Eternal Night

Chapter 180

There's a small valley behind the mountain, our secret spot. Little Pumpkin loves to bring me there to share anything good he has.

Lying on the grass, Little Pumpkin whispered mysteriously, "Once upon a time, the valley had its best assassin..."

My curiosity was immediately piqued. There were many masters in the valley, and it seemed like everyone was a master, but I had never heard of a top assassin. I asked curiously, "Better than Master Hongyi?"

Little Pumpkin nodded affirmatively, her voice even lower: "Her name is Xinghun... I heard Grandpa say when he was drunk that the throwing knife was her hidden weapon."

I immediately pictured a scene: a person of extraordinary skill, flicking their wrist, sending tiny silver throwing knives streaking across the sky like shooting stars. "So beautiful!"

"How will you thank me?" the little pumpkin asked with a grin, asking for a reward.

I thought for a moment, then took out a sachet and gave it to him: "Wear this, and you won't be captivated by the flowers in the flower field!"

Back in the bamboo hut, while I was grinding the medicine, I finally couldn't resist asking my great-uncle, "Great-uncle, you're the valley master. Was there once a top assassin in our valley named Xinghun? Where did she go? Was she beautiful?"

"Thump!" The pestle in the old man's hand slammed heavily into the stone mortar. "Who told you that?!"

He asked sternly, his usual gentle demeanor vanishing instantly.

I was terrified and stammered, "Little pumpkin... I mentioned it unintentionally."

My great-uncle stared at me, his face as white as paper, his eyes as cold as ice: "Ping An, you are not allowed to mention this person's name again. Otherwise, don't call me great-uncle!"

I nodded repeatedly. My great-uncle would disown me if I mentioned her name, so of course I would never mention it again.

But that night, Little Pumpkin was chased by Grandpa Fatty with a broom from the east end of the valley to the west end, howling and screaming. Only then did I realize that my great-uncle had been extremely lenient with me.

That very night, the old man left the valley, saying he was going to offer incense to a deceased friend.

I suspect that friend might be Xinghun. She was dead, which is why Daddy didn't want to hear her name.

My uncle has been gone for ten days. I look forward to his return every day. I feel very regretful and am afraid that he will never come back.

That night, I heard the sound of a flute playing all night long on the western cliff of the valley. My great-uncle had returned; he didn't go back to the bamboo house, but instead played his flute on the western cliff. The sound of that flute brought tears to my eyes.

I didn't dare go to the cliff on West Mountain to find my great-uncle. I sat gazing at West Mountain all night, hoping the flute music would stop and my great-uncle would come home.

The next day, Second Uncle returned with red eyes, carrying First Uncle on his back. His pale white robe was covered in blood. I was so frightened that I cried. Second Uncle roared at me fiercely, "He's been so good to you, how could you bear to hurt him?"

I was stunned and knelt on the ground to admit my mistake.

Grandpa Huihun also arrived, took Uncle Da's pulse, and said, "It's just a heart ailment."

Second Uncle was very annoyed, and even Grandpa Huihun yelled, "Big Brother's internal strength is superb, how could he vomit blood?"

Grandpa, who had just returned to life, simply sighed, glanced at me, and said to Uncle Da, "Ping An is still young. Don't you want her to live a peaceful and safe life?"

As if he had heard his words, Grandpa opened his eyes and smiled at me: "Grandpa is fine, I just caught a chill. Ping An, don't cry, Grandpa won't die."

I burst into tears and threw myself on my great-uncle, crying, "Don't abandon Ping An!"

Second Uncle stomped his foot angrily, turned and left, but First Uncle called out to him: "Moyu, bring me some of the calming incense you made, I really like it."

Second Uncle's expression softened slightly, and he hummed in agreement. Not long after, he brought over some calming incense.

The revival master led me outside, and I faintly heard my second uncle's choked voice: "You can't abandon me."

At that moment, I felt that my second uncle was about the same age as me.

My great-uncle's illness is slowly getting better. I'm so happy.

Life went back to normal, and I almost forgot about the assassin named Xinghun.

At fifteen, Little Pumpkin was sixteen.

On his birthday, he wore a brand-new dark green robe, looking very handsome and energetic. I've always worn skirts since I was little, and out of playfulness, I pestered him to buy me one.

I changed into a light purple robe and tied my hair up like him. I looked even more energetic than Little Pumpkin in the mirror. I said to Little Pumpkin triumphantly, "How is it? Does it look good?"

The little pumpkin nodded blankly.

I was extremely proud of myself, wanting to surprise my great-uncle by wearing this men's clothing.

He and his second uncle were talking, both with smiles on their faces.

"Big Uncle, Second Uncle!" I called out as I walked into the flower field.

When my second uncle saw me, the smile on his face froze, and he pointed at me for a long time without being able to speak.

I foolishly approached, even turning around and mimicking Little Pumpkin's posture, saying, "This young master likes climbing trees to steal birds' nests, what do you say?"

"Slap!" My second uncle slapped me hard, roaring, "Who told you to dress like this?!"

From childhood to adulthood, they have always doted on me and never hit me. I touched my face, tears streaming down my face, and looked at my great-uncle with a wronged expression.

I had never seen him like this before. His eyes seemed to be filled with confusion, pain, and affection. Before I could figure out what my great-uncle meant, my second uncle had already pulled me out of the flower field and dragged me into my second aunt's clothing shop. He casually threw me a set of women's clothes to change into.

I stood helplessly in front of my second uncle. He suddenly reached out and removed my hairpin, letting my hair fall loose, and then he breathed a sigh of relief. "Ping An, you're fifteen years old now. It's time for you to leave here."

I was startled and grabbed my second uncle, crying out, "Ping An has made a mistake. I will never wear men's clothes again. Second Uncle, please don't send me away."

I grew up in this valley; this is my home. Where else can I go? I can't bear to leave my eldest uncle, I can't bear to leave Little Pumpkin, I can't bear to leave everything here. I can't even bear to leave my second uncle, whose attitude towards me is sometimes good and sometimes bad.

My second uncle looked at me sadly and said, "Ping An, if you don't leave, your eldest uncle will get sick again."

Why? I sat on the threshold of my second aunt's shop and burst into tears.

After what seemed like an eternity, my uncle's voice rang out beside me: "Ping An, are you tired of crying? Uncle will carry you home."