Chapter 4, A Storm is Rising

This vibration is ... ...

However, Sun Wu's mouth was agape as if it had been stuffed with several eggs, staring in astonishment at the delicate, crying innocent girl. In an instant, his expression changed, and with a half-smile, he turned his head to give himself a thumbs up.

By the way, it seems that I made a breakthrough in my martial arts in my dream

Hold on! Hold on! If I lose focus even for a moment, I will never see my sister and father again

"It is called a heavenly ladder, so of course it is a ladder! I have never seen it with my own eyes; have you ever seen it?"

Straining to look towards the west, the village buildings of Liangshan Lake were faintly visible within the massive swirling clouds, not too far away. If only I understood some superior lightness skill and could calculate the airflow and wind direction, perhaps I could become one of the rare lucky few, riding the residual currents of the cloud road and heavenly ladder to return to Liangshan Lake

The sixth level of the Golden Bell Shield is classified as a secret martial art that is not easily disclosed by the Cihang Jingdian. The outside world cannot obtain authorization or purchase the secret manuals, and there are no secret texts stored in Liangshan Marsh. After Sun Wu reached the fifth level, he thought he might never have the opportunity to break through in this lifetime. Unexpectedly, under such a rare circumstance, he managed to advance to the sixth level.

A feeling that is all too familiar; if I were outside at this moment, I would surely have already heard the village's evacuation broadcast. However, the sound cannot penetrate the tunnel, and I find that I have completely missed it. What is even worse is that in the past, when I heard the alarm at home, the ground would shake, but the intensity of the tremors was quite limited. Yet now, the vibrations I am experiencing can only be described as earth-shattering. The soil and rocks surrounding the tunnel are continuously falling, and everything I see before me is collapsing. I must exert strength just to maintain my footing.

If she were dressed in a lady's gown with an elegant hairstyle, she would undoubtedly appear very unattractive. However, the imposing demeanor of her military uniform and her deliberately cropped hairstyle give a unique charm to the scar that mars her beauty. The entire person exudes a vigorous spirit, evoking a sense of admiration in those who behold her

As soon as the words left his mouth, a tremendous roar erupted, as if the heavens and the earth were collapsing. The entire cave was struck by a powerful force and instantly collapsed. Sun Wu felt an irresistible, strong pulling force beneath his feet. Although he activated the Golden Bell Protective Technique in an attempt to steady himself, the two forces were vastly different, and he was uncontrollably yanked out, plunging into the ground

If he could display a refusal at such a moment, then Sun Wu would not be Sun Wu. Despite the difficulty, he still nodded and chose to speak about some things he felt were acceptable. In fact, Liangshan Marsh harbors no secrets; apart from its geographical location, which could barely be considered an important secret, everything else is merely a small village in the deep mountains, with nothing to conceal.

I...! ... have never thought of leaving my sister behind, Liangshanbo is my home! No matter how I go out, I will eventually come back... My sister is worried that I will be harmed out there; I understand her intentions, but I want to go out and see for myself. Regardless of what the outside world is like, it will all become my own experiences and encounters. I... want to have my own life.

In the past, he had never seen such a magnificent room. The four walls and the floor were made of shining metal, which was a stark contrast to the wooden and thatched houses of Liangshan. The surrounding arrangement appeared neat and bright, with brand new sofas and desks that were luxuries not found in Liangshan. Even the wealthiest families in the village did not have rooms as grand as this one. Moreover, the lighting here was entirely composed of light bulbs, a marvel of electrical technology that was simply extravagant furniture. Apart from Xiao Shang, no one in the entire Liangshan could achieve such a setup.

Sun Wu recalled his memories, and all that remained in his mind were images of falling from a great height, which startled him greatly. It was only then that he realized he was lying comfortably on a bed, covered with a quilt, and the events that had transpired felt like a dream.

"Childhood sweethearts, farewell"

Then, even if it is to mourn my family's elders, could you tell me about the matters within Liangshan Marsh? Just a little would suffice; as long as they can touch upon it, they will be able to rest in peace.

