Me, Ada, and A Li were lounging lazily on the floor. Each of us held a dessert in hand.
Ada said, "Big Brother, why isn't he back yet?"
A Li, eating his dessert, comforted him, "Don't worry, Brother Liu. It's rare for him to see Xue Ji. It's only natural to chat a bit longer."
"Oh, I'm going to sleep soon."
"Why so early today?"
"They came to call me early in the morning, and I haven't had enough sleep."
"Alright."
With that, Ada got up to prepare his sleeping mat.
With Brother Liu absent today, A Li and I could finally have some close time. I shifted my body, a sly smile on my face, and moved towards A Li. My restless hand reached out slightly, about to touch him.
Suddenly, with a "swish!", the door was flung open. Liu Shinian stood at the entrance, a smile on his face, looking like he had a very pleasant chat. Seeing him return, I dejectedly lowered my hand, collapsing onto the floor like a corpse, motionless.
Ada, who had just brought out the quilt, saw Liu Shinian return and excitedly called out, "Big Brother, you're back."
A Li became curious and asked, "Brother Liu, what did you guys talk about?"
Liu Shinian, beaming with a bright smile, walked over to them, sat down, and slung his arms around their necks to share his joy. "Xue Ji told me a lot. She said she invited me today just to see me."
"That means she still has some feelings for Big Brother," Ada guessed.
Liu Shinian chuckled, "Of course. It's rare for her to see me."
A Li asked curiously, "Did she say anything else?"
"Ah, nothing much. It was just that my fight with Jin Yulan had reached her ears."
"Her news is quite well-informed."
"Indeed. The people around her are no ordinary folk; each possesses unique skills."
"In that case, her status in the Qian Ji Palace is no less than that of Boss Jin."
"Naturally. Otherwise, how could she be the number one dancer in Qian Ji Palace?"
Liu Shinian seemed to suddenly remember something, looking around, he asked, "Where's Muye?"
Ada pointed behind him, "Behind you."
Liu Shinian turned his head and saw Muye lying motionless on the floor. Looking as if she had kicked the bucket, he asked curiously, "What's wrong with her?"
"I don't know."
Liu Shinian had a sudden inspiration, took off his shoe, revealing his stinky foot, and stretched it forward, nudging me. I grabbed his foot and squeezed hard.
"Ah!" Liu Shinian cried out in pain and hastily withdrew his foot.
I slowly got up, shaking my hand, and said, "Your foot is really smelly. I need to wash up."
Liu Shinian roared, "Hey, I'm not saying this to you, but why were you pretending to be dead and then pinching me so hard?"
"You asked for it."
With that, I walked away to wash my hands without looking back.
Liu Shinian, full of confusion, pointed at me and asked A Li and Ada, "Is she acting crazy today?"
The two of them shook their heads repeatedly, "We don't know."
Liu Shinian sighed slightly, generously forgiving, "Forget it. She's just like that." He then used his hands as a pillow, lay down on the floor, and gazed at the ornate ceiling, thinking of Xue Ji again. He then began to praise Xue Ji to them. "I'm telling you, Xue Ji plays the zither beautifully. Especially under the white silk cloth, the way her form is subtly revealed is incredibly captivating."
A Li smiled slightly and said, lying beside him, "Subtly revealed, I've seen that too."
"Where did you see it?"
"In the Southern Mountains."
"Could it have been Muye?"
"Yes. Back then, the Southern Mountains often had a full moon. Muye and I were walking in the forest at night. The moonlight cast shadows on her face, subtly revealing her."
"She's far inferior to Xue Ji. With her foul temper, who would dare marry her?"
Ada also lay down beside him but disagreed. "Big Brother, I think Muye is quite good."
"She is good, but as you've seen, her temper is terrible. She hits anyone she meets. Look at my foot; she almost crippled it."
"Didn't you stretch it out yourself?" Ada spoke the truth.
Liu Shinian was furious. "That, that was me. I was checking if she was alright. That's concern, you understand?"
"Understood."
