If I, a death row inmate, am not to become a demon, am I to become a member of the Imperial Guard?

The night was darker.

The puddles on the stone path reflected the moonlight, like shattered mirrors. Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang walked one after the other in the alley, their footsteps exceptionally clear in the silence.

The stench of blood still lingered in his nostrils, mixed with the earthy smell. Zhou Yang felt that his collar was stained with that odor, the kind that couldn't be washed off.

The courtyard is just ahead.

The tiles on the courtyard wall gleamed bluish in the moonlight. The door was unlocked, ajar, with a crack in it. It was pitch black inside, without a light.

"Come in." Zhou Yang pushed open the door.

With a creak, it sounded as if something had been startled awake in the night.

Qin Shuang followed behind him, still holding the Embroidered Spring Blade in her hand. Blood stained the blade, dripping onto the threshold and seeping into the wood grain.

The stone table in the courtyard was overturned, and the chairs were overturned to one side. Last night, this was where they held meetings; now it looked as if some wild beast had broken through.

Zhou Yang walked to the water vat, scooped up a ladle of water, and splashed it on his face. The icy water sobered him up considerably. Water droplets dripped down his chin, spreading a small dark patch on the ground.

"Want some drinks?" He handed one to Qin Shuang.

Qin Shuang took the water ladle and splashed her face in the same way. The water was too cold, and she shivered.

"The people from the Heavenly Principle Sect have all been dealt with." She wiped her face with the back of her hand, her voice a little hoarse.

"Clean?" Zhou Yang chuckled. "What do you mean by clean?"

Qin Shuang didn't say anything.

Zhou Yang took out a cloth from his pocket and began to wipe his hands. The cloth was quickly stained red, and no matter how much he wiped, it wouldn't get clean.

"Those bodies will be discovered tomorrow morning," he said, wiping them as he spoke. "Then the authorities will come, the coroner will examine the bodies, and the constables will record the events. Eventually, this will become a case file, gathering dust in some archives."

"What do you think they'll say?" Qin Shuang asked.

"The earth has turned upside down." Zhou Yang threw the cloth into the water vat. "The river channel is blocked, and the water is overflowing. Some people have died, but it was all an accident."

This explanation makes sense. The water wall in the north of the city is too strange; it's impossible that it didn't react. But the imperial court couldn't possibly admit that such a monster existed in the capital, much less that an organization called the Heavenly Principle Sect was causing trouble in the city.

Admitting it would be like slapping yourself in the face.

Qin Shuang walked to the stone table and straightened the chair. She sat down, placing the embroidered spring knife on her lap with the tip pointing downwards.

"You don't seem worried at all," she said.

"What are you worried about?" Zhou Yang pulled up a chair and sat down. "Are you worried the authorities won't find out the truth? Or are you worried they will?"

Everyone is worried.

"No need." Zhou Yang crossed his legs. "The higher-ups would rather this kind of thing remain a secret than we would. Just think, what would happen if the common people knew that such a thing existed in the capital?"

Qin Shuang shook her head. She couldn't imagine it.

"Panic," Zhou Yang said. "Wide-scale panic. Then come rumors, gossip, all sorts of versions of the story. Some will say it's a natural disaster, others will say it's man-made. The most troublesome thing is that some people will use this to stir up trouble."

He paused for a moment, looking at the moonlight filtering through the courtyard wall.

"What the imperial court fears most is the people's wild speculations."

Neither of them spoke again. A cool night breeze swept through the courtyard. In the distance came the sound of a night watchman's clapper, striking slowly, one strike after another.

Qin Shuang suddenly stood up.

"Someone's coming."

Zhou Yang heard it too. Footsteps, and not just one person. And they were well-trained footsteps, neat and efficient.

Soon, there was a knock at the courtyard gate. It wasn't loud, but it was urgent.

"Is Commander Qin here?" someone outside called out.

They were members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Qin Shuang glanced at Zhou Yang. Zhou Yang nodded, gesturing for her to open the door.

As soon as the door opened, four Imperial Guards stood outside, all dressed in flying fish robes and carrying embroidered spring knives. The one in the lead was a captain surnamed Wang, whom Qin Shuang recognized.

"General Wang," Qin Shuang greeted him.

General Wang cupped his hands in greeting, but his eyes swept around the courtyard. He saw the bloodstains on the stone table and the red cloth floating in the water vat.

"Commander Qin, the Commander requests your presence," he said, his tone very formal.

"Now?" Qin Shuang asked.

"Now."

"What is it?"

"Something's happened in the north of the city," Commander Wang said. "The lord wants to know what's going on."

Qin Shuang nodded. She knew this was routine. With such a commotion in the northern city, the Embroidered Uniform Guard couldn't possibly ignore it.

"I'm going to change my clothes," she said.

"We'll wait."

Qin Shuang entered the room. Zhou Yang remained seated, staring at Commander Wang. Commander Wang's gaze was sharp, like a knife. Zhou Yang felt his clothes were too tattered, and the bloodstains too conspicuous.

"Captain Zhou," Commander Wang suddenly spoke, "you were here too?"

"I guess so," Zhou Yang said.

"So what do you know about the situation?"

"The earth is turning over." Zhou Yang repeated what he had just told Qin Shuang. "The river is overflowing, that's it."

Wang Zongqi stared at him for a few seconds, then didn't ask any more questions. He seemed not to believe him, but didn't intend to investigate further.

Soon, Qin Shuang came out. She had changed into a clean flying fish robe and her hair had been combed again. Apart from her slightly pale complexion, there was nothing unusual about her.

"Let's go," she said to Zhou Yang.

Commander Wang frowned: "The Commander only invited you."

"He's my subordinate," Qin Shuang said calmly. "He knows what's going on."

Wang Zongqi wanted to say something more, but seeing Qin Shuang's eyes, he swallowed his words back.

The Imperial Guard Command was located on the outskirts of the capital. In the middle of the night, lanterns were still lit, but there weren't many people around. The corridor was long, and footsteps echoed within, making it seem exceptionally empty.

The commander's office was on the second floor. Pushing open the door, I saw brightly lit candles inside. A man dressed in the robes of a fourth-rank official sat behind a desk, reading some documents.

He looked up, his eyes devoid of warmth.

"Qin Shuang," he said.

"My lord." Qin Shuang knelt down and bowed.

Zhou Yang also knelt down, but didn't say anything.

The commander gestured for them to rise. His fingers tapped slowly on the table.

"What do you know about what's happening in Beicheng?" he asked.

"I don't know much," Qin Shuang replied. "Around midnight tonight, the riverbank outside the north city breached, and the river overflowed. I immediately led men there after receiving the report, but the water level had already receded."

Why did the riverbank breach?

"The report says it's an earthworm turning over."

The commander smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"An earth dragon turning over?"

"yes."

"Qin Shuang, Qin Shuang," the commander shook his head, "have you been in Jianghuai for too long? Do you think everyone in the capital is a fool?"

Qin Shuang remained silent.

"A three-zhang-high wall of water has stood in the city for half an hour. You call this an earth dragon rising from the ashes?" The commander's voice wasn't loud, but it was very imposing. "Now the rumors are rampant outside. Some say it's the Dragon King manifesting, others say it's the work of demons. You want me to use the 'earth dragon rising from the ashes' excuse to shut everyone up?"

Qin Shuang remained silent.

The commander stood up and walked to the window. It was dark outside; only the outline of the city wall could be seen in the distance.

"The Minister of Revenue came to see me tonight, saying his youngest son has gone missing in the northern part of the city," he said. "The Vice Minister of Rites also came to see me, saying his nephew-in-law has also disappeared. They're all from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the incidents all happened within your jurisdiction."

