confront the abbot and call him out for his actions. Yun Cong, however, urged caution, reminding the group about the potential dangers and unsavory activities that might be concealed within the temple.
He recounted the advice his servant Wang Fu had given him before leaving home, emphasizing that they should be mindful when visiting temples and monasteries. These places might appear to be pure and serene on the surface, but they could hide sinister secrets. Some monks and nuns, while appearing virtuous outwardly, engaged in deceitful and immoral activities in secret. It was best to be cautious and not provoke them, especially since they were scholars and might be at a disadvantage if they confronted the abbot and his associates.
Listening to Yun Cong's words, the group decided to exercise caution and not pursue the matter further. They continued to explore the temple's main hall and other areas, maintaining their composure. The incident with the hidden door and the woman remained in their thoughts, but they decided not to delve deeper into the mysteries of Ciyun Temple and its abbot. The group explored other parts of the temple, conducted themselves respectfully, and, eventually, returned to their inn in the village as planned.
The incident at Ciyun Temple and the encounters with the Daoist and the abbot remained a topic of discussion among the group. Their journey to Chongqing continued, marked by more adventures and encounters as they traveled through various places.
Upon hearing these words, the crowd was in a state of confusion and discussion. Among them, there was a candidate named Shi, who suddenly exclaimed, "Brother Yun Cong, why are you just talking? Look behind you at the door; it's disappeared!" The crowd turned around to find that the door they had entered through had indeed vanished, leaving behind a dark wall. The paintings on the wall had also disappeared. Everyone was shocked and immediately tried to push the sturdy wall, resembling an immovable rock. Apart from the small hidden door they entered through, there was no other way out. The situation caused them great fear and anxiety.
Yun Cong then remarked, "We're being quite foolish. Now that there's no way out, and there's no one responding to us, it's not good to remain here. Why not try to exit through the window?" His words reminded everyone, and they all rushed to the windows, trying to push them open. However, they discovered that the four windows were locked from the outside, with intricate patterns making it impossible to recognize that they were windows. This led to more confusion and despair. They pounded on the walls for help, but no one responded. In this perilous situation, these young scholars and nobles realized the seriousness of their predicament. Some blamed Song Shi for striking the gong, while others questioned the propriety of the monks. There were two brave individuals who suggested that as they were all scholars, they should wait for the head monk to return and hopefully rescue them.
While the room was filled with discussion and commotion, Yun Cong became overwhelmed by the noise. He reminded them that complaining and arguing would not be of any help and suggested that they calmly observe the situation. Yun Cong asked everyone to come up with a plan to get out of this predicament. This silence fell over the room, and everyone began to think about their options.
Meanwhile, Song Shi gazed at the small door on the wall. Suddenly, he said, "My fellow scholars, I think it's a mixed blessing. There is no way out now, and no one is responding to us. If we remain in this situation, it's not good. In my view, we should go through this small door, meet with the head monk, and explain that we inadvertently discovered the mechanism. We should ask him to let us go. We haven't damaged any of their possessions, and as passing travelers, we won't disclose the secret. I believe, as scholars, we should not fear for our lives. After we leave this temple, we can continue our scholarly pursuits." The others listened to his suggestion and, after more discussions, found no alternative. Therefore, they decided to follow Song Shi, with Yun Cong in the rear. They entered the small door one by one.
Upon entering, they descended a long staircase, lit dimly by occasional oil lamps, which allowed them to see their path. After walking about a hundred steps, they came to another set of steps leading upwards. They followed these and emerged into a room adorned with beautiful flowers and plants. They were momentarily distracted by the beauty of the surroundings, although they were still uncertain about their fate.
Just as the group was about to step forward, they heard a strange and eerie laughter, followed by the words, "The distinguished guests seem to be quite entertained!" This startled everyone, and when they looked ahead, they saw a large hall. Seated on stone steps was a menacing and imposing monk, bare-chested, with a powerful build. Beside him, there were a pile of instruments used for rituals. Standing beside the monk were two women, approximately in their twenties, cloaked in vibrant red robes and heavily adorned with cosmetics. Song Shi quickly gathered his composure and stepped forward, saying, "Respected Master, we have shown proper courtesy." However, the menacing monk paid them no attention and kept his eyes closed. Song Shi repeated his words, explaining that they were scholars merely visiting and had unintentionally triggered a mechanism, which had led to their predicament. He humbly requested the Master to help them out and assured him they would never disclose anything about the temple to the outside world. Despite this plea, the monk remained silent with his eyes closed.
