127: Chapter 127 News from Yanzhou

Ink dripped from the tip of the brush onto the snow-white Xuan paper.

It bloomed into a small, pitch-black ink stain.

Chen Fan's hand holding the brush did not tremble.

He looked at that ink stain as if he were looking at a distant story.

Tu Xiao's voice was loud and resonant, echoing through the main hall.

"That kid... his death was a bit of a tragedy."

The surrounding Jianghu travelers held their breath.

The air stagnated.

Chen Fan slowly raised his head.

The pale mask hid all of his emotions.

He set the brush down.

The brush handle made a slight clicking sound against the table.

"It was no tragedy."

Chen Fan's voice was calm.

"He sought death, and I granted it. This is the Jianghu."

Tu Xiao froze for a moment.

He looked at Chen Fan, seemingly pondering the deep meaning behind those words.

The surrounding Jianghu travelers whispered among themselves.

"The Jade-Faced Asura never wastes words when killing."

"Is he saying this out of respect for Chen Jinzhong?"

"The strong respect the strong."

A smile returned to Tu Xiao's face.

He slapped his thigh.

"Master Luo, those words were spoken plainly and honorably!"

"It was old Tu here who spoke out of turn."

He cupped his fists toward Chen Fan.

"Master Luo is magnanimous; old Tu admires you!"

Tu Xiao sat down.

He picked up the teacup on the table and downed it in one gulp.

"But then again, that Chen Jinzhong could also be considered lucky."

He smacked his lips.

"He had a good master. Master Liu Cang of the Longxing Sect is also an old veteran of the Jianghu."

"I heard that when he learned the boy Chen Jinzhong had died, Master Liu Cang burst into tears on the spot."

"With Master Liu Cang looking after his wife and daughter, they at least have a worry-free life and won't end up on the streets."

Tu Xiao's voice wasn't loud, yet it entered Chen Fan's ears clearly.

Chen Fan's body stiffened slightly.

In his mind, Lin Wan's tear-streaked face emerged.

And Nuannuan's giggling laughter.

Are they doing well?

Does Lin Wan still remember that 'Odd changes, even stays the same' code?

He was no longer Chen Jinzhong.

That identity had been completely buried at the foot of Tianchi Mountain along with that cold corpse.

He could no longer return to their side.

This was a form of liberation, but also a form of numbness.

He was now Luo Hengsheng.

A cold and ruthless Jade-Faced Asura wearing a pale mask.

He had Hong Shao and Qing Luo by his side.

Their affection for him was built upon the body of Luo Hengsheng.

If he died and reincarnated into the next person...

Then, would their feelings be projected onto a new physical body?

Who was he, Chen Fan, exactly?

Was he that transmigrated college student?

Or Chen Jinzhong?

Or perhaps Luo Hengsheng?

Every Possession was a new birth.

Every new birth was an abandonment.

Abandoning past identities.

Abandoning past emotions.

This was Substitution Rebirth.

An immortal Soul, yet burdened with endless loneliness.

This question was like a thorn embedded in the depths of his heart.

He tried to ignore it, yet it was always touched upon inadvertently.

So when he encountered real emotional issues, all he seemed able to do was escape.

Like the Princess Consort...

Chen Fan's fingertips unconsciously rubbed the edge of the table.

"Master Liu Cang is a man of deep sentiment and righteousness."

His voice was low.

Hearing this, Tu Xiao sighed with emotion again.

"That is natural! Although the Longxing Sect isn't large, that old man Master Liu Cang is considered highly respected in the Yanzhou Martial Forest."

"Master Luo, do you have any plans to take on a disciple?"

Tu Xiao suddenly changed the subject.

"My worthless son, although his Aptitude is mediocre, excels in strength and is willing to endure hardship."

"If he could receive a bit of guidance from Master Luo, he might have a future!"

His face carried a hint of expectation.

Chen Fan did not answer.

He just looked at the register in his hand.

