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墨書 Inktalez
The night brings tranquility to everyone, while the gentle yet biting wind returns warmth to each person it treats equally. The wind is exceptionally quiet, amplifying the heartbeat silently; the rhythmic sound of breathing, mixed with footsteps, is crisp and clear, yet carries unease and suspicion as lingering shadows accompany the moon back onto this unknown path.
Sensitivity is a trait of the Golden Swordsman. In this quiet moment, Luo Yue, who had been battling with his eyes closed, suddenly stands up. Vitality fills his right hand, ready to strike, but upon closer inspection, he sees Ran Xing approaching in a daze.
Luo Yue exclaims in surprise, "Why are you here?" As soon as he speaks, he retracts his grip on Ran Xing's left arm and the vitality in his right hand, taking a deep breath as he stands up—it's just that the shift change has arrived. Ran Xing was awakened by the strange wind and stumbled over, placing a hand on the slightly dozing Luo Yue's shoulder, leading to this misunderstanding.
"Teacher Yu Long arranged it. I watched the first few hours, you take the middle part, and Shao Meng will take the last part. This wind is odd; it interrupted my dream, so I came to find you for the shift," Ran Xing says while wincing in pain. Luo Yue nods and lightly taps his head: "I understand your intentions, but this isn't good; you scared me."
Ran Xing lowers his head in apology. Luo Yue decides not to pursue it further. However, after this jolt, Luo Yue finds himself unable to sleep. The two troubled individuals gather together, seemingly brewing something they wish to discuss.
"Are you... thinking about what happened before?" Ran Xing quickly notices the signs and cautiously asks as he brushes off dust from his clothes.
Luo Yue purses his lips and nods slightly. Memories from childhood resurface in his mind, but where should he begin?
The wind continues to blow, causing their hair to flutter. The surrounding silence evokes different heartbeats once again. Luo Yue thinks for a moment and suddenly recalls that Ran Xing is one of the more unique individuals he has encountered.
Ran Xing looks puzzled. What does that mean? Is it possible that as a descendant of a prominent family from the Trial Grounds, he holds opinions about people from small shops? But coming back to reality, Ran Xing suppresses his surprise—Kid, don’t overthink it. What makes you special? Is there a discrepancy between what she means by special and what he thinks?
"Is everyone from the Trial Grounds like this?" Ran Xing curiously asks, hoping Luo Yue will elaborate.
Luo Yue is taken aback by this question. Did it cause some misunderstanding? Could there be ears on the other side of the wall? But since Ran Xing seems to have grasped some of his thoughts, Luo Yue pulls him half a step closer and begins recounting some past events.
"It seems you've never understood this place. The folklore you've heard—Trial Grounds is a very sacred place. The people there are filled with a sense of justice; they eliminate harm for the people and strive to cleanse the world of evil spirits. These efforts come with sacrifices that have persisted since the era of Ancient Heroic Swordsmen. But do you know... can you understand?" Luo Yue speaks passionately about many childhood experiences, leaving Ran Xing dumbfounded.
What is he talking about? How did it suddenly escalate to such lofty topics? Since childhood, Ran Xing has heard tales of heroes guarding time; it seems like a common occurrence and not surprising at all. But behind these words—could they be referring to Luo Yue himself? Ran Xing's mind races as he tries to decipher what Luo Yue intends to convey through these sudden revelations.
"A part of sacrifice for you might be your time, energy, or things you should have done at that moment—all turned into regrets that can only be thought about but never attained," Ran Xing slowly articulates, trying to recall phrases from books or vendors that wouldn't provoke Luo Yue while piecing together his previous words.
Luo Yue nods; it seems that his special impression of this guy has found some evidence. He continues discussing what he just mentioned.
"Since we who bear Heroic Marks form the glorious side of Trial Grounds, as one among them, sacrifice can take many forms. Like losing family members in fire or inheriting their will—we began years of closed-door cultivation during which I only knew commands and execution. It was only when I met you or when I came here with Teacher Yu Long that I learned about companionship. It seems this term is highly valued among people; however, during my supposed time to understand these things, I spent it alongside high walls and training—wasting so much time. If I had met you later on, I might never have had this opportunity."
Luo Yue's words cause Ran Xing's face to inexplicably flush red. What kind of peculiar coded language is this? Could her specialness merely lie in those two cold words: companions? As a member of a prestigious family from Trial Grounds—how could they not teach their children such things?
"Perhaps this is an arrangement," Ran Xing suddenly shifts the topic. He dislikes being submerged in oppressive abstractions or gradually becoming what those abstractions depict. People inherently possess much; why would Luo Yue's elders be so repressed? He doesn't know but sees satisfaction in Luo Yue's eyes and realizes he's guessed correctly—what should have been familial companionship and friends growing up—should be companions—are what Luo Yue has lacked during that time.
