Ali looked at me and asked, "What should we do? You're wanted."
I thought for a moment and came up with an idea, "I've got it, let's disguise ourselves."
He also thought it was a good plan. He picked up some fallen leaves from the ground, blew them gently towards my head, and instantly the leaves drifted down and formed a silk scarf, wrapping my head.
I touched my head in surprise and asked, "Can anyone recognize me now?"
Ali thought about it and felt it was still not quite right. He raised his hand and touched my left cheek. Immediately, a patch of crimson appeared on my left cheek, like a birthmark.
I touched my face and asked, "How is it now?"
Ali chuckled and said, "Much better. I've put some pigment on your face, so even if you're discovered, they won't recognize you."
I gave him a thumbs-up and praised him, "Ali, you're amazing. So thoughtful. Let's hurry!"
"Okay."
So, the two of us walked out of the alley and onto the main street. At that moment, a line of guards in golden armor, with sabers at their waists, were holding wanted posters and searching everywhere.
"Is it you?" one of the guards grabbed a passerby and compared him to the poster.
The person was terrified and quickly waved his hands, "No, no, no, it's not me."
The guard looked and indeed, it didn't seem like him, so he let him go.
Then, he grabbed another passerby and compared him to the poster, "Is it you?"
The person frantically shook his head, nervously saying, "No, no, no, it's not me."
The guard again felt it wasn't quite right, so he let him go as well.
Ali and I happened to walk past them. The captain of the guard, holding the wanted poster, looked left and right. Suddenly, he turned back and called out to us, "Halt!"
My heart pounded with anxiety, and I stood frozen in place. He walked up, held the portrait, and compared it with me. He thought I looked somewhat similar. Then, he reached out to pull down my headscarf. I quickly covered my face with my hands.
He looked at the large red patch on my face and was slightly stunned. Then, he waved his hand and said, "Not you, you can go."
I breathed a sigh of relief, put my headscarf back on, and left with Ali.
Only after we had walked a considerable distance did my tense nerves relax. I smiled and praised Ali, "Ali, thanks to your brilliant idea, it would have been really hard for me to escape otherwise."
Ali smiled faintly and said, "It's nothing. I just used what I thought of. I didn't expect it to actually work. Let's hurry to the south city gate. There should be a caravan going to the South Sea City. Once we're out of Beishen Capital, we won't have to be so scared."
"Okay."
I took his hand and we ran towards the south city gate. After running for a long time, we arrived near the south city gate. From a distance, we saw heavy guards at the gate, and the vehicles coming and going were all being inspected.
My heart began to race again.
At that moment, Ali suddenly spotted a delivery cart covered with gray cloth parked not far away. He patted my shoulder and pointed to the cart. I looked closely, then turned back and shared a knowing smile with him, guessing each other's thoughts. We then stealthily walked towards the cart, and when no one was looking, I secretly climbed inside. I found a few boxes and hid inside one of them.
A moment later, the delivery man walked over from a distance, wiping his mouth. Judging by his appearance, he must have just finished a meal. He walked around the cart, looked around, and finding nothing amiss, got on the cart and headed for the city gate.
The cart slowly drove towards the city gate, where a long queue of vehicles had already formed. The city guards were inspecting each one. At this point, a guard stepped forward, looked at the cart, and asked, "What are you delivering?"
He replied, "Cloth, ropes, and some finished clothes for shops in South Sea City."
The soldier then beckoned a few guards to come forward and search the cart. The guards pulled back the long cloth, revealing several large boxes that were covered. They opened each box one by one but found nothing.
Fortunately, Ali and I were quick-witted and had already hidden ourselves under the clothes. They just casually rummaged through them without much scrutiny before closing the boxes and covering them again with the long cloth.
The soldier, seeing that there were no issues, waved them on and let them pass. Just as the cart exited the city gate, a troop of guards in golden armor suddenly rode up from a distance.
I thought we were safe, so I slightly lifted the box to get some air. Just then, the cart suddenly stopped. Then, I heard the sound of horses galloping, followed by a man's stern voice shouting, "Halt! The general has ordered an immediate return to the city."
The delivery man dared not delay and hurried back into the city with the guards, stopping at an inn called "Yunlai Inn."
After waiting for a long time with no movement from outside, I quietly asked Ali, "It seems like there's no one around. Should we run out now?"
Ali also whispered back, "Let's wait until it's dark. We'll go out then."
There was nothing else to do but wait. So, I hid back in the box and waited slowly. It wasn't until I saw the light on the long cloth gradually dim, until it was completely dark and no light points could be seen, that I opened the box and softly called to Ali, "Is it okay now?"
Ali also opened his box and looked. Guessing that it was probably night, he replied, "It's okay, let's go."
So, Ali and I both climbed out of the boxes and, like two novice thieves, tiptoed down from the cart, planning to escape again.
Suddenly, fires erupted, and the surroundings were bathed in red light. Immediately, we heard hurried footsteps all around. Looking up in alarm, we saw a group of guards holding torches surrounding us.