On the register, Tu Xiao's name was clearly listed.

"Master Luo, what do you think?"

Tu Xiao rubbed his hands, somewhat nervous.

Chen Fan looked up.

"Exterminate the White Lotus Sect first."

"Then we can talk about other things."

His voice was calm.

Upon hearing this, the joy on Tu Xiao's face grew even stronger.

"Good! Master Luo is right!"

"Exterminate those heretics first!"

"Damn it, those bastards from the White Lotus Sect should have been dealt with long ago!"

Tu Xiao patted his chest.

"Don't worry, Master Luo, this life of mine belongs to you!"

The surrounding Jianghu travelers, hearing their conversation, also chimed in one after another.

"Exactly! The White Lotus Sect heretics deserve to be executed by everyone!"

"Following the Jade-Faced Asura, one will surely make a name for themselves!"

The main hall became noisy once again.

Chen Fan spoke no more.

He just picked up the brush and continued to write new names on the register.

One after another.

These people, for money, for fame, for that bit of so-called 'justice' in their hearts.

They swarmed into Fuyang City like moths to a flame.

Swarming into the trap set by him, Luo Hengsheng.

Prefect Zhao's trap.

The night grew deeper.

The lights in the Juxian Restaurant's main hall had been lit all day.

The register on the table was already filled with several thick pages.

Hundreds of Jianghu travelers, either in groups of three to five or alone.

They sat in the hall, drinking from large bowls and eating large chunks of meat.

In the heat of the drinking, someone would occasionally shout, "Master Luo is mighty!"

Chen Fan sat there.

The food and wine before him were almost untouched.

He just listened.

Listening to the bold words of these Jianghu people.

Listening to their hatred for the White Lotus Sect.

Listening to their aspirations for the future.

These voices flooded into his ears like a tide.

And receded like a tide.

It seemed to have nothing to do with him.

Until late at night.

The clamor in the hall finally began to subside.

Chen Fan stood up.

He nodded slightly toward the inn waiter.

"Clear it up."

The waiter hurried forward to clear the leftovers from the table.

Chen Fan didn't spare another glance at those Jianghu people.

He just walked slowly toward the stairs.

At the staircase, the Shadow Hounds members had already changed shifts.

They respectfully lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

Chen Fan went straight upstairs.

He pushed open the door to his room.

No lamp was lit in the room.

Only the moonlight streaming through the window spilled onto the floor, cold and clear.

Hong Shao and Qing Luo were sitting by the bed.

Their clothes were neat; they hadn't slept.

Seeing Chen Fan push the door open, both of them stood up at the same time.

"Master Luo!"

Qing Luo stepped forward quickly and grabbed Chen Fan's hand.

Her hand was a bit cold.

"Master Luo, you're back!"

Hong Shao also came forward.

She looked at Chen Fan, a hint of worry in her charming eyes.

"Master Luo, you... you seem a bit off."

"Are you tired?"

Chen Fan's body paused.

He looked at Hong Shao and Qing Luo.

Their worry was genuine.

This genuineness caused that thorn in his heart to be touched once more.

He knew.

They cared about Luo Hengsheng.

About this body.

Not him.

Not Chen Fan.

He slowly raised his hand.

He gently stroked Qing Luo's hair.

And pulled Hong Shao into his arms.

"I'm fine."

Chen Fan's voice carried a trace of fatigue that was hard to detect.

"I'm just a bit weary."

He held them.

Feeling the warmth and softness of their bodies.

Feeling the rhythm of their heartbeats.

It was a brief consolation.

And also a silent deception.

He brought them both onto the bed.

Moonlight spilled through the window onto the bed.

Casting their intertwined figures into exceptionally long shadows.

Chen Fan closed his eyes.

He tried to cast aside all the stray thoughts in his mind.

Trying to find a moment of peace within this warmth.

He fell asleep.

But deep in his heart, that thorn remained clear as ever.