Xiao Fan: (つД`)ノ
Standing before the supermarket, Xiao Fan's eyes sparkled with excitement. He couldn't remember the last time he had been to a supermarket. Now, with 1000 yuan in his pocket, he confidently ventured inside.
His visit wasn't for personal shopping but for the tiny inhabitants of the magical ecological box he had acquired a few days ago. So far, he had only provided them with rice and water, which was insufficient for their nutritional needs.
Thus, he was determined to ensure a balanced diet!
In the vegetable section, Xiao Fan picked up radishes, cabbages, and tomatoes. He then headed to the meat section, where he bought a large piece of premium beef and pork belly. Passing through the beverage aisle, he grabbed a whole case of 'happy soda for shut-ins', and didn't forget to pick up rice and flour.
Aside from food, he also needed tools and materials. Besides building walls, he planned to construct various facilities for the tiny people's everyday life in the ecological box, with a continuous water supply being the most critical - without water, there would be no hope for life!
After his shopping spree, Xiao Fan returned home with several large plastic bags, feeling utterly satisfied.
Xiao Fan: orz
As soon as he reached home, Xiao Fan collapsed to his knees, overwhelmed by the day's exertions.
However, his attention was immediately drawn to the ecological box. To his astonishment, a crowd of tiny armored people had appeared in Shule Town within the box.
Xiao Fan was initially shocked, wondering if the town had fallen during his day away. On closer inspection, he relaxed a little, realizing that these armored figures were not Tibetan invaders but soldiers of the Tang Dynasty's Anxi Army.
Yet, upon a closer look, it seemed that the tiny people were embroiled in a dispute, apparently facing some conflict.
"General, please reconsider!" Lu Yang, a brave cavalry officer, knelt on one knee before a middle-aged commander, seemingly pleading for something.
Xiao Fan observed the middle-aged Tang Dynasty general, who exuded a commanding presence, clearly a person of high rank. Lu Yang's humble demeanor towards him suggested that something significant might have happened in just one day.
But something was amiss. Where was Yao Xi? Despite the numerous soldiers of the Tang Dynasty's Anxi Army stationed in Shule Town, the villagers, who should have been there, were nowhere to be seen.
"Lord of Heaven!" A young girl's voice suddenly rang out from a residence, a voice Xiao Fan recognized instantly as Yao Xi's.
"Yao Xi? And the villagers? Why are you locked inside the residence?" Xiao Fan was puzzled. This residence was the Suzhou-style garden that he had given to Yao Xi.
"Lord of Heaven, the Protector-General of Anxi, Guo Xin, has arrived. He insists that we relocate to Kucha. We disagreed, stating that with the protection of the Lord of Heaven, we would not leave and would stay in Shule Town. Now, Officer Lu Yang is also pleading on our behalf," Yao Xi explained urgently, looking up at Xiao Fan, who quickly grasped the situation.
Another non-believer in the divine, Xiao Fan thought. The name Guo Xin rang a bell. He hurriedly looked up the name on his phone and was startled by what he found. This general had been the Protector-General of the Anxi Prefecture for decades, and it was his presence that had prevented the Tibetan and Uighur forces from completely overtaking the Anxi Basin for forty years.
Moreover, Guo Xin was related to the famous Tang Dynasty general Guo Ziyi, the nephew of the great general who quelled the An Lushan Rebellion!
No wonder he seemed so unyielding. Convincing him to not abandon Shule Town would be a challenge, Xiao Fan contemplated.
However, there was another pressing matter - freeing Yao Xi, as she was the only one who could communicate with Xiao Fan.
Having decided on his approach, Xiao Fan shared his plan with Yao Xi.
"Ah? Lord of Heaven, are you sure about this?" Yao Xi's face turned slightly red upon hearing Xiao Fan's plan.
"Hehe, no problem," Xiao Fan assured confidently.
Xiao Fan: (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ
Meanwhile, Protector-General Guo Xin of Anxi was admonishing Lu Yang. "Lu Yang, I had thought you to be a capable man, but I didn't expect you to believe in ghosts and deities. I don't know how this city was built, but the 'Lord of Heaven' you and the villagers speak of cannot possibly exist."
Before Guo Xin's words could finish, a sudden whirlwind swept through Shule Town. After the wind settled, a Saintess clad in red mist appeared, her figure set against the sunset next to the desert, reminiscent of a celestial maiden from legends.
This sight stunned the Tang Dynasty soldiers stationed in Shule Town. A Saintess truly existed!
Protector-General Guo Xin stood frozen, staring incredulously at the descending Saintess. Beside him, Lu Yang, after a moment of shock, realized that the Saintess was none other than Yao Xi.
It dawned on Lu Yang - the Lord of Heaven had returned!
"Saintess!" Lu Yang immediately knelt on one knee, speaking with respect.
Yao Xi, draped in red mist, gently landed on the ground. In reality, Xiao Fan was supporting Yao Xi with his hand. To convince Protector-General Guo Xin, the more fantastical the display, the better the chances of success. So, Xiao Fan orchestrated this celestial descent, using red ribbons from the supermarket as the mystical mist.
Yao Xi felt embarrassed as she descended from Xiao Fan's hand. The overwhelming attention, flying over everyone's heads and being revered by all, made Yao Xi, a young girl unaccustomed to the world, feel extremely shy.
The dramatic scene played out with remarkable effectiveness. The soldiers of the Anxi Army, who had accompanied Protector-General Guo Xin, now looked upon Yao Xi with veneration, believing that only a divine being like the Saintess could have manifested such a miracle.
Yet, Guo Xin remained unconvinced. Though initially shocked, his skepticism grew upon recognizing the descending figure as Yao Xi, whom he had previously met. The villagers' unwavering faith in her and their claims of a Lord of Heaven now seemed more like a convenient coincidence rather than divine intervention.
"Lord of Heaven has returned, Protector-General Guo Xin. Please reconsider. Do not abandon Shule Town. This city was built by the Lord of Heaven. With his protection, we can surely withstand the Tibetan invaders," Yao Xi spoke up, overcoming her shyness and addressing Guo Xin with firm conviction.
"Hmph, your Lord of Heaven has returned? Even if there really is a Lord of Heaven, I won't change my decision. Everyone must evacuate Shule Town by sunset today," Guo Xin replied dismissively.
"Why?" Yao Xi inquired, puzzled.
From outside the ecological box, Xiao Fan observed the scene with a slight frown. Protector-General Guo Xin, a renowned general of the Tang Dynasty, didn't seem like someone who would fear death or avoid responsibility.
Guo Xin, addressing Yao Xi, initially didn't deem it necessary to discuss state matters with a village woman. But, considering her connection to the so-called Lord of Heaven, he decided to explain his rationale.
"The reason for evacuation is simple: the current state of the Anxi Protectorate is indefensible!"
Xiao Fan's expression grew more serious as he contemplated Guo Xin's stark assessment of the situation.
Xiao Fan:ಠ_ಠ