Beginning

It is evident that the subjects of these two sentences are two different individuals

Not far from this place, in the woodshed, a bloodied steward of the general's residence gazed at two boys, around four or five years old, in front of him. His parched lips moved slightly, producing a voice that was extremely hoarse and unpleasant. His face, marked by deep wrinkles and smeared with black mud, was filled with despair and struggle, continuing to struggle until old tears squeezed from the corners of his eyes, murky and heavy.

... ...

He gazed at the young monk in the west, who walked silently with his head bowed, and said: "Heterodox."

Thus, the mundane world remains unaware of what transpires beyond it, and those beyond do not concern themselves with the scenes of parting and death or the joys of new life unfolding within the mundane realm. They are even less interested in the butcher's scales being short of weight, the cellar of the drunkard being gnawed into a muddy hole by rats, the death of a general known for his valor in the court, or a certain scholar giving birth to a daughter

"Legends are just legends," said the boy with the wooden sword, his expression unchanged. "The legends also say that every thousand years a sage appears, but in these past few thousand years, who has truly seen a sage?"

It is precisely because one is human that one does not dare to cross over

The boy carrying the wooden sword stared at the black line and said, "I always thought the Immovable King of the Underworld was just a legend"

... ...

The eagle does not fear the ant; in its eyes, the ant is merely a black dot. The ant does not fear the eagle, for it lacks even the qualification to become food for the eagle. In its world, there is not even the existence of such a powerful creature as the eagle, which it cannot see or touch.

The third youth under the small tree has a strong physique, dressed in garments resembling animal skins. His bare legs are as hard as stone, and beneath his rough skin, the muscles, brimming with boundless explosive power, are clearly visible. He remains silent, not uttering a word; however, the small bumps on his skin ultimately reveal his true feelings at this moment.

... ...

If you persist in such thoughts, you will never truly understand what the Dao heart is. The young monk slightly closed his eyes, gazing at the ant colony below that was scattering remnants of limbs, and said: I have heard that your temple's abbot has recently taken in a child with the surname Chen; you should understand that places like this, where one cultivates, will never have only one genius.

The young monk was seen with his eyes tightly closed, his eyelids trembling rapidly, as if he were contemplating a troubling issue. In fact, ever since the beast-skin boy spoke those words about the night, the young monk had been trapped in this strange state.

The renowned General Lin Guangyuan, known for his bravery, has fallen from grace after offending the empire's foremost valiant general, Xiahou. He is no longer the brave figure he once was and has been reported for colluding with the enemy nation. After several months of personal interrogation by His Highness the Prince, a conclusion has finally been reached.

No one dares to cross that black line, that shallow ditch, not even they who are proud and powerful

A silence enveloped him, and no one responded; he turned back with a hint of confusion.

When the wind rises, a breeze comes from beyond the mountains, rustling the fabric of my clothing, while the old trees between the rocks sway violently, and stones tumble down with a clatter. As he utters the word "rain," the rain clouds drifting over the capital suddenly darken, and countless strands of rain coalesce into a torrent, pouring down from the last remnants of twilight. By the time he finishes this sentence, the night has just claimed half of the sky, as dark as the eyes of the Lord of the Underworld.

However, over the course of countless years, it is believed that among the ant colony, there are always a few individuals that, for some mysterious reason, decide to momentarily divert their gaze from the decaying leaves and shells to glance at the azure sky, and from that moment on, their world becomes different

After a brief silence, the tall man raised the rice wine beside him and drank it all in one go. Holding the empty wine bowl, he gazed at the surroundings of the city and reverently proclaimed: "The wind rises, the rain falls, and night approaches"

In the twilight of the wasteland, a fireball hangs in the distance, emitting a red light that resembles a massive flame, slowly and steadily spreading outwards. The moss that emerges after the melting of the snow on the plains is smeared everywhere like scars from burns. The surroundings are quiet, with only the occasional sound of an eagle's cry from above and the distant noise of yellow sheep leaping.

Two colonies of ants are fiercely competing around the exposed, cold, brown tree roots. Perhaps it is because such a perfect habitat as these roots is hard to find in this wasteland that the battle is particularly intense. Moments later, thousands of ant corpses are left behind, which should seem quite bloody and tragic, but in reality, it is merely a small black dot.

Young master, you must listen; you cannot go out. Let Xiao Chu go; let him go...

It is not sufficient

After saying this, he left in a particularly unique manner

This chasm suddenly appeared two hours ago, abruptly rising to the sky, as if carved by an invisible celestial being wielding a colossal axe, or as if drawn by a divine craftsman with a giant brush, instilling a sense of dread and confusion.

The speaker is a young monk, dressed in a tattered kapok robe, with newly sprouted hair that is dark and sharp, reflecting the certainty and determination evident in his appearance and words

The young man with the wooden sword raised an eyebrow and replied with a hint of sarcasm: "I have never understood what qualifications someone like you, who cannot live freely, has to represent the Hanging Monastery in the world"

Blood flowed out from the gate of the general's residence, dark and viscous, resembling glutinous rice paste mixed with vermilion, with strands of flesh resembling purple sweet potato fibers. The pale-faced steward stared at the scene, unable to control his emotions any longer, and bent over the door to begin vomiting

The two families had lived in the same alley for many years, and everyone from the steward to the doorman at the general's residence was familiar with him. Listening to those terrifying sounds, he seemed to see countless sharp broadswords slicing through the necks of those familiar faces, witnessing the heads with familiar features rolling incessantly on the bluestone pavement, eventually colliding at the entrance, ... gradually piling up and compressing into a small hill ...

