53 Ancient City (VIII)
The teardrop landed on the back of his hand, burning so hot it made his fingertips tremble slightly. The young man's brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed again, a certain emotion crushed in the process.
The girl half-knelt in front of him, her shoulders twitching uncontrollably and her face wet with tears.
"I'm the one dying, why are you crying?" Xie Changyan's face remained calm, yet a turbulent storm was brewing within him. He stared at her face for a long moment, even briefly having the absurd thought of reaching out and wiping her tears.
It's funny, but it was indeed the first time in his life that someone cried so sincerely before he was seriously injured and died.
Without any pretense.
When the flower demon grabbed her throat that day, she was just like now, unexpectedly but resolutely turning back to find him.
But she said, "Because we are friends."
friend……
A self-deprecating smile appeared on the young man's lips.
Even if it wasn't him who was going to die today, she would have done the same if it was someone else.
He was thinking too much.
"If you hadn't helped me lure the puppet away just now, you wouldn't... wouldn't have been injured so badly." Li Jintang never thought that his mind was still full of messy things at this time. She reached out her hand tremblingly and touched the bony wound. She tried to use some spiritual power, but found that it was useless.
She did not give up and tried hard to recall all the classics she had read in her mind. Finally, she turned her eyes helplessly to the Book of Destiny.
"You are so powerful, there must be a way, right? Tell me, I really want to save him..."
"Tsk, tsk..." Mingshu smacked his lips a few times and stammered, "Well, well..."
The tears of despair receded as she blinked. She raised her eyes and stuffed the remaining talismans into his hands. "Xie An, I'll go lure the puppets away. You take this opportunity to go back to Brother Qu and the others. They must have a solution."
She was about to pull away when someone suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back with great force.
"Thanks……"
The moment he opened his lips, a hand covered his hand, blocking the rest of his words. Li Jintang blinked woodenly, and her moist eyelashes brushed against the back of the boy's hand.
Xie Changyan remained silent, his gaze shifting from her face. His expression darkened the moment he glanced outside the cave. She gently tugged at his hand, moving it away. Holding onto the cave wall, she slowly crawled to a point two steps from the entrance, then quietly poked her head out to peer outside.
His vision suddenly became blurred. Li Jintang was stunned for a moment. He raised his hand to wipe away the bloodstains on the barrier, but found that it was splashed from outside.
"What bad luck! I have to run into all these things?"
A burst of cursing suddenly rang in their ears - it was the only living voice besides the two of them.
But why does this voice sound familiar?
"Oh, it's this kid." Mingshu suddenly shouted from the side.
"What's wrong?" Li Jintang raised his head suddenly and asked unconsciously.
A dark shadow descended from above, "It's the bat."
"Xie An?" She raised her head, and the other person's gaze passed over her and looked straight outside the cave.
He hadn't known when he managed to stand up, his thin and tall body huddled in his slightly loose robe. His face was even paler than before, and it seemed like he might faint at any moment.
Li Jintang couldn't help but quickly reached out to help him gather up the drooping collar of his clothes to cover the wound.
Through the hole, I could vaguely see several corpses lying on the ground - most likely those of the puppets. I also heard the bat demon spit on the ground and curse, "Luckily I ran fast. You still want to take advantage of me? I'm unlucky to have you scratch my arm!"
Judging from what he said, he had struggled to get rid of a large number of puppets, and then eliminated the few that were left alone and caught up with him.
"Why did he follow us here? He shouldn't be looking for us, right?"
Li Jintang cast her gaze towards the person behind her. She still knew very little about the world in this storybook, but the person in front of her was the protagonist with a mysterious background - well, even if he was not the protagonist, he had lived in this place for so long, he should know more than her.
Xie Changyan's fingertips trembled, and he unconsciously pressed towards the restless area on his waist.
The reason why this lay Buddhist Sikong came all the way here was simply for the black jade on his body.
"It will take me another half hour to recover my full spiritual power," he said lightly, his voice no longer as broken as before. "He's coming for me. If you don't want to die, it's not too late to leave now."
