The night passed rather peacefully.
The very next morning, someone was shouting outside the cave.
Fake Zuo Men, displeased, turned over and sat up. Hearing the commotion outside, he raised his hand to summon someone.
"Someone! What's going on outside, making so much noise?"
At that moment, a soldier standing guard hurried over and replied.
"General, from the sound of it, it seems to be some villagers."
"Villagers? What are they here for?"
"Your subordinate does not know."
Fake Zuo Men tilted his head in thought and decided to go out and see for himself. He patted the soldier's shoulder and said,
"I'll go out and see what's happening."
"Yes, sir."
Saying this, he left the mountain cave alone. Indeed, he saw a few villagers arguing with the soldiers guarding the cave.
He cleared his throat and asked,
"What are you all making such a racket about so early in the morning?"
Everyone turned their heads and, seeing Zuo Men, quieted down.
At that moment, a soldier ran over to explain to him.
"General, these people insist that you saved someone and want to bring you some good wine to express their gratitude. We wanted to accept it, but they insisted on thanking you personally.
We were worried about disturbing your rest, so we didn't report it and tried to reason with them, but they wouldn't listen. And so, an argument ensued."
Hearing the explanation, Zuo Men felt a bit hazy and asked in confusion,
"Saved someone?"
Before he could finish, an old villager spoke.
"Sir, have you forgotten? Yesterday, the injured woman you saved in the front was my daughter.
My daughter asked me to thank you properly, no matter what, for saving her life.
We are a humble family and have nothing else to offer. Hearing that you enjoy wine, we brought some of our own homemade brew.
Although it's not as palatable as wine from the city, it is a fine aged wine, aged for a hundred years."
Hearing the villager's words, he vaguely remembered that such a thing had happened.
"Oh, I remember now. I was just passing by yesterday. It was a small matter, nothing to mention."
The villager cupped his hands and said,
"Regardless, sir, you are the savior of my daughter. We have nothing to repay you with, so please accept this aged wine."
Unable to refuse their earnestness, he frowned slightly and slowly walked over to the several jars of good wine placed aside.
He lowered his head and took a slight whiff. A mellow yet slightly sweet aroma of fine wine wafted from the jars.
It was indeed good wine, and his heart couldn't help but be tempted. He then glanced at the soldiers beside him, many of whom were secretly swallowing.
Presumably due to military orders, no one dared to accept it.
He smiled slightly and cupped his hands in thanks.
"Since you are all so thoughtful, I shall accept it then."
Seeing him accept, the villagers were relieved and expressed their gratitude.
"Thank you, sir, thank you."
Fake Zuo Men waved his hand.
"This is a military stronghold. You cannot stay here for long, please return."
"Very well, then we shall take our leave."
"Have a good journey."
After seeing off the villagers, he beckoned to several soldiers and said,
"Come, carry these jars of good wine into the cave."
The men beside him heard this and quickly ran over, each picking up a jar. Their mouths watering, they walked into the mountain cave.
It was not hard to imagine that they had not tasted the deliciousness of wine for a long time.
Entering the cave, Fake Zuo Men sat down and pondered over the wine.
The deputy general, who had been watching with envy, cautiously stepped forward.
"General, is there a problem?"
Fake Zuo Men rested his head on his hand and turned back to look at him with a sense of loss.
"The regulations prohibit us from drinking, but this fine wine has appeared before me. It truly makes me yearn for it."
The deputy general stood by the wine jars, couldn't help but take a few more breaths. The strong aroma of wine instantly filled his mouth and nose.
After a while, he replied,
"Yes, this wine is truly tempting to look at."
"Do you think it would be alright if we took a small sip?"
The deputy general thought for a moment and then expressed his own thoughts.
"The City Lord ordered us to watch over the Ten Thousand Ghost King. However, I've heard that no one who enters this Wuji Abyss has ever come out.
Moreover, when she was sent in, I saw that she was severely injured, barely alive.
She's been thrown into the Wuji Abyss for some time now. I think she's likely already gone.
If we take a few small sips, there shouldn't be any problem."
Fake Zuo Men smiled slightly. This was the answer he wanted, but he couldn't agree immediately.
If he agreed right away, it might arouse suspicion.
So he frowned slightly, showing a hint of worry.
"You're right, but there are some people here who are not our own. I'm afraid they might go back and talk nonsense, causing us trouble."
"You can rest assured about that, General. I will talk to them properly and ask them to keep it a secret."
"Good, I'll leave this to you. I think tonight would be good. The brothers have been longing for it for a long time. How about we drink tonight?"
