Free Web NovelChapter 626: The Loop
Since the man had thrust the ring over for him to see, He Lingchuan might as well look openly.
Mm-hm, it really is Shao Jian’s ring. Even the tiny, inconspicuous hollow beside the spiral ridge is exactly the same.
Fang Canran’s overreaction proved that he not only knew this ring’s origins very well, but also understood exactly what would happen if those origins were exposed.
Just from his attitude, He Lingchuan had already obtained most of the answer.
Now what?
Seeing him remain silent, Fang Canran pressed again, “What organization are you from? Why do you recognize my ring? What is your purpose in approaching me?”
He Lingchuan smiled bitterly. “Fine, fine. You win. I’ll talk.” All I did was look at your ring twice! Just twice!
“Speak.”
He Lingchuan seemed to steady himself. “I was sent here to find you. Our previous meetings were only tests. The contact phrase is: singing wildly, drinking freely, body feels light; never asking wind or rain for peace.[1]”
The moment those last fourteen words left his mouth, Fang Canran’s pupils contracted violently. He blurted, “Y-you, how do you know that phrase?”
“It was written in the secret letter.” He Lingchuan moved his arm. “Left middle finger, storage ring.”
After hearing that earth-shattering passphrase, Fang Canran’s desire to uncover the truth instantly multiplied severalfold. He Lingchuan was seated while he was standing, so Fang Canran instinctively lowered his head and bent over to seize the captive’s ring.
But halfway down, he sensed something was wrong.
Wait, from this angle, the rope...?
Fang Canran became alert and retreated like an arrow.
Sure enough, the person on the chair suddenly sprang up and pounced at him like a starving tiger.
He Lingchuan had been storing up strength for a long time, intending to decide everything in one strike.
So who had hooked whom this time, hm?
But before he could seize Fang Canran’s shoulder bone, a golden shield-like phantom suddenly rippled into existence in front of Fang Canran. He Lingchuan’s pounce slammed into the shield and was instantly rebounded, flying backward as fast as he had lunged forward.
As Dun Garden’s chief steward, Fang Canran usually handled countless treasures. Naturally, he kept a few life-saving treasures hidden away. This protective magical artifact was called the Coming-and-Going Armor. Every dozen breaths or so, it could repel an enemy, sending them away as quickly as they had arrived.[2]
After knocking the enemy back, Fang Canran tossed out a small round pellet and immediately turned to leap out the window, showing no desire to continue fighting.
This ambush on He Xiao had failed. He should withdraw cleanly and decisively. The other party had defeated Fan Sheng, the deputy commander of the Tongxin Guard, so his martial strength was anything but ordinary. Fang Canran had no intention of staying to experience his anger.
And afterward?
Well, first and foremost, he had to escape. Only then could there be an afterward.
Before the pellet even hit the ground, it silently burst and filled the room with silver light.
This lightning-like radiance had no effect on the surrounding tables, chairs, or other objects, but any living creature facing it head-on would be caught off guard and shocked, dizzy, unsteady, and even briefly unsure of where they were.
This thing was called Soul-Shocking Lightning. In an instant, it could stun the soul and even knock one or two yang souls out of the body, slowing a person’s movements and producing a state of “spirit not guarding the self.”
Fang Canran judged that He Lingchuan was a martial artist and likely lacked effective means to handle soul attacks.
This should delay him for at least several breaths, giving Fang Canran enough time to retreat calmly.
Besides, this was Pleasant Enjoyment Manor, his own territory. Would He Xiao dare kill his host here?
Fang Canran had thought all this through in the instant he turned.
But just as he reached the window, before he could slip out, a streak of saber light like a white ribbon flashed before his eyes.
It seemed to be the power of a single slash, yet silver radiance flooded the room like mercury spilling across the floor. The saber light happened to reflect in Fang Canran’s eyes, its brilliance not inferior to the flash of the Soul-Shocking Lightning.
The saber passed, and the man vanished.
Fang Canran did not die. His figure simply disappeared.
