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A Few Hours Earlier
The first wagon creaked and groaned as it approached the now-cleaned courtyard of the hunters' cabin. The sound of the wooden wheels against the ground was accompanied by the rhythmic creaking of the wagon, creating an almost melodic backdrop to the evening.
The remnants of the storm had been cleared away, with debris and fallen branches neatly stacked to the side. The air was fresh and crisp, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and pine, a proof of the recent rains. The courtyard, once chaotic with the aftermath of the storm, now appeared orderly and serene.
The sky was beginning to darken, with the sun having just set, casting long shadows across the clearing. The last light of day mingled with the encroaching night.
Xiao Lin and Xiao Han came barreling toward Master Jiang and Xiao Bai, who were tidying up the tools and equipment used for processing delicate timbers and other materials. Their work for the day had just concluded when the two boys arrived, shouting and talking over each other in their frantic excitement. Their voices formed a cacophony of urgency that neither Master Jiang, Xiao Bai, nor Escort Wu could decipher. They sounded like a pair of bumbling fools, each trying to outdo the other in volume and speed.
"Master Jiang! Master Jiang!" Xiao Lin shouted, his voice high-pitched with urgency. "We found—"
"There's a... there's a...!" Xiao Han interrupted, waving his arms wildly. "—a stranger!" He finished, his words overlapping with Xiao Lin's.
"A boy! No, not a boy!" Xiao Lin continued, his words tumbling over each other.
"A noble! A stranger!" Xiao Han added, tripping over his own explanation.
"We were—"
"—in the forest, and—"
"—he was just lying there!"
Master Jiang and Xiao Bai exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to make sense of the chaotic story. Escort Wu, nearby, furrowed his brow in confusion as well.
"Slow down, you two!" Xiao Bai snapped, irritation clear in her voice. "We can't understand a word you're saying when you both talk at once."
Despite the scolding, the boys continued their frantic recounting, their words tumbling over each other. Escort Wu, observing their animated gestures and fragmented sentences, managed to piece together the gist of their tale. He held up a hand to silence them.
"What they're trying to say," Wu Yunzhou began, his tone serious, "is that they found an unconscious stranger in the forest. The person appears to be a young man, possibly of noble birth, given the healer's assessment."
Master Jiang and Xiao Bai stared at Wu Yunzhou in astonishment. Master Jiang even clapped slowly in appreciation. "Well done, Escort Wu," he said, shaking his head in amazement. "You understood all that from their babbling?" He was clearly impressed. "Now, boys, repeat your tale, but one at a time."
Xiao Lin took a deep breath and started again, this time with Xiao Han interjecting at every sentence, creating a comedic but coherent recount of events. "I was in the forest, checking the traps, when I saw him lying on the ground. At first, I thought he was dead, but then I saw him breathing."
"You were taking a piss!" Xiao Han interjected. "Master Wu was the one who noticed him breathing!"
Xiao Lin glared at him, but Xiao Han already picked up the story without missing a beat. "He was dressed strangely, in clothes that didn't look like anything from around here. And he was carrying odd things, like a strange belt and some kind of shiny cloth."
"The resident healer on the boat said he might be of noble birth," Xiao Lin added. "And he's not a young boy, but a young man around Senior Brother Zhao Tao's age. Because of his short haircut and small stature, we thought he was still underage."
Their story continued in this back-and-forth fashion, almost like a comedic duo finishing each other's sentences. They described how the boatman healer had assessed the stranger, noting his delicate features and unusual belongings.
As the boys finished their tale, Master Jiang Liheng noticed the wagon entering the courtyard. Master Zhao and Escort Zhu were pulling it from the front, while Escort Hua pushed from the back, guiding the heavily laden wagon with harvested wood towards the cabin.
Just then, Master Zhao approached the group after setting down the wagon. He conveyed the urgency of the situation, instructing the three apprentices—Xiao Lin, Xiao Han, and Xiao Bai—to attend to the harvested materials on the wagon. "You three attend to the materials on the wagon," he instructed. "Unload it and store the wood properly. The second wagon, with Master Wu and the healer, is on its way with the patient."
The apprentices nodded, scurrying to their tasks. They began unloading the wagon, their youthful energy contrasting with the adults' methodical movements. The married couple, Escort Zhu and Escort Hua, assisted them, ensuring the work was done swiftly and efficiently.
Master Zhao then turned his attention to Master Jiang. "Master Wu and the healer are bringing the patient now. We need to prepare for their arrival. Physician Chu and Chief Helper Jing should be informed."
Both Master Jiang and Escort Wu Yunzhou nodded as they followed Master Zhao into the cabin's gathering hall. There, they found Chief Jing folding the workers' newly washed and dried clothes and Physician Chu reading a book leisurely in one corner.