Different forms of heavy strikes were applied densely to the body in an instant. Although the fifth level of the Golden Bell Shield is said to withstand thousands of arrows and blades, it pales in comparison to the overwhelming power of nature. It began to crack within a short time, rapidly decreasing in levels, with fine cracks appearing all over the golden body, signaling the complete collapse of the Golden Bell technique. However, at this critical moment of life and death, the solid training practiced tirelessly for ten years, regardless of cold or heat, rain or shine, began to reveal itself bit by bit. It began to crack within a short time, rapidly decreasing in levels, with fine cracks appearing all over the golden body, signaling the complete collapse of the Golden Bell technique. However, at this critical moment of life and death, the solid training practiced tirelessly for ten years, regardless of cold or heat, rain or shine, began to reveal itself bit by bit.

Childhood sweethearts, congratulations on successfully eloping, yay

Do not waste space, confine the two individuals together, and send them for interrogation later

"Stop taking pictures! With your encouragement like this, I feel so silly for actually speaking to you seriously"

Little Shang did not intend to leave; instead, he extended his small hand to block Sun Wu's path and said, "Little Wu, have you ever seen the Cloud Road Heavenly Ladder with your own eyes?"

Perhaps all of this is just a dream; when one awakens, they will find that they are still peacefully asleep in bed, and that nothing has ever happened

"It's alright, it's alright. They are all mostly fine. However, little brother, when you fell, you broke through several layers of steel plates yet didn't sustain much injury. This leaves us quite perplexed! ... Look at you ...? ... It seems you haven't practiced any martial arts, have you?"

The duration of each alarm is not long; I just need to endure for a while, and this tornado will dissipate

Frustrated with himself for answering too quickly, Sun Wu hurriedly stopped speaking. However, Nalan Yuandie smiled and explained that she was leading an expedition ship in search of the traces of the Cloud Road and the Heavenly Ladder, wishing to visit the legendary Liangshan Marsh, fulfilling a long-held family wish passed down since her grandfather's time. Perhaps... some elders had already successfully entered Liangshan Marsh.

( I am really going to die... If I had known, I wouldn't have used this method to sneak away... )

It was neither mockery nor a joke; Xiaoshang raised a question in a very serious tone that could not be ignored. In an instant, Sun Wu was taken aback. He had thought about these issues before, but he was simply not yet prepared to face them.

( ... ... Therefore, I must leave Liangshan Marsh to see what the world is like outside. However, regardless of what the destination of my journey may be, I will definitely return in the end ... ... )

Sun Wu lifted the pickaxe, preparing to conclude tonight's excavation work and return home early. Today's progress has been smoother than expected; if this pace continues, it will take at most two more nights to reach the estimated location. Then, it will be a matter of waiting for the Cloud Road Ladder to appear, leading directly to the outside world.

This ... ... actually does not exist. Every time the Cloud Road Sky Ladder appears, the village will broadcast a message, urging everyone to return to their homes and stay inside, prohibiting them from coming out. Then, small-scale earthquakes will occur, and after the earthquakes end, new immigrants may appear. We both know this, don't we!

Standing at the entrance of this luxurious room was a stranger, a woman approximately twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with a delicate appearance. She was dressed in a striking light blue military uniform, with a sword at her waist and military boots on her feet. The embroidery on her shoulder should represent her military rank, but Sun Wu could not discern it, only astonished by the scar that marred her left eye.

Sun Wu began to feel impatient; he also thought that his plan was quite reckless. However, apart from this, there were no other feasible methods, and he was also compelled by circumstances! Yet, Xiao Shang now wore a skeptical expression. Could it be that his calculations were indeed erroneous? Was the appearance of the Cloud Road Sky Ladder not in this location? Had this tunnel been dug in vain?

What Sun Wu understood was that Liangshan Marsh was a peaceful paradise, and the reason outsiders desperately sought to enter Liangshan Marsh was to escape from vendettas and grievances. As long as one could enter Liangshan Marsh, one could bid farewell to these disturbing matters forever. This was the allure of Liangshan Marsh for outsiders. Therefore, Sun Wu chose to describe the beautiful scenes of spring plowing and summer harvest, as well as the simple and good life of the villagers.

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The first level, the second level, the third level, the fourth level... The once plummeting Golden Bell strength undergoes a reverse reorganization, transforming into abundant true energy that surges through the hundred meridians. It does not yield to the immense external pressure; instead, it enhances itself in this harsh environment to withstand the pressure, miraculously reorganizing back to the peak power of the fifth level. The momentum does not cease, continuing to rise further, while simultaneously countering external pressure, elevating its inherent strength to new heights, one after another.

