In recent years, as the imperial court grew increasingly weak and ineffective while the devastating effects of drought expanded, bandits across the land grew ever more brazen. Reports of gangs looting towns became frequent, spreading fear and unrest among the people.
That day, the residents of Hangzhou received word from the city garrison. Intelligence indicated that a bandit group numbering over a thousand would reach Hangzhou in three days to pillage. Thus, under the city commander's leadership, townsfolk, militia volunteers, and garrison soldiers began dividing tasks to prepare defenses and supplies. They erected barricades, traps, and ambush points around the city, planning to strike the bandits before they could enter! The government-affiliated medical bureau was naturally instructed to prepare logistical medical support.
At dusk, scouts reported: the bandits were already approaching Hangzhou and might launch a night attack. Soldiers quickly took ambush positions at the city gates. As time passed, every guard remained tensely at their post, senses heightened, fearing to miss any sign of the bandits. The crescent moon slowly climbed the starry sky, casting pallid light that made the city gates appear solemn and terrifying. When the predicted time passed without any bandit sightings, the defenders grew restless, murmuring uneasily. This news reached the medical bureau, where 'he' felt inexplicably disturbed. 'He' sensed something ominous approaching, yet when 'he' tried to meditate, 'his' mind proved unusually agitated.
Two shichen later, scouts reported: the bandits likely noticed Hangzhou's defenses and abruptly changed course toward Fuyang. Upon hearing this, 'he' felt overwhelming dread. Borrowing a fast horse, 'he' raced toward Fuyang where 'she' resided.
That night, after the bandit scouts observed Hangzhou's formidable defenses, they redirected their plunder to vulnerable Fuyang. They ravaged mercilessly, burning, killing and looting nearly every household. The bandits completed their pillage within hours, then spitefully set fires to numerous homes before departing dissatisfied with their meager spoils.
Riding into Fuyang, 'he' passed many destroyed or burning houses, intensifying 'his' dread. Following memories of 'her' home, 'he' rushed to 'her' doorstep. Seeing the shattered gate, 'his' panic peaked. Dismounting, with thoughts in chaos, 'he' clung to desperate hope - even if 'she' had but one breath left, 'he' could save 'her'!
Stepping carefully through the broken doorway, 'he' was assaulted by nauseating blood stench. The ransacked interior lay in disarray. In the main hall, two elderly corpses lay mangled in gore, spreading 'his' dread exponentially. Not seeing 'her', 'he' entered the bedroom to find 'her' in a massive blood pool, abdomen split open with organs spilled nearby - long dead. 'He' shattered instantly! The last hope vanished as 'he' collapsed like a puppet with cut strings, clutching 'her' corpse while screaming in despair! 'He' had believed 'he' understood life and death, had seen through worldly cruelty - yet facing it personally still pierced 'his' heart!
Now utterly unmoored, 'he' cradled 'her' tightly, drowning in self-blame. Despite attaining supernormal powers, perceiving worldly truths, even near-immortality, 'he' had failed to protect 'her' - repeatedly! Sobs began quietly, then became wordless weeping, finally erupting into wails. After timeless grief, 'he' apparently cried into unconsciousness. Waking on the floor, 'he' tried recomposing - but seeing 'her' face again reignited 'his' anguish.
'He' gently covered 'her' face with cloth to prevent another breakdown. Enduring waves of heartache, 'his' tears still flowed unceasingly. Fetching water and clean rags, 'he' wept while trembling hands replaced 'her' spilled organs, meticulously suturing the ghastly wound. After cleansing 'her' body and dressing 'her' in plain clothes, 'he' gazed mournfully: "Master! Why? Why does this still hurt so much!" 'He' murmured as fresh tears fell.Removing a dark-veined sarira bead from 'his' wrist bracelet, 'he' pressed it into 'her' hand. Carrying 'her' princess-style, 'he' wandered aimlessly into nearby woods. Eventually finding a secluded spot, 'he' dug a sand pit with 'his' own hands and buried 'her'.