Chapter 15: A Test of Compassion

Chapter 15: A Test of Compassion

As dawn broke, Lin Yue and Li Wei emerged from the spatial realm, stepping into a desolate town where misery hung thick in the air. The streets were barren of life save for people sitting in the dirt, hands outstretched, begging for scraps.

Lin Yue's heart ached at the sight. Everywhere they turned, hunger and despair were etched on every face. They walked cautiously through the town, but their journey was abruptly halted when they noticed wanted posters bearing their faces plastered on walls. Patrols moved through the streets, inspecting passersby.

"They're searching for us," Li Wei said, his tone grave.

Realizing the danger, they quietly retreated and chose an alternate route, one that led through a dried, barren forest. The ground was cracked, the trees stripped of bark—likely eaten by desperate people.

"This is heartbreaking," Lin Yue murmured. "I wish I could help, but... taking food out of nowhere would only draw attention to us."

Li Wei nodded, understanding the balance they had to strike between compassion and caution. They pressed on, putting distance between themselves and the patrols.

Hours later, they arrived at a small village, weary from their trek. There, they encountered an elderly couple in need. The woman had been bitten by a snake, her ankle swollen and discolored. Without hesitation, Lin Yue used her spatial herbs and knowledge to treat the wound.

Grateful, the couple invited them into their modest home. Inside, the old man shared the grim reality of their lives.

"Water is more precious than gold here," the man explained. "We have to buy it at high prices. Those who can't afford it sell their children for food or drink. It's a cruel world."

Despite their own struggles, the couple offered Lin Yue and Li Wei hard pancakes and a small cup of water. It was a humble gesture, but Lin Yue understood the magnitude of their sacrifice.

Later that night, Lin Yue and Li Wei slipped into the spatial realm with their children. Over dinner, Lin Yue couldn't shake her guilt. "I want to help them," she told Li Wei.

Li Wei frowned, his protective instincts flaring. "We have to be careful. Drawing attention to ourselves could put everyone at risk."

After a moment of silence, he sighed. "But I understand. We'll do what we can without compromising our safety."

The next morning, Li Wei prepared a small supply for the couple: rice, flour, and a container of water. It wasn't much, but it would last them a while. They packed the items carefully, then sought out a secluded spot behind a mountain rock to deliver them.

When they handed the supplies over, they explained, "This was food we prepared for our journey. We'll buy more when we reach the next town."

The old couple was hesitant to accept such a generous gift, but Lin Yue and Li Wei insisted. Tears welled in the old woman's eyes as she finally relented.

"Thank you," she whispered. "May the heavens bless you."

With heavy hearts, Lin Yue and Li Wei bid the couple farewell and resumed their journey.