Qin Shuang's shoulders tensed.

Where did you go, all these people?

"I am investigating the Heavenly Principles Cult," Qin Shuang said.

"The Heavenly Principle Sect?" The commander turned around. "It's the Heavenly Principle Sect again. Last time you said the Heavenly Principle Sect was in Anyang County, and what happened? Commander Chen died, and you escaped. Now you say the Heavenly Principle Sect is in the capital, with water walls and disappearances. Qin Shuang, what exactly are you up to?"

Zhou Yang found this conversation interesting. The commander clearly didn't trust Qin Shuang and seemed to have harbored resentment towards her for a long time.

"My lord, I have evidence," Qin Shuang said.

"evidence?"

"The Heavenly Principle Sect's stronghold is in the Guanwen Pavilion. I led men to raid it tonight, but..."

"But what?"

"But it seems they already knew it was an empty camp."

The commander's face darkened further. He walked to his desk, picked up a document, and threw it on the table.

"This was reported by the Northern Garrison Command," he said. "There were indeed signs of a struggle at Guanwen Pavilion tonight, but there was no one inside. However, thirteen bodies were pulled from the nearby river."

Qin Shuang's heart sank.

"They're all from the Embroidered Uniform Guard," the commander said. "Seven of them are your men."

Zhou Yang then realized that the followers of the Heavenly Principle Sect were all dressed in the uniforms of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. No wonder something felt off when they started fighting.

This is a trap.

A trap that was designed long ago.

"My lord," Qin Shuang's voice trembled slightly, "this humble official..."

"Stop talking," the commander interrupted her. "I don't want to hear your explanations right now. I just want to know, what exactly is your connection to all this?"

"No."

"Really not?" The commander walked up to her, looking down at her. "Someone said they saw you with a young man in the northern part of the city. That man doesn't seem to be a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

His gaze shifted to Zhou Yang.

Zhou Yang felt a chill run down his spine. He knew this was directed at him.

"He is a newly recruited captain," Qin Shuang said immediately.

When were you recruited?

"recent."

"Is there a file?"

"It's still going through the process."

The commander laughed again. This time, it was a genuine laugh.

"Qin Shuang, Qin Shuang, what do you take me for?" he said. "A person with no record, dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Guard, appearing in a place like the capital. And now all this has happened. Do you think I would believe you?"

Zhou Yang knew this was a coup attempt.

The commander suspects them, and may even have already concluded that they are involved in something wrong. Now it's just a matter of finding evidence.

"Sir," Zhou Yang suddenly spoke, "what were the identities of those who went missing?"

The commander looked at him: "Why are you asking this?"

"Curious," Zhou Yang said. "I heard that the Minister of Revenue's youngest son lost three thousand taels of silver at the casino a few days ago. The Vice Minister of Rites' nephew-in-law was also apparently investigated for embezzlement. Is it really a bad thing that these people have disappeared?"

The commander's expression changed.

"What do you mean?"

"It doesn't mean anything," Zhou Yang shrugged. "It just means that some people going missing might not be a bad thing. For the imperial court, it might actually be a good thing."

That's a very bold statement, you could even say it's suicidal.

But the commander remained silent. He knew Zhou Yang was telling the truth. The Minister of Revenue and the Vice Minister of Rites were no good people; their families had disappeared, and there were probably people within the court secretly rejoicing.

"Who exactly are you?" the commander asked.

"A person who wants to live," Zhou Yang said.

The commander stared at him for a long time, then turned around and went back to sit down behind his desk.

"Qin Shuang," he said, "you've been suspended."

Qin Shuang's body swayed slightly.

"From now on, you no longer need to concern yourself with the affairs of the Northern Garrison. As for you..." He looked at Zhou Yang, "lock him up and interrogate him."

"My lord!" Qin Shuang cried out anxiously.

"This is an order." The commander tapped the table. "Take him away."

The Imperial Guards at the door immediately came in, ready to arrest the person.

Zhou Yang remained calm. He had long anticipated this day, but he hadn't expected it to come so soon.

"Wait," he suddenly said, "Don't you want to know about the Dragon's Spine, sir?"

The commander stopped moving.

"Dragon's Spine?" he repeated. "What dragon's spine?"

"Something," Zhou Yang said. "Something very valuable. That's what the Heavenly Principle Sect came for."

The commander's eyes lit up. He wasn't interested in power, but he was very interested in valuable things.

"Tell me in detail."

Zhou Yang smiled and said, "It's not convenient to talk about this here. Besides, are you sure you want to interrogate me at this time?"

He was speaking with a hidden meaning. The situation outside was chaotic; the events in the northern city hadn't subsided, and now this had happened within the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If the commander were to act now, it would only complicate matters further.

"Are you threatening me?" the commander said.

"I wouldn't dare," Zhou Yang said. "I'm just reminding the adults that the most important thing right now is stability, not arresting a few petty people."

The commander's finger paused on the table. He was weighing his options.

After a long silence, he finally spoke: "Qin Shuang, can you still trust me?"

This question was directed at Zhou Yang.

Zhou Yang glanced at Qin Shuang. She was staring at him, her eyes filled with nervousness, anticipation, and something else he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"She can," Zhou Yang said, "but I can't."

The commander smiled: "Interesting."

"Release her," Zhou Yang said. "Let me handle this. I'll give you a satisfactory answer within three days."

What do you want?

"Freedom," Zhou Yang said. "And also, please keep this under wraps for me. Don't let anyone interfere."

The commander pondered for a long time.

"Fine," he said. "Three days. If you don't give me an answer within three days, you both will die."

"make a deal."

When I got back to the courtyard, it was almost dawn.

Qin Shuang remained silent, simply walking ahead. Zhou Yang followed behind, watching her retreating figure. She walked straight, but her steps were somewhat unsteady.

After entering the house, Qin Shuang suddenly turned around.

"Why did you do this?" she asked.

"What are you doing?"

"Make a deal with the commander."

Zhou Yang poured himself a glass of water, took a sip, and said, "If we don't do that, we'll be in jail right now."

"But that's dangerous."

"Living is dangerous enough as it is," Zhou Yang said, putting down his cup. "Besides, believe it or not, if we don't take the initiative, someone else will do it for us."

"who?"

"People in the imperial court," Zhou Yang said. "The commander isn't the first to suspect us, nor will he be the last. This matter in Beicheng is too big to be undetected."

Qin Shuang sat down in the chair and hugged herself.

"We're in trouble," she said.

"Trouble?" Zhou Yang laughed. "We've always been in trouble."

He walked to the window, lifted the curtain, and looked outside. The sky was beginning to lighten, and there were already early risers on the street.

"The government notices should be posted by now," he said. "The earth has turned upside down, and the river has overflowed. All the missing people have been ruled as having died accidentally."

"Then what?"

"And then that was the end of it," Zhou Yang turned around, "but for us, it was just the beginning."

Qin Shuang looked up at him: "You mean..."

"We have to go," Zhou Yang said. "Resolve this within three days, then leave the capital."

Where to?

Zhou Yang walked up to her, squatted down, and looked her in the eye.

"Do you remember what I saw in that holy envoy's mind?"

Qin Shuang nodded.

"Dragon's Spine," Zhou Yang said. "The first fragment is in Ghost Cry Gorge, deep within the Great Swamp."

His voice was soft, but firm.

"We must go and get it."

"Why do we have to go?" Qin Shuang asked. "We can find a place to hide."

"Hide?" Zhou Yang shook his head. "Can you hide from the Heavenly Principles Sect? Can you hide from the imperial court? Qin Shuang, you're naive. There's no safe place in this world. The only safety is to become stronger than everyone else."

He stood up, walked to the wall, and took down a sword.

