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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 8: The Secret Behind the Door
The pollen in the hall was thick, so thick that it filled Shen Bifan's nose and mouth. The floral scent was fragrant yet overwhelmingly pungent. Shen Bifan coughed a few times; the pollen seemed strange. Just as she coughed for a moment, she felt a light-headed sensation, as if she were floating on clouds. At the same time, she sensed that the flowers around her had taken on human forms, dancing and laughing.
"Thud!"
Shen Bifan lost consciousness and collapsed into the flowerbed.
Ji Zichen's situation was somewhat different from Shen Bifan's. He was not entirely unaffected by the pollen; he also fell into the flowers but had not completely lost consciousness yet. Although Ji Zichen felt weak, teetering on the edge of fainting, he managed to adjust himself both physically and mentally.
While he couldn't fully regain his clarity, at least he hadn't passed out completely.
Ji Zichen's eyes remained open. He noticed that there seemed to be some sort of beings hidden among the flowers—perhaps flower spirits, he thought. These thick clouds of pollen must have been released by them. They might be hostile or perhaps just protecting themselves; it was difficult for Ji Zichen to discern the truth at that moment.
Ji Zichen was more sensitive and alert than Shen Bifan. Although Fire Butterfly had led them out of the maze, it also meant they were intentionally brought here. It felt as though Fire Butterfly harbored no ill intentions, but that didn’t guarantee they wouldn’t face danger later on. Thus, Ji Zichen entered the flower hall with heightened caution.
Despite his vigilance, he miscalculated; without realizing it, he inhaled some pollen. His consciousness gradually blurred, and before he knew it, he too had fainted.
Ji Zichen had no idea how long he had been unconscious. When he finally awoke, a Plum Blossom Butterfly was perched on his nose. Ji Zichen wrinkled his nose, and the butterfly flitted away joyfully, its wings adorned with plum blossom patterns.
Ji Zichen got up and cautiously surveyed his surroundings. Clearly, he and Shen Bifan were lying on an unfamiliar patch of grass. The sun shone brightly overhead; the grass was lush and green, flowers bloomed vibrantly, and birds chirped merrily in the branches nearby. It was a tranquil place.
Ji Zichen asked himself, "Have we entered a valley? Or have we been taken somewhere else by someone?"
Despite feeling weak and sore all over, Ji Zichen managed to stand up with some effort. Shen Bifan was still asleep; he chose not to wake her since he sensed no immediate danger around them. He decided to leave Shen Bifan behind for now while he went to explore the area nearby.
But after taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped. He thought to himself, "I should not wander around carelessly."
Ji Zichen knew that someone must have brought them here, so he shouted into the void, "Hey, is anyone there? Come out and talk!"
His voice echoed through the wind, reverberating in the forest. After a moment, someone responded, "What do you want to say to me?"
Upon hearing the reply, Ji Zichen immediately became alert. He furrowed his brow as he saw someone emerge from the woods. It was an elderly man with bright eyes and a long white beard that hung down to his cheekbones.
Shen Bifan was awakened by their conversation. As she sat up, she noticed a stranger standing about five zhang away from Ji Zichen. She scrutinized the old man and asked Ji Zichen, "Brother Zichen, who is he?"
Ji Zichen shook his head and looked directly at the old man. "Did you send Fire Butterfly to lead us out of the maze?"
The old man burst into hearty laughter and nodded.
Ji Zichen demanded, "What are you laughing at?"
The old man's laughter gradually subsided as he stroked his white goat beard. "Young man, don't be angry. It's been too long since I've seen anyone come in besides those things. I'm quite happy to see you. However, who are you? Your attire doesn't seem like that of someone from the Hall of Malevolence. How did you get in here?"
Ji Zichen replied, "That's none of your business. Who are you, and why are you helping us?"
A hint of sorrow flickered in the old man's eyes as he said, "This is my territory; it can also be my prison. My name is Yukang."
"Yukang?" Ji Zichen frowned. He had no recollection of that name and couldn't understand why a stranger would want to help them escape the maze.
Yukang's gaze revealed a thoughtful expression as he said, "You are still recovering from the pollen that has overwhelmed you. You can take a rest."
Ji Zichen stood straight in front of Yukang and replied, "I'm fine, I don't need to rest. Is this your prison? So you are locked up here?"
Yukang sighed and carefully examined Ji Zichen. "My affairs are not your concern. The reason I had Fire Butterfly lead you out of the maze is simple; I sensed something special about you. You are not as simple as you appear."
Ji Zichen asked, "What is this place?"
Yukang smiled and said, "Where else could it be? You are, of course, still within the Underground Palace."
He laughed heartily, and a gentle breeze brushed against Ji Zichen's face, like a tender caress from a close lover.
Ji Zichen was astonished. "The Underground Palace? How can there be sunlight and trees underground?"
Yukang smiled slightly, waved his hand, and the sunlight and trees appeared to dissolve into particles like illusory dust. Before Ji Zichen's eyes lay a spacious hall, but this hall lacked flowers, sunlight, and even a single window; all that remained was a large, thick stone door.
Ji Zichen's memory remained intact; he did not find anything magical about it—it was merely an illusion created by a magical artifact.
Near the stone door stood a large iron cage, within which Yukang was confined. The cage was only slightly taller than a person and wide enough for him to stretch his arms. Yukang was tall and thin, forced to sit cross-legged inside the cage.
