Chapter 44: In This Life, Lin Hao

“I’m leaving.” With these calm words, the Lord of Shadows wasted no more time. Raising a hand in a gentle sweep, an unfathomable light gleamed in his eyes as, before him, a colossal, terrifying vortex materialized. The endless currents of life and death surged forth, mingling with the boundless power of time itself.

“Take care.” His voice, soft and distant, echoed as he rose and, without a backward glance, strode into the heart of the whirlpool. In a flash of blinding white light, his figure vanished completely.

Alone, Qingli remained, kneeling for a long time without rising.

Meanwhile, in a far-flung corner of the universe, where darkness churned in a vortex and a terrible suction roared, a figure in white robes sat cross-legged amidst the gloom.

“It’s time to act, is it…” Suddenly, the white-robed figure opened his eyes, revealing a gaze of unfathomable depth. His eyes flickered in silent contemplation; then, with a faint smile and a gentle shake of his head, he slowly closed them once more.

At that moment, as the Lord of Shadows stepped into the vast vortex, his consciousness began to blur. His body, too, gradually faded, dissolving into motes of light that merged with the eternal streams of life and death.

Time flowed onward—how much passed, none could say—until, as the Lord of Shadows’ presence slowly reformed, he found before him verdant mountains and clear waters.

Cold rain fell upon the wild hills and dense forests, the sound of its patter echoing ceaselessly. Coupled with the chill of an October wind, it sent shivers through the heart.

“Boy, even if you can soar through the skies or vanish into the earth, you’ll not escape death today!” A gruff voice rang in the Lord of Shadows’ ears as his mind was flooded with unfamiliar memories.

In this life, his name was Lin Hao.

Born to poverty, forced to sell his family heirloom. Targeted by greedy men, ambushed and hunted. With his soul’s power hidden away, the memories of this life surged up, casting a bleak shadow in his gaze. Yet he quickly suppressed the turmoil within and looked around.

Staring intently, he saw that he stood atop a mountain peak, with a yawning abyss below that seemed to meld with the night itself, filling him with a sense of nameless dread.

Behind him, a dozen men in black emerged from the forest, encircling him at the summit. Their expressions were cold and unfeeling.

“I am but a fallen scholar, Lin Hao. Why must you hound me so?” Lin Hao slowly turned to face them, hatred and despair etched in his bloodshot eyes, sorrow washing over him.

“Blame yourself for your foolishness in not offering that jade to Master Zhang!” sneered the bearded leader, his gaze icy. “Even now, hand it over, and I’ll grant you a quick death. What say you?”

“This jade is my family’s legacy! Zhang, the scoundrel, scorned me first, then sent you to murder me and steal what is mine! Have you no sense of right and wrong? Does divine justice mean nothing to you? Are you not afraid of heaven’s wrath?” Lin Hao’s voice rang with grief and accusation.

“Heaven’s wrath?” The bearded man laughed coldly, a murderous glint in his eyes. “Scholar, let me tell you—wealth is heaven! Give it up and die swiftly, or refuse and become a wraith at the foot of this cliff!”

A bitter smile touched Lin Hao’s lips as the men slowly closed in, step by step. He retreated until the howling wind from the abyss chilled him to the bone. His voice, trembling, rang out:

“All my life, I Lin Hao have been true to heaven and earth! If you want this, take it from me yourself!”

He drew from his breast a small, worn jade pendant, barely half a finger in length, and held it aloft. His eyes blazed red as he spoke each word with grim resolve.

The bearded man said nothing, eyes narrowing as he advanced in ominous silence.

At that instant—

A thunderous bolt of lightning split the sky. Fierceness flickered in Lin Hao’s eyes; with a sudden lunge, he seized the black-clad man’s sleeve and leapt into the abyss below.

“Wretch!” The man’s face twisted in rage and shock, but he could not react in time. Losing his balance, he tumbled after Lin Hao into the endless darkness.

“Brother!” someone cried, as a companion managed, at the last second, to grab hold of the bearded man’s leg—while Lin Hao could only surrender himself to the devouring night, clutching a tattered scrap of black cloth in his hand.

Oh, how unjust is fate…

As his body plummeted ever faster, bitterness filled Lin Hao’s eyes. Exhausted in both body and spirit after days of pursuit, he drifted into unconsciousness as he fell, while the scrap of black cloth fluttered in the raging wind, its destination unknown…

…

“Am I… dead?” In a daze, Lin Hao slowly opened his blurry eyes to find, before him, an elderly man with kindly features, seated cross-legged.

“You’re awake?” The old man smiled warmly as Lin Hao awoke.

“You…” Lin Hao stared blankly, feeling for his jade and, finding it still with him, sighed in relief. His voice, faint and weak, asked, “Did you… save me?”

“I am Xuan Daozi of the Azure Veil Sect,” the elder nodded, smiling. “I was meditating here when I noticed you being hunted. Though your talents are modest, your character is admirable, and I could not bear to do nothing. So I intervened and rescued you. Tell me, would you be willing to join my sect and learn the immortal arts?”

“Immortal arts…” Lin Hao’s eyes brightened at the words; his breath quickened. Ignoring the aches wracking his body, he struggled to kneel, his voice weak but resolute. “Lin Hao… is willing.”

“Good, good, very good.” Xuan Daozi repeated, waving a hand to gently help Lin Hao up, satisfaction glowing in his eyes—clearly, he held Lin Hao’s character in high regard.

Lin Hao, feeling the invisible force lift him, was deeply shaken. Suddenly, as if recalling something, excitement filled his eyes and his voice trembled. “Are you… an immortal?”

Xuan Daozi laughed softly and shook his head. “Not quite. I am but one of many seekers of the Way.”

“If you truly wish to follow this path, you should tell me of your family, so I may explain and bring you to the sect,” Xuan Daozi said with genuine concern.

“Master…” Lin Hao bowed respectfully, his expression darkening. “My home is in Fangyun Town nearby, but my parents died when I was very young. All these years, I have tried and failed the civil exams, leaving me destitute and alone, with no family left in the world.”