"There are no more puppets outside." Xie Changyan added, his eyes still fixed on the outside of the cave, but his peripheral vision was observing her reaction.
Li Jintang acted as if he hadn't heard anything and continued to speak to himself, "Xie An, do you remember the way back? Go find Brother Qu and the others. The shopkeeper must have the antidote."
After she said that, she took out the dagger and held it in her hand, secretly trying to figure out which way to get rid of him and escape. Even the handle of the dagger was soaked with cold sweat.
There was a pair of eyes behind her staring at her silently for a long time, but she didn't notice the strong emotion.
"Want to go home?"
He suddenly spoke and mentioned the word "go home". She was distracted for a moment and the dagger in her hand fell to the ground with a clang.
Xie Changyan arched his brows and offered advice: "If you still want to go back alive, just stay here obediently..." He suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her close, whispering softly into her ear: "When there's no movement outside, remember to run."
Before Li Jintang could figure out what he meant, he suddenly let go of her hand, tapped the ground with his toes, and his white robe melted into the barrier.
"Xie An, Xie An..."
She suddenly reacted and called him in panic, but when he grabbed her wrist, he used some kind of magic, and she felt so weak that she couldn't even stand up.
Thinking that he had lost his spiritual power and would most likely die at the hands of Master Sikong, Li Jintang endured the pain and crawled up using his hands and feet. When he moved to the cave entrance, he only saw a beam of strong light surrounding the surroundings. After the light dissipated, there was no one in the forest.
She stood there in a daze, lost in thought for a long time.
Can she find him this time?
Oh, luckily she just gave him the talisman paper, with it he might be able to hold on for a little longer... Li Jintang felt a little comforted, and when he turned around to pick up the dagger handle on the ground, he caught a glimpse of the stack of things shaking in the wind.
Li Jintang's heart suddenly sank to the bottom, and the feeling of powerlessness just now became even stronger. Her knees went weak and she collapsed to the ground.
There was a thick stack of talisman paper, not a single one was missing, and the corner of each talisman paper was stained with blood - when she needed to use it, she no longer needed to draw her own blood.
*
"If you tell the truth, we won't do anything to you."
The woman was tied to a chair, as if to scare her. Qiu Yan secretly used some spiritual power and chopped off a small piece of the table corner with her bare hands.
"Are you going to tell me or not?"
"Junior sister, calm down." Qu Lingfei pulled her behind him, tears welling in his eyes. He then looked at the woman and said, "This... girl, our friend is currently missing. It might be related to this bead. If you can tell me..."
Before she finished speaking, the woman suddenly sneered: "They deserve to die. Anyone who dares to covet it should not have a good end!"
"Who covets it?" Qiu Yan suddenly felt that this was outrageous. She took the bead in her hand and squeezed it, retorting, "What's so rare about this thing? Aren't there so many of them on the street? Only you would treasure a broken stone!"
The woman's face suddenly changed, and she struggled as if she wanted to get the bead back, but she was tied up and couldn't move.
"Junior Sister, please don't be rude." Qu Lingfei took the bead from her hand and placed it back on the table. He forced a polite smile and continued patiently, "Young lady, I'm afraid you've misunderstood. We didn't know about the statue and... about its existence. This was all a coincidence. Besides, I was the only one who destroyed the gate. I hope you can tell me where my friend is. If you want to punish me, I, Qu Lingfei, will have no complaints."
Perhaps seeing that the bead was fine, the woman's expression softened slightly. She stopped struggling and snorted coldly, "Just call me Si Yun. I don't think you're bad people. If you want to stay alive, leave here before other citizens notice. As for your friends—" She paused, then slowly said under Qu Lingfei's expectant gaze, "If you insist on seeing them, go back to the forest we were in. Maybe you can find an intact body."
Qu Lingfei's blood ran cold and the smile froze on his lips.
"Do you know where we went just now?" Qiu Yan keenly grasped another layer of meaning. She suddenly stepped forward and pressed her shoulder, her fingers precisely on the acupoint. With each inch of penetration, Si Yun felt a deeper pain. "This isn't the first time you've done this, is it? How many innocent passersby have died in your hands before?"
