Heaven’s Shadow

Inside the Black Hill Pavilion in Kunwu City, Lao Ma didn’t immediately respond to Lu Chen’s question. His expression seemed somewhat grim. After a moment, Lao Ma spoke in a low voice, “More than one.”

Lu Chen, who had initially appeared surprised, gradually calmed down. However, the gleam in his eyes grew sharper. After a while, he suddenly smiled and said, “Has the Dead Baldy offended everyone else?”

Lao Ma shook his head and said, “It’s inevitable. Back when the Demon Cult was at its peak, the Master was unrivaled, calling the shots in the True Immortal Alliance, and everyone looked up to him. After the Battle of the Desolate Valley ten years ago, his reputation soared to its peak, overshadowing the other True Lords. He offended many people.”

Lu Chen asked, “If the Dead Baldy is so formidable, why isn’t he being arrogant now?”

Lao Ma coughed and replied, “The world has been in turmoil for a long time, and many in the True Immortal Alliance just want some peace and stability.”

Lu Chen nodded without saying more, his gaze fixed on the narrow alley outside, his eyes somewhat distant.

Lao Ma glanced at him, a hint of worry in his eyes, and said, “At the ‘Grand Paramount Hall’ of the True Immortal Alliance, Great Lord Kuangbo manages the Alliance’s finances. He has never been fond of the Floating Cloud Division and has been complaining for years. Besides him, recently, ‘Heavenly Law Hall’s’ True Lord Tiehu expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Floating Cloud Division. He criticized Hall Master Xueliang sharply. But as for whom the criticism is directed at, everyone in the entire Immortal City knows.”

Lu Chen was slightly surprised and furrowed his brow, saying, “Tiehu? Isn’t this Great Lord known for his fairness? Why is he also getting involved?”

Lao Ma forced a bitter smile and said, “It’s because the Floating Cloud Division has been involved in so many troubles. It’s either someone dies mysteriously every other day, or a patrol goes missing. Anyone would find it intolerable. If not for Lord Tianlan staunchly supporting Blood Lark, that Deputy Hall Master Xue would have been taken to the Heavenly Law Hall long ago.”

Lu Chen’s expression turned gloomy again, he snorted and said, “Is the Demon Cult becoming so audacious?”

Then he paused for a moment, suddenly shook his head, and said, “No, although those lunatics are strong, they can’t provoke the True Immortal Alliance head-on like this.”

Lao Ma was taken aback and asked, “What do you mean?”

Lu Chen turned his face away, glanced at the empty alley outside, and seemed unwilling to speak further. He said, “You know what I mean.”

After a moment of silence, Lao Ma sighed and spoke softly, “This is a serious matter. Moreover, you should know that he doesn’t trust many people, but he will definitely listen to what you have to say.”

Lu Chen remained silent, simply looking at Lao Ma.

Lao Ma took a deep breath, then approached Lu Chen, his face displaying a rare seriousness. He said in a low voice, “This is a major issue. Besides, you should also know that although he doesn’t trust many people, he will definitely listen to what you have to say.”

Lu Chen didn’t speak; he simply glanced at Lao Ma.

After hesitating for a while, Lao Ma suddenly stood up from his comfortable chair and walked in front of Lu Chen. His face showed a rare seriousness as he said in a low voice, “This is a serious matter. Besides, you should also know that he doesn’t trust many people, but he will definitely listen to what you have to say.”

Lu Chen remained silent, his eyes fixed on the empty alley outside. After a while, he smiled faintly and said, “The Demon Cult has indeed infiltrated the True Immortal Alliance, but the Floating Cloud Division is one of the Alliance’s branches with the most frequent conflicts with the Demon Cult. In terms of strength, experience, and vigilance, it is exceptionally strong. It’s unlikely that the Demon Cult could have pushed the Floating Cloud Division to this extent and caused so many deaths. The Demon Cult cannot achieve this.”

Lao Ma stared at him, his eyes filled with anxiety. He asked, “Then who could it be?”

Lu Chen suddenly smiled, his voice calm as he said, “Who knows the True Immortal Alliance the best, who is best at taking action, who benefits the most from the deaths, who rises the highest, and whose voice resounds the loudest? That would be the one.”

Lao Ma’s face paled slightly, and he stared at Lu Chen for a long time before speaking with a bitter tone, “But you have no evidence?”

“I don’t,” Lu Chen replied.

“Just a speculation?”

“Just a guess.”

“For such a serious matter, relying on mere speculation won’t convince anyone! Besides, your words indirectly implicated those two, which isn’t something that can be easily dismissed.”

“In the eyes of a True Lord, when did evidence become necessary?”

…

A sudden silence fell upon the room, and no one spoke again.

※※※

It seemed like an eternity had passed in this quiet alley, as if time had frozen in this solitary corner. When the light finally fell upon them, the two ordinary figures under the unassuming eaves seemed like insignificant ants in the flow of time.

“This won’t do,” Lao Ma broke the silence with a soft voice.

“Why?”

“These two are formidable figures. The Master is already in a precarious situation, can we afford to make more powerful enemies?”

Lu Chen replied expressionlessly, “If you want me to speak, I’ve said it. Whether you pass on these words to the Dead Baldy or not is not my concern.”

