Chapter 7: A Dream of Ten Years

"Er Niu! A guest has arrived, please serve this young man a bowl of hot tea first!" He called out towards the inner room, nodded at Lei Yu, and continued, "Young man, I seem to have some impression of that Qingyun Town you mentioned, but I can't quite recall where I heard about it. You must have been in this icy cold for a while, and you must be tired. Why not have a cup of hot tea and take a rest while I think it over carefully!"

"Father-in-law, do you remember?" Lei Yu exclaimed with great joy, quickly standing up to ask.

"By the way, father-in-law, what year is it now?" After a moment of daze, Lei Yu's emotions finally calmed down, and he casually asked.

In this vast mountain range, everything is covered in a blanket of white. Although Lei Yu can be said to be a native of this land, he is only familiar with the mountain range where he lives. In this unfamiliar place, however, he has no sense of direction at all, let alone the ability to find the forest where his younger brother is hiding

Following the direction of the rising smoke, Lei Yu hurriedly ran, and soon a simple wooden cabin appeared before his eyes

In this icy and snowy expanse, even if one cannot find the way home, the only thing that thunderstorm can do is just that! Although Thunderstorm is very eager to ascertain the whereabouts of his subordinate Thunder Jay, being anxious is of no use at all!

Perhaps it is due to the magical effects of that mysterious fruit, but as Lei Yu rushed along, he not only felt no chill whatsoever, but his body seemed to grow increasingly warm. However, at this moment, Lei Yu discovered a dilemma.

In the thirty-sixth year of Emperor Wu, Lei Yu had initially asked casually about it, but upon hearing the old man's words, he was suddenly taken aback. Lei Yu clearly remembered that the year he was pursued by those wicked servants was the twenty-sixth year of Emperor Wu, when he was just sixteen years old. However, it seemed that he had merely run a circle in this great mountain, and in the blink of an eye, it had already become the thirty-sixth year of Emperor Wu. This was something Lei Yu found hard to accept.

Eight years ago, a high-ranking official passed through the town at the foot of the mountain. It seems he came from Qingyun Town. I remember hearing that Qingyun Town was located at the foot of a large mountain, several hundred miles away from here. However, I heard that it was destroyed in the war a few years ago. After taking a sip of tea, the old man continued to speak slowly and leisurely.

Qingyun Town! Upon hearing this name, the old man's brows furrowed tightly, as if he were deep in thought about something

By the way, Qingyun Town! I know where Qingyun Town is! At that moment, the old man's eyes suddenly opened wide

Indeed!" He nodded slightly, and the old man continued, "If I remember correctly, the Qingyun Town you mentioned should be right there!

The old man has been honored! Lei Yu shook off the snowflakes on his body, gave a slight nod to the elder as a gesture of acknowledgment, and strode in.

"Young man, what is the matter with you? This year is indeed the thirty-sixth year of Emperor Wu, and this is absolutely certain!" Seeing the sudden change in the thunderstorm, the old man was also somewhat perplexed, and continued to affirm.

She handed the teacup in her hand to Lei He and Shu Yu, then Er Niu turned around and ran back into the inner room

This girl? The old man smiled wryly, picked up the teacup in his hand, took a few large sips, and slightly closed his eyes, pondering where he had heard the name Qingyun Town before

In this icy and snowy world, Lei Yu has indeed been traveling for a long time. However, when it comes to feeling tired, Lei Yu does not feel it at all. Nevertheless, since the old man has been so hospitable, Lei Yu naturally cannot refuse.

"I never expected that on such a cold day, there would still be guests visiting. Young man, please come in!" At the head of the room, an elderly man dressed in a worn-out cotton coat was sitting there, holding a bowl of hot tea. Although he seemed surprised to see Lei Yu at first, he quickly stood up warmly and greeted Lei Yu.

This year should be the thirty-sixth year of the Great Emperor Wu's reign! The old man paused slightly and then responded.

Regarding Er Niu's actions, Lei Yu could understand to some extent, but he merely smiled faintly and did not take it to heart

Is anyone there? The head of a thunderstorm peered into the room, inquiring softly, surveying the interior and the books within.

Perhaps the Qingyun Town I mentioned is not the one you are looking for. However, to the best of my knowledge, there is only that one Qingyun Town. Why don't you go to the town at the foot of the mountain and inquire further, young man?" Seeing Lei Yu's excited demeanor, the old man paused for a moment before continuing.

"Excuse me, sir, what place is this? How far is it from Qingyun Town?" Casual in his demeanor, Lei Yu found a chair to sit down, taking a slight breath as he inquired of the old man. Qingyun Town is not far from the foot of the mountain where Lei Yu resides, and if he could return there, he would surely be able to find his way back home.

The door of the wooden house stood wide open, and Thunderstorm walked to the door, gently knocking on the open entrance

Although it is still snowing heavily at this moment, Lei Yu has discovered that his eyesight seems to have improved significantly! He can actually see a wisp of curling smoke in the distance, which fills Lei Yu with uncontrollable joy

No! Impossible! When I left, Qingyun Town was perfectly fine; it could not have been destroyed. Elder, you must be mistaken!" Lei Yu shook his head vigorously, clearly remembering that before the heavy snowfall, he and his father had gone to Qingyun Town to sell mountain goods. Yet this old man claimed that Qingyun Town had been destroyed several years ago. Lei Yu could not believe it, and he was certain that this old man had made a mistake. He clearly remembered that before the heavy snowfall, he and his father had gone to Qingyun Town to sell mountain goods. Yet this old man claimed that Qingyun Town had been destroyed several years ago. Lei Yu could not believe it, and he was certain that this old man had made a mistake.

Ten years, a dream of ten years has just passed like this! No, it’s impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Lei Yu, feeling utterly lost, sat down heavily, muttering to himself. If previously Lei Yu could still think that the old man’s mention of Qingyun Town was not the place he was looking for, now he could say that he simply could not escape from it even if he wanted to.

However, perhaps due to a certain fear of meeting strangers, although the young girl had her head lowered, Lei Yu could still clearly see the blush on her pretty face.

At that moment, the bamboo curtain of the inner room was gently lifted, and a girl of about sixteen or seventeen emerged. Although she was dressed in coarse cloth, her lips were red and her teeth white. Her pair of round, sparkling eyes appeared exceptionally adorable. It seems that this girl is the "Er Niu" mentioned by the old man.