Immortalis

Death Hex Eight

As expected, the three newcomers hadn't seen their wanted posters yet and were easily deceived by Yang Wujian's smooth talk. They soon introduced themselves.

The leader was a burly man almost two and a half times Sun Eryuan's size, known in the martial world as Cloud-Scraping Vajra Dong Dali. Despite his massive frame, his vision was poor, relying entirely on his plain-looking older brother Dong Qisheng to guide him. One forged swords while the other sought ores, and over the years they had crafted several fine blades for Boundless Sword Manor.

The lone traveler was a pockmarked Taoist named Zhang Buwei, glib-tongued and adorned with numerous clinking compasses and Dragon Seeking Needles, appearing every bit the expert in locating mineral veins.

Upon inquiry, they confirmed they had all received Tian Ting's letter and came seeking the Meteor Star.

"Brother Yang is quite fortunate to bring his wife along," Dong Qisheng greeted Yang Wujian while curiously eyeing the rabbit on Shen Qingshi's back. "This rabbit..."

"Raised for ore detection," Shen Qingshi lied without blinking, instantly earning Xue Qiu respectful treatment from Dong Qisheng. "I've long heard some masters train animals to sniff out veins. Truly extraordinary to witness it today."

What kind of people has Tian Ting gathered? Yang Wujian studied the newcomers - none looked like decent folk. Wondering why Tian Ting chose them, he inwardly rolled his eyes but immediately played along: "Speaking of Tian Ting, he summons us all here yet doesn't show himself."

"Exactly... what kind of hospitality is this?" The others readily agreed.

With Tian Ting absent, they maintained surface courtesy while investigating the area. Zhang Buwei stroked his beard, shaking his head: "In my years studying mines, I've only seen such phenomena where Emperor Beixiang drilled those ominous veins. Silver left untapped."

"Ominous veins?" Yang Wujian knew immediately what he meant. "Are you referring to the twelve Meat Wells?"

Everyone's expressions shifted - clearly, among veteran swordsmiths and ore hunters, the Meat Wells' reputation exceeded Yang Wujian's expectations.

Though unremarkable in appearance, Dong Qisheng spoke with authority: "Those twelve Meat Wells are extraordinary. Despite massive deposits below, even the current emperor dares not mine them."

Shen Qingshi recalled Cao Zhao seemed knowledgeable about this and asked: "Why?"

Dong Qisheng chuckled: "Naturally because those ominous veins harbor malignant entities. Emperor Beixiang dug but never filled, leaving gaping holes none can seal after his flight."

Yang Wujian feigned ignorance: "Why call them malignant? Coming from the north, we heard Northern Desert folk say Emperor Beixiang dug those wells to seek some Underground Heaven and consult spirits."

The pockmarked Taoist Zhang Buwei interjected: "How could such dire things be lightly meddled with? A century ago, Meteor Stars fell, disasters followed, Crimson Gold perished. Thirty years back, Emperor Beixiang dug twelve Meat Wells seeking spirits, Northern Xiang fell... Young man, don't you see the pattern? Meteor Stars hidden underground, their emergence heralds great calamity. These aren't things ordinary folk should touch."

"Then why are you all here seeking it?""Though it is extremely ominous, it is also a treasure. In the final years of Crimson Gold, someone once saw a deer eat a Meteor Star. The deer's four legs stiffened, yet it did not fall, traveling a hundred li into a deep well, returning with the treasure before dying... It is said that the Meteor Star is not only a treasure itself, possessing spiritual awareness, but sometimes it can also help people find other treasures."

Dong Qisheng smiled: "Moreover, the Meteor Star is not without methods to restrain it. It is said that when the Meteor Star falls, it ignites heavenly fire. To avoid this heavenly fire, the Meteor Star burrows underground. In other words, this thing likely fears fire, making it perfect for forging swords."

Zhang Buwei pointed with two fingers at the nearby bottomless vertical shaft: "Just now, I observed that fissure—deep and windless. When sparks enter the well, the walls appear to move like flesh. I suspect there must be large amounts of silver and lead below. Legend has it that wherever a Meteor Star falls, it is like this. If I'm not mistaken, this well is also an undiscovered Meat Well, not yet opened. It would be difficult to descend now."