Frustrated by the monk's indifference, the candidate named Shi grew impatient and confronted him, questioning his actions. He mentioned that they were scholars on their way to the capital for the imperial examination. If the monk did not release them, they would report this unlawful act to the authorities. They expected the menacing monk to be afraid, but he replied, "You scholars are ignorant, and your destiny is your own doing. Heaven has a way for you, and you choose to enter hell yourselves. I will make things convenient for you." This response left the group uneasy.
Seeing the menacing monk was alone, the scholars exchanged glances and prepared to rush him to escape. However, as they moved forward, the monk picked up one of the instruments and struck it once. Suddenly, they were overpowered by several monks who appeared seemingly from nowhere. Some monks captured them, while others held sharp knives. In no time, the seventeen individuals were subdued and tied to wooden stakes placed about ten paces from the main hall. The menacing monk struck the instrument twice more, and all the monks dispersed, leaving the captives bound.
At this point, the group was terrified and some lost consciousness. Only Yun Cong, who had greater courage, remained conscious but defeated. He contemplated his responsibilities to his elderly parents and realized the extent of their expectations. He regretted his youthful recklessness, which had led them into this dire situation. Filled with sorrow, he cried aloud. The menacing monk, amused by Yun Cong's misery, laughed loudly and suggested to the women beside him, "Look at these wretched souls, they aren't worth much. They acted arrogantly with their scholar titles at home, but when they faced capture, they turned into helpless babies. Why don't you two dance and entertain them?"
The women agreed and removed their red cloaks, revealing their nearly naked bodies. They began to dance provocatively. Their white skin resembled polished jade. Their movements revealed glimpses of their figures, making the scholars feel awkward and embarrassed. Surprisingly, the two women were completely nude, unlike contemporary dancers who wore a piece of cloth around their waist. The menacing monk then struck the instrument a few more times, and another group of monks appeared, carrying musical instruments, adding to the spectacle. The mixture of half-naked and fully naked figures, along with the music, brought life back into the group, though their souls remained troubled.
Upon awakening and seeing the strange and mesmerizing scene, the group initially thought they were in a dream. However, their limbs were tightly bound with hemp ropes, and they couldn't move. As they recollected the events that had led to their predicament, they felt a chill run down their spines. Despite the enchanting dances and beautiful women before them, their minds were preoccupied with their plight. They all began to lament, calling upon heaven and their parents, revealing the natural human response to such distressing circumstances.
In their dire situation, these were young and wealthy scholars with numerous worldly attachments. They pondered the burdens and expectations placed upon them by their families and friends. Each of them had their unique concerns and responsibilities. Yun Cong, who had initially been stronger in spirit, was also overcome with grief as he considered his aging parents and the hopes they had for him. These painful thoughts evoked deep sorrow, and one by one, they began to sob. The impact was so profound that it went beyond just nostalgia; it brought forth genuine, heartfelt sorrow. At first, it was only a tearful remembrance of their lives and loved ones, but soon, their sobs grew louder and more anguished.
Their mournful cries and sobs pierced the silence of the temple, transforming the meditation hall into a chamber of sorrow. Even the women who had been dancing were moved by the scholars' despair. The setting of a joyous event had become a place of mourning.
The menacing monk, who had been enjoying the spectacle, was irritated by the scholars' cries, which disrupted his amusement. He decided to silence them by using a peculiar weapon. He began to strike a series of chimes, and each chime triggered the flight of a golden object that headed straight for one of the scholars. As the golden objects struck the scholars, their heads rolled and their cries were silenced. Sixteen heads lay severed on the ground, and the menacing monk's chimes had exhausted their ammunition.
Yun Cong was the only survivor as the chimes had not targeted him. He had narrowly escaped the same fate. However, the menacing monk was determined to finish the job. Before he could strike again, the two women who had been dancing pleaded with him to spare Yun Cong's life. They requested mercy on his behalf, emphasizing that he was just a child. The menacing monk hesitated but decided to show leniency and spare Yun Cong's life. This gesture surprised Yun Cong, who had already resigned himself to his fate. He was thankful for the chance to live for three more days, albeit with an eventual death.
The menacing monk instructed his female attendants to bring a set of three items. The items consisted of a small red envelope, a bundle of ropes tied in an auspicious knot, and a steel knife. Yun Cong didn't understand their purpose, but he knew he would eventually meet his demise. He continued to plead for mercy, to which the menacing monk responded with a final agreement to allow Yun Cong to live for three more days. The menacing monk instructed his attendants to place Yun Cong in a stone cell, provide him with the three items, and give him some steamed buns. If Yun Cong still lived after three days, he was to use the steel knife to sever his own head.
The attendants approached Yun Cong and began to untie him from the wooden stake.
Bound for some time, Yun Cong's body had gone numb from the constriction of the ropes. After the initial shock and fear, the constant strain and distress had left him exhausted. When his captors finally released him from his restraints, he had fallen to the ground, unable to move.
