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墨書 Inktalez
Lin Ning descended from Fengyue Bridge and walked west along the Liuyun River until he reached Yunwu Mountain. The mist surrounding Yunwu Mountain mirrored Lin Ning's mood—confused and heavy, ethereal and vague, difficult to articulate, only to be felt deeply. Having lost the tower, he was lost at the crossing, in a paradise yet "unable to find a place to seek." He gently lifted his foot, feeling as if he were walking on cotton, a sense of lightness that threatened to plunge him into despair. Lin Ning and Hu Xueyan had once wandered through the misty illusions of Yunwu Mountain, dreaming sweet dreams together. However, the sun lingered behind the fog, leaving them forever in darkness. Amidst the swirling smoke, all of Lin Ning's joy and hope slowly burned away.
In his heartache and confusion, Lin Ning found himself alone and desolate at Yun Xue Mountain. Recently recovering from serious injuries and burdened by sorrow, the cold weather of Yun Xue Mountain made him shiver involuntarily. He walked slowly, taking half a day to finally arrive at the entrance of Fallen Icicle Cave. By this time, the sun had set, and the rising moon cast a vast silvery light upon the pristine snow, creating an atmosphere of emptiness that heightened the chill and sadness. This place had once been filled with beautiful memories shared between him and Hu Xueyan. Here they had created the technique "Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon," a testament to their love. Lin Ning drew his Xuanning Sword from his waist and danced silently in the snow—a solitary performance devoid of grace, passion, or romance. In his sorrow, he lost grip on the Xuanning Sword; it flew forward and lodged itself into a Plum Tree. As it pierced the snow, a crisp sound echoed through the air. The pleasant noise startled Lin Ning; he knew something must be buried beneath the snow to produce such a metallic sound. Approaching the Xuanning Sword, he used it to clear away the accumulated snow.
To his astonishment, nearly a yard deep beneath the snow lay a piece of crystal-clear emerald. Lin Ning continued to dig until the emerald was fully revealed; it measured over half a yard long, nearly two feet wide, and close to a foot thick. Under the moonlight's glow, this imperial green emerald radiated a soft and gentle light. Having grown up in a wealthy family in Jinling, Lin Ning had seen countless treasures but had never encountered such a large piece of fine emerald before. He realized this was an extraordinary treasure; even in regions known for producing Hetian jade in the West, such gems were rare. He noted that its dimensions were similar to Hu Xueyan's height. A thought crossed his mind—he felt this was a gift from heaven for him to remember Hu Xueyan. He intended to carve this emerald into her likeness as a way to commemorate Xue Yin's sister.
With this thought in mind, he hoisted the emerald onto his shoulder; however, weakened from his injuries, it slipped back onto the snow. After some contemplation, Lin Ning gathered several branches from under the Plum Tree on Yun Xue Mountain and fashioned them into a makeshift rope to tie around the emerald. He then placed one end of the rope over his shoulder and slowly dragged the emerald down the mountain.
Lin Ning placed the emerald in front of Qingdai Building within Xueyue Pavilion. He then took out a black gold dagger from his pocket and began carving Hu Xueyan's likeness into the emerald. For three days and nights without eating or drinking, he meticulously sculpted until finally completing the statue. The crystal-clear jade seemed like a true manifestation of Hu Xueyan herself; she smiled warmly at Lin Ning. Overcome with emotion, he embraced the statue once more as tears streamed down his face.
In his sorrowful state, Lin Ning leaned against the jade sculpture and slowly closed his eyes. In his dreams, an expansive sea merged with a blue sky into one seamless horizon where he and Hu Xueyan gazed at each other from opposite shores. They both leaped into the sea and swam desperately toward one another; as their distance closed, Lin Ning reached out for Hu Xueyan's hand. Suddenly, a wave crashed over them and engulfed Hu Xueyan completely. Lin Ning frantically searched for her in the depths of the ocean but could not find her anywhere. In his anxious cries for her name, he was jolted awake once again.
