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墨書 Inktalez
In a daze, Lin Ning's thoughts drifted like the wind, seemingly hovering between reality and dreams, unable to distinguish the boundaries of time and space. After an unknown period, Lin Ning felt a twitch in his eyelids, and his thoughts gradually became clearer. He gently opened his eyes and found himself lying on a bamboo bed in a bamboo house. Soft light filtered through the gaps of the open bamboo windows, casting dappled shadows inside. The gentle sound of flowing water and the soft chirping of insects and birds reached Lin Ning's ears, creating a serene atmosphere that calmed his mind. He instinctively moved his body; his hands and feet were free to move. Struggling to recall what had happened before, he vividly remembered the onset of his Silkworm Poison attack, falling from a hollow in a withered Paulownia tree. Could it be that he was no longer among the living? Lin Ning pinched his right arm hard with his left hand, and a faint pain shot through it, making him realize he was still alive!
Lin Ning got off the bamboo bed and pushed open the door. Before him lay a lush, tranquil landscape. A clear river flowed gently like a ribbon in front of him, serene and deep. Delicate water carried fallen flowers downstream. On both sides of the river grew dense, vibrant bamboo forests. Lin Ning strolled along the creek, where crystal-clear springs converged under a steep mountain corner with waterfalls cascading down from above, forming a clear deep pool. Mist swirled above the pool, creating an ethereal atmosphere. It was hard to tell whether the rushing water was from the waterfall or clouds drifting in the sky. As he surveyed the banks of the pool, thick foliage shaded the area, fragrant flowers wafted through the air, and tall bamboos swayed in the breeze, appearing lush and vibrant. In this boundless expanse of deep green, Lin Ning could not discern whether it was day or night. Looking westward, he saw scattered rays of sunset filtering through the trees, leading him to suspect that night was approaching with the moon rising. Turning eastward, he noticed a faint yellow moonlight on the cliffs, making him wonder if dawn was breaking as the moon slowly retreated! Flowers and streams surrounded him as Lin Ning lost track of time. He navigated around the pool and through winding mountain paths; suddenly, before him opened up a vast green lawn that presented an entirely different scene compared to the misty landscape he had just seen.
In front of him stood a graceful young woman with her back turned towards him. She wore a purple dress and sat at a spinning wheel weaving cloth. Lin Ning slowly walked around the lawn to stand before her. The young woman's face resembled a lotus flower; her skin was as smooth as cream; her brows arched like crescent moons; her bright eyes sparkled with brilliance. She exuded warmth and gentleness, her demeanor elegant; she was slender and charming, evoking an irresistible sense of admiration—a true beauty among beauties. It felt as if delicate streams flowed gently by while peach blossoms filled the trees; gentle breezes caressed the winding paths shaded by bamboo; hidden valleys revealed enchanting maidens. When she saw Lin Ning approaching her, she smiled sweetly at him like a flower about to bloom.
Lin Ning's once quick tongue suddenly faltered: "Miss, you... where is this place?" The young woman replied, "You have been unconscious for three days and nights; you have finally awakened." Hearing her words surprised Lin Ning greatly; three days ago he had suffered from Silkworm Poison in the desert—he should have long been dead by now—how could he end up in this picturesque place? He said to her, "Miss, to be honest, I am afflicted by an incurable Silkworm Poison; based on when it struck me, I should have perished long ago!" The young woman replied, "Three days ago you fell from under a Paulownia tree; my father and I saved you. You were burning with fever and barely breathing; my father fed you herbal medicine made from Heartbreak Grass found in this valley, which is why you gradually recovered."
Lin Ning never expected that the Silkworm Poison that had tormented him for so long could be cured by such an extraordinarily toxic herb as Heartbreak Grass—truly miraculous how nature's elements interact! He said to her, "I will never forget your kindness in saving my life; may I ask for your name?" The young woman smiled and said, "So your name is Lin Ning! My surname is Cong; my given name is Rong—just call me Rong'er from now on!" Lin Ning nodded: "Cong Rong is a beautiful name! Is it just you and your father living in this vast valley?" Cong Rong replied, "Yes, I have lived here with my father since I was little; my father is..."
