Chapter 13: Book Friend 20170215202501009
"Book friend 20170215202501009, your support is the greatest motivation for me. Thank you for your generous reward!"
Trương Nhược Trần stood atop the city wall, gazing into the distant darkness. The night wind howled, carrying a faint scent of blood. Behind him, the city was in chaos—flames rising, shouts and cries mixing together. But he remained unmoved, as if all of this had nothing to do with him.
"Master, the enemy has retreated for now, but they may return at any moment." Hoàng Yên Trần stepped forward, her voice low. Her white dress was stained with blood, yet her gaze remained sharp.
Trương Nhược Trần nodded slightly, his eyes still fixed on the horizon. "They won't come back tonight. The one who led them was seriously wounded by me; he needs time to recover."
"Then we should take this opportunity to..." Hoàng Yên Trần didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear.
"No need." Trương Nhược Trần shook his head. "That person is not simple. Although I wounded him, if he truly fights to the death, I'm not sure I can win. Besides..." He paused, a strange light flashing in his eyes. "I sense a familiar aura in him."
"Familiar?" Hoàng Yên Trần was startled.
"Yes." Trương Nhược Trần turned around, his gaze sweeping over the wounded soldiers below the city wall. "It's the aura of the Hắc Ám Chi Uyên. That person is likely from Diêm Thị."
"Diêm Thị?" Hoàng Yên Trần's expression changed. "The Hắc Ám Chi Uyên Diêm Thị? How could they appear here?"
"I don't know either." Trương Nhược Trần's eyes darkened. "But since they've come, they must have a purpose. We need to be careful."
"Then what should we do now?" Hoàng Yên Trần asked.
"First, stabilize the situation here. I'll go check the formation at the city wall." Trương Nhược Trần said, then turned and walked toward the city wall's edge.
Hoàng Yên Trần watched his back, a hint of complexity flashing in her eyes. She knew that the man in front of her was no longer the youth she once knew. He had grown into a true powerhouse, one who could stand alone.
Trương Nhược Trần walked to the edge of the city wall, his palm pressing against the wall. A faint light flowed from his hand, spreading along the wall's surface. The Hộ Thành Đại Trận had been damaged in the previous battle, and he needed to repair it.
"Master, let me help you." Mộc Linh Hy's voice came from behind.
Trương Nhược Trần turned his head to see Mộc Linh Hy walking over, her face slightly pale, clearly having expended a lot of energy in the earlier battle.
"No need, I can handle it alone." Trương Nhược Trần shook his head. "You should rest well. There may be more battles ahead."
"But..." Mộc Linh Hy wanted to say something more but was interrupted by Trương Nhược Trần's gaze.
"Go rest." His tone left no room for argument.
Mộc Linh Hy bit her lip, ultimately nodding and turning away.
Trương Nhược Trần watched her leave, then turned back to the city wall. His palm once again pressed against the wall, and the light in his hand grew brighter. The Hộ Thành Đại Trận slowly repaired itself, the cracks gradually closing.
"Trương Nhược Trần, you've really changed a lot." A voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
Trương Nhược Trần's body stiffened, then he turned around. Behind him, a figure stood silently—a man in black robes, his face obscured, only a pair of deep eyes visible.
"Who are you?" Trương Nhược Trần narrowed his eyes, a warning aura radiating from him.
"Don't be nervous, I'm not your enemy." The man in black said calmly. "I'm just here to deliver a message."
"What message?" Trương Nhược Trần asked cautiously.
"Someone wants to see you." The man in black said. "Tomorrow at midnight, at the Vô Định Thần Hải. If you want to know the truth about your parents' deaths, come."
Trương Nhược Trần's pupils suddenly contracted. "What do you mean?"
"You'll understand when you get there." The man in black finished speaking, his figure gradually fading until he vanished into the night.
Trương Nhược Trần stood in place, his expression changing unpredictably. His parents' deaths had always been a knot in his heart. Now, someone was using this as bait, clearly setting a trap. But even if it was a trap, he had to go.
"Master, who was that just now?" Hoàng Yên Trần walked over, a hint of worry in her eyes.
"Someone who came to deliver a message." Trương Nhược Trần said calmly. "I need to go out for a while tomorrow night."
"Go out?" Hoàng Yên Trần was startled. "Where to?"
"Vô Định Thần Hải." Trương Nhược Trần said.
"That's too dangerous!" Hoàng Yên Trần's expression changed. "That place is filled with dangers, and it's clearly a trap they've set. You can't go!"
"I know it's a trap." Trương Nhược Trần said calmly. "But I must go. This concerns my parents' deaths; I can't just ignore it."
"Then I'll go with you!" Hoàng Yên Trần said firmly.
"No." Trương Nhược Trần shook his head. "You stay here and guard the city. If anything happens, send me a message with the Phù Quang Truyền Tin."
"But..." Hoàng Yên Trần wanted to argue.
"No buts." Trương Nhược Trần's tone was resolute. "This is an order."
Hoàng Yên Trần looked at him, ultimately sighing. "Fine. But you must promise me—you have to come back alive."
"Don't worry." A faint smile curved at the corner of Trương Nhược Trần's mouth. "I still have many things to do; I won't die so easily."
The night deepened. Trương Nhược Trần stood alone on the city wall, gazing into the distance. The stars were sparse, the moonlight dim. He knew that tomorrow night's appointment would likely be a life-and-death struggle. But he had no choice but to go.
Because that was the path he had to walk.
The next day, Trương Nhược Trần made some simple preparations and set out alone. He didn't tell anyone, not even Hoàng Yên Trần. He knew that if she found out, she would definitely try to stop him.
The Vô Định Thần Hải was located a thousand miles outside the city, a vast sea area filled with strange mists. Legend had it that this place was the remnant of an ancient battlefield, where countless powerhouses had fallen. Even now, there were still many dangers lurking within.
Trương Nhược Trần arrived at the Vô Định Thần Hải just before midnight. The sea was shrouded in thick fog, making it impossible to see clearly. He stood at the shore, his divine sense sweeping out, but found nothing unusual.
"Since you've invited me here, why not show yourself?" Trương Nhược Trần said calmly.
As his voice faded, the fog suddenly parted, revealing a path. At the end of the path stood a figure in white robes, back turned to him.
"You came." The figure in white said slowly. "I knew you would."
"Who are you?" Trương Nhược Trần asked cautiously.
The figure in white slowly turned around, revealing a face that made Trương Nhược Trần's pupils suddenly contract.
"Father?!"