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墨書 Inktalez
“Case Reenactment The killer is right behind you!”
Jing Meng
The snow fell heavily, swirling and drifting down, covering the world in a vast expanse of silver-white. It was as if the entire realm had plunged into a cold, silvery chaos.
He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, the metallic texture emanating a distinct chill. In the howling wind and the frigid air, the tip of the sword trembled slightly, resembling a blooming ice flower that sparkled with a sharp, cold light.
Opposite him, a small figure clad in red seemed entirely unaffected by the harsh weather. She moved gracefully, wielding her sword as she leaped into the air, creating intricate patterns with her blade in one fluid motion.
The swirling snowflakes danced around her like ethereal spirits accompanying her performance. Though her form appeared youthful and delicate, the force of her strikes was fierce; each swing of her sword cut through the cold air with a sharp whistle, tracing chilling arcs.
He instinctively blinked, anxious to see more clearly, and took a step forward.
In that instant, he was astonished to find that the girl had somehow appeared directly in front of him, her long sword sweeping towards his chest.
His eyes widened as he finally discerned her features. She had the body of a child but bore the face of an adult woman, a familiar aura radiating from her eyes.
“Qingxi Girl?” he blurted out, surprise and confusion lacing his voice. He watched in disbelief as the sword tip drew closer to him, yet for some reason, his feet felt as if they were nailed to the ground, unable to move an inch.
“ brother Wensi, be careful!”
Just as the sword tip was about to pierce his chest, a delicate figure suddenly flashed past him like a wisp of smoke.
At the same time, he could no longer suppress the fear and anxiety within him, letting out a loud roar.
However, in the next moment, Yuan Xinruan's face before him suddenly became transparent, like a wisp of smoke that was gently swept away by the wind.
"Don't!" Chen Wensi shouted as he jolted awake from his dream, instinctively reaching out his hands as if trying to grasp something, only to accidentally knock over the inkstone on his desk.
With a sharp "clang," the inkstone shattered, and bright red ink spilled all over the floor. The red silk inkstone that he had carefully chosen with Yuan Xinruan for Lord Yuan years ago now lay broken in two, quietly resting in the pool of crimson ink, appearing particularly striking.
An unprecedented sense of foreboding surged over him like a tidal wave. Chen Wensi stared blankly at the shocking red stain at his feet. Just then, he heard hurried footsteps coming from outside the door.
"Chen! Something's happened!" Catcher Fang rushed in, looking flustered as he called out.
When Chen Wensi and Liu Zimu hurried to Qixiang Pavilion, the usually vibrant and lively place was now shrouded in an eerie silence, unusually quiet as if the very air had solidified.
Ms. Yun San, the owner of Qixiang Pavilion, turned red-eyed upon seeing Chen Wensi and Liu Zimu enter. She burst into tears, sobbing as she recounted what had happened.
Liu Zimu, lacking the patience for her wailing, frowned slightly and quickly stepped past Chen Wensi and Ms. Yun San, making his way upstairs first. When he reached Qing Xi's door, he took one look and was immediately struck pale with fear, stepping back a pace.
There lay Qing Xi on the floor, her once-flower-like face now ashen and lifeless with her eyes tightly shut. Her hands were half-bent across her chest, fingers slightly curled around a ribbon nearby. A deep crimson mark marred her smooth neck, silently narrating the horrific events that had just transpired here.
Meanwhile, Yuan Xinruan stood to the side like a shattered soul, her gaze vacant as she tightly clutched a green ribbon in her hand. Liu Zimu recognized that ribbon; it was clearly from the skirt she wore when she left home that evening.
A tightness gripped Liu Zimu's heart, but he forced a smirk onto his face and teased, "Oh dear, the county magistrate's daughter has found herself caught up in a murder case. Looks like your luck has really run out!"
Yuan Xinruan seemed to be oblivious to her surroundings, standing there in a daze, her lips moving as if she were murmuring something. Her eyes were vacant and lost, as if she had fallen into an invisible vortex from which she could not escape.
"Xinruan!" Seeing her in such a state, Liu Zimu's smile faltered, becoming somewhat forced. He took a small step forward and said softly, "What are you doing? It's not like you've never seen a dead person before. Is it really necessary to be this scared? Don't worry, it's just a matter of taking the blame for a day or two. Chen Laotou and I will definitely help you clear your name!" As he spoke, he reached out his hand, wanting to comfort her.
However, just then, footsteps approached from behind. Chen Wensi hurried over with a furrowed brow, his eyes filled with concern and urgency. He asked, " Luo'er, what on earth happened?"
" brother Wensi!" Upon hearing that familiar voice, Yuan Xinruan seemed to awaken from her stupor. She turned her head slowly, and the moment her gaze met Chen Wensi's face, she was like a frightened animal that could no longer contain her fear and grievance. She suddenly threw herself into his arms and cried out loudly, "What should I do? I killed someone! I really killed someone!"
Chen Wensi sighed softly and gently stroked her head with his warm hand. He comforted her in a soft voice, "No way. You wouldn't even dare to kill a chicken; even if you had ten times the courage, you wouldn't kill anyone."
Yuan Xinruan lifted her tear-streaked face and sobbed, "But I can't even explain why I'm here. I remember—I remember I was just going to buy Jade Pear Scroll for you. And then... then..." Her emotions overwhelmed her again before she could finish her sentence, tears gushing out like a flood breaking through a dam, her eyes clouded to the point where she could barely see anything in front of her.
Chen Wensi paid no mind to the many pairs of eyes watching them from behind. His brows furrowed tightly as he gently cupped her face in his hands, looking at her with unwavering determination and affection. He said firmly, "Don't worry; I'm here for you!"
Watching this scene unfold from behind them, Liu Zimu instinctively pulled back the foot he had just stepped forward with. A bittersweet smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Suddenly, he felt as if a heavy stone had lodged itself in his chest, making it hard to breathe. The suffocating sensation compelled him to find a wall and punch it hard to release the pent-up frustration and pain within him.
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