Chapter 10

Feng Yan gave the items to Chen Hao to send them out this way, but he kept feeling something was off, feeling that something was missing inside, yet wondering if the items had reached her hands, he began to anticipate, anticipating seeing her again.

Finally, waiting for vacation, they went home. Feng Yan no longer waited for Yang Xin, but still saw a scene he didn't want to see. He endured it, not letting others see, and walked away slowly. Along the way, he had no spirit, he fell asleep in the car; perhaps this was his most peaceful dream, he dreamed of a group of lions on the beach, playing like cats. Feng Yan walked forward, everything dissipated, and he returned to reality.

Back home, he opened his phone, saw the message record, knew it was her, Feng Yan did not reply, he quickly washed up, directly put on an eye mask and slept.

Feng Yan and Chen Hao returned to the cave again; the inside was just as when they came—dark, empty, mysterious, exuding a dangerous aura, yet still guiding people forward. In darkness, yet discovering beautiful things, perhaps this is adventure; finding treasure would be joy, Feng Yan thought. He saw everything around pitch black; they stepped forward one step at a time, listening to their own footsteps, tap-tap-tap, they proceeded cautiously, afraid of triggering the so-called mechanism. They felt this place was more interesting than outside, than reality; they were the protagonists, here they felt their existence, they were needed! They thought, they began to accelerate, from gradually cautious becoming bold, slowly taking big steps forward—since they didn't know what lay ahead, why should they feel afraid? They continued forward; he felt there was no danger here, he said to Chen Hao: 'They, didn't they even split the funds for setting up the mechanism?' 'Who knows.' Chen Hao said. They continued forward and saw that sword! 'It's right before our eyes!' Feng Yan said. He immediately started running; the surrounding arrows shot out simultaneously, Feng Yan couldn't dodge in time, Chen Hao saw this and kicked a large stone, the flying stone passed in front of Feng Yan's face; the arrowhead and the stone—that arrowhead—shattered directly!

Feng Yan and Chen Hao saw this, stunned, all showing surprise; they didn't know whether it was because the stone was too solid or because the arrowhead had another function. Indeed, after the arrowhead shattered, white smoke slowly rose, growing thicker until neither could see in front of them. Feng Yan shouted: 'Chen Hao!' Chen Hao also wasn't in a hurry, lazily replying: 'Don't rush, we came to find treasure; it seems this place is correct.' 'You still have leisure to look for treasure; first dispel this smoke—that's the real task!' Feng Yan yelled. They watched the smoke grow larger, the surroundings enveloped in white mist, all white. 'Should I call it pure or haze?' Feng Yan thought. Then the haze suddenly dispersed completely. Feng Yan felt strange; at the smoke's end he saw a familiar person. Feng Yan couldn't make out his face, but felt extremely familiar. As the smoke cleared, the person's face became increasingly clear—it was Yang Xin!

Feng Yan stood frozen, staring; Yang Xin saw Feng Yan, smiling and saying: 'Yo! You play this too? Then we ought to have a good match—this is somewhat interesting.' Feng Yan looked at him, feeling uncontrollable, yet he said: 'I can take you on once, and I wouldn't mind a second or third time!' Yang Xin knew what he meant, wasn't angry, and continued: 'I know you're here for what's inside; so am I. Although it's a game, I must say this really gives an immersive feeling, as if I am part of myself; I will conquer this place, make it my territory, become its king, rule over everything here.' After hearing this, Feng Yan still felt somewhat incredulous that someone would have such an idea—just a game? Now he couldn't figure it out either; Chen Hao was already an internet addict, and he himself was a game enthusiast, but even someone who normally isn't interested in games? Ah, games truly are fascinating; no wonder—this is what a real game should be: entering the game, controlling the game, oneself being everything—is that our pursuit? Feng Yan stopped thinking, leapt forward, lunged at Yang Xin's position, and threw a fierce punch; Yang Xin dodged, stepped back, then lunged behind Feng Yan and kicked his arm; Feng Yan staggered back two steps from the impact, feeling embarrassed, he threw another punch; Yang Xin couldn't dodge, took the blow full force, and fell to the ground; Feng Yan seized the moment and kicked him, Yang Xin flew into the air then crashed heavily to the ground; Feng Yan said: 'Is this what an opponent means? It's meaningless; inherently we can't be friends, yet we must dominate each other in the game? Is that fun? Is high rank and power really that good?' Yang Xin couldn't answer him, he just lay on the ground, just like that night when he had seen a different version of himself, and now he saw it again; Yang Xin laughed: 'What an honest person—looks like you're just pretending.' Feng Yan didn't know how to reply; the two of them, one lying on the ground, one standing, time seemed to stand still.

'Be careful!' Chen Hao shouted; Feng Yan turned his head, startled in reality, then exclaimed loudly: 'What a good partner!' Behind him stood a huge stone figure holding a sword; the stone figure was entirely gray, with some moss on its head, as if it hadn't moved in ages. It raised its sword with its right hand, about to strike; Feng Yan dodged—bang! —the ground split open with a huge crack! Feng Yan startled, thinking inwardly: 'Is this the real mechanism? Was the earlier smoke just to awaken this mechanism?' Chen Hao leapt up and kicked the stone figure's chest; the stone figure grabbed Chen Hao and threw him against the stone wall; Chen Hao pushed off with his foot, landed on the ground, propping himself up with his hands, and said to Feng Yan: 'We can't keep going like this; we'll be done for—any ideas?' Seeing the situation, Yang Xin fled immediately; Feng Yan didn't have time for Yang Xin, he diverted the stone figure's attention while dodging its attacks, simultaneously observing the surroundings, trying to find a way to deal with the stone figure. The stone figure swung its heavy sword again, striking the wall; stones rained down, some hitting the stone figure's body, one piece landing on its head, making a sound like striking metal. Feng Yan had an idea: he lured the stone figure to attack while seizing any opportunity to throw stones at its head; the stone figure grew sluggish. Feng Yan told Chen Hao: 'Find the biggest stone and smash its head!' Chen Hao quickly lifted the largest stone; the stone figure swung its sword down again; Feng Yan couldn't dodge and fell forward; Feng Yan already knew his game was about to end—then, with a boom, the stone figure knelt before him, its head shattered. Its massive body hit the ground with a loud sound, dust rose, and its body broke apart, revealing a long sword inside.

