Chapter 194: 194, Purple Haze

Yan Liuyuan stared at the worn deck of cards in Wang Fugui's hands, explaining earnestly: "The cards my brother holds are the real bombs, but in your hands, they can only be used to play Dou Dizhu..."

Wang Dalong, standing nearby, interjected: "Can't we play Zha Jin Hua?"

Yan Liuyuan paused: "...That works too."

Perhaps it was the shock of Ren Xiaosu's four threes that left Wang Fugui uneasy about the bomb, so now he couldn't let go of it. Earlier, he had been cheerful about finding a discarded deck of cards on the road—this was military-grade firepower, after all. But Yan Liuyuan claimed he couldn't use it. Wang Fugui smacked his lips and muttered: "I'll leave it for Ren Xiaosu."

Yan Liuyuan could only sigh, for the cards Ren Xiaosu wielded, though appearing ordinary, were manifestations of transcendent abilities...

Amid the refugee crowd, cries echoed, while Yan Liuyuan and the others debated the cards, their eyes fixed on the impending Dou Dizhu match.

It must be said, preparedness makes all the difference. Though it was bitterly cold outdoors, and even with full preparation, survival was hard, humans live by contrast. Seeing others suffer so, they felt less wretched themselves.

Chen Wudi muttered quietly: "Master has been abducted by the King of the Kingdom of Daughters, and you still have the heart to play cards!"

Wang Fugui laughed heartily: "Don't worry, Master won't abandon us."

"Really?" Chen Wudi's eyes lit up.

"Really, truly," Wang Fugui chuckled.

Chen Wudi: "Then let's play Zha Jin Hua—I'm a master at it."

At that moment, a gasp rippled through the distant crowd. Chen Wudi stood abruptly, gazing toward the commotion. Suddenly, he saw a man snatching a plump woman's scarf.

The snow had blanketed the ground in white. The man, clad in autumn clothes, could no longer bear the cold. He dared not steal from others, only from women—clothes he couldn't wear, but scarves he could take.

One struggles to imagine how vile some become in adversity, willing to use any means to survive.

Yet this was only the beginning of their flight. Yan Liuyuan and the refugees knew the exodus would grow worse.

During the last exodus, the weather wasn't so harsh, and humanity hadn't been pushed to extremes. Food was scarce, but they found a sweet potato field.

This time, however, the evil in human nature would manifest in its fullest, baring fangs and brandishing claws.

Chen Wudi strode forward: "Let go of her!"

The man glared at Chen Wudi: "What's it to you? Mind your own business!"

Chen Wudi laughed: "I am the reincarnation of the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven! I shall right every injustice in this world. Let go, or my fist may kill you!"

By the bonfire, Yan Liuyuan and the others watched silently. They knew Chen Wudi's temperament well—some had doubted his claims before, but now they saw he truly was such a man, dreaming of becoming a hero.

In truth, as a child, Yan Liuyuan had once fantasized about heroism while listening to storytellers with Ren Xiaosu. But Ren Xiaosu had told him then: "This world needs no tears, nor heroes."

Back then, Yan Liuyuan thought Ren Xiaosu lied, for he himself had listened with rapt attention, harboring heroic dreams. Perhaps Ren Xiaosu had once dreamed too, but had smothered them.

If relinquishing physical strength is the price of wisdom, then extinguishing dreams was Ren Xiaosu's price for survival.

Yet Yan Liuyuan believed that Ren Xiaosu's choice to aid Jiang Wu and take Chen Wudi along meant his heroic dreams had not been entirely extinguished.

At that moment, the thief lunged first, striking Chen Wudi's face. But Chen Wudi didn't dodge, letting the blow land. A crack sounded, and the man's wrist seemed to snap, yet Chen Wudi stood unharmed.

Yan Liuyuan shouted from afar: "Don't kill him!"

Chen Wudi: "Alright!"

With that, he gently punched the man's stomach. The man crumpled, paralyzed.

Chen Wudi said: "A minor lesson, to serve as a warning."

The woman, robbed of her scarf, rose to reclaim it, then hurriedly thanked Chen Wudi: "Thank you, thank you so much!"

"A trifle," Chen Wudi said, turning to leave.

Suddenly, the woman, as if seeking to draw closer, called out: "We're quite fated!"

In such desolate lands, those who help others stand a better chance of survival. Chen Wudi's group, riding bicycles, stood out—they were well-prepared, with food. This woman wished to cozy up to him.

Chen Wudi turned back: "Hmm? Fated?"

The woman shyly tucked her hair behind her ear: "You're the Great Sage, aren't you? I'm Zixia, Zhao Zixia!"

Chen Wudi's face froze, as if struck by lightning: "You're Zixia?! You're not the right age!"

Zhao Zixia joked: "Perhaps I was reincarnated a few years earlier than you..."

Chen Wudi despaired—this wasn't a few years, but over a decade! She was in too much of a hurry!

Yet his expression gradually calmed. He said evenly: "My apologies, sister, but I'm not your version of the Great Sage."

By the bonfire, Yan Liuyuan and the others nearly laughed themselves silly. When Chen Wudi returned, none dared tease him. He had once spoken of finding the Fairy Zixia, only to switch versions now.

Even the Great Sage could change versions—this was likely Chen Wudi's last resort...

Originally, Yan Liuyuan and Ren Xiaosu suspected Zixia was a romantic trial Chen Wudi had set for himself. But now, Zixia had appeared in person, severing his seven emotions and six desires with her bare hands...

At that moment, Yan Liuyuan glimpsed a figure emerging from the snowy night beyond. The refugees stirred, murmuring—it was unexpected for someone to come from the direction of the 109 Barrier at this hour.

Before others could react, Chen Wudi and the others rose. Yan Liuyuan waved excitedly, shouting: "Brother! Over here!"

Though he knew Ren Xiaosu was safe, only seeing him could ease his mind.

For Yan Liuyuan, without Ren Xiaosu, even a comfortable life meant nothing.

...

Thanks to Yulu Wusheng for becoming the new book alliance leader!