The last time they had parted, Lin Feng had been only Xu Nian's classmate. But now, after just a few short months, everything had changed for the Historians.
Now, at last, they stood on the same side, in the same trenches.
"Hello."
Lin Feng reached out and pulled Professor Han up from the ground. Professor Han's weight felt strange, nothing like a body of flesh and blood.
He was becoming more and more like some kind of Terracotta Figurine.
Instinctively, Lin Feng recalled the thin Terracotta Figures he had seen when he first entered the ancient village in Western Hunan.
He felt that Professor Han resembled those Terracotta Figures, too.
Beneath his human-shaped skin, another kind of creature lay hidden.
He did not know Professor Han's condition or circumstances, or what ordeal could have turned a person into this.
But he knew that becoming like this meant Professor Han was undoubtedly declining.
A person would return to a handful of earth.
Even if he was still "alive," he could no longer truly be called human.
"I chose my own path. I'm an adult, and I have the right to choose where I go. There's no need to pity me or grieve for me."
Professor Han spoke as he patted his clothes, trying to keep himself somewhat clean.
But the more he patted, the dirtier they became. Dust kept seeping out of his hands.
He gave up.
Opening the gate, Lin Feng saw the men in the courtyard, poised and ready.
After reassuring them, Lin Feng took Professor Han inside. Once he had made sure no one was nearby, his expression grew grave.
He knew what they were about to discuss mattered deeply to both of them.
Professor Han seemed to be struggling to breathe.
With every breath, dust kept falling