Cambiaformas

Capítulo 30

Ya Hua was completely stunned by Nian Yu's words, a blush spreading from her neck to her ears. Her mind was reeling from his thoughts; how did he know she liked him? How could he say such heartless and hateful things? When did he find out…?

"You...you're so delusional! You're nine years and eight months older than me, how could I possibly like an old man!" She cursed Nianyu inwardly, thinking he was still an unromantic old man. Suddenly, Ya Hua had an idea. She forced out tears to feign injury, then sobbed, "Nianyu! I hate you!" and ran away.

She ran deep into the forest before stopping and turning back. Nianyu was long gone. She placed her hand on a towering tree beside her. Nianyu had walked towards the platform and hadn't followed.

Just now, she made a decision. Although she couldn't persuade Nianyu to change his ways, she couldn't let him make a mistake. She needed to go home as soon as possible and tell her brother and the elders everything. Chaoyou seemed so calculating, and foolish Nianyu was such a simpleton; how could he possibly outsmart Chaoyou? What if Nianyu ended up being sold out by Chaoyou and still counting the money for him? The more she thought about it, the more dangerous that old blockhead seemed.

But her initial intention was just to squeeze out a couple of tears, and it just wouldn't stop. Ya Hua sniffed, lifted the hem of her skirt, and hung her head, feeling extremely uncomfortable, more uncomfortable than she had ever felt in her life.

Are you very sad?

A soft voice sounded behind her. Ya Hua turned around in surprise and saw Chao You standing right in front of her. His hair was soaked with sweat, and beads of sweat were clearly visible on his nose. His right hand was injured; his little finger was bent into a strange, twisted shape, and drops of dark red blood dripped from the wound at the fingertip. When he spoke, his expression, tone, and voice were all normal. It was as if they were still in the old house, and she was leaning against the window, watching him write and paint, chatting with him casually.

But the moment he finished speaking, a jet of water pierced through Ya Hua's body.

The sharp jets of water, like swords, pierced through the birch tree and scattered on the ground, merging into the soil.

Ya Hua looked down in disbelief. There was an empty hole to the right of her heart, and the gushing blood blurred her vision and his face.

"Why...?"

As if she had asked something ridiculous, he squinted and laughed, "How could I forget that you are a genius girl of the wood element? Nianyu is too soft-hearted... How could I let you go back?"

"Chaoyou—" She gasped for breath, her throat feeling constricted, making it difficult to utter a single word. She clutched her chest and said with difficulty, "Nianyu...will...will...be sad..."

Chao You's murderous intent intensified, and he gave a sinister smile: "He won't. If you die, he'll be rid of a burden that's always bothering him. He'll be too happy to wait."

“I mean… if you do this… Nian… Nian Yu will be sad…”

Chao You was silent for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure and condensed a wisp of water vapor in his hand. Ya Hua looked at Chao You in confusion. If she remembered correctly, this kind of magic, which condenses water into a solid form, was already a high-level magic. Chao You... hadn't even obtained the most basic level of magician qualification, so how could he use it?

"Are you curious why I can use it?" Chao You saw the doubt in her eyes and laughed contemptuously, "You think that only highly talented sorcerers can master such advanced magic? You must have heard the story of making up for lack of talent through hard work, right? Yes, I don't have the talent you possess, but while you were playing and resting, I practiced day and night, my fingers soaked in water until they were unrecognizable, yet I persisted in practicing. In the cold winter, I threw myself into the bone-chilling river. These experiences are probably things you, this so-called genius, have never even imagined. Your disregard for your talent is a complete waste. Today, you will die by my hand, and it's not unjust." As he spoke, the steam in his hand grew thicker and thicker, gradually condensing into an ice blade.

Chao You felt excruciating pain; she realized it was the ice blade in her hand that had pierced her body. Now she couldn't move, and trapped in the deep mountains, unable to call for help, was she destined to die here?

The ice blade flew towards Ya Hua, who smiled bitterly and tried to fall to the side. Although she had a hole in her body, she didn't want to go through that again.

Just then, a dark figure lunged out.

Ya Hua was pleasantly surprised to find that the dark figure was the black panther that had been fighting with Chao You earlier. She hadn't seen it before and thought Chao You had killed it. The black panther had even more wounds; you could even see the bone beneath the flesh.

In the brief moment before the black panther pounced on Chaoyou, Yahua silently retreated, her hands forming a mudra as she rapidly chanted incantations in her mind. Chaoyou was right; she had never really liked using incantations, especially offensive ones. She was lazy, irresponsible, and lacked the awareness of a sorcerer. But that didn't mean she would easily give up her life.

