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墨書 Inktalez
In the evening, when every household should have closed their doors for dinner, this secluded alley became lively.
People walked through the alley in pairs.
"Knock, knock."
A woman from the neighboring house opened her courtyard door and chatted with the hostess. The two of them laughed and linked arms as they went out together.
The courtyard door closed tightly again. This independent courtyard seemed utterly ordinary, but once inside, it revealed a different world.
Even the most perceptive cultivators could not penetrate the barrier of illusions to glimpse what lay within.
In the courtyard, Shen Jinglan sat in a large wicker chair, having basked in the sun for a whole day, feeling somewhat lazy.
A snow-white cat curled up at his feet.
Spirit Sword Destiny sat beside him, silently flipping through the account books.
It had been over a month since they returned from Fan Family Villa, and the traitors Mu Ruo Song and others had been quiet for now, so they remained on standby.
The leader rarely ventured out of Youzhou, and he did not seem in a hurry to return. After all, there were still Xiao Chong and others holding down the fort at the main hall, so he didn't have to worry.
They also did not take advantage of this free time to engage in any "villainous activities."
Spirit Sword Destiny knew that the leader had no intention of dominating. He established Evil Sect simply to provide a path for those who, like him back then, had nowhere else to turn. Over the years, Evil Sect had taken in many people without questioning their backgrounds; some were burdened with grievances while others were truly irredeemable. Such a place was certainly intolerable to the Upright Path. They were determined to eradicate Evil Sect root and branch, while the leader considered the balance of power. He neither allowed Evil Sect to expand too much nor let Righteous Path flourish unchecked; he needed to suppress their arrogance as well.
If it weren't for this consideration, they would have already followed the leader's orders to flatten one mountain after another. Where would Righteous Path find any strength left to contend with the leader?
Spirit Sword Destiny understood the leader's thoughts better than anyone else.
Of course, their reason for slacking off in this Branch for a month or two was likely because, as a villainous group, they couldn't just go out and commit misdeeds in various ways! They had to leave some time for the protagonist to cultivate and trigger some warm daily events.
Shen Jinglan seemed to be listening to the laughter drifting in from outside.
He suddenly said, "Is today the Mid-Autumn Festival? Are those people taking a shortcut to the night market?"
"Yes," Spirit Sword Destiny replied. "Does the leader want to take a stroll?"
It was rare for the leader to have such leisure time. Given his poor health, it wouldn't hurt to get some fresh air.
"Mm." Shen Jinglan smiled, "The last time I visited a night market like this was over forty years ago."
The sounds of laughter and chatter seemed to evoke memories from his past.
Over forty years ago... Spirit Sword Destiny knew that at that time, the leader was in his prime, with a wide circle of friends, likely many close female acquaintances as well. His mindset while visiting the night market must have been vastly different from now.
He put away his ledger and stood up, saying, "Then I'll accompany the leader."
"Alright."
"Hey, I want to go too!" Shaoyuan quickly chimed in.
Before Spirit Sword Destiny could refuse, Shen Jinglan glanced at him and said, "You go by yourself, and remember not to get into any fights."
Though he spoke with a faint smile, Shaoyuan dared not disobey.
"Leader, please support me as we walk," Spirit Sword Destiny extended his hand toward the seated Shen Jinglan. At the same time, he transformed into an ordinary-looking young man dressed plainly.
Going to the night market today also meant a high chance of encountering Xu Xiaofei, so he couldn't use his original appearance.
Shen Jinglan noticed his transformation and paused slightly before saying, "Do you need to conceal your identity? From what I see of those passing by outside, they are either families or young couples. If we go out together and you want to change your appearance, why not transform into..."
He finished the last few words with a smile.
"..." Spirit Sword Destiny turned away and said, "If that's the case, then why isn't it the leader who transforms?"
"Yours is too," Shen Jinglan replied calmly.
He took Spirit Sword Destiny's hand and stood up.
Spirit Sword Destiny stared at him, suddenly wide-eyed.
He actually...
Actually...
"If we're pretending to be a family of three, why not bring me along? It would look even more convincing!" Shaoyuan chimed in enthusiastically from the side.
Spirit Sword Destiny turned to look and his face instantly darkened.
This guy had transformed himself into a child without needing anyone's help, with two pigtails and a round face that was surprisingly cute. He was already quite skilled in transformation techniques.
He was looking up at Spirit Sword Destiny with a cheerful smile in his childlike form.
Spirit Sword Destiny only replied with two words: "No way."
They exited the courtyard and merged into the crowd in the alley, following the flow of people toward the night market.
Spirit Sword Destiny felt that today was simply unbelievable.
He himself felt awkward, never expecting that the leader would actually be willing to...
Their transformed appearance was too ordinary, with gray clothes that were patched up. To others, they looked like the most unremarkable couple in the city, living a life that was both poor and fulfilling. Every year, during the few festivals, the husband would take his frail wife out for a stroll, spending a little of their tightly saved silver coins; this was their rare leisure time throughout the year.
Spirit Sword Destiny instantly conceived an entire story.
He hadn’t intended to think this way, but his mind was racing too fast.
He supported Shen Jinglan, noticing that the leader's steps were somewhat heavy. Last night, the leader had coughed all night in a half-asleep state, and Spirit Sword Destiny had heard it all.
Every time the leader entered seclusion, he used an extremely painful method to refine Flesh. This method couldn’t cure his illness; it only allowed him to feel slightly better for a while. It hadn’t been long since he emerged from seclusion, and now the leader's body was struggling again.
