TTCOTE Chapter 0

In the east, there is a land known as Dahuang.

 

In the legends of this continent, Dahuang is described as an eerie, secluded, primitive, mysterious region. It is covered with swamps, inhabited by wild beasts, where men and women roam naked, and the people subsist on unconventional diets—a savage and untamed land.

 

A landscape surrounded by swamps, a terrain where birds find it difficult to cross, isolates this vast land from the gaze of other nations. The surrounding countries of Da Yan, East Hall, and Nan Qi are filled with curiosity and ambition toward this mysterious land, yet they are unable to gain entry.

It’s not like no country has ever considered Dahuang. After all, the area occupied by Dahuang far exceeds that of any other country at present.

Of course, magnificent and bright countries will not covet other people’s territory easily. They possess nobler and brighter motives.

“The neighboring people who are trapped in the swamp, you must be hungry and cold, longing for a life of freedom and prosperity from the outside world! Now, we’ve come to rescue you!”

Here comes Yunlei City affiliated with Da Yan!

Here comes Xifan affiliated with Nan Qi!

Passionately, they called out across the swamp, expressing their sincere desire to rescue the people of Dahuang from a challenging existence. After exchanging greetings with a few frogs and snakes, they boldly entered Dahuang in a grand procession.

A day later, amidst the vast swamp, the invaders hastily retreated, leaving behind numerous traces of natural human body sculptures.

After venturing merely three miles into the vast expanse of Dahuang, the soldiers encountered formidable obstacles. First, they were driven back by the scorching flames of the Poison Fire Swamp, retreating halfway. Subsequently, the mystifying Ice Swamp froze them in their tracks. The ice swamp, resembling black crystals, exhibited a mesmerizing beauty and illusionary qualities, sparkling with a vibrant spectrum under the sunlight. Yet, the moment the soldiers’ boots touched the icy surface, a subtle cracking sound echoed. A tremendous suction seized the soles of their feet, and an icy chill swiftly ascended from the ground to their hearts. With a resounding snap, vitality was abruptly extinguished.

In the end, thousands stood on that black expanse, frozen in various eternal poses, serving as a perpetual warning to all potential invaders. From then on, a quiet stillness enveloped the surroundings of Dahuang. Leaders of various nations reluctantly rolled up their sleeves, searching for excuses to gracefully step down from their aggressive stances.

 

“Don’t bother with that country; they’re all a bunch of barbarians!”

“Eat raw meat and blood! Brothers share wives!”

“Brothers share wives! Fathers and sons share wives too!”

“Not just sharing wives, but also sharing husbands! Sisters share husbands! Mothers and daughters share husbands! Even aunts and nieces share husbands!”

“The country is backward! The government is incompetent! People can’t afford enough food and clothing, and the whole family wears just one piece of clothing! Pitiful!”

“Oh no, what do they do when going out on the streets?”

“Naked!”

“Ah, there must be a lot of naked girls, I want to go see-“

The tumultuous sound of the wind drifted over the gray-black swamp, gradually fading away. The leaders of various nations couldn’t break into Dahuang, and upon reflection, they realized that the darned terrain was just as formidable for the people inside. Ultimately, it seemed like no real threat. After all, it was a desolate place covered in swamps, and even if it had vast territory, what benefits could one gain by seizing it?

The human sculptures on the icy surface of Dahuang’s Ice Swamp have stood there for years, untouched and uncollected. The people of Dahuang seem to not mind having a group of living sculptures right outside their homes. Occasionally, during significant events or national celebrations, they emerge, adorning the ice sculptures with festive decorations and celebrating together.

 On a certain day in a certain month of a certain year…

Deep within Dahuang, salutes roared, and a large group of people came out and happily hung flowers and colorful satin on the sculptures. The silk satin was exquisite and had complicated patterns. It would be worth thousands of gold in any country. But here, it was casually draped on a group of sculptures. On “Human Sculpture”.

 

“Hahaha, Master Zou Guoshi is here. We are going to have a new king. Congratulations!”

People engaged in dancing, singing, drinking, and playing games like guessing and cards in the vicinity of the vibrant sculptures. After the festivities, they scattered. Yet, on the ice swamp, only the sculptures stood coldly

 The once colorful flowers gradually lost their vibrancy, and the ground was covered with withered, yellow, and curled leaves. 

The silk satin was eroded by wind and rain, and resembled a broken spider web, fluttering in the breeze.

Some time passed.

One day, deep within Dahuang, the resounding boom of celebratory cannons echoed, accompanied by joyful cheers. A group of people emerged jubilantly, tearing away the faded flowers and tattered silk from the sculptures. They replaced them with even more expensive and exquisite fabrics.

“Hahaha, Master Zou has established the new king! The queen comes from a prestigious family! Congratulations!”

Some silk satins were blown away by the wind and were picked up by hunters outside in surprise and sold for money. The people in Dahuangze knew this, and with a few clicks of the tongue, they threw out more silk and hung it on the crotches of the sculptures.

“Those idiots outside are so pitiful that they don’t have enough food to eat or clothing to keep warm. Help the poor! Help the poor!”

Some more days passed.

Deep within Dahuangze, the booming sound of celebratory cannons echoed once again, causing the entire swamp to tremble. More people surged out, setting off fireworks in front of the sculptures. On the icy surface of the swamp, eggs were shaken loose and rolled around, creating a lively commotion.

“Hahaha, Master has set his eyes on the queen! Marry her, marry her! Congratulations!”

A few more days passed.

A large group of people surged out…

“Hahaha, the queen is pregnant! Give birth quickly, give birth! Congratulations!”

“Celebrate what? The queen hasn’t even married the Master yet! It’s all over, it’s all over!”

And some more days passed.

A large group of people walked out solemnly, heads bowed, carrying plain flowers and white silk. They draped them over the sculptures overlooking the main gate. The long white silk fluttered in the wind, resembling the clear and cold gaze of Royal Master Zou, enveloping the surroundings of DahuangZe.

“The queen has passed away!”

“According to the national tradition, we should now seek the reincarnation of the queen!”

“Master Zou observed the celestial patterns at night, cast divination, and consulted the heavens. As a result, he obtained the divine guidance indicating the destined reincarnation of the queen!”

“Master Zou says that it is talking nonsense. This generation’s queen carries sins, is punished by the heavens for adultery, and she won’t reincarnate!”

“Master argues that sins can be absolved in death, and the divine guidance must not be violated!”

“Master Zou also cast divination, listing the location of the reincarnated queen… Wow, it’s in Da Yan! Head south for a hundred miles from the Big Dipper’s Ladle and Scoop. At that time, lightning struck from the sky, the earth collapsed into a massive pit, gemstones covered the ground, and a flying disk hung in the air. A woman, naked with black silk, emerged from the place where heaven and earth cracked open… Hey, is this a person or a deity? Do you think it’s possible?”

“Impossible. That’s why Master Zou agrees that we should go look for ourselves.”

“Oh… we’re just going to look for her?”

“Yes, just look for her.”

“So… just look for her?”

“Yes, just look for her.”

“How long will we look?”

“Go around once and come back. My seventh concubine needs me to buy some red ginseng from Da Yan”

 “Any good stuff in that poor place?”

“Maybe we can buy something decent with a basket of gemstones? Anyway, we’re not short of money.”

“Yeah, let’s consider it poverty alleviation. Let’s go.”

“Go, let’s find the reincarnated new queen!”

……