Li Chen's consciousness was utterly submerged in a torrent of light. He could only remember the searing brilliance, a blinding radiance that consumed him with an irresistible force. The tolling of bells roared in his ears, each resonant chime striking deep into his soul. His body seemed to be disassembled into countless fragments, shredded and reassembled within the raging current. The sensation of weightlessness left him plummeting into an abyss, as if the relentless tides of time were flinging him toward an unknowable, distant shore.He couldn't breathe. He couldn't struggle. Like a lone, drifting leaf, he was swept into the vortex of time, powerless to control his direction or foresee where it might lead. Each passing second stretched into an eternity, his awareness slowly unraveling as the world around him dissolved into a blur of light and shadow. He had no time for fear, left only with chaotic sensations and an overwhelming loss of control.Then, abruptly, a massive force pulled away from him, as if the torrent of time itself had grown disinterested. He felt like a kite with its string cut, plummeting violently toward an unknown ground.Thud!The dull impact of his body hitting the ground reverberated through him. The damp, cold earth seeped through the thin fabric of his clothes, sharp and unmistakable against his skin. He lay sprawled on the ground, his face pressed against the soft soil. The pungent scent of earth filled his nose, mingling with faint traces of charred wood and the smoky tang of burning grass.He tried to push himself up, but his limbs were leaden, throbbing with a heavy, aching fatigue. Every movement sparked protests from his battered body.Gradually, the buzzing in his ears began to fade, and the indistinct sounds around him grew clearer—human voices, the braying of livestock, the cries of merchants hawking their wares, and the rumble of wooden cartwheels. Together, these noises formed a cacophony of unfamiliar clamor, a bustling tapestry of life that reminded him of a grand marketplace.Li Chen forced himself to lift his head, willing his stinging eyes to open. The scene before him was one he could hardly believe.Before Li Chen stretched a narrow cobblestone road, the surface uneven and worn, with moss sprouting in the cracks—evidence of long exposure to rain and weathering. Sunlight spilled from the sky, scattering dappled patterns across the stones, while pools of water reflected a faint, silvery sheen, as if fragments of silver were embedded in the crevices.The buildings lining the street exuded an air of antiquity. Wooden houses stood with sweeping eaves curling upward, their gray-tiled roofs lightly coated with moss. The walls, weathered and mottled, bore the scars of wind and rain, each brick and stone seeming to whisper stories of time's passage. Half-faded red curtains hung from the lattice windows, swaying gently in the breeze. Under the eaves, yellowed lanterns emitted a dim glow, their edges frayed from years of use.The air was thick with moisture, carrying a symphony of scents: the earthy dampness of soil, the charred aroma of burning coal, and a faint blend of spices—cinnamon, star anise, and herbs—that teased his senses and left him momentarily dazed.The street bustled with life. People in flowing robes moved to and fro, their presence vivid against the ancient backdrop. Women walked with their hair elegantly pinned into high buns, adorned with jade or wooden hairpins, their steps light and graceful. Farmers carrying heavy yokes strode steadily, the wooden poles creaking under their loads, their robes bearing traces of mud that resisted the most diligent washing.The cacophony of street vendors' cries rose and fell, weaving an energetic marketplace symphony:"Candied hawthorn sticks! Three wen per skewer—sweet, not sour!"
"Freshly ground tofu pudding—add chili for extra flavor, aromatic and savory!"
"Hot lamb skewers! Three for one wen, grilled over charcoal, smoky and fragrant!"
