Man in the Ark: Revitalizing Kazdel

Yumen Pass, a border city of the Yan Kingdom, was once where the Great Yan army defended against the invasion of evil spirits. Today, it is one of the most important military cities of the Great Yan, shouldering the heavy responsibility of defending the northern border.

In recent years, the frequency of demonic incursions has decreased, and Yumen has gradually begun to develop its tourism and commercial economy. More and more tourists from other cities in the Great Yan Dynasty are appearing on the streets.

"Why should the Qiang flute lament the willows, for the spring breeze does not cross the Jade Gate Pass?" The storyteller's melodious recitation of poetry, carried by the desolate desert winds, reached the distant military camp.

"General Zuo, an urgent letter from the court awaits your review." The weary messenger knocked on the door and entered, taking out a scroll from his robes and presenting it to you with both hands while bowing.

"Okay, I understand." Zuo Xuanliao, the highest military commander of Yumen, looked up from his busy military affairs, reached out and took the scroll and unfolded it.

"The year is drawing to a close, the Jade Gate is open for return! Martial arts grandmaster, step down and return to the capital..." The contents of the scroll made Zuo Xuanliao narrow his eyes slightly.

"Has the Great Yan been preparing for many years? Is the time finally ripe?" Zuo Xuanliao pondered for a moment, picked up his pen, wrote a reply, put it in a sealed tube, and handed it to the messenger.

"I am aware of the court's intentions. Please deliver this letter to the Ministry of War."

"Then I will not disturb General Zuo any longer and will immediately set off to return and report." The messenger bowed in farewell, quickly went out, put on a straw hat and mask, and disappeared into the street.

......

In an unremarkable training ground in Yumen, an ancient longsword wrapped in red thread floats on the wooden floor. Martial arts master Chongyue sits cross-legged, eyes closed in meditation.

In the spiritual world constructed by Chongyue, the Sui beast, representing violence, arrogance, and conceit, and humans, representing wisdom, calmness, and sensibility, are in conflict with each other.

As the human phantom unleashed a punch embodying a thousand techniques, the overwhelming beastly shadows were instantly shattered, and humanity still prevailed.

Through countless mental battles, Chongyue gradually found his own path, recognizing who he was and why he was born on this land.

The soft footsteps outside the martial arts arena interrupted Chongyue's meditation. The old wooden door was pushed open, and Zuo Xuanliao's tall and imposing figure blocked the fiery red sunset on the horizon.

"Grandmaster, I apologize for disturbing your cultivation. A letter has arrived from the imperial court."

"Thank you for your help, General Zuo."

......

At the summit of Shangshu Peak, shrouded in mist, a wooden pavilion appears and disappears amidst the thick fog. On scattered sheets of Xuan paper, the flowing strokes of the brush convey a sense of carefree ease and a dreamlike, thousand-year-old sentiment.

The eldest sister of the Sui family, a retired civil servant and a heavy drinker—Ling—was lying face up amidst the scattered calligraphy and paintings. When she was awakened by the hikers, her eyes were blurry with drunkenness, half-asleep, clearly not yet fully recovered from her hangover.

"Miss Ling, how conscious are you now?" The mountaineer waved his five fingers in front of Ling's eyes to draw her attention to him.

"Life is but a hundred years, a grand dream. Why bother distinguishing between dreams and reality all the time?" Ling used his long, thin tail to prop up his swaying body, and the wine gourd hooked by the tip of his tail fell into his hand.

"Speak, what do you want? I still need to go down the mountain to buy wine later." After drinking the last few drops of wine, he shook the wine gourd, still feeling a bit unsatisfied.

"A letter from the imperial court requests that you come down the mountain with me..." The climber bowed slightly as he respectfully explained his purpose.

"I understand. Do you mind if I buy a gourd of wine along the way?" Ling held up the empty gourd and gestured to the hiker.

"Please feel free to buy as many pots as you like," the mountaineer said with a calm smile and nodded in agreement.

"Could you pay for my drinks?"

"You're joking, of course you can. At worst, we can ask our superiors for reimbursement later."

"Okay, let's go down the mountain now."