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Escape from the Annihilation: Book 1
墨書 Inktalez
The night was as dark as ink, with a steady drizzle falling, enveloping the world in a heavy curtain that made it hard to breathe. Lin Xiu Wen curled up in the corner of the secret passage, his body trembling slightly, nearly merging into the endless darkness around him. The sounds of battle echoed from above, the clash of swords and blades resonating through the thick stone slabs, muffled yet alarmingly clear. He knew those sounds were just above him, in Lin Manor, where he had lived for sixteen years—a place that had once been his warm home but had now transformed into an Asura Field.
“Xiu Wen, remember your father's words.” His father's voice echoed in his ears like thunder, relentlessly pounding against his heart. “This jade pendant is the only token left by your mother; you must keep it safe.” His father’s face gradually became clearer in his memory, with a determined gaze and a serious expression that seemed to be right before him. Lin Xiu Wen clutched the jade pendant tightly against his chest; its smooth texture provided him with a slight sense of comfort. This pendant was his only connection to his mother and now carried his father's wishes, becoming his belief in survival.
The secret passage was pitch black, with no light to be found. Only the faint glow from his brother's Fire Stick illuminated the path ahead. Lin Xiu Wu held a sword in one hand and the Fire Stick in the other, vigilantly watching their surroundings. His silhouette appeared particularly tall and imposing in the flickering light, like a mountain providing Lin Xiu Wen with endless reassurance. However, Lin Xiu Wen's heart was filled with confusion and fear; he did not know what would happen next or if they could escape this disaster.
“Brother, can we really not go back to save Father?” Lin Xiu Wen's voice trembled slightly, tinged with a hint of tears. He could not accept that their father was in danger just above them while they could only watch helplessly.
Lin Xiu Wu did not turn back; his voice was firm and steady. “Father said that no matter what happens, we must not turn back. Xiu Wen, you are a scholar; remember that living is the only way to uncover the truth.” His words pierced Lin Xiu Wen's heart like a sharp sword but also made him realize that all they could do now was survive—for their father and to uncover the truth.
The secret passage was long and winding, seemingly endless. Lin Xiu Wen followed closely behind his brother, listening as the sounds from above gradually faded away, yet his unease grew stronger. His long robe was soaked with sweat, and each step felt like a struggle against his own body. He had spent most of his days buried in books and had never walked such a long distance before. His legs grew heavier as if filled with lead, each step felt like wading through mud.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed ahead like thunder on a clear day, shattering the silence of the passage. Lin Xiu Wu abruptly halted; the light from the Fire Stick illuminated his tense profile. “Not good; the exit of the secret passage is blocked.” There was urgency in his voice, yet he remained calm.
Lin Xiu Wen's heart tightened as if gripped by an invisible hand. He remembered his father saying that this passage led to the bamboo forest outside the city—their only escape route. But now it was blocked; what should they do? His mind was in chaos as fear and despair surged over him like a tide.
“Follow me.” Lin Xiu Wu turned toward another fork in the path, his voice carrying an undeniable firmness. “Father said there is another exit in the secret passage.” His words felt like a ray of hope illuminating the darkness within Lin Xiu Wen.
The new passage was even narrower and more humid, filled with a musty smell that made it almost impossible to breathe. Lin Xiu Wen felt increasingly suffocated as if a heavy stone pressed down on his chest. He struggled to keep up with his brother's pace while feeling his legs grow heavier with each step as if fighting against fate itself.
“Brother…” he began to speak when suddenly footsteps echoed from above. The sound drew closer, accompanied by metallic clinks that seemed like death's approach. Lin Xiu Wu quickly extinguished the Fire Stick, plunging them into darkness. The brothers held their breath, daring not to make a sound as they relied on each other's warmth to sense one another's presence.
The footsteps grew nearer along with a hoarse yet low voice: “They can't have run far. The master said alive or dead, we must see them.” There was cruelty in that voice as if they were mere lambs awaiting slaughter.