“If you… if you can’t walk later, we’ll find a place to sit,” Spirit Sword Destiny said.
“Okay,” Shen Jinglan replied, then smiled and added, “Actually, you don’t have to be so formal.”
“...Yes.”
After agreeing, Spirit Sword Destiny still didn’t dare to meet his gaze.
Shen Jinglan found his awkwardness quite amusing.
Having lived long enough and endured enough suffering from illness, what he once couldn’t bear, he could now endure; what he once couldn’t let go of, he could now gently release.
He had come to terms with many things.
Gradually, dusk deepened as the lights began to glow.
They arrived at the bustling night market.
Golden Chrysanthemum flowers were everywhere, and every shop along the street was decorated with red silk. A dazzling array of various treasures was displayed inside the stores.
Spirit Sword Destiny supported Shen Jinglan as they walked slowly, casually looking around.
They had no intention of buying anything.
Others likely did not see them as capable of affording such treasures.
A glance around Spirit Sword Destiny revealed that there were almost no items in the shops that caught his eye. Even if there were pearls covered in dust, those would be the protagonist's fortuitous encounters, which had nothing to do with them.
Of course, the night market was filled with food. A wave of enticing aromas wafted from the front.
Spirit Sword Destiny said, "We can sit down over there and have something to eat; let's take a break."
"Okay," Shen Jinglan replied.
The street food stalls stretched on, each one bustling with customers.
Fortunately, they were lucky; just as they arrived, a table of people left, and Spirit Sword Destiny quickly seized the opportunity to claim it.
He let Shen Jinglan sit first while he went to queue for a serving of sweet rice porridge with lotus root. Yes, everything needed to be queued for.
"Out here alone? No one to keep you company?"
Shen Jinglan occupied a table by himself, which seemed somewhat conspicuous. Three young men at the neighboring table quickly approached him, speaking in a flirtatious manner.
Shen Jinglan cast a faint glance at them without saying a word, leaving them momentarily stunned.
Seeing him turn back and lower his head to look at the table, they thought he appeared even more shy.
The three men's courage suddenly grew a little bolder.
The boldest one was already preparing to make a move.
After all, even if there was a male companion, there were three of them here. What was there to be afraid of?
Shen Jinglan's right hand rested on the table, his fingertips moved slightly, tapping the surface.
At that moment, with a loud crash, a thug was thrown out forcefully. Following that, there were two more loud thuds as the remaining two fell into the street, bruised and battered.
Seeing that the one who acted was wearing a Daoist robe, they didn't even dare to shout and quickly scrambled away.
"Thank you, Young Hero, for saving us."
Shen Jinglan looked up, smiled gently, and spoke to the person.
His voice was soft, and his gratitude was sincere. To others' ears, there was nothing unusual about it.
He suddenly froze. The young man in front of him was handsome and valiant, carrying a long sword on his back, resembling how he looked when he was younger.
"It was just a small effort," the young man replied with a smile and then asked, "May my senior sister and I sit at your table?"
He still held a bag of chestnuts and a box of rice cakes in his hands; he had just thrown someone out with one hand.
"Of course," Shen Jinglan said.
He watched as the young man and a charming young lady sat down opposite him, placing their food on the table.
His gaze slightly focused on the young man's neck.
A jade pendant hung there, exuding an incredibly familiar aura...
It is the aura of inkstone.
Who is this young man, and what does Inkstone really want to do?
“……”
When Spirit Sword Destiny returned with the porridge, the scene before him almost made him spill it all over his hands!
Thanks to his years of experience in acting, he managed to hold himself together and did not break character.
He was completely unaware of what had happened here earlier.
If he had come out with Shaoyuan, he would have been more cautious; he didn't have any worries about the leader. Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, the leader and Xu Xiaofei were sitting together and seemed to be chatting!
“A Yan,” Shen Jinglan said, “this Xu Shaoxia just helped me drive away a rogue, and I am thanking him.”
“……Thank you, Young Hero,” Spirit Sword Destiny also said to that person.
As the protagonist, he really has to make an appearance everywhere.
He placed the sweet porridge with lotus root in front of Shen Jinglan and said, “You should eat some; there are so many people in line, it must be delicious.”
“Okay.” Shen Jinglan took the spoon.
“It should still be hot, so eat slowly.”
“Mm.”
Xu Xiaofei was also watching them and suddenly said, “You two have a really good relationship.”
He felt a bit envious, his expression somewhat lonely. He blinked and quickly hid that trace of loneliness.
Qi Yan immediately noticed that he was thinking of Lin Mo and quickly handed him a chestnut: "This chestnut is good, you should try it too."
Upon hearing Xu Xiaofei's words, Shen Jinglan glanced at Spirit Sword Destiny and smiled.
Though he did not speak, it was as if he had already said a thousand words.
“……” Spirit Sword Destiny simply did not know how to respond.
“Hey, limited edition, one per person?” Not far away, Shaoyuan was standing in front of a duck oil pastry stall, looking at the large sign with confusion. “Isn't it better to sell more? Why limit it? Even with the limit, there are so many people in line. Let me see if it's really that delicious!”
He stood at the end of the line.
After a while, he licked the last sesame seed stuck to his fingertip, satisfied as he wiped his mouth and said, “It really is delicious!”
“Well then, I will…”
With a thought, three avatars with different appearances quietly appeared among the crowd, one after another, lining up at the end of the queue.
“This way I can buy more!”
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