Chapter Seven: Hahaha, I've Returned to Ancient Times!

The child stepped back behind the elderly man, watching Liu Hongyu’s face, twisted by the effort to suppress his excitement, with a hint of unease. He couldn’t help but whisper.

“Grandfather, that man’s expression looks terrifying…”

Mu Chen furrowed his brows slightly.

“Young master, young master?”

“Ah?”

Liu Hongyu suddenly snapped to attention. Seeing the strange looks from the grandfather and grandson, he recalled their earlier question and hurried to calm himself, pondering how to respond.

“Oh, yes, yes, I… my name is Liu Hongyu, and I am…”

His words faltered as a sudden shock struck his mind.

Damn it. Zhonghai City wouldn’t have been called that in ancient times, right? Besides, many place names change through different eras. And I don’t even know which dynasty or period I’ve landed in…

Moreover, can I just casually reveal that I’m from the future? Probably not… but I’m completely clueless here.

Though many see Liu Hongyu as unlearned, he was not foolish. Growing up around his father, he understood one principle well: when entering an unfamiliar environment, one must remain low-key and cautious.

If he loudly proclaimed himself a time traveler and spouted absurdities, his fate might be just as absurd.

In a short moment, beads of sweat formed on Liu Hongyu’s forehead as he panicked, wondering how to answer.

Suddenly, an idea struck him, inspired by some TV shows he had watched. His mind raced faster than ever.

“Uh… ah… my head hurts… uh…”

Liu Hongyu clutched his head and groaned in pain. This act startled Mu Chen, whose expression changed subtly.

“Young master Liu, what’s wrong?”

“My head hurts… I can’t remember anything… ah…”

“Quick, lie down, don’t think too much!”

Mu Chen hurriedly helped Liu Hongyu lie down. The latter cooperated, feigning pain before settling on the bed. One of his hands was soon grasped by the old doctor.

The old man placed three fingers on Liu Hongyu’s pulse, his face shifting from stern to contemplative. Occasionally, he stroked his beard and glanced at the young man, making Liu Hongyu feel uneasy.

After a long while, Mu Chen spoke.

“From your pulse, young master, besides being weakened by cold, it seems you were previously greatly frightened, causing damage to your spirit and resulting in soul-loss syndrome. But do not worry, with proper care, you will recover.”

Hearing this, Liu Hongyu breathed a sigh of relief.

Phew… I got through that!

“Xiaowen, prepare the medicine I set out in the front hall.”

“Yes!”

The child responded and left, glancing several times at Liu Hongyu before departing.

Once the child was gone, Mu Chen prepared to leave as well. Liu Hongyu, having regained some composure, hurriedly asked the question that troubled him most.

“Sir, who are you? Where am I? And what dynasty is this… uh… what era?”

Mu Chen frowned slightly, his face clouded with confusion. After a long pause, he replied.

“My surname is Mu, given name Chen. As for the dynasty…”

He stroked his beard and smiled faintly, then shook his head.

“I do not know either. Since our ancestors secluded themselves here, we have lost track of the years. We do not seek the rule of kings, only the protection of the sages, so our lineage continues…”

He looked at Liu Hongyu again.

“It’s a pity, young master, that you suffer from soul-loss syndrome. Originally, I should be the one asking you questions.”

Liu Hongyu pondered for a moment, then realized the meaning behind the old man’s words.

“You don’t know either? It can’t be…”

“Indeed, we do not know. But perhaps the scholars at the academy can enlighten you.”

At that moment, from the valley school came a sudden sneeze from Zhuang Lin.

Mu Chen no longer wished to speak with Liu Hongyu.

---

“Rest well, young master. Strive to regain your health soon. I shall take my leave now. If you need anything, just call. My little grandson will bring your medicine shortly.”

With that, Mu Chen rose to leave. As he reached the doorway and was about to close the door, Liu Hongyu suddenly remembered an unanswered question.

“Sir, you haven’t told me where exactly this place is.”

Mu Chen paused, deliberately slowing the door closure. He glanced at the young man lying on the bed.

“The locals call this place Hidden Immortal Valley. You have just awakened, so rest more.”

The door shut, leaving Liu Hongyu sitting on the bed, dazed, while a storm of thoughts swirled in his mind.

Though the old man had not specified the exact characters, Liu Hongyu already understood the significance of the name.

“Hidden Immortal Valley… Hidden Immortal Valley…”

Muttering softly, his lips trembling, Liu Hongyu clenched the quilt tightly. A profound instinct seized all his thoughts.

The great power of heaven and earth’s creation is truly miraculous!

This is it! This is the place!

He threw himself back onto the bed, covering his whole body with the quilt, finally releasing a loud, joyous cry within the warmth.

“Ha ha ha ha ha! I’ve finally returned to ancient times!”

