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墨書 Inktalez
The battle situation of the Lich Clans has reached a stalemate. The demon clan, unable to break the deadlock due to the refusal of Ye Chuanze and Fuxi to engage in battle, ultimately decided to negotiate peace with the Witch Clan. After discussions, the Twelve Ancestor Witches agreed to the truce with the demon clan. Thus, the Second Lich War came to an end, resulting in a draw. The demon clan expanded its territory on the land during this conflict, further strengthening its power and ambitions. Although the Witch Clan lost some insignificant territory, their tribe's vitality remained intact despite the war.
In this War of the Lich, both the demon clan and the Witch Clan suffered varying degrees of damage, but neither was fundamentally harmed. Given time to recuperate, they would soon regain their strength, especially the demon clan. With their territorial expansion during the war, the demon clan's influence on the land grew stronger, giving them more confidence to challenge the Witch Clan.
Ye Chuanze, though far away in the Purple Cloud Palace of Thirty-Three Heavens, was enjoying a leisurely life with Hongjun. Despite their carefree companionship, they were both well-informed about events in the Lower Realm and closely monitored the progress of the Lich War. However, both chose to remain silent about it, not mentioning anything related to the Lich War.
Hongjun refrained from bringing it up because he embodied the Dao and could be seen as representing Heaven's Will. The War of the Lich was an important part of Heaven's design, and Ye Chuanze had entered this game early on as a crucial piece. To maintain fairness and adhere to Heaven's rules, Hongjun felt it inappropriate to discuss the War of the Lich with him, lest it disrupt Heaven's plans.
On the other hand, Ye Chuanze avoided mentioning it out of caution. He had a vague sense of Heaven's influence behind this Lich War and understood that Hongjun held a special identity. He did not want to burden Hongjun with any troubles or make things difficult for him. Ye Chuanze had always trusted Hongjun, believing that he genuinely cared for him and would never stand idly by in times of danger. If he were ever in peril, anyone else might abandon him, but he was certain that Hongjun would never forsake him. This belief was unwavering.
Given this understanding, there was no need for him to complicate matters further. Over these days, he had come to realize that regardless of how deep Hongjun's thoughts were or how he governed all living beings as if they were pieces on a chessboard in a game against heaven and earth, Hongjun's sincerity towards him was genuine and without pretense. That alone was enough for Ye Chuanze. As one among countless beings in this world, even if he considered himself extraordinary, once he entered this Chess Game of the world, he could not escape his fate as a pawn.
What he could do was to preserve himself and those around him without disrupting the outcome within this unpredictable Chess Game. In this game where heaven and earth were the board and all beings were pieces, the process mattered little; what mattered was the result. The grand trend of Heaven could not be reversed; only minor trends could be altered.
When news of the Lich Clans' truce reached Ye Chuanze and Hongjun's ears, they were playing chess in the garden. Ye Chuanze held black pieces in hand, looking conflicted and indecisive. He had made poor moves and lost three consecutive games; his face was nearly as sour as his chess play. In contrast, Hongjun sat across from him with a slight smile at his lips, watching Ye Chuanze's troubled expression with great interest.
"Why haven't you made your move yet? My dear disciple, you've been holding your piece for almost a quarter of an hour; my patience is wearing thin," Hongjun teased deliberately as he watched Ye Chuanze grow even more distressed by his words. The smile on his face deepened as amusement sparkled in his eyes. It was clear that he greatly enjoyed teasing his disciple; even someone as cold and rational as Hongjun had to admit that Ye Chuanze ’s frustrated yet restrained expression brought joy to his heart. He thought that if Ye Chuanze ’s expressions when asking for help in the future were similarly delightful, he might consider being lenient—except perhaps in bed.
"Stop nagging! It's annoying! I know without you saying," Ye Chuanze replied impatiently with a frown.
Hongjun merely smiled at this response without getting angry; his gaze held warmth that could enchant anyone while his words provoked Ye Chuanze ’s ire further—he felt like jumping up and hitting him with his shoe sole. "Just make your move; after all, the final outcome is already determined."
"Who says so! The game isn't over yet; who says you've won!" Ye Chuanze nearly exploded.
Hongjun chuckled silently while Ye Chuanze continued to stomp around.
It wasn't until Haotian arrived to report that the Three Pure Ones were visiting that they both regained their composure and returned to their usual calm demeanor.
As the Three Pure Ones approached, they saw their master with an indifferent expression and their serious junior brother earnestly playing chess. They stared at this scene for a moment; for some reason, what should have been an entirely normal sight appeared extremely strange to them. It must be an illusion! It was all because their junior brother usually acted so outlandishly that they couldn’t accept such seriousness all of a sudden! Everything was Ye Chuanze ’s fault!
"Master," Supreme Clarity Laozi, Primordial Jade Purity, and Supreme Clarity and Celestial Connection called out respectfully in unison.
Hongjun placed a white piece down without even glancing at them and casually asked, "You have come here; what is your business?"
The Three Pure Ones exchanged glances, somewhat puzzled; their master seemed to be in a bad mood.
