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墨書 Inktalez
Recently, the presence of Prisoner has become less frequent, and each time he appears, he seems lost in thought, unresponsive even when called multiple times.
"Hey, Prisoner, what's wrong? What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing much. I'm just preparing for something and need to think it through carefully. You're different."
What could he be thinking about?
Never mind, let's focus on completing tonight's mission. Right now, I am traversing a place that resembles a forest. As my abilities have strengthened, the locations Prisoner takes me to have become increasingly unfamiliar.
It is eerily quiet here; apart from the faint sounds of the wind and a stream, there is nothing else to hear. The surrounding dark trees appear ominous, and with each crunch of the dry leaves beneath my feet, my unease grows stronger. I don't know how long I've been walking, yet nothing has happened. It feels as if no matter how far I go, there is no end in sight. Faced with the unknown darkness, the chill in my heart frightens me more than usual.
"Prisoner, why is it so strange here? Speak up."
"Don't worry; this is where you need to be. You will gain something important here."
I trust Prisoner's words and continue forward... There’s a sound—what is it? So beautiful that it captivates me completely; I feel compelled to seek it out without thinking of anything else.
The sound grows louder, and I find myself turning around aimlessly until I automatically stop in front of a clear spring. There stands a girl with her back to me, wearing a beige linen dress, her long black hair cascading down to the ground. All the sounds of nature seem to accompany her; I can hardly describe it. She radiates a dazzling light around her, resembling a goddess.
The singing suddenly stops, and everything returns to calmness. I stare blankly at her silhouette until she turns her face toward me. I am momentarily stunned by her beauty that surpasses all nature; anyone would willingly bow down and worship her. She smiles gently and waves at me. Without hesitation, I walk toward her in the water.
"Po, you should know she is the one I protect," Prisoner's cold voice cuts through the moment abruptly, causing me to shiver and stop in my tracks.
"Prisoner, it's been a long time," Po replies softly.
"Considering our past relationship, I haven't harmed you. You understand my purpose here; hand it over," Prisoner says with a frown, his tone warmer than usual.
"Ah, I didn't expect an old acquaintance to show up today, but why do you have to demand my life right from the start?" Po continued to smile.
"This sister has misunderstood. I didn't say I wanted to kill you; I just need you to hand over something. Although I don't know what it is, it's said to be very important," I quickly began to explain.
"But, little sister, if I don't have it, I will really die," Po looked at me with a pleading expression.
I awkwardly glanced at Qiu and said, "Forget it; otherwise, she will die."
"Hmph, she is already dead; now she deserves to die even more. Po, this is your last chance. Will you give it?"
"Qiu, why won't you let me go? I'm telling you, no."
"Fine, consider this a conclusion for what happened back then. How many humans have you lured using Pure Sound, and how many souls have you consumed? Do you remember? Today, I won't give you another chance."
Neither Po nor Qiu was willing to back down. I knew that right now, I could only protect myself; I couldn't intervene in this battle at all.
"Ahhhh..." Po's originally beautiful voice turned into a scream. I covered my ears, feeling a severe headache. I leaned against a tree and sat down, my body tense.
"Po, you dare to turn his Pure Sound into a demonic sound!" It was the first time I saw Qiu angry; it seemed he really had no intention of letting Po go.
Qiu began to chant a spell, his eyes fixed fiercely on Po. Dozens of golden lights shot towards Po, and her voice grew louder as she tried to block those golden rays. Qiu shouted "Soul Separation, manifest," and suddenly a bow appeared in his hand. The silver bow was embedded with several purple gems that shimmered in the darkness; upon closer inspection, there were intricate carvings that were not ostentatious but exquisite. This was understated elegance. I nervously watched the two figures in the distance; Po seemed to be at a disadvantage. Just as she was still dealing with Qiu's golden light, Qiu drew the bow and shouted "Go." I didn't see an arrow; I could only feel a sharp beam of light shooting towards Po. Sure enough, that light pierced through Po's left shoulder, crashing through several trees before she fell to the ground. She struggled to get up while holding her left shoulder.
"Qiu, you're ruthless! Don't you want Pure Sound? Then I'll destroy it along with me," Po could no longer fight; her features were twisted in horror as it seemed she had made up her mind.
"Stop! That's his most treasured possession; can you bear to do that?"
"Hahaha, his most treasured possession? Hahaha! What about me? I've ended up like this because of him; it's all because of him! But I don't blame him; still, he has betrayed me—betrayed me." Po cried without tears, filled with despair.
"You've misunderstood... He did it to save you back then." Qiu sighed deeply, his tone becoming somber.
Three hundred years ago, there was a small town that was neither prosperous nor poor. In this town lived a beautiful and kind-hearted female doctor named Snow Spirit. She traveled the world, helping the sick, and eventually arrived in this small town. The townspeople were simple and warmly welcomed her. Snow Spirit grew fond of the place and, after being urged by the villagers multiple times, decided to stay. She taught them medical skills and shared various cultures, leading the town toward prosperity. Later, she fell in love with a young man named Yu, whose voice was beautiful. He enjoyed singing for Snow Spirit every morning and continued to sing until she fell asleep at night. However, not long after, the young man fell seriously ill, and Snow Spirit decided to go up the mountain to gather herbs. But after a rain, the road was slippery, and she fell down the slope. Although she was saved and her life was spared, her face was disfigured. She comforted herself by thinking that although her beauty was gone, at least she still had the one she loved. However, Yu left to explore the outside world. Years later, he returned as a minor official and brought back his wife. Snow Spirit did not cry or make a scene; she continued to heal others but became increasingly withdrawn until she passed away. To commemorate her, the townspeople built a stone statue at the town entrance, where people would come to pay their respects daily. The young man would often visit the statue late at night, singing her favorite songs and apologizing for failing her.
