"Yan, you're slacking off again today!" A-Lian walked over with a playful glint in her eyes, carrying a bamboo basket.
Li Yan lay lazily on a haystack, half-squinting at the sky above.
Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled light on his face, making it flicker between light and shadow.
He appeared relaxed and carefree, but inside, countless complex thoughts churned.
This was his third month in Fengmen Village.
Although the village was peaceful and isolated from the troubles of the outside world, and the days passed at a leisurely pace, he often felt as if he were living in a dream.
Since traveling to this era, Li Yan had been trying to find connections to his modern knowledge. This Qin Dynasty mostly matched his historical memory, but certain details unsettled him.
"I'm not slacking," Li Yan chuckled, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I'm just… contemplating."
"Contemplating?" A-Lian covered her mouth, laughing lightly. "Brother Yan, you're always staring at the sky. What exactly are you thinking about?"
Li Yan didn't elaborate, only offering a gentle smile as he glanced at the distant Mister Chu.
Mister Chu was the most respected figure in the village, a learned man with insight into worldly matters despite living in seclusion.
Li Yan often spoke with him, hoping to learn more about this era.
Through these conversations, Li Yan gradually pieced together the full picture of this time. Yet, certain details puzzled him even more.
One day, he noticed the villagers used a peculiar method of farming.
They burned dried wild grass to fertilize the fields, a surprisingly advanced technique that left Li Yan baffled.
Curious, he decided to ask Mister Chu about it.
"Mister Chu, why do the villagers burn the fields for fertilization?" Li Yan asked.
Mister Chu smiled slightly, stroking his beard. "This method was taught to us by an immortal alchemist who passed by here years ago. He instructed the villagers on using fire to fertilize the soil and even built a waterwheel to help irrigate the fields. He claimed to be a disciple of Guiguzi and was on his way to meet the King of Qin, to divine the fate of the world."
Li Yan felt a jolt, his mind immediately connecting this to the legends of immortality and mysterious figures from his own history.
He knew that Qin Shi Huang had pursued immortality obsessively, and historical figures like the alchemists and Guiguzi were linked to these pursuits.
Now, hearing this from Mister Chu, he realized this world was far more complex than he had imagined.
"Mister Chu," Li Yan ventured, "I've heard that Qin Shi Huang has been seeking immortality. Have you heard anything about this?"
"Immortality?" Mister Chu gently stroked his beard, his expression thoughtful. "Indeed. The First Emperor yearns for immortality. In recent years, he established the 'Way of the Infinite,' a division dedicated to pursuing eternal life."
Li Yan's heart skipped a beat. "The Way of the Infinite?"
Mister Chu nodded slowly. "This 'Way of the Infinite' is extremely mysterious. Not only do they concoct elixirs for the emperor, but it's also rumored that they can defy heaven's will and control natural phenomena. It is said they can summon thunder, intimidating all under heaven. Even the First Emperor places deep faith in them."
Li Yan feigned indifference, though inside, he was shaken to his core.
Controlling the heavens? This went far beyond anything he knew from history.
He knew Qin Shi Huang sought immortality, but there was no record of this "Way of the Infinite."
"Control the heavens?" Li Yan asked curiously, "Aren't the heavens governed by nature? How can they be controlled by humans?"
Mister Chu chuckled, his tone serene. "Everything in the world has its order, yet people often believe they can control it all. Men like the First Emperor, holding dominion over all, are especially susceptible to their own desires and fears."
Li Yan nodded, deep in thought. What exactly was this "Way of the Infinite"? What secrets lay behind it?
"Mister Chu, why is the First Emperor so obsessed with immortality?" Li Yan continued, probing. "He's a ruler who unified the six states; why is he so fixated on these unattainable legends?"
Mister Chu sighed, his gaze distant. "A great ruler he may be, but he too feels fear and unease. The more power one has, the deeper the anxiety. He fears that once he ages, his empire will slip away. And so, he desperately seeks eternal life, wishing to share in heaven and earth's immortality."
Saying this, Mister Chu seemed lost in thought, his voice tinged with melancholy. "Many years ago, when the alchemist visited Fengmen Village, his words and actions left a lasting impression.
He claimed to be a disciple of Guiguzi, able to divine the world's fate. He told me then that Qin would unify the land, and the six states would fall, which is why we chose to settle here."
Li Yan's heart pounded. "Did the alchemist's predictions really come true?"
Mister Chu nodded slowly, a complicated expression on his face. "Not only was he skilled in divination, but he was also versed in medicine and wrote a book called the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine. His knowledge of astronomy was astounding, and I couldn't help but believe him.
I don't know if he ever met the King of Qin, but it wouldn't be impossible for him to be connected to the Way of the Infinite."
