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墨書 Inktalez
"That is grandfather," Ying Wuxie said softly.
"Grandfather?" Jinse's eyes widened; the powerful aura emanated from the ground beneath her feet. Wasn't it rumored that the Demon Path Master had been completely wiped out?
"Father, this is Jinse, my daughter," Bai Shan said, prioritizing filial piety above all else; it was rare for him to fulfill his duty as a son now.
The aura fluctuated, causing the air to hum in response.
"Finally, there is a descendant." The voice was not as old and kind as imagined; instead, it was a gentle male voice filled with a hint of excitement, though that emotion was fleeting. It seemed there were few things left in the world that could bring him joy.
"Grandfather," Jinse's voice trembled slightly.
After a wave of warmth, the aura receded like a tide, losing its sense of intimacy. Jinse shrugged her shoulders; the night felt a bit chilly.
"Father, I am going to the Western Abyss and have come to bid farewell. The matter of Jinse recognizing her ancestors will have to wait until you awaken to preside over it."
"Tomorrow, then? But I haven't spoken to mother yet."
"No, it will be next year on this day."
Jinse blinked; her grandfather would sleep for a year?
"Father, it is said that the Western Abyss is very dangerous. You must be careful."
"It’s nothing," Ying Wuxie said, gazing into the distance with a reminiscent look. "Jinse, call me father again."
"Father, I..." A strong sense of reluctance mixed with a tinge of heartache surged within her, causing Jinse to furrow her brow.
"Speak freely," Ying Wuxie encouraged upon seeing Jinse's hesitant expression. The enchanting and lazy tone from Ordinary Days carried warmth; after all, this was his own flesh and blood.
"There has been something in my daughter's heart for a long time." Jinse bit her silver teeth, caressing her chest, trying to soothe the bitter feelings and the restless emotions within her as she looked at Ying Wuxie, whose black hair danced in the wind under the moonlight, his gaze lazy yet enchanting.
Ying Wuxie also looked at Jinse and noticed that there were many similarities between them in her brows and eyes. It was a magical feeling, a sense of pride as a father. Although his life had been long, this beloved child was none other than the Jinse before him. In his lifetime, only Jinse would call him "father." Of course, until she awakened the bloodline power and received the acknowledgment of their ancestors' will, Jinse could not yet be considered a member of the Ying Family.
"Father, why did you..." The more anxious Jinse became, the more pain she felt. Her small face turned pale; why did mentioning her mother in front of him cause her heart to ache so unbearably? She was deeply infatuated, entangled in addiction, unable to extricate herself.
Ying Wuxie turned away. "Back then, I became friends with Bile and met your mother on a boat. You know how irresistible your father's charm is." He chuckled softly. "Later on, you came along. Your mother wanted to return to the capital to serve as an official; even your father's charm couldn't resist her."
In just a few words, half a lifetime was summarized.
"Go to sleep now, child." Ying Wuxie changed to a tone filled with weariness and sighed softly. His handsome face loomed large before Jinse, a mischievous smile playing at the corners of his lips.
Jinse couldn't help but be stunned for a moment before breaking into a smile.
What could she do with such a father?
The desert night was very cold; it was scorching hot during the day but left one shivering at night. The hoarse calls of the Cold Crow echoed in her ears, and looking around revealed no shadows or figures—only endless fine sand shimmering with silver light under the moonlight and the grayish wind blowing bitterly.
Everything seemed endless.
Hibiscus looked up at the starry sky and continued walking westward, playing with a small bead in her hand. The bead was dull and cool to the touch. She tucked it into her bosom as she heard the distant calls of the Cold Crow.
Hibiscus kept moving forward. Looking up, she saw that lonely windswept yellow sand weeping under the vast sky; it was high above while the earth lay heavy and quiet. Yet it was already dusk; the setting sun painted the desert blood-red—a tragic and terrifying sight—transforming the land into a poetic desolation.
Legends spoke of many evil spirits and scorching winds in the desert that would lead one to death upon encounter. The desert was so desolate that no birds flew overhead nor beasts roamed below. All that could be seen were endless sands that made it impossible to recognize any path; one could only follow the bones of dead horses onward.
But this Western Desert of Ximing showed no signs of even dead bones. If it weren't for that inconspicuous bead in her hand occasionally bringing a refreshing sensation, this scorching wind might have blown away her remaining willpower.
A wave of fresh fragrance wafted through the hot air as Hibiscus climbed higher, surveying from atop a sand dune. She discovered a hint of green not far ahead—an oasis? Hibiscus's tense nerves relaxed slightly as she darted toward it. Half an hour had passed, and dusk was approaching again, yet that oasis always seemed just out of reach.
Finally, after a couple of hours, the sun had set on the horizon, and the blood-red sunset stained the desert. Hibiscus finally stepped onto the green land.
This desert was truly harsh; even the green grass was scorching. Hibiscus looked at the withered yellow grass interspersed with a hint of green, surrounded by tall trees with straight trunks. The wind blew, causing the shadows of the trees to sway without a sound.
Continuing forward, it was essential to prepare some water and provisions here. The oasis indeed had a water source; not far away, a small river lay quietly. In the desert, such a river was more enchanting than a beautiful maiden lying there. After a while of searching for wild beasts to skin and leave on the sand to dry in a few hours, Hibiscus made up his mind and stepped towards the girl—uh, the river.
Perhaps due to the surrounding trees, the water in this small river was very clear. Although clear water means no fish, here the fish were lively and jumping in the clear stream. They were a bit small but full of vitality. Hibiscus had already reached the riverbank, yet these fish showed no signs of fear and continued to swim around.
Removing the cork from his water pouch, Hibiscus bent down to watch those nameless fish swimming freely, which lifted his spirits. However, when he tried to scoop up some water, his hand came up empty. Hibiscus furrowed his brow as he watched the water flow through his hands and pouch without making a sound. He put away his pouch and looked at this silent river before him; could it be an illusion?
Hibiscus walked forward in confusion; sure enough, when he stepped into the river, it felt as smooth as solid ground, and the fish swam around his feet.
Suddenly, there was a muffled sound; the sand beneath Hibiscus's feet unexpectedly sank, pulling his body deep into the desert sand.
It turned out that beneath this mirage was quicksand!
Alright, today's update of 10,000 words has been fully uploaded.
There aren't many drafts left; I need to work hard on my writing.
Readers are supportive; I must do my best!
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