I never expected that the phrase "a life full of hardships" would befall me first.
Along the way, I wrapped myself up in layers of clothing, including a straw hat and a wide robe. The weather was very cold, and this attire concealed my true nature perfectly. I learned a lot from him: how to ride horses, how to hide, a little bit of cunning, and how to protect myself temporarily.
Fuchi sent men to chase after me, but I hid very well and managed to slip away right under their noses each time. But the worry in my heart grew deeper and deeper.
If the troops in Jimo were not at a disadvantage, how could they have allowed the Fuqi people to take advantage of the situation time and time again and move north?
The most dangerous time was when I was chased to Wolongkou in the east, which is almost at the sea.
I fled all the way to the cliff, and just as my mount lunged at me, I tumbled into the waist-high weeds and escaped death, but my horse perished as a result.
I had thought I could use the money I had to buy another horse to continue the journey, but even that was wishful thinking.
As it all happened, I was atop the Nine-Story Stacked Pearl Pagoda at Wolongkou, gazing into the distance, hoping to find my way back from the maze of lost paths. Beside me stood a wealthy family; a graceful woman sat on the veranda, cradling her daughter, who appeared to be six or seven years old, while servants behind her chattered incessantly about the legends of Wolongkou.
The east is the place where the Azure Dragon dwells. Wolongkou is the easternmost place, located on the coast of Canglang, and to the east lies the sea.
Legend has it that in ancient times, on this very sea, immortals from Penglai floated in, some graceful and alluring, others noble and dignified. Celestial music resounded throughout the vast ocean, and a blue dragon rose up, its radiant body obscuring the sun. Mortals prostrated themselves on the ground, worshipping with utmost devotion. At that moment, suddenly a person leaped up from the crowd, their light even surpassing that of the sun-covering blue dragon.
That person became an immortal and, along with the people of Penglai, flew east across the sea to the Ninth Heaven.
From then on, this place where the Azure Dragon lay dormant became known as Wolongkou, and for thousands of years it has been revered by emperors of all dynasties.
Everyone desires to attain immortality and become a celestial being, yet only one person in legend has ascended to heaven. Even that person's name has not been recorded.
The woman had a cheerful expression, and the man beside her bent down to stroke the little girl's delicate nose. The child giggled, her laughter clear and melodious.
I watched them quietly. It was the most ordinary yet heartwarming scene, a scene I had never witnessed before, a scene that would never happen to me.
Envy becomes a habit, and eventually, like pain, it turns into numbness.
The man's expression suddenly changed. Disregarding etiquette, he reached out and hugged his wife and daughter tightly.
I know what he was afraid of. The ground beneath his feet and the magnificent buildings seemed so fragile and vulnerable amidst the tremors.
I finally understand what collapse means.
The once magnificent and resplendent Tower of Pearls, with its carved beams and painted rafters, is now twisted and deformed. The beautiful and gentle faces of the flying apsaras adorning the mortise and tenon joints have become hideous and terrifying.
A savage grin—I've never seen such a grin before. It was like a curse from the deepest part of my heart. In a daze, I don't know if it was the sunlight that was too dazzling or the scene before me that was too dizzying, but I seemed to see a scene of a hell of skinning people alive.
Everything around us was collapsing, and even the ground beneath our feet was trembling violently.
The girl opposite had long since lost her smile; her face was frozen with fear, and her small hands clung tightly to the woman's arm.
The man struggled to help his wife, who was already unable to stand, and was about to run outside when a gilded pillar crashed down behind them.
The section of ground between me and them suddenly shattered into pieces.
At the most crucial moment, the man pushed the woman away, and his legs were crushed under the collapsing pillar.
He couldn't escape. The woman collapsed to the ground, and the little girl was clearly terrified. All she could hear was the man's heart-wrenching scream: "Go!"
He had his back to me, so I couldn't see his eyes, but that silhouette made me stand there for a long time.
The woman's eyes trembled, then suddenly turned to me. She stumbled over and pushed the girl forcefully into my arms, her face streaked with tears, saying, "Save my daughter! Please! Please! Take her with you!"
I nodded gently and hugged the small body. The woman crawled back and, ignoring the man's shoving, embraced him.
Live and sleep together, die in the same hole.
I felt as if I had returned to that year, to the Liao family's mourning hall, where my father lay in his coffin and my mother died by striking her head against a pillar.
Another pillar collapsed, tilting in the direction where the two people were.
The man can't run away, and the woman won't leave.
I knew the ending, and I couldn't change it. The child in my arms was still watching. I turned away from her gaze and ran outside as fast as I could.
I'm not afraid of dying, but this child is the woman's last thought; she can't die here. Whatever happens, she needs to get out.
The once magnificent and beautiful nine-story pagoda now resembles hell on every floor.
The eighteen levels of hell are far from enough.
The girl was still nestled in my arms, not daring to look up for a moment. Blood was everywhere: severed limbs, scalding liquid poured onto the tables, and groaning bodies trampled underfoot by disoriented people. Wolongkou, once revered as a paradise, was now utterly devastated.
I rushed down the crowded stairs, and it took me ages to reach the seventh floor. Corpses lay everywhere.
Beneath the collapsed display cabinet lay a woman. Shards of porcelain pierced her body, and heavy ancient books had broken her right arm. All around, there was no one alive—they were all crammed onto the stairs.
Her gaze naturally turned to me, and her left hand, covered in blood and broken porcelain, trembled as she reached out to me.
"Save me..." Her voice lacked the gentleness of a woman's.
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