on earth

"Li Yan slowly opened his eyes and found himself lying in a simple thatched hut.

A few faint rays of light filtered through the roof above, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of herbs, carrying a hint of moist earth.

He tried to move, but his body was too weak to respond, leaving him lying there quietly.

Light footsteps sounded from outside, and then a young girl pushed the door open.

She looked about sixteen or seventeen, dressed in a plain green gown. The fabric was simple, yet it made her appear as lively as a mountain spring.

Her skirt swayed gently with her steps, like a soft stream flowing around her, adding a touch of grace to the humble little hut.

In her hands was a bowl of steaming herbal soup, the aroma following her steps and gradually filling the room.

Li Yan looked up, and at first glance, he was captivated by her delicate features.

Her face was fair like porcelain, exuding a purity untouched by the world, her bright eyes brimming with curiosity and spirit, as clear as a mountain spring.

Li Yan had never seen such a pure gaze; her eyes seemed to see through the unease in his heart.

Seeing him awake, the girl's eyes lit up with a hint of surprise, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. "Young master, you're awake. I thought you'd sleep forever."

Li Yan's mind raced. He had indeed traveled back in time, strange as it was; now he had to tread carefully.

Supporting himself slightly, his throat dry and voiceless, he coughed softly before managing to say, in a tone mimicking ancient speech, "Thank you, young lady, for saving my life… May I ask where I am?"

The girl smiled, placing the herbal soup on the table. Her voice was as clear as flowing water: "This is Fengmen Village. You were unconscious for days. It was my grandfather who rescued you from the foot of the mountain."

"Fengmen Village…" Li Yan repeated the name quietly, trying to recall it, but no matter how hard he tried, this place didn't seem to exist in history.

He frowned slightly, hoping he was still on Earth. After all, others who traveled back in time landed somewhere on Earth. He remembered the last scene before he passed out, and his heart tightened.

The girl noticed his puzzlement, chuckled softly, and brought the bowl of medicine over, saying gently, "Don't worry, young master. First, drink this medicine. My grandfather says it will greatly benefit your recovery."

Li Yan took the bowl and drank it all in one go. The bitterness spread across his tongue, making him frown.

Seeing his reaction, the girl covered her mouth and chuckled, "The medicine is bitter, but it was prepared by my grandfather himself and will greatly help your recovery."

Her warm and sincere smile eased Li Yan's unease somewhat.

However, his mind was still full of questions. First, he needed to understand his current situation, he thought to himself.

Looking up at the girl, he asked tentatively, "May I ask, what year is it now? Who is the current emperor?"

The girl's expression shifted slightly, as if she found his question odd.

"Are you dazed, young master? It is the 36th year of the First Emperor's reign, the Qin Dynasty is at its peak, and the ruler is the First Emperor himself."

Li Yan's heart shook.

The 36th year of the First Emperor, 211 BCE, was indeed the height of the Qin Dynasty but also a pivotal moment in history, with turmoil looming.

He stared blankly at the girl, his heart churning with emotion.

At that moment, the weight of reality pressed on him like a heavy stone on his chest, leaving him breathless. He had traveled back over two thousand years, to the Qin Dynasty—a time nearing the end of the First Emperor's life, with his death less than a year away.

He was but a speck of dust in the torrent of history, at any moment vulnerable to being swept away.

A strong sense of unease and loneliness surged within him. Everything familiar was gone, and here he was, a solitary traveler lost in time.

At that moment, the girl continued, "My name is A-Lian, and my grandfather is known as Mister Chu by the villagers. We are residents of Fengmen Village."

"A-Lian, Mister Chu…" Li Yan repeated their names, more questions surfacing in his mind. Mister Chu? The name sounded significant, and perhaps this elderly man wasn't an ordinary villager.

Seeing his thoughtful expression, the girl kindly added, "When you fell, my grandfather was returning from the mountains and found you unconscious. He brought you back to the village. My grandfather is skilled in medicine and often treats the villagers. Your injuries have greatly improved and, with a few more days of rest, you should recover fully."

A-Lian tilted her head curiously as she watched Li Yan's complex expression, then smiled and asked, "Young master, where are you from? Your attire is unusual, and when we found you, we thought you might be a foreigner."

Li Yan paused, realizing he couldn't tell her the truth, so he replied calmly, "I come from a very distant place, where customs are different from here. As for the fall… I don't remember much."

The girl nodded, seemingly unbothered by his vague answer.

At that moment, heavy footsteps sounded outside the door, and an elderly man walked in. Li Yan looked up and saw a man with white hair, a lean face, and deep, calm eyes.

"Grandfather, the young master is awake," A-Lian said softly as she stood up to greet him.

The elder nodded slightly, his gaze resting on Li Yan for a moment before he spoke slowly, "Your injuries aren't healed yet, young man. Take your time to recover here."

Li Yan felt warmth in his heart, recognizing that this elderly man wasn't an ordinary villager. Instead of asking him questions, he had offered a place for him to recuperate. Li Yan nodded respectfully and said, "Thank you, sir, for your kindness. I am deeply grateful."

The elder smiled faintly, "It was no trouble at all. Rest here in peace."

Although he spoke casually, Li Yan felt that there was more to this elderly man.

The village might be remote, but the elder had a calm, composed demeanor, as if unaffected by the world around him, hinting at a deep and unfathomable spirit.

The next day, as his condition improved slightly, Li Yan supported himself as he walked out of the hut, and the sight before him took his breath away.

This small village seemed isolated from the world.

Nestled in a secluded valley surrounded by towering mountains, the peaks were shrouded in mist, exuding an air of mystery and tranquility.

The thatched huts were neatly arranged, with roofs covered in straw and walls made of packed yellow clay, simple and primitive.

A serene atmosphere permeated the village, as though time had stopped here.

A clear stream flowed quietly by the village, the water transparent to the bottom. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting sparkling reflections on the water.

"Is this really the Qin Dynasty…?" Li Yan murmured, standing at the edge of the village, feeling the weight of history and a sense of temporal dissonance. The scene before him was nothing like the historical records he remembered, as though this world and his known history existed in parallel realms.

He realized he might never return. If there was any chance of going back, he first had to find that mirror.

Just then, a familiar voice sounded from behind him, "Young master, why are you standing here lost in thought?"

Li Yan turned around to see A-Lian, her smile as warm as morning sunlight.

"I was just thinking… all of this doesn't feel real…" he murmured, his gaze drifting to the distance.

A-Lian smiled gently, a hint of curiosity in her eyes but asked no further questions.

She walked to his side, looking at the distant mountains, and said softly, "Fengmen Village may be small, but it's our home, with its mountains and rivers. It's been like this for generations. If you wish, young master, you can think of it as your home too, and recover here in peace."

Hearing her words, Li Yan felt a warmth rise within him."