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Watching Duo sulking, Wang Bo couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. So this little girl was angry about that after all.

“Come now, Duo, don’t be upset. Your brother and I went out because we had something to do, not to have fun. If you want to go out and play, how about one day your brother and I take you out for a whole day?” Zhao Yun gently stroked Duo’s hair, comforting her softly. Duo’s eyes sparkled with little stars—an ordinary scene, yet to Wang Bo, it looked suspiciously like a shady uncle trying to lure a little girl. Shaking his head to rid himself of the wicked thought, Wang Bo was relieved to see Duo’s anger ebbing away and quickly seized the opportunity.

“That’s right, your brother and Yun went out for business. If we were really out playing, how could we not take you along, Duo?” he said, striking while the iron was hot.

“Really?” Duo asked doubtfully, clearly trusting Zhao Yun more than Wang Bo.

Seeing her questioning gaze, Wang Bo felt a surge of frustration. Comparing people could drive one mad—just moments ago, she’d been starry-eyed, and now, facing him, she was full of suspicion. But all Wang Bo could do was patiently reply, “Of course it’s true. Would Yun ever lie to you?” Left with no better option, he invoked Zhao Yun’s name. As expected, Duo’s demeanor changed instantly upon hearing it.

“That’s right, Yun wouldn’t lie to me. I’ll trust you this time.” She beamed at Zhao Yun, leaving Wang Bo with a sense of helplessness. Was he not her real brother? Why did she trust Zhao Yun more than him? This little girl was hopeless.

“Alright, Duo, can you tell me now where Father and Mother have gone?” Seeing that Duo was no longer angry, Wang Bo asked again about their parents’ whereabouts. It was getting late; once they said their farewells, they could leave the village.

“I don’t know where Father and Mother went. They didn’t tell me when they left. They only said that if I saw you, I should tell you to wait until they return before heading out.” Duo replied innocently, her eyes fixed on Zhao Yun, completely unaware that Wang Bo beside her was about to explode in frustration. So all his efforts had been in vain, and he still hadn’t gotten the answer he wanted. All he could do was shake his head in resignation.

Just as Wang Bo was at a loss, Wang Hu and Li entered from outside.

“Father, Mother, why are you only now returning? Where did you go just now?” Seeing his parents enter, Wang Bo hurried over to ask, but noticing their unusual expressions, he quickly added, “What’s wrong, Father, Mother? Is something the matter? Why do you look so troubled?”

Originally, Wang Hu and Li had decided, upon hearing that Wang Bo was leaving the village, to give him some money and valuables for emergencies. However, years of Wang Bo’s illness had drained most of the family’s savings on medicine, worsening their already modest circumstances. Though Wang Bo’s health had improved lately, the household finances had not recovered. Of course, they wouldn't tell Wang Bo about this. So, the couple decided to borrow some copper coins from Wang Cai, a relatively well-off neighbor whose fields bordered theirs. Wang Hu often helped Wang Cai with farm work, so their relationship was decent.

But when they arrived at Wang Cai’s house, before they could even mention borrowing money, Wang Cai’s wife subjected them to a barrage of mockery and sarcasm. Both Wang Hu and Li were honest folk, and after such ridicule, they didn’t know how to broach the subject. Not only did they fail to borrow any money, but they also suffered the humiliation of her harsh words. Anyone’s mood would be soured by such an experience.

Asked by Wang Bo, Wang Hu and Li didn’t know what to say. “It’s nothing, we just went out for a bit,” Wang Hu replied.

“Really?” Wang Bo asked, still suspicious.

“Of course,” Wang Hu nodded.

From his father’s response, Wang Bo sensed something was being hidden, but since his father wouldn’t say, he didn’t press further. Judging by his father’s demeanor, even if he persisted, he wouldn’t get an answer, so Wang Bo dropped the subject.

“Mother, how’s my luggage coming along?” Wang Bo turned to Li.

“Oh, it’s nearly ready. I’ve packed your clothes. Let me fetch it for you.” She went inside and soon returned with a cloth bundle, handing it to Wang Bo. “Your clothes are inside, along with some food, and a few loose copper coins at the bottom. Use them sparingly.”