"Besides," he said, "that thing isn't something we can hide from. The Dragon's Spine has appeared; everyone knows it. Now it's our turn to take it; in a few days, someone else will be snatching it from us."

Qin Shuang fell silent. She knew Zhou Yang was right.

"When are you leaving?" she asked.

"The sooner the better." Zhou Yang checked the scabbard. "Let's leave tonight."

"They're just leaving like that? What about the commander...?"

"He only gave us three days," Zhou Yang said, "but we won't take three days. This afternoon, I'll give him an 'answer.'"

"What's the answer?"

Zhou Yang smiled: "An answer that satisfied him."

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a bright glare on the floor. Looking at Zhou Yang's retreating figure, Qin Shuang suddenly felt that this man was both a complete stranger and strangely familiar.

He always does things that others don't expect and says things that others dare not say. But everything he does is just right.

"Will you give me an answer?" she suddenly asked.

Zhou Yang turned around: "What's the answer?"

"About you," Qin Shuang said, "who exactly are you?"

Zhou Yang thought for a moment, then walked back to her.

"I'm a businessman," he said. "A businessman who enjoys making deals."

"What are you trading?"

"Everything," he said. "Life, strength, the future. Even the fate of others."

He reached out, but not to grasp Qin Shuang's hand. He simply opened his palm and looked at the lines on it.

"Now," he said, "I'm going to make the biggest deal ever."

"I'll gamble everything I have left for a different ending."

Qin Shuang looked at his hands, then looked up at his face. Sunlight shone on his profile, outlining a sharp line.

She suddenly felt that perhaps she should trust him.

It wasn't because he was so powerful, but because there was a light in his eyes, a light that disregarded everything.

"Okay," she said, "I'll go with you."

Zhou Yang smiled, a very faint smile.

"Then let's get ready," he said. "Tonight, we're going to see ghosts."

Outside the window, the capital city began its day in hustle and bustle. The cries of vendors, the sounds of carriages and horses, and the sounds of people haggling over prices filled the air.

It feels like everything that happened last night was just a dream.

The earth trembled, and the river overflowed.

The official explanation was simple and easily accepted by the public. After all, they preferred to believe it was a natural phenomenon rather than the work of evil spirits.

But some people know the truth.

For example, the commander sitting in the Embroidered Uniform Guard Command.

For example, Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang were tidying up their things in the courtyard.

For example, those eyes hidden in the shadows, watching the city.

The aftershocks have only just begun to spread.

And they were standing at the center of the ripples.

【farewell】

The morning fog had not yet dissipated.

The stone table in the courtyard is very cool.

Qin Shuang sat opposite, her fingers lightly tapping the table.

"It's all taken care of," she said.

Zhou Yang looked up and saw the dark circles under her eyes.

"Didn't sleep all night?"

"There are some things that need to be handled personally." Qin Shuang poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of him. "The Embroidered Uniform Guard's resignation has been submitted. The commander didn't stop it."

She spoke calmly.

It's like talking about someone else's business.

Zhou Yang picked up his teacup.

The tea was lukewarm, not scalding.

"What's the reason?"

"He said his health was failing and he wanted to retire to his hometown." Qin Shuang's lips twitched, as if she were smiling, but she didn't. "He believed her. After all, no one would doubt that a Jinyiwei centurion would give up his future for a江湖人 (jianghu person, a person from the martial arts world)."

She paused for a moment.

"Actually, I don't believe it either."

Zhou Yang put down his teacup.

The tea sloshed in the cup.

Is it worth it?

"It's not a question of whether it was worth it or not." Qin Shuang looked at the old locust tree in the corner of the courtyard, its leaves still glistening with dew. "It was a matter of having no choice. From the moment I took the first sword for you, I had no choice."

The wind is gentle.

The wind blew through her hair.

Zhou Yang did not speak.

He looked into Qin Shuang's eyes.

It's very clean inside.

Like a quenched knife.

"What about your family property?"

"Thirty percent were moved," Qin Shuang said. "The rest were left to a few elderly people. They've been with my father for many years; they deserve a place to retire."

She paused.

"The rest is enough for us to go very far."

Where to?

"I don't know," Qin Shuang shook her head, "but it's better than staying here to die. You've offended too many people. So have I."

She stood up.

I walked a few steps in the yard.

There is moss on the bluestone slab.

Her boots stepped on it, leaving faint marks.

"Over with Commander Chen..."

"He's dead." Zhou Yang interrupted her. "He died last night."

Qin Shuang stopped in her tracks.

She turned around, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

"You did this?"

"No," Zhou Yang shook his head, "remnants of the Heavenly Principle Sect. They think Commander Chen betrayed his position within the sect."

He smiled.

Sometimes, dying unjustly is safer than dying knowing the truth.

Qin Shuang fell silent.

She sat down again and poured two cups of tea.

"A toast to Commander Chen." She raised her glass.

"A toast to the sucker." Zhou Yang clinked his glass together.

The tea went down my throat.

A bit bitter.

But the aftertaste is sweet.

"Let's leave tonight," Qin Shuang said. "At midnight, at the east dock of the city, there's a boat waiting."

"So soon?"

"It'll be too late if we wait any longer." Qin Shuang looked up at the sky; the sun was about to rise. "The people in the capital have already made their move. Someone is investigating the truth of that night."

She looked at Zhou Yang.

"I'm investigating you."

Zhou Yang understood.

The destruction of the Heavenly Principle Sect was a major event.

The higher-ups will definitely investigate.

No matter how much they investigate, it will eventually lead back to him.

"So, tonight..."

"Let's go first," Qin Shuang said. "To the south. I heard it doesn't snow there in winter."

As she spoke, her fingers kept stroking the scabbard at her waist.

It was a very ordinary embroidered spring knife.

Like her, she is simple, yet sharp.

Zhou Yang suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, right, this is for you."

He took a small cloth bag out of his pocket.

The cloth bag was old, with its edges worn shiny.

Qin Shuang accepted it.

turn on.

Inside is a talisman.

It was made of yellow paper, with runes drawn on it using cinnabar.

The handwriting was very messy, as if it was written in a hurry.

"What is this?"

"A talisman," Zhou Yang said. "Given by a Taoist priest, he said it can ward off disaster."

He wasn't telling the truth.

This talisman was drawn with his heart's blood.

It burned for three months of its lifespan.

I drew all night.

Every stroke carries his essence.

As long as the talisman is there, he can sense Qin Shuang's location.

In a critical moment, Fu would shield her from a fatal attack.

The price was his lifespan.

But he didn't say any of that.

Sometimes, saying something only makes it seem deliberate.

Qin Shuang examined the talisman carefully.

She gently stroked the words on it with her fingers.

"This handwriting is really ugly."

"It was written by a Taoist priest; his hand was shaking." Zhou Yang said without changing his expression.

Qin Shuang smiled.

He really laughed.

Her eyes curved upwards, like crescent moons.

She carefully folded the talisman and tucked it close to her body.

The area near the heart.

"Then what should I give you?" She thought for a moment, "You have more money than me. You're better at martial arts than me. You're good-looking..."

"I'm definitely not as good-looking as you," Zhou Yang replied.

Qin Shuang rolled her eyes at him.

Do you remember my knife?

Which one?

"The one that shielded you from three sword strikes."

Zhou Yang remembers.

The knife broke.

It was time he bought with his life.

"It's still in my room," Qin Shuang said. "I later got someone to fix it, but they couldn't. But I kept one thing."

She stood up.

He walked towards his room.

A moment later, she returned.

He was holding a knife.

It's a new knife.

The scabbard was made of black sharkskin, and was quite ordinary.

The handle was made of raw wood and covered with blue cloth.

