When Yun Yin woke up, she found herself lying on a hillside. She remembered that earlier that day, she had gone to learn how to make mushroom sauce from Grandma Su. After saying goodbye, she had been walking back to her courtyard with the finished jars of sauce in hand.
As for what happened next, her head throbbed, and only after thinking for a while did she recall—she had met Zhao Xinxin. Sister Xinxin had returned the books Yun Yin had lent her. But where were those books now?
Sitting up, Yun Yin looked around. Beside her, she found a basket of mushroom sauce and a canvas bag. She opened it and, sure enough, inside were the books she had lent to Xinxin.
The mushroom sauce and the books were both still there. She stood and surveyed her surroundings. The trees rustled softly, and in the distance, birds chirped.
After observing for a long time, Yun Yin finally confirmed that this was not Yunwu Village.
She thought of the strange cloud that had swept her away—it had come so suddenly and forcefully that even she had been carried off in the blink of an eye. She wondered what had happened to the others in Yunwu Village. Would her disappearance cause trouble for them? After all, Yunwu Village was just a small scenic spot deep in the mountains, with few tourists each year. If her disappearance brought harm to the village, she would feel deeply guilty.
The people of Yunwu Village were kind and simple. During the nearly two months she had stayed there, everyone had treated her with care—especially Grandma Sun. When she learned Yun Yin wanted to make mushroom sauce, she held nothing back, even refusing payment. Yun Yin didn’t want to bring any trouble to such a warm place.
Thinking of the mushroom sauce, she looked down at the dozens of intact jars. Through the clear glass, she could almost taste the rich flavor again. She swallowed, then continued to examine her surroundings, wondering where she had ended up.
Unbeknownst to Yun Yin, her disappearance hadn’t harmed Yunwu Village. When the villagers couldn’t find her, the village head reported it to the police. Though no clues were found, a research institute later discovered that the village’s mist had health benefits. Over time, Yunwu Village became a popular destination. Only those who remembered Yun Yin still thought of her, and Grandma Su prayed for her safety every year.
But Yun Yin knew none of this. After checking her surroundings and finding no immediate danger, she hid the mushroom sauce and books, then headed down the mountain.
At the foot of the hill, she faintly heard shouting in the distance, though it was muffled by the sound of flowing water. She washed her face in a stream, cleared her mind, straightened her wrinkled clothes, tied up her loose hair, and slowly walked toward the noise.
Before she got close, she saw a group of armed men chasing a dozen ragged people. Realizing they were heading in her direction, she quickly climbed a tall tree to hide.
Soon, the group passed near the tree. The armed men shouted angrily, “Why are you running? You refugees—stop right now, or you’ll face worse than forced labor!”
From their words, Yun Yin understood the situation. These people were refugees fleeing famine from Longyou.
The previous year, a locust plague had devastated Longyou, causing crop failure and soaring grain prices. The people had no choice but to flee in search of food. These refugees had come all the way to Jiannan Circuit.
From their conversation, Yun Yin learned that she was now in Jiannan. Watching the officials escort the refugees away, she tightened her sleeves, realizing her situation was dangerous.
The officials had mentioned that the county needed labor for waterworks. Refugees would be captured and forced into hard labor. Women, if caught, would be assigned to men at random.
There were many unmarried soldiers in the county. Any woman without household registration—whether a young girl or a widow—could be seized and forcibly married off to increase the population. For the magistrate, boosting population numbers was a notable achievement, and giving wives to idle soldiers would prevent unrest.
For Yun Yin, who had no money and no registration, this was a serious problem.
She frowned and watched the officials leave, deep in thought.
Jiannan? Longyou? Was this the Tang Dynasty?
She could understand everything they said. If this were truly ancient times, how could she understand the language so easily?
Just then, a caravan approached from afar. Seeing the disturbance ahead, they stopped and sent someone to gather information.
Yun Yin cautiously moved closer. Having trained in martial arts since childhood, she moved lightly and quietly, easily avoiding detection. Soon, she reached a small thatched hut near where the caravan had stopped and crouched by the corner to listen.
