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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 7: Awakening Feelings
Lin Chuyu's eyes brimmed with tears like a torrential downpour at the thought of Shilan dying for them. Although they had not spent much time together, Lin Chuyu felt a deep ache in her heart. Shilan was far away from the three of them, and Lin Chuyu did not hear her words.
The three of them managed to escape to an alley and paused for a moment. Lin Chuyu choked out, "Shilan, why did she...?"
Meng Hai sighed and interjected, "Perhaps it wasn't just to save you; it was also a way for her to save herself."
Ji Zichen nodded in agreement. "I never expected it to end this way. The important thing is that you're okay. If you can't understand why she did what she did, then just remember it. That's all you can do."
Ji Zichen glanced outside the alley, noting that no one was around. "Let's go back."
As the three of them stepped out of the alley, Ji Zichen suddenly heard a thud. Meng Hai collapsed to the ground. Lin Chuyu gasped, "Uncle Meng is hurt!"
The next day, Meng Hai lay on a bed in an inn. Just as he tried to get up, he felt a sharp pain in his lower back. Lifting the blanket, he saw that his waist was wrapped in bandages and felt confused. "What happened to me...?"
The door creaked open as Shen Bifan entered gracefully. Upon seeing Meng Hai with his bare torso exposed, her face flushed red and she quickly looked away. Meng Hai was equally surprised by Shen Bifan's sudden entrance; his face turned crimson with embarrassment. His clothes were hanging on a rack by the bed, and he carefully got up without pulling at his injury to put them on.
Once dressed, Meng Hai smiled and asked, "Bifan, how long have I been asleep?"
Shen Bifan noticed that Meng Hai had finished dressing; although her expression remained neutral, a faint blush was still visible on her cheeks. She replied softly, "Not long—just a few hours. It was chaotic last night; you came back covered in blood and scared everyone."
Meng Hai frowned and said, "When did I get hurt? I don't remember anything."
Ji Zichen and Lin Chuyu entered shortly after. Lin Chuyu scolded him, "Uncle Meng, you were too careless! A piece of wood as thick as your finger got lodged in your lower back. Thankfully, it didn't hit any vital organs."
Ji Zichen walked over to the table and poured herself a cup of tea. "You were injured by debris from the collapsed building last night. Given how tense everything was, it's normal that you didn't feel any pain."
Meng Hai forced a smile and said, "Is that supposed to be comforting?"
Ji Zichen chuckled lightly, "I'm not here to comfort you; I'm here to say goodbye."
"Goodbye?"
Ji Zichen replied, "I must go to World's End."
Meng Hai's expression turned worried. "I'll go with you."
Ji Zichen shot him a glance. "Together? Do you think you can handle the bumps in your current state?"
Meng Hai knew Ji Zichen was speaking the truth. Although he could stand now, any sudden movement would surely worsen his injuries.
With a sigh, Meng Hai said, "You don't have to rush; that place isn't going anywhere."
Just as Meng Hai finished speaking, a pigeon flew in through the window. He took down the message tube and, upon reading it, his face showed great surprise. "Qianlan has awakened!"
Ji Zichen stood up from his chair, joy evident on his face. "Master has woken up?"
Meng Hai appeared quite invigorated. "It can't be wrong; it's the leader's handwriting. Do you want to go back and see?"
Of course, Ji Zichen wanted to return, but he had already been expelled from The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant. Qian Feng could have helped Ji Zichen regain his identity that day, but Ji Zichen had not agreed at the time. He knew that regaining his identity was not solely Qian Feng's decision; if he wanted to return, no one would stop him at the door. Ji Zichen did not wish to cause trouble for The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant.
He shook his head. "I won't go back."
Meng Hai understood what Ji Zichen was concerned about. "Have you forgotten what Qian Feng did?"
"I haven't forgotten," Ji Zichen replied. "Although The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant is willing to accept me back, as long as this relic remains undisclosed, it will always be a source of trouble. Now that Master has awakened, I can rest easy."
Ji Zichen turned to Shen Bifan and said, "Bifan, I was worried about letting you return to The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant alone before, but now that Uncle Meng is here, you two can go back together."
Shen Bifan glanced at Ji Zichen and quickly shook her head. "Brother Zichen, I promised to help you find the ruins."
Ji Zichen smiled slightly. "The person Master wants to see the most right now is you. She will be very happy to see you. I promise, as soon as I find the ruins, I will return to The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant immediately."
Ji Zichen and Yu Ren left the inn, renting a carriage. Ji Zichen said, "Alright, take care on your journey."
Shen Bifan looked intently at Ji Zichen. "Brother Zichen, please be careful in everything."
Ji Zichen smiled and nodded.
Shen Bifan pulled Lin Chuyu aside and took off the Water Curtain Pendant from her neck. "Last time, Brother Ji wanted to buy you a magical artifact. Now that I'm going back to The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant and won't need it, I'll give this pendant to you."
Lin Chuyu hurriedly waved her hands. "No, no, you keep it! I'm fine with just the Vajra."
Shen Bifan insisted and helped Lin Chuyu put on the pendant. "Just wear it for now. I'm lending it to you, not giving it away. When you all find the ruins and return to The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant, you can give it back to me."
Unable to refuse such kindness, Lin Chuyu smiled. "Thank you, Sister Bifan."
At that moment, a smile appeared on Shen Bifan's face. "What are you thanking me for? Let me tell you how to recognize its master and how to use it."
Ji Zichen watched as Shen Bifan placed the pendant around Lin Chuyu's neck and realized what was happening. Meng Hai, who was nearby with a worried expression, looked at Ji Zichen and asked, "Aren't you really going back to see your master?"
Of course, Ji Zichen longed to return; he replied lightly with a smile, "I will go back, but not now."