In a rare opportunity that comes once in a thousand years, Sun Wu, however, did not notice the changes in the true energy within his body; all that remained in his mind was the last thread of persistence and will, struggling to endure the intense pain throughout his body

A black mass with a radius exceeding 500 meters spins rapidly, its base piercing through the clouds and extending towards the unseen distance. One can imagine it must be connected to the ground, for within the swirling tornado, numerous objects are violently whirling—massive rocks, trees, debris from buildings, and even creatures wailing and howling—all being drawn up from the surface, soaring skyward with the tornado's fierce winds

Well... this is indeed very different from the imagined ladder. I don't know which idiot described this thing as a "heavenly ladder," leading to erroneous expectations. This enormous object before me, no matter how I look at it, is what one would call a "tornado"!

The Golden Bell Shield's first three levels are quite easy to master, but as you progress, each level becomes increasingly difficult to practice. To reach the fifth level, one typically requires over twenty years of hard training. To reach the sixth level, it might take over thirty years, right? I am only fourteen this year! That's amazing; I need to tell my sister right away to make her happy

"Golden Bell Shield · Level 5"

Sun Wu was inherently simple-minded, yet not foolish. At this point, he could no longer ignore that something was amiss. Moreover, considering that the other party claimed to be an expedition team while dressed in military uniforms, it was indeed a very strange matter. It was truly foolish of him to have turned a blind eye to this situation, so he immediately fell silent.

The completely incomprehensible words left Sun Wu even more perplexed. Knowing that the strategy of using platitudes had already failed, Nalan Yuandie no longer wasted her breath, not even glancing at Sun Wu as she stood up and walked towards the door

However, this seemingly fierce female officer displayed an unusually kind demeanor as she approached Sun Wu, pulled out a chair to sit down, and smiled while introducing herself.

However, these words did not seem to be what Nalan Yuandie wanted to hear. Even Sun Wu could clearly perceive that her expression was becoming increasingly displeased, transitioning from her initial amiability to a layer of anger, as if she were suppressing immense rage. She appeared to be a completely different person from when she had entered, frequently interrupting Sun Wu's words to inquire about the location of Liangshanbo.

Finally, as the tornado loses its power and gradually weakens in scale, the previously suppressed golden light suddenly surges forth, resembling a blazing red sun that pierces through the clouds and breaks the moon, illuminating all directions and making it difficult for people to look directly at it. In the center of this golden brilliance, Sun Wu feels a thunderous sound in his mind, and his painfully aching body instantly relaxes. The true energy within him swiftly rushes out, and areas that were usually inaccessible suddenly become clear, bringing a sense of unrestrained ease.

Little Loss

Without fully contemplating the significance of this feeling, the dazed youth opened his eyes, only to see countless golden rays in the sky illuminating the vast sea of clouds, undulating and presenting a magnificent scene of myriad atmospheric phenomena, as beautiful as a dream, precisely the images that had appeared in his dreams in recent days.

Compared to the mothers and sisters of others, my sister is overweight, rude, and fond of drinking, lacking charm and possessing many personality flaws. However, she remains my sister, and for so many years we have relied on each other, with her care and concern never ceasing. It is because of my sister and father that this place has become a home. If given a choice, aside from Fengjie, I would not want anyone else as my sister; no matter how beautiful or attractive other women may be, they cannot replace her. My sister exists in a way that is truly unique.

Upon realizing this, Sun Wu discovered that he was lying in a room devoid of light and windows, completely dark and unable to see anything. Judging by the size of the room, it was neither his own room nor any room in the village, but rather a completely unfamiliar place

Tonight, now

Worse still, the suction of the tornado grew stronger, rendering one powerless. After a brief struggle lasting only a few seconds, one was suddenly pulled in, becoming a part of the tornado.

So this is the Cloud Ladder!

Such a strong sense of responsibility is indeed moving, but when Sun Wu turned around, he saw that Xiao Shang had somehow raised a parasol-like treasure, surrounded by dazzling flames. All the falling rocks and dust were completely kept at bay by the flames, unable to harm her. With one hand holding the umbrella, she waved goodbye to Xiao Wu with the other.

Frustration is of no use; witnessing the vast transformation of the world before him, Sun Wu's mind flashed with the inevitable thought, "This time, I'm doomed." Although he constantly reminded himself to remain calm, knowing that panic would only hasten his demise, the stark reality was that he was thousands of feet in the air, a human being, not a bird, with no place to land. Apart from plummeting down at high speed, what else could he possibly do?

