Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

Following the recipe in the book, Li Ruoyue methodically began to prepare the medicine for the wound. She expertly mixed the various herbs in the correct proportions, crushed them in a stone mortar, and then added an appropriate amount of water to mix thoroughly. This process required immense patience and meticulousness; even the slightest mistake could compromise the efficacy of the medicine.

However, Li Ruoyue didn't have any experimental subjects to verify the effectiveness of her concoction. Undeterred, she relied on her master's profound understanding of her skills and years of experience to refine the prescription based on the description of the condition in the notebook.

She constantly adjusted the dosage and ratio of each herb, sometimes frowning in deep thought, sometimes showing joy, as if she had found the key. And so, after countless attempts and failures, Li Ruoyue gradually found a nearly perfect formula.

Just as Li Ruoyue was enthusiastically discussing the mysterious research prescription, the horrifying news came like a ghost. As time passed quietly, it finally descended upon a small village closest to the Huns.

It was spring, and a gentle drizzle was falling. An elderly cattle herder named Chunyu was leisurely herding his sheep home. However, on the way, a majestic ram suddenly became restless and suddenly rushed out of the herd without warning.

At first, Old Man Chunyu didn't take this sudden incident too seriously, simply thinking the ram was just having a moment, wanting to have some fun on its own. So, he let the ram run freely around, as if it were patrolling its territory. The ram, like a whirlwind, kept darting back and forth, as if the land had become its stage for unbridled galloping. This kind of situation was already commonplace for the ram.

The old shepherd, whip in hand, marched his flock forward with slow, determined steps. The sun, as if drained of its blood by an invisible beast, gradually sank to the west. Even though it was spring, night fell unusually early.

Even in early spring, the biting cold wind was like a sharp blade, piercing through the old man's thin clothing and mercilessly cutting his flesh. This cold brought by the late spring cold made people shiver.

The old man was extremely anxious, and he really didn't want to wait for the naughty ram any longer. So he opened his voice and shouted the ram's nickname: "Little Gray! Little Gray! Come back soon, it's time for us to go home!" The voice echoed in the empty field, with a hint of anxiety and urging.

"It's getting dark! It's very dangerous at night! Come back quickly and stop being naughty!" the old man kept shouting, over and over again. Finally, under his persistent call, the ram reluctantly ran over from a distance. It seemed quite dissatisfied with this premature end to its playtime, and from time to time it let out a few protesting bleats.

However, when the ram got closer, the old man was surprised to find that two ewes were following closely behind him. This unexpected situation made the old man laugh and cry, and he muttered to himself, "This little gray sheep, he never forgets to flirt with other women wherever he goes!" However, since everyone had returned, the old man felt relieved and prepared to lead the flock of sheep on the road home.

The vast expanse of the prairie, like a green ocean, is magnificent and mysterious. Here, life is filled with uncertainty and surprise. Perhaps on an ordinary day, while gazing off into the distance, you suddenly spot two unfamiliar sheep leisurely grazing. On the same day, when you wake up early to herd your flock, you are startled to discover that several sheep are missing from your once-large flock.

This vast grassland is so vast that it's difficult to determine exactly where the sheep that suddenly appear come from or which households they belong to. The old man in the family is accustomed to the occasional "stealing" of sheep from other households. Sometimes, he can even be seen smiling, as if marveling at nature's marvelous arrangements. Of course, it's inevitable that a few of their own sheep will stray from time to time. After all, the grassland is so vast, and these lovely creatures may simply have lost their way while playing. However, whether a few foreign sheep appear or a few of their own sheep disappear, it's just a normal occurrence on this vast grassland. People live in harmony with nature, accepting and embracing these small surprises and changes.

The old man looked at these uninvited guests without much concern. He thought, perhaps one day, these creatures would find their way home and leave on their own. Therefore, he did not take the matter too seriously.

However, two days passed. On this day, the old man first noticed something was wrong with two of his sheep. They suddenly began drooling non-stop, like a broken faucet that wouldn't stop. At first, the old man didn't think much of it, as it was a common occurrence among his flock.

However, as time went on, half a day passed, and the drooling sheep showed no signs of improvement. Instead, its condition worsened. Its saliva flowed more and more, as if it had lost control of its mouth. At the same time, the sheep was also experiencing bouts of night sweats, and its fur was soaked with sweat and stuck to its skin.

Seeing this, the old man's heart suddenly tightened, and he instantly became alert. You know, he is a man who has experienced countless storms! Although the scene before him is not particularly thrilling, with years of experience and knowledge, he knows that this is no ordinary thing.

It was a full ten years ago. In that spring, a time of rebirth and hope, a foot-and-mouth disease of unprecedented magnitude suddenly struck like a demon. For a moment, the shadow of death enveloped every village and ranch.

Those usually docile and loving livestock succumbed to this terrible plague. Cows stopped mooing, sheep stopped bleating, and they struggled in agony before finally closing their eyes helplessly. The number of livestock that died was staggering, almost uncountable. From the elderly, the young, the ignorant, to the strong and powerful, everyone wept heartbrokenly around their cattle and sheep.

People lamented the injustice of heaven, asking why such a disaster had been sent down; they also lamented the hardships of life, as if the entire world had become dark and gloomy. Even God seemed unable to bear to see such a tragic scene. Was he really going to sever the people's path to survival?

That year, not only did livestock die in large numbers, but many people also lost their lives due to the unfortunate infection. Even more terrifying, the disease was contagious, spreading from person to person. Those horrific scenes are still deeply engraved in the old man's mind. Whenever he recalls that unbearable past, he can't help but feel a chill and tremble. The mountains of dead cattle and sheep, the faces twisted with despair, linger like a nightmare. It was truly horrific!

The old man slowly recovered from the painful memory. His face was grim, and beads of sweat still hung on his forehead. He didn't dare to delay any longer. He quickly picked up a thick rope and skillfully and swiftly tied the two sheep. Then, holding the rope tightly, he hurried towards the open space.

Arriving at his destination, the old man put down the rope and turned to retrieve a shovel. He took a deep breath, as if to give himself some strength. Then, he began to dig the earth vigorously, one, two... Each shovelful was filled with his worries and responsibilities for life.

Recalling the torrential downpour many years ago, many experienced people sprang into action, digging deep pits and burying the pigs, cattle, and sheep that had died from the disease. The scene was still vivid in his mind, and it made the old man realize the dire consequences of the spread of disease. Now that he had so many sheep, if he didn't promptly dispose of these two sick ones, it could potentially lead to a disaster, potentially costing him all his years of savings. Thinking of this, the old man gritted his teeth, determined not to lose the big picture for the sake of a small gain.

Despite the ram's protesting cries, attempting to stop the old man from taking the two ewes, the old man remained unmoved. He resolutely made his way through the flock and forcibly led the two ewes out. Then, with a slightly heavy step, he walked towards a place far from the flock. The lower ground there, sparsely populated, was a perfect place for burial.

After arriving at the chosen spot, the old man began to work tirelessly with his shovel, digging a deep hole that would become the final resting place for the sick sheep. As time went by, the hole grew deeper and deeper, and his sweat soaked through his clothes, but he never stopped working.

Just as the old man was digging furiously, trying to completely bury himself, he suddenly stopped. His wrinkled hands gripped the edge of the ground tightly, and he slowly and painstakingly climbed outward. Every movement seemed laborious, as if all his strength had been drained away.

Finally, the old man struggled to climb out of the pit. However, the moment he stood still and took in the scene before him, he was struck by lightning and instantly froze in shock. Suddenly, several groups of heavily armored men had gathered around him! These men, riding tall and mighty warhorses, stared at him with cold eyes.