Suddenly a middle-aged man coughed from afar as he approached them. Lin Ning noticed that this man wore coarse clothing; he had striking features—thick brows and large eyes with high cheekbones—a square face marked by signs of hardship yet exuding authority when he glanced around. Cong Rong called out to him: "Father." Lin Ning knelt on one knee with cupped fists before this man: "I am Lin Ning; thank you for saving my life!" The man extended his left hand to help him up: "No need for formalities; saving one life is worth more than building seven pagodas—do not call me benefactor anymore; just call me Uncle Cong." Lin Ning responded: "Yes, Uncle Cong." Cong Jiang nodded and asked: "How did you come to be poisoned by Dunhuang Double Slayers' Silkworm Poison?"
Upon hearing that Cong Jiang knew about Dunhuang Double Slayers' Silkworm Poison, Lin Ning realized he was dealing with someone from the martial world since ordinary people would not know about such poisons. He recounted how he had been injured by Silkworm Poison at Enze Gang before the martial arts tournament. Lin Ning asked: "How did Uncle Cong know that Heartbreak Grass could cure Silkworm Poison?" Cong Jiang replied: "I did not know Heartbreak Grass could cure Silkworm Poison; I only thought to try using poison against poison when I saw your life hanging by a thread—it turned out Heartbreak Grass is indeed Silkworm Poison's nemesis."
Cong Jiang then asked about Master Lin from Enze Gang: "What relation does Master Lin have with you?" Lin Ning answered: "Master Lin is my father." Cong Jiang sighed deeply: "Master Lin is known as a chivalrous man in our circles; I hold great respect for him." He continued: "Who was elected as the new leader of martial artists at this tournament?" Lin Ning detailed everything that had transpired during the martial arts tournament to Cong Jiang. Cong Jiang lamented: "If Leader Yuan from Sun Moon Gang were here, how could anyone else have taken up that position?"
When Lin Ning heard Cong Jiang mention Yuan Qingtian from Sun Moon Gang, his heart stirred: "Uncle Cong knows Leader Yuan?" A glimmer flashed in Cong Jiang's eyes as he said: "I am just a simple man from these mountains—how could I have had the fortune to meet someone as renowned as Leader Yuan?" From Cong Jiang's fleeting expression, Lin Ning sensed he was lying but felt it inappropriate to press further since he seemed unwilling to share more.
Cong Jiang instructed Cong Rong to prepare dinner while she cooked braised carp and stewed mountain vegetables for them both. After being hungry for several days, Lin Ning devoured several bowls of rice like a whirlwind.
As evening fell and moonlight poured down like water through tree shadows onto the tranquil valley below, Lin Ning stepped out of the bamboo house beside the stream and began practicing his Xuanning Sword techniques—the sword moves he had created alongside Hu Xueyan called Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon. Underneath the moonlight, his Xuanning Sword appeared like white silk threading through rainbows amidst flower shadows; peach blossoms floated down around him as if infused with life itself—the sword energy danced freely around him while his clothes fluttered gracefully in rhythm with his movements—creating an illusion that he might soar away on the wind.
The tip of Xuanning Sword lightly touched the stream’s surface causing sparkling droplets to scatter everywhere. Lin Ning leaped into action without touching any dust—light as clouds themselves! Watching him dance with his sword were Cong Jiang and Cong Rong who felt as though some cloud had accidentally descended into their realm.
Cong Rong's bright black eyes sparkled with excitement as she watched Lin Ning wielding Xuanning Sword like frost or snow while radiating silver light all around him—even though it was powerful like a dragon soaring through mountains or rivers—it did not diminish his gentle demeanor at all. It resembled still waters disturbed only by gentle breezes—each moment only enhanced its serene beauty.
As they observed Lin Ning’s swordplay together beside them—Cong Rong felt exhilarated having never encountered anyone outside her father’s company throughout her life in this secluded valley until now—a handsome young man who captivated her heart completely.
