The volcano erupted with a thunderous roar, and the ground trembled.
Every miner nearby went pale, panic written across their faces.
Among the people standing at the mine entrance, some wept quietly. Most remained silent.
To die beneath these rocks was the fate of the Mountain Opening House's workers.
Swallowed by the volcano and buried deep underground—perhaps that was the end awaiting them all.
"Look—over there!"
Suddenly, someone pointed toward the crater near the coast.
A figure was moving forward at astonishing speed.
Scalding lava surged after him, but it could not catch up.
Rolling smoke and dust swallowed him for a moment, and everyone's heart clenched.
Then he burst through the gray haze and appeared again.
Every gaze followed that figure.
The volcano roared, and the earth collapsed.
Elder Fei looked over. The figure seemed strangely familiar.
La Shiwu suddenly jumped up, waving his arms and cheering. "It's First Day!"
"Grandpa, it's First Day!"
Steward Qian narrowed his eyes and peered intently until he finally made out the figure in the distance.
He was not alone. There were two figures.
The newcomer they called a "fool" was carrying Li Biao through the flames and thick smoke.
Everyone's hearts remained in their throats, their faces tight with worry.
A vast stretch of volcanic mine workings still lay ahead. Hidden caverns riddled the ground; one wrong step would mean eternal ruin, a plunge back into the mines.
Yet what happened next was astonishing!
It was as though the figure could see the future. Every step landed true as he carried Li Biao steadily through the danger, all the way to the edge of the mine workings several hundred yards away.
The men who shared their quarters had already rushed forward. They took Li Biao and offered him fresh water.
First Day,