It was raining cats and dogs. Hu Dapao skipped down the mountain slope, carrying Nangong Bi in his arms. The girl was trembling, her eyes tightly shut, and her lips frozen purplish-blue.
Hu Dapao had no idea what had happened. Why had Nangong Bi exited the city all alone in such heavy downpour?
Where had she been headed?
Anxious and worried, he removed his military robe to wrap around the girl, gently put her down in a sheltered spot on the slope, and then ran out into the rain.
The young girl was unconscious. Not wanting to leave her alone for too long, Hu Dapao collected a bundle of tree branches and hurriedly returned.
All the branches were soaking wet, so it was impossible to light them on fire. Hu Dapao removed his inner robe and twisted it dry. Striking the flintstone repeatedly, he finally managed to produce a few sparks to kindle a flame.