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墨書 Inktalez
Azure Wind Cliff
A chilling wind swept through the air, and on the edge of the cliff, a gnarled old tree hung a piece of blood-stained white silk that fluttered ominously in the breeze. I forced myself to suppress my fear and approached step by step. The temperature of the jade pendant in my hand grew warmer, guiding me to a large rock at the cliff's edge.
Beneath the rock was a dark, gaping cave entrance. I took a deep breath, tightened my grip on the Silver Needle, crouched down, and entered. The cave was damp and cold, a foul stench hitting my nose as I covered my mouth and nose, feeling my way forward.
“Lingxi, you finally arrived.” A cold voice echoed in the empty cave, sending a shiver down my spine. I turned around abruptly but saw no one.
“Who are you? Hiding like a coward doesn’t make you a hero!” I shouted sharply.
“Ha ha, a hero? I'm no hero; I'm just a merchant, a merchant who speaks in terms of profit,” the voice replied with a hint of mockery. “You want to save Du Ming, don’t you? I can help you, but you must pay the price.”
My heart raced, but I feigned calmness. “What price?”
“Very simple; I need you to heal someone for me.”
“Who?”
“You will see once you agree.”
I clenched my fists, caught in a dilemma. Agreeing would put me in danger, but if I didn’t agree… Du Ming…
Just as I hesitated, a weak voice came from deep within the cave: “Lingxi, don’t agree to him! It’s a trap!”
It was Du Ming! My heart leaped with joy as I followed the sound. Deep inside the cave, I saw Du Ming hanging from a stone pillar, his body covered in wounds.
“Du Ming!” I fought back tears, filled with anger and heartache. How could he be so badly hurt?
“Ha ha, it seems you two share deep feelings,” the voice taunted. “But now is not the time for reminiscing. Guo Lingxi, have you made up your mind?”
I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. “Fine, I’ll agree. But I have one condition.”
“Oh? Speak.”
“I want to see the patient first before deciding if I can treat him.”
“Agreed.”
After a chilling laugh, a shadow floated before me. As it dissipated, a figure cloaked in black stood before me, his face obscured. He extended his hand holding a black token. “This is proof; take it to Black Wind Ridge, and someone will assist you.”
I took the token and gripped it tightly in my hand. It felt heavy, as if bearing an immense burden.
Leaving the cave behind, I headed toward Black Wind Ridge. With each step, my heart sank further. I didn’t know what awaited me there, but I had no choice. For Du Ming’s sake, I had to press on.
Black Wind Ridge lay between two towering peaks, perpetually shrouded in dark mist and rumored to be a gathering place for Demon Cultivators—extremely perilous. After battling through thorns and brambles for three days, I finally reached the foot of Black Wind Ridge.
As rumored, Black Wind Ridge was eerie and terrifying; an unsettling aura enveloped me. Steeling myself, I took out the Black Token and began my ascent toward the summit.
“Who goes there?” A cold voice rang out as I looked up to see a man dressed in black standing before me with a long sword pointed directly at my throat.
I raised the token in my hand. “I’m here to treat your master.”
The man examined the token closely before sheathing his sword. “Follow me.”
He led me along a narrow mountain path to a hidden cave entrance. Two guards dressed in black stood at the entrance; upon seeing me, they scrutinized me warily before opening the stone door to let me in.
Inside the cave was dimly lit as I followed the man through winding passages until we finally arrived at a stone chamber.
“The master is inside; you may go in,” he said before turning to leave.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The chamber contained only a stone bed where an elderly man lay pale and barely breathing.
I approached him and checked his pulse; he was gravely poisoned and near death.
“Who are you? Why do you want to save me?” the old man asked weakly.
"I am a doctor; saving lives is my duty," I replied calmly.
The old man looked at me, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. "Aren't you afraid that I might be a bad person?"
"A healer has the heart of a parent. To me, there are no good or bad people, only patients."
