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墨書 Inktalez
After finishing their meal, the sky had completely darkened, and the ground was beginning to dry.
Second let out a satisfied burp and couldn't help but praise Seven.
Third was once again invited by Li the Old Man to play chess. The old man said, "It's getting late; why don't you all stay here for the night?"
The others had no objections. Besides, traveling at night wasn't safe, especially with so much money on them; it wouldn't be worth it if they ran into bandits.
The night wind carried a chill, and the wooden door was firmly shut. The other three chatted idly until they leaned back in their chairs and fell asleep.
Third continued to play chess with Li the Old Man. Li the Old Man placed a Black Stone on the board, and without hesitation, Third dropped a White Stone.
Li the Old Man sighed, "Time waits for no one! In the blink of an eye, we are already among the departed." Third paused with his hand over the White Stone, stunned. He glanced at Li the Old Man.
Li the Old Man continued, "Most of my old friends have passed away. There are very few of us left."
Third calmly replied, "Aging, illness, and death are part of life. There's no need for you to be sorrowful, old sir." Li the Old Man pondered for a moment before placing a White Stone down. He continued, "Indeed! You are right, young brother; it seems I have become muddled in my old age."
After some thought, Third asked, "Do you know about the legend of the 'Ancient Temple'?" Li the Old Man's hand froze in mid-air. After hesitating for a moment and then placing his stone down, he said, "That old temple on the mountain has been destroyed; any legends associated with it have vanished into thin air. It's best not to mention it."
Third looked at Li the Old Man, who pretended not to see him.
Third knew that Li the Old Man was hiding something but was unwilling to speak about it.
"I once heard a waiter talk about this ancient temple's legend. It truly is fascinating!" Third said.
Li the Old Man stiffened slightly, his tone becoming somewhat rigid as he replied, "Some things are just rumors that grow out of proportion when three people tell them."
After placing a chess piece, Third said, "I'll ask Waiter about this when I have some free time."
Li the Old Man felt the weight of the chess piece suddenly increase. He replied, "It's better not to involve the younger generation."
Third was momentarily taken aback, looking at Li the Old Man.
"I know it's you," Li the Old Man suddenly stated. Third was puzzled by this remark.
"To have lived this long and still look so youthful, you must be the only one. Let's not beat around the bush; what brings you here today?"
The other three were still asleep. Third had already guessed the general idea; he must have been mistaken for someone else.
Li the Old Man continued, "I didn't expect you to be so ruthless in your methods."
Third instinctively replied, "Same to you."
The old man had been testing him, but upon hearing that response, he was nearly certain. "So it really is you!"
Third remained silent. Li the Old Man went on, "I had no choice but to act that way back then."
Third still did not speak; at this moment, avoiding conversation revealed more than words could say. He simply watched Li the Old Man.
"After partnering with you on that matter back then, I haven't had a single peaceful day since."
"Then did you tell a colossal lie?" Third asked firmly.
"What?" Li the Old Man inquired, confused.
"You're the fortune teller from back then, aren't you?" Third said. Li the Old Man nodded and sighed.
"If I want to survive, I must change my life completely. Not everyone is fortunate enough to receive protection like you." Third listened, feeling confused but pretended to understand everything.
"Does the Divination Sect still exist?" Third threw out another question.
"You know that better than anyone," Li the Old Man replied. Third firmly stated, "I don't know."
"What!" Li the Old Man asked in surprise. "There might be changes." After saying this, he began to calculate with his fingers. Third also remarked, "You actually have a healthy body?"
Li the Old Man remained silent, calculating further. When he finished, his face turned ashen, and he mumbled incoherently. "There might be changes," he repeated.
"What changes?" Third asked.
Li the Old Man suddenly seemed to age several years and said, "After completing that task with you all those years ago, I was no longer blind. Just when I was about to break that ancient curse, I was slandered by the Divination Sect. No one believed me at that time. Even you all kept your distance from me."
"So I had to break some rules and take certain actions; otherwise, you wouldn't be seeing me today."
Third could no longer comprehend what he was saying and felt hesitant to directly ask what that matter was, so he continued listening.
Third said, "So you're saying that fire at the ancient temple was also set by you."
Li the Old Man chuckled a few times and replied, "Of course I set it; otherwise, our shared secret would have been exposed. Those few intruders have turned to ashes. The only solid evidence has also been destroyed by me."
It seemed this old man had no idea who had entered the ancient temple.
A thought arose in Third's mind, and he asked, "You burned down the ancient temple; what will we do when it's time for us to start over?"
Li the Old Man said, "I can no longer manage so much. This secret can only be known to us. It must never be leaked."
"Those sanctimonious sects have been searching for it as well. They've come to the ancient temple many times, but those fools have found nothing. It's laughable, really."