It looks just like an ordinary embroidered spring knife.

But Zhou Yang could sense something was different.

There's something inside this knife.

Something very familiar.

"What is this?"

"A new knife." Qin Shuang handed him the knife, "but it's not an ordinary knife."

She unbuttoned her shirt collar.

A small opening was visible below the collarbone.

The wound has healed, leaving a shallow scar.

"I poured the molten iron from that broken sword, along with my heart's blood, into this blade," Qin Shuang said. "That's why it's called 'Unity of Hearts'."

Zhou Yang took the knife.

The knife is very heavy.

It is three times heavier than a regular embroidered spring knife.

Why?

"Because that knife accompanied us through the most difficult times." Qin Shuang straightened her collar. "I don't want it to just disappear like that."

She looked up at Zhou Yang.

There is light in his eyes.

"This knife, I'll take it with me."

Zhou Yang gripped the knife.

Her body heat still lingered on the hilt of the knife.

"What do you mean?"

"We'll live and die together," Qin Shuang said. "My life and your life are both tied to this knife. If you dare to die, I'll curse you from within this blade."

She speaks very seriously.

I wasn't joking.

Zhou Yang smiled.

He drew his knife.

The blade is clean and bright.

Qin Shuang's face was reflected in the image.

"Deal," he said. "But if you dare die first, I'll throw the knife into the sea. So you won't hear the waves anymore."

"You dare."

"Give it a try."

They both laughed.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the old locust tree and fell onto the stone table.

The tea has gone cold.

But they didn't pay any attention.

"Let's go." Qin Shuang stood up. "Let's pack our things. We can still get some sleep before dawn."

"Sleep? What are you doing?" Zhou Yang stood up as well. "There's one last thing."

"What?"

"Let's go get a bowl of noodles," Zhou Yang said. "The one in the west of the city, your favorite."

Qin Shuang was taken aback.

Then she nodded.

"good."

They walked out of the courtyard side by side.

The morning light was very gentle.

It shone on them.

Like a warm coat.

There were very few people on the streets.

Only early risers set up their stalls.

The aroma of soy milk wafted far and wide.

They walked through familiar streets.

I passed by a familiar little shop.

Everything was normal.

Just like countless mornings in the past.

But today is different.

After today, they will leave this place.

Go to an unfamiliar place.

Start a new life.

Zhou Yang did not turn around.

He knew Qin Shuang didn't have it either.

Some farewells don't need words.

All it takes is a knowing glance.

The noodle shop in the west of the city was still closed.

The boss hasn't arrived yet.

They sat on the steps by the door and waited.

The morning breeze is gentle.

It feels very comfortable when it blows on your face.

"Do you think it really doesn't snow in the south?" Qin Shuang suddenly asked.

"Probably," Zhou Yang said. "Even if it snows, it won't be this cold."

"I want to see what snow that isn't cold looks like."

"Then let's go take a look."

The two fell silent.

Waiting for the first ray of sunlight.

Waiting for a new day.

Waiting for a new beginning.

The noodle shop owner arrived pushing his cart.

I smiled when I saw them.

"So early today?"

"I want to eat your noodles," Qin Shuang said.

"Wait a moment, I'll make it for you right away."

The noodles arrived quickly.

Steaming hot.

The soup was very delicious.

The noodles are very chewy.

Still a familiar taste.

They ate slowly.

No one spoke.

But they both know what the other is thinking.

This bowl of noodles.

It's a farewell.

It's also the beginning.

By the time we finished eating the noodles, it was already broad daylight.

They returned to the courtyard.

I packed my luggage quickly.

There's really not much to tidy up.

A few changes of clothes and some loose silver.

And that knife.

And that talisman.

"Let's go," Qin Shuang said.

"Um."

They walked out of the courtyard.

The door was not locked.

Because it will never come back.

People come and go on the street.

Nobody noticed them.

Two ordinary people.

Ordinary luggage.

Walking towards an ordinary morning.

But only they themselves know.

This departure may last a lifetime.

East City Wharf.

The fog is very thick.

The ships in the distance were not clearly visible.

"The boatman is waiting for you," Qin Shuang said.

How did you contact him?

"I had someone handle it." Qin Shuang pulled a wooden plaque from her pocket. "Give this to the boatman; he'll take us to a safe place."

Zhou Yang took the wooden plaque.

It has a simple character "南" (South) engraved on it.

"Let's go," he said.

The two walked toward the dock.

The boatman's chants could be heard through the mist.

One sound after another.

It's like saying goodbye.

It also felt like a welcome.

The ship is already waiting.

It's a very ordinary little boat.

The boatman wore a straw hat, so his face was not visible.

"Sir, please board the boat."

His voice was very hoarse.

But it's very reliable.

Zhou Yang boarded the ship first.

Then he reached out and pulled Qin Shuang.

Her hands were cold.

But it's very stable.

The ship has left the shore.

It slowly drove into the distance.

The city on the shore is getting farther and farther away.

Finally, it disappeared into the fog.

Qin Shuang stood at the bow of the boat.

The wind blew through her long hair.

"Are you scared?" Zhou Yang walked up to her.

"I'm not afraid." Qin Shuang shook her head. "With you here, there's nothing to be afraid of."

Zhou Yang smiled.

He took the amulet out of his pocket.

It still carried her body heat.

"You need to wear this carefully."

"Yes, we will." Qin Shuang touched her chest. "You too, make sure you protect that knife."

"rest assured."

They stood side by side.

Looking in the direction of the bow of the ship.

There is sunshine there.

It has a future.

They have the life they want.

The fog gradually dissipated.

The blue sky was revealed.

Seagulls circled overhead.

Its call is clear and loud.

The boatman was singing a song behind them.

It's a southern tune.

It's very light and nimble.

"Where do you think we'll end up?" Qin Shuang asked.

"I don't know," Zhou Yang said, "but as long as I'm with you, anywhere is fine."

Qin Shuang leaned on his shoulder.

It's very light.

Like a feather.

"Me too."

The sun has risen.

The sea surface is a golden expanse.

The ship cuts through the waves and moves forward.

Carrying the future of two people.

Sailing towards the unknown distance.

But this time.

They were no longer afraid.

Because we are each other's safe haven.

The wind blew by.

It brings the scent of distant places.

There are new stories there.

Waiting for them.

But those are things for the future.

just now.

They just need to enjoy this moment.

Enjoy this morning that belongs to them.

Enjoy this new beginning.

The ship continued its journey.

The sea and sky blend into one.

Boundless.

Just like their lives.

It is full of possibilities.

[Leaving Beijing]

Three months later.

The south gate of the capital city.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated.

People go to the city gate.

The sounds of carriages, vendors hawking their wares, and arguments mingled together.

Zhou Yang sat on a dilapidated oxcart.

He was wearing a coarse cloth shirt and his face was smeared with dust.

He looked like an ordinary peddler on his way.

Qin Shuang sat next to him.

She wore a blue cotton dress and her hair was simply combed.

She had her head down, holding a needle and thread in her hands.

Pretending to mend an old garment.

The oxcart slowly moved forward.

The line was getting longer and longer.

"Why is it so slow?" Zhou Yang looked up.

A group of soldiers stood at the city gate.

The armor was blindingly bright.

They stopped every single car.

Check carefully.

"I heard it's for epidemic prevention," a vendor nearby whispered. "There's been a plague outbreak in the south lately. Everyone entering and leaving the city is being checked."

Zhou Yang nodded.

His gaze swept over the soldiers.

The leader was a middle-aged man.

Her belly was protruding, and she had an impatient look on her face.

The scabbard at his waist was trimmed with gold.