"Chief Helper Jing, Physician Chu," Master Zhao called out, capturing their attention. "We have an unexpected patient arriving shortly. The second wagon is on its way, and we need to be prepared."
Chief Helper Jing set down the clothes and straightened up. "What's the circumstances, Master Zhao?" she asked, her tone professional and composed.
"An unconscious young man was found near the harvesting site," Master Zhao explained. "He's been already assessed by the healer, but we need to ensure he receives proper attention. Physician Chu, I need you to prepare the healer's room and have everything necessary for immediate care. Chief Jing can assist you."
Physician Chu nodded, his expression serious. "I'll get the room ready immediately," he said, rising from his seat. Chief Helper Jing followed him, her movements swift and efficient.
Cook Gu, who had been in the back kitchen, emerged upon hearing the commotion. "I'll prepare some nourishing soup for the patient," he said. "It'll be ready in case he wakes up."
Chief Helper Jing and Physician Chu immediately set to work, preparing the healer's room with fresh thick linens, medicinal herbs, and other necessary supplies. Cook Gu, while continuing to prepare dinner for the tired workers and escorts, added a nourishing soup for the incoming patient, in case he woke up needing sustenance.
Meanwhile, the workers continued their tasks, tidying up the materials and tools. After that, they performed a quick wash-up—cleaning their faces, hands, and feet. Full baths would come after dinner, once the day's work was completely done and they were ready to rest.
Dinner was an ample affair, with Cook Gu preparing a spread of dishes that almost filled the long table in the gathering hall. The menu included steamed buns, braised pork, stir-fried vegetables, and a rich, nourishing chicken soup intended for the patient. The aroma of the food wafted through the cabin, a comforting presence after a long day's work.
Just as the dinner table was being set, the second wagon arrived. Master Wu carefully carried the unconscious young man, draped in his large cloak, inside. The healer and Zhao Tao followed, with Zhao Tao carrying the stranger's unusual belongings.
Chief Helper Jing and Physician Chu stood ready at the entrance, their eyes widening at the sight of the patient. The patient's petite frame and delicate features struck Chief Helper Jing. 'He looks so young, almost similar height as Mistress Wu,' she thought.
Physician Chu, meanwhile, was struck by the contrast between the mysterious stranger's beggarly appearance and his almost pretty face. 'He looks like a pretty boy, a beggar nonetheless,' he mused silently.
Master Wu carried the unknown petite patient directly to the healer's quarters, with the boatman healer and Zhao Tao following closely behind. As Wu Chen placed the stranger on the bed, Chief Jing handed him a few thick covers, which he carefully draped over the unconscious patient to keep them warm.
Meanwhile, Zhao Tao carefully laid down the assortment of unusual items—a heavy rugbelt laden with various contents, a worn and faded cloth, a battered small rabbit pelt cape, and a peculiar light tube that emitted a faint rattling sound when shaken, hinting at something inside. His gaze was drawn irresistibly to the object that stood out among them—a helmet-like contraption unlike anything he had encountered in his life. Crafted from a hard, smooth material that felt both lightweight and incredibly durable, it diverged sharply from the familiar wood and bamboo materials typical of their surroundings.
The helmet's design intrigued Zhao Tao deeply. While its shape vaguely resembled the broad-brimmed hats worn by farmers for sun protection, its construction was markedly different, lacking the natural textures of straw or wood. Curiosity overtook caution as Zhao Tao couldn't resist trying it on, adjusting the strap under his chin and marveling at how securely it fastened. The rounded dome fit snugly over his head, with a subtly extended brim suggesting potential protection against falling debris.
In that moment, Zhao Tao discovered the helmet's most astonishing feature—a small, bright light affixed to its front. When he inadvertently pressed a mechanism within, the unexpected light nearly blinded Master Wu, who was observing nearby. The powerful beam illuminated the surroundings with such clarity and intensity that it left both Zhao Tao and Master Wu Chen mesmerized. Fortunately, the activation caused no harm, but it revealed a technology far beyond anything they had known.
Wu Chen, after being captivated by the light for a few moments, gave Zhao Tao a sidelong glare. Realizing his mistake, Zhao Tao immediately took off the light-bearing helmet and hastily placed it back among the strange, mysterious items brought by the unknown stranger. The device's advanced technology and unfamiliarity struck them both with a mix of awe and caution, underscoring the mystery of their new patient and the potential implications of his presence.
In the flickering firelight, Wu Chen and Zhao Tao shared a sense of responsibility toward the mysterious stranger. Wu Chen, feeling there was more to the stranger's story, emphasized the need for caution and vigilance. Zhao Tao agreed, affirming their commitment to protect the stranger until he could explain his situation.