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墨書 Inktalez
I stood before the stone tablet at the entrance of the village, staring intently at the body of the Old Village Chief, my hands and feet growing cold.
"Don't be too sad," the Black-Clad Old Woman suddenly spoke, her voice dry. "He has found his release."
"What do you mean?"
"He was right; Yue Yuan Xu is indeed a cursed place." The old woman sighed. "But since you are here tonight, you should take a look."
I looked up sharply at her.
In the moonlight, her face was lined with deep creases, yet her eyes shone with an unusual brightness.
"Follow me."
She turned and walked away, her steps steady and firm for someone of her age.
I hesitated for a moment but ultimately followed her.
The old woman led the way, her figure flickering in and out of sight under the moonlight.
I trailed behind, occasionally hearing strange sounds from afar.
"What is that noise?" I asked.
"Don't ask," she replied without turning back.
Thick fog began to roll in, carrying with it a stench of decay.
My vision was obscured by the mist, leaving me only able to see the old woman's silhouette.
"We're here," she suddenly stopped.
Just as I was about to speak, the fog dissipated in an instant.
The sight before me made my eyes widen—
A massive hollow appeared, trees twisted and contorted, their branches stretching out like human arms.
The damp earth and the smell of rot were nauseating.
"This is... Yue Yuan Xu?" I swallowed hard.
The old woman did not answer; she simply took a step forward.
Suddenly, countless twinkling lights illuminated the center of the valley. The thick fog was dispersed, revealing a bustling marketplace before my eyes. Stalls were numerous, and people moved about in a lively throng. A variety of strange items dazzled the senses: glowing jewels, fragrant herbs, and bottles filled with mysterious liquids... But oddly enough, everyone kept their heads down, their conversations barely audible like whispers.
An indescribable sense of oppression hung in the air.
"Go take a look," an old woman nudged me, "but remember, don't agree to any deals casually."
I took a deep breath and stepped into the marketplace.
"How about some youthful skin?" a vendor suddenly grabbed my wrist. "Just Ten Years of Life, and you can return to your youth."
I stumbled back in shock, finally getting a good look at the vendor—his face was twisted and deformed like melting wax.
"N-no... I don't need it..." I stammered.
As I continued forward, I noticed a young woman standing at a stall. She held a mirror in her hands; her reflection was young and beautiful, but her eyes were hauntingly hollow.
"Deal!" the woman suddenly shouted.
A flash of light passed by, and the woman's appearance transformed dramatically; she looked renewed, yet her hair turned snow white in an instant, and wrinkles crept into the corners of her eyes.
"Ten Years of Life for just a new face," someone murmured nearby.
I gasped in horror and pressed on.
Suddenly, I heard a hoarse growl. Turning around, I saw a man in a suit. He clutched a stack of cash but could only emit beast-like sounds.
"He traded his voice for wealth," the old woman appeared beside me again without my noticing. "Everyone has something they desire, but the cost... is often much greater than one imagines."
My heart raced; every transaction here was steeped in strangeness and terror. People exchanged their most precious possessions for what they longed for.
As I ventured deeper into the marketplace, an overwhelming sense of pressure enveloped me.
Looking up, I saw a tall figure standing in the deepest shadows. He had his back to the crowd, yet it felt as if he controlled everything in the market.
"Who is that..."
"Shh!" An old woman hurriedly covered my mouth. "Don't look at him; that's Master Xu. Don't draw his attention!"
But it was too late. The figure slowly turned his head, and a pair of deep-set eyes locked onto mine.
In that instant, I felt my soul tremble.
There was a terrifying power in those eyes, as if they could penetrate the deepest desires of the human heart.
"Interesting..." a low voice echoed in my mind. "Another one who isn't afraid of death has come."
I felt a chill run through me, instinctively wanting to flee, but I found myself unable to move.
Those eyes bore into me, as if they were trying to draw my very soul inside.
"What do you want?" the voice continued to ask. "Power? Wealth? Or... life?"
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