"What arrangement?" Luo Yue's interest is piqued by Ran Xing's comment as he raises his gaze slightly; anticipation and excitement shine in his eyes. However, Ran Xing feels embarrassed under scrutiny—a lone man and woman at midnight; if Xiao La Jiao knew about this situation, wouldn't she skin him alive? Yet this is precisely something unique to their age—a distinct feeling related to companionship is beginning to blossom.
"An... arrangement? Perhaps... maybe... it's someone meant to compensate for something for you—something you've been missing or something else entirely; at least that person should be able to understand you well enough to qualify as arranged," Ran Xing says with a hint of self-deprecation while testing eye contact with Luo Yue. Indeed, his answer proves correct once more; although Luo Yue doesn't continue speaking further, that satisfied nod excites Ran Xing—he has at least grasped some understanding of this noble lady's heart; perhaps certain fantasies could become reality.
"It seems your words are more powerful than sugar," Luo Yue smiles contentedly. However, as an instant calm follows the gust of wind, Luo Yue’s awareness snaps back to reality as he immediately begins scanning the ground for signs—a startled Ran Xing exclaims: "Could it be that lingering shadows finally arrive with the stillness of the wind?"
This force—could it mean... that guy is still alive! Luo Yue's brows furrow instantly as he prepares vitality for a counterattack but sees no target.
"What are you still dawdling for? The enemy is coming!" Luo Yue urgently tells Ran Xing that their previous conversation must come to an end; now it's time to deal with serious matters.
Ran Xing gasps in shock and immediately turns towards Teacher Yu Long’s direction—“Luo Yue wait! I’ll go notify Teacher Yu Long right away!”
Luo Yue furrowed her brows, waiting for her target to appear, but her prepared Technique could not be executed. Meanwhile, that damned voice continued to echo around her.
"I'm really sorry to interrupt two people on a date, but it's not just me, an evil spirit, who wants to do this. It's quite unfortunate, but it is indeed very curious!" A sinister smile emerged from the ground amidst a strange gust of wind. As fragments floated in from several directions and converged, a familiar face appeared before Ran Xing and Luo Yue.
"Wind Attribute: Giant Tree Supporting the Sky!" Yu Long suddenly opened his eyes from his slumber and unleashed this move in the direction he predicted. The figure in front of Ran Xing and Luo Yue was instantly sent flying into the sky. However, just as the saying goes, "the ghost does not disperse," it returned once again, gradually revealing its true form.
"Long time no see, girl! Oh! And this little brat from who knows where," Hen Duan reappeared, startling Luo Yue.
It was impossible; she had seen it with her own eyes. Wasn't this the guy who had been taken down by Teacher Yu Long? How could he appear here at such a coincidental time and place?
Hen Duan stretched his limbs and proudly raised his head while looking at the two astonished individuals, recounting the details of what had happened.
It turned out that when Hen Duan discovered the unusual stone beneath Yu Long's feet, he realized it was Yu Long's illusion technique. He then played along and used his own method to break the situation: Deathly Curse — Indestructible Soul.
This was a technique unique to Hen Duan. When used, it would create an illusion for the opponent of himself standing still while he had already transformed into black mud and dispersed. Through this tracking, he discovered Luo Yue's dissatisfaction with her past and accurately pinpointed her location before revealing himself before the two. Since Yu Long was not an opponent he should deal with, handling these two kids was still within his capabilities. Hen Duan immediately gathered malicious intent to prepare for his Technique but was blasted back several steps by Yu Long's vitality.
"Teacher Yu Long!" Luo Yue exclaimed joyfully, but Hen Duan almost flashed right next to her. Fortunately, Teacher Yu Long simultaneously used Moonlit Movement to appear in front of her and punched Hen Duan away again.
"What's this? Meeting again like this isn't your style, Hen Duan," Yu Long immediately shielded Luo Yue behind him and signaled her to call the others over.
The sudden wave of vitality could not escape Yumeng's detection. At that moment, the Meng Jiang Squad rushed forward rapidly; they were getting closer to the position detected by Fire Yumeng.
"Teacher Meng Jiang, to the north..." Yumeng reported what she sensed — a malicious intent she had never encountered before and also the reason for her first mission; she couldn't accurately judge the situation in the north.
"There’s fighting up north," Yumeng put away her detection and immediately reported to Meng Jiang. Just two or three miles away in the north, a clash of Wood Attribute vitality and Earth Attribute malicious intent was taking place.
"Yu Long is in trouble; it seems we need to help," Meng Jiang thought about how they had faced no obstacles since entering here and that intelligence indicated their opponent had retreated. Where did this Earth Attribute malicious intent come from? However, pondering these answers would yield no results until they saw Yu Long.
