Wu Ming helped Wu Chen up from the scene. The little boy had nearly lost consciousness. Wu Ming carried him back home, laid him on a cot, and returned with a bowl of water and a towel. He cleaned the bloodstains from Wu Chen's hands and face, then soaked a cloth in water and placed it on Wu Chen's forehead to reduce his fever.
Leaving Wu Chen to rest, Wu Ming returned to the massacre site. After much struggle, he gently lifted his master, Wu Tian's body, and brought it back, placing it near the garden in the backyard. He returned again to retrieve Wu Ning's body. Once he'd gathered both bodies, he filled a large tub with water and carefully washed the blood from their wounds. Tears streamed down his face as he tore a sheet into bandages, wrapping their injuries as a final act of respect. Though they would soon be buried, he felt responsible for giving them dignity even in death.
As he wrapped each wound, he could see how brutally the weapons had pierced their bodies. He handled them delicately as though even a slight touch might cause them pain.
After preparing their bodies, Wu Ming dug graves in the backyard, intending to wait for Wu Chen to wake up before completing the funeral rites.
Inside his master's house, Wu Ming searched for and packed essential items for their journey. He organized a box, setting aside currency, a family portrait, a few of Wu Chen's clothes, and some medicinal herbs. In a smaller bag, he packed food supplies. He then went to the servant's quarters to gather his own belongings. After dressing in fresh clothes and taking a final look around his room, he stepped outside.
In the kitchen, Wu Ming boiled water in a pot, crushed some medicinal herbs, and brewed a concoction. After straining it, he brought it to Wu Chen. The boy lay sleeping peacefully, but Wu Ming's heart ached, knowing how devastated he would be when he woke up. Gently, he opened Wu Chen's mouth and eased the herbal mixture inside, feeling some relief as he noted Wu Chen's temperature gradually lowering.
He knew it was dangerous to stay in the house much longer; the tamers' group would likely return to search the area. Wu Tian and Wu Ning had managed to fend off the group, leaving a few tamers severely injured, but the threat still loomed.
Wu Ming's thoughts were interrupted by a low groan. Turning, he saw Wu Chen slowly opening his eyes.
"Xiao Chen, you're awake." Wu Ming sighed in relief.
Wu Chen tried to sit up, and the cloth on his forehead nearly fell off. Wu Ming set it aside and helped him straighten.
Rubbing his eyes, the little boy looked around. "Brother Ming, where's Mama?" he asked innocently.
Wu Ming pressed his lips together. Did he forget what happened earlier? He wondered.
Wu Chen tugged at his hand. "Brother Ming, Xiao Chen is hungry. Tell Mama to bring me food," he demanded.
Wu Ming was unsure how to respond. Taking a deep breath, he asked, "Wu Chen, do you remember what happened today?"
"Aya, Brother Ming. What are you talking about? I'm really tired, and I want to play. Once I eat, I'll have energy again, and I'll go find Papa and play with his beast!" Wu Chen said cheerfully.
Wu Ming couldn't interpret what was happening. Had he lost his memory, or was it a temporary shock?
Jumping down from the cot, Wu Chen said, "You're so lazy, Brother Ming! I'll go find Mama myself." Waving goodbye, he ran outside, calling for his mother. Wu Ming hurried after him.
"Mama! Mama! Where are you? I'm hungry, and I want to eat chicken!" he shouted, running to the kitchen. When he didn't find her there, his face fell with disappointment.
"Mama, where did she go?" he mumbled, then continued his search around the house, calling her name.
Wu Ming tried to stop him from running around, concerned for his health, but Wu Chen paid no attention until he reached the backyard.
"Ma—" His voice stopped abruptly as he saw his parents' bodies lying on the ground. He stood there, frozen. Slowly, he walked toward them, his memories flooding back as he remembered the horrible incident. His body started to tremble, and tears streamed down his cheeks. Mustering his courage, he took slow, shaky steps, then finally sat beside his mother, gently stroking her face before hugging her tightly, crying his heart out.
He looked at his father and overcome with emotion, hugged him just as fiercely. He kissed each of their foreheads, then rose to his feet, trembling, and faced Wu Ming.
"Mama, Papa—they're dead, right?" he asked, his eyes filled with tears.
Wu Ming opened his mouth to respond, but Wu Chen spoke again. "The testing abilities, the journey to meet ancestors—that's just a lie. They're dead, and they're not coming back." With that, he turned away, then paused, returning to his parents. Gently lifting his mother's head, he placed her golden hairpin back into her hair. He moved to his father, taking his father's cherished pendant and placing it into his hand.
After a moment, Wu Chen glanced toward the newly dug graves, then looked at Wu Ming. "Brother Ming," he called softly.
Wu Ming approached the bodies. He was about to lift Wu Tian when Wu Chen stepped forward to help. Together, they carried the bodies to their graves. After burying them, they burned incense and plucked flowers from the garden, placing them on the graves. Wu Chen went inside, brought a bowl of fruit, and placed it near the graves as an offering.
They paid their respects in silence, but their moment was interrupted by the distant sounds of beasts and human voices shouting. Startled, they exchanged a worried glance. Wu Ming hurried to the door, hiding behind it as he listened.
"Search every house! Bring anything valuable left behind. And check the village head's house. There might be something related to the Dragon-Deity hidden there."
Wu Ming felt a surge of panic. He quickly ran back to Wu Chen, explaining that they had to leave immediately—the tamers were back. Though Wu Chen was determined to fight, he realized he wasn't yet capable of protecting anyone.
They gathered their bags and slipped out through a hidden exit leading to a cave opening. As they left, the soldiers entered the house, rifling through it in search of valuables. After a brief search, they moved to the garden. Glancing around, one of them noticed the fresh incense smell lingering in the air. He called out to the others, pointing toward the newly dug graves.
"Call the boss," the soldier shouted.