I began to administer acupuncture to detoxify him. My medical skills were exceptional, and since the old man was also highly skilled himself, the detoxification process went relatively smoothly.
After several days of treatment, the old man's health gradually improved, and he seemed much more spirited.
"Young lady, your medical skills are truly remarkable; I am deeply grateful," the old man said appreciatively. "May I ask your name?"
"My name is Guo Lingxi."
"Guo Lingxi..." the old man murmured to himself. "What a lovely name."
During the time I treated him, he did not make things difficult for me; instead, he showed great concern for my well-being, which made me feel somewhat uneasy.
"Old senior, your health is no longer in serious danger; I must take my leave," I said.
" Ms.Guo, are you really going to leave?" the old man asked. "Stay with me; I can teach you cultivation and help you become extraordinary."
I shook my head. "Thank you for your kindness, but my aspirations lie elsewhere."
"Then why did you save me?" the old man asked in confusion.
"Because..." I paused, "because I want to save my husband."
The old man looked at me, a glimmer of insight in his eyes. "Who is your husband?"
"Du Ming."
"Du Ming..." The old man pondered for a moment. "I see."
"Old senior, do you know where my husband is?" I asked urgently.
The old man shook his head. "I don't know, but..."
He paused before continuing, "I can help you find him."
"Du Ming is imprisoned in a place called 'Purgatory,'" the old man said slowly. "It is a secret stronghold of the demonic sect, heavily guarded; ordinary people cannot approach it at all."
My heart sank heavily. "What should we do? Is there no other way?"
The old man looked at me with determination in his eyes. "There is one way, but..."
"But what? Old senior, please tell me!" I asked anxiously.
The old man took a deep breath. "I can send you in, but you must agree to one condition."
"What condition?"
"I need you to help me kill someone."
I was taken aback. "Kill someone? Why?"
"This person is the leader of the demonic sect and also my father's murderer," the old man's eyes were filled with hatred. "If you help me kill him, I will help you rescue Du Ming."
I found myself in a dilemma—on one side was my husband, and on the other was an innocent life. What should I do?
"I..."
Before I could make a decision, the old man suddenly grasped my hand tightly. " Ms.Guo, I know this request is excessive, but I have no other choice. Please help me!"
Seeing the pleading look in his eyes softened my heart. "Alright, I agree."
The old man smiled with relief and said, "Thank you, Ms.Guo." He took out a black token from his pocket and handed it to me. "Take this token and go to Black Wind Ridge to find someone named 'Black Hawk.' He will take you into Purgatory."
I accepted the token and held it tightly in my hand. "I will definitely rescue Du Ming."
Following the old man's instructions, I found Black Hawk. He led me through a hidden cave and arrived at an underground palace.
"This is Purgatory," Black Hawk said, pointing to the palace before us. "Be careful."
I nodded, took a deep breath, and walked into the palace.
Inside, the palace was brightly lit and heavily guarded. I cautiously avoided the guards as I made my way forward.
Finally, I found the place where Du Ming was imprisoned.
"Du Ming!" I called softly.
Du Ming opened his eyes wide upon hearing my voice. "Lingxi, is that you?"
"It's me." I rushed to his side and held his hand tightly.
"What are you doing here? It's very dangerous; you should leave!" Du Ming said anxiously.
"Don't worry, I'm here to save you." As I spoke, I took out the token given to me by the old man and unlocked the cage where Du Ming was held.
"Quickly, let's go!"
Hand in hand, we ran towards the exit of the palace.
"Stop! Don't run!"
Shouts from the guards echoed behind us, but we dared not stop and ran desperately forward.
However, there were too many guards in Purgatory, and we were soon surrounded.
"What do we do?" I asked anxiously.
A determined look flashed in Du Ming's eyes. "Follow me!"
He pulled me in a direction to break through, and we fought our way through until we finally broke free from the encirclement.
Just when we thought we were safe, a shadow suddenly appeared before us.
"Want to leave? It's not that easy!"
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