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墨書 Inktalez
Living Funeral
Zhang Xun said that it was Jiang Changsheng who suggested going to Black Duck Mountain, but after we got there, we found nothing.
I thought, didn't he tell you what we were supposed to look for?
Zhang Xun replied, no. But it seems he told you; can you still remember?
I: …
I glanced at Nian Chen, who said, "It's okay if you can't remember. It should have been a discussion between you and Jiang Changsheng back then, but you probably can't recall the specifics now."
I paused for a moment, trying to piece things together. It seemed that I had nothing from the trip to Black Duck Mountain; I had completely forgotten what Jiang Changsheng had told me. But what was I doing there? Was it to meet a ghost? My mind felt foggy, and I couldn't recall anything.
My head was blank, but I felt it was still related to the Fifth Person.
We made our way toward Black Duck Mountain under the night sky.
Zhang Xun mentioned that there was only one road leading up to Black Duck Mountain back then, but it seemed that it must have been closed off long ago. I nodded in agreement; they must have restricted access to the mountain for conservation purposes. So that road should have been blocked off.
It wasn't good now; we would only know once we got there.
The town's development hadn't progressed quickly, but compared to 198 years ago, there were some changes. However, Zhang Xun walked as if he were completely familiar with the path. He remarked, "When I came here back then, who would have known there were so many conspiracies? Looking back now, it’s full of schemes. Chen Fei and Jiang Changsheng, you two are truly interesting characters!"
Zhang Xun spoke as if to himself, his words carrying a deeper meaning that I couldn't quite grasp.
After walking for about forty or fifty minutes, we reached the foot of Black Duck Mountain. The wind in the mountain was strong and refreshing, bringing with it a breath of fresh air. Standing at the base of Black Duck Mountain now, it was lush and green compared to how it used to be.
The night sky was filled with stars, casting a faint glow over the area.
We didn’t say a word as we walked along the mountain path. There was a sign blocking the way, stating that protecting the forest was everyone's responsibility and that entry was prohibited; otherwise, one would bear the consequences. However, the sign was already rusted and worn, clearly neglected for many years.
Given that so many people had died in these mountains, it seemed no one dared to venture up anymore.
The path was now overgrown with wild grass. As the saying goes, there were originally no roads in this world; they only appear when enough people walk them. Similarly, if a path is left untouched, it will gradually disappear.
We ventured deeper inside, our flashlight illuminating the surroundings as we continued up the mountain.
"Nian Chen said, "This Black Duck Mountain has changed. It used to look like a duck, but now it doesn’t resemble one at all; landslides have distorted its shape."
Zhang Xun replied, "It really has changed."
Nian Chen continued, wondering if the place we visited back then still existed.
Zhang Xun remarked that with the mountain being excavated like this, that place might no longer be there. I listened to their conversation but realized I couldn’t understand much of it. Because I didn’t comprehend what they were saying, I chose not to interject.
Guided by their memories, they led me toward the location we had visited years ago. Nian Chen said, "The terrain has really changed; it's quite troublesome to find our way now."
I suggested to Nian Chen, "Let’s keep looking. If we really can’t find it, then let’s just forget about it."
Nian Chen acknowledged with a sound.
We circled around Black Duck Mountain for a while and nearly fell into old mine shafts several times. After a roundabout journey, Zhang Xun and Nian Chen finally stopped at a certain spot.
"Chen Fei, this should be the place."
We were weaving through a place overgrown with wild grass, the vegetation reaching up to our waists.
I asked, "What kind of place is this?"
Nian Chen replied, "It looks like a mine, but I suspect it might actually be a tomb." Nian Chen said seriously.
Zhang Xun chimed in, "It must belong to someone."
Tomb. Suddenly, that word felt strangely familiar. Yes, a tomb—it should belong to someone I knew well. But who could it be? Thoughts began swirling in my mind as I tried hard to remember.
However, no matter how much I thought, I couldn't recall anything. Eventually, I decided to give up.
Zhang Xun told me not to strain myself and suggested we just go inside and take a look.
We started searching for an entrance. The mountain had been excavated so much that the tomb might have collapsed! After rummaging through the thick underbrush for about a quarter of an hour, Nian Chen suddenly let out a startled cry. I quickly reacted, turning around and grabbing hold of Nian Chen.
Nian Chen shouted, "Fly!"
I reassured Nian Chen, "Don't be afraid; just hold on tight." I swiftly pulled Nian Chen up. Once we were both safe, we spotted an opening. Zhang Xun hurried over and asked, "Are you guys okay?"
I nodded and said we were fine.
Nian Chen had calmed down as well.
Zhang Xun glanced into the dark hole and said, "This must be it; there’s no other entrance around here."
I peered inside and heard a low humming sound, as if the wind was whistling through. I set down my backpack, took out my rope, found a secure spot to tie it off, and then lowered myself down. I told them both that I would go first.
"Nian Chen" said something to me that struck a chord. I replied with a reassuring "mm," letting them know not to worry.
I quickly continued down the rope, and as I hung in the air, I felt a chill run through me. Soon enough, I reached the bottom, which was about a ten-meter drop.
Once I landed, a gust of wind brushed against my face. My curiosity piqued, I took a few steps forward.
"Nian Chen" shouted from above, "Fei, catch me." With that, "Nian Chen" began descending the rope. I caught them and gently let go.
"Nian Chen" turned back with a smile and said to me, "Fei, you're so kind!"
I was at a loss for words.
"Zhang Xun" soon followed, surveying the area before confirming, "This must be it, Chen Fei."
I nodded in agreement but had nothing more to say. This place felt somewhat familiar. After walking a few steps, I still sensed the wind around us. Unable to hold back, I warned "Nian Chen" and "Zhang Xun" to be cautious; the wind might indicate that this area had been excavated.
I was also worried about potential collapses, so I couldn't help but voice my concerns.
Both "Zhang Xun" and "Nian Chen" acknowledged my warning.
However, this place didn't seem particularly prone to collapse; it looked quite sturdy. After walking about a hundred steps or so, I suddenly noticed some writing on the wall. The characters were identical to those in the "Book of Ten Thousand Ghosts."
I quickly deciphered the text. As I read through several lines, my expression changed; the more I read, the more alarmed I became.
After finishing an entire passage, I finally realized whose tomb this was. It belonged to my master and me—this was the tomb of me and "Jiang Changsheng." The inscriptions on the wall contained the essence of my master's life. Captivated by what I read, "Nian Chen" asked, "Fei, do you understand it?"
I replied with an "mm," indicating that I understood some of it.
Nian Chen asked me, "What does it say up there?"
I replied, "It contains some principles for living and a few things about what one can and cannot do."
"Is that all?"
I shook my head, indicating there was more. Looking further back, the content became increasingly alarming, and slowly, I felt memories flooding back—memories of when my master taught us, when Jiang Changsheng and I faced him together.
At that time, Jiang Changsheng looked quite young, and my master also appeared youthful. However, my master passed away later, while both Jiang Changsheng and I survived to this day.
As I continued reading, the words "Path to Longevity" appeared.
Although the entire text recorded the contents of the Path to Longevity, it concluded with a warning against forbidden techniques. Upon reaching this point, my heart sank; the Path to Longevity was indeed a forbidden path. I took a deep breath, realizing its truth.
Yet now, everyone around me had survived from those years.
My master must have left behind even more content. At this moment, I felt like I had transformed back into a student from those days. I began to study the material on the wall earnestly. It contained memories of my master and memories of Jiang Changsheng and me.
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