Chapter One: The Lone Warrior

Beneath a vast blue sky and drifting white clouds, between towering mountains and steep ridges, a forward-type steam locomotive belched thick smoke, pulling a string of green carriages as it thundered along the tracks.

“A mighty river, its waves wide, the wind carries the scent of rice blossoms on both banks, my home lies just beyond the shore…”

In Carriage No. 9, it was unclear who began, but soon a solo had become a chorus, youth and passion rising together in a powerful anthem unique to this era.

Faces young and bright radiated excited smiles, transforming the cramped, humble carriage into a sea of joy.

Huddled in a corner with a faded military satchel, Fang Xiao listened to his companions’ spirited singing, his mind still lost in memories.

He was profoundly grateful that he’d listened to his classmate’s suggestion, setting out on foot and by hitchhiking to the capital.

And then, he experienced a journey like a dream!

Even now, only days later, this sixteen-year-old could not suppress the excitement within him when he recalled those moments.

“Fang Xiao…”

Just then, a crisp, melodious voice rang out beside him.

It was as pleasant as the call of an oriole.

Fang Xiao turned instinctively.

But before he could make out the person calling his name, darkness fell abruptly before his eyes.

The train had just entered a tunnel!

Fang Xiao’s awareness faltered.

He could see nothing. The sounds around him seemed stretched and distorted.

It was like listening to a malfunctioning gramophone—first excruciatingly slow, then broken and intermittent.

Finally, everything faded away.

Time itself grew unbearably long.

He didn’t know how much time had passed before his senses gradually returned, and his vision cleared.

To his astonishment, he found himself standing on a mountain path.

A bright moon hung high in the night sky, its cold light illuminating the rugged trail. The mountains around him rose and fell, lush with vegetation.

Not a soul was in sight.

What was happening?

Where was the train?

And where were his classmates?

Overwhelmed by shock, Fang Xiao pinched himself hard, desperate to wake if this was a dream.

But the pain was so real that he couldn’t help but grimace.

And the world around him remained unchanged.

Fang Xiao was dazed.

He couldn’t comprehend or even begin to understand what had happened to him.

“Hey, kid!”

Suddenly, a sharp voice called out from behind.

Fang Xiao spun around.

Just a few steps away stood a weasel!

Its body was long and sleek, fur a glossy yellow. Upright on its hind legs, it crossed its forepaws over its chest in a gesture almost like a bow, and in a thin, unsettling voice, it asked, “Do I look more like a man, or a spirit?”

Its eyes, wide and unblinking, glimmered with an eerie light.

A chill ran down Fang Xiao’s spine, cold sweat prickling across his back.

A nameless terror surged up from within, instantly flooding his entire being.

He instinctively took a step back.

He knew of weasels, of course.

But never one larger than a wild dog, and certainly never one that spoke human words!

Sensing his fear, the weasel’s strange glow grew stronger.

It hopped forward twice, repeating, “Do I look more like a man, or a spirit?”

The malice in its tone was almost tangible.

Fang Xiao shuddered.

At the peak of his terror, a sudden heat flared in his chest.

A warm current surged into his heart, sweeping away his fear.

He pressed a hand to his chest, feeling through his clothes for a small booklet tucked in his inner pocket.

In that moment, his face flushed crimson.

Shame overwhelmed him—shame for his cowardice and his terror.

Overwhelming shame!

But now, that shame burned into anger.

In the next instant, Fang Xiao yanked the military belt from his waist and swung it furiously at the weasel. “You look like nothing but a damned pest to me!”

The well-worn leather belt, heavy with a steel buckle, whistled through the air.

The five-pointed star embossed on the buckle gleamed in the moonlight.

Crack!

The belt struck the weasel squarely on the head.

“Ah!”

Caught off guard, the creature screeched in agony, sent tumbling into a patch of tangled weeds by the roadside.

It rolled several times before scrambling upright.

Fang Xiao, belt in hand, gave chase.

Crack!

Another blow landed on the weasel’s back.

“Yow!” it shrieked, voice rising by three octaves, tears, snot, and foam flying, its limbs convulsing as it nearly lost control of its bowels.

In panic, the weasel raised its bushy tail and released a cloud of gray smoke from its rear.

Fang Xiao, about to lash out again, quickly stepped back at the sight.

He had no desire to be assaulted by a weasel’s foul stench!

Seizing the moment, the creature darted into the shadowy forest and vanished in the blink of an eye.

“Just wait, you little bastard!”

Fang Xiao didn’t pursue, merely watching as the creature disappeared, the threat it left behind still echoing in his ears.

He wiped the sweat from his brow. His anger faded, replaced by a deep, gnawing unease.

It was clear now—this was no dream.

But what had happened was so bizarre that his mind reeled from the shock.

And instinctively, Fang Xiao knew lingering here was unwise.

So, dazed and uncertain, he began to follow the winding mountain path forward.

Perhaps if he made it out of these mountains, everything would be alright—he’d find his friends and classmates again.

The cold moonlight stretched his shadow long and thin behind him.

A few drifting clouds slid across the sky, shrouding the moon.

The night deepened.

The forested mountains loomed, their shadows stretching claw-like across the rugged trail.

In the distance, some unknown beast howled. Nearby, tiny green flames flickered in the grass.

With every step, Fang Xiao grew more uneasy.

The mountain road seemed endless, the darkness alive with furtive whispers, and monsters lurking, ready to leap out and swallow him whole.

Doubt and fear tormented the lone boy again and again.

His will was sorely tested.

He gripped the belt tightly, bit hard on his lip, and once more felt the heat in his chest.

Stopping, he reached into his shirt and pulled out the little booklet pressed close to his heart.

Holding it, courage flooded him.

He eagerly flipped open the red cover. Instantly, a passage caught his eye:

“Those truly strong in heart have weathered fierce storms, climbed high and fallen low, and witnessed the full tapestry of life. Only the incapable whimper and wail.”

Fang Xiao closed the booklet, wiped fiercely at the tears in his eyes.

He vowed to himself: no matter what hardship or danger he faced, he would never wail or shed tears again.

He would become truly strong at heart.

At that moment, the clouds drifted away, and the bright moonlight again bathed the mountain path.

The lurking shadows in the forest fell silent.

Fang Xiao pressed on.

His steps grew lighter and lighter.

———

A new book has been released—please add to your library and vote to support! Thank you, everyone!