“Manager, I’ve checked—they’re not bandits, just refugees from Longyou.”
“There are more and more refugees these days. The officials warned us to be careful on the road.”
The manager frowned. “Disasters have plagued Great Zhao these past years. There was frost damage the year before last, and just as things started to settle, now come the refugees again.”
“Let’s hope we don’t run into bandits on the way back, or we won’t survive this.”
“Forget resting—we’ll move on. Let’s reach Mianzhou as soon as possible. No more trips this year.”
The workers quickly packed up and left.
After they were gone, Yun Yin stepped out. The area was desolate, but the thatched hut behind her could at least provide shelter from wind and rain. She decided to stay there temporarily until she solved her identity problem.
The officials had just left, so they likely wouldn’t return soon. The hut was near the main road, making it easier to spot danger.
Inside, the hut was crude—built of wood and straw, with nothing inside. It was likely just a resting place for travelers. Still, it could serve as temporary shelter.
Her only concern was whether other caravans might stop here. If too many people came, she might not be safe alone.
Looking at the sun rising over the mountains, she decided to return to the hillside where she had first appeared and search for another place to stay—somewhere more secluded.
She crossed a patch of shrubs and returned to the stream. The flowing water gently lapped at the banks, fish swimming freely and fearlessly, as if no humans had ever disturbed them.
Following the stream, she heard the distant sound of a larger river. Soon, she found it—a winding river flowing past, with a narrow path on the opposite side leading who knew where.
Just as she was observing, she spotted a distant boat and quickly hid among the trees. Once it passed, she returned to the hillside. Her basket and bag were still safe, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
There was a flat area below the slope—good enough for a temporary camp. She hid the mushroom sauce, took her basket, and headed into the mountains to find food.
Judging by the locals’ clothing, it seemed to be early spring. When she spotted familiar wild vegetables like shepherd’s purse and Malan greens, she confirmed it.
Yet before she was transported, it had been August—the season for mushrooms. She had gone to Yunwu Village specifically to taste Grandma Sun’s famous mushroom sauce. Even after eating it for two months, she hadn’t grown tired of it.
Thinking of the jar of termite mushroom oil Grandma Su had given her, she could almost taste its lingering aroma. She swallowed, pushing aside the craving.
She sighed softly, thinking of Grandma Su. Though they had known each other for less than two months, the old woman had treated her like a granddaughter.
As for her father… her feelings were complicated. He cared for her, but there were always more important things in his life. She had never been his priority.
From childhood, she had trained in martial arts relentlessly—before dawn, regardless of weather. While others spent time with friends, she trained. While others relaxed, she trained.
She had no close friends. Friendship required time, and she had none to spare.
Later, her father sent her to work in film productions to promote the family martial arts school. Thanks to her looks and impressive fight scenes, she gained some fame. People said she had a “first-love face”—cool when serious, sweet when smiling.
Her popularity brought attention to the martial arts school, confirming her father’s ambitions. But Yun Yin didn’t like it. She disliked being watched. It made her uneasy.
She preferred being in the kitchen, cooking food that made people happy—just like the warmth she had felt from her grandmother’s cooking when she was young.
After her grandmother passed away, that warmth was gone.
Thinking of her father’s dying wish—to revive the martial arts school—she didn’t know how to respond. Learning martial arts was hard, and in modern times, few were willing to endure it.
She touched the whip at her waist and thought—perhaps staying in Great Zhao wasn’t so bad. Maybe she could revive the school here… though she didn’t truly want that. She simply wanted to cook, raise a dog and a cat, and live a simple, happy life.
Shaking off her thoughts, she focused on survival.
Ahead, she spotted a bamboo grove. In early spring, bamboo shoots would be perfect to eat.
She glanced at her white training outfit—flowing and elegant, something her father had chosen for filming. Thankfully, it was comfortable.
She tied her sleeves and pant legs with red cords to keep insects out, picked up her basket, and headed toward the bamboo grove to gather shoots.