A Shocking Dream

If I encounter a difficult person, I'll adopt a cold, sharp tone and tell him to back off. I'll tell him that I have no romantic feelings, only a longing for freedom and my homeland. I won't stop for anyone, nor will I be bound by any emotion.

I wander alone through the corners of this world, my heart as calm as water. The pursuit and admiration of those men seem nothing but fleeting clouds to me. I am not moved by their sweet words, nor am I deceived by their deep affection.

I knew I had to stay clear-headed and resolute until I found my way back. Feelings would only become a burden, distracting me from my goals. So, I chose solitude and rejected all possible feelings.

I may feel lonely during this long journey, but I believe that as long as I persist, one day I will return to the place where I belong, where there are people and things I am familiar with, and where I truly belong.

Loneliness follows me everywhere. Every night, as I lie in my humble inn room, listening to the wind outside the window, a sense of loneliness creeps in. I think of that familiar world where I have family, friends, warm lights, and bustling streets.

Sometimes, I dream of returning to that world, seeing my parents' caring eyes and hearing my friends' laughter. However, when I wake up, I face an unfamiliar environment and an unknown future. But I never waver. I believe that as long as I persevere, one day, I will return to the place where I belong.

I traveled from town to town, meeting all kinds of people. In a bustling commercial city, I saw people hustling for profit, a clamor that made me yearn even more for the tranquility of my homeland. In a remote mountain village, the kind villagers warmly welcomed me, their simple smiles resonating with me as if they were the warmth of humanity. But wherever I went, I was only a passing visitor, my heart always yearning for that distant place I belonged to.

The journey was filled with constant challenges and difficulties. At one point, I contracted a strange illness that left me debilitated. When I first became ill, I was filled with panic. In this unfamiliar world, without advanced medical equipment or familiar doctors, I wasn't sure if I could survive. I began to question the point of my persistence. Perhaps I would never be able to return to the place that belonged to me.

But I quickly regained my composure. I couldn't give up. My family was waiting for me, my friends were worried about me. I thought about all the hard work and effort I'd put into this journey, and I couldn't let it all go to waste. I began to rely on my medical skills to search for a cure. I tried various herbal remedies, but to no avail. Throughout this process, I was filled with anxiety and restlessness. I worried that my condition would worsen, that I would be trapped in this strange world forever.

Yet, in my despair, I remembered my family's encouragement and my own faith. I couldn't give up. I told myself I could overcome the disease and find my way home. So, I persevered, constantly adjusting my treatment plan. I carefully observed my condition and analyzed the effects of each herbal remedy. In my heart, I silently cheered myself up and told myself to persevere.

Finally, after a long and arduous struggle, my condition gradually improved. At that moment, I was filled with joy and emotion. I knew it was my persistence, my longing to return home that helped me overcome the illness. This strengthened my resolve. No matter how many difficulties and challenges I faced in the future, I would not give up. I would find my way home, back to where I truly belong.

One day, I passed by a mountain forest. It was lush, green, peaceful, and beautiful, and I immediately wanted to settle there. I asked around and learned the mountain was called Qiuluo Mountain. However, they told me it was infested with venomous snakes and ferocious beasts, and even haunted. The villagers who had originally lived at the foot of the mountain were deeply affected, and they all moved out.

I didn't believe in ghosts or gods; I simply felt it was a perfect place to retreat. I inquired about the price of land in Qiuluo Mountain and learned it was very cheap because no one dared to live there. Without hesitation, I agreed, signed the agreement, and put my fingerprints on it. I happily began planning my life here, imagining myself in this peaceful mountain forest, continuing to search for a way back home.

I thought I'd always lived according to my plan, but his appearance led me to a grave mistake. He was Qin Honghe, Prince of Yuan Guo'an, a seemingly gentle and refined man, yet a man brimming with scheming. He stumbled upon my existence, my medical skills, and my wisdom, and began to plot a conspiracy.

Qin Honghe was a man of many lies. To trick me into helping him ascend to power, he was willing to harm himself and orchestrate a show for me. He feigned injury and appeared at my usual haunts, only to be rescued by me. He used sweet talk to gain my trust, recounting his tragic experiences and lofty ambitions. Initially, I had no doubts, believing him to be a nobleman in distress.

Over time, he constantly indoctrinated me with his ideals, misleading me into believing he was a righteous man fighting for his country and his people. Gradually, I fell under his spell, aiding him with his plans and even using my medical skills to treat his men's injuries. However, unbeknownst to me, I had fallen into his carefully crafted trap.

Qin Honghe occasionally learned that I was proficient in mechanical engineering. From that time on, he felt like he had discovered a huge treasure and used me to the fullest extent.

He began to appear before me more frequently, his eyes gleaming with greed and calculation. "I heard you're skilled in mechanical engineering. What an astonishing talent." His words were filled with false praise, but at that moment, I felt a deep sense of unease.

Qin Honghe began to pressure me into making various mechanical weapons for him. He described his so-called grand blueprint, claiming that he would use these weapons to defend the country and bring peace to the people. But I knew clearly that he simply wanted to use these weapons to satisfy his ambitions.

In that dim workshop, my heart felt like it was being weighed down by a heavy stone, heavy and filled with despair. Qin Honghe stood before me, his eyes filled with coldness and menace.

"If you don't, I'll kill you right in front of you." His voice was icy cold, like a demon from hell. I looked at him in horror, my heart filled with anger and helplessness.

He acted without hesitation, dragging an innocent civilian before me. The civilian's eyes were filled with fear, and he pleaded desperately, but Qin Honghe remained unmoved. His gaze held no trace of pity, only cruel murderous intent.

"Do it or not?" Qin Honghe asked again, his tone full of impatience.

I looked at the poor people, and my heart was filled with pain. As a doctor, I have a compassionate heart. How could I watch innocent people die? I protested, "You can't do this!"

However, my resistance was met with an even more brutal response. Qin Honghe raised his sword and struck, instantly slashing the civilian to pieces in a pool of blood. My heart sank, a mixture of anger and grief.

He dragged another civilian over and continued to threaten me. "Do it, or not?"

I looked at the helpless civilians, their eyes filled with despair and fear. I knew I couldn't let any more people die. Forced to do so, I agreed.