The deputy general also agreed.
"I think so too. The sooner we drink it, the sooner it's gone, and we can stop longing for it."
"Yes, you understand my thoughts best. Alright, at noon tonight, call the brothers to drink."
Upon hearing this, the deputy general became immediately excited and said happily,
"Thank you, General. I'll go and share this good news with the brothers right away."
"Good, go ahead."
"Yes, sir."
After the deputy general left, Fake Zuo Men revealed a subtle smile.
Not long after, all the brothers in the cave heard this good news and became instantly excited, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the night.
Time ticked by, and finally, the sun set, casting its golden rays. Darkness fell, and the surroundings became quiet, with only the Thousand Gate Cave showing signs of life.
Fake Zuo Men came out of the cave and looked around. Seeing that the time was almost right, he returned to the cave and gathered everyone.
Amidst the eager anticipation of the crowd, he said,
"Brothers have been working hard for days, and I cannot bear to see it. Today, I will make an exception and allow you to drink a little. Just don't neglect your guard duties."
"Yes, sir!"
A cheer erupted in the cave. Everyone picked up their large bowls, waiting to be served wine.
Those carrying the wine arrived one by one. As soon as they were served, the wine was drunk in one gulp, and then they shamelessly asked for another bowl.
After several rounds, everyone soon became dizzy.
Some with stronger willpower, trying to take a few steps, suddenly lost their footing and fell to the ground, fast asleep.
Fake Zuo Men stood by, watching everyone gradually fall asleep, and smiled triumphantly. He unhurriedly walked outside.
With a whistle, people hidden in the darkness hurried over.
The Elder asked,
"How is it?"
Fake Zuo Men replied,
"Everything is in order."
"Good, thank you for your hard work."
"It is my honor to serve the Elder."
"Quickly, lead us inside."
"Yes, sir."
Immediately, he led everyone into the cave. Although he had only been there for one night, he had already figured out the location of the Wuji Abyss.
He then led everyone through a passage and arrived at an inner cave.
Above this cave, there was a skylight, through which one could see countless stars.
In the center of this cave hall stood a ginkgo tree that seemed to be gilded.
Beneath the tree was a dry well. Beside the dry well was a stone tablet, inscribed with cinnabar:
"Wuji Abyss"
It seemed this was the place.
"This is it."
Xue Ruyi said, and then reverted to her original form.
The Elder excitedly walked to the edge of the cave and peered inside, exclaiming,
"Excellent, the Ghost King can be saved."
Everyone else also gathered around. Lin'er looked inside and saw only darkness, appearing to be bottomless.
He then asked doubtfully,
"However, how are we going to get down to save the Ghost King?"
The Elder had already prepared a solution for this matter.
His gaze slowly fell upon Lin'er. Amidst everyone's puzzled eyes, he took off the Elder's Ring from his finger and handed it to Lin'er, solemnly saying,
"Lin'er, listen to me. I now appoint you as the twenty-ninth generation Elder."
Lin'er was suddenly startled, and the ring slipped from his hand. Everyone was also shocked and remained stunned for a long time, not yet reacting.
The Elder bent down, carefully picked it up, and handed it back to Lin'er, saying earnestly,
"Be sure to keep it safe. This is the token of our Ghost Charm clan. From now on... I can no longer protect you."
Lin'er frowned, unable to believe what he was hearing. He quickly asked,
"Uncle, what's wrong? What are you going to do?"
Thirteenth Mother also asked in confusion,
"Elder, what is the meaning of this?"
The people beside them also questioned him one after another.
"Elder, do you have some unspeakable difficulty?"
"Elder, what happened?"
"Elder, what are you doing?"
Everyone could not guess the Elder's intentions and only thought he was overly worried.
Only Xue Gucheng guessed his intention and stepped forward to persuade him.
"Elder, I promised to save her, so I am willing to risk my life. I borrowed the items, let me go."
The Elder smiled and waved his hand.
"I have lived for countless years and have long passed the age of recklessness.
My only regret is that as an Elder of the Ghost Charm clan, I haven't been able to do anything. Now that I finally have an opportunity, let me go."
Lin'er shook his head slightly, as if he had guessed something, and asked,
"Uncle, is this matter related to the solution for the Wuji Abyss?"
The Elder remained silent, unwilling to tell him.
Yan Wushuang also did not expect this. He thought the Elder would have a solution, but instead, he was to go himself.
Lin'er had already guessed, and said with a hint of desolation,
"Even if you don't tell me, I know. The solution for the Wuji Abyss must be a life for a life.
