Liu Sanjiu told him he had originally been a resident of Tusu City. Eleven years ago, on the eve of the city’s fall, he had fled to Wei City. After much effort, he had finally settled there, only to be driven onto the road again just a few short years later.

His father, already seventy-two—an uncommon age in the present-day Panlong Wasteland—refused to flee this time when word came that the Baling army was approaching. The old man clung to a pillar and vowed to die with the city. Liu Sanjiu and his wife tried everything—pleading, dragging, even carrying him—but it was no use. In the end, they had to part in tears, leaving the old man behind so the rest of the family could escape eastward with their two children.

As Liu Sanjiu spoke, his eyes reddened. It was hard to tell whether it was rain or tears,...