The fifth level of the Golden Bell Shield represents the highest power that Sun Wu can currently exert. Although it is formidable, due to the fact that he has only recently mastered it, the power is not yet pure, and Sun Wu cannot maintain it for long. At most, he can deliver a few punches like when digging a tunnel. If he tries to hold on for an extended period, the uncontrollable force of the Golden Bell will backfire and injure his internal organs. He is fully aware of these principles, but now, in order to save his life, he cannot afford to consider them. He channels the power of the fifth level of the Golden Bell Shield, desperately resisting the bone-crushing, flesh-tearing tornado.

Before the boy was frightened by his own terrifying fantasies, a deep female voice emerged. Following this, the lights in front of him suddenly brightened, with several lamps being turned on simultaneously, illuminating the entire room and instantly shocking the boy greatly

"Scared ...? ... Where am I? On the bed? Am I really dreaming?"

Who is your elder? Speak up, perhaps I know them

This is not a ladder to the heavens; it is fundamentally a natural disaster. Massive objects, weighing tons, are as light as feathers in the strong winds, lifted to the sky by updrafts, swept to the edge of the storm, and tossed out like a straw. They pierce through thick clouds and plummet to the ground at high speed, without a doubt shattering into irreparable pieces.

Yes... um

This was the last thought that flashed through Sun Wu's mind. After being pulled into the tornado, the intense wind and air pressure felt like thousands of small knives, violently cutting through every inch of his body, crazily tearing and ripping, causing him to lose all ability to think due to the pain. He instinctively activated the Golden Bell Shield, desperately urging his strength, which prevented him from immediately falling apart.

Is that so ... ! ... You have never heard of them at all !

This feeling... seems like there is a powerful force attacking here...

My name is Nalan Yuandie, and I am the captain of this ship. Welcome aboard.

Sun Wu felt that Xiao Shang would definitely not understand his thoughts, and that saying these words held little significance. However, he could only say this to Xiao Shang, because if he were actually standing in front of his sister, he would certainly be unable to utter these words

What exactly do you want to say? Stop beating around the bush!

So you have never seen what the Cloud Road Sky Ladder looks like, and you do not know what the Cloud Road Sky Ladder looks like either

I would be surprised if I believed that, alright, tonight it will be fine as it is, my sister might come back early after drinking, I need to return home early, otherwise, if my sister comes home and doesn't see me, I might be exposed

This is fundamentally a reckless method suited only for madmen! As long as the protective energy is even slightly weakened, one will immediately perish in the raging winds. Even if one is successfully pulled into the sky and manages to survive, if the timing and direction are not right, one will be unable to locate Liangshan Marsh, and will thus have to fall from a great height with regret, shattering into pieces. Throughout the entire process, both martial skills and luck are indispensable; it is entirely a perilous ascent to the heavens, and since ancient times, countless heroes have perished midway, dying with their eyes wide open.

Still worried about whether Xiao Shang would be injured in the tunnel collapse, Sun Wu was already in a precarious situation himself, violently spinning in the earth, unaware of how far he had been dragged. It was only after another loud crash that his body suddenly felt lighter, plummeting down with countless clumps of soil and rock. At that moment, he realized that he was actually floating in mid-air, and the so-called Cloud Road and Heavenly Ladder were right before his eyes

In just four simple words, before Sun Wu could fully contemplate their meaning, the ground beneath his feet suddenly began to tremble

Awakening in astonishment, once again experiencing that usual sense of unreality, as if I were still in a dream

Sun Wu understood this principle clearly in his heart, but it was difficult for him to express it. When he fell, he must have still had the residual strength of the Golden Bell Shield. With the formidable protective energy of the sixth level of the Golden Bell Shield, it was not difficult to break through several layers of steel plates. However, after he fainted and his vital energy was completely exhausted, others naturally could not discern anything.

Sun Wu's confusion quickly turned into shock, for when the door opened again, several guards brought in a little girl who seemed to have lost her spirit from fear, constantly crying in panic. Her red eyes and tear-streaked face evoked deep sympathy, and even the guards appeared reluctant, hastily ushering her into the room before promptly closing the door, fearing that the sound of her cries would soften their hearts.