Lao Ma suddenly raised his head and looked at Lu Chen, his face displaying a complex expression.

In the quiet alley, the silence continued.

※※※

As the light and shadows shifted and changed, a gentle breeze rustled the green grass.

Lu Chen suddenly walked out of the door, coming to the wall on the opposite side of the alley. He reached out and plucked a blade of grass. The cool breeze blew gently, and in this forgotten corner, it danced alone.

“Do you really think this way?” Lao Ma’s voice came from behind him.

Lu Chen toyed with the blade of grass in his hand and calmly said, “Yes.”

Lao Ma walked to his front, staring into his eyes, and asked, “But I sense a hidden agenda in your words.”

Lu Chen narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, “Oh, what is it?”

“An intent for vengeance.”

“I don’t understand. Speak plainly.”

“Are you still harboring resentment toward the Master deep down, wanting to harm him?”

…

Silently, like the sudden eruption of thunder, the tranquil alley fell into silence again. The green grass, held between his fingers, quietly snapped and drifted away with the wind.

※※※

The sunlight streamed through the clouds, casting a soft glow. The narrow alley was deep and enigmatic, with only two figures standing under the wall.

The gentle breeze seemed to slow down, but it still stubbornly blew, lifting their robes and garments. Yet, it couldn’t reveal the palms hidden within their sleeves.

In the wind, there was a sense of desolation.

Lu Chen turned around, plucking a green leaf as he said, “You shouldn’t have said that.”

“I know.”

Lu Chen traced the green leaf with his fingers, his eyes bright and sharp, tinged with a hint of coldness. His voice seemed to have turned colder as he continued, “Saying it in front of me implies suspicion of me, while conveying it to the Baldy is an attempt to sow discord.”

Lao Ma’s eye twitched slightly. He remained silent.

Lu Chen added, “We’ve known each other for ten years. You should understand me well, grasp my intentions. In fact…”

Lao Ma suddenly interrupted him with a cold tone, “I can’t see through you at all.”

“I don’t know what’s on your mind.”

“Have you really let go of what happened ten years ago?”

“No one in this world will ever truly know your intentions!”

Lao Ma spoke each sentence slowly and clearly, gazing into Lu Chen’s eyes with a sharp, knife-like look as if trying to cut through the deep darkness within his pupils.

The wind blew, and their robes fluttered.

Lu Chen slowly turned around to face Lao Ma, maintaining eye contact.

Two men stared at each other in silence, their expressions stern.

Deep within their sleeves, a single green leaf suddenly withered, turning into a shriveled and faded leaf before quietly falling to the ground.

※※※

“You’re overthinking it.”

After what seemed like a while, Lu Chen suddenly smiled, clapped his hands, and then looked up at the sky with a calm tone. He said, “You asked me a question, I answered it. If you’re not satisfied and start suspecting me, isn’t that a bit unreasonable?”

Lao Ma remained silent, offering no response.

Lu Chen patted his shoulder and said, “Enough, buddy. Those of us in this line of work often deal with suspicion and fear all day long, and there are plenty who end up going crazy. If you keep going like this, you’ll also become one of them in the future.”

Lao Ma closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and nodded. He said, “You’re right. I got anxious today. I’ll report your words when I get back.”

Lu Chen turned to walk towards the house, saying, “Whether you report them or not, it’s up to you.”

Following behind him for a few steps, Lao Ma suddenly said, “You saved my life, I never had any intention of harming you.”

Lu Chen’s steps paused for a moment, and he said, “I know.”

Taking another step forward, Lu Chen continued, “Buddy, over these ten years, I’ve entrusted my life to you.”

Lao Ma remained silent.

Lu Chen stopped at the doorstep, looking back at Lao Ma. He whispered, “It’s the same now.”

Lao Ma’s body trembled slightly, and a deep, complex look passed through his eyes. After a moment, he nodded and said, “I understand.”

Lu Chen smiled warmly and said, “Alright, it’s getting late. I’m heading back to the mountain.” With that, he waved his hand to Lao Ma and turned to walk away from the alley.

Lao Ma stood on the cobblestone road, silently watching the gradually disappearing figure. He didn’t say a word.

Once Lu Chen’s figure finally vanished from sight, Lao Ma’s plump face suddenly twitched a few times. In that moment, it seemed as though he had relaxed, releasing all the tension that had been pent up within him, just like a person who had held their breath underwater for too long.

He took a few deep breaths, wiped his forehead with his hand, and then let out a long sigh. It was as if he had been holding his breath, waiting in anticipation for something.

After catching his breath, he took a few steps forward but suddenly stopped in his tracks. After a moment, he walked over to a corner of the alley wall and squatted down.

The plump, pale hand reached out from the sleeve, fumbling along the brick wall, and then picked up something from the ground.

It was a dried, charred remnant of a leaf, curled into a ball.

Lao Ma silently looked at this withered leaf in his hand. He then raised his head to survey the surroundings, observing the wild grass stubbornly growing in the crevices of the wall, swaying with life in the breeze, flourishing with green vitality.

In the quiet alley, a shadow of unease passed through the depths of Lao Ma’s eyes.

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