After a moment of calm, Li the Old Man coldly stated, "Do you still want to enter that cursed place? Haven't we already paid enough for it back then?" His expression twisted in anguish.
Third sighed softly, "Some things are beyond our control."
"It's truly ridiculous. If even you lack confidence, who would dare to go?"
"Go where?"
"I know this is a taboo, and I won't speak of it. You can rest assured about that." Third cursed inwardly, "Damn it, now you realize you shouldn't say anything. Why did you even start? You've already said so much, and now you're stopping."
Li the Old Man continued, "I don't want this matter to involve my descendants." He paused for a moment before adding, "If it comes to that, you can come find me when you need me." He sighed again.
"Don't worry, I won't involve your descendants."
"Then I can rest easy." This aspect of you is something I admire; you take responsibility for your words.
Third nodded and fell silent.
"What are your plans for the next step?" Li the Old Man asked. Third sighed again and replied, "I don't know!"
"Are all the people gathered?" Li the Old Man pressed on. Glancing at the three still asleep, he asked, "Can they handle it?"
Third feigned seriousness and said, "They are just part of us. Many others are already unaccounted for."
"Without them, you won't achieve anything significant! You don't need to worry about that; they'll find you when the time comes. Those old foxes, I know them well," Li the Old Man said.
"They were greedy back in the day, and they'll definitely get involved if there's something to gain."
"There are some secrets we can no longer keep; it's time to unveil them," Third said deliberately. Li the Old Man replied, "You're right. We can't hold onto such outdated things any longer. I'll step in when the time comes to settle some scores."
"Alright," Third said. "I hope our conversation today remains between us."
"Don't worry; I understand that."
Third had likely grasped some of the situation, but there were certain questions he couldn't ask directly, or else the old man would become suspicious.
Li the Old Man continued, "What are your plans for the next step?"
Third uttered the words "Eastern Pass."
Li the Old Man sighed in relief and said, "That's good; it's time to pay a visit to his territory."
"Whose territory?" Third asked again.
"What have you been up to lately? How come you don't know anything?" Third almost felt cornered by the question but feigned calmness as he replied, "Some things aren't meant to be discussed yet."
Li the Old Man remarked, "You're always so mysterious. After all this time, I still can't see through you."
Third smiled without saying a word.
"Well then, since I'm telling you this, Wang Sanguan is over there. That old rascal has been quite active these past years."
"Wang Sanguan," Third murmured the name to himself.
"Yes, that old man was quite a character back in the day. We all know that. I doubt he will have a peaceful end."
Third asked, "What has he been up to in recent years?"
Li the Old Man vented his frustrations today. "He has been to the Eastern Pass Altar many times over the years, but each time he returned empty-handed. Is that place something he can handle?"
Eastern Pass Altar, Eastern Pass Altar—Third suddenly remembered what Wang Er Gou had mentioned.
"Isn't it the altar located deep within the Eastern Guan Mountain Range?" Third inquired. Li the Old Man nodded.
Although we had never been there, it was certainly not a good place. Just seeing him return in defeat was enough for me to know.
"Alright, I won't say more. I hope you don't involve my descendants in this," Li the Old Man brought up the matter again, clearly showing his affection for his grandson.
Third nodded solemnly. "It won't involve them; they won't be dragged into this."
"Let's end our conversation here. After holding onto these thoughts for so many years, it's truly refreshing to finally share them with someone. And it’s quite satisfying to meet a worthy opponent."
"I didn't expect your chess skills to be this good! Is there anything in this world that you can't do?" He chuckled at his own remark.
Third joined him in laughter for a moment.
"Come on, let's play a few more rounds; it's rare to encounter an old friend like this."
After playing a few more rounds, the chickens raised by Li the Old Man began to crow.
The other three also woke up and stretched lazily.
As Li the Old Man and White Stone made their final moves, the game came to an end. I had won again. After confirming Third's identity, Li the Old Man released it with a smile, saying, "It's not easy to win against you, kid."
Third smiled but did not respond.
"Alright, I won't keep you any longer," Second said as he approached and handed gold to Li the Old Man.
Li the Old Man refused, saying, "Wealth is just an external possession; it's better for you young folks to keep it for yourselves."
Third had initially wanted to stop Second from approaching with the gold, fearing that if Li the Old Man went into the mountain, it would expose their secret.
It seemed he was unaware of the secrets buried beneath the ancient temple.
Third let out a sigh of relief. Second also did not press Li the Old Man further and put the gold back into his pocket.
Second said, "Old man, thank you for your hospitality." The old man replied, "You're welcome."
The other three rustled as they exited. As they left, Li the Old Man called out, "If you go to Eastern Pass and happen to see her, please tell her that time waits for no one."
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