"It's over, we've fallen into a trap!" I cried in panic.
Ali suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me to run behind him. Suddenly, a few soldiers took out two large sacks and, seizing the moment, threw them towards us from a distance. In an instant, the sacks fell and trapped both Ali and me. We were once again stuffed into sacks.
Then, I smelled a pungent odor, and my head immediately began to spin. I couldn't resist the evil aura and fainted in the sack.
At this point, two soldiers quickly surrounded us, picked us up, and took us to the dungeon.
In a daze, I felt a chill and faintly heard voices, "What should we do with her?"
"Let her stay for now."
"And the狸猫 (li mao -狸 cat)?"
"Throw it in with her."
"Yes."
After the voices faded, I slowly opened my eyes and found myself in a prison cell. The cell door was made of iron, and behind me were sturdy stone walls built high. Confusingly, there were no windows at all. The floor was only covered with a layer of dry grass. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
I rubbed my eyes and looked around for Ali. I found him, having transformed back into a 狸猫 (li mao), curled up in the corner, trembling. I walked over and carefully picked him up, asking with concern, "Ali, what's wrong?"
He trembled and said, "Cold, so cold."
I stroked his little head, but couldn't feel any change in temperature. So, I took off my clothes and wrapped him in them, leaving only his little head exposed. He looked like a newborn baby, incredibly cute. Suddenly, I thought, "Can I keep him?"
As soon as I thought of this, I felt it was inappropriate and quickly shook my head, dispelling the bad thought. I replaced it with a worried expression and asked him, "Are you feeling any better?"
He drooped his head and weakly replied, "Yes, much better."
Holding Ali, I walked towards the door. I discovered that it wasn't just my cell; looking around, there were rows and rows of cells, each with a prisoner sitting inside.
Looking to my left, I saw an old man with white hair and a ruddy complexion. He was wearing a worn-out cotton jacket and sitting cross-legged, his long white beard resting on his chest. His face was serene, exuding an aura of ancient wisdom.
I guessed that he had been here for quite some time and must have a solution for any physical ailments. So, I unhesitatingly called out to him, "Grandpa, Grandpa."
He turned his head and, the moment he saw me, his face showed astonishment. He was first stunned, then startled, and then slowly regained his composure. He closed his eyes and began to meditate, pretending not to hear me.
Seeing his indifference, I became worried about Ali and called out to him again, "Grandpa, Grandpa, do you have any medicine? My friend is sick."
His tightly closed eyes slowly opened, and he asked me, "Is it that fellow?" I guessed he was referring to Ali.
"Yes."
"Bring him over here so I can take a look."
"Okay."
So, I passed Ali through the iron bars. The old man leaned closer and gently stroked Ali. After a moment, he smiled faintly and said, "There's nothing serious, just too tired."
"Really? That's great!" Hearing that Ali was fine, I felt much relieved. I slowly brought Ali back and held him in my arms.
I took a few deep breaths, wiped the cold sweat of worry from my forehead, and looked at the old man. He had white hair all over his head and a weathered face, like a tragic figure who had experienced countless calamities and hardships. I couldn't help but be curious and asked him, "Grandpa, how long have you been here?"
He sighed softly and slowly said, "Let me think about it."
As he spoke, he closed his eyes and began to ponder. At this moment, a scruffy-looking man in the cell opposite theirs chimed in, "This old gentleman has been here for three hundred and sixty-five years."
"What! Three hundred and sixty-five years?" Hearing this number, I was utterly astonished. I thought that humans could live at most a hundred years, and I had been sickly and frail since childhood, likely not living past fifty. Three hundred and sixty-five years meant reincarnating several times. If that were the case, wouldn't I also have to stay here until I died of old age? Oh my god, my life had been declared over before it even began. No! I wouldn't! Thinking of this, my emotions plummeted. I wondered if I would have to stay here my entire life.
The old man slowly opened his eyes and turned his head to see my dejected, lifeless appearance. He was instantly amused. After laughing, he comforted me, "Don't be afraid. You won't be here for long."
I slightly raised my head and said aggrievedly, "Really?"
He affirmed, "Really."
Then, he looked at Ali with a novel expression and said, "I haven't seen a 狸猫 (li mao) of this species before. It's truly novel."
"Novel?" I thought he meant Ali had mutated and hurriedly asked, "Is Ali getting worse?"
"Not at all. It's you, though. You don't seem like someone from another world."
I was surprised that this old man was so perceptive and could see my identity with just one glance. I had no choice but to tell him the truth, "Grandpa, you're amazing. I'm indeed not from here. My name is Liu Muye, and I'm from another human world."
"Human?" He stroked his beard, as if he had already guessed.
I looked at him, wondering what he was thinking.
The old man asked me with confusion, "As a human, why have you come here?"
I sighed helplessly. I couldn't explain it myself, but I still told him, "I don't know either. I only remember that I was being chased by ghosts and then I came to this world."
"Ghosts?" He clearly seemed puzzled, then as if he understood, he burst into laughter, "Hahaha, you're truly special, to be chased by ghosts."