Liu Shinian sighed guiltily, thinking that next time he checked on Muye, he would have to find another method, perhaps using a wooden stick, stones, or mud, so she wouldn't resort to violence.
After washing my hands, I slowly walked back and saw the three of them lying side by side on the floor. I became curious. "What's gotten into you all today? Such good camaraderie."
Liu Shinian heard this and retorted, "We've always been good."
"Yes, yes, always good. It's rare for you three to talk so much. I'll go get some fresh air."
"Go on then."
I walked towards the balcony. Liu Shinian got up, glanced, and then lay back down. Seeing that no one was disturbing him, he began to speak of a name that the four cities feared. "Do you know the Ten Thousand Ghost King?"
"We do." The two of them answered in unison. The reputation of the Ten Thousand Ghost King was known throughout the world. How could Ada and A Li not know?
Liu Shinian said slowly, "When the Ten Thousand Ghost King was causing havoc, I wasn't even born yet. But I've heard that he always wore black armor and wielded a long sword, killing countless people."
Ada knew quite a bit about this as well. He chimed in, "I've also heard from others that he was highly skilled in martial arts. The top ten masters of Beishen Capital once besieged him together. In the end, they were all defeated by him and died by his sword."
A Li had also heard some rumors about the Ten Thousand Ghost King. "I've heard that he had many powerful subordinates. Any one of them was a rare and peerless master."
Liu Shinian confirmed this. "Yes, even after his death, his lingering influence still struck fear in all directions."
"It's said that this Ten Thousand Ghost Forest is the barrier guarding the Ten Thousand Ghost Mountain, and this Ten Thousand Ghost Mountain is where the Ten Thousand Ghost King originally fell," A Li suddenly spoke of his knowledge of the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest.
Liu Shinian nodded, "You're right. That place wasn't called Ten Thousand Ghost Mountain originally, but Xiao Mountain. After the Ten Thousand Ghost King died, demons ran rampant and occupied that mountain. That's why it was renamed Ten Thousand Ghost Mountain."
Ada added, "My father told me it's a forbidden area for the living, the place the four cities feared the most."
"Yes, so Jin Yulan he..." Liu Shinian tilted his head slightly and suddenly saw a pair of large eyes staring at him.
"Ah!" He startled and sat up abruptly. Seeing that it was Muye, he pointed at me in fright, "Liu Muye! You're trying to scare me to death!"
I rested my chin on my hand, still engrossed. "You guys were telling stories, how could I not listen?"
"You're too scary! Not making a sound."
I shrugged dismissively. "You were too engrossed. What does that have to do with me?"
Liu Shinian was speechless and waved his hand, "I can't be bothered with you."
I snorted disdainfully, "Hmph."
A Li looked outside and guessed that the night had fallen early. "Why did it get dark so soon? Why don't we just go to bed early?"
Liu Shinian rubbed his head, also feeling a bit sleepy, and said, "Yes, let's sleep. We'll get up early tomorrow and leave this place quickly to avoid losing our lives."
I sighed slightly and found a good spot, laid down my mat, and went to sleep. A Li, Ada, and Liu Shinian had a burst of camaraderie tonight. They miraculously pushed their sleeping mats together and slept as one. I wondered if they wouldn't be too hot like that. Then I thought better of it; if I said anything, Liu Shinian would say something bad about me again. So, I turned over and slept.
That night, the usually noisy Qian Ji Palace became exceptionally quiet. Outside the window, the wind's sigh could be heard from time to time.
The next morning, someone knocked on the door and shouted loudly, "Masters, Miss, the young master requests your presence!"
I rubbed my eyes. Why were people shouting everywhere? I slowly got up to open the door. Liu Shinian and the other two were also awakened by the shouting. A Li, with sleepy eyes, looked exhausted. "Why is someone shouting again?"
Ada, also drowsy, said, "Can't we get a good night's sleep?"
I guessed it was the same as yesterday. Not wanting to hear the elegant shouts repeated, it was better to get up. So, I turned back and called to them, "Hurry up and get up, lest they shout a few more times."