The smoky scent of charcoal mixed with the mouthwatering aroma of roasted lamb. The fire crackled as grease dripped onto the flames, bursting into bright sparks. The vendor wielded a palm-leaf fan, furiously stoking the fire, sweat streaming down his face. Yet he shouted tirelessly to passersby, unwilling to miss even a single customer.Li Chen's breathing grew rapid and uneven. His gaze swept over the cobblestone road, the ancient buildings, and the plainly dressed passersby. Every detail felt vividly real yet utterly alien. His chest tightened as if a massive stone were pressing down on him, robbing him of air.He looked down at himself: a crumpled T-shirt, jeans, and a pair of mud-streaked sneakers—utterly out of place in this world brimming with antiquity."Where... is this?" he murmured, his voice barely audible, tinged with unease and confusion.Instinctively, he touched his wrist, finding solace in the cold metallic surface of his digital watch. Yet, as he lifted it to check the time, his heart sank. The hands were erratically jumping, the digital numbers flashing wildly as if corrupted by some unseen force."This... this can't be happening..." he whispered, his face draining of color. He tried to take a deep breath, but the humid air mixed with the smoky aroma of burning coal only made his chest tighter. His throat was so dry that he could barely make a sound.Backing away instinctively, his foot slipped on the moss-covered cobblestone, nearly sending him sprawling. He caught himself on a wooden post, his palm brushing against its weathered surface. The deep grooves and scars in the wood seemed to tell stories of decades, even centuries, gone by.Not far away, an elderly woman in rough, homespun clothing was polishing a carved teapot at a pottery stall. She lifted her head, her eyes falling on Li Chen. Her gaze traveled from his face to his clothes, then to his sneakers, and her expression shifted to one of clear confusion and guarded suspicion."Young man, where are you from? Dressed like that?" Her raspy voice was laden with doubt.Li Chen froze, momentarily at a loss for words. He opened his mouth but realized he had no idea how to explain himself. Instead, he shook his head, trying to mask his inner turmoil."Strange... not a Hu barbarian, but not one of our locals either..." the woman muttered to herself, her tone laced with unease.A nearby vendor seemed to overhear her words. A tall, burly man rose from his seat, his sharp gaze locking onto Li Chen. "Outsider, huh? That outfit... doesn't look like someone trustworthy.""A spy! He must be a spy!" another vendor, the one selling lamb skewers, shouted, abandoning his fan to join the growing commotion.The attention of the crowd turned to Li Chen, and a wave of murmurs swept through the marketplace. Some people frowned; others pointed at him, their expressions shifting to suspicion and hostility."Wait, I'm not—" Li Chen began, raising his hands in a futile attempt to explain. But his voice was quickly drowned out by the rising clamor."Catch him! Take him to the authorities!"Panic seized him. The chill of fear crept up his spine as his feet instinctively stepped back. The crowd pressed closer, their distrust thick in the air, the tension palpable. His throat felt as though it were filled with sand, and sweat trickled down his temples, soaking into his collar. He could feel the weight of their stares, their voices a suffocating roar in his ears.His pulse raced. Every instinct screamed at him to run.In the very next second, Li Chen's body acted on instinct—he turned and bolted.The slick cobblestones beneath his feet, coated with moss, made every step treacherous. His sneakers screeched against the uneven surface, the sound sharp and grating, accompanied by the thunder of pursuing footsteps behind him. Angry shouts of "Stop!" and "Catch him!" rang in his ears, each cry igniting a fresh surge of panic. His heart pounded wildly, its rhythm a relentless drumbeat that threatened to drown out every other sound.He darted into a narrow alley, where creeping vines hung from the walls, their cold, damp tendrils brushing against his arms as he passed. His steps faltered on the uneven ground, but he had no time to slow down, let alone stop. His breath came in ragged gasps, and sweat blurred his vision, stinging his eyes. He didn't dare look back, knowing that the mere act of glancing over his shoulder could mean losing precious seconds.The shouting and pounding footsteps grew louder, like a rising flood crashing closer and closer. The invisible weight of their pursuit bore down on him, making every stride feel heavier, as though the air itself resisted his movement. His lungs burned, his legs ached, but fear was a merciless fuel, propelling him forward despite his body's desperate protests.Ahead, a wooden cart blocked the narrow road, piled high with freshly chopped firewood. Li Chen tried with all his might to stop, but his momentum nearly sent him crashing into the cart. Gasping for air, he stumbled to the side, narrowly avoiding a collision. The sudden movement sent buckets and logs tumbling to the ground, landing with a series of loud thuds.The driver of the cart frowned at him, shouting, "What's the rush? Watch where you're going!" But before the man could ask further, the pursuers burst into view, their angry cries echoing through the alley."Don't let him escape!" The shouts grew louder, the crowd pressing closer, their presence heavy and suffocating.Li Chen's mind was a blank slate