Entering the tree hole is like entering another dimension. Looking up, the tree trunk is actually hollow and extends upwards. The faint sunlight shines in bits and pieces from the top, falling right on the well in the center of the tree hole.
The four edges of the well are wooden platforms, and the wellhead is covered with bluestone slabs. Ye Wuji guessed that it was probably to prevent someone from slipping and falling. There was no windlass on the well, but a small bucket tied with a hemp rope beside the well. Ye Wuji opened the bluestone and put down the small bucket. A roll of hemp rope almost touched the water at the bottom of the well. She pulled the bucket up, but saw that there was only a pitiful layer of water at the bottom of the bucket, and even the bamboo tube could not be filled. .
Just as he was about to put down the bucket again, Ye Wuji suddenly heard voices coming from outside. She put down the bucket and walked out of the tree hole, only to see a group of more than ten people walking towards her. When I walked in, I saw that these dozen people were all elderly people.
"Who are you? How did you come out of the sacred tree?" The old woman at the head was shocked when she saw Ye Wuji.
"I'm just passing by to ask for a drink of water."
"We are dying of thirst, and you still drink our water!" The old woman was indignant, and the old man next to her advised her.
"Forget it, even if she doesn't drink, is water enough?"
When the old woman heard what he said, she sighed deeply and said no more.
"Old man, is this the only well in the village? If we dig a few more wells, we can survive for a while."
"You put it lightly, we are the only old immortals left in the village with one foot in the coffin, who will dig the well!"
"Where are the young people in the village?"
"Everyone is dead. There are wars and conscription every day. Everyone in the village under the age of 60 has been taken away!"
Ye Wuji saw several old people wiping their tears secretly, and she felt an unspeakable sadness and shame welling up in her heart.
"Are you here to fetch water? Let me help you!" After Ye Wuji finished speaking, he realized that these old people did not bring any water containers.
"No need. We have lived enough by this age." As he spoke, the old man had a detached smile on his old face.
Ye Wuji was shocked. Are these old people seeking death
"The people who went to fight may still be alive. When they come back, wouldn't it be sad to see no one in the village?"
"Girl, you don't need to comfort us. In this world, how can they still be alive? Even if there are some alive, we won't see that day."
Ye Wuji could only watch as the old men walked into the tree hole one after another, as if they were walking on a road to the underworld with no return. Not long after, the old man who gave Ye Wuji the bamboo tube slowly came over. When he passed by Ye Wuji, he stopped.
"Girl, for the sake of giving you a bottle of water, can you do me a favor?"
"Say it!" Ye Wuji hurriedly agreed. She was afraid that the old man would also walk into the tree hole.
"I heard that there is a Xuanji Mountain, where immortals live. If a mortal can be buried in Xuanji Mountain, his sins can be washed away, and he will be born into a rich and prosperous child in the next life. When I die, can you take my bones? Take him to Xuanji Mountain for burial?"
"Uncle, what are you talking about! Why do you have to die when you are living well?"
The old man trembled and bent his knees to kneel down to Ye Wuji. Ye Wuji quickly supported him.
"Girl, I know this is a bit difficult for you. But I really have no one to trust. One of my two sons died of typhoid at the age of five, and the other finally managed to become an adult and was drafted into the army. I can’t come back either. My old woman hanged herself when she heard the news of her son’s death. I really, really can’t find anyone else!”
With tears in his eyes, Ye Wuji held the old man's withered hands and choked with sobs: "Uncle, get up, get up, I promise you."
"Thank you. Thank you." The old man stood up, looked straight at the old locust tree, and walked firmly towards the tree hole step by step, with a pious expression like a pilgrim.
There were some breathing sounds in the tree hole at first, but after half an hour, there was dead silence, and there was no more sound. Not even the sounds of birdsong and cicadas could be heard in the surroundings. It was eerily quiet.