The tree trunk tilted in mid-air, its crown submerged in the river. Under the leverage, its roots were pulled from the earth and lifted high, crisscrossing like a spiderweb, catching red mud in their tangled fibers. Yet they could net the soil, not the water. The torrential rain washed over it, melting the red earth into "red blood" that streamed down along the roots.
With a crisp crack, the wooden roots snapped.
The tree at its limit trembled, then slowly sank into the Red River and drifted toward the South Sea.
Without its roots to hold it in place, even more red earth along the riverbank collapsed and melted into the tide head.
The Red River was called the Red River because the soil on both banks was red earth. The deeper one dug with a shovel, the more it resembled human blood. This was the most widespread soil in the Southern Border. The scorching climate, humid air, weathered rocks, and rust-red iron had all settled into the ground together.
After three days of torrential rain, the south bank of the Red River had eroded by thirty chi, and the Southern Border's position had retreated thirty zhang.
The Red River had become a blood river.
Dark clouds filled the sky.
Sky light had not been seen all day.
"Chirp~"
The Black Cicada could barely call anymore, its drumming growing ever fainter, all breath and no strength.
It fell from mid-air and soaked into a puddle.
A passing soldier raised his hand, intending to bend down and scoop it up. But halfway there, his hand dropped again. He straightened his slightly bent back and savored this brief moment of quiet.
Pop.
Water splashed. Two murky bubbles rose in the puddle, only to be broken apart by raindrops in the blink of