At five o’clock in the afternoon, Ling Chen’s flight arrived at its destination on ti. Leaving the airport, Ling Chen hailed a taxi and headed directly to the Heavenly chanism Pavilion.
The Heavenly chanism Pavilion was the sa as ever, unchanged for centuries. Upon reaching the outskirts of the mountain, the taxi could go no further. With no other option, Ling Chen had to rely on his own legs to walk forward. After about a half-hour walk, the mountain gate of the Heavenly chanism Pavilion finally appeared in Ling Chen’s view.
Before Ling Chen could get close, a few young n erged from the mountain forest, blocking his way.
These were sentinels deployed outside by the Heavenly chanism Pavilion. Whenever soone approached, they would be the first to notice. Ling Chen was an old friend of the Pavilion, having visited more than two or three tis, making him quite familiar to them.
However, familiarity notwithstanding, certain formalities had to be observed. After waiting outside the Pavilion for the information to be relayed, over ten minutes had passed.
"Mr. Ling, I sincerely apologize for taking up so much of your ti. The Pavilion Master requests your presence," an elderly man who had co to welco Ling Chen from the Pavilion said.
On the way, Ling Chen chatted with the man and learned that his na was Han Qi. Since Zhou Qi had withdrawn from the Pavilion, Han Qi had taken over Zhou Qi’s work, becoming the chief steward of the Heavenly chanism Pavilion. Furthermore, during their conversation, it beca apparent that Han Qi was one of the ’friends’ Zhou Qi had ntioned, and it was Han Qi who had disclosed many of the Pavilion’s secrets to Zhou Qi.
"Elder Han, how has the Heavenly chanism Pavilion been lately?" Ling Chen asked, probing subtly.
Han Qi glanced at Ling Chen with a aningful gaze and replied, "Mr. Ling, your arrival is a blessing for the Pavilion. As for what exactly happened, the Pavilion Master will inform you later." Pausing, Han Qi continued, "The Master urgently needs soone to accompany her right now."
Hearing this, Ling Chen was filled with questions, unsure of what had transpired. Contemplating this, Ling Chen followed Han Qi’s footsteps and walked straight into the Heavenly chanism Pavilion.
As he passed through the main entrance of the Pavilion, Ling Chen was imdiately hit by a strong aroma, seemingly that of incense, perating the air, sharp and overpowering.
The scent of the incense was widespread and had been lingering in the air for a long ti, indicating that it had been there for quite a while.
"Elder Han, what’s going on here?"
"You’ll find out soon enough."
As they spoke, the two arrived outside the tower of the Pavilion. Ling Chen had a vivid impression of this tower; it was where Su i resided and also the center of the Pavilion, where matters big and small were handled. Before entering, Ling Chen noticed two strips of white silk hanging outside the tower.
This... Ling Chen paused slightly. Generally, white silk hung only in the event of a death. Could it be that soone in the Pavilion had died?
At this thought, Ling Chen quickened his pace and entered the tower with Han Qi.
As expected, the first floor of the tower had been arranged into a funeral hall, with many mbers of the Heavenly chanism Pavilion dressed in black, standing solemnly on both sides, their heads bowed, mourning the deceased. At the furthest end of the hall stood two frad photographs, one of a man and the other of a woman, appearing to be in their forties or fifties. The man had a steadfast and heroic look, with a hint of pride in his brow. The woman was beautiful, exuding a gentle and virtuous deanor.
Ling Chen had visited the Pavilion several tis but had never seen this couple before.
Upon seeing the nas engraved below the photographs – Su Zhengyang, Chen Sui – Ling Chen searched his mory, but these nas felt unfamiliar, never having heard them ntioned before.
"Elder Han," Ling Chen whispered as he approached Han Qi, "Who are these two?"
Han Qi bowed his head slightly, sighing deeply, "They were the forr Pavilion Masters of the Heavenly chanism Pavilion."
Forr Pavilion Masters?
Ling Chen was shocked. If they were forr Pavilion Masters, this man and woman must be Su i’s parents.
He recalled Su i ntioning her parents before, explaining that after stepping down as Pavilion Masters, they traveled the world, often staying out of sight unless sothing important happened at the Pavilion, only then returning every few years.
But now, this couple was deceased. Ling Chen found it hard to believe that Su Zhengyang, a forr Pavilion Master, should have t an untily death unless it was due to an accident or injury. Moreover, both a husband and wife dying simultaneously suggested sothing was amiss.
No wonder the scent of incense was so prominent upon entering; it was coming from the funeral hall inside.
Glancing around, Ling Chen saw Song Ge also in the hall. Feeling Ling Chen’s gaze, Song Ge turned to him and nodded as a greeting.
The funeral hall was mostly filled with ordinary mbers of the Pavilion, with none of the elders from the Yangxin Pavilion present.
"Elder Han, where is the Pavilion Master?"
"She’s in her room and hasn’t co out for days, refusing both food and drink. Many people have tried to console her, but nothing works; she won’t let anyone in. Mr. Ling, at this rate, the Pavilion Master’s health will deteriorate. You’re her friend; please help her co out of her grief."
Ling Chen smiled ruefully and said, "Elder Han, you overestimate my abilities. Losing both parents is a deeply painful experience. The Pavilion Master has endured both at once, an upheaval she wasn’t prepared for. Such a sudden blow is unbearable, even for the strongest of people, let alone a woman in her twenties."
Han Qi nodded, "Mr. Ling, I understand it’s difficult, but we still hope you’ll assist her."
"Rest assured, she’s my friend, and I’ll do everything I can to help."
While speaking, a burly young man entered the hall. Upon seeing him, Ling Chen promptly greeted him, "Brother Yang, long ti no see."
The young man was Yang Tao, a disciple of Elder Du Kang from the Yangxin Pavilion. Ling Chen had interacted with him before during previous visits to the Pavilion, finding him quite likable.
"Ling Chen, my Master heard you were here and wants to have a chat with you."
"But..."
Before Ling Chen could finish, Han Qi interrupted, "Mr. Ling, since Elder Du has requested you, please go ahead. There’s no rush regarding the Pavilion Master."
"Very well. Brother Yang, let’s go et Elder Du!"
Leaving the funeral hall, Ling Chen and Yang Tao headed directly to the Yangxin Pavilion. Upon reaching Du Kang’s residence, Yang Tao gestured toward the entrance, "Master is inside waiting for you. Go ahead; I won’t disturb you both."
"Thanks!" Ling Chen nodded and opened the door to enter alone.
In the spacious and bright room, Du Kang sat on a rattan chair, holding a wine gourd, his cloudy, old eyes looking out the window. His deeply wrinkled face was devoid of any expression.
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