Chapter 7: Life and Death (Part 2)
You have accomplished the impossible thing
As one of the many island fiefs, even if there are disputes, the scale of the conflicts will not be too large. Compared to the protracted wars on the mainland, which often involve tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of troops, these are truly insignificant
I suddenly realized that, in the direction of their movement, their objective was quite clear; it was actually the storage of horse feed and the shed where I slept. I stopped again, concealed myself behind a large water storage jar, and then peered out to continue observing.
So ... ...
There is an assassin
It was as if a form of psychological comfort or liberation, as the last remnants of discomfort in my body gradually disappeared along with the increasingly sensitive senses. Other memories, like a reversal of time, slowly emerged, including fragments of my childhood life and growth, filled with the tropical charm of my hometown
Then there is the overwhelming sensory experience and the feeling of icy river water, along with the sensation of an unyielding grip
However, I am not an expert in stealth, and during this time, I have encountered or brushed against some inexplicable objects. Fortunately, the intermittent sounds of snoring provided me with some cover. I could see the firelight at the gate of the camp, with no changes or movements.
It is sorrowful to witness their fate, and I suddenly realize that my escape plan is likely fraught with obstacles and will not be so easy. On the other hand, it is a relief that these individuals have surprisingly managed to join the military, yet they were executed for fleeing that night after failing their mission, which can be considered as the removal of a potential threat to me
The Master also finds it difficult to sleep through the night
Damn ... ...
From now on, distancing oneself from the ravages of war and the troubling current affairs, living a leisurely life, and embarking on a path of gradually changing the world through the expansion of a harem and the dissemination of descendants is also a commendable choice
Feeling the strips of cloth still wrapped around my body, it seemed like a pair of gentle arms, binding me with the torn hem of a skirt. Suddenly, I experienced a kind of auditory hallucination once again
As I slowly approached, illuminated by the fire lanterns in the camp, I could see that they were wielding thick wooden sticks used as firewood or stones that were clearly picked up casually. They were evidently from the newly recruited refugees. The leader held a short knife, gently lifting the curtain, and then they surged in, stabbing and striking fiercely, muttering indistinctly to themselves.
The splattering of blood and the clash of weapons; burning pleasure boats and collapsing bridges; the cold river water and the torches racing along the shore; the anxious young faces in the darkness, along with their incomprehensible shouts directed at me from behind; immersed like lead in the depths of the river, coming into close contact with the swollen, pale, and eerie faces of the dead, the rapidly fading body temperature; desperately covering my mouth and nose, gazing at the densely flickering lights on the water's surface... and their incomprehensible shouts directed at me from behind; immersed like lead in the depths of the river, coming into close contact with the swollen, pale, and eerie faces of the dead, the rapidly fading body temperature; desperately covering my mouth and nose, gazing at the densely flickering lights on the water's surface...
This is the consequence of gathering in crowds and fleeing
After contemplating several thoughts, I sensed that the other party had ceased their movements, clearly realizing that something was amiss. Ultimately, I made up my mind, stood up, and shouted at the top of my lungs
The crooked wooden fence was filled with gaps, and it was not very sturdy. There was not even a dedicated lookout tower, and each of the front and rear gates was guarded by only two individuals. Moreover, on this night, they had not moved for a long time as they stood watch.
Holding my breath, I searched for the source of the sound. Suddenly, I saw the flickering light of a fire not far away, where a large mass of shadows was writhing. I rubbed my eyes; it was not an illusion caused by the flickering light, but there were indeed several humanoid figures moving. They too were hunched over, cautiously crawling over the bodies of those sleeping on the ground.
Thus, I felt a great sense of relief; should I thank that damned night blindness? I opened my mouth and shouted again
Rest assured, no one can betray me without facing consequences, regardless of who she is. I silently made this vow to the unknown will that came before me.
With these material foundations, combined with my knowledge as a time traveler, it is quite easy to create even better living conditions. At the very least, previous time travelers have laid the groundwork for me. Whether as a bored dandy in the territory, bullying others, or as an experimentalist indulging in hobbies.
Amidst the oppressive punishment of the stick, the makeshift wooden pole soon became drenched in blood, while the pleas for mercy gradually faded away. Observing the first few individuals being punished, my feelings were far from the calmness reflected in my expression; these were evidently the same individuals who had pursued me earlier, and how had they also been recruited into this situation
In the end, it seems to be the pain and blow of a significant setback, combined with a heart shattered by despair, that led him to voluntarily relinquish his will to live, which in turn allowed for my possession and rebirth, although there are still many things that I cannot recall for the time being
The gate was suddenly opened, and the snoring crowd was also kicked and beaten awake. The gradually igniting firelight illuminated the pale faces of the drowsy crowd, casting a layer of blood color over their bewildered expressions. From outside the wide-open door, some battered individuals were being dragged in, tied from behind a horse, stumbling as they entered.