I read about it in ancient texts, but I never expected it to turn out like this."
Upon hearing this, everyone became even more saddened, realizing that this was the reason the Four Cities had thrown the Ghost King here.
Lin'er smiled faintly and, without further ado, knelt down and pleaded with him,
"Uncle, let me go. The Ghost Charm clan cannot be without you."
The people beside him also knelt down and said in unison,
"Let me go. For the Ghost Charm clan, I am willing to sacrifice myself."
Xue Ruyi, seeing such loyalty and righteousness for the first time, had chosen to befriend the Ghost Charm clan precisely because he did not believe the world's rumors of their wickedness.
Now, witnessing it firsthand, he was deeply moved and naturally knelt down halfway, cupping his hands.
"I never believed the Ghost Charm clan to be so unbearable and wicked. Now, it seems to confirm my words.
As the saying goes, a person dies for their confidant. I am willing to go down and save them, so let me go."
Thirteenth Mother also said,
"Elder, let me go. If you are no longer here, even if the Ghost King is rescued, what will become of us?
Therefore, the Ghost Charm clan cannot be without you, and the Ghost King cannot be without you either."
Seeing everyone arguing, the usually straightforward Tian Lishi was the first to step forward and say,
"Stop arguing. Elder, let me go. It is my honor to die for the Ghost King."
The Elder sighed deeply and finally spoke.
"Alas, there is no need for you to argue. Let me go.
I am old. The entire Ghost Charm clan will depend on you in the future. You are the future of the Ghost Charm clan.
The hardships and obstacles ahead will be far more bitter than they are now. What awaits you will be unbearable suffering. Rise up, all of you."
Everyone slowly got up, but their faces were filled with worry.
Yan Wushuang suddenly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said,
"Elder, we are already indebted to Muye. Saving her is our duty. Let me go."
The Elder shook his head and said again,
"My mind is made up. There is no need to say more."
Then, he cast his gaze back to Lin'er, who was still kneeling on the ground, unwilling to rise.
The Elder pulled him up. Lin'er, as if he had lost his soul, slumped down again.
The Elder suddenly became angry, slapped him, and shouted,
"Get up!"
Lin'er raised his head, his eyes filled with pain and tears.
He pulled Lin'er up again and finally said to him,
"From now on, you are the Elder of the Ghost Charm clan and bear the mission of revitalizing the Ghost Charm clan. What kind of state are you in, crying like this?"
Lin'er shook his head and spoke his mind.
"I grew up without parents. Uncle raised me. In my heart, I have always regarded Uncle as my father.
Now, you are leaving me. What use is it for me to be the Elder of the Ghost Charm clan? I refuse."
Saying this, he threw the Elder's Ring he held. Thirteenth Mother hurriedly picked it up.
"Slap!"
Another loud slap, as if to wake him up. The people beside them were all stunned, and no one dared to intervene.
"You scoundrel! How did Uncle educate you? Everything must be for the sake of the clan, for the sake of the Ghost King.
After I am gone, you will have to shoulder the great responsibility of revitalizing the Ghost Charm clan. You cannot continue to cry like this."
Lin'er was momentarily speechless, only feeling the tears welling up in his reddened eyes, flowing down like an endless river.
With a bitter smile and a sense of helplessness, he said,
"What I want has never been these things, never. I only wish to be by your side."
The Elder finally could not bear it. He turned his back slightly, his eyes moist.
Turning back, he hugged Lin'er tightly, stroking his head like a father, and whispered,
"Uncle has always been proud of you, and you have always done very well. Many times, some things are just unavoidable.
From now on, you must take good care of yourself."
After speaking, he slowly let go and looked at the crowd before him, then slowly knelt down.
The crowd, not understanding, tried to help him up, but he said solemnly,
"The Ghost Charm clan is entrusted to you from now on. This old man thanks you."
With that, he kowtowed three times to the crowd, then stood up and ran forward quickly. Amidst everyone's attempts to stop him, he disappeared into the dry well.
"Uncle!"
"Elder!"
"Elder!"
Suddenly, the entire cave echoed with mournful and astonished cries, and weeping.
Lin'er, heartbroken, wanted to jump into the dry well to end his life, but Xue Gucheng held him back. He could only cry out hoarsely,
"Uncle! Uncle!"
At this moment, he no longer resembled the polite and dignified scholar he was in the past, but rather a dejected and pained child.
At this moment, the crowd, who were originally excited and joyful, were now in tears due to this sudden turn of events, filled with sorrow as if they had lost their light in the empty cave.