"It's Liu Zhenhai, the Commander of the Beijing Garrison," Qin Shuang said in a low voice, "one of the Third Prince's men."

Zhou Yang hummed in agreement.

His fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the car.

The pace is very slow.

one more time.

It was finally their turn.

"Halt!" A soldier reached out and stopped the car.

"What are you doing?" Another soldier came over to look him over.

Zhou Yang jumped out of the car.

"Sir, we're going south to do some small business." He smiled and handed over a packet of copper coins.

The soldier weighed it in his hand.

His complexion remained unchanged.

"Don't give me that." He waved his hand. "These are special times; everyone needs to be checked."

Liu Zhenhai walked over.

His gaze swept over the oxcart.

Finally, it stopped on Qin Shuang.

Qin Shuang kept her head down.

Her fingers were still moving the needle and thread.

"Raise your head," Liu Zhenhai said.

Qin Shuang didn't move.

"I told you to raise your head!" Liu Zhenhai raised his voice.

Zhou Yang stepped forward.

"Sir, my wife is timid and can't stand strangers."

Liu Zhenhai sneered.

"Cowardly? I think it's more like a guilty conscience."

He reached out to grab Qin Shuang's chin.

Zhou Yang's hands were even faster.

It was gently blocked.

"Sir, it's wise to show mercy when possible."

Liu Zhenhai's face darkened.

"Who do you think you are?"

He took a step back.

"Men, seize them!"

Several soldiers immediately surrounded them.

Zhou Yang didn't move.

His expression was calm.

It's like watching a play.

Liu Zhenhai stared at Qin Shuang.

His eyes narrowed.

"I recognize you."

He said.

"You are Qin Shuang of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Qin Shuang finally stopped her needlework.

She looked up.

His eyes were as cold as ice.

"Admiral Liu has a good eye."

Liu Zhenhai burst into laughter.

"It's like searching high and low without finding it."

He rubbed his hands together.

"Commander Qin, do you know how urgently they've been looking for you?"

He pointed at Zhou Yang.

"And this traitor."

"You two, come with me."

The surrounding people began to whisper among themselves.

Someone quietly retreated.

They were afraid of getting into trouble.

Zhou Yang smiled.

"Admiral Liu, we're just passing through."

"Just passing by?" Liu Zhenhai scoffed. "Where are you trying to escape to?"

He looked in the direction of the swamp.

"Go and join those rebels?"

Qin Shuang stood up.

"Liu Zhenhai, are you sure you want to do this?"

"What?" Liu Zhenhai stroked his chin. "Qin Shuang, do you still think you're that Jinyiwei centurion?"

"You are nothing now."

"By arresting you, I've done a great service."

He waved.

"Do it!"

The soldiers drew their swords.

The blade gleamed coldly in the morning mist.

Zhou Yang sighed.

"It's always like this."

He shook his head.

"You just won't listen when I try to reason with you."

He pulled something out of his pocket.

It was a black iron token.

It was engraved with strange patterns.

In the eyes of ordinary people.

That's just a piece of scrap metal.

Liu Zhenhai could not see the token.

He was still urging his subordinates on.

"Hurry up! Don't dawdle!"

Zhou Yang raised the token.

Aiming at Liu Zhenhai's direction.

Qin Shuang looked at the token.

Her heart was beating a little fast.

This was given by a spectator.

It is said that only certain people can see it.

And those who see it.

I will never forget it.

Liu Zhenhai was about to speak.

Sudden.

His eyes widened.

It was as if I had seen something terrifying.

His mouth was open.

But no sound came out.

The color drained from his face quickly.

It turned as white as paper.

Those around them didn't understand what had happened.

"Admiral?" a soldier asked in a low voice.

Liu Zhenhai's body began to tremble.

It's not cold.

is afraid.

"No...impossible..." he muttered to himself.

His pupils contracted.

It turned into two small dots.

Zhou Yang took back the token.

"Admiral Liu, can we leave now?"

Liu Zhenhai seemed not to hear.

His gaze was vacant.

It was as if his soul had been ripped out.

The surrounding soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment.

I don't know what to say.

Qin Shuang walked up to Liu Zhenhai.

"Admiral Liu?"

Liu Zhenhai suddenly woke up with a start.

He took two steps back.

I almost fell.

"You...you guys..." He pointed at Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang.

My fingers are shaking badly.

"Who are you people?"

Zhou Yang smiled.

"passer."

Liu Zhenhai took a deep breath.

He tried to calm himself down.

But no.

His voice was still trembling.

"I'm...I'm sorry."

He said.

"I was blind and didn't recognize Mount Tai."

Everyone around was stunned.

That arrogant commander of the Beijing garrison who was just moments ago.

Now I look like a frightened rabbit.

"Please...please leave the city," Liu Zhenhai said, bowing.

"I will personally escort them."

Zhou Yang nodded.

"That's troublesome."

The oxcart continued on its way.

Liu Zhenhai followed beside him.

The other soldiers made way for them.

They stared in disbelief at the scene.

The people at the city gate were talking about it.

"Who are those two people?"

"Even the Commander-in-Chief of the Beijing Garrison is this afraid."

"He must be a big shot."

Step out of the city gate.

Liu Zhenhai was still bowing.

"Sir, should we prepare a carriage?"

Zhou Yang shook his head.

"No need, we have our own."

"Well... then I'll leave the little one here." Liu Zhenhai wiped his sweat.

"Please take care."

The oxcart slowly drove away.

Liu Zhenhai remained standing in the same spot.

The wind blew by.

His back was soaked with sweat.

Qin Shuang glanced back.

"What exactly is that token?"

Zhou Yang put the token away.

"A lifesaver."

"Given by the audience?"

"Um."

Why was he so scared when he saw it?

Zhou Yang remained silent for a while.

"Because of the design on the token."

He said.

"That's a marker for theatergoers."

"The person who sees this mark."

"It's like seeing your own end."

Qin Shuang seemed to be deep in thought.

What will become of him in the future?

"I don't know," Zhou Yang said. "Maybe I'll forget about today."

"Perhaps I'll never forget it."

"But anyway."

"He'll never dare to mess with us again."

The oxcart continued south.

The willow trees by the roadside have sprouted new buds.

spring is coming.

"Where to next?" Qin Shuang asked.

Zhou Yang gazed into the distance.

"Daze."

He said.

"The dragon's spine is there."

"and."

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Someone is waiting for us there."

"who?"

"An old friend."

Qin Shuang glanced at him.

She knew who Zhou Yang was talking about.

The person who has been secretly helping them all along.

It is also another pawn for the spectators.

"Will it be dangerous?"

"Of course," Zhou Yang laughed, "It wouldn't be fun if it wasn't dangerous."

He reached out and touched the sword at his waist.

The scabbard is old.

But the sword inside.

Very sharp.

"but."

He turned to look at Qin Shuang.

"This time we're not running for our lives."

"I'm going to find something."

Qin Shuang nodded.

Her hand rested on the hilt of the sword.

"I'm ready."

The oxcart bumped along the dirt road.

The distant mountains stretch endlessly.

Like a sleeping dragon.

And on the back of that giant dragon.

It holds the secrets of this world.

It also holds the key to their future.

"Oh, right," Zhou Yang suddenly said.

"What?"

"Just now at the city gate."

"The way you sewed that garment."

"It's beautiful."

Qin Shuang blushed.

She looked down at the needle and thread in her hands.

"I...I can't."

"I know," Zhou Yang said, "that's why it's even more beautiful."

Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves of the willow tree.

The oxcart casts dappled light and shadow.

The two people sat there.

No one spoke again.

But silence is not awkward.

Instead, a sense of warmth flowed through it.

This was their first time.

It wasn't for the sake of a mission.