I smiled sheepishly and said, "I'm very timid and afraid of ghosts. Whatever I fear, it comes. If I fear ghosts, ghosts will come."
The old man couldn't help but burst into laughter again. The people listening in the opposite cell also found it amusing and joined in the laughter.
The big brother in the opposite cell interjected, "This little girl is truly unique. But there are no ghosts here. If there were, it would truly be a big ghost."
"Big ghost?" Oh my god, are there big and small ghosts here? This is going to be the death of me.
That big brother jokingly said to me, "There's a race here called the Ghost魅 (Gui Mei) tribe. Their leader is called the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts. That King of Ten Thousand Ghosts is tall and terrifying in appearance. He should be very much like the ghosts you fear."
Hearing this, my heart trembled. I hurriedly waved my hands and said, "No, no, no, don't scare me. I shiver at the mere mention of ghosts, and a big ghost at that. It would probably be the death of me."
"Hahaha," the old man and the big brother laughed in unison.
After laughing, the old man suddenly lowered his head and began to ponder again. Could he be the wise thinker of legend, who understood everything and knew the past and future? If so, I had to find an opportunity to become his disciple. I heard that feng shui was popular in recent years. Maybe after I returned, I could even become a feng shui master.
Thinking this, I couldn't help but feel happy.
A moment later, he slowly raised his head, as if he had figured something out. He said to me earnestly, "Little girl, you are human. You shouldn't have come to this alien world. Staying here longer will only increase the danger. I see that we are fated to meet, so I will show you a way. Once you leave this dungeon, head directly east to Dongyue Town and find someone named Gao Xian. He will tell you how to return to the human world."
My heart was filled with surprise. For a moment, I couldn't snap out of it. Then, I excitedly thanked the old man, "Thank you, Grandpa. You are truly my savior."
He reached his hand through the iron bars and stroked Ali, sighing, "Little 狸猫 (li mao), you must protect her well."
After speaking, the old man gently withdrew his hand and sat cross-legged again, his eyes slightly closed. He began to count on his fingers and said, "I didn't expect so many things to have happened in the three hundred and sixty-five years I was away from this world. Now, it's time for me to emerge."
As he spoke, he stood up and walked towards the cell door.
"Grandpa, what are you doing?" Seeing the old man's posture, I wondered if he wanted to die after living for so long. I hurriedly tried to dissuade him, "Grandpa, life is still long. Don't do anything foolish!"
However, before the old man could even approach the iron door, there was a "bang~" and the cell door automatically opened. Everyone in the dungeon heard the commotion and crowded towards the cell doors, clinging to the bars to look outside.
Under everyone's astonished gaze, the old man strode out of the door.
I was dumbfounded. This was possible too. Fortunately, I reacted in time and called out to him, "Grandpa, Grandpa, where are you going?"
The old man replied without looking back, "I'm going into the world."
"Into the world?" What does "into the world" mean? Entering the mortal realm?
Suddenly, I thought that since this old man was so powerful, he could definitely take us out too. So, shamelessly, I begged him, "Grandpa, take us with you! I don't want to stay here my whole life, sob sob sob."
I wailed. How could I let such a good opportunity slip away?
The old man prompted me, "In your cell, three hundred years ago, a person named He Luoyu was imprisoned. He later escaped. I personally saw him dig a dog hole in the corner behind that wall."
"Dog hole?" Although not very elegant, it was a way to escape. Who cared if it was a dog hole or a wormhole? No one could stop me.
Hearing the old man's words, I rushed to the corner, pushed aside the weeds, and indeed found a tunnel about half a meter wide. I was overjoyed. Just as I was about to thank him profusely, I turned around and saw that he had already disappeared from sight.
Despite my surprise, it was clear that he was a "peerless master." But now was not the time to think about this. It was better to escape quickly. I picked up Ali and was about to duck into the dog hole. At that moment, someone suddenly called from behind, "Little girl, if you get out, can you help me deliver a message?"
I turned around with Ali in my arms. It was the big brother who had spoken earlier. "Little girl, after you get out, can you help me deliver a message to someone?"
I was a little confused, and looking at his pitiful appearance, I couldn't bear to refuse. So, I agreed, "Big brother, tell me what you want to say. I will definitely help you deliver it."
"Just tell her not to wait for me anymore."
"Her? Who is she?"
"She is my betrothed wife, named Zheng'er. She lives in a small alley called Mori Alley on Zuoxing Street in Beishen Capital."
I was a little surprised and asked him, "Why do you want to tell her that?"
The big brother sighed helplessly, "Once you're caught and thrown into this dungeon, it's hard to get out. I don't know when I'll be able to get out, so I can only ask you."
I nodded slightly and asked him, "Big brother, what's your name?"
"Liunian, Mu Liunian."
"Mu Liunian, okay, I will definitely deliver it. Goodbye, Brother Mu."
"Go."
After bidding farewell to him, I took Ali and crawled into the dog hole, climbing outwards. The joy in my heart was overflowing. Finally, I could leave this damned place.