of panic. Gritting his teeth, he scrambled around the cart and darted into another, even narrower alley. The high, earthen walls on either side loomed over him, draped with withered vines and moldy straw mats. The air grew thicker, more oppressive, clinging to his skin like a damp shroud.At the far end of the alley, a half-open wooden door came into view. His heart clenched at the sight, a flicker of hope igniting in the chaos. Summoning every ounce of energy he had left, he pushed himself forward, his legs burning, his breath ragged. The sound of his pursuers was like a storm at his back, but he focused solely on the door, willing himself to reach it before they caught up.Li Chen leaned heavily against the wooden door, his chest heaving as the world around him narrowed to the sound of his own racing heartbeat. His hands pressed against the door as though clinging to his last barrier of safety. Sweat streamed down his temples, soaking the collar of his shirt. He tried to steady his breathing, but each inhalation felt like swallowing a block of cold iron—heavy and unyielding.The street behind him slowly quieted, the echoing footsteps and angry shouts fading into the night. Only faint murmurs and occasional whispers remained, like lingering echoes of the chase. The memory of the near capture pressed on him like a phantom weight, its tension refusing to let go.Li Chen peeled his hands off the door, his palms slick with cold sweat. He glanced down at his trembling fingers, their pale hue betraying how tightly he had been gripping the wood. Forcing himself to focus, he lifted his head and looked around, desperate to make sense of his surroundings.Dim light flickered unevenly, casting unsteady shadows over the room. He found himself in a small, weathered courtyard that bore the marks of age and neglect. The ground beneath him was made of uneven cobblestones, moss sprouting thickly in the cracks. The walls were damp and cracked, covered in a web of dried vines and the decay of time. In one corner, a paper lantern hung, its yellowed light swaying gently and casting faint, distorted silhouettes on the walls—silent and watchful.The air carried a mix of scents: the musty aroma of rotting wood, faint herbal notes, and the damp, earthy smell of wet soil. As Li Chen stood there, an unsettling chill crawled down his spine, as though unseen eyes were boring into him. The sensation was sharp and piercing, like an invisible blade pressing into his back.He froze. His throat felt constricted, as though a heavy weight were lodged there. Even breathing became a deliberate effort. Slowly, he turned his head, his gaze falling to the center of the room.A figure stood there.The man was almost indistinguishable from the surrounding darkness, his long black robe shifting gently with the faint breeze, its hem brushing silently against the ground. He seemed an extension of the shadows themselves, his form exuding an intangible and eerie presence. The flickering light from the lantern outlined his features—sharp, austere. Li Chen could just make out a high nose bridge and tightly pressed lips, but it was the man's eyes that struck him. They were deep and impenetrable, like twin lakes reflecting a starless night sky. Cold and calculating, yet imbued with a strange, sorrowful compassion, as though he could see through every corner of Li Chen's soul."Li Chen." The voice was low and steady, each syllable imbued with an undeniable authority, clear as thunder in the quiet.Li Chen's pupils contracted, and he instinctively pressed back against the door, the impact producing a dull thud. His fingers gripped the doorframe tightly, the knuckles white with tension. His breath came in quick, shallow gasps, his voice trembling as he stammered, "How... how do you know my name?"The man didn't answer immediately. Instead, he took a slow, deliberate step forward. The hem of his robe glided across the floor, emitting a faint, low rustle. His movements were measured, each one imbued with an air of control, as though he held dominion over the very space they occupied."I know more than just your name," he said, his tone unyielding, carrying a weight of absolute certainty. "I know why you are here."Li Chen's breath caught in his throat. His gaze lingered on the man's face for a brief moment before darting away. The oppressive aura radiating from the figure was suffocating, an invisible net tightening around him. His thoughts swirled in a chaotic storm of questions and fear. Summoning what little composure he had left, he croaked out, "Who... who are you? What is this place?"The black-robed man did not answer right away. Instead, he turned slowly, his steps purposeful as he moved toward the center of the courtyard. Every motion carried a graceful precision, as if he were performing an ancient, sacred ritual. He crouched down, his wide sleeves brushing the moss-covered stones. Then, with a deliberate hand, he began tracing patterns on the cobblestones.The flickering lantern light danced over his movements, illuminating the lines he etched. Each stroke was methodical and fluid, imbued with a rhythmic elegance, as though he were creating a masterpiece beyond the comprehension of time itself.Li Chen's gaze was drawn irresistibly to the symbols on the ground. They were intricate and ancient, resembling a language he had never seen before. Each stroke seemed imbued with a rhythm he couldn't name, a mysterious order that both mesmerized and unsettled him. A growing unease churned