Forbidden Land: Starting as the Mysterious Brother's expedition to Mount Emei concluded in what could only be described as an absurd fashion.
After seeing the inscription, Xie Yuchen remained silent for a long time before exhaling a deep breath.
Hei Glasses declared he would continue exploring and enthusiastically invited a few people to join him. However, as soon as they agreed, he vanished without a trace, leaving everyone high and dry.
One had to admit, this move was very much in character for Hei Glasses.
Wu Pang took it well, while Xiao Zhang remained in a daze. Only Hua'er sneered, stating he would have a good chat with Hei Glasses when it was time to collect his wages.
Honestly, Wu Tianzhen really wanted to witness the scene of Hei Glasses being oppressed by the capitalist, but considering Hua'er was likely in a bad mood, he agonizingly gave up on this delightful thought.
Although the coffin did not contain Xie Lianhuan, due to the inscription on it, Xie Yuchen carefully stored it away and instructed his waiting subordinates outside to take it back to the Xie family.
While organizing the coffin, the date inscribed on its lid was finally discovered by the group.
"Good heavens, Xie Lianhuan was something else, wasn't he?!" Pangzi exclaimed. "Not only did he seal himself in a fake coffin, but he even had the craftsmanship to add an inscription. That dedication to his craft is truly remarkable!"
"Hmph!" Wu Tianzhen nudged Pangzi with his elbow, telling him to control his unrestrained mouth.
However, Xie Yuchen quickly dismissed Pangzi's speculation: "...No, these are not Xie Lianhuan's handwriting."
Xie Yuchen was not particularly skilled with sabre techniques, but his eyesight was sharp, and he could easily discern the potent sabre energy contained within the inscription of the date.
...To reach such a level, among the people he knew, only Zhang Qiling could achieve it.
...Twenty years ago, did Xie Lianhuan have someone by his side who was skilled in sabre techniques?
Xie Yuchen did not suspect Zhang Qiling, as in his current estimation, Zhang Qiling twenty years ago would have been only six or seven years old.
But Wu Tianzhen froze the moment he noticed the date.
Zhang Qiling had not written much in front of them, but when he had left for the first time, he had left a note with only his name in a hotel room.
Three characters and a date; logically, it was impossible to determine if they were from the same person at a glance. Yet, for some reason, after learning of Zhang Qiling's secret of longevity, Wu Tianzhen had a premonition—
This date inscription was likely left by Xiao Ge.
...Xiao Ge had contact with Xie Lianhuan before?
Wu Tianzhen opened his mouth, unsure whether to tell Xie Yuchen. On one hand, this might be a clue for Xie Yuchen; on the other hand, he didn't want Zhang Qiling's secret to be revealed so casually.
...Thinking about it carefully, even if he knew Xiao Ge carved this, he had amnesia now and might not even remember he was a long-liver. How much help could it be to Xiao Hua?
Wu Tianzhen's ability to hide his thoughts was weak, as useless as his combat skills. He believed that while he was having an internal storm, his thoughtful expression had been noticed by everyone present.
Although he knew that whatever made Wu Tianzhen hesitate at this moment must be related to the coffin, Xie Yuchen had no intention of forcing his friend.
If Wu Tianzhen didn't want to say, he could pretend not to know.
But at that moment, Zhang Qiling, who had been in a state of detachment, was suddenly bumped by a blue rabbit and looked over.
He wasn't quite sure how long he had known Wu Tianzhen and Pangzi, but he assumed that for such close friends, it was reasonable for them to recognize his handwriting.
He could see Wu Tianzhen's struggle, but this kind of pain caused by him was unnecessary.
"These characters, I carved them."
His voice was very calm, but at this moment, it was like a bomb dropped into a tranquil forest.
"Xiao Ge, you—!"
"Hahahaha, how is that possible? Xiao Ge, you're just joking, hahaha. How old were you then—" Pangzi's laughter cut short as he became somewhat surprised by Zhang Qiling's rare display of humor. However, Wu Tianzhen's abrupt exclamation and Zhang Qiling's calm expression gradually made him stop speaking.
"You... are you serious?"
Pangzi felt as if he suddenly didn't recognize the world. For a moment, he even thought he was still under the illusion of the black-haired ghost, so he directly slapped himself.
A burning pain spread, and Pangzi's voice became heavy:
"Tianzhen, is there something you're hiding from me?"
"...Pangzi, this, I'll explain when we get back." Wu Tianzhen was somewhat anxious, but before that, a sense of guilt towards Xie Yuchen surged within him. "I'm sorry, Xiao Hua. I was indeed suspecting that Xiao Ge carved this just now..."
"But Xiao Ge he—"
"It's alright, Wu Tianzhen." Xie Yuchen interrupted his increasingly incoherent words.
This matter was indeed too shocking. With a little thought, Xie Yuchen understood why Wu Tianzhen and Hei Glasses had confronted each other in the cave earlier.
...I didn't expect him to be an ancestor after all.
His habitually calculating mind instantly considered the immense benefits of the secret of longevity, even beginning to suspect the Zhang family members. However, Xie Yuchen quickly forced himself to stop thinking in that direction.
...Some things are like Pandora's Box; you absolutely cannot try them from the beginning.
He sighed, feeling as if he had grown accustomed to being the one to support these people.
...Given this potential hidden danger, the internal clansmen of the Zhang family could not remain with Song Shuning indefinitely. Although he felt the Zhang family wouldn't be so easily controlled, upon returning, he would still need to contact Zhang Haike, who constantly spoke of the "clan leader."
While he was lost in thought, Wu Tianzhen waited anxiously. His expression, like that of a startled puppy, made Xie Yuchen unable to help but smile.
...But Wu Tianzhen, if this is true, you should understand that this is what I told you—a great regret that cannot be changed no matter what.
"Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for him." Xie Yuchen glanced at Zhang Qiling. Although Zhang Qiling was the central figure, he appeared so calm at this moment, as if he could face any fate.
"Since Xie Lianhuan made such a decision, I will no longer waste the Xie family's manpower to search for him, nor will I trouble Zhang Qiling because of it."
"However, if he remembers anything later, I would be very willing to listen."
"Of course! Thank you, Xiao Hua!" Wu Tianzhen breathed a sigh of relief, almost wanting to press Xiao Zhang and Xiao Pang's heads together to bow to Xiao Hua in gratitude.
If anyone else knew the secret of longevity, Wu Tianzhen might have been restless, but he believed Xie Yuchen would not pry into it.
...Although Xiao Hua appears peaceful, he is actually very proud deep down, he could tell.
...Xie Yuchen disdains such things.