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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 96: Eternal Curse
Lin Chuyu followed Yang Jingwan to a treehouse beneath a massive tree that stood five zhang tall. Its branches stretched out at least four zhang wide, their gnarled shapes giving off an eerie impression. Despite the tree's fierce appearance, the treehouse itself was beautifully crafted, made of cedar wood. Inside, oil lamps flickered, casting a warm glow through the square windows, creating a charming atmosphere.
Lin Chuyu stood beneath the tree, gazing up for a moment before saying, "This doesn't look like a temple."
Yang Jingwan couldn't help but laugh. "Who said this is a temple? This is my home."
Lin Chuyu smiled. "You live in a tree?"
Yang Jingwan shot her a sideways glance. "Do I look like a monkey to you?"
Realizing that they were not friends and that her joke had crossed a line, Lin Chuyu felt awkward and quickly changed the subject. "Why aren't you going to the temple? What are you doing at home?"
Yang Jingwan climbed the ladder to the treehouse. "I came back to get something."
Lin Chuyu followed her inside. The space was small but cozy. Yang Jingwan didn't linger long; she walked over to a bookshelf, grabbed something, and then headed back out with Lin Chuyu toward the temple.
Lin Chuyu found herself puzzled by Yang Jingwan. She was from the Hall of Malevolence, yet she seemed to harbor no ill intentions toward them. "Can I ask you a question?" Lin Chuyu ventured.
Seeing the curiosity in Lin Chuyu's eyes, Yang Jingwan smiled lightly. "Considering we once shared a body, go ahead and ask, but you can only ask one question."
Lin Chuyu thought carefully about her single question. "How old are you?"
Yang Jingwan paused for a moment, then realized why Lin Chuyu was asking. A look of sorrow crossed her face as she replied, "From the moment I first spoke until now, it should be around five hundred years... I can't remember exactly."
Lin Chuyu was taken aback. "You’ve lived for so long, and you don’t even remember?"
Yang Jingwan smiled bitterly. "When you can extend your life through another's existence, what does time mean to you? Why should I care how long I've lived?"
Lin Chuyu remained silent, unable to comprehend the feelings that overwhelmed her.
Yang Jingwan's gaze reflected sorrow as she said, "Do you think I want to live like this? It's a curse. You have no idea how envious I am of those who live like humans, with such a brief life yet filled with vibrancy."
With a sudden sigh, Yang Jingwan added, "I am someone cursed by the Evil God."
Lin Chuyu was taken aback and couldn't help but exclaim, "You were cursed by the Evil God?"
Yang Jingwan reminisced about the past, a bitter smile forming on her lips. "I don't mind telling you that I am the only person in this Desolate Evil Hall—no, in this world—who has seen the Evil God. Five hundred years ago, it was a time shrouded in darkness. People had no faith back then, and I believed that the Evil God was the only true deity. You haven't seen what the Desolate Central Plain was like back then."
"At that time, the Desolate Central Plain was frequently attacked by Demon Beasts. The Evil God was their pillar of support. However, one person saw through the Evil God's true nature. That person was called Buddha. He experienced nine lives and deaths and was the greatest sage of this world. The Evil God didn't look terrifying at all; on the contrary, he was quite handsome."
"Five hundred years ago, when Demon Beasts roamed freely across the Desolate Central Plain, it was because of his arrival that they were captured and peace was restored. The people revered him as a saintly deity. But soon after, Buddha uncovered the Evil God's ambitions. It turned out that those rampaging monsters were sent by the Evil God himself. In the end, Buddha confronted the Evil God."
"They fought a battle, and Buddha emerged victorious. He sealed away the Evil God, believing that without the Demon Beasts and without the Evil God, happiness would return to this world. But before that could even begin, disaster struck. Many still worshipped the Evil God and sought to break his seal. Honestly, at that time, I was one of those who hindered the Evil God's resurrection. Buddha established a sect called Buddhism."
"I was one of its members. Ultimately, we clashed with the followers of the Evil God. They nearly broke the seal, but Buddha led us at a critical moment to seal him once more. This time, Buddha sealed him at the Underworld Border. The Evil God was furious; before he was completely sealed away, he unleashed a powerful wave of dark energy that killed many present."
"The Evil God cursed Buddha, wishing for him to live forever and wait for his return so he could kill Buddha himself when he came back. The Evil God believed he would return one day; as he exhaled a cloud of black mist from his mouth, just as it was about to strike Buddha, I couldn't bear to see Buddha suffer such a curse, so I..."
Lin Chuyu interjected, "So you stepped in to take that blow for Buddha."
Yang Jingwan gave a sad smile and nodded.
After pondering for a long time, Lin Chuyu finally sighed lightly and said slowly, "I thought you had some ulterior motive for helping us; now I know you are not a bad person."
A hint of a smile appeared on Yang Jingwan's helpless face as she replied, "I don't know if I'm truly a good person. I've killed many since joining the Hall of Malevolence—partly to avoid raising suspicion from the Arbitrator and partly because I've become numb to killing. I never really thought about why I killed those people. My original goal was to join the Hall of Malevolence as part of a Cult to secretly prevent them from resurrecting the Evil God."
"On another hand, I also wanted the Evil God to come back so he could lift my curse. After five hundred years of living like this, I'm tired of it. To be honest with you, when I attached myself to you back then, I thought if I returned with you, I could come back myself too; but instead, I let Ji Zichen bring me back. Do you know why I did that?"
"Lin Chuyu" asked in confusion, "I don't understand."
"Yang Jingwan" smiled wryly and replied, "What is there to not understand? I want ' Ji Zichen' to deal with the 'Arbitrator'!"
"Yang Jingwan" took out a pendant from her bosom. The pendant resembled a teardrop. "Oh, I almost forgot. Take this with you," she said.
"Lin Chuyu" took the pendant in her hand and asked, "What is this?"
"Yang Jingwan" explained, "Wearing this will prevent the 'Evil God' from sensing you."
---
In the temple, " Ji Zichen " had been tied to a stone pillar by the "High Priest." Still unconscious and yet to awaken, "High Priest" pointed his index finger at " Ji Zichen's" forehead. A jolt of energy surged through " Ji Zichen's" body, causing him to shudder and suddenly open his eyes. "High Priest" stared intently at " Ji Zichen " and said, "Sorry for waking you up this way."
Seeing himself bound, " Ji Zichen " struggled and screamed. He glared at "High Priest," shouting angrily, "What do you want to do!"
With a cold gaze, "High Priest" locked eyes with " Ji Zichen." He spoke slowly, "You have acted against the 'Evil God,' and you must face judgment. But before that judgment, I want to give you a choice."
Now at the mercy of another, though unwilling, " Ji Zichen " asked, "What choice?"
A glimmer of invitation shone in "High Priest's" eyes as he said, "Join us in the 'Hall of Malevolence,' or you will only face death."
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