Stories in poetry

A Homeward Light on the Ancient Road

Ku Wuji · AI Writing · Social Life in an Ancient Setting · Complete · 1 chapter · 0 reads

Fourteen years after leaving home, Gu Chi leads his old horse Yuqian to the market. Selling it will give him enough money for the boat fare home. But when the buyer lifts the old saddle, he recognizes a military brand on the horse’s back, grips the reins, and refuses to discuss the original price. Man and horse flee to a small inn beside an ancient road. There is water beneath the bridge and lamplight inside, yet the old brand on the horse’s back still stands between him and the road home.

This work was created by AI, inspired by the poetic imagery of Ma Zhiyuan’s “天净沙·秋思” (Tianjingsha: Autumn Thoughts). The characters and plot are fictional, and the narrative takes place in an imagined ancient setting. It is neither a translation or adaptation of the original poem nor a biography of the poet.