In the world, it is truly unknown whether disaster or accident will arrive first.
Gu Qingli immediately took out paper and a pen, wrote a note, and sent it to Wuyou via a messenger pigeon.
Earthquakes are often accompanied by heavy rain. The sky was already dark, and once the downpour began, anyone buried underground who wasn’t dug out would be soaked.
As time passed, diseases would fester, potentially erupting into the legendary plagues—calamities even more terrifying than an earthworm overturning.
If not properly controlled, such a plague could sweep across the entire Daqian Kingdom.
The thought of this horrifying possibility made Gu Qingli shudder.
After sending the message, she recalled Da Bai and waved her hand in the air. Yun No. 20 appeared in a flash.
"I am fine, Madam," Yun No. 20 replied.
His martial arts skills are so high that even the most powerful earthworm overturning couldn’t harm them.
Gu Qingli nodded, knowing their skills were excellent, and didn’t press further. She only asked, "When did the earthworm overturning occur last night?"
"Madam, it happened near three in the morning," Yun No. 20 reported.
Gu Qingli frowned. She wondered how many villagers had managed to flee. Occasional shadows flickered among the ruins, suggesting not many remained.
Yun No. 20 seemed to sense her worry. "Madam, rest assured, most of the villagers left. Not many stayed behind."
"Phew." Gu Qingli exhaled slowly. That’s a relief.
"Then take me down the mountain." I can’t get down by myself.
"Yes, Madam. Please forgive my impertinence." Yun No. 20 cupped his fists in a salute to Gu Qingli. The path is gone, and Madam truly cannot descend on her own. Even if the Master later discovers I carried her, it was a decision born of necessity.
Yun No. 20 offered a silent prayer, hoping his master wouldn’t blame him later, then swept Gu Qingli up in a princess carry and leaped down the mountainside.
Once they reached the courtyard, Yun No. 20 gently set Gu Qingli down.
After doing so, Yun No. 20 quickly vanished.
Gu Qingli didn’t even glance at her own ruined house. There’s nothing worth seeing.
She retrieved a medical kit from her Space, stocked it with necessary tools and pills, and then headed towards the village.
Just as she reached the village entrance, she saw the villagers who had evacuated returning.
In the crowd, Wuqing spotted her mistress, safe and sound. She squeezed through the people and dashed towards Gu Qingli.
The mud and rocks obstructing the path couldn’t stop her; she reached Gu Qingli in moments.
She threw her arms around Gu Qingli, sobbing, "Miss, you’re alright! This is wonderful!"
She looked as though she had narrowly escaped a great disaster.
Gu Qingli was momentarily taken aback. Oh, my dear maid, she thought, gently patting Wuqing. "What could possibly happen to your Miss? More importantly, why have you returned? How is the County Town?"
Wuqing sniffed. "Miss, the County Town is also in ruins. Our house there collapsed completely."
"Was anyone injured?"
"No. After I received your messenger pigeon, Miss, I made arrangements. The people on the estate are currently rebuilding the houses," Wuqing explained.
"Xiaoli, you didn’t leave?" Just then, Gu Chang’an, supported by Gu Dacheng, approached her.
Gu Qingli glanced at the exhausted father and son. "No, Second Grandpa. I went up the mountain and managed to escape the disaster there."
"That’s good, that’s good." Gu Chang’an heaved a profound sigh of relief. He had seen Wuqing in the crowd and known Gu Qingli hadn’t left, which had filled him with immense worry.
"Second Grandpa, why didn’t you all head to Qiyang County? An earthworm overturning is usually followed by torrential rain, likely leading to another flood. If everyone returns now, there’ll be nowhere to live."
Gu Dacheng helped Gu Chang’an sit on a pile of rubble and sighed. "Your Second Grandpa wanted to go, but the villagers refused. They insisted on coming back."
"Is that so? Then the able-bodied young people should quickly try to build temporary shelters or head up the mountain. The storm will be here soon. Also, we need to help dig out anyone buried in the village." Gu Qingli looked up at the sky, heavy with dark clouds, her heart filled with unease.
If the villagers had gone to Qiyang County, the County Chief would surely have opened the gates and provided them with shelter. Now that they’re back, they’ll have to fend for themselves.
Gu Chang’an also looked at the sky, realizing more severe hardships lay ahead. He quickly told Gu Dacheng to gather the people.
"Second Grandpa, please rest here for a while. We’ll go into the village first to see if anyone needs medical attention."
Gu Qingli didn’t have time for further discussion with Gu Chang’an. She had already said what needed to be said.
"Alright, good child. You’ve all worked hard. Go quickly."
"Yes," Gu Qingli agreed, and then she and Wuqing hurried into the village.
They headed towards areas where they could see signs of people.
"SOB SOB SOB... Is anyone there? Please, save my mother! Somebody save my mother!"
They had just entered the village when they heard a boy’s hoarse cries.
The pair rushed over.
Before a pile of rubble, a boy of about ten, his face streaked with dirt, was crying out towards the ruins.
Hearing their footsteps, the boy turned. His eyes lit up as if grasping a lifeline. He lunged forward, grabbing Gu Qingli’s leg, and wailed, "Sister Erni, please save my mother! Quickly!"
"Alright, don’t cry. Tell your sister, where was your mother?"
This child is Daniu, son of Aunt Xiangqin. Aunt Xiangqin is a widow, raising her son alone. I didn’t expect them to have stayed.
Daniu eagerly pulled them towards a section of the ruins. "Sister Erni, my mom was sleeping right here! I got hungry during the night and came out to get some water. Just as I stepped out, the house suddenly collapsed!"
"Oh, don’t worry, your sister will help you."
Saying this, she quickly checked Daniu. The boy himself is unharmed, apart from his ten fingers, which are all bloody.
After quickly bandaging his hands, she and Wuqing began clearing the heavy debris—broken wall fragments and rotten thatch—that lay atop the collapsed structure.
Wuqing, with her considerable strength, moved aside the larger pieces, gradually revealing what was inside the house.
Buried under such a heavy, collapsed wall, Aunt Xiangqin is most likely gone.
Daniu watched, his small body trembling, large tears streaming down his face.
He probably knows, deep down, that his mother couldn’t have survived.
After about half an incense stick’s time, a bloodied and mangled body was uncovered.
Daniu lunged forward like a wild thing.
Gu Qingli quickly caught him.
"Daniu." Gu Qingli’s heart ached for him, and she held him tightly.
"Sister Erni, my mom... my mom, she... SOB SOB SOB..."
The little boy wept inconsolably in her arms.
By now, villagers were trickling back into the village. Witnessing this scene, many couldn’t help but shed tears.
Daniu cried until his voice gave out, and only then did Gu Qingli realize he had fainted from exhaustion and grief.
"Wuqing, clear this area and find something to lay on the ground."
"Yes, Miss." Wuqing had already covered Aunt Xiangqin’s body. She found a tattered cotton-padded jacket amidst the rubble and spread it on the ground.
Gu Qingli gently laid Daniu down on it.
"Wuqing, call out Yun No. 20 and his companion. Have them help dig out the buried bodies."