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墨書 Inktalez
That piece of iron. It seems many people are searching for that piece of iron.
The Hakka people are looking for it. Their ancestors had a rebellion in this valley, and someone took that piece of iron. From what Tang Yumo said, the rebels originally intended to bring that piece of iron back to Lop Nur as a sacrifice to the Devil Controlling the Ancestors of Lop Nur. However, an accident occurred along the way, and that piece of iron, along with the civilization carried by the ancestors of Lop Nur, was buried in a little-known section of the Ancient Silk Road.
What astonishes me is that the Vietnamese are also searching for that piece of iron. They are here representing a European Consortium to find it, which has drawn me into this matter. If the Hakka people are looking for that piece of iron due to its significance to them, I still do not know what it means to them, but the fact that they regard it as a Relic shows how precious it is to them. But what do the Europeans want with that piece of iron? How did they get information about it?
I am also searching for that piece of iron. However, I am more concerned about my colleagues and friends who have become lost underground in Lop Nur because of it. If given a choice, I would gladly trade that piece of iron to bring back Xiao Guolin and Song Guilong. Of course, this is assuming they are still alive.
My mind is somewhat chaotic; reason tells me not to believe Tang Yumo's words, yet I cannot find any counterarguments or evidence. I try to quickly organize my thoughts and identify two pressing questions.
"What is that piece of iron? I know it is your Relic; what I want to know is its actual purpose."
"It is a key."
"A key?"
"Yes, the key to opening the Eternal Gate."
Tang Yumo's expression seems somewhat dazed. She appears lost in thought or perhaps pondering something.
"My ancestors dared to betray the devil and flee here because they obtained the key to open the Eternal Gate. They believed they would gain Eternal Life and freedom from then on. However, constructing the Eternal Gate was not smooth; it was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
Among my ancestors were those awakened ones who possessed endless lifespans. They served as close attendants to the devil in its palace. Some among them were fortunate enough to witness the Eternal Gate and subsequently built an Eternal Gate at the end of the Underground Cavern.
Once constructed, the Eternal Gate possessed some expected functions, such as generating new awakened ones among our people. However, its most crucial function did not manifest: newly generated awakened ones could not attain Eternal Life; they merely experienced an extension of their lifespan.
What frustrated my ancestors most was losing the devil's protection. The awakened ones who originally had endless lifespans began to age. To slow down their aging, my ancestors started selectively living in the Underground Cavern, but this only delayed things for a short time; the approach of aging and death filled them with despair and made them even more reluctant to step out of the Underground Cavern."
However, with the first Awakened One experiencing a Secondary Mutation in the Underground Cavern, it gradually transformed into the territory of Secondary Mutant Creatures. Although these creatures possessed endless lifespans, they were merely a group of thoughtless Walking Dead.
It was at that moment that my ancestors diverged. They realized that here, Eternal Life would forever remain an unattainable dream. My ancestors split into two opposing factions: the Eternal Life Faction and the Liberals.
Those who hoped for Eternal Life sought to sacrifice that piece of iron to once again submit to the devil's domain. For the Eternal Life Faction, living was paramount, even if it meant sacrificing freedom and dignity.
However, the dominant force was the Liberals. Most Awakened Ones and the vast majority of unawakened ancestors stood with the Liberals, unwilling to lose the freedom they had just gained, even at the cost of losing their chance at Eternal Life.
Of course, for the unawakened, returning to Lop Nur was an unimaginable prospect. They had no rights to Eternal Life and were even less willing to trade their freedom for someone else's Eternal Life.
Thus, betrayal occurred once more. That betrayal not only caused us to lose the Relic but also resulted in heavy casualties among our ancestors, leaving our clan in a state of decline that has yet to recover. We are still withering away.
"What lies beneath the Dam at the end of the Underground River?" I asked in as deep and steady a tone as I could manage.
"Eternal Gate."
Upon hearing those four words, I sensed Tang Yumo exhale in relief. Then he bitterly smiled and said, "Without that piece of iron, which is the key to opening the Eternal Gate, no one can enter there."
"You've never been there? What about your predecessors? Have they never entered?" My tone was filled with confusion and disbelief.
"Since we lost the Relic, no one has entered there. That place has become a legend."
"I can try to understand that your piece of iron is the key to opening the Eternal Gate, but if no one can enter the space behind the Dam without it and cannot approach the Eternal Gate, I can't comprehend that. You’re not telling me that piece of iron is some kind of remote control or sensor that needs to be activated for the door to open?"
"No, it's because of Heimanluo. It won't allow anything to enter there unless it belongs to someone who possesses the Relic."
"Heimanluo? What is that? Is it a creature from the Secondary Mutation?"
"No, it is a symbiotic being of the Eternal Gate. It may seem miraculous to you and me, but my ancestors—especially those Awakened Ones who once possessed endless life—were well aware of its existence. In Lop Nur, outside the devil-controlled Eternal Gate, there is also a Heimanluo.
So when my ancestors built and opened the Eternal Gate, a Heimanluo appeared as if born from nothingness. Instead of causing them panic, it brought them great joy because this was a fundamental characteristic of successfully establishing the Eternal Gate."
Heimanluo was born with the establishment of the Eternal Gate. As long as the Eternal Gate remains intact, Heimanluo will forever guard its exterior. I have experienced it; it is very intelligent and grows stronger over time or with the power of the Eternal Gate.
According to the ancient laws passed down by my ancestors, Heimanluo exists alongside the Eternal Gate. It cannot stray far from it and does not recognize anyone as its master. It only acknowledges the key that opens the Eternal Gate. Only the person holding this key can freely enter and exit its controlled area; otherwise, they will be killed by it. Moreover, it cannot be killed unless the Eternal Gate is destroyed.
It has grown stronger, and you have already witnessed its might; I believe you are well aware of this. Do you have confidence in breaching its defenses to enter the range of the Eternal Gate? If not, I suggest following my plan and first eliminate the Secondary Mutant Creatures in the Underground Cavern.
As for finding the Specimen, it seems to hold no significance at this point.
“Then do you wish to become an ugly, thoughtless monster? According to your method, this appears to be your only Destination.”
Tang Yumo's face rarely displayed an expression of fear. “I have no other choice.”
“You do.” I pointed in a direction. “We go out.” (To Be Continued...)
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