I Am Immortal in Great Yu

At dawn, the orange-red sunlight cascaded down, splashing like ink across the mountains and rivers. It mingled with a mist as thin as smoke, draping the magnificent ranges in iridescent veils.

Beneath a blue sky and white clouds, a Cyan Eagle let out a clear cry as it circled overhead, then suddenly plummeted in a steep dive.

It was in this very setting that a merchant caravan slowly wound its way through the ridges and ravines, like ants marching over mounds of earth.

CREAK... SQUEAK...

At the rear of the caravan, the Fang Family's horse-drawn carriage rolled along, kicking up puffs of dust from the drought-cracked ground.

"Brother, look! This blade of grass has jagged edges!"

"Doesn't that rock look like a little dog?"

"What a big eagle!"

...

Ever since they had left the city, the two little girls, Fang Ling and Nannan, had thrown open the carriage curtains. Perched at the window, they gazed out at the novel sights, chattering excitedly like two little birds freed from a cage.

It was as if they weren't on an arduous journey, exposed to the elements, but on a leisurely spring outing.

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, in contrast, was a bundle of nerves. Her hands were clenched tightly as she stared anxiously out the window, on guard for any danger, as if terrified of an imminent attack.

Third Lady was faring a little better, but she was tense all the same.

This was hardly surprising.

Back in the city, they had often heard people talk about how chaotic and dangerous it was outside the walls. Now that they were actually out here, it was only natural to feel apprehensive.

Besides, it was perfectly normal to feel a bit out of sorts after leaving the comfort and familiarity of their home.

"Mom, Third Sister, don't be afraid. Relax!"

Fang Rui smiled and looked back, secretly patting the back of Third Lady's hand. "I'm right here," he said softly.

A blush spread across Third Lady's pretty face. She took Fang Rui's hand and subtly pulled it out of sight.

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family noticed their subtle interaction. She tsked, then turned her head to look out the window. "Oh? Brother Rui, look over there. Is that a refugee?"

Fang Rui followed her gaze. It was indeed a refugee—sallow-faced and emaciated, dressed in rags, looking like a savage.

In truth, his eyesight was far better than that of Mrs. Xue or Third Lady. He had already spotted several refugees scattered along the road, both ahead of them and behind.

"Those people live such bitter lives," Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family sighed, recalling the stories she'd heard. "Eating grass roots and tree bark, never knowing where their next meal will come from..."

"Auntie, they're pitiful, yes, but it's not that simple," Third Lady countered, shaking her head. A wary glint shone in her clear, beautiful eyes.

"Third Sister is right. Those refugees are pitiful, true, but only when they're facing someone stronger. When they encounter someone weaker, they'll rob them... or even eat..."

Fang Rui shook his head, not finishing his sentence. 'In years of great famine, people resort to cannibalism. That was never just hyperbole in the history books.'

Even though he didn't finish, both Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family and Third Lady guessed his meaning and gasped in horror. Their reaction even drew curious glances from the two little girls, Fang Ling and Nannan.

"We're with the caravan, so there's no need to be afraid. Mom, Third Sister, look, the refugee is gone!"

'This was the benefit of traveling with a caravan. It let you avoid some dangers and reduce a lot of unnecessary trouble.'

'If it were just one or two carriages, refugees would have likely attacked by now, and unspeakable things would have happened.'

Of course, Fang Rui wasn't afraid, but it would still be a revolting mess.

'You could say that outside the city, the Law of the jungle—the weak are meat for the strong, survival of the fittest—reigned supreme.'

"Hm?!"

Just then, Fang Rui's ears twitched as his keen hearing picked up voices from behind.

"Faster, Elder Wang! The caravan is just ahead! If we hurry, we'll catch up in no time!" The voice was young and male, filled with excitement.

"Young Master, if you hadn't insisted on being so difficult—refusing to pay off the gate guards—we wouldn't have been delayed so long! We would've joined the caravan ages ago!" This voice was older, and tinged with complaint.

"Back in the day... sigh, never mind. Elder Wang, I know I was wrong. Let's just hurry!"

"You got it! Young Master, Madam, hold on tight!"

...

In the distance behind them, a donkey cart gradually caught up.

On the cart, a refined and handsome young man lifted the curtain, peeking out to look ahead.

The man driving the cart was middle-aged, perhaps in his forties or fifties, with a homely face marred by a growth on his chin. This had to be the "Elder Wang" the young man had mentioned.

The scene struck Fang Rui as familiar, and then it hit him. 'Isn't that the same donkey cart we saw at the city gate?'

'They were the ones who'd been clueless enough to refuse the guards' "fee," causing a standoff. He just hadn't expected they were also headed for the Prefecture City with this caravan.'

As the donkey cart drew closer, the young man seemed to sense he was being watched. He pulled the curtain aside a little more, straightened his posture, and patted down his brocade robe, subtly revealing the Jade Pendant at his waist—a clear sign of a wealthy family.

Then, in a slow and deliberate voice, he put on an air of importance and instructed, "Elder Wang, slow down a bit. The ride is too bumpy for my mother; she's uncomfortable."

A dignified, mature woman's voice drifted from inside the cart. "Yes, it is a little too fast. It's quite bumpy."

"Yes, Young Master, Madam!" Elder Wang replied, slowing the donkey's pace.

"Wow, look, that's a donkey!"

"Our horse is better!"

The two little girls, Fang Ling and Nannan, gazed back curiously.

"Don't stare like that! Those are people from a wealthy family!" Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family said, pulling them back. She looked somewhat intimidated.

Third Lady, however, was less flustered.

In the past, when she'd helped those Military Leaders manage their assets, she had met her share of young masters from wealthy families. She had no great liking for them, knowing that while they appeared glamorous on the outside, most were like "glittering jade on the outside, but rotten stuffing within."

'A wealthy family?!' Fang Rui thought. 'What wealthy families are even left in Changshan City?'

Fang Rui shook his head.

'After the Taiping Army entered the city, any wealthy families that managed to survive the calamity did so only by forfeiting their fortunes to save their own skins. They had all fallen into decline and were now hardly any different from the common folk.'

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