Hearing this, Wang Bo grew anxious. How much money did the family have left? If he took these coins, what would happen to the household? “Mother, why give me money? Yun and I are going into the mountains, not to the city. We won’t need money. Besides, the family still needs it. If I take it, what will you do?” Wang Bo hurriedly took the coins from the bundle and handed them back to Li.

“You’re going out; how can you not carry some money?” Li tried repeatedly to press the coins into Wang Bo’s hands, but he steadfastly refused. Seeing his resolve, Li glanced at Wang Hu.

“It’s alright, since Bo doesn’t want it, let it be. He’s right—not going to town, so there’s no need for money,” Wang Hu said.

“It’s getting late. You should set off soon, or you won’t reach Changshan before nightfall,” Zhao Yun reminded Wang Bo, checking the time.

“Alright, Father, Mother, your son is leaving.” Li clung to Wang Bo’s sleeve, tears brimming in her eyes. Seeing his mother like this, Wang Bo felt awkward and unsure.

“Mother…”

Li wiped her eyes. “It’s nothing, just that I can’t bear to let you go. You’ve never been away from me since you were little.”

“Come now, don’t cry. Bo isn’t leaving forever; perhaps he’ll be back in a few days,” Wang Hu consoled her.

“I know, but…”

“No more buts,” Wang Hu interrupted. “If you don’t hurry, Bo and Yun will have to sleep in the forest.”

Hearing this, Li let go of Wang Bo’s hand, giving him a loving farewell. “Bo, be careful on the road. Come back soon.”

“Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll return quickly. Father, Mother, and Duo, take care. Your son is off.” With that, Wang Bo slung his bundle over his shoulder and strode out the door.

“Uncle Hu, Auntie, take care. And little Duo, Yun is leaving.” Zhao Yun patted Duo’s head and turned to leave.

“Yun, remember—you promised to play with Duo!” Duo called after him.

Watching the departing figures, Li’s tears could no longer be held back, and even Duo looked unhappy.

“Come now, don’t cry. Bo has grown up; we can’t keep him tied to our side forever,” Wang Hu comforted her. “They’ve gone far now. Let’s go back inside.”

Having bid farewell to his parents, Wang Bo walked quickly along the country path, Zhao Yun close behind. Leaving the village, Wang Bo felt a pang of sadness; his mother’s expression tugged at his heart. But thinking about soon meeting Tong Yuan, he was filled with anticipation.

Outside the village, fields stretched as far as the eye could see. A gentle breeze made the wheat sway, as if shaking off sleep and striving upwards with all their might. Seeing the flourishing fields, Wang Bo felt joy, but also worry. Joy at the promise of a good harvest in autumn, worry for the disasters that might come before the Yellow Turban Rebellion. He didn’t know how long until that upheaval, but for now, the crops were thriving, and perhaps there was still time. He sighed deeply.

Zhao Yun, hearing his sigh, asked, “What’s wrong, Bo? Are you worrying about Uncle Hu and the others?”

Wang Bo shook his head. “No, my parents will be fine in the village. I’m just thinking about other things.” He shook his head again.

“What could be troubling you so much?” Zhao Yun wondered. Wang Bo hadn’t been like this during the farewell—why was he suddenly so gloomy upon leaving the village?

“Yun, what do you think of the crops outside the village?” Wang Bo suddenly asked, catching Zhao Yun off guard.

“The crops? They look excellent. This year should be a bumper harvest. Why mention the crops—are you sighing over them? I see nothing but good signs,” Zhao Yun replied, puzzled.

“True, it’s a good year, but who can say about next year? Farmers rely on the heavens. If disaster strikes and the crops fail, how will the villagers survive?” Wang Bo sighed again.

Zhao Yun was startled by his words. Wang Bo had a point; although Zhao Yun had never witnessed total crop failure, he remembered years of poor harvests and the misery that followed. He shuddered to imagine what a complete failure would bring.

“Bo, aren’t you being a bit alarmist? While there are bad years, crops rarely fail entirely.”

“Those who do not plan ahead will suffer immediate worries. Heaven’s grace is unpredictable—who can know?” Wang Bo replied, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the verdant fields. Zhao Yun did not understand, but Wang Bo knew all too well: years of disaster, crops utterly lost.

“Do you have a solution, Bo?” Seeing Wang Bo’s troubled expression, Zhao Yun couldn’t help but ask.