"Black Panther!" she whispered, hoping the agile creature would understand her meaning.

Hearing the sound, the black panther, which was entangled with Chaoyou, quickly turned around. With just a glance, it darted to her side like lightning. A fierce wind swept around, scattering gravel, and the surrounding trees seemed to come alive, gathering towards Chaoyou. Yahua used the trees to shield Chaoyou, making three quick hand gestures while muttering softly. She and the black panther slowly blended into the surrounding scenery, disappearing from sight in just a second or two.

The two hid in a cave under the mountain rocks, using wood-based magic to conceal their presence.

She saved Black Panther, but she couldn't save herself.

The fatal wound festered and became inflamed, tearing at her heart with sharp pain. She was so unwilling to accept it; it felt like her life had only just begun. Her parents' nagging but kind faces, her brother's jokes that weren't funny at all, Nianyu... Nianyu's angry yet helpless smile... she greedily wanted to see and feel all of it again.

However, she no longer had the strength to open her eyes.

The black panther's steady breathing filled my ears.

It said, "Wood-type sorcerer, what other wish do you have?"

She wanted to laugh. A talking leopard. Covered in wounds, barely able to save itself, yet it asked her if she had any last wishes. She had so many wishes; wouldn't they frighten it?

In the end, that smile turned into a helpless sigh.

"If...knowing I'm gone, and I won't bother him anymore...Nianyu...that silly Nianyu...will he be sad? I really want to know...I really want to know...Ah...never mind...I don't want him to be sad..."

Standing in the lush forest, Oak Birch snapped his fingers, and the surrounding trees drew closer to him, forming a warm circle.

"Wood magic is the gentlest form of magic," five-year-old Li Ya said with a grin, hugging his neck. He chuckled, speechless. The powerful wood magic had become the gentlest form of magic in his sister's mouth.

Why? He remembered asking her that question back then. Li Ya counted on her fingers the gentle aspects of wood-based magic: it can provide shade, shelter from the rain, take you to very high places, cleanse the soul, convey emotions, and protect the one you love most with outstretched arms... there are so many.

At that time, he didn't know how to use witchcraft to convey his emotions, even though he was born a few years earlier than his sister. However, it was the oak tree that taught him to touch the trunk with his hands and listen to its language with his heart.

I always thought my younger sister was the most outstanding wood-type sorcerer, even though she didn't know any offensive wood-type magic and only used it to do things that seemed trivial to others. But she was so lovely and kind; she was a treasure bestowed upon him by God.

The surrounding trees suddenly stirred, conveying a sense of unease. Long, slender fingers touched the trunk of one of the trees.

He heard the trees lamenting; their lush shade covered the entire blue sky, surrounding him and comforting him, whispering the words of the oak branches.

elder brother……

Brother, I haven't told Nianyu yet, I haven't told him that I love him.

Brother, this world is so beautiful. I want to live to be a hundred or two hundred years old, with the green grass and trees I love most, and the forests I love most. I want to use my eyes, my ears, and my skin to feel the gentle breeze, the bright light, and the earth that smells of damp soil.

Brother, you know that trees are the gentlest and most beautiful creatures in the world.

Chapter Eleven: Yiting

(eleven)

Feng Qi looked at Zhang Lihua, who had no expression, with a complicated expression.

Having learned from his previous experience, he was no longer alarmed to see these scenes happening to others. However, the voyeuristic feeling still made him uneasy. The profound anger and sorrow he had just experienced particularly unsettled him.

Unlike Zhang Yahua's consistently clear memories, Zhang Lihua exudes a murderous aura and grief.

Zhang Lihua gave Feng Qi a faint, wry smile: "It's nothing."

"Old Zhang...you..."

“I wish I could tear those two people to pieces. But… my reason tells me I can’t do that. Even if I could beat Nianyu, let alone if I were no match for him, I would never become a sorcerer like him who disregards the rules. I’ve said it before, I have my dignity as a sorcerer.” Zhang Lihua sighed deeply: “Let’s go, Xiao Yang must be getting impatient.”

"What do you plan to do?" Feng Qi thought of the bound girl. Before he "peeked" into Ya Hua's past, he could only see a blurry image and didn't know who that person was. But now he was certain that the imprisoned water-elemental priestess was none other than Yu Ye, whom he had had contact with before.

"Go back and report this matter to the elders, and await their decision."

Feng Qi felt that Zhang Lihua was too rigid in handling this matter. If they waited until they went back to report before returning, whether Yu Ye was alive or dead, or whether the boy named Chao You was still around, would all be unknown.

