Chapter 494: Earthquake Coming

“Do you know that many of our martyrs weren’t much older than you when they sacrificed themselves? Some were even about your age.”

“Really? They joined the army when they were that young?”

“Yes! In those war-torn years, many children your age marched off to battle to defend their homes and protect their loved ones. Some never had the chance—like you—to sit in bright classrooms and study peacefully. They had to shoulder rifles taller than themselves to fight the enemy…”

“…….”

“They’re so brave! If I’d lived back then, I’d be a hero too!” declared a stout, lively little boy, clenching his fists.

Liu Yutong gently ruffled his hair and smiled. “Every era has its own heroes. You don’t need to go to war now, but you can still be little heroes. For example, by working hard to leave these mountains and using what you learn to build up your hometown. Or like today, by persevering to complete this hundred-li journey. If you stick with it and succeed, that makes you remarkable little heroes too.”

Just then, a quiet girl wearing glasses couldn’t help asking softly, “Big sister, is the road we’re walking now the same as the one the martyrs walked back then?”

“The path may be different, but the spirit is the same.”

Liu Yutong gazed at the mountain road ahead and continued, “They walked the path of defending their country. Today, we walk the path of remembering history and carrying forward that spirit. Every step we take is a tribute to those heroes.”

“I understand now, big sister! We have to persevere like the martyrs did!”

“Big sister, I’m not tired anymore! Let’s keep going!”

“Me neither! Let’s go for it!”

“……”

The children chimed in one after another, rising to their feet and gritting their teeth as they marched forward.

Time passed slowly, and suddenly it was the third day of the training march.

Everyone in the group, students and teachers alike, was exhausted—after all, none of them had ever walked such a distance before.

If Liu Yutong and the school teachers hadn’t been constantly encouraging the students, they probably wouldn’t have made it.

Finally, on the morning of the 12th, the group arrived at the solemn and reverent martyrs’ cemetery.

After a simple yet dignified tomb-sweeping ceremony, everyone rested briefly before preparing for the return journey.

By noon, the returning group had set up camp in an area with open, flat terrain.

The children enthusiastically gathered firewood and helped start cooking fires—the scene was bustling with activity.

Watching these innocent, lovely children, Liu Yutong felt some of the pressure in her heart ease.

Their group had come so far—the other groups must be in similar situations, right?

At this thought, she took out her phone and called the Wanlong Society members in the other groups.

The signal was weak, but she still managed to get a general understanding of each group’s situation.

All the groups had basically moved away from the earthquake’s epicenter area.

But just as she hung up, the ground beneath her feet began shaking violently without warning!

Mountains trembled and trees swayed wildly!

The camp instantly fell into chaos, screams erupting everywhere.

“Earthquake!”

“Ahh!”

“Mommy, I’m scared!”

“Teacher…”

“Don’t panic! Everyone get to the center of the open area immediately, away from the slopes and trees!” Liu Yutong shouted, grabbing the megaphone.

Fortunately, these past few days of training had made the students more disciplined.

Finally, guided by teachers and Wanlong Society volunteers, the students quickly gathered in the open center of the camp.

“Hold hands, squat down, and protect your heads!” Yun Cheng’s powerful voice rang out through the crowd as he took command.

Zhu Silin also recovered from her initial panic and hurried to comfort the trembling child beside her.

The ground continued to shake, and the distant, muffled sound of falling rocks was terrifying.

Thankfully, despite the scare, there were no casualties in their temporary camp.

Liu Yutong shouted instructions while pulling several terrified younger children into her arms.

Her heart was racing too, but she also felt an indescribable sense of relief.

She had succeeded. Because of what might have seemed like a foolish decision, nearly a hundred living souls before her eyes had survived this great catastrophe.

The shaking lasted several minutes before gradually subsiding.

The still-shaken children looked at the devastated surroundings and the massive boulders that had fallen from the distant mountains, unable to hold back their tears.

“Students, don’t be afraid—we’re safe now!”

“Look around you—teachers and older brothers and sisters are all here. We will definitely make it back safely. Don’t forget, you’re all little heroes who conquered the hundred-li journey. You can conquer fear too!”

Because of her time with the children these past few days, Liu Yutong had earned their deep trust.

So when she spoke, the children’s emotions gradually stabilized.

Just then, Liu Yutong’s satellite phone rang—it was Yu Xin calling.

Her voice was especially anxious.

“Sister Yutong, there’s been an earthquake—are you alright?”

“I’m fine. What’s the situation?”

“The information I’ve received so far is that signals in Bei C, Wen C, and other places are mostly down. The situation in the urban areas is terrible—many buildings have collapsed.”

“This earthquake came so suddenly—it scared me to death!” Yu Xin on the other end was also still shaken.

“As long as you and everyone else are safe, that’s what matters.”

“I have a feeling this earthquake is going to be severe. Distribute all the supplies we brought to those in need, and have everyone participate in rescue efforts—of course, only while ensuring their own safety.”

“Yes, Sister Yutong!”

“……”

Liu Yutong had just hung up when Zhu Silin ran over to borrow the phone.

All other signals were down now—only the satellite phone Liu Yutong had brought could get through.

Zhu Silin needed to let her father know she was safe and ask about the situation.

The leader on the other end breathed a sigh of relief when he received his daughter’s call, while also secretly praising his foresight—thank goodness that girl Liu Yutong was so thoughtful, anticipating poor signal during the march and preparing a satellite phone in advance.

He had just returned to the provincial capital when the sudden tremors tipped him off that something was seriously wrong.

Soon, reports came in that a major earthquake had struck Wen C, Bei C… precisely the places he had just inspected.

The earthquake measured at least magnitude 7, possibly even reaching magnitude 8.

A magnitude 8 earthquake—a devastating catastrophe in human history, releasing energy equivalent to thousands of small atomic bombs detonating simultaneously.

Throughout history, earthquakes of this scale have resulted in horrific casualties.

The leader immediately set out for the scene to direct disaster relief efforts.

To save time, he flew there directly by helicopter.

Along the way, he received mostly bad news—many roads were impassable, rescue efforts were difficult, building collapses were severe, and so on.

But after his daughter’s call, the good news began pouring in.

Liu Yutong and her Wanlong Society group had launched that unprecedented Rainbow Plan Student Aid Sports Meet and public marathon, which had miraculously ensured the safety of teachers, students, and many citizens who were right in the earthquake’s epicenter.

This meant that countless lives that would have been buried under rubble had been spared.

The leader held the phone, listening to his daughter’s voice after the disaster, and as Liu Yutong’s young face appeared in his mind, his heart filled with gratitude.

That girl was truly his lucky star!

No—the lucky star of all of BS Province!