Chapter 89: Chapter 90: The Hardship of Leaving One’s Home
Liu Sanjiu told him that he was originally from Tusu City. Eleven years ago, on the eve of its fall, he had fled to Wei City. He had barely managed to settle down when, just a few years later, he was forced onto the refugee road once again.
His father was already seventy-two, a rare old age in the Panlong Wasteland. Hearing the Baling Army was coming again, Old Liu was determined not to leave this time. He clung to a pillar, wanting to die with the city. Liu Sanjiu and his wife tried to drag him away, but there was nothing they could do. In the end, they could only tearfully bid farewell to his father and retreat east with their children.
As Liu Sanjiu spoke, the rims of his eyes were red, and it was hard to tell if his face was covered in tears or rain. He knew very well that Old Liu knew he couldn’t walk fast and didn’t want to slow his son’s family’s escape.
Such tragic partings, some final, were commonplace among the refugees. You could pull any family from the crowd, and they would have a story full of sorrow and bitterness.
At this moment, Liu Sanjiu’s son grew tired and called out for his father to carry him.
He was only ten. Walking for several double-hours in the rain across the plains had completely exhausted him.
Liu Sanjiu was already carrying his daughter, and the little donkey was already weighed down by their luggage. He was afraid the boy would break the donkey’s back.
Hee Lingchuan couldn’t bear it. "Let me help..." He had been about to offer to carry the child, but on second thought, he instead lifted a large bundle of luggage from the donkey’s back. "...carry this. You can put the boy on."
’Too much enthusiasm and I’ll look like a child trafficker.’ In a refugee column like this, it wasn’t uncommon for children to get lost or be abducted.
The luggage he took only contained bedding and clothes; it was bulky and took up space but wasn’t valuable, so Liu Sanjiu immediately shot him an even more grateful look.
To meet a good person while fleeing disaster was a blessing earned by burning High Incense and accumulating great virtue.
From time to time, people would rush up from behind, passing Liu Sanjiu’s family to run ahead. Fleeing the scourge of war was a lot like escaping a tiger: as long as you could outrun your companions, your chances of survival increased greatly.
Commoners like Liu Sanjiu could do nothing about it. They were already moving as fast as they could.
Occasionally, small groups of Rangers would ride in from the east, moving against the flow of refugees.
The sight of the Great Wind Army brought everyone a sliver of comfort.
Liu Sanjiu pointed at them and said to his little daughter, "Those uncles will protect us. As long as we walk toward them, we’ll be safe!"
Just then, a cry of alarm came from up ahead.
Hee Lingchuan looked up and saw an old man in his sixties slump to the ground. He swayed twice, then fell headfirst. His wife, who was on a mule, hastily dismounted. Their son tried to help his father up, but the old man had already fainted.
The son was in his early forties, with a sallow, gaunt face, and was already unsteady on his own feet. He tried to carry his father on his back but stumbled and fell after just two steps, splashing himself with mud.
The other refugees watched silently before walking past them without a second glance.
Everyone in this procession was struggling to fend for themselves; who had any extra energy for good deeds?
Liu Sanjiu and his wife exchanged a glance, then lowered their heads and led their donkey past.
Just then, three cavalrymen rode up. The leader reined in his horse and asked, "What’s going on here?"
"Officer, my father can’t go on!" the man cried, tears in his eyes. "Please, have mercy! I’m begging you, help us!"
Hee Lingchuan was startled the moment he looked up.
’Thin brows, long eyes, a cold and detached face... Huh, isn’t this an old acquaintance?’
Wasn’t this the Great Wind Army Commander who had attacked the Black Water City Army in Panlong Wasteland City, the one who, under the Black Dragon’s command, had escorted them out of the desert?
Except back then, he had been a Heroic Spirit, brave but silent. He couldn’t speak and hadn’t interacted with Hee Lingchuan in the slightest. Now, he was a living, breathing person, and this was the first time Hee Lingchuan had ever heard him speak.
But Hee Lingchuan quickly ducked his head as the Commander’s sharp gaze swept in his direction.
Though they had never spoken, Hee Lingchuan vividly remembered this man’s habit of skewering people with his Long Spear without saying a word.
Fortunately, the other refugees had gathered around by now, curious to see how the Great Wind Army would resolve the matter.
The Commander withdrew his gaze and was silent for a moment before saying, "Throw away your goods and help your father onto the mule."
Besides the old woman, the mule carried all the worldly possessions of the family of three. The man’s face went pale. "Officer, this mule’s leg is lame. It can’t carry two people. Could you spare a horse?"
The Commander said, "Then throw away your valuables, help your father onto the mule, and you carry your mother on your back."
The old woman took a step forward, grabbed the horse’s reins, and wailed, "My old man can’t go on! Please, show some mercy! You can spare a single horse, and it would save a man’s life!"
Her sparse white hair, soaked by the rain, clung to her face in stringy strands. She was a pitiful sight.
The Commander’s gaze swept over her face, then to the unconscious old man on the ground and the son with pleading eyes. The commander’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
Everyone could see he was hesitating.
The man immediately fell to his knees and kowtowed several times. "Please have mercy, lend us a horse!" He repeated this plea four or five times.
The Commander let out a long breath.
Just as Hee Lingchuan thought he was about to give in, the Commander pointed to a small hill not far away. "There are caves on that hill where you can shelter from the rain. I can have my men help your father rest there. We’ll come back to pick him up tomorrow or the day after."
The man was stunned. "My father... on the mountain? That’s a death sentence! What happens when the enemy gives chase?"
The old woman’s crying grew louder. He couldn’t help but shout, "Ma, stop crying!"
"You have to take the gamble. Decide now!" the Commander said coldly. "I give you my word that I will have my men come back and patrol once the enemy has retreated."
He waited in place for a few breaths. Seeing the man was still undecided, he shook the reins, preparing to leave.
"W-wait!" The man gritted his teeth. "I’ve decided. J-just take my father up the mountain. You guys, come help us!"
The Commander gave a slight nod to one of his men, who immediately lifted the old man onto the front of his saddle. The woman suddenly cried out, "Take me too! I’ll go with my old man!"
Her resolve was unshakeable. Her son stammered a few words but didn’t argue.
And so, the cavalryman took the old couple and spurred his horse toward the small hill seventy paces away.
The Commander continued onward without further delay.
The man stood there watching for a moment, a desolate expression on his face. Then he took the mule’s lead and continued on.
Of a family of three, he was now the only one left.
Liu Sanjiu’s wife whispered, "That man is so pitiful, and that Commander is so hard-hearted. I thought the Great Wind Army was kind to us common folk."
Liu Sanjiu said sullenly, "They can’t help everyone. Who here doesn’t need help?"
If the Commander had helped that old couple, the other civilians would have swarmed him for aid:
"Why are you helping them and not us? Aren’t we all refugees?"
The soldiers’ mission wasn’t rescue; it was to provide cover and repel the enemy. If they got bogged down here, they couldn’t support the rear guard. They would just become a liability to their comrades holding the line!
His wife said, displeased, "And you’re still defending them!"
"Who else can we possibly side with right now?" Liu Sanjiu gave a bitter smile. "At least the Great Wind Army came to escort us. It’s not like we’re from Panlong City."