It wasn't to escape for their lives.

That's all.

They sat together.

Heading towards an unknown place.

Although the future is dangerous.

But they were no longer afraid.

Because we have each other by our side.

This is enough.

The oxcart continued on its way.

It carries two extraordinary people.

Heading towards an extraordinary end.

The road ahead is still long.

But it has already begun.

【Southbound】

The boat rocked gently.

A creaking sound came from the joints of the wood.

Zhou Yang opened his eyes. The cabin was dark. A few rays of light shone through the only small window, making the dust particles in the air seem to dance.

He sat up; Qin Shuang was still asleep.

She lay on her side, her long hair spread across the pillow. Her breathing was light, her chest rising and falling evenly. Even in her sleep, her brow was slightly furrowed, as if she were pondering some case.

Zhou Yang quietly put on his clothes and pushed open the cabin door.

The sunlight was so bright that he squinted.

The water and sky blend into one color, stretching to the horizon.

Where is that oxcart path from before?

Three days ago, they arrived at the ferry. They sold the oxcart and bought boat tickets. The boatman, surnamed Chen, was over fifty years old, his face covered in wrinkles, clearly someone who had spent most of his life working on this waterway.

"Sir, are you up?" Boss Chen's voice came from above.

Zhou Yang looked up and saw him standing at the stern, steering the ship. In his hand was a rough porcelain bowl, steaming hot from inside.

"Hmm." Zhou Yang walked to the side of the boat and looked down at the water.

The water was murky and had a yellowish-green tinge.

Occasionally, the shadows of fish would flash by, but their shapes were strange. Some had bony spurs growing from their backs, like a row of small saws. Some had eyes on the top of their heads, rolling around round and alert.

"The fish in this water..." Zhou Yang pointed to a strange fish swimming by.

Old Chen followed his finger and looked, his expression unchanged. "All the fish in the swamp look like this. Is this your first time here, sir?"

Zhou Yang nodded.

"We need to be careful." Old Chen took a sip of what was in his bowl, which was probably tea. "This place is really eerie."

As he spoke, he gestured towards the distance with his chin.

Zhou Yang narrowed his eyes.

On the distant shore, the trees grew in bizarre shapes. Some trunks were twisted into spirals, while others had branches that stretched towards the sky like claws. The strangest of all was an old locust tree, its roots exposed, like countless arms gripping the soil.

"Those trees..."

"They're affected too." Old Chen put down his bowl and wiped his mouth. "We call them 'ghost trees.' They move at night."

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow.

"Really moving?" He was skeptical.

"Why would I lie to you?" Boss Chen became serious. "Last year, some out-of-town merchants didn't believe in such superstitions and went ashore to rest one night. The next morning, everyone on the boat was gone. There was only blood on the ground and several deep handprints."

He spoke in a low voice.

"Deep within this place lies the 'Sleepless Eye.'"

"The Eyes That Never Sleep?"

"Hmm." Old Chen nodded, his expression turning serious. "It was passed down from the older generation. Anyone who glances at it won't survive. Not exactly instantly, but..." He hesitated, "...the body remains, but the soul is gone."

Zhou Yang gazed thoughtfully into the distance.

The sense of space here is indeed quite strange.

The water was perfectly calm, but something felt off. The angle of the light refraction was subtly different, and the airflow seemed unnatural.

It's like... something is watching from behind.

"What do you do for a living, sir?" Boss Chen suddenly asked.

Zhou Yang snapped out of his daze. "Let's start a small business."

"What kind of business are you doing in Daze?"

Zhou Yang smiled. "Looking for someone."

That's not a lie.

The Dragonspine Fragment is right here; he really needs to find it.

Old Chen sized him up a few times but didn't ask any more questions. Having seen many people, he knew when to ask and when not to.

The ship continued its journey.

The water surface grew wider and wider, and the scenery on both banks became increasingly strange.

In some places, bubbles suddenly rise to the surface of the water, gurgling and bubbling, as if something is breathing down there. The rising steam has a strange smell, hard to describe, but it's just unpleasant.

Zhou Yang had seen a lot of bloodshed, but this feeling was very unfamiliar.

It wasn't the smell of blood, nor the smell of decay, but rather... an unusual odor.

"Be careful not to touch the moisture," Boss Chen warned. "Two years ago, one of our buddies was clueless and reached out to play with it. As a result, scales grew on his hands, making him look like a fish."

Zhou Yang looked at his hands.

Fortunately, he had a system. This level of pollution shouldn't affect him. But Qin Shuang...

He glanced back at the cabin.

Qin Shuang was already awake, standing at the door with her hair slightly disheveled.

"What's wrong?" She walked over and followed Zhou Yang's gaze.

"There's something wrong with the water here," Zhou Yang explained simply.

Qin Shuang frowned. She gripped the hilt of her sword, a habitual gesture when she was nervous.

"Do we have to go further in?"

"Yes. The dragon's spine is inside."

She didn't ask any more questions, but simply stood beside Zhou Yang, watching the water together.

The boat traveled for half a day.

During this time, Boss Chen stopped at several small docks. They were all simple wooden planks with a few words crookedly written on them. The handwriting was strange, as if it had been deliberately distorted.

There was no one on the dock.

Only a few wrecked boats lay aground on the shore, their hulls covered in moss and some indescribable vines.

"Is no one living here?" Qin Shuang asked.

"Yes," Old Chen shook his head, "but they don't come out during the day."

Why?

"They're afraid of light," Boss Chen said in a low voice. "People who are deeply influenced by it are all afraid of light."

As he spoke, he pointed to a dilapidated house in the distance.

There was a small hole in the roof, and sunlight shone through. You could vaguely see a shadow moving inside.

Upon seeing the sunlight, the shadow abruptly shrank back into the darkness.

Qin Shuang gripped her sword tightly.

Zhou Yang patted the back of her hand.

"Don't worry, we're just passing by."

She nodded, but remained vigilant.

The ship set sail again.

This time, Boss Chen chose the middle of the waterway, far from the shore.

The further in you go, the muddier the water becomes.

Occasionally, a large dark shadow would flash beneath the water's surface, but it was impossible to make out what it was.

"What is that?" Zhou Yang asked.

Boss Chen's face looked very grim.

"It's better not to know." He gripped the helm tightly. "Some things are better left unknown than known."

Zhou Yang didn't ask any more questions.

He could sense that there were indeed enormous creatures swimming underwater. They weren't ordinary fish; they were huge.

Moreover, he can sense other things as well.

The spatial structure here is very unstable.

In some places, the spatial rifts are so large they are almost exposed. However, something is suppressing them, preventing them from fully erupting.

It's like a balloon about to burst, wrapped in a layer of cloth. The cloth is about to give way.

"Dragon's Spine..." Zhou Yang murmured to himself.

He understands now.

The Dragonspine Fragment is not only an artifact, but also an "anchor" for stabilizing this region.

Without it, this vast swamp would have been utterly destroyed by the aftershocks of the Outer God long ago. Space would have collapsed, reality distorted, and all living things would have turned into monsters.

"We're almost there," Boss Chen suddenly said.

Zhou Yang looked up.

In the distance lies a small island with a strange shape, resembling a giant eye embedded in the water.

The island has many black rocks arranged in a very regular pattern. From a distance, they look remarkably like the patterns on a pupil.

"That's 'Eye Island'," Boss Chen's voice trembled slightly. "The Sleepless Eye is right there."

He stopped the boat and dared not go any further.

"Sir, this is my limit. Any further, and my ship will be lost, and so will my life."

Zhou Yang understood.

Even those who spend their lives on the water dare not approach it, which shows how dangerous it is.

"How much?" he asked.

Boss Chen gave a number.

