It's Luo Fan (Part 2)

LUO FAN

I opened my eyes, but all I saw was darkness. The silence was so complete that I could hear my own unsteady breathing.

Where am I? Am I dead?

I tried to move, to feel something—anything. My heart was still beating.

I was alive.

I wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed. I had already accepted my fate, resigned to death as the conclusion to my failures. Waking up now felt almost cruel, a prolonging of an existence I no longer wanted.

I blinked several times, but the darkness didn't lift. It clung to me, oppressive and unyielding.

Is it nighttime?

A door creaked open, and I saw the faint outline of a shadow moving toward me.

So, it wasn't complete darkness. Perhaps the light in the room was simply dim.

"You're awake," a man said, his voice unfamiliar.

This wasn't the man who had rescued me.

"W-where am I?" I rasped, my voice barely more than a whisper.

"You're in an inn," the man replied. "I found you unconscious in my wagon, buried under my merchandise. How did you end up there?"

I struggled to recall. His words stirred something distant, fragmented—those final moments before I lost consciousness.

"S-someone…" My throat tightened as I forced the words out. "…Put me there."

He sighed. "I don't know why they didn't take you to a healer instead. When I found you, you weren't breathing. I thought you were a corpse."

His words stung, though I couldn't argue with them. I must have looked like death itself. "I apologize… for troubling you."

"It's no trouble," he said with another sigh. "I'm just glad I found you before it was too late. I brought you here and called for a physician. You've been unconscious for two weeks."

Two weeks?

The shock left me silent. That much time had passed, yet I still felt no better. My body was weak, my limbs leaden, and my mind clouded with exhaustion.

"C-could I trouble you to light a lantern?" I asked. "I can hardly see anything."

"It's daytime," he replied, confused. "The window's wide open. Can you not see?"

His words struck me like a blow. I blinked, then blinked again. The darkness didn't change.

"You've gone blind?!" he exclaimed.

A lump formed in my throat, choking any response. I thought I had already hit rock bottom, but now, another catastrophe had found me.

The man lightly tapped my shoulder, his voice softening. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to alarm you."

He hesitated before adding, "I've already sold all my merchandise. I'll be heading home to my family soon. If you want to come with me, I'll take you along. But… I'm worried about your health. You might not survive the journey."

"Where am I now?" I asked, forcing my voice to remain steady.

"This is Guishan," he said. "The last town at the border of Wun Empire before crossing into the South."

The South.

The southernmost empire on the continent—Xianru, renowned for its peace and prosperity. I had traveled far from Kan Empire, but not far enough.

"Where are you heading?" I asked.

"First, to the South to collect some debts. After that, I'll return to my hometown, Shishan, in the westernmost part of Wun Empire."

His journey was extensive, but the South would be closer.

"Where in the South?"

"To the city of Yueshu, near the capital."

I nodded faintly. The capital of Xianru lay at the empire's heart—a place far removed from the reach of Kan Empire. Far enough for me to start anew.

"May I come with you to the South?" I asked hesitantly. "You can drop me off wherever is most convenient."

"What kind of place are you looking for?"

I paused. "I'm not sure. You've traveled widely. Could you recommend a place where I might settle down?"

He sighed, his tone thoughtful. "The countryside is peaceful, but life there is hard. In your condition, growing your own food might not be possible, and no one may be willing to take you in. A city might be better. You could find small jobs to sustain yourself—or beg if you have to."

Beg?

The word left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I swallowed my pride. I refused to believe it would come to that. There had to be good people out there, willing to help a blind man trying to rebuild his life.

"All right," I agreed quietly. "The city, then. Thank you."

"We'll leave tomorrow at dawn. Can you manage?"

"I'll try my best not to burden you."

He shook his head. "Don't think of yourself as a burden. I'm willing to help however I can. By the way…"

He pressed a small pouch into my hand. "I found this on you when I discovered you. I'm just a simple merchant and couldn't afford to pay the physician. I used a few pieces of silver, but the room and care are my contribution."

I tightened my grip on the pouch. That man—the one who had saved me—must have left it behind. "It's fine. Thank you."

"Are you hungry?"

"Yes."

"Wait here. I'll have someone bring you food."

"Thank you," I said again. "What's your name?"

"Li Yao," he replied. "And yours?"

I hesitated. Few knew my name. Most called me the High Priest of Frost Mountain Tower, but my surname…

Wei.

It carried weight. Recognition. And danger. Anyone searching for me would know it. Better to return to the name my father had given me.

"It's… Luo Fan," I said softly.