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墨書 Inktalez
A chill ran down Xuan Yang's spine, sending a shiver through his entire body and causing the hair on his neck to stand on end. Instinctively, he pulled Qu Si Yang behind him, guarding her as if facing a formidable enemy, his gaze fixed warily on the group of villagers before him, filled with vigilance and apprehension.
The faces that were usually friendly now wore expressions of hostility, their eyes reflecting an indescribable strangeness that sent a wave of unease through him.
"Village Chief, what are you... what do you intend to do?" Xuan Yang struggled to suppress the fear and anxiety rising within him, striving to keep his voice calm, though the slight tremor at the end betrayed his inner turmoil.
Lu Zhiyuan leaned heavily on an old cane that had seen many years, his frail body appearing ready to collapse as he shuffled toward Xuan Yang.
His already murky eyes were now filled with worry and urgency, as if he genuinely cared for their well-being. "Xuan Yang, Si Yang, I'm relieved to see you both safe! My old bones nearly gave out when I heard you were in danger at the dilapidated temple. I hurried over with everyone to check on you."
He paused, letting out a long sigh that seemed to express both relief and resignation. "Oh dear, why do you children never listen? That temple has been unsettled ever since it was abandoned; strange things happen there often, making people uneasy. You should avoid going there in the future to prevent any more danger."
Listening to Lu Zhiyuan's words, Xuan Yang couldn't help but scoff inwardly. This old man was putting on quite a show! He clearly knew what had happened in the temple but pretended otherwise—how hypocritical! What was he really up to? The Village Chief had some impressive acting skills; he could have made a career in theater!
"Village Chief, we really are fine. We just got lost in the temple and took a while to find our way out," Qu Si Yang quickly interjected, sensing the tension in the air. She didn't want Xuan Yang to clash with the villagers; after all, they still needed to live in this village.
"That's good to hear," Lu Zhiyuan replied, visibly relieved as he nodded repeatedly. He then turned to the group of villagers who still eyed them suspiciously. "Alright, alright, since they are fine, everyone can disperse now. Go about your business; no need to linger here."
Though the villagers still looked dissatisfied, they dared not defy the Village Chief's orders and reluctantly turned away. As they left, several shot Xuan Yang fierce glares as if they wished to devour him whole.
Xuan Yang observed Lu Zhiyuan's cunning face with a hint of suspicion. The old man's behavior was far too unusual! Every action and word seemed laced with something sinister, as if he was deliberately concealing a secret. Was there something more sinister at play?
"Village Chief, I have another question for you," Xuan Yang decided to probe further.
"What question? Go ahead," Lu Zhiyuan replied, his gaze fixed on Xuan Yang. A flicker of barely perceptible tension crossed his cloudy eyes but was quickly masked.
"What is the Shadow?" Xuan Yang asked sharply, locking eyes with Lu Zhiyuan as he enunciated each word deliberately, searching for any hint of truth in his expression.
Lu Zhiyuan's body trembled slightly at the mention of the Shadow. A flicker of panic crossed his wrinkled face but was swiftly replaced by calmness as if his earlier lapse was merely an illusion. "The Shadow? Is it him? Did he confront you?"
"Village Chief, you know about the Shadow, don't you? Do you know what he wants?" Xuan Yang pressed on relentlessly, his tone growing colder like a drawn sword aimed directly at Lu Zhiyuan's vulnerabilities. "The Shadow was just in the temple; he tried to steal my pendant and nearly killed me and Si Yang! You must know this!"
Lu Zhiyuan's expression darkened further, shifting from pale to flushed, like a painter's palette, unpredictable and ever-changing. He fell silent for a moment, as if contemplating something or weighing the pros and cons. After a long pause, he finally spoke slowly, “Xuan Yang, there are some things it's better for you not to know. The more you know, the more dangerous it becomes for you. The waters here run deep; it’s not something you can wade through.”
“Dangerous? What could be more dangerous than almost being killed by the Shadow?” Xuan Yang scoffed, his tone laced with sarcasm. “Are you suggesting that Village Chief, you know about or are involved in this conspiracy?”
Lu Zhiyuan sighed deeply and said, “Xuan Yang, I understand you have many questions and confusions right now, but this is not the time to tell you. When you are strong enough, you will naturally learn the truth. For now, your abilities have awakened; all you need to do is remember to train diligently and enhance your strength. That is the most important thing.”
