A Shocking Dream

The kind and gentle old man entrusted her with Kankan, showing great trust in her. She seemed to have seen the grief-stricken face of Liu's father and heard his heartbreaking questions.

"Forget it, thankfully it's all over now," Lin Wunian murmured softly. She raised her hand and wiped the stains on her forehead, which she couldn't tell were sweat or blood, trying to cheer herself up. The sky was gradually darkening, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone through the gaps between the branches, casting patches of light and shadow on the ground, like a natural painting, yet also revealing a certain eerieness.

Lin Wunian knew they couldn't stay here for long. She forced herself to stay strong, tightened the reins, and said to Kankan, "Kankan, we have to find a safe place to spend the night as soon as possible." Kankan nodded obediently. Her face was still a little pale, but her eyes were more determined.

The two men rode slowly forward, following a faint path through the forest. The surroundings were eerily quiet, the only sounds being the clatter of horse hooves and the rustling of leaves in the wind. Lin Wunian observed his surroundings vigilantly, his sword tightly gripped, not daring to slack off even for a moment.

When they reached a relatively open valley, Lin Wunian discovered a cave. She dismounted and approached to investigate. The cave was relatively dry, with no unusual odor. "Let's stay here tonight," she said to Kankan.

Kankan dismounted and followed Lin Wunian into the cave. Lin Wunian took some dry food and water from the horse's back and handed them to Kankan: "Eat something to replenish your energy." Kankan took it, but after only a few bites, she lost her appetite.

Lin Wunian looked at Kankan, her heart filled with pity. She knew that today's experience had been too horrific for Kankan, and she needed time to slowly recover. She sat at the cave entrance, gazing at the gradually darkening sky outside, her thoughts drifting away.

Outside the cave, dusk slowly descended like a vast gray curtain, enveloping the entire forest. The trees within the forest were tall and gloomy, like silent giants in the fading light. Their branches swayed gently in the breeze, rustling like whispers of ancient and mysterious stories. The distant peaks were only vague outlines in the twilight, blending inextricably with the low-hanging clouds.

She once lived a carefree life, but fate's relentless twists and turns, embroiling her in one hardship after another. Now, in this desolate mountain forest, she must face unknown dangers with her daughter, Qianqian. She recalled her original intention of studying medicine: to heal the wounded and the dying. She never expected that in this chaotic world, she would draw her sword more for the sake of survival.

A gentle breeze blew past, bringing a hint of coolness and ruffling the white hair from her forehead. It seemed to come from the depths of the forest, carrying the scent of damp earth, decaying leaves, and the faint scent of wild animals. Her gaze passed beyond the trees, as if catching sight of a distant town. There might be the answers she sought, or perhaps even more hidden troubles.

In the cave, Kankan huddled in a corner, her eyes still somewhat empty. Lin Wunian secretly vowed to keep Kankan safe.

As the sky grew darker, Lin Wunian rose, found some dry branches in the cave, and started a fire. The flames danced, illuminating her and Kankan's faces. The surrounding cave walls were dappled with light and shadow, casting bizarre shadows. She sat down beside Kankan and gently held her in her arms, as if protecting her own sister. "Don't be afraid, I'm here," she whispered, her voice echoing through the cave with a reassuring power.

Kanan raised her head slightly and looked at Lin Wunian. Her lips moved, but no words came out. Lin Wunian simply held her tightly, staring at the fire. The orange-red flames licked the air, casting flickering shadows on the cave's stone walls.

Lin Wunian's thoughts were still wandering. She thought about the hardships of the journey, not only the physical exhaustion but also the emotional burden. She knew that although Kanan hadn't spoken, her inner fear and anxiety were like the shadows in the cave, omnipresent. "Kanan, everything will pass," Lin Wunian said softly, as if to comfort Kanan, but also as if to encourage herself.

At that moment, the wind outside the cave whistled past, rustling the branches, as if trying to find its way into this only warm corner. Lin Wunian hugged Kanan tightly, feeling her slightly trembling body. She knew that tonight's fire was not only for warmth, but also to dispel the haze in her heart.

In her arms, Qianqian gradually calmed down, her breathing becoming even. Lin Wunian's gaze remained fixed on the flames, but her mind replayed the battle against the plague in Linzhou. Those life-or-death moments intertwined with the current predicament made her increasingly aware of the fragility and tenacity of life.

As the night deepened, the fire grew fainter. Lin Wunian carefully added branches to keep the flames burning. Each branch added to the fire was accompanied by a slight "crackling" sound, and sparks danced, briefly illuminating the dome of the cave.

Kanan had fallen asleep in her arms, a trace of fear still lingering on her face. Lin Wunian looked at her, his eyes filled with tenderness and determination.

Outside the cave, the forest was completely engulfed in darkness. The wind raged through the valley, emitting a series of shrill howls, as if countless evil spirits were wailing. The sound seeped in through the cracks in the cave, sending a chill down one's spine. Lin Wunian pricked up his ears, carefully listening to the sounds outside, his sword tightly gripped in his hand, ready to respond to any possible danger.

She recalled the hardships she had endured, the days of fate's twists and turns, the lost family and friends. But it was these experiences that made her strong, giving her the courage to survive in this troubled world. Now, she carried Kanan with her, like a spark of hope, determined to keep it burning in this dark world.

As time went by, Lin Wunian began to feel tired. But she didn't dare close her eyes, so she leaned against the cave wall, trying to stay awake. She stared at the fire, her thoughts drifting off into the distance.

Finally, the sky began to lighten, and dawn was approaching. Lin Wunian gently woke Kankan, looked at her sleepy face, and said softly, "Kankan, a new day has begun, and it's time for us to set off." Kankan nodded, and the two of them packed their luggage and walked out of the cave into the morning light.

Lin Wunian and Kankan walked until noon. The sun was high in the sky, the heat was unbearable, and the road under their feet became increasingly rugged and difficult to walk on.

Suddenly, the path ahead was cut off by a wide, fast-flowing river. The water was murky, swirling in turbulent eddies, crashing against the rocks on the shore, sending up high splashes and a deafening roar. Kanan stared at the river before her, her face agonizing. "Sister Wunian, how can we cross this river?"