Zhou Yang paid the money readily and even gave him a little extra.

"Brother Chen, wait for us here. If we don't return in three days, you'll have to leave on your own."

Boss Chen paused for a moment, then nodded heavily.

"Take care, sir."

He watched Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang prepare to disembark from the small boat and couldn't help but say something else.

"Sir, if you really see the 'Sleepless Eyes,' do not look. Remember, do not look."

Zhou Yang nodded.

He and Qin Shuang boarded a small boat and slowly rowed towards Eye Island.

The closer you get, the clearer the details on the island become.

The black rocks were covered in runes, but not any known script. The lines were twisted and intertwined, making one dizzy from looking at them.

There were no plants on the island, only black rocks. Even the soil was black.

A sense of oppression permeated the air.

It's like something is watching you.

Qin Shuang's expression was grim. As a martial artist, her intuition was sharp. This place felt even more dangerous to her than when she faced the Holy Envoy of the Heavenly Principle Sect.

"I can feel it watching me," she whispered.

Zhou Yang shared the same sentiment.

It wasn't an illusion; something was really observing them.

Moreover, this observer is very strong.

"Don't be afraid," Zhou Yang said, holding her hand. "I'm here."

Her palms were cold, but she still squeezed them back tightly.

The small boat finally reached the shore.

The sand was black and soft to the touch, like ashes.

The two went ashore on the island.

The black rocks beneath my feet were strange; stepping on them felt like stepping on flesh. Moreover, they seemed to be undulating slightly, as if they were breathing.

"The rocks here..." Qin Shuang frowned.

"They're not rocks." Zhou Yang squatted down and touched the ground.

The texture is very peculiar.

It's neither stone nor wood. It's more like a biological tissue. Cold, but definitely showing signs of life.

"The entire island is alive?" Qin Shuang asked incredulously.

"Hmm." Zhou Yang stood up and looked towards the center of the island.

There was a deep pit, over a hundred meters in diameter. The bottom of the pit was pitch black, and nothing could be seen.

But the sleepless eye should be there.

"Let's go."

Zhou Yang led the way towards the edge of the pit.

With each step, the undulations of the ground became more pronounced. It felt as if I were stepping on a gigantic, sleeping creature.

Moreover, strange noises started to appear in my ears.

It was neither the sound of wind nor the sound of water.

It was more like a series of whispers, many voices overlapping each other, making it impossible to understand what they were saying, but it was unsettling.

Qin Shuang covered her ears, but she could still hear it.

Zhou Yang was alright; his mental strength was strong enough that whispers of this magnitude couldn't affect him.

"Ignore it," he cautioned. "It's all an illusion."

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they finally reached the edge of the deep pit.

There were many strange marks on the edge of the pit, as if they had been scratched by something. Each mark was bottomless and had sharp edges, as if it had been scratched by claws.

Zhou Yang peered down.

The bottom of the pit was pitch black, and nothing could be seen.

But he could sense that there was something inside.

A colossal presence.

It is currently asleep.

"Found it," Zhou Yang said softly.

Qin Shuang also sensed it.

It was an indescribable sense of fear. Not the tension of facing a powerful enemy, but an instinctive fear of the unknown.

It's like an ant encountering a human; they're simply not on the same level.

"What is that?"

"The Sleepless Eye." Zhou Yang took a deep breath. "It's also the Dragon Spine Fragment we're looking for."

He took out a small compass.

This is a specially made magical artifact used to sense the location of the dragon's spine.

The compass needle spun wildly, finally pointing straight to the bottom of the pit.

"It's down there."

"Go down?" Qin Shuang's voice trembled slightly.

Zhou Yang can understand.

Even someone as timid as Qin Shuang would feel fear in the face of such an unknown entity.

But the Dragonspine Fragment must be obtained.

Without it, this spatial anchor point will completely collapse. At that point, the entire Great Swamp will be swallowed up by a distorted reality.

"I'm going down," Zhou Yang said. "You wait for me upstairs."

"No." Qin Shuang shook her head. "Together."

She looked at Zhou Yang with a determined gaze.

"We're partners, aren't we?"

Zhou Yang smiled.

"Okay, together."

He pulled Qin Shuang along and began to walk down into the pit.

The pit walls were steep, but there were many places to grab onto. The edges of those claw marks were sharp, and if you were careful, you could use them as steps.

The lower you go, the more oppressive the air becomes.

The whispers grew clearer and clearer, as if they were speaking right next to my ear.

Zhou Yang can now distinguish some words.

"Look...look at me...I'll stay...forever..."

It is a form of psychological attack.

He whispered in Qin Shuang's ear, "Guard your mind, don't listen."

She nodded, gritting her teeth.

After descending a short distance, Zhou Yang suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong?" Qin Shuang asked.

Zhou Yang did not answer, but looked down into the pit.

Something is moving in the darkness.

A huge thing.

He slowly opened his eyes.

Ghost Cry Valley

The wind rustled the reeds in the distance, its sound like a distant weeping. The night was soft and low, and the shadows of clouds drifted across the horizon. The oxcart finally came to a stop by the great marsh, its wheels sinking into the shallow mud with a soft thud.

Qin Shuang got out of the car first, her steps steady. She looked up at the narrow crack in the water, as thin as a wound. The reeds on either side of the crack swayed irregularly, their leaves making a series of jagged sounds as they struck each other. Zhou Yang followed her out, a thin cloth cloak draped over his shoulders, which made his slender figure appear even more striking.

He surveyed his surroundings. There were no howls of wild beasts, only the wind trailing off after birdsong. Dark ripples spread across the surface of the marsh, as if someone were stirring it from below. A few shallow footprints remained on the soil, freshly made and not yet solidified.

Qin Shuang said in a low voice, "Ghost Cry Ravine is at the deepest part of the rift valley. The fog surges in from that side, and even the sound changes." Her eyes flashed with a faint coldness, like the moonlight on a lake.

Zhou Yang nodded, his fingers lightly touching the hilt of his sword behind his back. Mist rose from the bottom of the ravine, clinging to the ground like a woven white weft. As the wind pierced through the mist, it trembled rapidly in the air, emitting intermittent screams. The screams contained thunderous sounds, like someone dying. A reed beside Qin Shuang suddenly stood upright, emitting a faint hum.

He approached the edge of the rift, his figure protruding. It wasn't deep below, but visibility was almost zero. The fog swirled around his face with each breath, bringing a cold, stinging sensation, and felt like something whispering in his ear, words fragmented and incoherent. He paused for a second, then quickly pinpointed the direction of the sound, trying to pinpoint its source. The words echoed in his ears, repeated over and over, as if someone were casting deep, overlapping shadows in a voice. The words contained "stay," "don't disperse," and "wait."

"A hallucination?" Qin Shuang asked, wiping her hand on her sleeve. Her voice was deep and suppressed. She raised one hand, and icy coldness already spread from her fingertips, white steam rising from between her fingers.

"It's poisonous," Zhou Yang said. The cold in the fog was biting, and his voice carried a tone that wanted to make one give up. He reached out to hold onto the edge of the stone wall, which was icy and slippery, with wet droplets sliding down.

Qin Shuang's spellcasting was swift. She closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and a sharp gust of wind swirled from between her fingers. Frost rose from the ground beneath her feet, and a chill spread rapidly. Under her palm strike, the mist retreated as if sliced ​​by a knife, revealing a thin curtain of ice spreading out around them. Within the ice curtain, there were not only frost patterns but also delicate light patterns—charms formed by her concentrated mental energy. Zhou Yang could see that the outer layer of mist on the ice curtain had solidified into chains, while the inner layer continued to flow, but was suppressed by her mental power.