We are about to hold a combat meeting. Once the meeting concludes, I will ask you again. If you continue to speak nonsense in front of me, you will certainly face the consequences then

The act of escaping home turned into a life-and-death ordeal. Sun Wu was not unafraid; he simply understood that there was no time to be afraid now. He exerted all his strength to support his body, using his golden bell-like defense to withstand the raging tornado. The impact he experienced far exceeded his usual training. Whether it was the intense heat of iron sand or the painful blows from thick wooden sticks, nothing compared to being violently tossed hundreds of meters up and down by the fierce wind in just a second. The immense wind pressure felt like several large hands trying to tear his body apart, and then like a heavy iron hammer striking his body, attempting to flatten him.

No, no, no, the direction is not wrong. I am quite surprised that your simple-mindedness as a country bumpkin could coincidentally calculate the appearance direction of this year's Cloud Road Ladder.

You are overly suspicious; I am expressing concern for your plan from the perspective of a childhood friend.

When is that? It can't be tomorrow, can it? Then we need to work late tonight, otherwise we will definitely be late

The howling wind roared past his ears as Sun Wu fell from the high-speed road. Just before losing consciousness due to exhaustion, he felt that everything was utterly absurd. The first step he took in gathering the courage to escape home had not even touched the ground, yet he was to die in such a senseless manner. It was truly meaningless.

Oh, you are awake? Are you feeling alright?

However, as I grew older, I increasingly understood that my sister's timid and conservative love was misguided. As the only man in the family, I should support and protect her. Yet, she prevents me from engaging with anything, constantly keeping me away from dangerous situations. If this continues, I will forever live in a greenhouse, without the opportunity to grow strong and protect my sister.

From Sun Wu's attitude, the answer can be discerned. A trace of heaviness and melancholy flashed across Nalan Yuandie’s expression. Upon seeing this expression, Sun Wu felt an even deeper sorrow for his life-saving benefactor.

Ah? What do you mean by goodbye? What does this mean?

Sun Wu quickly flashed this thought in his mind, but his first reaction was to take care of his companion, as Xiao Shang did not possess any martial skills. In such a catastrophic scene where the earth shook and the sky trembled, she remained merely a twelve-year-old girl, and he felt a responsibility to protect her

Xiao Shang said: "However, your calculation of time has a significant error; the occurrence of the Cloud Road Sky Ladder is not in two days."

For ten years, he sought neither haste nor quick success, practicing diligently every day without interruption. Regardless of how tedious or arduous the training process was, the youth never shied away, even practicing an ordinary mantra earnestly for several months. Sun Wu's aptitude was not considered dull, yet he never relaxed because of it. The results of a decade of hard work were fully revealed at the critical moment of life and death, and combined with his own willpower, the collapsing Golden Bell strength was remarkably restructured in reverse

This feeling... seems similar to the feeling when breaking through the fourth level of the Golden Bell...

Is there anyone else to be sent here to be locked up with oneself? Who are they? Are there other captives on this ship?

The population of Liangshan Lake is not large, and every villager is known to Sun Wu. However, when the female officer reported several names consecutively, Sun Wu found them completely unfamiliar. Reflecting on his recent experiences, he realized that those individuals might have unfortunately lost their lives on the way to ascend to heaven. Considering this, Sun Wu suddenly found it difficult to meet Nalan Yuandie’s gaze.

The atmosphere roared in the ears, and the raging wind cut through the body like a knife. Sun Wu struggled to maintain a thread of clarity in his consciousness, and he finally understood what the so-called entrance to the Heavenly Ladder was all about. Those who wished to enter Liangshan Marsh waited at the foot of the mountain for the seasonal wind disaster to occur. When a massive tornado appeared, they would summon their strongest protective energy or equip themselves with other powerful protective treasures and charge into the wind, being pulled up into the sky by the tornado. Then, at the moment they were drawn to the edge, they would leap out at the right angle, hoping to land in the Liangshan Marsh, which was surrounded and protected by swirling clouds. Those who wished to enter Liangshan Marsh waited at the foot of the mountain for the seasonal wind disaster to occur. When a massive tornado appeared, they would summon their strongest protective energy or equip themselves with other powerful protective treasures and charge into the wind, being pulled up into the sky by the tornado. Then, at the moment they were drawn to the edge, they would leap out at the right angle, hoping to land in the Liangshan Marsh, which was surrounded and protected by swirling clouds.