This sword was entirely black, its hilt bound with a red thread, a faint red hue slowly moving along the blade. Feng Yan reached out to grasp it; as soon as his hand touched it, the sword seemed to have gained a soul—it flew up and hovered in midair. Then the black sword emitted a blinding red light, making Feng Yan and Chen Hao unable to open their eyes. When they opened their eyes again, the sword had turned blood‑red, with black hues drifting along the blade. Chen Hao and Feng Yan were stunned, mouths agape, watching the sword's transformation, wondering whether it was a dream or reality; now they could no longer tell. After turning red, the sword hovered motionless in the air. Feng Yan rose, and the sword thrust directly at him.

Outside, the Grand Commandant looked at the cave entrance; his attendant asked: 'Sir, it's been two days and two nights—why is there still no movement inside? Logically they should have come out.' The Grand Commandant replied: 'Don't rush; since it's our nation's treasure, there must be mechanisms; they're not far off—be patient.' The National Preceptor stood behind, motionless; the National Preceptor and the Grand Commandant have been rivals in the court for years; he knows his opponent too well, so he keeps waiting until the person appearing ahead shows worry—that is, it's actually him! One sees a madman running wildly into the cave; the soldiers see this and ask: 'Sir, should we go in and have a look?' The National Preceptor says: 'Now is not the time.' He watches the madman enter the cave, smiling.

The sword thrust straight at Feng Yan; Feng Yan dodged, an afterimage flashed before his eyes; Feng Yan stared fixedly at the sword, which became even redder, the black in the middle more distinct, the black slowly drifting along the blade faster and faster. At that moment the madman entered, rushing straight at them and shouting: 'See the black, seize the sword's fate!' The sword seemed to understand human speech, lunging straight at the shouting madman; Chen Hao leapt up, striking the sword's body, and the sword rebounded, then soon regained balance, hovering in midair. Feng Yan seized the opportunity, leapt, grabbed the hilt with both hands; the sword felt wrong, so it dragged Feng Yan toward the surrounding walls, slamming into them; Feng Yan felt a wave of dizziness, but he clung tightly to the hilt and would not let go; finally the sword stilled. Feng Yan carried the sword to the madman and Chen Hao's side; the sword shifted from crimson to pure black; Feng Yan raised the sword, facing Chen Hao's line of sight, while rubbing the red thread, he said: 'It really is a fine sword!' Then the sword slowly lifted itself on its own; Feng Yan released his grip, and a soul appeared on the sword; the madman suddenly became normal, saying: 'General Hou!' 'General Hou! Is that Hou Fangjie?' Feng Yan and Chen Hao almost spoke at once; the general's spirit slowly opened its eyes, saw Feng Yan and Chen Hao, and said: 'Thank you, young adventurers; I am finally free, I had been bound in this sword for some years.' Feng Yan stepped forward and asked: 'Before I came here, I had heard of your deeds; you are one of the bravest generals of Ju Ren Guo, killed by treachery; also, I would like to ask you one thing—may I?' The general said: 'Ask.' Chen Hao continued: 'Then how did your war begin?'

The general said: 'The Lilliputian Kingdom invaded our territory; our counterattack—what's wrong with that? The general guards the rivers and mountains—isn't that defending home and country? But it's a treacherous state that dares to seize our rivers and mountains; it must be met with fierce resistance!' Feng Yan understood and replied: 'So‑called invasion is just one‑sided talk.' 'Quite right.' The general said: 'After I died that year, my soul attached directly to this sword; later, because of the two kingdoms' arena match, each lost a great commander, so the treasures were left within our borders, and the Lilliputian items naturally ended up in my Ju Ren Guo.' The madman heard this, felt somewhat ashamed; the general saw him and said directly: 'You needn't feel guilty—we merely serve our masters.' Feng Yan asked: 'Where is the treasure?' 'Right here in this mystery.' The general said. Feng Yan released his grip on the sword; the sword struck down, the smoke cleared, revealing glittering gold; Feng Yan saw it and was greatly shocked.

Chen Hao said directly: 'We should go out.' 'Mm.' Feng Yan took the sword and walked straight out of the cave mouth; Chen Hao followed closely, with the madman behind them. After exiting, Feng Yan looked at the sun and said: 'Long‑missing sunlight.' As soon as he finished speaking, a group of people immediately surrounded Feng Yan and his companions. Feng Yan said calmly: 'Watch yourself, don't hurt anyone.' Upon hearing the command, the sword left Feng Yan's hand, swung in the air in a perfect arc; after the afterimage passed, all the soldiers' weapons snapped in two; the soldiers retreated, and the Grand Commandant stepped forward, saying to Feng Yan: 'Gentlemen, please come to my residence for a talk.'

Feng Yan watched his body turn transparent; Chen Hao likewise, and said directly: 'Thanks for the kindness, farewell!' The two then vanished into the air. Only the Grand Commandant remained standing there blankly, as if unable to believe what his eyes saw.