"That's enough." She gently withdrew her hand, and the ice curtain gradually melted into the air, but the chill remained. He looked up; the structure of the fog had loosened, and his voice had become softer. The sound was like the wind hidden in the distance, yet it deliberately approached one's eardrums. Zhou Yang looked at the center of the thickest fog, where there was no light, only eternally swaying blackness. He closed his eyes, regulated his breathing, and probed with his lifespan perception system. The feeling was like a heartbeat pressing heavily on his chest, the aftershocks echoing in the space he expanded.

"The fragment is over there," he whispered. The words had barely left his lips when an even heavier pressure descended from the fog. A blurry outline emerged in the mist, like a reflection. He felt that outline was shielding his senses, as if a barrier had been forcibly added.

A powerful force was gathering at the center. The fog was no longer simple; it carried a dull, heavy sheen, and every flicker seemed to be watching them. Zhou Yang took a step forward, the earth beneath his feet seeming to swallow him whole. He stopped, the hilt of his sword twitching slightly.

"guard."

A deep voice emerged from the mist, formless yet piercing to the core. He spoke no more, only lowered his stance. Qin Shuang moved closer, standing beside him, her hands hanging naturally at her sides, the icy aura still swirling around them. She looked up, gazing into the darkness of the mist.

"This sound doesn't sound like a mechanism; it sounds more like the other party is entangled in her will." Her brows furrowed. She connected her heart meridian with her Ice Soul Profound Heart, sending out spiritual power while suppressing her breathing to prevent the sound from attaching to her consciousness.

Zhou Yang looked up at her, his gaze unwavering. He reached out and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, giving himself and her a signal. "This isn't just fog." He locked onto the very center of the fog, "The fragments are inside, and you've felt the protection."

"There's more than one protector," she said, a few strands of ice flowing from her fingers. Each spell she cast was like drawing a fine needle, her movements short and sharp. The ice strands flickered in the air, disappearing into the mist. She added, "We have to tear through the protective layer."

"We're not going there to fight." Zhou Yang's lips curled slightly, but his expression was firm. "Let's scout first."

He gripped the hilt of his sword and gently parted a section of mist with the tip. The moment the sword tip touched the mist, it was as if it had struck a thick cloth. The energy contained within that cloth vibrated slightly, as if in response. He slowly retreated, pulling himself further away, almost touching the reeds on the ground.

Qin Shuang stopped letting the ice silk flutter. She turned to the side, tracing the outer edge of the mist with her gaze. Her words were short and precise: "In the center, there is a breath at work. It's not breathing, but like the most ancient rhythm. We cannot approach for now."

"What should we do then?" Zhou Yang asked.

"Test the fire first," she whispered. "You prepare a kindling, and I'll tear it open."

Before he could answer, she raised her left hand, a glint of blue light flashing in her eyes, like long-dormant ice being rekindled. Her palms spun rapidly, as if polishing the coldness within her. Frost surged forth again, this time finer and more dense, like invisible arrows.

Zhou Yang slowly loosened his grip on the sword hilt and took out a handkerchief. The moment the handkerchief was unfolded, it was captured by the mist. The handkerchief trembled in the mist, the dark bloodstains actually being crimson runes. He threw the handkerchief away, rushing towards the center. The handkerchief was hindered in the mist, its flight slowed, and finally transformed into a ball of red light.

The ball of light stopped at the center, then spread out in ripples. As the ripples impacted the fog, the fog suddenly split open, like a crack in a mirror. Flames danced within the crack, their color unusual, a yellow tinged with a painful blue.

"That's a protective spell," Qin Shuang said. "Like the fire in the tomb, you can't get close directly."

"The only thing we can do is burn it?" Zhou Yang asked.

"Observe first." She looked down into the crack. The color of the flames flowed, as if they had a pulse. He could make out a hand in the flames, the palm constantly waving outwards, as if resisting. Each wave brought a whistling sound, and also brought out black characters that swept directly into the rest of the fog.

"That's an energy counterattack," Qin Shuang advised. "Don't move rashly. Let me test it with my Ice Soul Profound Heart."

She raised her hands again, but slowly. She focused her mind slightly on the icy veins, like a light boat gliding across them. Strands of white silk trailed from her fingertips, the icy light drawing a grid in the mist. The grid, like spider silk, gradually clung to the edge of the flames.

The shape of the flames began to sway, as if being gently stroked. Each touch sent a low-frequency vibration through Zhou Yang's chest. He felt a deep oppression emanating from his center, not originating from any respiratory organ, but rather like the writhing of an ancient object. The feeling wasn't fatal, but it made each breath feel slightly sluggish.

"What is the name of the entity that is being protected?" he asked.

"A fragment of a dragon's spine." Qin Shuang gently pulled the ice silk outwards, making the light in the mist clearer. She said, "It's not an ordinary fragment of a divine weapon. Like how it absorbs the mist here, all that's left is hallucinations and manipulation. I used the Ice Profound Heart because cold can compress its will."

Zhou Yang nodded. He refocused his gaze on the central flame. The flame revealed scattered patterns—several black stone fragments embedded in the fire, like the walls of a respiratory organ. Each fragment was engraved with symbols, each like a pale drawing. Zhou Yang immediately recognized that these symbols differed from the spells used by the Heavenly Principle Sect, yet they possessed an ancient, wild quality. He said softly, "The protective power is there; we need more openings."

"We can't rush in rashly," Qin Shuang said, looking at him. "We can let it reveal itself first."

"Do you have a plan?"

"Yes." She looked towards the edge of the fog, where a faint light shone, like water being stirred. "Let it come on its own."

She re-deployed the ice curtain, this time thinner but extending further. The ice curtain was shaped like a fan with folded wings, its semi-transparent crystalline lines interlocking. Behind the ice, a thin, dark line was moving. Zhou Yang looked at the dark line and realized that it was a fragment probing the outside defenses.

"It's afraid of light," he said softly.

"It's afraid we'll take the initiative," Qin Shuang added.

"Then we'll wait," he said. He reached into the mist and grasped the dark thread. The thread wasn't physical, yet it sent a chilling electric current through him. He didn't pull, but instead wrapped it around his fingertips. The current surged to his palm, then was absorbed into his veins. He felt the fragments being understood. The sensation was like suffocation, yet it brought him to his senses. He closed his eyes, his breath returning to normal.

Suddenly, the other end of the ice curtain cracked open, and a sonic wave surged from the mist. This sonic wave, almost like the roar of an awakened beast, struck Zhou Yang's mind. He pricked up his ears, trying to hear the words clearly. The word was "come."

Qin Shuang's lips twitched slightly: "It wants us to take the first step." She lowered her body and uttered a few intricate incantations, half to draw her mind close to Bing Xin, and half to guide the sound waves to swirl. The sound waves seemed to be held back, unable to break through.

"Wait a little longer," she said, "until it reveals its true form."

Zhou Yang's hand remained gripping the dark thread, his gaze fixed on the center. His heartbeat was steady and deep, like stepping on a steel plate. The fog outside thickened, as if to protect the central page. No more noise filled the fog, only the rhythm of a heartbeat. Qin Shuang sensed this rhythm, in sync with her own breathing. She closed her eyes slightly, telling herself not to move. She knew that any haste could trigger a disturbance in the protective power.

The night grew even darker in the distance, and the tolling of the bells was cut apart by the wind miles away. The flame in the fog flickered, continuing to guard the center. Two figures, one in light and one in shadow, waited between the fog and the wind.

The fragment lay deep within the fog. Zhou Yang knew that one more step would lead to unknown rules. This step had to be taken within the opportunities offered by his opponent. He gripped the sword hilt tightly, his eyes opening in the fog, ready to meet the next surge.