This was actually a Meat Well too?

Yang Wujian and Shen Qingshi almost simultaneously furrowed their brows, thinking no wonder mining had not continued here.

Sun Eryuan, however, was perceptive. To curry favor with the two, he immediately spoke up on their behalf: "I come from White Lead Town, where there is also a Meat Well. It's said that Meat Wells are inauspicious, which is why even if there are minerals in the well, no one dares to mine them. I wonder if the Aconite Kiln was also like this ten years ago?"

"The Aconite Kiln had deaths."

At this point, the usually taciturn Dong Dali suddenly spoke a few words, causing Dong Qisheng's face beside him to darken immediately.

Dong Dali's voice was deep as thunder: "Ten years ago, they were mining here when someone reported them to the authorities. They were surrounded and suppressed, with over ten people killed on the spot. Rumor has it their bodies were all burned to ashes, not even leaving whole corpses."

For some reason, after he finished speaking, not only Dong Qisheng but even Zhang Buwei and Sun Eryuan's expressions turned grim. Yang Wujian raised his eyebrows and tentatively asked: "So, the place we're standing on now is actually an ominous site itself?"

Hearing this, Dong Qisheng scoffed: "Anyone in this line of work already has their head hanging by their waist. Since ancient times, when private mines are discovered, has there ever been a case without deaths?"

After that, the group seemed unwilling to discuss the matter further. Yang Wujian knew that given their current false identities, appearing too inexperienced would be unacceptable—they could only proceed gradually. Thus, he temporarily suppressed the various doubts in his heart.

The group waited a while longer, but no one else appeared in Stone Village. As dusk approached and Tian Ting still hadn't shown up, Dong Qisheng reluctantly suggested: "To find the Meteor Star, we'll probably need Tian Ting's guidance. We brothers shouldn't recklessly start mining either. How about we rough it in Stone Village for today? He might come tomorrow."

No one objected, so each found a relatively intact stone house to stay in. As "husband and wife," Shen Qingshi and Yang Wujian naturally had to share a room.

Night fell completely.

Yang Wujian blocked the doorway with branches and tall grass, then lit a fire inside the house. Seeing Shen Qingshi sit directly on the ground, he said: "The mountains are cold. Let's manage for tonight, and tomorrow we'll find some grass to spread."

"No need. We can't sleep too soundly at night."

Shen Qingshi shook her head, leaning against the corner farthest from the fire while cleaning her sword. She tilted her head to listen—there were no footsteps outside—then said softly: "That Dong Dali just now... I feel like I've seen him somewhere before.""Have you seen him before?"

Yang Wujian sat down beside Shen Qingshi, took out Xue Qiu and fed it some grass: "You stay in the palace all year round, how could you have seen these strange characters from the martial world?"

"That's exactly the problem."

Shen Qingshi lowered her voice even further: "If I've seen this person's portrait in the Zhaoming Division, then he's definitely not a good sort. I suspect once Tian Ting appears, these people will openly try to seize him."

"Many of those in the martial world who prospect for mines and veins belong to the same schools as grave robbers. They were never good people to begin with."

Yang Wujian remained unperturbed. With their martial skills, dealing with these small fries would be more than sufficient. He joked: "The only one among us who needs to worry about this is Xue Qiu. If a fight really breaks out, we 'husband and wife' just need to protect it properly."

When it came to the rabbit, even Shen Qingshi's expression would soften. She took the increasingly plump white rabbit from Yang Wujian's hands and combed its fur, suddenly asking: "I've been meaning to ask, why are we pretending to be a married couple?"

Yang Wujian choked for a moment: "What do you think?"

Shen Qingshi looked thoughtfully at his features, as if quickly convincing herself: "That's right. You're too beautiful, even more like a woman than I am, and we don't look alike. Pretending to be siblings would probably be difficult."

"..."

Even though Yang Wujian was usually silver-tongued, he found himself at a loss for words. Before he could respond, Shen Qingshi was already frowning while feeling the rabbit's round belly: "It seems like it's getting too fat. If it keeps getting heavier like this, could there be problems?"