"Master..." Qu Lingfei was afraid that she would anger the person in front of her, and that Si Yun would be even more reluctant to reveal their whereabouts. She was about to take action to stop him, but someone held her shoulders.
Nangong Xiu shook his head, signaling him not to interfere.
"You're all doing this for that city lord, right?" Qiu Yan blinked, then laughed at Si Yun's pained yet steadfast gaze. "You're so loyal to the city lord that you're willing to sacrifice your life for him. So, how about if I don't kill you and instead let you watch us find the broken stones one by one and then destroy them?"
Unexpectedly, Si Yun only groaned twice, then laughed disdainfully, as if he had heard some ridiculous joke. "You guys are dreaming! Do you think that countless of my city dwellers are disabled?"
"When is it your turn to speak loudly?" Qiu Yan released the hand on her shoulder, leaped two steps and leaned against the wall, and also took away the beads on the table.
The red-hot shovel was raised, and scattered sparks fell from it. Qiuyan held the shovel in one hand and turned back to give her a playful smile: "Guess how many times I have to hit it before it burns?"
"Go ahead and smash it. There are plenty of these. I'm sorry you..."
Qiu Yan didn't wait for her to finish, and the shovel fell down from her hand, hitting the bead with a bang, and the round thing immediately became dented.
Si Yun didn't expect that she would actually attack him. His expression changed drastically and he struggled to jump up from the chair, but because his feet were tied, he fell to the ground.
Nangong Xiu was close, so he grabbed her by the back of the neck and roughly threw her back onto the chair. He then drew his sword and held it in front of her neck, "Where is she?"
These two were not easy to deal with. Si Yun sneered and turned his gaze towards Qu Lingfei. Unexpectedly, this kind-hearted man quickly walked over to Qiu Yan, pulled out the shovel, and took her hand to take a closer look. "Junior sister, did you get burned?"
Si Yun: “…”
"Junior sister, don't damage other people's property when you're out," Qu Lingfei said, pulling her away. "After all, we can't bring shame to the immortal race and Master."
"Are you from the Immortal Realm?" Si Yun frowned, a hint of surprise crossing his face. "Are you... disciples of Immortal Master Xuande?"
"Do you think you're worthy enough to know my master's name?" Qiu Yan struggled out of Qu Lingfei's arms and glared at her angrily. "My master is an upright gentleman, and he acts openly and honestly. How can someone like you, who is behind this and is behind this, be qualified to ask about him?"
"Gentleman?" She suddenly sneered, her tone filled with disdain and sarcasm. "Those four words have nothing to do with him. In my opinion, he should be called wicked."
"What right do you have to say that about my master?" Qiu Yan was furious. If she hadn't lost her sword, she would have pierced the man in front of her several times. "If you dare to say another word, I will kill you right now."
Qu Lingfei let her vent her anger, then he bowed, his tone humble, but he didn't mention the word "immortal world" at all. "It was us who offended you tonight. Once I find our friends, I will come alone to apologize to you."
"Brother Nangong."
Qu Lingfei pressed the hilt of his sword and shook his head. Nangong Xiu snorted and swung the sword diagonally, cutting the ropes that bound her.
"Oh, right—" Qiuyan walked to the door and then turned back, holding the bead on the table in her hand and making a face at her, "I almost forgot about this."
Si Yun was kneading his newly freed arm. Upon hearing this, his face darkened and he said in a deep voice, "Aren't you just looking for someone? I can lead the way."
"You?" Qiu Yan glared at her and asked, "Why should we trust you?"
"No one here can help you except me," Si Yun stood up, his face slightly yellowed by the moonlight filtering through the trees. "But I have two requests. If you can't do them, even if you kill me immediately, I won't take you with me."
Qu Lingfei smiled and said, "Please speak, young lady."
"First, it can't leave my sight," Si Yun stretched out his hand and touched the bead. "Second, prepare a veil for me so that others can't see my face clearly. Finally, don't tie me up with ropes anymore."
Qiuyan immediately said, "These are clearly three things."
Si Yun glanced over and said, "I don't know if it can be done."