Hmph, little brat, do you think your flawed lies can deceive me? The legendary Liangshan Marsh is said to harbor countless extraordinary treasures and the unparalleled martial arts of the foreign tribes from the West. How could it possibly be such an ordinary place? Who do you think you are fooling?

Sun Wu, upon witnessing such a spectacle, felt an overwhelming sense of regret in his heart, realizing that he might have caused a great disaster and was about to bring immense trouble to the village. Unfortunately, he was currently in a state of complete exhaustion, unable to utilize any martial skills or take any action. Just as he was in distress, he heard Nalan Yuandie giving orders to the soldiers.

"Tsk tsk tsk, you have never seen the appearance of the Cloud Ladder, yet you dare to calculate its time and position of appearance. Truly commendable courage!"

There is no such thing as a lottery in Liangshan Marsh; Sun Wu has only heard about it from others, yet he currently feels the excitement of having won the grand prize.

By the way, little brother, how did you fall from the sky? ... You ...? ... Did you come from that legendary Liangshan Marsh?

Slightly circulating the energy, the dantian felt completely empty, and the vital energy that had been diligently cultivated over the years was suddenly depleted. As soon as he circulated his energy, his lower abdomen felt as if it were being pierced by a thousand needles, and Sun Wu almost cried out in pain. However, he quickly realized that this was a phenomenon of excessive energy circulation and exhaustion of internal strength, and that he would recover after a few days of rest. The occurrence of this phenomenon proved that his memories were not mere dreams, but that everything had indeed happened in reality.

Think a little more carefully; having just fallen from such a great height, how is it possible that I am completely unscathed? No matter how I think about it, it seems impossible. Could it be that I am already dead, and this dark room is hell?

Falling from a great height and only injuring one or two people to dissipate the impact seems truly unreasonable. Sun Wu also felt that his survival was nothing short of a miracle. However, the most important thing at the moment was to think of the several sailors who were injured because of him. Filled with guilt, he wanted to check on their condition as soon as possible and sincerely apologize.

( Although I cannot currently circulate my true energy, I indeed broke through the fifth level while in the storm circle, which indicates that I have trained my Golden Bell Shield to ... ... how cool, it's the sixth level! )

The elder sister was not present, and Sun Wu's words were actually meant for himself, without any expectation of a reaction from Xiao Shang. However, after he finished speaking, Xiao Shang clapped his hands vigorously, as if encouraging him. Yet, to Sun Wu's ears, it sounded very much like the applause a clown receives from the audience at a circus.

In the swirling black tornado, a faint glimmer of golden light could be seen. The tornado, with a radius of five hundred feet, resembled a magnificent black dragon, churning and howling, its power astonishing and earth-shattering. Yet, no matter how the black dragon twisted its body, a strand of golden light within the fierce winds remained undiminished, unable to be obscured, and even grew stronger amidst the dense blackness, continuously increasing in brightness

When Nalan Yuandie opened the door to leave, several guards stood outside, all dressed in the distinctive military uniforms. It was evident that the majority on this ship were soldiers, belonging to a certain military group, most likely the regular army of the Great Wu Dynasty

The lack of a confrontational attitude caused Sun Wu's only remaining wariness to dissipate. During the subsequent brief conversation, Sun Wu learned that he had recently fallen from the sky, crashing through the deck of the ship and injuring three sailors before losing consciousness. He was then urgently taken for medical treatment, and fortunately, there were no serious injuries.

However, this is precisely where the complexities of the world lie; the painstakingly cultivated golden bell shield can preserve one's life on the celestial ladder, yet it also restricts the ability to perform lightness techniques. The skill of soaring and leaping has always been one's weakness. When the surrounding swirling air currents completely dissipate, one can only yield to the most reasonable outcome, plummeting down like a heavy stone.

Upon careful consideration, this is my first contact with the outside world since leaving Liangshan Marsh. From the current situation, it truly seems to be a friendly beginning. I encountered life-threatening danger, and the people outside saved me. The first person I interacted with from the outside world is so kind and admirable, completely unlike the fierce and menacing figures I had feared. This is indeed wonderful.

Indeed, I was puzzled as to why Xiao Shang would be so kind as to take the initiative to soften the ground for me; she must have anticipated this all along, and I fell into her trap again