Big Sister Xing Luo had returned to her long-absent hometown, stepping once again onto this land that had been sealed away for so long.
Before Udong Town, a few people lounged casually atop the thatched roofs, basking in the brief sunlight that brought long-missed warmth.
Meanwhile, more people carried brooms, sweeping away the snow that had fallen the day before.
Snow fell here every day, often piling up so heavily it would block the entrances to the Dibao or clog the roads.
Thankfully, the town committee organized daily snow removal efforts.
“Aiya, isn’t that Nini? You’re back with us. Come, come, everyone in the village has been thinking about you—the great hero of all Northeast! Hey! Everyone, come out, our great hero has returned!”
Zhou Dayi hurriedly called out to gather others upon seeing Xing Luo’s return.
“No need, Dayi. I’m just here on some business. I’ll be heading to Song City later,” Xing Luo said, wrapped in a thick Army Greatcoat, enough to withstand the below-zero cold.
An uncle wearing a Lei Feng Hat, fresh from hunting, noticed the crowd at the town gate and jogged over carrying his catch.
Spotting Xing Luo at the center of the gathering, he shouted, “Yang Nini!? I’ve long heard Xiao Pei on the broadcast saying you’re back. Look, I hunted a Wild Boar just for you—first time seeing one in months. Today’s for celebrating your triumphant return. Come eat some boar meat.”
“Ah, Wu Shu, you haven’t changed. But this boar meat is precious; save it for the others. I’m not worried about food inland.”
“How can that be? Come inside, Xiao Pei specially prepared a welcome party for you.”
Pushed along by her fellow villagers, Xing Luo was led inside the Dibao.
“It’s just as warm as always. This is my home…” Xing Luo thought to herself, feeling that every person here was family.
Inside the Dibao, she immediately bumped into Han Yu, her childhood friend who had grown up alongside her.
“Uh, Han Yu? You’re still here? I remember recommending you to work in Song City before. Didn’t you want to go?”
“Sister Xing Luo… I just think staying here suits me better, so I didn’t go…” Han Yu answered shyly, embarrassed.
“That’s fine. Also, just call me by my old name here.”
Xing Luo handed her a small box.
“Yang Jie, what’s this?”
“A gift I brought from inland. You’ll like it.”
Han Yu treasured the small box carefully.
Led by the locals, Xing Luo made her way to Udong Town Assembly Hall. The so-called assembly hall was actually a huge underground factory originally used for thermal power generation.
When it became obsolete, all equipment was dismantled and recycled for steel, leaving a vast empty space.
The heart of Udong Town lay underground—in the last century, to resist Soviet invasion, Northeast’s industrial facilities often had underground structures.
Entire factories were built beneath the surface; Udong Town was a typical example.
The assembly hall was packed with people. An old film from the 1970s was projected on the wall behind the stage.
Zhang Pei stopped the movie abruptly upon seeing Xing Luo, grabbed a megaphone, and shouted, “Welcome back our town’s great hero—Big Sister Xing Luo! Everyone, come greet her!”
At once, everyone turned to see Xing Luo entering and burst into applause.
Zhang Pei practically flew over and hugged Xing Luo. She was a typical tough Northeasterner, with strength no less than S-class magical girl Xing Luo’s, lifting her up effortlessly.
“Zhang Pei, enough…” Xing Luo muttered.
“Mua—” Zhang Pei kissed her cheek hard. “Big Sister Xing Luo, you haven’t been back for years. I missed you so much!”
“I came to take that person away. I still need to report back in Song City later. Zhang Pei, no need for such a big fuss.”
“How can that be? Forget all that, everyone heard you were back and prepared some performances and delicious food!”
“Ah, with everyone so warm, I’ll stay a little longer… By the way, where’s Ciyue?”
“She’s in the Audience Seating! She’s tied up so she can’t run off.”
At that moment, Ciyue was extremely embarrassed. Her hands were bound behind her back, and her feet fixed in place, unable to move.
This was all Zhang Pei’s doing—to prevent her escape, despite Ciyue’s countless protests.
Seeing Xing Luo’s gaze, Ciyue quickly averted her face, not wanting her to see her flushed expression.
But it was no use; Xing Luo soon stood before her.
“You… what’s the meaning of this? Bringing me here,” Ciyue spoke first, trying to hide her embarrassment.
“I just entrusted the people here to watch over you. It’s for your own good, Ciyue. You won’t have such conditions once you get to Song City.”
“Why treat me like this… I’m clearly your enemy.”
“You were before. Not anymore. You lost the fight; here, you have to obey us. You’re now a ‘Dai Gaizao Fenzi’~” Xing Luo said with a faint smile.
“What does that mean…” Ciyue couldn’t understand her thoughts.
Zhang Pei joined them.
“Big Sister Xing Luo, who is this person? You really caught her?”
“She’s a very important figure. Zhang Pei, why did you tie her up so tight? Loosen her a bit.”
“This is just to stop her from running off.”
“Don’t worry, she can’t run anywhere while in my hands.”
Reluctantly, Ciyue took part in the Udong Town residents’ welcome party for Xing Luo.
“So ironic… is this party celebrating my defeat?” Ciyue muttered helplessly.
After the party, during everyone’s rest time, Xing Luo took her alone to the surface.
“Cold? Ciyue, do you need me to give you a coat?” Xing Luo kindly asked.
“Not very cold.”
Xing Luo untied Ciyue’s bonds; she could finally move her hands freely.
“Hmph, Ciyue, what do you think of the people in this town?”
“Very warm, just like my hometown people.”
“You must be surprised there are still survivors in Northeast, right? After all, all of Huaguo thinks we’re wiped out.”
“Indeed. But why don’t you declare your existence to the inland? Life here is harsh; the inland could help you.”
“That’s a complicated issue, Ciyue. You should know we are the ones behind Huaguo’s destruction, right?”
“Why did you do that?”
“That question only makes sense if you seek the answer yourself. You’ll understand once you get to Song City.”
Xing Luo pulled a flatbread from her coat.
“Want some?”
“No, Zhang Pei already offered me some.”
“Alright then.”
Xing Luo began eating it herself.
“I have many comrades who have been hurt by you… You’re still so hospitable to me now; I feel a bit guilty,” Ciyue said.
Ciyue was confused. Since being captured here, she felt everything slipping away—her sister, Bai Lingluo, and others were far away, and that place was full of danger.
“Ciyue, our intentions are good. We’re sorry for the sacrifices made during the process—I apologize on behalf of our organization. I take responsibility for all the crimes.”
“Thank you. Hearing that makes me feel better.”
“Honestly, we hoped to avoid so many casualties. But to achieve a grand goal, some sacrifices are inevitable. I’ve always pondered this.”
“To defeat those Evil Spirits who persecute people, like the Sanli Group, I wanted to rally people peacefully to destroy them. But it turns out that doesn’t work. We have no choice but to resort to force.”
“I understand you… Honestly, I’m very lost now. My sister is controlled by the Sanli Group, and I don’t know what to do.”
“I have a very important friend trapped in the Nightmare World, unable to escape. I feel like I’m losing everything and can’t save them.”
Feeling her helplessness, Xing Luo placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Ciyue, there’s a way to solve all this. As long as you cooperate with us, they’ll all be safe.”
“Maybe.”
Xing Luo glanced at her watch. “Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s get going—to Song City.”
She swallowed the last of her flatbread in big bites.