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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 16: Peaceful Coexistence
In the capital of the Great Zhou Empire, Gaojing, the astonishing sword of Lin Bai had just vanished when a second gigantic sword rose within Gaojing City.
This sword curved like a crescent moon, its blade resembling a hook. The sword's aura was pure and radiant. As it appeared, the dim night sky brightened once more. Although the light of this sword was brilliant, it was not blinding; instead, it exuded a gentle beauty.
In front of the Azure Cloud Sect's main hall, Helan Prefecture gazed at the sword, furrowing his brow. After a long moment of contemplation, he spoke, "The Moon City Sword... Is the Elder of Solitary Moon City still alive?"
In the palace of the Great Zhou Empire, the Martial Emperor observed the gigantic sword with a grave expression. "The Elder of Solitary Moon City has been in hiding for thousands of years. Why has his sword suddenly appeared in Gaojing? Could Ye Ancient City still be in existence?"
Lin Feng had used a strike from Master Ancestor to kill an early-stage Enlightenment Realm Walker. Though it seemed like overkill, Lin Feng felt no regret. If he hadn't acted, he would have lost his life. What could possibly compare to one's own life?
Lin Feng turned and swiftly made his way to the Azure Fish Alley Noodle House.
After he disappeared, two figures emerged in the wilderness.
One was a beautiful woman dressed in black, and the other was an elderly man leaning on a bamboo staff.
The old man looked in the direction where Lin Feng had vanished and remarked, "I didn't expect both of them to possess such formidable swords. I wonder how many swords they have brought to Zhongzhou."
The woman in purple replied, "From his expression, it seems he possesses only one left. Starting today, we need to keep a close watch on this noodle house."
"Understood," the old man responded respectfully.
Lin Feng returned to the noodle house and found that the sign had fallen down, and there were several large holes in the wooden walls.
“Miaomiao…”
Lin Feng sensed something was wrong and immediately entered the house. Inside, it was a complete mess; tables and chairs were overturned and destroyed beyond recognition.
Tu Yu sat on the only remaining intact wooden chair, covered in blood, his face pale. He looked extremely weak, struggling to breathe lightly.
Lin Feng walked over a few steps and crouched down. “Tu Gang Master, what happened?”
“The Qingshan Gang came to settle scores, and I had to drive them off,” Tu Yu replied, suppressing the pain as he spoke.
Lin Feng glanced around but did not see Lin Miaomiao. He couldn’t help but ask, “Where’s Miaomiao?”
“She went out to look for you. Didn’t you see her?” Tu Yu countered.
“Oh no.”
Lin Feng felt a surge of anxiety; she hadn’t returned yet, which put Miaomiao in a dangerous situation. Lin Bai’s sword could only be used once, and if she encountered another Enlightenment Realm expert, her life would be at risk.
He still had some powerful treasures on him, but aside from a Holy Armor, Miaomiao had nothing else. Compared to him, she was much more vulnerable.
Lin Feng hurriedly ran outside, just as Lin Miaomiao rushed back in a panic. The two met outside the noodle shop.
“Lin Feng…” Miaomiao called out excitedly as she saw Lin Feng standing unharmed before her, her voice choked with emotion.
Lin Feng pulled Miaomiao tightly into his embrace, repeatedly murmuring, “It’s good that you’re safe, it’s good that you’re safe.”
Seeing that they were both unharmed eased their worries. They returned to the noodle shop. Tu Yu’s destruction of the shop didn’t require Lin Feng’s attention; the Flying Fish Gang had already restored everything by the time they woke up the next day.
Lin Feng and Lin Miaomiao sat across from Tu Yu and began analyzing the events of the day.
"Lin Feng" was the first to speak, "The people I've encountered are just like 'Tu Gang Master'. They are all from the 'Qingshan Gang'. It seems that it's better for this noodle shop to close down; we should find another place to stay."
"Tu Yu" swallowed the pill that "Lin Miaomiao" handed him and recovered a bit. The words did not affect him. He said, "After this battle, I guarantee that the upper management of the 'Qingshan Gang' will definitely not cause any trouble for the noodle shop."
"Why is that?"
"Lin Feng" looked at "Tu Yu" with a serious expression and asked, "Is it because your upper management has also intervened?"
"Tu Yu" nodded and replied, "So you don’t need to worry about anything. This has always been the case in 'Gaojing'. When the territory of a lower gang is seized, the upper gang intervenes, either battling it out or negotiating. In any case, they will resolve the issue during their first encounter."
"This matter can be put aside for now."
"Lin Feng" turned to "Lin Miaomiao" and asked, "Miaomiao, were the people chasing you also from the upper management of the 'Qingshan Gang'?"
"Lin Miaomiao" recalled for a moment and said, "That person didn’t make his intentions clear. However, before he died, he displayed an illusion from the 'Flowing Cloud Sect' to counter my master's sword."
"'Flowing Cloud Sect'? Why is it 'Flowing Cloud Sect'?" "Lin Feng" was quite puzzled.
"Lin Miaomiao" thought hard for a moment and said, "Lin Feng, do you remember when we were in 'Yang Prefecture'? The first assassination attempt happened right after we left 'Sima Mansion'."
"Lin Feng" nodded and said, "I remember now. Could it be…"
As he spoke halfway through, "Lin Feng" suddenly stopped. He and "Lin Miaomiao" exchanged knowing glances; they both understood but felt it inappropriate to discuss it in front of others.
Although "Tu Yu" was heavily injured, his mind was still sharp. Noticing that the two wanted to speak privately, he stood up to take his leave.