Cong Jiang noted how fluidly Lin Ning moved during their sparring session—sometimes fierce like dragons swallowing rivers while at other times light-footed like clouds dancing freely—and said: “Young man! Allow me to experience your swordsmanship.”
Seeing Uncle Cong wielding a steel knife while launching into action made Lin Ning flip upside down onto a branch where their weapons clashed repeatedly amidst sparks flying everywhere!
Lin Ning swiftly evaded Uncle Cong’s powerful strikes while countering deftly until finally spotting an opening below Uncle Cong’s stance—a swift kick sent Uncle Cong tumbling down onto ground!
Lin Ning rushed over helping Uncle Cong back up saying: “My apologies!”
Cong Jiang stood up blushing profusely saying repeatedly: “You are formidable… truly formidable…”
Lin Ning asked curiously: “Was that technique earlier from The Art of Sun and Moon?”
Cong Jiang suddenly demanded sharply: “How do you know about The Art of Sun and Moon? What connection do you have with Yang Yan?”
Taken aback momentarily before replying honestly: “Uncle Cong… Yang Yan is my enemy! My current predicament stems directly from him! I’ve crossed swords with Yang Yan before when he used this very technique against me!”
Lin Ning then recounted how enmity arose between himself & Yang Yan leading up until arriving here within this valley.
Cong Jiang gritted his teeth declaring angrily: “I too fell victim at hands of that scoundrel which led me into hiding here for thirteen years!”
Upon hearing these words shocked Lin Ning realized rumors surrounding Yuan Qingtian’s disappearance for thirteen years might hold truth—could it be that Uncle Cong stood before him as Yuan Qingtian himself?
Cautiously probing further asking: “Forgive my ignorance but what relation does Uncle Cong share with Leader Yuan?”
Cong Jiang replied solemnly: “Leader Yuan is my senior brother.”
Lin Ning felt thunderstruck upon hearing this revelation—his admiration towards Leader Yuan surged even higher wondering where he currently resided wishing desperately for opportunity visit!
Cong Jiang’s expression darkened sorrowfully stating: “Leader Yuan & His Wife are no longer among us.”
Lin Ning gasped incredulously asking urgently: “Who killed Leader Yuan & His Wife?”
With clenched teeth each word deliberate & heavy: “Who else but Yang Yan—the scoundrel!”
Stunned speechless realizing implications behind these revelations left him trembling questioning why would Yang Yan betray his own master?
Cong Jiang explained bitterly detailing how Yang Yan once taken under care by Leader Yuan during travels turned traitor after gaining power leading ultimately towards tragic demise both leaders suffered leaving behind chaos within Sun Moon Gang!
Lin Ning seethed internally vowing vengeance against Yang Yan wishing nothing less than retribution! He urged Uncle Cong saying determinedly: “Let us leave here together returning back towards Sun Moon Gang seeking justice against Yang Yan!”
Shaking head solemnly Uncle Cong replied regretfully stating reality faced currently—they were vastly outnumbered thus revenge must wait until proper planning could take place!
Nodding understandingly agreeing wholeheartedly saying indeed wise counsel offered!
Uncle Cong led them along riverbanks eastward passing layers upon layers blooming flowers arriving beneath enormous decayed Paulownia tree standing tall yet lifeless above ground!
Noticing bark dark brown needing two adults arms wrapped around its girth sparked curiosity within heart wondering if somehow connected back towards previous encounter witnessed within desert!
Cong Jiang lifted roots revealing hidden iron plate underneath pressing switch causing lid pop open revealing large crimson rosewood box inside containing gleaming weapons shining brightly beneath moonlight!
Lin Ning gasped astonished recognizing legendary Sunlight Blade & Moonlight Sword resting inside box!
Cong Jiang carefully drew forth Sunlight Blade illuminating surroundings casting warm glow over nearby flora resembling sunlight bathing everything nearby!
Encouragingly urging Lin Ning retrieve Moonlight Sword carefully extracting blade revealing dazzling brilliance illuminating all around them resembling daytime rather than nightfall confirming tales surrounding dual blades’ powers true indeed!
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