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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 48: The One from the Vortex
Ji Zichen watched as Lifeng transformed into a Half-Mouse Monster. Lifeng stood like a humanoid mouse, with paws for feet, a human body, and a face that was half human and half covered in mouse fur, complete with a tail trailing behind.
Ji Zichen sensed something and thought to herself, "The man they mentioned must be that lord."
She raised her voice to the two before her, "From the looks of you, you haven't fully turned into a mouse yet. It seems that a Primordial Dan has been split in two, and each of you has consumed half."
Lifeng smirked coldly and applauded Ji Zichen's deduction. "You know quite a bit."
Ji Zichen's eyes revealed sympathy as she slowly said, "To kill me, you are willing to become Half-Mouse Monsters. That is quite unexpected."
Lifeng let out a wild laugh, laced with mockery. "Don't flatter yourself. You are indeed our target, but we are not doing this for you. We have already uncovered the secret of time being frozen here."
Understanding dawned on Ji Zichen as she sighed deeply. "For Eternal Life, you are willing to become mice."
Lifeng smiled slightly. "Whether as a human or a mouse, it makes no difference. What matters is the ability to live forever. Even in a human form here, one can achieve longevity, but with a mouse body, I gain abilities that humans do not possess. We see no reason to refuse this."
---
Shen Bifan was led by the butler Yu Ren into a grand temple. The main hall inside was vast and imposing, with ten towering stone pillars standing in a row, each over ten zhang high—too large for ten people to encircle. The pillars were adorned with totems depicting battles between mice and cats. In the hall stood a high platform featuring a giant stone statue of a mouse, beneath which lay a circular altar where Shen Bifan was bound.
The butler Yu Ren had manifested his human form and stood beside the altar, gazing intently at Shen Bifan. One of the Guardians spoke up, "Butler, why do you want to turn Shen Bifan into one of our kin? I think it would be better to just kill her; is it worth using your Primordial Dan to punish her like this?"
Another Guardian echoed in agreement, "Yes, Butler, this seems unnecessary."
The butler replied firmly, "My mind is made up; there is no need for further discussion."
As he spoke, light flashed from his mouth as he revealed a Primordial Dan that had emerged from within him.
At that moment, a long laugh echoed from the shadows of the pavilion. "Butler, you need not go through such trouble. Do you think turning her into a mouse will change my mind?"
Startled by the voice, the butler turned to see someone stepping out from the darkness. He trembled as he exclaimed, "L-Lord!"
Shen Shuwen approached the altar with rhythmic steps while everyone else knelt partially on the ground in unison and greeted him respectfully with "Lord."
Shen Shuwen looked disdainfully at the Guardians and said, "Why should I kneel? I am not your master."
The butler's expression was filled with uncertainty as he gazed at Shen Shuwen. Noticing the butler's demeanor, Shen Shuwen smiled slyly and said, "You must be wondering why I am here."
The butler respectfully replied, "I thought the master..."
Shen Shuwen interrupted, "Thought I had escaped? I left, but I would return."
Shen Shuwen slowly circled the altar, his eyes reflecting both anger and a hint of helplessness. With a mocking tone, he remarked, "This is your Madam Jiang, the altar that turned me into a rat. Logically, I should despise this place, yet here I am, which must have caught you off guard."
The butler did not respond, but his expression confirmed Shen Shuwen's suspicion. Clenching his fists, Shen Shuwen continued, "If I hadn't come here, how could I remember her forcing me to take the elixir? If I couldn't recall that moment, how could I hate her so deeply?"
The butler took a deep breath and urged, "Master, even if the lady has her faults, it is only because she loves you."
Shen Shuwen scoffed, "Love? Such love has drained her vitality and made me loathe myself. Is this love? No, this is a resentment that has left me utterly exhausted!"
With tears in his eyes, the butler said, "Master, given the circumstances, you shouldn't remain angry. Regardless of everything, you are now part of the Divine Clan, no longer human. The lady gave you the Primordial Dan, and her lifespan is now no different from that of a human. All I wish is to see her live peacefully with you for the rest of her days. I know you cannot forget about Bifan and her mother; your escape was for them."
"Years ago, when Bifan's mother came here in a frenzy, she was poisoned by the lady's Mouse Poison. You risked everything to help her escape. It was in a fit of rage that the lady captured Bifan, yet she never harmed her."
"Enough!" Shen Shuwen shouted furiously. "Do you know how Qianlan looked at me back then?"
Shen Bifan's mother was named Ji Qianlan, taking her master's surname of Ji Zichen.
"It was as if she were looking at a filthy rat! Shortly after I rescued her, she fell into a deep slumber. When I returned her to The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant, that was when I discovered that scoundrel had brought my daughter here! I've been trying every way to come back, but she kept using the Gap to prevent me from finding her. Now that I'm back, I will not rest until she pays for this!"
Pain flickered in the butler's eyes as he fixed his gaze on Shen Shuwen. "Master, I know you still care for the lady. I've served both of you closely; I can read your feelings for her."