Li Ye once again addressed Yun Cong, expressing the difficulties of their situation and the fact that he had followed his master's orders to place Yun Cong in a stone cell. He highlighted that their sect was bound by strict rules and had no room for sentimentality. Yun Cong was in a daze, still overwhelmed by his circumstances, but he understood the hopelessness of his situation.
Li Ye promised to keep him fed for three days, ensuring that he lived for as long as allowed, and gave him a small red envelope with poison to expedite his death if he so wished. With these provisions, Yun Cong was led into the stone cell, and the entrance was sealed.
Inside the dark and cold cell, Yun Cong found himself without hope. He had moments of crying, reminiscing about his family and the challenges they faced. As darkness fell, he was visited by an attendant who brought him food and water. He ate a little but was overwhelmed by sorrow and once again began to cry. The monotony of sleep, waking, and crying continued, but in the total darkness of the cell, Yun Cong lost track of time.
Over time, his eyes adjusted to the darkness, allowing him to faintly discern shapes in the gloom. One day, Yun Cong noticed a glimmer of light emanating from something next to him. He reached for it and found that it was the steel knife from the three items Li Ye had given him. The sight of the knife stirred deeper emotions of sadness as he realized he was living on borrowed time.
In the midst of his despair, a slight breeze blew into the cell, followed by a few raindrops. This inexplicable occurrence momentarily cleared Yun Cong's mind. He wondered how rain could penetrate this underground cell. Then, a sudden flash of light illuminated the cell, and he saw a small, circular hole in the ceiling. This hole had gone unnoticed when he first entered the cell, as he was overwhelmed by anger and despair.
The realization that there was an opening above him renewed his hope for escape. He decided to use the rope and the knife to reach the hole in the ceiling. Unfortunately, the height was too great for him to reach it directly. His initial attempts were futile, and he struggled to find a way to utilize the rope effectively. In his desperate situation, Yun Cong needed to come up with a plan to escape and seize his chance for survival.
un Cong's efforts to remove the bricks from the wall were met with despair as he encountered a layer of iron plates hidden beneath the bricks. This discovery made him realize that his initial plan was futile. Despite the setback, he persisted in searching for an escape route.
Yun Cong found a pair of bricks that could be moved, and he worked diligently to pry them loose. His efforts were increasingly hindered by the pain from his injuries, but he didn't give up. As he toiled away, he heard the sounds of rain and thunder from above, giving him a glimmer of hope.
However, as time passed, his strength waned, and he felt more pain. He soon noticed that the sweat on his body was mixed with blood from the injuries he had sustained during his struggle with the bricks. Despite his weakness, Yun Cong was determined to continue his efforts. He placed the loosened bricks in the cell, building a makeshift stack in the center of the room.
As he continued to work, his hands and feet were bloodied and sore. He realized that the situation was dire, and the only way to survive was to keep working. He reminded himself of the burden on his shoulders: the responsibility for his family's livelihood and avenging his friends' deaths. These thoughts spurred him on to greater efforts.
With each brick removed, he stacked them neatly in the cell. Gradually, he built a pile that was seven or eight feet high. The time had come to use this pile to reach the hole in the ceiling, which would be his escape route. He tied one end of the rope to the knife's handle and, holding the rope in his hand, began to climb the stack of bricks.
His climb was arduous and precarious. The stack was unstable, and the bricks shifted dangerously beneath him. He knew that he must be careful or risk toppling the entire structure. He made his way to the top of the pile, and at last, he was near the circular hole in the ceiling. He stabilized his foothold and held the rope, waiting for a bolt of lightning to illuminate the hole above. With the right timing, he hoped to toss the rope up and catch it on a protruding edge of the hole.
However, his hands trembled with exhaustion, and the rope was difficult to control. As lightning flashed outside, Yun Cong attempted to throw the rope toward the hole, but he missed his target. The rope unraveled and the knife fell away, leaving him stranded on the unstable stack of bricks. Panic set in as he tried to maintain his balance, both hands reaching out for the rope and knife, but to no avail.
In a moment of panic and disorientation, Yun Cong lost his balance and tumbled from the stack of bricks to the ground. He searched desperately for the rope and knife, but they had disappeared into the darkness. His efforts had come to naught, and he was left with no other recourse but to weep bitterly in his hopeless situation.
In a moment of desperation, just as he was about to lose hope, a sudden flash of light came from the circular hole at the top, and it looked like a long rope was swaying there. He quickly suppressed his grief, focusing on what seemed like an endless series of lightning flashes. In the midst of the lightning, it was clear that a rope was hanging there, swaying in the wind, a sight that seemed very real. He had thought that the rope had flown out of the hole when he let go of it earlier, but unwittingly, it had provided a lifeline.
