Chapter 149 Resolutely No Change
Chapter 149 Resolutely No Change
Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, blanketing the earth in white. Xue Ruanruan trudged through the deep snow, leaving a trail of deep footprints. She wore a heavy cotton coat and snow boots, and carried a large backpack filled with various necessities and food. Her face was pale, and her lips were purple; she was clearly very cold and tired, but she persisted in walking forward.
“Mom…” Xue Ruanruan suddenly stopped and murmured softly. She thought of her mother, that gentle and kind woman. Her mother had once told Xue Ruanruan that no matter what difficulties she encountered, she should face them with strength. But now, Xue Ruanruan felt incredibly lonely and helpless. She didn't know how to find her mother.
Xue Ruanruan looked up into the distance, her eyes filled with confusion and despair. She didn't know how much longer she would have to walk to find her mother, or even if she would survive to leave this snowy landscape. But she knew that if she didn't keep going, she would never see her mother again. So, she gritted her teeth and continued her arduous journey. Suddenly, Xue Ruanruan saw a glimmer of light ahead. She quickened her pace and walked towards the light. Upon closer inspection, she found it was a dilapidated little hut. The door was ajar, and a faint candlelight shone from inside. Xue Ruanruan pushed open the door, and a warm feeling rushed towards her. Inside, there was a simple bed and some personal belongings. It seemed that someone had lived here before. Xue Ruanruan went to the bed and sat down to rest for a moment. She took out some dry food from her backpack and slowly chewed it. Then, she noticed a photograph hanging on the wall. The photograph showed a young woman with a bright and warm smile. Xue Ruanruan was startled; this woman bore a striking resemblance to herself. Could it be…? A glimmer of hope welled up within her; perhaps this was the place her mother had once lived. Filled with anticipation, Xue Ruanruan decided to spend the night here, waiting for dawn to continue her search for her mother's whereabouts.
Heavy snow fell, blanketing the world in white. However, this snowstorm brought endless suffering and disaster. Houses collapsed, roads were blocked by snow, transportation was paralyzed, and people were forced to leave their homes and wander aimlessly. They lost their warm shelters and faced the threats of hunger, cold, and disease. Many lost their lives, families were torn apart, and society descended into chaos.
Every winter, the border regions suffered harassment and attacks from the Turks. These despicable Turks, taking advantage of the harsh winter, wantonly burned, killed, and looted, bringing endless suffering and disaster to the local people. Like a pack of hungry wolves, they greedily plundered the wealth and food that the people had painstakingly accumulated. The people were powerless to resist these wolf-like enemies and could only watch helplessly as their homes were destroyed and their loved ones were murdered. Many families were torn apart, and their lives plunged into despair.
Since the onset of winter, the biting winds and blanketed landscape in snow have shrouded the earth in cold. However, this has not deterred the Turks. They frequently cross the border, invading the Central Plains to the south. These nomadic peoples from the northern grasslands are renowned for their bravery, fearlessness, and superb horsemanship. Now, driven by a desire for plunder and conquest, they continually challenge the defenses of the Central Plains dynasties.
While Xue Yan led an army of 100,000 to guard the frontier, Xue Ruanruan had a dream one night. In the dream, she saw her mother. Her mother told her to bravely continue on her journey and she would surely find the answer. The next morning, Xue Ruanruan woke up feeling somewhat stronger. She decided to continue her search for her mother. Before leaving, she tidied up the small house and left a letter on the wall thanking the owner for taking her in.
Xue Ruanruan followed the tracks in the snow, hoping to find more clues. Along the way, she met an old man. The old man told her that there was a mountain ahead, and on the mountain was a temple, where a wise monk was said to live, who might be able to help her.
After thanking the old man, Xue Ruanruan resolutely walked towards the mountain. Despite the arduous journey, her unwavering belief propelled her forward. Finally, she arrived at the mountain temple. The temple gates were tightly shut, but Xue Ruanruan gently knocked. Soon, the door slowly opened, and a high-ranking monk appeared before her. The monk gazed at Xue Ruanruan, as if seeing into her very soul. He smiled and invited her into the temple.
