27: Chapter 27 Undercurrents

"I wasn't sucked into the painting?" Qing Luo said in disbelief. "But I clearly saw Chu Yang, at the Qingyun Pavilion!"

The three of them exchanged a look.

The Witch asked softly, "What did he say to you?"

Qing Luo recounted Chu Yang's words one by one, including the three locations for collecting the power of Yin and Yang.

"Liu Mountain cabin, Qingyun Pavilion, Black Water Lake," Daoist Wangchuan said thoughtfully. "These three places all have deep connections with Chu Yang."

Bi Luo asked, "Master, what kind of place is Black Water Lake?"

"A lake filled with the aura of death," Daoist Wangchuan said with a solemn expression. "It's said to be the place where countless resentful souls gathered after the Great War back then. The lake water is as black as ink, and not a single blade of grass grows there."

The Witch picked up Qing Luo. "You need to rest. After experiencing so much, your physical strength must be exhausted."

Qing Luo shook her head. "No, we must act as quickly as possible. Chu Yang said the Dark Prison is hunting down those related to him; we are all in danger."

"At least wait until dawn," the Witch insisted. "Traveling at night is too dangerous."

Daoist Wangchuan agreed, "We need to organize our thoughts and formulate a plan."

Qing Luo could only nod. The Witch found a clean cloth and spread it on the ground as a temporary bed.

In the dead of night, only the sound of light breathing remained in the room. Qing Luo tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. She got up quietly and went to the window.

Moonlight like water spilled among the bamboo forest, forming a hazy silver ocean. Distant mountains were faintly visible, like sleeping giants.

Qing Luo touched the soul bead on her chest, silently thinking about Chu Yang's words. What kind of relationship would make the soul bead choose her? What secrets were hidden in her lost memories?

Suddenly, she felt a chill come over her. Turning to look, everything in the room was normal. However, that feeling of being watched grew stronger and stronger.

She alertly looked around, her gaze finally landing on the landscape painting on the wall.

The clouds and mist in the painting suddenly churned, and a blurry figure emerged, but it wasn't Chu Yang. That figure was eerily distorted, radiating malice, seemingly staring at her through the painting.

Qing Luo gasped and subconsciously took a few steps back.

"Who is it?" she asked in a low voice.

The figure did not respond, but silently reached out a hand, as if trying to reach through the painting to grab her. Qing Luo felt the soul bead on her chest vibrate violently, emitting a burning sensation.

Just then, a hand lightly rested on her shoulder.

"Ah!" Qing Luo jumped in fright.

"It's me," the Witch looked at her worriedly. "Are you alright?"

Qing Luo pointed tremblingly at the landscape painting. "Someone... in the painting..."

The Witch looked at the painting, but saw only an ordinary landscape with nothing unusual.

"There's no one," the Witch said softly. "Maybe you're too tired and had a hallucination."

Qing Luo looked at the painting again in confusion; it had indeed returned to normal. That eerie figure had vanished without a trace.

"Maybe..." she said uncertainly.

The Witch pulled her back to the bed. "Get some rest. We have a long road ahead tomorrow."

Qing Luo lay down but remained uneasy. That figure had felt so real and so evil. She closed her eyes, but in the darkness, she could still feel that malicious gaze.

At daybreak, the four were already packed and ready to go. Daoist Wangchuan inspected every corner of the room, gathering potentially useful information.

"Chu Yang's diary mentioned," he said as they walked, "that Qingyun Pavilion was where he practiced the Yin Yang Samsara Technique. There might be important clues hidden there."

"Is it far from here?" the Witch asked.

"The Far North, at least ten days' journey," Daoist Wangchuan replied, "if we travel at full speed."

Bi Luo suggested, "Perhaps we can split up? Master and I go to Qingyun Pavilion, and you two go to Black Water Lake."

"No," the Witch refused flatly. "Splitting up is too dangerous. The Dark Prison could ambush us at any time."

"The Witch is right," Daoist Wangchuan nodded. "Moreover, Qing Luo has the soul bead inside her, making her the primary target of the Dark Prison. We must protect her."

The four left the wooden cabin and headed down the mountain path. Qing Luo took one last look at the simple cabin, feeling as if something had been overlooked.

On the way down, Daoist Wangchuan suddenly stopped. "Someone is coming."

Everyone became alert and soon saw a group of people coming from the foot of the mountain. Leading them was a middle-aged scholar, followed by several disciples; judging by their clothing, they were from the local prestigious Liu family.

"It's the head of the Liu family, Liu Changfeng," Daoist Wangchuan whispered. "I have some history with him."

The scholar approached and cupped his hands in greeting. "Daoist Wangchuan, it's been many years. How have you been?"

Daoist Wangchuan returned the greeting. "Brother Liu, it's been a long time. I am quite ashamed for the lack of contact."

Liu Changfeng smiled. "I heard that Daoist returned to Liu Mountain and came specifically to visit. I didn't expect to meet you halfway; it must be fate." His gaze swept over the other three, lingering on Qing Luo for a moment, a strange look flashing in his eyes.

Daoist Wangchuan introduced them, "This is my disciple Bi Luo, this is the Witch, and this is Miss Qing Luo."

Liu Changfeng greeted each of them, being particularly polite to Qing Luo. "Miss Qing Luo is an unfamiliar face, but I feel as if we've met before."

Qing Luo responded politely, "Patriarch Liu is being too kind. I've only just arrived here, so this should be our first meeting."

"I see," Liu Changfeng smiled. "I must have been mistaken." He turned to Daoist Wangchuan, "Daoist, you seem to be in a hurry. Do you have urgent business?"

Daoist Wangchuan explained simply, "We're heading north for some matters."

"North?" Liu Changfeng said in surprise. "Traveling north at this time of year is treacherous. Why not stay at my humble abode for a few days and wait for the weather to warm up before leaving?"

The Witch declined, "Thank you for your kindness, Patriarch Liu, but we are indeed in a hurry."

Liu Changfeng didn't insist further and instead said, "In that case, at least let me fulfill my duties as a host. Tomorrow, a Liu family merchant ship is heading north. You can board it; it will save you a lot of trouble on the road."

Daoist Wangchuan pondered for a moment and nodded. "That would be excellent. Thank you, Brother Liu."

Thus, under Liu Changfeng's arrangement, the four went to the Liu family to stay for one night before setting off the next day.

The Liu family estate was grand and extraordinary, with pavilions and lush greenery. Qing Luo was placed in an exquisite guest room.

After nightfall, Qing Luo stood alone by the window, watching the shadows of the flowers swaying in the courtyard. Suddenly, she felt a pang in her heart, and the soul bead grew slightly warm.

She turned around alertly and saw the door silently open a crack. A dark shadow flashed by and quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Qing Luo's heart tightened, and she quietly followed. The shadow flickered in the moonlight, leading her through the corridors to a secluded small courtyard.

The courtyard door was slightly ajar. Qing Luo pushed it open carefully and saw a figure standing in the courtyard with his back to her—it was Liu Changfeng.

"Please come in, Miss Qing Luo," Liu Changfeng said without turning his head. "I knew you would come."

Qing Luo entered the courtyard warily, keeping her distance. "Patriarch Liu, what is your business for inviting me so late at night?"

Liu Changfeng turned around. Under the moonlight, his face appeared exceptionally deep. "I want to confirm something. The soul bead in your body is the carrier of Chu Yang's Yang energy, isn't it?"