Where is the thief
Evidently, I dreamt again of the experiences of my former self, seemingly rescued by someone, only to suddenly be rejected with a good person card, decisively abandoned like a bento box, cast adrift in the river, flowing with the current
Returning to the dilapidated shed that had been ransacked, I sat down heavily on the torn haystack. This was truly a shocking stimulus for the soul of a modern person like me
I gritted my teeth and shouted again
In the vast darkness, the ground was filled with bodies lying haphazardly in all directions, jumbled together, relying on each other's body heat to keep warm on the cold, damp earth
Everything that has happened since I met you is clearly a mistake, and I can no longer allow it to continue
The intense pain in the head and the sound of silk being torn came to an abrupt halt in the depths of darkness
This time the effect seems to be extraordinarily good, as if a splash of boiling water had been poured into the center of the camp, causing many bare-chested and hairy-legged individuals to rush out of the tents, all wielding weapons in their hands, looking around in a daze with sleepy eyes, and roaring angrily
To escape from the battlefield and the disputes, I seek the opportunity to secretly return to Luoyang, to reclaim the rewards that I deserve, and then to buy a boat to sail south to Hainan. In this chaotic world, can I not afford to play or hide? At the very least, I can avoid seeing it and keep my peace.
Someone wants to escape
A cacophony of competing voices surged into my ears
Unfortunately, it is a case of being born at the wrong time
Certain faint sounds made me stop once again, slowly lowering my body. Am I the only one unable to sleep at night?
Looking at the water stains on my pant leg, she smiled meaningfully, slowly turned, and left, causing me to involuntarily breathe a sigh of relief
Is this considered luck or misfortune? Thus, I once again tossed and turned without sleep until dawn
Various thoughts and memories intertwine chaotically in my mind, dispelling all drowsiness. The dancer's heart continues to beat fiercely. I slowly rise, walk outside the shed, face the chilly night breeze, and begin to release the water
In another memory I have just recovered, my hometown is located on a large, warm and humid island densely covered with jungles, near the Annam Protectorate. It features vast fields and numerous servants, and apart from the occasional typhoon that occurs two or three times a year, one could say it enjoys a spring-like climate year-round, leading to a stable and comfortable estate life
The faces of those women hidden beneath the ice cellar, each possessing their own charm, allure, brightness, or sweetness, exude a sense of helplessness and attachment that is so vivid yet lacks a sense of reality. When I yearn to embrace and kiss them, and then to do something more, these tender and fragrant scenes suddenly stir, transforming into a shimmering surface illuminated by flames, akin to a deep whirlpool.
They have caught up again
You are awake
We will surely make a name for ourselves in the world
Suddenly, my body jolted as I remembered that I had forgotten certain items. At the very least, I needed to take some essentials, such as a durable backpack and provisions, as well as a walking stick and a folding knife. After a struggle between my thoughts, I ultimately decided to return.
I sat up suddenly, clutching my violently pounding heart, a sense of inexplicable sorrow and determination washing over me, banishing all traces of sleepiness. I slowly retracted my stiff arm that reached into the darkness, wiping away the dampness from the corners of my eyes
Then, finally, someone saw those who were trampling and kicking, crossing over the pile of people lying down and sleeping, which stirred up a series of screams and frantic figures running for their lives, thus making the objective very clear
The water has overflowed
Hang them up
You are truly a wonderful person
I can only... please disappear forever...
The attackers finally discerned the direction from which the sound emanated, but they appeared to suffer from varying degrees of visual impairment. Even from a distance of several steps, they remained bewildered and searching, ultimately failing to detect my presence, and were left with no choice but to grit their teeth and flee outward
That scoundrel is barking wildly
As the leader's furious commands filled the shore, these would-be fugitives were stripped of their lower garments and then struck by several iron-tipped sticks wielded by the leader's followers
You see, we have already escaped
Puff. Puff ... ...
Slowly calming my mood, I listened to the sounds coming from the night, accompanied by the whispers of the wind. The wind carried with it the chaotic sounds of pursuit and shouting. It was about half an hour after I leaned against the books, nearly dozing off.
There are thieves stealing from the camp
I couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat, as it seemed that the thugs from these towns had relentlessly pursued me all the way here, infiltrating this place with the intent to take my life
I slowly take a step forward, bending my body down, concentrating my attention and strength on my toes, as I step over the bodies that are snoring like thunder or murmuring in their dreams
I dreamed again, dreaming of the few vagrants I had killed, and then I killed them again, hitting them with bricks. Even if they came back, they would definitely not be recognized as that lump of rotten flesh. Even a zombie cannot fully revive in place to that extent
Senior...
In this way, do I not have the opportunity to escape from here? I looked at the dark night sky with conflicting feelings in my heart, as if freedom was within easy reach.
Let everyone see it clearly
We will definitely live well, to reclaim everything for those who are still alive and for those who have passed away
Unfortunately, what responded to me was an empty echo and a few curses, along with a hurried emergence filled with trepidation, suddenly glancing around, as if longing to peel off skin and devour bones with a cannibalistic gaze.
A ethereal female voice softly spoke
I am sorry
Seeing their miserable state, I felt as if I had been doused with a bucket of ice water, my entire back completely soaked with cold sweat, and I was filled with a mix of sorrow and joy
In the rising and falling of the snoring sounds, a few dim flickers of fire illuminate the outline of this camp
This time, it finally resembled the ripples of a broken surface, as some tents in the center of the camp began to emit a series of sounds, accompanied by various curses disrupting peaceful dreams and incoherent howls.
The old soldier slowly emerged from the darkness, fully equipped, and stood beside me
Based on daytime observations and visual assessments, the defenses here are not particularly rigorous. Even someone like me, who is a pseudo-military enthusiast straddling the line between mere talk and verification, can see that this camp is not set up very competently