Chapter 50: Dreamscape 1

Late at night, Long Yu had a long dream. In it, he was a bird living in these mountains. During the day, he caught insects, ate grass seeds, and once he was full, soared beneath the azure sky, drifting on gentle winds, roaming the heavens. At night, he rested perched among the trees.

But there was always a bothersome cat that harassed him. As expected, cats were the lifelong enemies of birds! Yet he was no match for that cursed cat.

In the morning, the cool air coaxed crystalline dew onto the leaves. A large droplet, succumbing at last to gravity, broke free from its perch and fell.

It landed on Long Yu’s face, the sudden chill jolting him awake.

He opened his eyes and instinctively glanced around. Finding no danger, he relaxed. It was only the morning dew that had fallen on his face.

He wiped it away with his hand and gently leapt down from the tree.

“What was I supposed to do?” He pondered for a while before recalling his intent to return home.

“Yes, yes, I’m going home.” Last night’s dream had transformed him into a bird; it felt so real! Isn’t it said that dreams fade as soon as one wakes? Yet he could still recall yesterday’s dream with remarkable clarity.

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He did not use the portal; instead, he walked on foot, though his pace was swift. In less than an hour, Long Yu had left the mountains behind. The land ahead leveled out, but lacking human presence, what had once been farmland was now dotted with trees, though much smaller than those in the mountains.

He darted through the woods, intending to find a populated place or a deserted town, anything to orient himself. After so many days in the mountains, he was utterly lost.

After several dozen minutes, a small town appeared before him, and to his surprise, it was clean, free from rampant trees and weeds.

“Could there be people here?” The thought suddenly surged through Long Yu’s mind.

He quickened his pace, approaching the town, where a simple wall greeted him.

Many human presences had appeared within his perception.

“I knew there would be people here. My intuition is uncanny today,” Long Yu thought, excitement swelling within him.

He had followed his intuition from the start, feeling compelled to head in this direction. That mysterious sense convinced him he would find people if he pressed on.

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After a moment’s hesitation, Long Yu ultimately chose to trust his intuition, and it did not disappoint him. In just over an hour, he had discovered a small town with people.

He felt lucky enough to buy a lottery ticket, the thought bringing him amusement.

Now that he’d found people, he could determine his location, and once he did, he could use the portal to return home, escaping this place at last.

Without stopping, Long Yu strode toward the wall.

“Who are you?” The guard at the entrance soon noticed him, wary of the stranger.

“I’m from elsewhere. I got lost in the mountains and wanted to ask where exactly this place is,” Long Yu replied directly.

He had no intention of lingering; if he could simply learn his location, he could go home immediately.

Long Yu’s sudden arrival drew townsfolk out from every corner, watching curiously.

Before the guard could answer, a man who seemed to be the leader emerged, his clothes noticeably cleaner than the rest.

“Brother, this is Qingtian Town in Zhoushan City. Where are you headed?” the burly leader asked.

“I’m going to the safe zone in Liangzhou City,” Long Yu said.

“Liangzhou, that’s quite far from here! Brother, why don’t you rest with us first? We’d be glad to host a guest from afar. We’re also eager to hear news of the outside world. It’s been more than half a year, and we know nothing of what’s happening beyond,” the leader began, warmly inviting Long Yu.

Long Yu did not refuse; he did need to consult a map to plan his route, and he didn’t mind sharing news of the outside world with them.

That evening, in a room that was reasonably clean, with a few bottles of spirits and modest dishes, they offered him the best they had.

“Brother Long Yu, I, Lu Chong, offer you another toast,” said Lu Chong, the burly leader, raising glass after glass to Long Yu.

Long Yu drank freely, feeling an unusual sense of comfort here, which eased nerves that had been taut for days.

The dinner was lively, the table abuzz with conversation.

Between drinks, Lu Chong asked about the world outside. He learned that the army had established safe zones to protect survivors.

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Long Yu now knew exactly where he was and planned to leave the next day.

The merriment soon faded, and Long Yu returned to the room Lu Chong had arranged for his rest.

“Will I dream the same dream tonight?” The thought of yesterday’s dream drifted through his mind.

He had become a bird, soaring freely beneath the vast blue sky, unburdened by the troubles of humanity.

But the dream had felt so real that Long Yu was reminded of the parable of Zhuang Zhou dreaming he was a butterfly.

Had he merely dreamed of being a bird, or had he truly become one for a night, living its entire life?

“Are my parents and sister all right? I haven’t returned in so many days; surely they must be worried?” he wondered.

Though the mutant tiger remained at home, Long Yu still fretted about his parents and sister.

The distance was too great; he could only sense the tiger’s state—everything was fine—but he could not control it mentally.

Now he somewhat regretted accepting this mission. So many had died with nothing gained, and he had barely escaped with his life.

“But whatever happens, I won’t forgo my reward. The task wasn’t completed, but I nearly lost my life; I must get what I’m owed.”

Lost in these tangled thoughts, Long Yu gradually drifted into sleep, knowing that by tomorrow, he could finally return home.

Soon after entering sleep, he found himself in another dream.

This time, he was no longer a bird, but a man—a native of Qingtian Town.

In the dream, he was a father, with a daughter and a wife. His family was not wealthy, but their life was comfortable enough. They were happy together, living joyously.

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