On that day at "Sima Mansion", "Joyful Empress" had no intention of staying. After a few whispered words from a middle-aged palace maid beside her, "Joyful Empress" began to pay attention to "Lin Miaomiao".
If those from the "Flowing Cloud Sect" were behind both assassination attempts targeting "Lin Miaomiao", all of this would make perfect sense if it was related to her possessing the "Holy Armor".
“Joyful Empress.” Lin Feng's gaze flickered, adding another name to his list of targets.
All for the sake of seizing a piece of clothing, they had attempted murder and theft twice. After failing in Yang Prefecture and fearing Elder Xu's strength, they sent someone to act in Zhongzhou, their heart cruel and ruthless.
“Innocent people suffer for the sins of the guilty. I finally understand the meaning of this saying.”
Upon learning the truth, Lin Miaomiao revealed a helpless smile.
Lin Feng comforted her, saying, “Miaomiao, don’t worry. One day, I will ensure you can wear the Holy Armor with pride.”
Not wanting Lin Feng to be troubled by unhappy matters, Lin Miaomiao replied, “Alright, if that day really comes, I might consider marrying you.”
“Once spoken, words cannot be taken back. I will remember what you said,” Lin Feng responded immediately.
Lin Miaomiao smiled silently, tacitly agreeing. She then thought of something else and asked, “Lin Feng, what was the result of the first trial? When I went to the competition site, they had already finished.”
Hearing this, Lin Feng understood why Lin Miaomiao hadn’t returned to the inn after killing the Flowing Cloud Sect elder; she was worried about her safety and had gone to where the first trial was held.
Lin Feng felt a warmth and gratitude swell within him as he said, “There were some unexpected events during the first trial. But I passed.”
As she listened to Lin Feng recount the events of the first trial, Lin Miaomiao’s eyes brightened. “I didn’t expect Xiao Ran’s challenge to be orchestrated by Zhu Xi. This Zhongzhou place is indeed quite complicated. No wonder Master gifted me a jade slip for protection.”
In Gaojing, within a palace in the inner court of the imperial palace, this was a chamber specially arranged by the Martial Emperor for Tang Jiner.
A man in white emerged from the palace; he was Lu Wushuang, the eldest disciple of Solitary Moon City. In the vast palace, there were only two people: Princess Jian'an Tang Jiner of the Tang Dynasty and Mo Mo from Yunlu Xian Sect.
After watching Lu Wushuang leave, Tang Jiner remained silent for a long time, her eyes filled with complexity. Finally, she turned to Mo Mo and spoke slowly, “Is what he said true?”
Mo Mo did not answer and maintained a quiet silence.
Tang Jiner showed a hint of anger as she said, "Silence means acquiescence? Why are you hiding this from me?"
Mo Mo looked at Tang Jiner, hesitating several times to speak but ultimately chose to remain silent.
"Why?" Tang Jiner shouted as she hurled the cup from the table to the ground.
The sound of shattering glass echoed in the vast palace.
After a moment of contemplation, Mo Mo finally spoke, "This is your father's wish. There are two important reasons. First, he fears that if you find out, you will go to the border seeking revenge on Jiang Wannian. Second, he regrets sending you to the border where you nearly lost your life and hopes this incident can be forgotten. You know we came to Zhongzhou to seek help."
"Even with these reasons, does that justify deceit?"
Tang Jiner's expression turned cold as she stood up and strode out of the hall.
"Princess, where are you going? It's night now," Mo Mo asked as she got up and hurried after her.
Tang Jiner suddenly stopped and turned to glare at Mo Mo. "I have always considered you my good sister. How could you hide this from me? I want to be alone; don’t follow me."
With that, Tang Jiner turned and left. Hearing Mo Mo's footsteps behind her, she shouted, "Don't follow me! I don't want to see you right now."
As Tang Jiner exited the palace, she walked through the darkness, her mind filled with Lin Feng's gaze over the past few days.
No wonder I felt his eyes were somewhat familiar; it turns out we share such a profound past.
No wonder he looks at me with a mix of coldness and complexity. Is he blaming me? He risked his life to save me by rushing into Tens of Thousands of Troops. And I have treated his life-saving grace with indifference. If it were me, I would surely harbor resentment.
Lin Feng, you must hate me, right?
As she stepped out of the palace, Tang Jiner suddenly halted. She called out into the shadows, "Uncle Huo, I want to be alone."
Huo Zhenshan stepped out from the darkness of the night. He looked at the sorrowful Tang Jiner, feeling a pang of discomfort in his heart. "Princess, I have watched you grow up. Please do not blame the Emperor; he only wants what is best for you."
Tang Jiner nodded and said, "I understand. I just want to be alone for a while."
Huo Zhenshan hesitated, his expression serious. "Zhongzhou may seem calm, but there are hidden schemes at play. I cannot rest easy knowing you are out alone."
"Uncle Huo," Tang Jiner replied, "I will be careful. Please let me have this moment of solitude."
With a heavy heart, Huo Zhenshan thought for a long time before conceding, "Very well. But take this jade slip with you. If anything happens, remember to crush it. I will come to you at once."
"Uncle Huo, I will remember," she assured him.
Tang Jiner took the jade slip and walked into the night.
Gaojing was bustling with life, illuminated by countless lights that revealed wonders unseen in daylight. Tang Jiner walked alone along the Great Dao, her mind racing with thoughts. She carefully recalled everything Lu Wushuang had just shared, trying to immerse herself in each vivid scene.
Tang Jiner desperately wished to awaken her lost memories, straining to remember until a sharp pain surged through her head, overwhelming her senses. (To be continued...)
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