"Okay, okay," Qu Lingfei immediately stood in the middle, pushing the two apart, and said, "Miss Si Yun, please come with us to the inn to get what you want."
The four of them walked out of the deserted inn. The sky had already brightened slightly and there were voices on the street. Si Yun walked in front with his head lowered, with most of his face covered by a veil.
"I'm only helping to find someone. As for whether they're found alive or dead," she paused and snorted, "that depends on your luck."
"You talk too much," Qiuyan couldn't help but retort, "Just lead the way. Who asked you to be so cynical?"
The four figures disappeared into the woods. Somehow, the forest seemed to have an evil aura. As soon as they walked in, everything became dark, as if there was no difference between day and night.
"Isn't this the place we just left?" Qiuyan rubbed her arms, shuddered, and trembled, "What kind of creatures have you raised here? There's a lot of evil energy. Even after the sun came out, it's still dark and cold."
Si Yun glanced at her lightly and said with a smile, "If you walk any slower, you won't even be able to see the corpse."
"Do you trust her so much?" Nangong Xiu walked at the back with his arms folded and asked with a frown.
Qu Lingfei turned around, covered his mouth with his hands, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Brother Nangong, we are more than us after all, the worst that can happen is..." He stopped talking, and the sword was half unsheathed, making a crackling sound.
He continued leisurely, "What's more, my master taught me special magical techniques to deal with puppets. They can't do anything to me."
Although he lowered his voice, his words still reached Si Yun's ears. It was obvious that he was saying it on purpose for her to hear.
Si Yun's expression remained unchanged, but he quickened his pace.
We have to think of a way to get rid of these annoying guys.
She suddenly stopped, and the light from the fire in her hand shone on her face, looking eerie and terrifying.
Qiuyan was startled. "Just keep walking. Why did you stop suddenly?"
"They are right there." A lake appeared before him. Si Yun stopped and stretched out his hand towards them with a gloomy expression. "I have found them for you. Give me back my things."
Qiu Yan glanced at her a few times, then stretched out a hand with a smile, and the bead lay in the palm of her hand.
"Junior sister..." Qu Lingfei frowned and was about to step forward to stop her, but he saw Qiu Yan put her other hand behind her back and shook it, signaling him to calm down.
Si Yun was clearly relieved, and the tense muscles on his face relaxed. When she took a step forward, and their hands were about to touch, Qiu Yan suddenly clasped her fingers together and took a step back.
"How do I know you're not lying to us? What if there's a monster hiding in this lake?" Qiuyan pointed toward the lake and said, "Unless you jump in first."
Si Yun's expression changed: "I'm not going. It's you who needs to find someone, not me."
"That's not up to you," Qiuyan smiled slightly. Something flew out of her hand, causing ripples on the lake. "Are you going or not now?"
"You..." Si Yun's eyes widened in horror, and she jumped into the lake without hesitation. The moment her body was completely submerged, the entire lake seemed to vanish into thin air, folding up in front of the three of them.
Qu Lingfei was shocked when he saw this: "We were deceived by her..."
"Don't panic, brother. She will come back sooner or later."
Qiuyan raised her hand and shook the bead in her palm, a playful smile on her face.
She had just used a trick and thrown a stone, but she didn't expect the other party to believe it so quickly.
*
A few drops of blood dissolved on the rock. The boy suddenly opened his eyes and saw that his body had turned dark red.
There was a deep, messy, and disorderly mark in the mud, as if it had been left by some huge creature being dragged across the ground.
After sitting quietly for a long time, Xie Changyan stood up with the help of his hands and walked back with staggering steps.
There was already a gap in his waist.
After all the busy work, is it all for nothing in the end?
It's impossible. Those things will be in his pocket sooner or later. Those who are an eyesore will be killed by him sooner or later.
The wound on his arm was torn again. He seemed to feel no pain. He casually twisted a corner of the bandage and pulled off the blood-soaked tourniquet, letting the blood flow on the ground.
There was a faint attraction guiding him forward. Xie Changyan covered his chest tightly, his eyes darkening - it was his spirit pearl. Didn't she take it with her before leaving?