in his chest."What... what are these?" he couldn't help but ask, his voice trembling with fear.The man in black did not immediately respond. His fingers paused over the final symbol before he slowly stood, brushing the dust from his long robe. His eyes, deep and enigmatic, settled back on Li Chen, carrying an expression tinged with faint pity. "They are the marks of time.""The marks of time?" Li Chen repeated hoarsely, sweat forming on his brow. He shook his head in frustration, the cryptic words twisting through his already fraying nerves. "What does that even mean? What do these symbols have to do with me?"The man's gaze sharpened, as though piercing through the surface of Li Chen's confusion to something far deeper. He raised his chin slightly, his voice steady and authoritative. "For you, time is no longer a straight line. It is a torrent—one that will hurl you to places you cannot foresee. But in the end, you will return to where you began."A buzz filled Li Chen's head, the images from the past hour colliding and tumbling over one another in chaotic waves. His breathing grew labored, his eyes darting between Fang Ji and the symbols on the ground, desperate for a logical explanation. "Who are you? How do you know all this?"Fang Ji lowered his gaze, seemingly indifferent to the urgency in Li Chen's voice. He adjusted the crooked lantern hanging nearby, his movements unhurried, almost serene. "I am Fang Ji. We know each other—but not the version of you standing here.""Know each other?" Li Chen froze, his mind blank. His breathing quickened, beads of cold sweat forming on his temple. He searched Fang Ji's calm, unreadable expression for any crack, any hint of emotion, but found none. "That's impossible... I've never seen you before!"Fang Ji lifted his eyes slightly, their depths unfathomable. His voice, though low, carried a resonance that seemed to anchor the room. "You've jumped. This is your first.""Jumped?" The word hit Li Chen like a blow, his heart clenching tightly. His throat dry, he stammered, his voice betraying his fear. "What jump? What are you talking about?"Fang Ji turned, his gaze drifting toward the window. Standing on the edge of light and shadow, his black robe swayed gently, as though in rhythm with the night itself. "Time, for you, has changed. You will face its torrent, cast into every unknown corner it reaches. And I—" He turned back, fixing Li Chen with an unwavering stare, "exist at every node."The lantern's flickering light illuminated Fang Ji's face, serene yet laced with an inscrutable gravity. He took a single step forward, his gaze locking onto Li Chen's, his voice dropping to a near whisper, audible only to the two of them. "I am the only one you can find—and the only one who can reveal the truth."The air thickened, the faint light from the lantern throwing their shadows long and intertwined across the weathered walls. The overlapping silhouettes seemed almost symbolic, as though an invisible thread had already bound their fates together. Whether or not Li Chen understood it, there was no escape.The cracks in the walls appeared deeper in the dim light, resembling silent mouths speaking of the passage of time. The lantern swayed more violently, its shifting glow like restless flames devouring the fragile quiet of the space. Li Chen's eyes wandered to the shadows on the wall, their convergence gnawed at his nerves. It was as if his meeting with Fang Ji wasn't coincidence, but part of a deeper, inexorable connection.Fang Ji stood motionless, his robe shifting faintly in the breeze. He made no effort to break the silence, only turning calmly toward the courtyard's gate and beginning to walk. His steps were light but deliberate, each one imbued with a composure that seemed to exist outside the bounds of time, as though he already knew what would follow."If you want answers," Fang Ji said, his voice low but resolute, "follow me."Li Chen stood rooted to the spot, his gaze locked on Fang Ji's retreating figure. His thoughts churned like storm-tossed waves, fragmented and chaotic. He didn't know whether to trust this man or flee. But Fang Ji knew his name, knew about the inexplicable events unfolding around him—and spoke of "jumps" Li Chen couldn't even begin to comprehend.After a brief hesitation, his feet moved forward almost of their own accord. Fang Ji's figure seemed weightless, dissolving into the ink-black night beyond the gate, a darkness so thick it pressed against Li Chen's chest.Taking a deep breath, Li Chen forced himself to follow. His sneakers scuffed against the cobblestones, their faint noise mingling with Fang Ji's steps in an uncanny rhythm that stood out starkly in the silence.As he crossed the threshold of the courtyard, Li Chen glanced back. The swaying lantern, the crumbling walls, and the mysterious symbols etched into the ground all appeared like remnants of a dream, slowly being devoured by the encroaching darkness. He swallowed hard, turning his gaze back to Fang Ji, his voice trembling slightly as he asked, "Where are you taking me?"Fang Ji didn't look back. His voice floated over the still air, calm and unassailable. "To find the answers you need."The night wind brushed against Li Chen's face, carrying with it the earthy scent of soil and grass. His thoughts remained a tangled web of confusion, but his feet seemed driven by an invisible force, compelled to follow the man who appeared to hold all the answers. Step by step, he descended further into the profound darkness.