"Problems?"

"What if it runs away and gets caught because it's too fat to run properly, then gets killed and eaten?"

"..."

Yang Wujian didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "What nonsense are you thinking about all day? You're raising this rabbit like your own son, carrying it with you every day, afraid it might fall if held in your hands, afraid it might melt if kept in your mouth. Where could it possibly run off to?"

Shen Qingshi persisted: "But what if I'm not around?"

Yang Wujian sighed helplessly: "If you're not around, I'll take care of it, alright? I'll be its father, magnanimous enough not to hold grudges against the small. I'll consider those times it nibbled on me as water under the bridge."

Only then did Shen Qingshi finally feel reassured. She carefully placed the rabbit back in its cage, thought for a moment, then suddenly said: "Brother Cao told me before that he investigated and found out that Yin Quer and I are actually sisters. Our mother could only raise one of us, so she took me away and left her at Medicine King Mountain."

This came out of nowhere, making Yang Wujian pause: "He investigated?"

Shen Qingshi didn't know why she suddenly brought this up with Yang Wujian.

Perhaps seeing the rabbit all alone, she unconsciously thought of herself as a child, locked in the Black Iron Cage... Back then, though she seemed already numb to pain, her mind blank, having forgotten many things, occasionally she would still wonder where her parents were, and where she might be if she weren't trapped in that cage.

Shen Qingshi said quietly: "Entering the palace isn't easy. At the very least, one's family background must be clean. It's understandable that Brother Cao investigated my origins. I just never expected that I actually still have some family ties in this world."

Hearing Shen Qingshi repeatedly call him "Brother Cao," Yang Wujian snorted coldly: "He found out long ago, but only told you after you met me. This Brother Cao of yours is quite cunning."Shen Qingshi gazed silently at the fire, fully aware of the sarcasm in Yang Wujian's words. She didn't know how to defend herself, only feeling a suffocating tightness in her chest.

So many things had become unclear since the day Cao Zhao sent her into the martial world... She actually had many things she wanted to say to Yang Wujian, but if he already distrusted her, speaking now would only widen the gap between them.

After much deliberation, Shen Qingshi ultimately swallowed the defense that had reached her lips and said instead: "When Brother Cao told me these things, he probably wanted me to hate you, to extract information about Longevity Palace from you. That way, I could both avenge Yin Quer and seek my own revenge."

Shen Qingshi spoke plainly: "But... the one who killed Yin Quer was the White-faced Guest, and the one who locked me in the Black Iron Cage was also him. I know who I should go after, and who I shouldn't."

For some reason, Yang Wujian vaguely detected a trace of grievance in Shen Qingshi's tone.

He thought to himself that this matter ultimately couldn't be avoided, so it would be better to lay everything out openly while Shen Qingshi had brought it up.

Yang Wujian turned Shen Qingshi's shoulders to face him.

"Qing Shi, we've come all this way together. Can you honestly tell me - have you truly severed ties with the Zhaoming Division? Do you dare swear that you will never reveal even a sliver of information about Longevity Palace to the Zhaoming Division?"

The firelight illuminated Shen Qingshi's jade-like face as she stared unblinkingly at Yang Wujian.

"Since that day we parted, I have never contacted Brother Cao again, nor have I ever told them the location of Longevity Palace. I haven't in the past, and I won't in the future."

Shen Qingshi's voice was very soft, the firelight flickering endlessly in her eyes, making Yang Wujian feel in that moment that she might actually be sad.

Would Shen Qingshi ever shed tears like an ordinary person in this lifetime?

Yang Wujian found himself thinking about irrelevant matters, remaining silent for a long while. Sensing his silence, Shen Qingshi lowered her eyes, seeming genuinely somewhat hurt.

"If you don't believe me..."

"I believe you."

This time, Yang Wujian cut her off decisively.

"This is the last time I'll ask you this, Shen Qingshi. Since you've made me this promise, I'll trust you. But remember - if you ever betray this oath, I'll hunt you down to the ends of the earth, even if I have to become a ghost to do it."