Meng Hai sighed and stopped persuading him. He then said, "I just passed through the hall; did you hear what they were talking about?"
Ji Zichen knew what Meng Hai was referring to. They had just passed through the hall and heard patrons discussing a life-and-death matter. Ji Zichen said, "I heard that the Tenth Prince is dead."
Meng Hai stood silently for a moment before murmuring, "The death of the Tenth Prince is suspicious; it's very strange that he suddenly died like this."
Ji Zichen said, "This is not our concern. Someone is taking advantage of the Green Demon Eagle's attack on the city to kill. This is an internal conflict within the Desolate Central Plain."
Meng Hai chuckled, "That's true. Anyway, the priority is to leave Qingyang City as soon as possible. With the ruins not being made public, both you and Lin Chuyu are targets. I may not be able to help, but that World's End over at the Doomed Court is far more chaotic than here."
Ji Zichen had already formulated a plan. "We won't go to the Doomed Court. I'll take a detour from the north. The route may be longer, but it's safer."
Meng Hai nodded, understanding that Ji Zichen was prudent in his actions. "Then I won't say much more. Let's head out of the city."
Ji Zichen and Meng Hai each took their carts, moving towards the city gate one after the other. As they approached the gate, they saw a crowd tightly packed together, forming a long line as the guards checked those leaving the city.
Ji Zichen remarked, "With the Tenth Prince's death, the checks have become stricter."
Prince Huixin stood in a private room of an inn, looking out through the window. He could see Lin Chuyu's cart leaving the city, with Lin Chuyu and Ji Zichen sitting on the outer cart board. Prince Huixin silently thought, "Are you leaving?"
Wei Deputy, standing beside Prince Huixin, said, "Your Highness, you did well."
Prince Huixin's expression darkened as he replied, "I have ensured my brother died with dignity, but with the Tenth Brother's death, there will surely be great turmoil."
Wei Deputy responded, "That is natural; it was all anticipated."
Prince Huixin still did not turn around, his gaze deeply fixed on Lin Chuyu. He asked Wei Deputy, "Were you worried last night that I wouldn't be able to act?"
Wei Deputy replied earnestly, "Not at all. It is my honor to serve Your Highness."
Prince Huixin shot a cold glance at Wei Deputy and said, "Don't worry; I can act against anyone. Your Highness, there is no turning back on this road I have chosen."
He shifted his gaze from Wei Deputy to Lin Chuyu. His eyes softened as he thought silently to Lin Chuyu, who could not hear his thoughts, "Goodbye, miss."
After Ji Zichen and the others were checked by the guards, they rode out of the city. Outside the city gates, their two carts split off in different northeastern directions.
After half a day's journey, they arrived at a town just as the sun was setting.
"Ah? There's only one empty room left?" Upon reaching this place, Lin Chuyu's cheeks flushed slightly, and she hurriedly tried to cover it up.
"You saw it when you entered the town; it's the National Day celebration, and everywhere is packed with people," the Keeper said.
Lin Chuyu knew the Keeper was right, and she couldn't help but turn red as she asked, "Brother Ji, what should we do?"
Seeing her flustered, Ji Zichen couldn't resist teasing her. "What can we do? We can't sleep on the street. I'm fine with it; we'll take the room from the Keeper."
The Keeper summoned someone to lead them to their guest room.
Although it wasn't their first time sharing a room, after the other person left, Lin Chuyu's delicate nose glistened with a light sheen of sweat from nervousness, making her look quite charming.
Ji Zichen gazed at her face, feeling an inexplicable flutter in his heart. He pretended to be casual as he walked over to the bed and pointed at the headboard. "You... you sleep in the bed tonight."
Seeing Ji Zichen pointing at the bed, Lin Chuyu was unsure of what he was thinking and felt her ears heat up. "I... I can sleep on the floor, Brother Ji. You take the bed."
Ji Zichen lightly cleared his throat, his face turning red. "If I say you sleep in the bed, then you sleep in the bed. I've already decided; there's no point in refusing!"
Seeing Ji Zichen's shy demeanor, Lin Chuyu couldn't help but smile. "Brother Ji, why are you blushing?"
"Who... who is blushing!"
Outside the window was a bustling street. They were on the second floor, where street performers entertained passersby. Lin Chuyu felt too shy to meet Ji Zichen's gaze and instead went to the window to watch the performances below, giggling at how fun it looked.
Noticing her interest, Ji Zichen also approached the window. He saw a performer lying on the ground rolling a large barrel with his feet as part of his act. Glancing sideways at Lin Chuyu, he found her watching with an innocent and simple expression while laughing at the performance. Ji Zichen couldn't help but be captivated by her.
When he snapped back to reality, he felt embarrassed himself and thought, "What... what's wrong with me? This is so strange."
Lin Chuyu opened her eyes wide and asked, "What's wrong, Brother Ji?"
"Nothing... nothing at all..."
Lin Chuyu pretended to ponder seriously as she looked at him. "Brother Ji, you seem a bit strange today."
Ji Zichen immediately turned his gaze away, feigning interest in the performance. "I'm not strange at all!"
Lin Chuyu pouted and questioned, "Really?"
Her rosy lips looked as if they had been brushed with rouge, causing Ji Zichen to suddenly feel his face flush and his heart race. "I... I... I..."
Seeing his reaction, Lin Chuyu found it quite amusing. She noticed Ji Zichen's eyes fixed on her, his cheeks flushed, making him too shy to look directly at him.
Ji Zichen hurriedly changed the subject. "Let's talk about something else."
Lin Chuyu responded playfully, "Something else?"
Ji Zichen said, "In this town, after walking a bit further, we will reach World's End. I wanted to ask you about the Vermilion Bird Spirit."
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