Xue Ruanruan entered the temple and respectfully bowed to the high monk. She recounted her experiences and her wish to find her mother. The high monk listened silently, then nodded slightly.
"Child, fate is predetermined. Your mother may be waiting for you not far away. But before that, you need to cultivate your mind," the high monk said.
Xue Ruanruan looked at the high monk with doubt, but still obeyed his words. In the days that followed, she stayed in the temple and followed the high monk in her practice.
As time passed, Xue Ruanruan's mind became calm and resolute. One day, a high monk handed her a key, indicating that she should open a door at the back of the temple.
With a nervous heart, Xue Ruanruan opened the door, only to find a path leading down the mountain. She glanced gratefully at the high monk, then set off on her way home.
After walking along the path for a long time, Xue Ruanruan finally saw a familiar figure. She ran over and hugged her mother tightly, tears streaming down her face.
Mother and daughter were reunited, overflowing with happiness. Xue Ruanruan understood that this journey had not only helped her find her mother but also made her a stronger person. Xue Ruanruan and her mother returned home to find it unrecognizable. They decided to rebuild their home together, and Xue Ruanruan used her medical knowledge to help her neighbors treat their injuries and illnesses. Her kindness spread throughout the village, and people were filled with gratitude towards her.
During the process of rebuilding her home, Xue Ruanruan met a young man named Li Yang. He was kind and hardworking, and the two supported each other and worked together. As time went by, feelings gradually developed between them.
However, just as Xue Ruanruan and Li Yang were immersed in happiness, the Turks attacked again. This time, their force was larger, and the battle was more intense. Xue Yan led his army in a valiant resistance, but ultimately they were outnumbered.
Xue Ruanruan joined the rescue team without hesitation, using her medical skills to save the lives of many wounded. Amidst the war, she worked closely with Li Yang to fight for their homeland.
In the end, justice prevailed over evil, and the Turks were driven back. Xue Ruanruan and Li Yang also experienced life-and-death trials in the war, making their relationship even more unbreakable.
After the war, people sent gifts and blessings to Xue Ruanruan in gratitude for her contributions. Xue Ruanruan and Li Yang held a grand wedding witnessed by many, and lived happily ever after.
Xue Ruanruan stepped lightly into that mysterious space, her heart filled with anticipation and curiosity. This space seemed like a secluded fairyland, filled with a refreshing atmosphere that soothed the soul.
Upon entering the space, Xue Ruanruan was first greeted by a warm current of air, carrying a faint fragrance of flowers and herbs that soothed her mood. She took a deep breath, savoring the aroma, feeling as if her entire being had been purified.
Next, Xue Ruanruan looked around and found that the space was not large, but it was very exquisitely decorated. In the center of the space, there was a small fountain with crystal-clear water, and a few small fish swam by from time to time. Next to the fountain, there was a stone table and several stone benches, on which were some fresh fruits and snacks.
Xue Ruanruan walked to the fountain, reached out and gently touched the water, feeling its refreshing coolness. She couldn't resist bending down, cupping a handful of water in her hands, and washing her face, instantly feeling refreshed. Then, she picked up a piece of pastry and took a bite; the sweet and delicious taste made her exclaim in admiration.
Besides the fountain, stone tables and benches, there were several tall trees in the space, laden with various fruits. Xue Ruanruan approached and discovered that these fruits were unlike anything she had ever seen before. Some resembled grapes, but were purple in color; others looked like apples, but were more rounded. She picked a purple fruit and took a bite; it was delicious, juicy, and sweet without being cloying.
In one corner of the space, there was a pile of books and scrolls. Xue Ruanruan casually picked up one and flipped through it, discovering that it recorded the cultivation methods and effects of various exotic flowers and herbs. She treasured the book and put it in her bosom, intending to study it carefully when she got back.
Finally, Xue Ruanruan reached the edge of the space, where there was a door with strange symbols carved on it. She tried to push the door open, but it wouldn't budge. She guessed that a greater secret might be hidden behind this door, but she couldn't open it yet.