A warmth filled Shen Shuwen's eyes as memories of his past with Madam Jiang surfaced. "She treated me well and was gentle. When you captured me, Qianlan was already pregnant. I knew I shouldn't have let my heart waver; however, which man can resist the allure of tenderness? I acknowledge my mistakes; becoming a rat is my punishment. But Bifan should not suffer for it."
"Butler," he continued, "I know your intentions are good. You offered your Primordial Dan to Bifan to keep me here, but everything has changed. This is between me and Madam Jiang. Please do not interfere any further; you all may leave now. I have some words to share with Bifan."
The other Guardians glanced at the butler. He took a deep breath and stood up. "I will wait outside; Master, feel free to call on me if needed."
The Butler, Yu Ren, stepped outside.
As he reached the temple's entrance, a Guardian scolded him, "So it's true, Butler! You were just playing us for fools! Weren't you supposed to avenge the clan members who died years ago? Was everything you said at the gate just nonsense?"
Yu Ren replied slowly, "I did this for the sake of the Divine Clan. Killing Bifan will only anger the Master. If he gets furious, can you withstand it?"
The Guardian's face turned pale, and he fell silent.
Inside the temple, Shen Shuwen looked affectionately at the dazed Shen Bifan. He placed a hand on her forehead and noticed a green mist rising from it. Suddenly, Shen Bifan's vacant eyes sparkled with life.
As her consciousness returned, she saw a strange man standing beside her. Feeling bound and panicked, she glared at Shen Shuwen and exclaimed, "What do you want to do!"
Shen Shuwen smiled gently and released her bindings. "Bifan, after more than ten years, we finally meet."
In Shen Shuwen's gaze, Shen Bifan felt a sense of warmth but was also utterly confused. "Who are you?"
Shen Shuwen softly replied, "I am your father."
Shen Bifan felt as if she had been struck by lightning. The words "I am your father" were so shocking!
She froze in place, staring blankly at Shen Shuwen. After a moment, tears welled up in her eyes and fell. Suddenly, she jumped down from the altar, overwhelmed by emotion like a raging flood. She couldn't help but shout, "No! You are not my father! I don't have a father like you!"
Though tears streamed down her face and she denied it with her words, this time the tears in her eyes were warm. Yet that warmth pierced Shen Shuwen's heart. His expression turned despondent, his face showing rare signs of weariness. With a heart aching deeply, he said, "Yes, I am not worthy to be your father. I have made you suffer all these years."
Seeing Shen Shuwen's heartbroken expression softened her resolve. Although it was their first meeting, that feeling of familiarity was undeniable. Shen Bifan rushed into Shen Shuwen's embrace and cried out, "Father! You really are my father!"
Shen Shuwen held her tightly as if fearing she would suddenly disappear. This embrace contained years of care and longing. An indescribable feeling of emotion and relief surged within him.
Gently whispering in her ear, he said, "Don't cry; don't cry anymore. Soon you'll be able to leave this place."
In his arms, Shen Bifan glanced around at her unfamiliar surroundings and asked, "Father, where is this place?"
Releasing her from his hold and facing the giant rat statue, Shen Shuwen replied, "This is the temple of the Divine Clan."
"Shen Bifan said, 'I've heard about this place, but Madam Jiang never lets me in.'
Shen Shuwen replied, 'From now on, you will stay by my side because there is a very terrifying enemy here.'
Shen Bifan asked, 'Is it Madam Jiang?'
Shen Shuwen's expression tightened. 'No, there is someone even more frightening than Madam Jiang. He is your senior brother, Ji Zichen.'
Shen Bifan was taken aback. 'Brother Zichen is terrifying? What are you talking about, Dad?'
Shen Shuwen's heart sank further. 'Have you ever heard your mother talk about your senior brother's background?'
Shen Bifan thought for a moment. 'It seems like Mother never mentioned Brother Zichen's background to me. Since I can remember, Brother Zichen has always been by my side.'
Shen Shuwen spoke with concern. 'You need to be cautious. He is a very dangerous person. Your mother found him in a ruin. I heard from your mother that your senior brother was born from the Vortex of the Demon-Slaying Sword. He can use five elements at will, which is impossible for an ordinary human. Your mother... he is an anomaly from the Abyssal Vortex. I advised your mother not to raise him.'
'But she didn't listen to me. Now that he has grown up, I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse. I've sent two skilled fighters to deal with him. Fortunately, those two have a history with him as well. Their battle instincts are like those of wild beasts. Honestly, I don't like those two people, but I had no choice. Now all I can do is pray that they can handle him.'
Shen Bifan was shocked. 'Dad, Brother Zichen is a good person; I know that for sure.'
Shen Shuwen replied expressionlessly, 'Back then, you were still young; how could you know what kind of person he is? Forget it, come with me. I'll take you to a safe place. Don't worry; it won't be long before we can reunite as a family.'"
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