... ...

... ...

Three young individuals under the tree raised their heads, gazing at a shallow ditch on the ground several dozen meters away. The ditch was naturally not deep, and apart from the blackness, it contained nothing else, standing out distinctly against the mottled surface of the desolate land

Suddenly, a burst of flames erupted from his two sturdy, bare legs, enveloping the lower half of the youth in a sea of crimson. The howling wind caused the gravel on the ground to roll rapidly, and then it seemed as if an invisible force seized his neck, lifting his body towards the sky several dozen feet above. Immediately afterward, he plummeted down with a whistling sound, crashing heavily onto the ground, and then bounced back up again, like a stone erratically leaping into the distance, appearing exceptionally clumsy yet incredibly swift. It seemed as if an invisible force seized his neck, lifting his body towards the sky several dozen feet above. Immediately afterward, he plummeted down with a whistling sound, crashing heavily onto the ground, and then bounced back up again, like a stone erratically leaping into the distance, appearing exceptionally clumsy yet incredibly swift.

Ants can crawl over, long-legged insects can jump over, yellow sheep can leap over, eagles can fly over, yet only humans cannot pass.

The outcome is clear, the punishment is simple, just four words—complete extermination of the family

The scholar seemed completely oblivious to the power and severity represented by that dark abyss. In his left hand, he held a scroll, and in his right hand, a wooden ladle. When idle, he would read; when weary, he would take a short rest; when thirsty, he would scoop a ladle of water to drink, covered in dust, with a face full of contentment

During the first sermon, I witnessed countless flying ants rise up, bathed in light

The mute speaks, placing some salt on the pancake

The boy carrying the wooden sword looked up towards the horizon and asked, "If that child really exists, then... where is he?"

Under the tree, three young individuals hail from the three most mysterious places in the world. Under the command of their master, they traverse the realm, shining like three stars that traverse the human world. Yet, even they feel an overwhelming sense of fear in this desolate expanse today

The boy clad in animal skins broke the long-standing silence of the * picture * book; his voice possessed a deep and rough quality that belied his age, resonating like the ceaseless churn of river water, and akin to rusty swords grinding against hard stones.

... ...

The young monk slowly removed the prayer beads from his wrist and solemnly hung them around his neck. He then took a step forward, his gait heavy yet steady. Although it appeared to be very slow, in just a moment, his figure had already blurred and was about to disappear into the distance

... ...

Until the three figures in the distance departed, and the shallow black gully on the wasteland was gradually leveled by the wind and sand, the scholar finally stood up, brushed off the dust from his clothes, tied the wooden ladle to his waist, carefully concealed the scroll within his coat, and took one last glance in the direction of the capital before leaving

As night falls, everywhere is shrouded in darkness; where else can you search?

Because I see, I fear

The boy with the wooden sword shook his head and said: "Ants that can fly will eventually fall; they will never touch the sky"

A long, long time ago, there were many unknown lands, and in those unknown lands, there were many unknown people

... ...

The person speaking has youthful features, a slender build, and is still a teenager. He is wearing a thin, collarless shirt in a moonlight white color, and carries a sheathed, lightweight wooden sword on his back. His jet-black hair is delicately styled into a bun, with a wooden fork crossing through it—this fork appears as if it could fall at any moment, yet it stands as steadfast as a green pine on a mountain.

If one can communicate, then one is a sage or a wise person

The young monk did not respond to his provocation. Looking at the ants anxiously scurrying beneath his feet, he said: "Ants can fly and they can fall, but they are better at climbing, skilled at providing a foundation for their companions, unafraid of sacrifice. One by one, the ants accumulate; as long as there are enough of them, they can certainly form a mound tall enough to touch the heavens."

Suddenly, urgent hoofbeats, shouts, and then the sound of rough knocking came from outside the door. Amidst the noise, there were faint curses that seemed to indicate someone had escaped from the general's residence. A household guard from the prince's mansion, riding on horseback, shouted sternly: "Not a single one can escape!"

The tall man gazed at a certain part of the capital and sighed, saying: "I seem to see you from back then."

The main gate of the Minister's residence was tightly shut, and the steward pressed against the door gap, anxiously peering at the equally closed gate of the General's residence. He listened to the intermittent sounds of heavy objects striking into meat from across the way, and the rolling sounds of watermelons, causing his body to tremble involuntarily

The weather is still quite cold, yet the three individuals under the tree are not dressed warmly, seemingly unbothered by the chill. They remain focused, not knowing how long they have been watching. Suddenly, one of them quietly speaks to the picture book, saying: "In the mundane world of ants, what is the nature of the Dao?"

... ...