In moments of longing and nostalgia for old feelings that were hard to let go of—nights filled with dreams haunted by memories—Lin Ning’s tears fell uncontrollably onto Hu Xueyan's statue. After grieving for some time, he wiped away his tears from the statue's surface and steadied himself before speaking: " Xue Yin's sister, I must leave Yunshan Island for a while to seek revenge on Chen Tao—the one responsible for my parents' deaths. I will personally kill him to avenge my parents’ honor. Once I have avenged them, I will return to Yunshan Island to be with you again; we will never part ways after that." Lin Ning kissed the statue's cheek tenderly before reluctantly turning away while glancing back at it hidden among shadows cast by trees.
Before leaving Yunshan Island, Lin Ning wanted one last look at Qingdai Building to preserve all its beauty in his memory. As he entered Qingdai Building again, Hu Xueyan's portrait caught his eye once more. Gazing at her image, he murmured: "What is love in this world that binds life and death together? Xue Yin's sister —does your heart ache like mine?" The portrait of Hu Xueyan silently watched him without speaking; her gentle gaze pierced Lin Ning’s heart like needles once again...
Lin Ning’s eyes lingered on Hu Xueyan’s portrait until he sighed helplessly and turned away quickly from Qingdai Building. He made his way to Canghai Tower to bid farewell to Hu Chuanmao and Cheng Yun. "Father," he said earnestly, "Ning'er is going to Borderlands to find Chen Tao; once I avenge my parents’ deaths, I will return to serve you both." Tears streamed down their faces as they listened; Cheng Yun replied softly: "Good child, go ahead! Your Uncle Hu and I will wait for your safe return on Yunshan Island!"
After saying goodbye to Hu Chuanmao and Cheng Yun with heavy steps toward the western shore of the sea, an old man wearing a bamboo hat appeared on a small bamboo raft approaching Lin Ning slowly with an energetic demeanor despite his white hair; he paddled gently while singing: "Knowing well that longing disrupts my mind; alas! Longing has entered my soul... How many can pass through longing’s gate?" Lost in thought as he listened intently to those words—the bamboo raft floated closer until it reached him.
The old man stroked his snowy beard with a smile directed at Lin Ning: "Young hero—are you heading toward Jinling?" Nodding absentmindedly in response made him smile wider: "Coincidentally I am also bound for Jinling; we are headed in the same direction! Please step aboard!" Seeing sincerity in the old man's expression made Lin Ning climb aboard without hesitation.
As they paddled along together on their journey across waters unknown—the old man remarked: "You seem troubled by matters of love." Surprised by how perceptive this elder was about his inner thoughts made Lin Ning wonder how he could know so much about him just by looking at him.
Hearing Lin Ning sigh deeply prompted further words from this wise elder: "In these times of national crisis—could you set aside personal feelings temporarily? Focus instead on punishing evil-doers while helping those in need—seeking redemption for all humanity while aspiring toward lofty goals against foreign invaders."
Lin Ning felt shaken by these words! He realized how intertwined personal fate was with national destiny during such turbulent times ahead! Initially wishing only for peace alongside Hu Xueyan far away from worldly troubles on Yunshan Island—he never expected they would be swept up amidst such harsh realities where she would have no choice but flee towards Japan for safety!
He thought about how much like Guanyin she truly was—a savior bringing relief amidst suffering—a true hero! Regrettably peace often eludes heroes who deserve it most! Reflecting upon her tragic fate stirred emotions within him once more!
The old man continued speaking: "Times shape heroes; without circumstances there are no heroes! When crises arise—heroes emerge anew! If I’m not mistaken—you are destined as one who saves lives amidst peril!"
Lin Ning humbly replied: "You flatter me too much; your words are undeserved praise." The elder chuckled lightly: "I have something for you—a gift which you may open once we reach shore."
With that said—the elder produced an item wrapped in coarse cloth from within his robe handing it over carefully into Lin Ning’s hands just as they arrived ashore!