With a wry smile, Yukang said, "I am trapped in this cage; creating illusions is the only way to relieve my boredom. I apologize for making you both laugh."
Seeing Yukang imprisoned in the cage stirred some sympathy in Ji Zichen's heart, but he had no intention of freeing him just yet because he had his own demands. Ji Zichen said, "I can let you out, but first you must answer me one question."
Yukang chuckled, "Let you out? I fear you lack the ability for that. However, I am quite curious about your question."
Ji Zichen observed the iron cage, realizing that it had no doors or locks. This cage was truly strange. Ji Zichen thought to himself, "If it could be opened by human strength, then this old man who can create illusions would have escaped long ago."
Initially intending to threaten him, Ji Zichen found himself quickly slapped in the face by reality. Feeling quite embarrassed, Ji Zichen pretended to be nonchalant, his tone becoming much more polite as he asked, "Elder, do you know how to use the Revival Technique?"
Yukang was taken aback, staring intently at Ji Zichen's determined face. "How do you know about the Revival Technique!"
Seeing Yukang's expression, Shen Bifan felt a surge of joy. "So you do know about it!"
Ji Zichen was invigorated and rushed towards the iron cage. "Tell me how to do it! Quickly share the method for the Revival Technique!"
Ignoring everything else, Ji Zichen aimed to open the cage and free him. But as he grasped the iron bars with both hands, he was suddenly repelled by an unseen force and flew three meters away, crashing heavily to the ground.
Shen Bifan, witnessing Ji Zichen being inexplicably thrown back, felt a jolt of concern and hurried over to help. "Brother Zichen! Are you alright?"
Ji Zichen was greatly astonished. "Wha... what just happened...?"
Yukang solemnly declared, "I have been imprisoned here for ten years. If that thing is not dead, there is no way for anyone to let me out."
"Is it coming for me?"
A monster entered through the main door of the hall, dragging Yuxuan.
Ji Zichen and Shen Bifan stood frozen in shock as the monster loomed over them.
Yukang's gaze darkened, sharp as an ice blade. "Seductive Charm! Is this your true form?"
Seductive Charm laughed with a carefree demeanor. "You old man, it's been a few days since we last met, and you've aged quite a bit. Today, I've brought you a gift!"
With a swift motion, Seductive Charm pushed Yuxuan forward, and Yuxuan's eyes widened as he caught sight of the person in the cage. Blood drained from his face as he shouted, "Third Uncle!"
Yukang hesitated for a moment; it had been many years since he last saw Yuxuan. Yet, the familiar features of his childhood still lingered in Yuxuan's expression. Overwhelmed with surprise and joy, Yukang's tears flowed freely. "Yuxuan! I never thought I would see you again."
Seductive Charm smirked coldly. "So, what do you think? A nice gift for you, old man?"
Seeing Third Uncle in such a pitiful state, imprisoned in the cage, Yuxuan felt a pang of sorrow. His heart ached as he quickly demanded of Seductive Charm, "Why is Third Uncle here?"
Seductive Charm chuckled maliciously. "Can't you see? He's trapped in my cage. Ten years ago, I attached myself to Zhao Zhangshi. I learned the secrets behind that door from the Arbitrator himself. However, the Arbitrator didn't know how to open it. That's why I disguised myself as Zhao Zhangshi to find the way to unlock it. One night, I happened to see this old man come here."
"When I saw him open the secret passage, I followed him inside. At that time, he discovered me, but an old man like him was no match for me. He just wouldn't reveal how to open the door. I had no choice but to lock him up until he was willing to speak. Surprisingly, this old man has quite a bit of patience; no matter how much I tortured him, he wouldn't say a word—even when I threatened his family."
"Truly a heartless old man."
Yuxuan glared furiously. "How dare you use torture on Third Uncle!"
As Seductive Charm recounted his past actions, Yukang's face remained expressionless, his cold gaze fixed on Seductive Charm.
Seductive Charm With a sly smile, he said, "However, even the most ruthless have their weaknesses."
Seductive Charm He deliberately looked at Yukang and said, "Old man, you’ve been locked up here without any news. You still don’t know, do you? Jade Pavilion is dead. The young bloodline of your royal family is left with her. Once I kill her, let’s see how long you can keep up this facade!"
Yukang gasped, "You dare!"
Seductive Charm smiled coldly, "Do you think I wouldn’t dare?"
With a swift motion of his left hand, he thrust the sharp blade into Yuxuan's abdomen.
Everyone present was taken aback!
Yuxuan coughed up a fountain of blood and hung her head low.
Seductive Charm laughed coldly, "Hahaha!"
Yukang’s expression changed drastically; his face turned crimson with rage. His anger had reached its peak as he shouted, "Yuxuan!"
Seductive Charm laughed heartily, "Hehe... Are you scared now? Still pretending? Hurry up! I know treating abdominal wounds is your specialty. She’s not dead yet, but if you keep being stubborn, I’ll chop off her head. Then you’ll have no tricks left."
Though Yuxuan hung her head low, she still had some spirit left. In a weak voice, she said, "N-no... it can’t be... Third Uncle... absolutely must not open the door... it... wants to resurrect the Suffering Evil God... we cannot let it succeed..."
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