In the capital city of Chang'an, there is a long alley. To the east is the residence of the Grand Councilor, and to the west is the residence of the General of Valor. Although they do not hold the highest ranks of power and nobility, their official authority is profound. Usually, the long alley is tranquil, but today, that tranquility has long since vanished.

The residence of the Grand Councilor is filled with joy, with midwives bustling in and out. However, from the master to the maidservants, everyone in the household seems to wear expressions of joy that are tinged with other emotions, and no one dares to laugh aloud. The servant women hurriedly passing by the corner with water basins occasionally hear sounds from outside the wall, their faces revealing even more fear.

The simplest interpretation of the four characters "世外高人" (transcendent beings) is that such individuals are generally found outside the mundane world, and it is easier for them to exist in that realm. Within this seemingly trivial statement lies a deeper truth: what they fear is beyond the reach of ordinary people, and what brings them joy is beyond the comprehension of the common folk

Obstructing the path of the unworthy is also a form of wrongdoing

... ...

In legend, the King of the Underworld has seventy thousand offspring; perhaps this one is merely a rare wanderer in the human realm

No one else was under the tree, and all emotions faded from the boy with the wooden sword, leaving only an absolute calmness, or rather, an absolute indifference. He gazed towards the north at the shadow that jumped up and down like a stone in the dust, and said in a low voice: "Evil spirit"

On a certain wall in the garden of the residence of the Grand Councilor, there are several scratches and bloodstains

Sensing the gaze upon him, the young monk slowly opened his eyes, breaking into a smile. The original steadfast calmness in his expression had transformed into a compassion that seemed to arise from nowhere. Within his parted lips, blood and flesh were a blur, remnants of a chewed tongue.

The tall man heavily set down his wine bowl and muttered in anger, "It's really damn dark."

The boy with the wooden sword suddenly spoke, his thin shoulders hunching inward.

At this moment, the sun had already sunk more than half below the horizon, and the night was surging in from all directions. The temperature on the wasteland dropped sharply, and a chilling atmosphere began to envelop the entire world.

In the outskirts of the capital Chang'an, there is a high mountain, with half of its peak hidden among the clouds. Between the steep cliffs of the western face of the mountain, a figure is slowly ascending. This man has a remarkably tall stature, wearing a black cloak over a single garment, and carrying a food box in his hand

In the twilight of the sky, a sharp cry of an eagle echoed, sounding very panicked and fearful. It was unclear whether it was afraid of the three strange individuals beneath the tree, or of the enormous mound of ants that did not exist, or perhaps something else entirely

In the first year of the Tianqi era of the Great Tang, an extraordinary phenomenon descended upon the wilderness, causing various sects from across the world to gather at www.hetushu.com, unable to comprehend the reason behind it

The joys and sorrows of two worlds have never been interconnected

I am very afraid

The capital city of Chang'an is gradually being shrouded by the night under the setting sun, with distant rain clouds faintly drifting in.

However, the three of them were unaware that on that day, as night was approaching, by the edge of a small pond near the direction of the capital, there sat a scholar, a scholar dressed in straw sandals and a tattered coat.

The young boy sang as he walked towards the east, a slender wooden sword silently hovering a few meters behind him.

Three individuals appeared on the vast open field, gathering beneath a rare small tree in the wilderness. Without exchanging greetings, they simultaneously lowered their heads in unison, as if there were something intriguing beneath the tree that warranted serious study and contemplation

The Imperial Guard that broke into the residence of the Grand Councilor quickly located this woodshed. Upon seeing the two lifeless bodies of an old man and a young person inside, the lieutenant, still shaken, reported loudly: "Not a single one is missing; they are all dead"

Then he looked up at the sky, holding the chopsticks in his right hand, and said: "As for you, what use is it to fly any higher?"

The boy carrying a wooden sword pondered and said: "If we were to meet at a different time and place, surely only one of us would survive. My disciple is that formidable; how powerful must his master be? ... I have heard that his master has been cultivating the Twenty-Three Year Cicada for years. I wonder if, after breaking through, he will carry a heavy shell on his back."

If you truly do not believe, why do you not dare to cross that black line

I only know that his surname is Tang, but I do not know what his full name is

The wooden sword boy frowned

The young monk nodded in agreement, although the expression on his face remained calm and resolute

Walking against the wind, he arrived at the entrance of a cave. A tall man sat down, opened his food box, took out chopsticks, picked up a slice of ginger, and carefully chewed it. He then took two pieces of lamb and sighed contentedly, uttering a word of praise.

Since the day the disciple of the Hanging Temple, Qi Nian, practiced silent meditation, he no longer spoke. The disciple of the Tang clan from the Demon Sect vanished into the vast desert, leaving no trace. The disciple of the Zhi Shou Guan, Ye Su, broke through the barrier of death and traveled through various countries. Each of the three gained their own insights

After uttering these words, the slender wooden sword strapped to the boy's back trembled inexplicably, emitting a buzzing sound. With a whoosh, it soared into the air, transforming into a streak of light that cleaved the small tree on the wasteland into 53,333 pieces, reducing both branches and trunk to dust, which then fell like snow upon the oblivious ants below.