After touring the entire space, Xue Ruanruan decided to leave and explore it again another time. She stepped out of the space and returned to the real world, holding the purple fruit in her hand, a satisfied smile on her face. This experience filled her with confidence for the future; she believed she would find even more surprises and gains in this magical space.
A monkey with golden fur walked over carrying a large gourd. It placed the gourd on the table, opened the lid, and a rich aroma of wine wafted out.
"This is a specialty of our Flower and Fruit Mountain—monkey wine!" the golden monkey said with a smile. "This is a fine wine that we brew ourselves. It has a mellow taste and a rich aroma. One sip and you'll be intoxicated by it."
Hearing this, everyone swallowed hard, eager to taste the legendary monkey wine. Sun Wukong picked up his gourd, poured a cup for everyone, then raised his cup and said with a smile, "Come, let's raise a glass together and celebrate this wonderful moment!"
Everyone readily agreed, raising their glasses and drinking it down in one gulp. The monkey wine was sweet on the palate, with a lingering aftertaste that brought a sense of warmth and comfort. Everyone praised it highly, declaring it a true delicacy.
Seeing everyone's happy faces, Sun Wukong was also very pleased. He knew that this monkey wine was not only a delicious drink, but also a symbol of their Flower Fruit Mountain. Today, he was sharing this monkey wine with everyone, hoping to let them feel the warmth and hospitality of Flower Fruit Mountain.
The growth cycle of the spirit rice in this space is very short, maturing in just ten to fifteen days. This is a world of difference compared to the outside world. Outside, spirit rice takes a long time to grow, but here, they seem to be infused with magical power, growing rapidly. Each stalk of spirit rice exudes a rich spiritual energy, making one feel refreshed and relaxed.
Xue Ruanruan sat quietly under the fruit-laden tree, sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled shadows on her. A gentle breeze caressed her hair and the hem of her clothes, bringing coolness and tranquility. She tilted her head slightly, gazing at the tree laden with fruit, her heart filled with joy and contentment.
My father and elder brother led the army, guarding the country's border regions. They shouldered the heavy responsibility of protecting the homeland and resisting foreign invasion. Border regions are usually the nation's front line of defense, facing threats and challenges from external forces. Therefore, they needed to remain vigilant at all times, strengthen military defenses, and ensure border security. At the same time, they also had to establish good relations with the local residents, maintain social stability, and promote economic development. This was an arduous and important task, requiring them to possess superb military skills, unwavering will, and selfless dedication.
In this mysterious space, Xue Ruanruan comprehended the secrets of nature and the miracles of life. She decided to bring this miraculous rice back to the world and share it with more people.
After leaving the space, Xue Ruanruan dedicated herself to researching and promoting the cultivation technology of spirit rice. Her efforts gained recognition and support from the people, and spirit rice gradually became more widespread, improving people's lives.
Meanwhile, on the frontier, Xue's father and elder brother remained steadfast in their posts, safeguarding the peace of the nation. They were deeply proud of Xue Ruanruan's achievements.
Although the family members live in two different places, they are all contributing to the country and the people in their own ways.
She resolutely embarked on a journey to the frontier, determined to deliver urgently needed supplies to her father and brothers who were leading troops guarding the border. This decision was filled with courage and a sense of responsibility, demonstrating her deep love for her family and country. She knew that the war environment on the frontier was harsh, and her father and brothers needed various supplies to maintain their fighting strength and basic living needs. Therefore, she packed her bags without hesitation and prepared to set off. Along the way, she experienced many difficulties and challenges, but she never gave up. Ultimately, she successfully delivered the supplies to her father and brothers, bringing them warmth and support. This journey not only helped her grow but also allowed her to deeply appreciate the power of family affection and patriotism. Xue Ruanruan's arrival greatly comforted her father and brothers. They sat together, sharing their longing and current situations. During their conversation, Xue Ruanruan learned that the situation on the border remained severe, but her father and brothers' unwavering faith and tenacious fighting spirit deeply inspired her.
To better assist her father and brothers, Xue Ruanruan decided to stay on the frontier and use her medical skills to treat wounded soldiers. She worked tirelessly day and night, saving many soldiers' lives with her exceptional medical expertise.
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