The three of them reluctantly got up, rubbing their eyes. Drowsily, they left the room and followed the person with me to see Jin Yulan. This time, it was still in the Qian Ji Pavilion. However, this time, only Daolang, Fei Xiong, Jin Yulan, and the four of us were in the entire Qian Ji Pavilion.
Daolang saw the sleepy and yawning group arrive and couldn't help but laugh, "What were you guys up to last night to be so tired?"
Liu Shinian waved his hand, shifting the blame to Jin Yulan. "It's all his fault. What kind of people did he send? Shouting like they were summoning ghosts. They made us all neurotic and dizzy, that's why we couldn't sleep well."
Jin Yulan smiled slightly and replied, "That's not my fault. It's only because you woke up too late, so we had no choice but to resort to this tactic."
"Alright, since we're all here, let's get to the point quickly. We're waiting to go back to sleep." With that, we swayed over to our seats. Liu Shinian, Ada, and A Li, unable to resist their drowsiness, slumped onto the table and fell asleep.
Jin Yulan didn't pay them any mind, but asked me, "Muye, do you have the courage to go to the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest?"
"I..." I hesitated, unsure whether to go.
Jin Yulan continued, "Don't hesitate, speak your mind."
"If I can save people, then of course I'm willing to go. However, I don't know anything, and I'm afraid I'll become a burden to everyone."
"Don't worry about that. I'll send people to protect you."
"In that case, I'll go."
"Good, you..." Before Jin Yulan could finish, Liu Shinian suddenly raised his head and interrupted him. "Liu Muye! Do you know what kind of place the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest is? Do you know that once you step in there, life and death are uncertain?"
I knew nothing about this, but the words were already spoken, and I didn't know what to do. Seeing him about to cause trouble again, Jin Yulan advised him, "Liu Shinian, I know you don't want her to go. However, there are still dozens of lives there. Now, besides Muye, no one else has the ability to bring them out."
With a "swish!", Liu Jian was drawn, pointing at Jin Yulan. Liu Shinian also stood up, his anger instantly turning into tension. Liu Shinian smiled coldly and accused him, "You are highly skilled. The Ten Thousand Ghost Forest won't affect you much, will it? You speak so righteously. Why don't you go instead?"
Jin Yulan smiled indifferently, used his fan to push away his sword, and said helplessly, "I would like to go, but you know, no matter who it is, no matter how powerful your magic is, once you enter the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest, you will be affected by it and lose your bearings."
"Is that so? I think you're just afraid of death."
Suddenly, the atmosphere was tense, and it looked like they were about to fight again. Fei Xiong, seeing the endless bickering between the two, sighed slightly. He could only step forward as a mediator and advised them, "Since this mission cannot be done without Muye, let's escort Muye. With our experience, we can ensure she doesn't get hurt."
Liu Shinian remained unyielding, insisting, "I will not let Muye go."
Seeing him like this, Jin Yulan said no more, only stating, "In that case, I won't say much more. Everyone, please rest first. Liu Shinian, come with me. I have something to say to you." With that, Jin Yulan turned and walked outside. Liu Shinian also wanted to have a good talk with him, so he followed him.
Seeing them leave, the entire Qian Ji Pavilion fell silent. Daolang looked at the three of us and said, "Alright, you three go back and rest. Muye, we're leaving too."
"Okay, you go ahead." Afterward, I took the still dazed A Li and Ada back to our room. Back in the room, I sat alone on the floor, recalling Liu Shinian's words. Looking at A Li and Ada lying on the floor, I unconsciously said to them, "Is the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest really that terrifying?"
A Li, not yet fully awake, heard my question. He rubbed his eyes, sighed, and enlightened me. "Legend has it that after the Ten Thousand Ghost King's subordinates died, their remains were buried beneath the Ten Thousand Ghost Mountain. Those wronged souls, even after death, still wished to follow the Ten Thousand Ghost King. They lingered at the foot of the mountain year-round, only to guard the Ten Thousand Ghost King. Over time, this formed a bewitching formation, where living people enter, but none emerge alive."
