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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter Eighty-Three
Hearing Fat Ma speak so highly of the Southern School of Five Coffins, it must be something extraordinary.
"The organization sent out a few manuals back in the day," the Clay Man continued Fat Ma's words.
"Not surprising, considering I learned a few moves when I was in the Northeast!"
The Clay Man added, "However, the manuals circulating outside are all incomplete."
Fat Ma seemed to want to say more, but he felt a dryness in his mouth.
Time paused for a few seconds.
I spoke up and asked, "Then why are you hiding your identity and following us?"
At this question, Fat Ma also showed a puzzled expression. Normally, someone of such caliber shouldn't be trailing behind me and Fat Ma for trivial matters.
The Clay Man pondered for a moment before saying, "Initially, it was simply because you discovered the Bronze Fish Mouth. However, as time went on, I found more and more secrets about you!"
"Are you talking about me?" I asked, somewhat surprised.
The Clay Man nodded.
"This time in pursuit of the Ghostly Heavenly Palace, everyone is more or less connected to this secret."
"What secret?"
"Rather than saying this pursuit was arranged by the country, it would be more accurate to say..."
Before the Mud Man could finish his sentence, a sudden voice interrupted, "You've said too much..."
The abrupt words caught our attention, and we looked around, but there was no sign of the speaker.
"I'll say what I want to say."
"Don't forget the agreement from back then."
"Over there!" Fat Ma suddenly shouted.
Before Fat Ma could finish his sentence, we saw a shadow darting away, disappearing from our sight.
At that moment, I hadn't even taken a step forward.
The Mud Man scanned the surroundings, his expression somewhat grim.
"It seems they've already left."
"Mud Man, continue," Fat Ma urged with shining eyes.
But the clay figure fell silent once more, and after a moment said, "Perhaps it's not the right time to speak. There are many things I still don't understand, but please believe me, I have never had any intention of harming you."
"I believe that," I replied quietly.
Seeing this, Fat Ma chose not to press further.
We collected our thoughts and refocused our attention. Our group had dwindled to just five people after everything we had been through. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of secret was worth so many lives being sacrificed in pursuit.
I shook my head.
Afterward, we rewrapped our wounds.
Zongzi was also treated, as we feared it might turn into a Zombie again.
Once we were all set, we prepared to set off again. Even so, as we resumed our journey, each of us harbored some unresolved feelings about those so-called secrets—what they truly were or what they entailed.
But just a few steps in...
A scream suddenly pierced the air: "Ah..."
"Don't move yet; we've heard something like this before," I warned the others.
If someone was indeed in trouble, then they should have perished long ago since we couldn't save them in time. If they had miraculously escaped and were now screaming, that would be even more unsettling.
Could it be that someone had gone back up again...
Could it be Song Ran, the girl who looks like Hills?
Thinking of this, I felt a vague sense of unease creeping in.
Soon, we found the staircase leading upstairs. The dark wooden stairs exuded an eerie atmosphere, and the peeling paint seemed to whisper tales of the staircase's long history.
We ascended the stairs steadily.
As we passed the Resting Platform, I suddenly noticed bloodstains on the ground.
I examined the bloodstains but couldn't discern anything significant. The clay figure squatted down slightly to sniff the scent of the blood.
He remarked, "It hasn't been long."
Fat Ma, however, paid no mind to such details and strode up the stairs with quick steps. Suddenly, there was a creak, and the floorboard gave way beneath him.
Fat Ma tried to pull his foot back, but as he moved, the board creaked again. If he continued to struggle, he would likely fall through entirely.
I hurried forward and grabbed Fat Ma's hand, urging him to be careful.
Once he understood what to do, he finally managed to free himself. After this little incident, Fat Ma became more cautious.
His steps were light and nimble as we continued upward. About half a minute later, everyone had made it up the stairs.
We entered the third floor; this should be the final level.
Without any hesitation, we stepped inside.
Where the light reached, all we could see were large pillars that could be embraced by a single person, used to support the entire structure.
The searchlights we brought were enhanced versions, capable of illuminating a considerable distance. Although they consumed more power now, the light could still reach about one hundred meters away.
However, the areas where the light did not touch remained pitch black, suggesting that this space was at least one and a half times larger than the floor below.
After ascending to the upper floors, we did not rush forward. The experiences from the previous two levels had made me more cautious; this building, known as the Ghostly Heavenly Palace, was unlikely to be straightforward.
Moreover, those so-called secrets might be hidden within.
"I just judged that there might already be someone up here; why is there not a single person in sight now?" Fat Ma asked curiously.
Earlier, we had not seen a single shadow where the light shone.
"Maybe they are all in the darkness."
Suddenly, I recalled that when we first entered this building, I noticed that the topmost layer was obscured by the ceiling of the Training Ground. This meant that the floor we were currently on was part of what we could not see; perhaps the space behind was infinite, and maybe everything hidden was within it.
Thinking of this made me feel a bit excited.
But out of consideration for others, I shared what I knew as a reminder for them!
This reminder also made them more alert.
Fat Ma could hardly contain his excitement, and the sudden silence of the clay figure spoke volumes about the situation. Only Zhang Tong seemed indifferent to what was happening around him.
In contrast, the other two Eerie Figures remained relatively quiet.
They took turns carrying the corpse, their current mission being to get it out alive.
After taking a few steps forward, the earlier screams had vanished without a trace.
At that moment, an eerie silence surged unexpectedly.
The sound of footsteps echoed off the wooden floor, reverberating throughout the space. Several dimly lit pillars flickered in the darkness, attempting to dispel the shadows that loomed.
Suddenly, Fat Ma called out to the clay figure.
"What is it?"
"Well... Fat Master, I am both virtuous and talented... um... if you still need a deputy leader, remember to look for me, Fat Master!"
Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but smile. After about a second, we all burst into laughter.
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