Upon disembarking—the old man smiled warmly saying: “Fate brings kindred spirits together; though I’m not Buddha—I’m fortunate enough to share this journey with you!” Bowing respectfully—Lin Ning expressed gratitude saying: “Thank you for your guidance—we shall meet again!” The old man nodded smiling before turning back towards distant horizons paddling away.
Watching as that figure receded into distance—Lin Ning cautiously unwrapped what lay inside revealing an ancient book with yellowed pages titled “Tai Gong's Art of War.” Shock coursed through him knowing its significance—it was written by Jiang Ziya detailing strategies regarding warfare! This text had been lost for centuries—how did this elder come upon such treasure?
He gazed longingly after where that old man had vanished recalling echoes of song drifting across waves…
Returning home—to Enze Gang intending farewell—but found Lin Enzhe troubled while Miao Shuyan wept openly surrounded by Cong Rong comforting her nearby! Upon seeing him return—Miao Shuyan cried even harder!
“Father! Mother! What happened?” Lin Ning asked anxiously! Cong Rong replied: “Brother—you’re back! Last night your elder brother suddenly disappeared leaving behind only note stating he sought out ‘fairy sister’!”
Panic gripped Lin Ning realizing who she referred—the fairy sister being none other than Hu Xueyan! Where could his brother have gone searching for her? Did he head towards Yunshan Island too? Yes—he must have gone there!
Determined now more than ever—Lin Ning reassured both parents: “Don’t worry—I’ll bring him back!”
Plans changed rapidly forcing Lin Ning temporarily abandon vengeance against Chen Tao instead returning once more towards Yunshan Island arriving just as evening fell—a full moon shining brightly above Yihua Garden!
As soon as reaching Qingdai Building—a familiar voice echoed from within Xueyue Pavilion: “Fairy sister—I miss you so much! Please don’t ignore me!” Recognizing it belonged unmistakably belonged to none other than Lin Cheng himself!
Stepping quietly behind magnolia tree observing closely revealed sight that broke his heart—his brother kneeling before Hu Xueyan’s statue repeatedly bowing while pleading desperately: “Fairy sister—I truly cannot live without you! Let me stay beside you—I’ll serve you faithfully!”
Suddenly driven by emotion—Lin Cheng crawled forward kissing feet of jade sculpture fervently causing tears streaming down Lin Ning’s face unable bear witnessing such despair!
Rushing forward grabbing hold tightly pulling him up exclaiming loudly: “Brother what are doing? Please stop!”
Lin Cheng stared blankly replying softly almost inaudibly: “They’ve all left me…everyone has gone away…none care about me anymore…if so—I’ll just leave too far away so none have see me again.”
Desperation surged within making urgency rise higher urging forth words quickly spoken: “Where do think you’re going?”
“I don’t know…maybe anywhere but here,” came response lacking conviction.
“Think about our parents—they’ll be heartbroken if you leave!”
“Oh—but what difference does it make? You’re here now—you’ll take care them instead.”
“That isn’t right—you’re their only son—they need YOU!”
“Oh really?” came response indifferent tone reflecting deep hurt lingering beneath surface emotions hidden away too long now surfacing rawly exposed!
“Since fairy sister won’t return—I’ve nothing left holding me here anymore,” declared resolutely turning away heading westward without hesitation!
In desperation reaching out grasping wrist firmly pinching pressure point immobilizing body causing collapse downward catching hold supporting weight easily binding wrists tightly together preventing escape attempts whatsoever!
Carrying brother under arm swiftly moving towards shoreline placing small boat gently afloat then rowing back homeward bound safely returning Enze Gang once more…
Fueled by vengeance burning bright within heart determined next morning dawn broke early bidding farewell parents tearfully exchanging glances filled with love lingering behind…
Riding sweat blood horse galloping northward changing course traveling westward aiming first visit Shaolin Temple seeking audience Abbot Zenzi who saved life twice previously wanting express gratitude personally since also father Master’s Wife Shen Chen thus making connection familial ties worthy honoring traditions upheld throughout generations past…
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