As the sun dipped low, its golden glow cascaded like warm silk over the distant village.
Inside, villagers' smiles bloomed brightly, welcoming returning farmers and hunters alike.
Amid gentle whispers of wind, harmony thrived—a timeless symphony of community, where hearts beat in unity beneath the fading amber sky.
In the northern part of the village, a cozy middle-sized compound stood nestled.
Before the main building, a young girl, not older than eight, giggled with pure joy.
She playfully chased her white rabbit, her face bright with an innocent smile that lit up her whole world amid the gentle breezes.
A few feet away, a boy no older than fifteen traced delicate strokes with quiet concentration.
A gentle smile played on his lips as he practiced his calligraphy.
His father, standing behind him, nodded with pride.
"Jun Wu, your writing improves more each day," he said softly, admiration warm in his voice.
"Father, this is all thanks to your teaching," Jun Wu replied humbly, a touch of gratitude in his voice.
His family, a proud lineage of scholars, inspired his dream.
Tomorrow, he will sit for the imperial exam.
Passing would crown him a scholar, filling his heart with hope and eager anticipation.
"Brother, are you done with your study?" Jun Hua shouted. "Come and play with me."
"Hua, you must not disturb your brother. Tomorrow, he's going to sit for the imperial exam," their mother said as she came out of the main building.
Jun Hua looked at her parents and brother with arms akimbo, frowning.
"Brother, I'm not playing with you anymore," she shouted before she chased after her rabbit.
Watching her, the three laughed.
"Watch your feet, don't fall," their mother shouted with a doting smile.
"I know!" Hua responded without stopping.
She was enjoying the thrill, giggling innocently when she caught the rabbit.
Suddenly, a deafening bang shattered the tranquility—the main door splintered into pieces.
A group of rugged men swaggered into the compound, their sinister grins chilling.
Each brandished a broad saber, their necks bearing fierce tiger tattoos.
Shadows of menace and danger cast a dark cloud over the peaceful family of four.
A heavy silence fell, tension thick in the air.
Jun Hua froze, her legs trembling as tears welled in her eyes.
Jun Wu rose, his heart pounding fiercely, the brush slipping from his hand.
From the corner of his eye, he saw his mother trembling with dread, her face pale, caught in the grip of fear.
Jun Wu saw panic flood his father's face, but his father summoned his courage.
With trembling resolve, he stepped forward, forcing a smile.
"Esteemed guest, welcome to our family. How may I assist you?" His voice trembled yet determined.
"Hahaha."
The rugged men erupted into mocking laughter.
The leader, a burly man with a savage scar across his face, sneered arrogantly.
"What can you do for us, puny scholar?" he taunted.
Behind him, a voice snickered, "Think we came here for your silly poems?"
But the leader interrupted coldly, "No, we need your calligraphy," he said sarcastically.
The men mocked again, their jeers echoing through the tense air.
Jun Wu and his family did not dare breathe as the rugged men taunted them.
Each holding their breath, praying for them to leave.
Suddenly, the taunting ceased.
The leader stepped forward, his hand gripping the hilt of his broad saber.
"I'd have loved to enjoy your wife, but I don't want to waste my time," he sneered, his eyes gleaming with menace as he unsheathed his sword.
"The reward for your lives is far more enticing."
The air grew tense, thick with imminent danger.
Whoosh!
In an instant, the deadly blade appeared before Jun Wu's father's face.
He collapsed, clutching his neck in pain.
Gasping, he struggled to turn and look at his family one last time, his vision dimming as his world faded into darkness.
"FATHER!" Jun Wu and Jun Hua screamed in unison.
Jun Wu, disregarding the men, rushed to his father's side, clutching his cold, blood-stained body.
He wailed in despair, his voice trembling with anguish.
"Why?!" he cried, voice breaking, overwhelmed by grief and helplessness.
Jun Wu's mother froze, her face pale and lips trembling as she stared at her husband's lifeless body.
Suddenly, she slumped to the ground with a thud, a soul-rending wail escaping her lips.
Jun Hua quickly rushed to her mother's side, tears streaming down her face, her piercing cry echoing through the air.
The rugged men observed the heartbreaking scene with sadistic smiles, their faces twisted with cruel satisfaction, relishing the pain they had inflicted.
"I'll never be tired of watching this," one of the rugged men muttered with a cruel grin.
Their leader nodded. "That's enough. Let's finish this."
The men obeyed, and one stepped forward, grabbing Jun Hua by the neck.
A sinister smile spread across his face.
"Ahhhh!"
The man plunged his saber deep into Jun Hua's heart.
She whimpered softly before being thrown aside, blood staining her clothes.
Jun Wu's scream echoed through the air as he watched his sister's trembling form.
Heart pounding, he staggered to his feet, glaring at the ruthless men with fiery determination.
"I will kill you," Jun Wu shouted, bloodshot eyes blazing with fury.
He charged at the leader, throwing a clumsy punch.
The leader sneered and swiftly swung his saber.
Whoosh!
A deep gash appeared on Jun Wu's chest.
He collapsed, face up, eyes staring at the sky, his mind filled with pain and despair.
'Why?' he wondered desperately. 'Why did this have to happen to my family?'
Those were his final thoughts before his world faded into darkness, consumed by silence and sorrow.
A thick stench of blood slowly filled the air, mingling with sorrow and grief.
The once happy family lay covered in blood, their bodies cold and still.
After the rugged men departed, villagers hurried into the compound.
Seeing the four lifeless bodies, tears welled in their eyes, and they shook their heads in heartbreaking sorrow.
Suddenly, a burly man paused beside the boy, creasing his brow as he noticed the blood had not yet turned cold.
Quickly, he knelt and gently lifted the boy, placing his ear to his chest.
After a moment, a faint heartbeat stirred.
"He's alive!"
********