I Am Immortal in Great Yu

Under the blazing sun, the summer heat shimmered in blinding rings of light, and now and then, cicadas and other unknown insects would let out a listless chirp.

And so it was, on an afternoon just like this, that the city suddenly seemed to erupt into chaos.

Villains seemed to appear from nowhere, stirring up trouble left and right. Local thugs and gangsters, emboldened, joined the fray. The Government Office’s Chief Constables and governmental officers were stretched thin, completely unable to keep the peace. The city’s already precarious public order deteriorated sharply once more.

And in the midst of this turmoil—

"The county’s reserve army has been annihilated, and the Taiping Bandits are about to lay siege to the city." This earth-shattering news swept through like a hurricane, quickly spreading throughout Changshan County Town and pouring fuel on the city’s already raging fires.

The entire city was in an uproar, a cacophony of panicked voices rising to the heavens. Willow Alley was no exception.

A large crowd had gathered under the great willow tree, as noisy as a marketplace. For a moment, it seemed as if the lively atmosphere of peaceful times had returned. But only seemed—for without exception, every single face wore a look of utter panic.

"It’s a disaster! A disaster! Have you heard? The county’s reserve army has been completely wiped out! The Taiping Bandits are coming!" one person cried out.

"Of course I have! The news just seemed to appear out of nowhere. Now the whole city is in chaos, with troublemakers everywhere..."

"If it’s true, what are we going to do?!"

"Hah! If you ask me, it’s the bigwigs who should be worried!"

The man gloated, "We’re just common folk. What’s there to steal from us? As long as we can hide away during the worst of the chaos, it doesn’t matter who comes. Whether it’s the government or the bandits, we’ll just obediently pay our taxes and dues. Who’s going to waste their time on nobodies like us?"

"There’s truth in that, but it’s surviving the most chaotic part that’s so difficult! ’Bandits strip you bare, but soldiers pick you clean.’ You think that’s just a saying?"

"Exactly! Besides, if it really comes down to the city falling and people dying, who’s to say those government officers won’t start rounding us up for conscription..." His voice was thick with worry.

"For minor troubles, you hide in the city. For major disasters, you flee to the countryside. I’d say this counts as a major disaster! The best thing to do is get out of the city and find a place to hide in the countryside."

"That makes sense. But isn’t it a bit early for all this? The real problem is we don’t even know if this news is true. We can’t afford to make a foolish mistake!" one clear-headed person interjected.

"If only we could find someone with connections and ask them what’s really going on."

"Yeah, just to get some reliable information so we know where we stand. But who among us knows anyone like that?" This was the voice of Sister-in-law Cai Gen.

"Who says there’s no one? Isn’t Brother Rui of the Fang Family an Entry Grade Martial Artist? And he’s on good terms with the governmental officers! He’s bound to know something..."

"That’s right! Brother Rui of the Fang Family must know!"

"Sister-in-law Cai Gen, why don’t you go to the Fang Family and ask?" someone teased.

Everyone knew about the recent incident with Song Dashan, and the grudge between the Fang Family and the three families, including Sister-in-law Cai Gen’s.

"Hmph, always trying to make trouble. Why don’t you go?" Sister-in-law Cai Gen shot back, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Well, I don’t really know the Fang Family that well, do I?"

"Neither do I!"

"My family’s on decent terms with them, but for something this important, they might not be willing to say anything... We’d owe them a big favor..." The last part of the sentence was mumbled in a near whisper.

...

In the end, everyone’s gaze, some openly and some subtly, turned toward Uncle Zao Huai and his family.

’So you all don’t want to be indebted to them, so you’re just going to make my family go, is that it?’ Xiang Lin’s wife thought with a cold snort, ready to snap back at them.

"That’s enough!"

Just then, Uncle Zao Huai pulled Xiang Lin’s wife back. He stood up. "I’ll go."

...

Fang Rui stood by the window, listening to the commotion outside. ’Those people stirring up trouble all over the city must be Taiping Bandit spies who’ve snuck in,’ he guessed. ’Spreading this news is probably part of their plan to incite chaos and prepare to breach the city walls...’

"The wind howls through the tower, heralding the coming storm."

He stood with his hands clasped behind his back and murmured, "Fortunately, before the great tide of this new era crashes down, I have gained enough strength to protect myself and those I hold dear."

"Brother Rui!"

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family and Third Lady came over, each leading a little girl by the hand.

"It’s getting more and more chaotic," Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family sighed. "When will there be an end to all this?"

Last night, Third Lady had forewarned her about the county reserve army’s defeat. Then, this morning, Fang Rui had also found a moment to explain his plans to both Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family and Third Lady. There had been no major objections.

Because of this, Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family wasn’t panicked like the neighbors outside, though she no longer had the peace of mind to do her needlework either.

They hadn’t come to him now with anything specific to say; they had simply been drawn to him subconsciously. Even without exchanging words, just seeing Fang Rui was enough to give them a sense of stability, to calm their frayed nerves. He was their backbone.

"Auntie, things will get better," Third Lady said comfortingly.

"She’s right, Mother. After great chaos comes great order," Fang Rui added.

What he left unsaid, of course, was just how many people would die and how much suffering there would be during the transition from chaos to order.

"I hope so."

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family replied. Beyond the worry etched on her brow, a faint hope flickered in her heart: perhaps she might see Fang Baicao again.

—After all, Fang Baicao had possibly been captured when the first campaign to suppress the bandits failed. Now that the Taiping Bandits were coming here...

It wasn’t an impossibility.

Fang Rui had naturally considered this possibility as well, but he kept it to himself. It was, after all, just a possibility.

—The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. Conversely, when you expect nothing, an unexpected arrival becomes a true and pleasant surprise.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

A knock sounded at the door, followed by Uncle Zao Huai’s voice. "Brother Rui?!"

"That’s Uncle Zao Huai. He must be here to ask about the news. Mother, you and Third Sister stay in the inner room. I’ll go see what he wants."

With that, Fang Rui went to the main hall.

...

"Uncle Zao Huai, please, come in and sit. Have some water." Fang Rui poured a bowl of water for him.