Sky-Connecting glanced at Ye Chuanze, who was calmly sitting beside Hongjun, playing chess. With a smile, he said, "Junior Brother arrived quite early, showing filial piety in front of our master. You've stolen all the limelight from us senior brothers; no wonder Master favors you the most."
Ye Chuanze turned to him with an expressionless face and said flatly, "I am very happy for you to steal my limelight. Very, happy!" Damn it! I’m done! He slammed the chessboard; is this how one plays? I'm going to lose again!
Sky-Connecting took a quick look at the chessboard and immediately understood everything. He smiled and praised, "Junior Brother has excellent chess skills! To play like this, I can only look up to you."
What the hell! Ye Chuanze's mouth twitched, unable to hold back his urge to curse. Hongjun timely intervened, saying in a neutral tone, "Alright, what brings you here today?" With a casual wave of his hand, all the black and white pieces on the board returned to their container.
Seeing this scene, Ye Chuanze's unpleasant expression softened slightly, saving him from flipping the board in frustration.
Before Sky-Connecting could say something more provoking to Ye Chuanze, Primordial spoke first in his usual cold voice, "Disciple has come today with something to report. The Lich Clans have agreed to a ceasefire; both clans will recuperate and regain their strength."
"That is somewhat unexpected," Hongjun replied indifferently, his expression unreadable.
Upon hearing Primordial mention the Lich Clans, Ye Chuanze's interest was piqued, and he forgot about losing the chess game.
Primordial paused for a moment before continuing, "The two Sages from the West have been acting rather restlessly lately."
Hearing this, Hongjun lowered his gaze and said, "I understand."
Primordial glanced at his expression; seeing it as indifferent as usual made it impossible to discern his thoughts. Hesitating slightly, he finally said, "Those two Sages from the West have broken away from our Xuanmen and established their own sect. They are no longer aligned with us. Now that they are acting restlessly, should we..."
"No need; everything follows heavenly will. You should wait patiently and not act rashly," Hongjun replied.
Primordial paused at these words. Hongjun looked up at him and said, "Today's cause will lead to tomorrow's effect. The heavenly way is cyclical; no one can escape it. Remember this."
The Three Pure Ones nodded thoughtfully and then said in unison, "Disciples understand; thank you for your guidance, Master."
Primordial glanced at Hongjun and Ye Chuanze sitting across from each other and said, "We won't disturb Master’s game any longer; we shall take our leave for now."
"Hey? Not disturbing at all," Ye Chuanze quickly interjected, even getting up to grab Primordial's arm. "Why don't you stay and play a game with Master?"
At this moment, Hongjun, who had been lowering his head and fiddling with the pieces in the chess jar, suddenly raised his head and cast a cold glance at Primordial.
"I take my leave!" Primordial felt a jolt in his heart, dodged the hand that Ye Chuanze reached out, and immediately turned to leave, his steps hurried.
Laozi and Sky-Connecting followed closely behind, as did Three Pure Ones.
"Is that it? They're leaving just like that?" Ye Chuanze stared in disbelief at the swiftly departing Three Pure Ones, truly embodying the phrase: I came lightly, I leave lightly, waving my sleeve without taking a single cloud away.
"Do you really wish for them to stay?" Hongjun glanced at him and asked.
"Not exactly. It's just a bit of a sentiment; every time they come, it's always in a rush, and they leave just as hurriedly. Don't they find it tiring? If it were me, I would sit down for half a day before leaving; otherwise, wouldn't it be a wasted trip?" Ye Chuanze replied.
"They are naturally different from you."
"That’s not what it’s about," Ye Chuanze said. "It can only be said that you are too unapproachable. Even your disciples don’t dare to get close to you easily."
"Not necessary," Hongjun suddenly said.
"Huh?" Ye Chuanze was momentarily taken aback.
Hongjun lowered his head to arrange the chessboard and said lightly, "I do not need them to be close; having you is enough."
"..." Ye Chuanze was struck by this understanding, his emotional gauge instantly emptying.
His face slightly flushed, he turned away and muttered, "Really... talking nonsense. Don’t think that this will make me forgive you. You play chess too ruthlessly; I'm angry now and won’t play with you anymore!"
"Let's have another game; this time I'll let you have three pieces," Hongjun said.
"I already said I won't play with you! If you want to play chess, go find someone else!"
Hearing this, Hongjun remained unfazed and continued to arrange the chessboard on his own.
"..." Ye Chuanze was left speechless at the sight.
"Okay!" Ye Chuanze helplessly held his forehead, he was convinced! He gave up! He said in a helpless tone: "I'll play with you, but I won't play chess. Let's change. How about admiring the flowers? Or burn incense and play the piano?" Hongjun stopped playing with the chessboard, looked up at him, and said seriously: " Instead of playing chess, how about drinking? ""... Then let's play chess!" Ye Chuanze said resignedly, drinking... He could completely imagine the tragedy that would happen to him when he was drunk, the tragedy that only belonged to him! "Don't think about it anymore?" Hongjun said with a slightly regretful tone. "No need! Just play chess!" Ye Chuanze said in a serious tone, gritting his teeth secretly. At worst, losing another game would be better than being unable to get out of bed!
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