“You overestimate me, Yun. If I had a solution, why would I be sighing here?” Wang Bo shook his head. “Let’s not dwell on it now. We should hurry on—I’m eager to see Master Tong.” With that, his gloomy expression vanished, replaced by eagerness. Zhao Yun was helpless—just moments ago, Wang Bo had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and now he was so changed. Was this really his brother? What Zhao Yun didn’t know was that although Wang Bo looked the same, his soul belonged to someone entirely different.

“Alright, let’s hurry.” With that, Zhao Yun strode forward, Wang Bo following closely.

To the southeast of Zhengding County in Changshan Commandery, Jizhou, stood Changshan itself—the highest peak in the commandery, looming beside the county seat. Its layered ridges revealed its grandeur. The mountain’s height and dense forests meant that no villages or fields could be seen for miles around. It was as though the mountain, like a drunken old man, had slumbered for countless millennia, never awakened, never explored. Even the most adventurous hunters only ventured to its foothills, chasing goats, wild boars, and birds that descended from its heights, never daring to climb to the summit. Today, however, two figures arrived at its base.

Wang Bo and Zhao Yun, after hours of arduous travel, finally reached the foot of Changshan. They hurried on, but Wang Bo’s strength failed him before the ascent. Helpless, Zhao Yun stayed with him. The journey had left Wang Bo exhausted. Looking up at the towering peak and dense forest, Wang Bo felt a throbbing headache. Glancing at the calm Zhao Yun, Wang Bo muttered to himself, “He’s a monster—not worth comparing, he’s a monster—not worth comparing.”

“Bo, are you rested enough?” As Wang Bo kept repeating this mantra, Zhao Yun asked with concern. “If you’re ready, let’s head up. If we delay too long, we won’t reach the cottage before dark—the mountains are home to wild beasts, and spending the night here could be dangerous.” Zhao Yun glanced at the sky, worry evident.

Hearing this, Wang Bo dared not delay further and stood up at once. Looking at the forest that blocked out the sky, he felt a tremor of fear in his heart. Brushing the dust off his clothes, he said to Zhao Yun, “I’m rested, Yun. Let’s go.” With that, they entered the deep mountain, one after the other.

The mountain was very quiet, ancient trees lush and towering. The dense foliage blocked out the sky, sunlight filtering through gaps in the leaves, scattered and faint, making the already silent mountain even more eerie.

“Yun, how much farther?” Wang Bo asked again, stumbling along behind Zhao Yun on the thorny mountain path, grumbling internally.

“Almost there, just a bit more effort,” Zhao Yun reassured him.

“But Yun, you said the same thing half an hour ago,” Wang Bo panted, wiping sweat from his brow with his sleeve. His legs felt leaden and trembled with exhaustion. If he’d known it would be this hard, he wouldn’t have come.

“This time we really are close. If you need, we can rest again,” Zhao Yun said, seeing that Wang Bo was near his limit. Hearing this, Wang Bo plopped down unceremoniously. “Yun, how much longer do you think?” he asked.

Zhao Yun thought for a moment. “At our current pace, less than an hour.”

“What? Another hour? That’s torture!” Wang Bo’s wails echoed through the forest. Zhao Yun quickly covered his mouth. “Don’t shout—you might attract wild animals. Rest a bit more, then let’s keep going. If you get tired, you can take off your sandbags and I’ll carry them for you.”

Zhao Yun’s suggestion stunned Wang Bo. Why hadn’t he thought of that? He hurriedly took off his sandbags and handed them to Zhao Yun.

Without the sandbags, Wang Bo felt much lighter. He bounced a few times, then said, “Alright, Yun, I’m fine now. Let’s go.”

Unburdened, Wang Bo’s pace quickened considerably. But fate seemed intent on making his journey difficult.

As the sun set, its rays grew weak and could no longer penetrate the dense foliage. The forest began to sink into darkness. Seeing the deepening gloom, Wang Bo grew anxious. Though he laughed and chatted with Zhao Yun, his heart was filled with fear. The darkness seemed like a beast capable of swallowing everything, and Wang Bo felt as though he was trapped in its belly, anxious and uneasy. Unconsciously, he drew closer and closer to Zhao Yun.

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