Escape in the snowy night, sharing life and death
After a month-long trek, the exiles finally arrived in Ningguta. Here, the wind was biting cold, the snow was knee-deep, and the world was a vast expanse of white; even breathing carried a chilling cold. The exiles were placed in dilapidated wooden huts, heavily guarded by soldiers, and forced to perform arduous labor of felling timber and mining ore every day. Any slackening would result in being whipped.
Shen Qingci and Su Yunqing were assigned to the same wooden cabin, which was dark and damp, with only a pile of withered grass for shelter. Although Su Yunqing's health had improved, she was still weak and unable to withstand the heavy labor. Shen Qingci took on the tasks for both of them alone, setting out before dawn every day in the wind and snow, and returning late at night with her exhausted body covered in frostbite and cuts.
The old servant lived in the wooden hut next door. He would often sneak over dried herbs and saved rations when the guards weren't looking, helping them get through the hardest days. The three secretly discussed their plan and decided to take advantage of the recent blizzard that had closed the mountain passes and the guards' laxity to escape Ningguta overnight.
On the eve of their escape, the old servant handed Shen Qingci a sharpened stone axe and a simple map: "This stone axe can be used to clear a path and for self-defense. The map marks a path out of the mountains. Follow this path, and you'll reach Black Wind Pass in ten days. My old men will be there to meet you." He paused, a resolute glint in his eyes, "I'm old and can't go too far. Tonight I'll create chaos to distract the guards. You all take the opportunity to run, and remember, don't look back!"
Shen Qingci's heart tightened: "Senior, we'll go together! We can't leave you behind!"
“Silly child,” the old servant patted his shoulder, “it’s been worth it for my old bones to be able to give you a chance to live. You must get out of here alive, expose Li Linfu’s crimes to the public, and avenge me and countless others who have been wronged!”
In the dead of night, the blizzard continued to rage, the wind drowning out all sound. The old man quietly set fire to his wooden hut; flames shot skyward instantly, illuminating the night. The guards, seeing this, cried out in alarm and rushed towards the fire, creating chaos.
"Hurry!" Shen Qingci carried the weakened Su Yunqing on his back, gripped the stone axe tightly, and followed the marks left by the old servant. Under the cover of the wind and snow, they ran wildly into the depths of the mountains. The snow was knee-deep, making every step extremely difficult. Su Yunqing clung to his back, tightly hugging his neck, tears mingling with the snowmelt as they slid down, soaking his clothes.
"Brother Qingci, put me down, I can walk by myself," Su Yunqing said with heartache.
"Don't move, hold on tight to me!" Shen Qingci gasped for breath, but her steps didn't falter. "We must get out of here alive, we can't let Old Cang's sacrifice be in vain!"
Shouts and the sound of horses' hooves came from behind, clearly indicating that they had discovered someone had escaped and were giving chase. Shen Qingci dared not linger, carrying Su Yunqing on his back as they traversed the mountains and forests, their stone axe cleaving through the branches blocking their path, leaving clear marks.
Just then, several guards rode up on horseback, their bows and arrows pointed at them: "Stop! If you run again, we'll shoot!"
Shen Qingci suddenly shielded Su Yunqing behind him, raised his stone axe, and his eyes were as sharp as a wolf's: "If you want to kill us, you'll have to get past me first!"
At this critical moment, the sounds of fighting suddenly came from afar. It turned out that the old servant had not completely retreated, but had led several exiled prisoners who were also dissatisfied with Li Linfu to block the pursuers: "Supervisor Shen, hurry! I'll hold them off!"
The old servant, wielding a wooden stick, fought off the pursuers. Though advanced in years, he was still agile, his battlefield skills from his younger days remaining intact. However, the pursuers were numerous and armed with sharp weapons, and the old servant gradually became exhausted, sustaining multiple injuries that stained the snow with blood.
"Senior!" Shen Qingci's eyes were bloodshot as he tried to rush back to help, but Su Yunqing held him back tightly.
"Brother Qingci, we can't go back! Going back will only be a pointless death, betraying the kindness and efforts of our predecessors!" Su Yunqing cried. "We must get out of here alive and avenge our predecessors!"
Shen Qingci watched the old servant's bloodied figure fight, his heart aching as if cut by a knife. He knew Su Yunqing was right; he couldn't let the old servant's sacrifice be in vain. He gritted his teeth, took one last deep look in the old servant's direction, hoisted Su Yunqing onto his back, and turned to run wildly into the depths of the mountains.
The sounds of fighting behind them gradually faded into the distance, the wind and snow covering their footprints and the old man's shouts. Shen Qingci, carrying Su Yunqing on his back, struggled through the swirling snow, tears mingling with sweat, freezing on his face. He silently vowed: "Old man, rest assured, I will fulfill your last wish, bring down Li Linfu, and seek justice for all those who have been wronged!"
On a snowy night, a parting of life and death. Their escape has only just begun, and the road ahead is still full of unknowns and dangers. But as long as they stay together and their faith remains unbroken, they will surely survive this long darkness and usher in the dawn.
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