How terrifying. "There's something else you might not know," Ada said mysteriously. "The reason Brother Liu is so angry is related to five hundred years ago. At that time, the remnants of the Ten Thousand Ghost King's forces came out to cause trouble. Brother Liu's master, Master Liu Xian, fought them at the Ten Thousand Ghost Mountain. In the end, he was struck in the chest by the residual soul of the Ten Thousand Ghost King and fell off a cliff to his death. Unfortunately, not even his bones were found."
So he had such a painful past. If Ada hadn't said anything, I might never have known. This person, who outwardly appeared carefree and thoughtless, buried all his pain alone.
A Li asked me, "If you go this time, you might be buried in the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest. If that's the case, do you still want to go?"
If I hadn't known Liu Shinian's past, if I hadn't known that Master Zhang was trapped, no one could have persuaded me to go. But now that it was destined for me to resolve the predicament, even if I died, it would be worth it. So, without hesitation, I said firmly, "Yes. If it's destined for me to resolve this predicament, no matter what, I will go." They saw a tenacity in my blood-filled eyes, a tenacity they had never seen before. Their wavering hearts suddenly became resolute, and they firmly believed that Muye would overcome this difficulty.
Meanwhile, Liu Shinian was led to a side room by Jin Yulan, who earnestly shared some heartfelt words with him. "Some things cannot be resolved by simply avoiding them. Five hundred years have passed. It's time to face them, whether it's you or her. You should stay here tonight and think about it." Liu Shinian remained silent, perhaps lost in thought. Jin Yulan didn't bother him and turned to leave.
After Jin Yulan left, Liu Shinian lay on the bed, his hands pillowing his head. He recalled some unbearable past events, both joyful and sorrowful. He turned over and finally remembered the purpose of his years of drinking and revelry, his self-anesthetization. He sighed, feeling that it was time to put an end to it.
This day was calmer than usual. And this night was more desolate than any previous night. The hesitant, self-evading heart finally found its resolution. No matter who it was, one had to face it.
The next day, just as dawn broke, Liu Shinian got up early and came to find us. However, the moment he opened the door, he found the room empty. He angrily ran to Jin Yulan, demanding, "Where did you send them?"
Jin Yulan sat calmly in his chair, sipping tea. Fanning himself leisurely, he replied unhurriedly, "They went to the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest. If you hurry now, you might still catch up."
"You!" Liu Shinian pointed at him, wanting to curse, but the words caught in his throat, and he could only give up. "Sigh!"
Jin Yulan slowly admonished him, "Instead of wasting time blaming me here, you'd better hurry. Lest you meet them when they are already separated by life and death."
"Hmph!" Liu Shinian left in a huff, walking quickly out of Qian Ji Palace. On the street, he casually grabbed a fast horse by the roadside. The horse's owner, eating breakfast, turned around and saw Liu Shinian stealing his horse. He hurriedly shouted, "Stop right there! My horse! My horse!" However, Liu Shinian had already galloped away on the fast horse. The owner chased for a while, out of breath, and could only curse at the air, "Don't let me see you again! Or you'll regret it!"
On the other side, I woke up groggily. I only heard the sound of carriage wheels rolling. Rubbing my eyes, I found A Li lying beside me. We were in a carriage. Lifting the curtain, I saw Daolang and Fei Xiong. I was full of confusion. "Why are we here?"
Daolang saw me awake and explained, "Young Master Jin was worried that Liu Shinian wouldn't let you leave. So, he had us take you away in advance."
"Then why didn't I feel anything at all?"
Fei Xiong laughed, "Hahaha, that's natural. While you were asleep, they carried you downstairs and onto the carriage."
"What about Ada?" I looked around but didn't see Ada.
"He, Young Master Jin sent him back to Beishen Capital," Fei Xiong replied.
I hadn't expected Jin Yulan to have thought of everything. It was just that we hadn't had time to say goodbye to Liu Shinian. Leaving like this, he would surely be disappointed if he knew.