He was distracted and heard a faint voice in his ears, as if calling him.
The young man paused slightly, and when he turned back, the light that suddenly flashed in his eyes went out again.
Xie Changyan lowered his head silently and walked forward with heavy steps. Suddenly, footsteps were heard behind him.
He has always been extremely sensitive to the sounds coming from behind him. Before he could think deeply, his sword was already drawn. After seeing the figure of the person coming clearly, he frowned slightly and put the sword back into the sheath.
"Xie An, you walk so fast, I can't keep up with you..." Li Jintang ran over breathlessly, stood beside him, and looked at him steadily.
"How are you?" she asked cautiously. "Did the monster hurt you?"
"Didn't you leave?"
The wind blew the fallen leaves between the two of them. Xie Changyan's eyelashes trembled slightly. He stared at her for a long time before asking this question.
The moment Li Jintang's eyes glanced at his shoulder, he blinked a few times and quickly put his bleeding arm behind his back.
"Xie An, show me," she said stubbornly, pulling out a dagger and cutting the hem of her skirt cleanly and neatly. Half of the belt was held in her hand. "The wound needs to be treated. You can't be so stubborn anymore."
This time Li Jintang did not give him a chance to refuse. She freed one hand to hold him, and wrapped the belt around him without saying a word. The shocking wound seemed to have finally been healed at this moment.
"Why do you have to do this?" His dark eyes drooped, and for the first time in his life, he was a little distracted by the light yellow color of a headband. "There is no antidote for this poison. What's the point of stopping the bleeding?"
Li Jintang fell silent. Suddenly, he took out a piece of talisman paper, wrote a sentence on it with his fingers, and handed it to him, "Burn it."
Xie Changyan twisted the talisman paper, confusion showing between his brows: "What to do?"
He lowered his eyes and saw what was written on it was exactly what he had just said.
"I'm here to help you break the prophecy," she smiled, her lips curled up slightly, her eyes shining, "You should say less discouraging things in the future. You're the protagonist, and everything will be fine."
He looked confused for a moment, "What is the protagonist?"
"That's..." Li Jintang thought of a more understandable way to put it, "It's the most powerful person in the storybook. Unless something unexpected happens, this kind of person will live to the end, retire with honor, and become famous all over the world."
The light that had just shone on the girl seemed to be transferred to him. A cluster of fire suddenly appeared in the boy's hand, and in an instant the talisman paper was burned to ashes.
He narrowed his eyes and curled his lips silently.
It was she who cried with red eyes after hearing that he was poisoned, and it was also she who comforted him that everything would be fine.
Her worry stemmed from a misconception that he was seriously injured because of her. In reality, those puppets were so perfectly crafted, truly rare "companions." How could he possibly wipe them out?
Li Jintang didn't know what he was thinking. His eyes suddenly fell to his waist and he asked curiously, "Where are your things?"
What she was pointing at was the black jade.
He lowered his eyes, his voice slightly hoarse: "Why are you asking this?"
"Nothing," Li Jintang blinked and looked away, "Let's go, Brother Qu and the others should have woken up."
After taking two steps, seeing that no one was following him, Li Jintang turned around and looked at him strangely, "What's wrong?"
The young man's lips curved like a crescent moon, but his eyes held no trace of a smile. "Miss Li, if you can just kill me or kidnap me now, someone will come and reward you shortly—" He suddenly took a step closer, a huge shadow looming over her. "You will enjoy endless wealth and glory. From today on, everyone who sees you will bow in greeting. Even killing someone will be as easy as raising your hand. So, shall we proceed?"
It seemed like it was the first time he said so many words in one breath. Li Jintang was stunned and looked at him with an increasingly strange look.
This guy... He's been hurt countless times since they met. Would killing him bring such great benefits?
But it makes sense when you think about it. First, since he is the protagonist, his life experience must be complicated. Second, he always gets injured inexplicably along the way, maybe he really made a lot of enemies.
【Author’s words】
Is there anyone who has the college entrance exam tomorrow? I wish you all the best! [Spread flowers]
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