Meng Jiang then turned around to assign tasks: Yumeng would continue with detection; upon arrival, An Qi would hold off the evil spirit directly while Lan An would act as needed to support Yu Long's students. Meng Jiang would wait for an opportunity to work with Yu Long to eliminate the evil spirit.
"Is everyone clear?" After finishing his arrangements, Meng Jiang placed his hands on his hips and asked sternly.
"Understood!" The students replied in unison. Meng Jiang nodded in satisfaction and then ordered them to accelerate northward to support Yu Long.
Meanwhile, the ominous wind carried their quarrel to Shang Qing, causing him to become furious.
"What? Since we are collaborators, you should trust that I can handle these guys. Your people acted without permission and didn't even inform me; that's rather rude, Long Shan!" Shang Qing settled the girl with the God pendant behind him and turned his back on Long Shan while sneering coldly.
"How is that rude, Brother Shang Qing? I have never treated you as an outsider. I recommended you to Lord Gui Mei; if it weren't for trust, why would I do that?" Shang Qing called for Hen San to bring over a teacup and leisurely sipped tea in Shang Qing's dilapidated cave.
Shang Qing did not pursue further; since a guest offered him tea voluntarily, as the temporary host of this cave, there was no reason not to accept it.
"This tea is good tea, but something about this situation feels off. The task I received is meant to buy you time; I'm not here just to drink tea," Shang Qing said darkly as he demanded Long Shan withdraw his men; he had already set up an ambush ready to take down a group of heroes.
Long Shan laughed heartily; it seemed he needed to explain his chess game well enough for the heroes to understand.
"This matter has been completed; I am ready to leave now. However, my subordinates feel that leaving empty-handed wouldn't align with our principles in the martial world. So I planned for my men to assist you; perhaps we can make some moves early on and capture someone alive to take back. You wouldn't want your collaborator going empty-handed when meeting your superior, right?" Long Shan said relaxedly with no anger on his face while vividly recounting what information he had received.
"I advise you not to have too many demands; perhaps you wish for greater power but can only gain a small piece of land. It’s better for you to withdraw your men according to plan and protect what you need to take back; we won't be able to negotiate otherwise in front of our superior," Shang Qing said as he set down his teacup while contemplating his seal — there was still water and fire yet to break through. If these guys sent out someone with Earth Attribute abilities, wouldn’t that ruin his carefully maintained seal? This was hardly cooperation; it was clearly chaos!
Long Shan continued to drink tea, speaking of Shang Qing's lack of strategy. His subordinate was merely bait—luring the heroes to gather. Even if one seal had to be sacrificed, he had still provided his final assistance before retreating; this was called enticement. The bait was meant to attract Yu Long and his reinforcements. Shang Qing could cover his own retreat, while the gathered heroes, under Shang Qing's seal, would not be able to exert their full strength. Even if he were not present at that time, he could still provide his final assistance for Shang Qing's cover. How could this be considered a disruption?
"Have you heard of Jiang Taigong? He is an outstanding figure among humans. He once used a straight fishing rod to catch fish, also known as 'willing to take the bait.' Heroes value not abandoning any companion; no one would stand by and watch their comrade in danger," Long Shan proudly stated his judgment, while Shang Qing beside him seemed somewhat impatient.
If these guys gathered together, even if the seal remained, as long as it was only the Fire Attribute seal, there would be no major issues, and the situation would still be controllable. However, if any problems arose with either water or fire, he would face obstacles from potential Fire Attribute heroes on the enemy side. This added an unexpected hindrance to his plan; could such assistance truly be considered helpful?
Long Shan noticed Shang Qing's doubts. However, with just a few Four Valiant Constables and two Tai Chi Swordsman es in front of this genius youth in the Trial Grounds, it should not pose a significant threat. Moreover, in the world of heroes, if one did not have a backup plan, they would be overly naive. Especially for someone like Shang Qing, an unconventional hero who dared to infiltrate the enemy camp; he must have some hidden trump card. Long Shan felt he need not worry about indulging Hen Duan's consequences. Even if Hen Duan were to die, as long as the goal was achieved, Shang Qing—a person known for his steadiness—would surely have a solution. Thus, Long Shan rarely expressed himself clearly to Shang Qing: do not meddle.
He then left with his subordinates, leaving Shang Qing briefly in the cave, where he unleashed a surge of vitality that shattered the rock wall in anger.
Shang Qing immediately devised a countermeasure—guarding the water seal. As long as there were no Water Attribute companions causing chaos with the fire seal, he still had a glimmer of hope...
The wind blew through Shang Qing's hair; his melancholic and angry eyes, tightly furrowed brows seemed to convey something.
Perhaps this ambiguous wind sometimes did not bring good news—at least for Shang Qing, the current situation indeed felt that way.
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