Snow Spirit spent her life saving others and became a goddess after death. Everything changed, but her heart remained unchanged; she deeply loved that young man. After several reincarnations, he became a God of Music. Forgetting all worldly matters, his life was now filled only with music—the purest sound in the world. Snow Spirit ignored warnings and stubbornly pursued love with him. The Flower Goddess of Hundred Flower Palace could not bear to see this and said to her, "Child, gods cannot have love; if you insist on this path, you will be punished." Heartbroken from unrequited love, Snow Spirit begged the Flower Goddess for help, offering anything in exchange—even her life. The Flower Goddess replied, "Very well; this entanglement is your fate that I cannot obstruct. I can make him remember his past life with you, but you must bear all consequences." She then gave her a pill.
Visions appeared before his eyes; in this life, he promised her never to betray her again. Ironically, how could the divine realm allow such a thing? Yu faced punishment that would scatter his soul. Snow Spirit used all her power to save him. Yet he simply said, "I'm sorry; I have ultimately betrayed you. Forget me; I truly love my wife from back then; my feelings for you are only guilt. I choose death."
At that moment, Snow Spirit had lost all her powers; the man before her preferred death over being with her again. She cried bitterly in despair. Now she had returned to her mortal form with a scarred face and lost everything.
She thought she would disappear like this but later awoke as a living dead person. However, she discovered that Yu's power resided within her—his long-cultivated Pure Sound. Snow Spirit began to reflect on her existence; throughout countless lifetimes spent for others, what had she gained? She resolved to live on and find his reincarnation for revenge no matter how long it took. From then on, she willingly became a ghost who consumed souls to remain immortal.
"…Do you know that Pure Sound is what he left for you? If it weren't for him, could you still be alive today? He knows he owes you too much and wants to repay you with his life; don't you understand?"
"Liars! You deceive me! He said he doesn't love me!" Po murmured.
"Po, he is my only friend; after being lonely for hundreds of years, he was my first friend. If he hadn't transferred Pure Sound into your body, you'd have scattered into nothingness by now! What have you done?"
"Is what you're saying true? You're not lying to me?"
"Think carefully for yourself."
The surroundings returned to calmness as Qiu watched Snow Spirit from the side with complex emotions before turning away with closed eyes. Snow Spirit furrowed her brows and murmured.
"Yu, why didn't you tell me? Letting me hate for so long has truly exhausted me. I promised I'd wait for you no matter how long it took; now I'm coming to find you—wait for me; we will never part again." Po looked at the sky with outstretched hands and smiled gently.
"Little girl, come here." Po looked at me.
"Go ahead; it's fine, Xi Meng," Qiu nodded at me.
I walked towards Po with a heavy heart; she wouldn't be… Looking at her half-reclining under the moonlight was painfully beautiful.
"Pure Sound is entrusted to you." Po's appearance began to change; her face was covered in scars, her skin shriveled, and her black hair turned completely white.
Indeed, she had truly given up; she would be destroyed. No, I don't want her to disappear. "No, I don't want!" I crouched in front of her, my hands clutching my head. If she gave it to me, wouldn't that mean I indirectly killed her? Po was so wonderful; why did it have to end like this?
"Silly girl, you don't need to blame yourself. Only by giving it to you can I rest easy and go find Yu. This is something he cherished; only a child like you is worthy of Pure Sound. I can't let it fall into the hands of someone with a dark heart; otherwise, I would be letting Yu down." Po's voice had grown old, yet it still deeply touched my heart.
"Come closer; I want to tell you a few words." Po weakly waved her hand at me.
I approached her, and she whispered in my right ear: "Child, you will surely become the strongest Dream Soul Master. Cherish Pure Sound well. Remember this: you and Qiu are from different worlds; do not develop feelings for him, or it will ruin you. Also, you must grow stronger. In the future, when you encounter a ghost named Siyimo, make sure to kill her. As long as she exists, Qiu's knot will never be untied." Po's eyes remained bright as she looked at me with determination.
"I understand. Thank you." I nodded solemnly at her.
"Po, I'm sorry." From a distance, Qiu's voice came through.
"Qiu, I'm just going to where I need to be. At least I'm happy now, aren't I? I hope you can forget the past and forget her; the current her is no longer that innocent girl from before. Well then, take care."
Po's body gradually disappeared before our eyes; there would never be any trace of Po in this world again.
"Let's go." After Qiu spoke to me, he vanished.
I still had many questions, such as why Pure Sound was given to me? What were he and Po? And who was the 'she' that Po mentioned? However, we were too exhausted tonight; I didn't want to ask, and Qiu certainly didn't want to answer.
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