Li Yan was shaken, overwhelmed by concepts that defied his understanding—an immortal alchemist, a disciple of Guiguzi, foretelling the fate of the world.
Such a person could divine the course of history, possessed medical knowledge, and mastered astronomy.
In the past, he would have dismissed divination and mysticism, firmly grounded in the logic of modern science.
But after experiencing this ancient world firsthand and witnessing the surreal distortion of time, his beliefs began to waver.
Where he once believed in a world governed by certainty, he now faced a world steeped in uncertainty, where myths and legends held an undeniable presence.
Li Yan found himself spiraling into a vortex of complex thoughts.
It wasn't merely the shock of arriving in an unfamiliar time but the collapse of his entire worldview, which struck at his very core.
He had never imagined a fate like this. The impossibility of time travel, the awe of ancient wisdom—everything defied his grasp of reality.
"Mister Chu," Li Yan asked carefully, "I once heard of a bronze mirror inscribed with 'Eternal Life, Unity with Heaven and Earth, Time Reversed.' Have you heard of it?"
Mister Chu fell silent for a moment before finally replying, "Are you speaking of the 'Bone-Reflecting Mirror of the King of Qin'?"
Li Yan felt his heart race, struggling to contain his excitement. "The Bone-Reflecting Mirror of the King of Qin?"
Mister Chu nodded. "Legend says that this mirror was crafted by Guiguzi himself. It could see through a person's bones and even glimpse their soul.
Later, an alchemist presented it to the King of Qin, and from then on, the First Emperor became even more engrossed in his pursuit of immortality. It's said the mirror holds unimaginable power, but whether it truly exists is unknown to this day."
Li Yan maintained a calm façade, though inside, his mind was reeling.
He couldn't be sure if the mirror that had caused him to travel back in time was indeed this "Bone-Reflecting Mirror."
The Way of the Infinite, Qin Shi Huang, Guiguzi—these clues were slowly forming a vast web, and he knew that finding the mirror could be the key to returning to the modern world.
"Mister Chu, if this mirror can control fate, wouldn't it hold the power over life and death?" Li Yan asked, feigning curiosity.
Mister Chu sighed, "All things have their order. The desire for immortality, the attempt to control destiny—it's all but foolishness. Even with the mirror, the First Emperor is still mortal and cannot truly command heaven and earth."
Li Yan nodded, but his resolve grew stronger.
If he wanted to return to his own time, he had to find the mirror.
But with the First Emperor in possession of it, how could he even approach him?
Just then, hurried footsteps interrupted his thoughts.
He turned to see a tall, muscular young man running toward them, kicking up dust. The young man called out cheerfully, "A-Lian! Brother Yan!" his voice brimming with energy.
This young man was named Chu Jingfei, around seventeen or eighteen years old, naturally robust, with a dark complexion and piercing eyes. He was Mister Chu's grandson, orphaned from a young age and taken in by his grandfather. Straightforward and genuine, he was also incredibly skilled in martial arts.
When Li Yan first met Chu Jingfei, the image of Xiang Yu, the legendary hero with the strength to lift mountains, immediately came to mind. Li Yan felt that if given a great cauldron, Jingfei might really lift it.
Chu Jingfei's strong physique, with his muscular frame, contrasted sharply with his simple, good-natured character, which made him easy to like.
He quickly warmed up to Li Yan, this stranger from another time, and began calling him "Brother Yan" while holding a certain admiration for Li Yan's calm and composure.
Li Yan, understanding that his experience and maturity far exceeded that of this era, accepted Jingfei's regard.
Jingfei's admiration came from Li Yan's maturity, which Jingfei saw as the steadiness of an elder brother.
Li Yan stood up from the haystack, looking at Jingfei with a helpless smile. The rough and pure-hearted youth never failed to bring warmth to him. Jingfei held up two hunted animals with pride, his eyes gleaming like a child showing off a prize.
"Jingfei, what did you catch today?" Li Yan asked playfully.
Jingfei walked over proudly, holding up his catch. "A fat pheasant and a big rabbit! Tonight, we'll have a pot of meat soup!" he boomed with satisfaction.
A-Lian chuckled, covering her mouth, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons. "You're always thinking about food! Can you even finish it all? You always bring back more than enough."
Jingfei scratched his head with a goofy smile, "We can finish it! If not, we'll save it for tomorrow. Nothing goes to waste!" His response was simple and honest, a reflection of his pure nature.
Watching them banter, Li Yan felt a warm sense of belonging.
Though he was in ancient Qin, Fengmen Village life was filled with simple, genuine happiness.
Despite Jingfei's rugged appearance, he had a pure, innocent heart. His openness and sincerity endeared him to Li Yan.
Just then, a steady voice called out from a distance, "Jingfei, A-Lian, are you slacking off again?" The voice held the authority of an elder.