Oh? This fellow’s cultivation isn’t high, but he’s got plenty of tricks. He Lingchuan knew this was an illusion and turned his head. Sure enough, Fang Canran’s true body had already taken the chance to rush toward the rear hall. Not only had he crossed the threshold, but he had also slapped the mirror beside the hall on his way past.
The mirror reflected the glowspores’ light and flashed.
He Lingchuan shot after him.
With his speed, he should have moved later but arrived first, catching Fang Canran near the rear hall corridor.
In his eyes, that man’s steps were practically slow motion.
But in reality, as soon as He Lingchuan crossed the threshold, the space ahead was empty.
The rear hall was still the rear hall, but Fang Canran had vanished without a trace.
Did he speed up?
He Lingchuan’s brow furrowed, and he ran toward the corridor.
Pleasant Enjoyment Manor was full tonight. If Fang Canran escaped this courtyard and ran into other guests, it would create plenty of trouble for He Lingchuan’s pursuit.
The corridor passed by the private chamber and connected to the flower-filled rear courtyard. Standing in the rear hall, he could even see a corner of the garden scenery.
Once he crossed the threshold, he should have reached the corridor.
However, reality turned out to be different.
He Lingchuan discovered that he had returned to the front hall.
The same screen, the same tables and chairs, the same windows, the same dishes, and the same mirror!
But now, there was no one there.
He continued running backward, entered the rear hall, crossed the threshold—
He found himself back in the front hall again.
“A looping array.” Fang Canran had prepared thoroughly indeed. It was apparent that the other party had planned several steps ahead, even for escape and trapping the enemy.
With this sort of looping array, unless one could find the array eye, one would be trapped in endless repetition with no release.
In theory, an array eye definitely existed.
The problem was that it was most likely disguised layer upon layer. It would not be easy to notice, much less recognize.
He Lingchuan even walked to the table, picked up a few bites of food, and smashed several plates. Yet when he passed through again, everything had restored itself.
The Soul-Stealing Mirror in his chest suddenly said, “Walk through a few more times.” fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
He Lingchuan looked around as he headed toward the rear hall.
Once, back to the front hall.
Twice, back to the front hall again.
He walked through seven times.
When his pace slowed, the mirror immediately urged, “Keep going! If I don’t tell you to stop, don’t stop!”
Has it been too long since this thing has been beaten? Is it itching for a beating again? It actually dares to shout at its master? Still, He Lingchuan simply exhaled and continued playing this ghost-wall game.
In the eyes of others—or rather, in Fang Canran’s eyes—he probably looked like a headless fly spinning in circles.
Then Fang Canran’s voice rang out.
“Young Master He, this magical artifact is called the Piercing-Heart Mirror. Its infinite reflections nest within one another. No matter how you walk, you won’t get out.”
The moment he spoke, He Lingchuan stopped to listen. Unfortunately, the voice was sometimes distant, sometimes near, impossible to locate. At times, it even sounded like narration from outside the scene, drifting in from very far away.
“A mirror?” He Lingchuan said coldly. “Chief Steward Fang, today’s hospitality is truly memorable. How long can you keep me trapped?”
Fang Canran’s voice remained perfectly composed. “As long as I wish.”
“Don’t tease me. Everyone knows I came to Pleasant Enjoyment Manor as a guest. If I don’t return before tomorrow morning, His Highness the Crown Prince will come looking.” He Lingchuan continued his endless journey. “Don’t forget, there are also two Tongxin Guards who are always thinking about me.”
He crossed the threshold and returned to the front hall again. This was the ninth time.
Fang Canran sighed. “Then I’ll simply have to burn this place down. I set up a restriction beneath Lotus Courtyard. Once triggered, the whole building will go up in flames. I imagine you won’t be able to escape.”
“You’d openly kill someone on your own territory?” He Lingchuan stared. “Are you mad?”
“How would that be me killing someone?” Fang Canran laughed. “Clearly, someone infiltrated Lotus Courtyard to assassinate you. After failing, they set fire to the courtyard. I am also a victim. I merely happened to escape by luck. Afterward, I will even want to find the murderer and demand compensation for my losses.”
“...”