Lin Xiu Wen felt his heartbeat thunderous in his chest, nearly leaping out of him. He bit down hard on his lip to suppress any sound. Yet fate would not spare him; suddenly he felt an itch in his throat and couldn’t help but cough lightly.
“There are people below!” one voice exclaimed.
Lin Xiu Wu shoved Lin Xiu Wen aside urgently: “Run!” His voice was laced with urgency but remained resolute.
The stone slabs of the secret passage were lifted away as blinding light poured in, dispelling the darkness. Lin Xiu Wen saw his brother draw his sword to confront the black-clad figures jumping down. In the flurry of blades and flashes of steel, he watched as Lin Xiu Wu faced three opponents alone with fierce swordplay; every strike carried an air of determination. However, Lin Xiu Wen knew it would be nearly impossible for one person to fend off so many pursuers.
“Xiu Wen, remember: living is how we uncover the truth!” Lin Xiu Wu’s voice rang out amidst the chaos of battle as if coming from afar. “We’ll split up and meet in the capital!”
Lin Xiu Wen turned and ran without hesitation. He understood that staying behind would only burden his brother with his frail body. Guilt and self-reproach filled him; however, he knew this was not the time for hesitation. He had to survive—for their father, for his brother, for uncovering the truth.
At the end of the secret passage was a hidden door; he pushed it open with all his strength as biting cold wind mixed with rain rushed at him. He stumbled into the rain-soaked night while sounds of fighting and shouting faded behind him. The rain blurred his vision; he lost track of how long he had been running until exhaustion overwhelmed him and he collapsed heavily onto the ground.
When he awoke again, he found himself lying on a soft bed. A faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, gradually bringing clarity back to his mind. The gauzy curtains hung lowly around him, revealing shadowy figures moving outside.
“You're awake,” came a cool female voice tinged with indifference yet laced with concern.
Lin Xiu Wen propped himself up weakly and saw a woman dressed in simple clothing entering through the parted curtains. She appeared to be in her early twenties with striking features but bore an air of sharpness that seemed capable of seeing through all worldly pretense. Her presence instantly brightened the dim room.
“This is Drunken Immortal Pavilion; I am Liu Rumei,” she said as she sat down beside him on the bed, her voice carrying a hint of fatigue yet maintaining elegance. “You have been unconscious for three days and nights.”
Lin Xiu Wen then noticed that his clothes had been changed and his wounds properly bandaged. He instinctively touched his chest, feeling the jade pendant still there. A warm current surged within him; thanks to this woman’s rescue, he had managed to survive.
“Thank you for saving me, miss.” He attempted to rise and bow, but Liu Rumei pressed him back down. “No need for such formalities.” Her gaze fell upon the jade pendant at his chest, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes. “This pendant… is quite unique.”
Lin Xiu Wen's heart skipped a beat, but he saw Liu Rumei already shifting her gaze away. “You should rest well. We can discuss matters tomorrow.” Her voice carried a hint of fatigue yet remained gentle.
Watching Liu Rumei's retreating figure, Lin Xiu Wen felt that this courtesan was not ordinary. There was an indescribable grace in her every movement, completely unlike that of a woman of the brothel. Her presence seemed like a twist of fate, allowing him to glimpse a sliver of light in this dark moment.
As the night deepened and silence enveloped the room, Lin Xiu Wen found himself unable to sleep. His mind was filled with worry and unease—wondering where his brother was, reflecting on the tragedy at Lin Manor, and recalling his father’s last words. Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a soft silver veil over him. He took out the jade pendant and examined it closely in the moonlight.
Suddenly, he noticed what seemed to be tiny inscriptions on the inner side of the pendant. Leaning in for a closer look, he discerned the faint words “Imperial Gift.” A jolt of shock coursed through him as if struck by lightning. Imperial Gift? His father had never mentioned the origin of this pendant, only saying it was a token left by his mother. Could it be that… the massacre at Lin Manor was connected to the court?
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