In the darkness, encountering a glimmer of hope was exhilarating. His spirits soared, and he momentarily forgot about his fatigue. He rallied his spirits, climbed back to the stack of bricks, and pushed them with his hands. Luckily, the bricks at the top were thick and large, and he had only dislodged four or five of them when he slid down, leaving the rest intact. He was thoroughly frightened by the ordeal but decided to proceed cautiously. With hands and feet working in harmony, he carefully explored and retraced his path upwards. He arranged the area where he had slid down and eventually climbed to the top.
Steadily, he stood up at the summit. Struggling to reach the hole at the top of the cave, he waited for another flash of lightning. The distance to the hole was less than a foot. Concentrating his thoughts, he anticipated the next lightning flash. In that brief moment of illumination, he leaped and grabbed hold of the rope's end. Suddenly, a loud snap echoed, and his body fell back onto the bricks, causing him to be startled once more. Fortunately, he only slid down about a couple of feet, and the rope held him firmly. The rope was sturdy enough, and he was relieved to find it in one piece.
Now, he had the necessary length. There was no need to wait for the next flash. Escaping was imperative. He forgot about the pain in his hands from the knife wound. With both hands gripping the rope, he ascended. Despite his lack of martial skills, his youthful vigor and determination allowed him to reach the hole. Exhausted and unable to move, he was bombarded by torrents of rain and flashes of lightning. After a brief rest, he was drenched by the cold rain, and his head began to clear. He remembered that even though he had escaped from the cave, he was still within the temple, and time was running out.
The cave ceiling was quite high, and a fall from it would be catastrophic. He had to continue his efforts to escape. Guided by the faint light of the lightning, he tried to ascertain his route. To the east was the path he had taken to enter the cave the previous day, to the west was the main temple hall, and to the south was the temple courtyard. Only to the north did the cave wall seem to be adjacent to another structure, presumably a neighboring residence. He made the decision to head north.
As the rain intensified and darkness enveloped the surroundings, the atmosphere grew heavier. The absence of any visible light made the escape even more challenging. Every time he tried to stabilize himself, he almost slipped and fell, requiring a quick reaction. The cave ceiling was uneven, sloping to the side, and he had to proceed with extreme caution, taking a step only when the lightning flashed. Reaching the north side of the cave was an arduous journey. But to his dismay, there was still a three- to four-foot gap between the cave wall and the actual structure. With no martial skills and the risk of misjudging the wall's height, he hesitated to jump. Falling from that height could lead to fatal injuries.
Just as he found himself in a helpless situation, a strong gust of wind swept through, and it felt like something brushed across his face. He quickly reached out to grab it, but whatever it was had quite a resilient force, nearly pulling him down. This startled him greatly. Still clutching onto something, he steadied himself and, in the light of a lightning flash, realized he was holding several yellow oak leaves. These leaves seemed to have been blown over the wall from a tree on the other side.
However, as he was contemplating this discovery, another clap of thunder echoed, followed by a bright flash of lightning. When he gazed intently ahead, he indeed saw a large oak tree beyond the wall swaying in the storm. One of its branches extended over the wall, and it appeared that the branch had broken due to the wind. Just as he was observing this, the lightning passed, leaving everything shrouded in darkness. He thought, "If the wind blows the tree branches towards me again, I can grab onto them and climb over the wall." In the intermittent flashes of lightning, he witnessed the tree being buffeted by the wind, and at times, the branch was almost within reach. However, his fear restrained him, and he did not dare to seize the opportunity. When the moment was lost, he regretted not acting sooner.
In the end, summoning his courage, he clenched his teeth and prepared to leap forward. Just as he was about to make the desperate attempt, the wind and lightning coincidentally cooperated. The branch ended up in his hands. He grabbed it tightly, and a sudden gust of wind carried him away from the cave's roof, his body soaring toward the wall. At that moment, he had cast aside thoughts of life and death, closed his eyes, and clung to the branch with all his might. As he felt a strong impact beneath his feet, followed by a deafening roar, he was subjected to a double shock. He uttered a pained cry, lost his grip, and tumbled to the ground, losing consciousness.
Upon regaining consciousness, he found himself lying on a wooden bed, with an elderly man and a young girl standing beside him. They appeared to be a father and daughter. The girl said, "Dad, he's awake." She handed a bowl of warm water to Yun Cong and encouraged him to drink. He initially wanted to rise and express his gratitude for their help. However, he felt a lingering pain in his legs, probably from the impact when he fell from the tree onto the ground. He had also been through a night of extreme exhaustion. He decided to stay lying down and began recounting the events of his escape for the two people's reference.