“Young Master He has enemies all over Lingxu. Isn’t it perfectly normal for one or two of them to make a move against you?” Fang Canran continued, “Everyone knows I am a merchant who greets all under heaven with a smile. I have no grudge against Young Master He. Why would anyone suspect me?”
He Lingchuan gave two dry laughs. “You even prepared the script?”
“That is why I suggest Young Master He set aside your prejudice and let us make peace.” After threatening him, Fang Canran immediately offered terms. “There is no deep hatred between us. Why force things to be life or death?”
“You’ve been the one targeting me.” He Lingchuan truly did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Before you drugged me, I had no malice toward you.”
“Then that is best.” Fang Canran seemed to let out a long breath. “In that case, tell me everything you know about the signet ring, and I will let you out.”
He Lingchuan ignored him.
Fang Canran had not suddenly softened. He had merely begun thinking about how to end this.
His threats were ruthless, but actually burning He Lingchuan to death would bring him no benefit. He would also have to face the Chiyan people.
Since there was a good chance he would have to release him in the end, he now wanted both to extract information and reconcile with He Lingchuan.
But how would he do that in a way that kept He Lingchuan from settling accounts afterward? He Lingchuan was curious too.
“You really think this array can trap me?” He Lingchuan ground his molars. “Useless mirror!”
Fang Canran found the last few words baffling. Only the Soul-Stealing Mirror understood that its master was urging it on.
While speaking with Fang Canran, He Lingchuan had not stopped walking. He had now gone around for the thirteenth time.
“Soon, soon...” The mirror suddenly gave an “oh.” “Yes, yes, right there!”
Where? I can’t speak openly right now, so can it just be direct?
“The mirror surface you passed on the ninth time was slightly different from all the others!” the Soul-Stealing Mirror said excitedly. “That tiny change would be almost impossible for humans to see, but don’t even think of hiding it from me!”
It noticed something on the ninth pass? Then why didn’t it tell me sooner? He Lingchuan’s steps paused slightly.
As if the Soul-Stealing Mirror heard his dissatisfaction, it hurriedly explained, “I had to calculate how many passes make up one full cycle! See? Haven’t I figured it out now? Exactly twelve passes form one round. You’ve already started the second round. Mm, this is the second pass of the second round—no, the third now.” Because He Lingchuan had just crossed the threshold again.
Fang Canran was still speaking. “No matter what secret you tell me, I will certainly let you out.”
He Lingchuan asked casually, “You’re sure?”
Fang Canran said, “I’m sure!”
The Soul-Stealing Mirror said, “Of course!” The mirror on his chest added further, “When you passed the mirror for the ninth time earlier, Fang Canran suddenly started talking much more. Heh, he wanted to distract you so you wouldn’t notice the change in that mirror.”
He Lingchuan asked Fang Canran in return, “Do you yourself know the origins of that signet ring?”
Fang Canran laughed. “Right now, I ask, and you answer. Young Master He, please remember that.”
“Fine. Before I saw you in Dun Garden, I had already seen this signet ring.” He Lingchuan clasped his hands behind his back and strolled through twice more. “If that’s what you want to ask.”
“How is that possible?” Fang Canran refused to believe it. “This is a unique item. There is only this one in the entire world.”
“It seems you know the signet ring quite well.”
Fang Canran gave a regretful sigh. “Young Master He, I see that you are an outstanding talent. If you survive, your future will be limitless.”
“Thank you. I think so too.” He Lingchuan smiled. “Mr. Fang isn’t an ordinary person either. You haven’t disgraced your ancestors.”
That was not merely sarcasm. Fang Canran instantly fell silent.
Second round, sixth pass.
Seventh pass.
In Fang Canran’s silence, He Lingchuan passed through twice more in a row.
He Lingchuan lightly hopped over the threshold. “I have indeed seen that signet ring. I never said it had to be the actual object.”
Fang Canran spoke again, right on cue, “What do you mean?”
“I saw an illusion in a desert to the west.”
1. This phrase, or fourteen-word oracle, was first mentioned in Chapter 559 by Shao Jian. ☜
2. There’s a very small bit of wordplay here. The author reuses the words for coming and going, but translating this last part as “sending them going as quickly as they came” just doesn’t sound right. ☜