Though his voice was muffled, such madness could not be contained by a quilt and a single room.

Outside, not far away, Mu Chen grinned wryly, recognizing the depth of the young man’s madness. The child preparing herbs nearby instinctively stood up and looked toward the room, face pale with fear, thinking, “A madman has arrived!”

After a while, Liu Hongyu suddenly threw off the quilt, got up, opened the door, and, clad only in a thin shirt and barefoot, dashed outside.

I need to confirm again, just confirm!

Though still battling a cold, Liu Hongyu ran swiftly like the wind, straight to the clinic’s front hall and then outside.

“Ah… grandpa! That strange man ran out!”

Mu Chenwen screamed, but the old man had already noticed.

At the clinic’s entrance, Liu Hongyu stood looking out at sights he had never seen but had longed for.

The orderly ancient houses, the flying eaves and ornate brackets, the antique charm, the fields where smoke rose gently in the breeze, and the passersby dressed in traditional garb—all surrounded by the vibrant colors of the hills.

The scenery was more beautiful than any painting!

Tears welled in Liu Hongyu’s eyes as an unprecedented sense of fulfillment washed over his soul.

Humans are often visual creatures. Even with Liu Hongyu’s discerning eye, he could see this was truly a land blessed by heaven and earth.

“Hidden Immortal Valley… in my soul’s realm, I sincerely thank heaven and earth. This must be the place where my secluded immortal master resides…”

He whispered softly, kneeling toward the earth and bowing his head sincerely.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

Three resounding bows.

*Rumble rumble…*

At that moment, distant thunder rolled, and the sky seemed veiled by a thickening layer of clouds, startling Liu Hongyu.

Before he could look up again, he realized he was surrounded by people. The ancient folks had gathered around him!

Men, women, old, and young—all who passed by the clinic had come near, joined by curious onlookers from afar.

“Hey, is this the person who fell into the water?”

“Looks like it. He seems unfamiliar.”

“So he really came from outside?”

“He can’t have just popped out from between the rocks, right?”

“Looks like he’s better now!”

“Why is his hair so short?”

“He looks quite handsome.”

“Seems younger than twenty, don’t you think?”

“Isn’t he cold?”

“What was that bowing just now?”

“Who knows…”

…

“Hey, are you really from outside?”

“Where’s your hometown?”

“Young master, what’s the situation outside now?”

“Has the war ended?”

“Who is emperor now?”

“Are taxes still high?”

“Are you running away from something?”

…

The crowd buzzed with questions, growing louder. One query after another overwhelmed Liu Hongyu, leaving him stunned.

This tactic of questioning first makes sense. They live in seclusion, and Liu Hongyu, the young master, is the outsider. Naturally, they want answers from him.

From now on, he couldn’t just ask strangers questions that might be impossible to answer.

But at this moment, Liu Hongyu was utterly bewildered, like a rare spectacle. Everyone’s faces were filled with curiosity, and the crowd kept swelling. Their expressions were genuine.

It was the most natural reaction.

After all, the valley’s people had waited long for the rightful person, and this was their first encounter. How could they not be curious?

“Hey, everyone, please calm down… calm down… This young master Liu is still ill, suffering from soul-loss syndrome and can’t remember much…”

Mu Chen stepped forward to calm the crowd, draping an old coat over Liu Hongyu and gently pulling him back.

“Come, come, back inside to rest. Don’t worsen your condition!”

The crowd grew more restless.

“Hey, he hasn’t even spoken yet!”

“Later, later we’ll hear from him!”

“Is he mute?”

“Quiet down, everyone, disperse…”

…

As the voices rose, the thunder in the sky grew louder.

*Rumble rumble—*

The deafening roar silenced the crowd. They noticed the clouds had thickened ominously.

“Don’t stand here any longer, hurry home! It’s going to rain!”

Due to the weather and Mu Chen’s authoritative presence as a healer, the crowd reluctantly dispersed without causing further disturbance.

Meanwhile, Liu Hongyu had returned indoors, covered himself again with the quilt, burying his head beneath it. The warmth comforted his body, though his heart still pounded fiercely.

“Heh heh heh… ha ha ha…”

Liu Hongyu curled up, emitting a strange, foolish laugh.

The quilt writhed like a trembling worm, the bizarre laughter startling the child who was about to bring in the medicine bowl outside.

---

*Rumble rumble— crack, rumble—*

Lightning tore across the sky, thunder exploding through the mountains and rivers.

In the courtyard, Mu Chen looked up at the sky, furrowing his brows slightly.

*Pitter patter patter…*

A torrential downpour began, pouring relentlessly.

At the academy, Zhuang Lin stood alone before the empty school gates. Through the curtain of rain just an arm’s length away, he looked up at the lightning-filled sky, murmuring softly.

“This spring thunder comes quite early this year…”