The cold was bone-chilling, the north wind howled.
Snowflakes flew in the sky, the earth was wrapped in a silver outfit.
"Ugh..."
The piercing cold wind swept in all directions, bending tough grass and wildly shaking trees, all living things were intimidated under this heavenly power.
A figure stood shivering in the wind and snow.
"Where is this?"
"What happened...?"
Fang Zheng's eyes were wide open with terror on his face, as the environment he was in suddenly changed appearance, such an illogical event happening to him was hard for anyone to stay calm.
The cold wind, carrying snowflakes, hit his face and got into his mouth, causing him to swallow back his panicked roar.
"Cough! Cough!"
"Cold..."
"So cold!"
In Qu City, during July and August, it was the hot summer season, and he only wore thin shorts when he intended to sleep. The cold wind instantly caused his skin to tighten, his whole body shivering.
Instinctively stepping forward, what he thought was flat ground was unexpectedly uneven, causing him to fall involuntarily.
"Fwoosh... Fwoosh..."
Struggling to get back up, he spat out the debris from his mouth, and looked back, almost screaming at the sight that met his eyes.
"Dead... dead person!"
But under the snow, what tripped him up appeared to be a stiff corpse.
No!
No, wait!
As if he thought of something, Fang Zheng's eyes contracted, and he quickly looked around.
Previously unnoticed, now upon closer inspection, under the undulating snow all around him were all stiff corpses.
The swirling wind picked up snowflakes, revealing disordered clothing hems, heads, and ankles.
A mass grave?
"Ah!"
A scream pierced the air.
*
*
*
"Crunch... Crunch..."
Fang Zheng wrapped in thick burlap, shivering as he trudged through the snow, the winding footprints behind him suggesting he had walked a long way.
The burlap came from the corpses he had found earlier.
Desperate times called for desperate measures, and even though he was embarrassed, to avoid freezing to death on the spot, he 'borrowed' several burlap garments to save himself in the emergency.
However, in such cold weather, the gap-filled burlap was clearly insufficient to keep warm.
As he walked on, Fang Zheng's limbs were already numb and stiff, his hair and beard were covered with snow, and his breath was weakening.
"Gulp..."
Swallowing the icy saliva, Fang Zheng extended his right hand to look at his wrist.
The bracelet that had been on his wrist was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a circle of strange tattoos engraved deep into his flesh.
He could be one hundred percent certain that he had never gotten a tattoo.
So...
The bracelet didn't disappear but merged into his skin, which although unbelievable, he naturally came to accept.
After all, if something like time travel can happen, what else can't?
Cold!
So cold!
Shivering, Fang Zheng now had no energy even to speak.
He had been walking for nearly two hours, his body nearly numb from the cold; if this continued, he was afraid he wouldn't last much longer.
Fortunately, there is always a way out.
As the sky gradually darkened, he faintly saw a glimpse of firelight in the distance.
Fire!
Fang Zheng's eyes lit up, his scattered consciousness regained clarity, and a surge of strength emerged within him, urging him to stride toward the firelight.
As for danger...
On the verge of freezing to death, who cares anymore?
A short distance forward, the ruins of a village appeared amidst the wind and snow.
The village resembled something from the mid-20th century, mostly mud walls, with most of the houses collapsed. The bonfire came from a relatively well-preserved mud house.
Through the empty window, several figures moving inside could be seen.
"Stop!"
A voice called out:
"Don't blame us for being rude if you come any closer!"
"Swoosh!"
With the call, an arrow shot out from the mud house, landing in front of Fang Zheng, the quivering arrow feather making him pause.
"P-Pardon me," Fang Zheng said cautiously, his face pale:
"Can I come in to warm up?"
A silence fell from across.
"Come in then."
The people inside didn't keep him waiting long; a steady, deep voice called from the mud house, almost bringing Fang Zheng to tears.
"Brother Wu!"
"He's alone and dressed like that; he certainly isn't with the Cyan Wolf Gang, and we're about to head into the city. Another companion wouldn't hurt."
"But..."
"Let's go with that!"
The dispute inside the house was quickly subdued, evidently indicating that Brother Wu's influence was significant.
As Fang Zheng entered the house, he realized that the small place was packed with over a dozen people, each huddling around the bonfire trying to stay warm.
The man who spoke, Brother Wu, had a robust build. On such a cold day, he wore nothing but short sleeves, with a broad, over-one-meter-long knife by his side.
His examining gaze met Fang Zheng's, and he nodded in acknowledgment.
"Come on."
A little girl in the crowd looked at Fang Zheng curiously and whispered:
"Big brother, sit here by me."
The old man beside the little girl tugged at her, seemingly scolding her for meddling.
"Thank you."
Fang Zheng nodded and squatted beside the little girl. The warmth of the bonfire began to drive away the cold and calm his nerves.
Comfortable!
At least I don't have to worry about freezing to death anymore!
Brother Wu spoke again:
"The fire might attract unnecessary trouble. Let it burn for half an hour more and then put it out, besides, there isn't much firewood left; we'll have to huddle for warmth."
"Okay."
"Yes."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Fang Zheng dared not speak much. Once the coldness receded, he took a long breath and had the mental clarity to reflect on today's events.
Time travel!
That such an incredible thing should truly exist, and actually happen to him.
Though it almost got him killed!
Hmm?
What his uncle mentioned over the phone about a way to make money, could it be this?
Fang Zheng straightened up with a jolt.
Upon closer thought, there was a high chance!
Although he didn't know where this place was, it clearly wasn't safe. Considering his uncle's character, if he wanted to explore thoroughly, he would surely buy some protective gear.
Which means those 'prohibited items.'
'Could it be that my uncle got into trouble here?'
'Surely that's it. Otherwise, with my uncle's character, how could he be surrounded and killed with sharp weapons, as he's not someone who mingles with the underworld.'
Hmm...
Fang Zheng's eyes narrowed.
He suddenly thought, since his uncle could call him and prepare things, hadn't he returned before?
How did he get back?
Thoughts spun in his mind, and an understanding quietly surfaced.
Twelve hours!
He just had to stay here for twelve hours, then the symbol that the bracelet turned into would accumulate enough energy, allowing him to return to where he came from.
Fang Zheng subconsciously raised his hand, and although he couldn't see it, he could now clearly feel that the patterns on his wrist were glowing faintly.
It was charging!
Only about eleven hours left, which is twenty-two hours until he can go back.
"Big brother."
Beside him, the little girl asked curiously:
"What's that hanging on your wrist?"
"It's..." Fang Zheng was momentarily stunned, subconsciously thinking she was referring to the strange patterns, but quickly realized that wasn't the case.
It was something else.
"A watch."
"What's a watch?"
"It's for keeping time."
"Oh!"
The little girl nodded, seemingly understanding.
"Nowadays, the world is in chaos. It's best to be cautious when traveling outside. As the old saying goes, 'Don't flaunt wealth to avoid disaster.' Brother Wu timely advised:
"The thing on your wrist, little brother, looks exquisite; it should be worth quite a bit. It's best not to show it easily."
"Yes." Fang Zheng quickly let down his wrist:
"Brother Wu is right."
He also noticed that several people in the crowd were looking at him strangely, but after Brother Wu spoke, they immediately averted their gaze.
These people don't recognize a watch?
Am I no longer on Earth, but why does their dialect sound similar, only with an accent from the Lu-Yu region?
Or...
Did I travel to ancient times?
Judging by their clothing, it was indeed completely different from modern fashion.
Nonetheless,
Regardless of where this place is, Fang Zheng's primary goal now is to safely get through the day, holding out until he can return.