“Strong enough? Hmph, do I have to wait until I'm as powerful as the Shadow to learn the truth?” A flicker of derision crossed Xuan Yang's eyes; he did not believe Lu Zhiyuan's reasoning. “Village Chief, what exactly are you hiding?”
Lu Zhiyuan did not answer Xuan Yang's question. He simply gazed deeply at him before turning away toward the village. His hunched figure elongated in the sunset's afterglow, appearing particularly lonely. Before leaving, he left behind a final remark: “Xuan Yang, Si Yang, remember my words: sometimes it’s better not to know certain things. It’s for your own good.”
Watching Lu Zhiyuan's retreating back, Xuan Yang was filled with confusion and unease, as if countless ants were crawling around in his heart, making him restless. How many secrets had that old man concealed? What was this "danger" he spoke of? And who or what was that mysterious "Shadow"? All of it felt like a massive enigma hanging over Xuan Yang’s mind, suffocating him.
“Xuan Yang, let’s go; we should head home,” Qu Si Yang gently tugged at Xuan Yang's sleeve and said softly, her voice filled with concern and worry.
Xuan Yang nodded and left the dilapidated temple with Qu Si Yang as they walked toward the village.
Along the way, Xuan Yang felt an overwhelming heaviness in his heart, as if it were filled with lead. He felt trapped in a vast maze where everything around him was shrouded in mystery—truths hard to discern and realities difficult to separate—making him feel immensely oppressed and suffocated. He was like a headless fly buzzing aimlessly in this labyrinth without finding an exit.
He didn’t know who he truly was or what secrets his background held; he had no idea what he was meant to do or how to navigate his future path. All he knew was that he needed to grow stronger quickly; only with great power could he unravel these mysteries, protect himself and those around him, and survive in this world full of dangers and uncertainties.
Upon returning to the village, Xuan Yang and Qu Si Yang kept quiet about their ordeal and went straight home; they knew this matter required careful consideration.
Seeing Xuan Yang and Qu Si Yang return safely, Xuan Yang's parents breathed a sigh of relief as their anxieties were finally eased.
“Yang'er, Si Yang, are you two alright? It’s been nerve-wracking!” Xuan Yang's mother grasped his hand tightly, examining him from head to toe with concern etched on her face as if afraid he had lost even a hair.
“We're fine, really fine! We just got lost in the old temple and took a bit of a detour,” Xuan Yang reassured his mother; he didn’t want them to worry about him.
“That's good to hear! You two really scared me!” His mother patted her chest in relief before turning to Qu Si Yang. “Si Yang, you must have been frightened too; hurry home now. Your parents must be just as anxious as we are.”
Xuan Yang nodded obediently and started heading home.
"Yang'er, are you really okay? You don't look well," Xuan Qing said, concern filling his clear eyes as he looked at Xuan Yang.
Xuan Yang shook his head, forcing a smile. "Dad, I'm fine, just a bit tired. It might be from all the commotion at the dilapidated temple today. Don't worry, I'll feel better after some rest. But Dad, how come you have abilities too? I never knew you had this talent."
"I'll tell you another day. For now, just rest well. I'll go get you a glass of water to soothe your throat," Xuan Qing replied before turning and leaving the room.
Xuan Yang nodded and slowly lay back on the bed, closing his eyes. However, his mind was flooded with images like a movie playing out before him—the sinister face of the shadowy figure, Lu Zhiyuan's cryptic words, and the eerie faces of the villagers.
He felt like a chess piece being manipulated by an unseen hand, helplessly caught in a vast conspiracy of which he knew nothing. This feeling left him frustrated and angry. It was as if he were trapped in a massive cage, struggling in vain to escape.
He didn’t know how to break free from this predicament or how to face the challenges ahead. He was uncertain if he could survive in this world filled with danger and uncertainty.
All he knew was that he had to become stronger quickly. Only with great power could he protect himself and those around him, unravel all the mysteries, find his own answers, and take control of his destiny!
Suddenly, he felt the pendant on his chest warm slightly. A wave of warmth surged from it, spreading throughout his body and bringing him a refreshing sensation. This warmth seemed to possess some magical power, revitalizing his weary body.
He opened his eyes wide; the dullness in them was replaced by a brilliant sparkle as if two flames were igniting within.
He realized that his fate was about to change. From this moment on, he would no longer be a pawn at the mercy of others but a true player! He would take control of his destiny, uncover all the mysteries, identify the mastermind behind it all, and defeat them completely!
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