novelraw Chapter 188 - 127: The Execution Order Returns!
Chapter 188 - 127: The Execution Order Returns!
In front was an open space, and behind still lay the stone forest.
Going forward, the environment was still so dark.
Si Ye held a torch, leading the way while being mindful of the surroundings.
The group with Chu Qing continued on this way, soon discovering a mountain cave entrance completely covered by tree shade.
Just as Si Ye was about to proceed, Chu Qing suddenly stopped him by the shoulder:
"Wait, there’s someone!"
Si Ye’s heart tensed, how could there be someone here?
Even they, as people of Luochun Manor, had lived here for so long without knowing this place existed below the mountain.
Who would come here before them?
Si Ye’s mind immediately recalled what Chu Qing had told him before, that they discovered this place because someone had abducted Gentle and Tie Chuming.
If there were people here now, could it be that person?
Chu Qing stepped past Si Ye, took a step forward, gently parted the leaves, and looked forward, frowning slightly.
In the dim night, they saw that where they stood was a cave halfway up the mountain.
Below, at a height of two to three zhang, was a winding path leading to an unknown destination.
But there was no one on the path.
After pondering for a moment, Chu Qing said to the few people behind him:
"Wait here for a while, I’ll go take a look."
"Young Master, let me go instead."
Si Ye quickly spoke up.
Throughout the journey, he had grown more impressed with Chu Qing, feeling it was only natural the Manor Master entrusted him with important tasks.
The situation here was unclear, so it wouldn’t be right to let Chu Qing take personal risks.
Chu Qing did not agree, just shook his head, indicating for them to wait there.
Then, with a flicker of his figure, he leaped out from the cave, landing silently on the ground.
Gazing at the dark path, he followed it forward immediately.
Though called a path, it was actually a stone path.
There were no weeds on the stones, naturally resembling a road.
After following this path for a while, a figure suddenly appeared before Chu Qing.
This scene made Chu Qing’s pupils suddenly contract.
Before seeing this person, he hadn’t detected any traces at all.
It was as if he had appeared here out of thin air, like an illusion.
With the potential to vanish at any moment.
This person was dressed in tattered clothes, the same old beggar he’d seen before.
The old beggar was sitting at the end of the path, where a protruding half-cliff lay.
But he was sitting sloppily, one leg propped up, the other hanging naturally, holding a chicken leg in his hand, with two bites taken out of it.
However, at this moment, he just held the chicken leg, quietly looking into the distance, silent and immobile, like a statue.
Chu Qing came behind him, following his gaze.
Through the deep woods and yellowing leaves, in a tree-shaded spot, between the mountain walls on both sides, stood a door.
A very large door!
"What is that place?"
Chu Qing’s gaze fell on that door as he slowly began to ask.
The old beggar reacted slightly and chuckled lightly:
"The four seasons conceal the celestial secrets, changes invite the hollow valley.
"That’s the Celestial Secret Valley they searched for beneath the Wen Family’s very noses for hundreds of years yet could never find.
"The Celestial Hermit, through the transformations of creation, crafted a Divine Skill truly enviable.
"Though near at hand, it seems as distant as the horizon, making one want to applaud."
"Who are you, elder?"
Chu Qing asked again.
"I won’t tell you."
The old beggar snorted, taking a bite of the chicken leg.
Chu Qing turned his gaze to the old beggar, speaking softly:
"You led me here, only to say you won’t tell me?"
"Ah, youth is truly wonderful."
Hearing Chu Qing’s words, the old beggar suddenly sighed:
"A youth wandering the Jianghu can act with impunity.
"As one ages, there are more apprehensions, and some actions lose their carefreeness.
"They say the martial world is carefree... Carefree, my ass!
"The older the martial world, the more fearful one becomes.
"Kid, if I told you someone emptied the Celestial Secret Valley long ago, leaving only traps and schemes inside,
"with the intention to orchestrate a rare massacre on the martial world scale over centuries...
"What would you do?"
"Enter the valley with a blade and let the blood flow like a river?"
"Great, magnificent!"
Upon hearing this, the old beggar laughed heartily, yet after the laughter, he sighed again:
"But... difficult... so difficult.
"Your martial arts are strong, and among your peers, perhaps few can rival you.
"But if you belittle the world and neglect its experts, you will suffer greatly."
"Since I cannot accomplish it alone, why not spread this tale across the Jianghu, rallying heroes to enter the valley and kill the traitors?"
"But the world is ignorant and most hold fast to their true nature.
"A scattered sand, the tighter you try to hold, the more it slips away."
The old beggar sighed:
"Moreover, fabricating an issue with the Celestial Secret Order was always with this intention. If the martial experts didn’t enter, how would they orchestrate a shocking massacre?
"Are you worried the bloodshed from this won’t be enough?"
Chu Qing laughed:
"If neither this way nor that way works, why not call upon the Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns to raze this place?"
The old beggar was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly nodded:
"That indeed could solve the immediate peril.
"However, if that method is used, who knows how much more bloodจะ shed across the martial world and how many more will perish."
"What do you mean by this?"
For the first time, Chu Qing earnestly inquired why involvement of the Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns would result in bloodshed and death.
The old beggar didn’t speak, just quietly stared at the Celestial Secret Valley, as if facing a massive enigma.
Chu Qing, for a moment, remained silent too.