Li Yan turned to see Mister Chu approaching with a bamboo cane in hand. His steps were light, his face bearing a faint smile.
Despite his advanced age, he remained vigorous, his bearing dignified.
In his time in the village, Li Yan had often observed Mister Chu, sensing an extraordinary strength in the elder's martial skills.
Whenever Mister Chu moved, he did so with fluidity and strength, especially when training A-Lian and Jingfei. His skill astounded Li Yan.
Li Yan had initially thought martial arts were merely legends, but seeing Mister Chu in action challenged this notion.
Mister Chu's every move seemed filled with wisdom and technique. One day, Li Yan watched Mister Chu move as fluid as a snake, swift as lightning, cornering Jingfei in an instant. Li Yan couldn't help but feel admiration.
Remembering this, Li Yan looked at Jingfei with a teasing smile. "Jingfei, tonight's meat soup is a reward, but tomorrow, you'd better train hard, or A-Lian might outmatch you!"
Jingfei, egged on, immediately retorted, "Brother Yan, just watch! My strength wasn't built on empty rice bowls!"
A-Lian laughed and teased, "Whoever gains strength from empty rice bowls? Jingfei, you'd better keep practicing."
The cheerful atmosphere made the village evening feel even more peaceful and warm.
Though Li Yan was a stranger in this world, he had gradually found his place in this time.
That day, by the millstone at the village entrance, Li Yan rolled up his sleeves, ready to conduct his latest "experiment"—brewing wine. He had learned basic winemaking techniques in the modern world and now decided to put his knowledge to use, hoping to further integrate into village life.
Beside him, Jingfei sat cross-legged on a rock, watching Li Yan with a teasing grin. "Brother Yan, can this really work? I've never seen anyone make wine like that!"
Unbothered, Li Yan smiled. "You'll see soon enough. Don't worry." His movements were calm and methodical, showing his confidence in the process.
"Just don't make everyone sick!" A-Lian teased playfully, holding stones she had gathered by the stream to reinforce the stove. Hearing about Li Yan's "out-of-this-world" winemaking methods, she couldn't resist coming over to watch.
"A-Lian, Jingfei, just wait and see. This will be our village's new wine!" Li Yan said as he arranged the ingredients, mentally calculating the timing and anticipating the taste of his creation.
The villagers gathered around, murmuring curiously about Li Yan's "strange actions," especially the elder villagers who had never seen such a method before.
Mister Chu watched quietly from under a tree, a thoughtful expression on his face.
A few days later, the wine was finally ready.
Li Yan brought a jug of wine to the village entrance, setting it on the stone table. He smiled and announced, "Come, everyone, have a taste! I'm calling this 'Wu Liang Ye'!"
Jingfei sniffed the jug, chuckling. "The name is grand!" He poured a bowl and downed it in one gulp, his face changing as he swallowed before bursting into laughter. "This wine tastes like fire!"
A-Lian took a small sip, her eyes widening. "This wine… it's so strong!"
The villagers all took a taste, praising it despite its unfamiliar strength. Though they'd never experienced such strong alcohol, Li Yan's skill brought a relaxed atmosphere to the village.
Mister Chu finally rose and approached.
He took a sip, nodded approvingly, and said, "Li Yan, your winemaking skills are indeed unique."
Li Yan relaxed at the elder's praise, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Mister Chu."
Mister Chu looked at him thoughtfully, as though seeing him in a new light. "This skill of yours hints that you may have more talents yet unseen."
Li Yan paused, sensing a deeper meaning in the elder's words.
Though Mister Chu didn't say it outright, Li Yan knew this was a form of acknowledgment.
Jingfei chimed in, "Mister Chu, Brother Yan could make flowers out of his wine if he tried! You should take him on as a disciple and teach him real skills!"
"To be honest, I'd be honored if Mister Chu would accept me," Li Yan said earnestly.
Mister Chu nodded, turning to Li Yan with a solemn look. "Though Jingfei's words were said in jest, Li Yan, I can see you're talented. Consider this wine your offering, and if you're willing, I shall take you as my disciple and teach you some martial skills."
Li Yan's heart raced. Although he was from the modern world, he realized that in this era, knowledge alone wouldn't get him far.
Skills, strategy, and wisdom would all be necessary.
He knelt before Mister Chu, bowing respectfully. "Thank you, sir. I am honored to be your disciple."
Mister Chu nodded with a knowing look, then turned away. "Morning lessons begin tomorrow. Don't be late."
Li Yan stood there, feeling both nervous and excited.
He looked at Jingfei and A-Lian, who smiled back at him, sharing in his happiness.
As night fell, stars filled the sky above Fengmen Village. Li Yan understood that from this day forward, his destiny had quietly changed."