Zhang Lihua could tell what Feng Qi was thinking just by looking at him: "Sangzhu doesn't have much time left to retain her memories. Ya Hua has been dead for a few days now. If we delay any longer, I'm afraid I'll see even less from Sangzhu by then. Ya Hua died because of this. I can't let my sister die in such a pointless way."

Knowing he had made up his mind, Feng Qi patted him reassuringly, but felt she should still remind him: "Did you recognize the witch who was captured?"

Zhang Lihua was taken aback and shook his head slightly: "From my sister's memories, I only know that the witch who was captured should be the daughter of the genius witch Jing Ling, and also a water-type witch. But in my memory, Jing Ling did not have a daughter, let alone a daughter with such high talent."

"She is Yu Ye."

"That water-elemental witch you know?"

Feng Qi smiled helplessly: "Yes, I didn't expect to run into her here. We really are destined to meet—a tragic fate."

Zhang Lihua's gaze darkened as he thoughtfully looked towards the cave where the black panther was hiding.

"Let's go back and find someone."

"who?"

"The person who was closest to Jing Ling."

This is Fengxian County, a small town only 30 kilometers away from Zhicheng.

Fengxian County has been the burial site of the Ba people since ancient times, and its ancient customs are deeply rooted. Although the new city across the river is neatly planned with high-rise buildings and is no different from other modern cities, the old town, where most of the long-time residents live, is filled with a rustic atmosphere. Stilted houses are built against the mountain, and in the old street, rows of ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties stand leisurely.

Feng Qi and Zhang Lihua stood at the entrance of a secluded alley, a cool breeze blowing in their faces.

A man dressed in a moon-white modified Tang suit appeared in Feng Qi and Zhang Lihua's line of sight. He was tall and had an outstanding temperament. He stood far away at the end of the alley, which made Feng Qi turn his head to look at him.

Feng Qi always felt that in modern society, wearing Tang suits was far more selective than wearing Western suits. Only those who weren't particularly confident could truly bring out the essence of a Tang suit. Feng Qi glanced again at the white Tang suit, which shone almost blindingly in the sunlight—the textured embroidery featured a flowing cloud pattern, utterly elegant.

The man smiled gently at Feng Qi and Zhang Lihua, as if he had been waiting for them all along.

As Zhang Lihua approached, he recognized the man and a barely perceptible look of surprise and unease crossed his face. He quickly bowed and said, "Elder Chen..."

The man chuckled softly and waved his hand, "Don't call me that, it makes me feel like an old man in his seventies or eighties. Okay, just call me Yiting." He actually looked much younger than his actual age; he was in his forties but looked like he was only in his early thirties.

Zhang Lihua bowed respectfully to Chen Yiting, but after hesitating for a long time, he still couldn't bring himself to say "Yiting". He insisted, "Elder Chen, I have come here for a very important matter." Seeing that he was uncomfortable, Chen Yiting did not force him. He smiled and put one hand behind his back, while raising the other hand slightly and drawing a smooth semicircle in the air, making an inviting gesture.

The two followed Chen Yiting into a quaint courtyard at the end of the alley. Behind Chen Yiting, Feng Qi silently asked Zhang Lihua, "How did he know we were here?" Before Zhang Lihua could answer, a laugh rang out: "Because of the wind."

Feng Qi looked up and saw Chen Yiting turn to him, saying, "The wind told me as soon as you entered the alley." He lowered his eyes, his smile deepening, "Little friend, you can ask me any questions you have. I'll answer them to the best of my ability."

Zhang Lihua patted Feng Qi's shoulder silently, indicating that they should go inside to talk.

Throughout the journey, Zhang Lihua remained unusually silent. Feng Qi watched him from the side, as if seeing herself a year ago. The feeling of losing someone important—how could anyone who hasn't experienced it understand?

The courtyard was simply yet cleverly designed, and the air was very fresh. Feng Qi had always thought that in the vicinity of Zhicheng, in such deep alleys, the air was always a bit damp. Unexpectedly, Chen Yiting's residence was well-ventilated and didn't feel damp at all. On second thought, this was the residence of a wind-elemental shaman, so good ventilation was to be expected.

Once seated, Zhang Lihua couldn't wait to speak: "Elder Chen, I'd like to know, as the clan leader of the Wind faction and an elder of the Witchers, how do you view those who break the rules of the Witchers?"

Chen Yiting raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Rules for wizards? That's an interesting concept. Is that how the old wood-elemental folks taught you?"

Zhang Lihua was taken aback, his eyes revealing uncontrollable anger: "Elder Chen, I respect you as an elder, but you cannot insult others."

"There's nothing to be angry about," Chen Yiting said nonchalantly. "Rules are made by people. But who says we have to follow them? The people who make the rules do so for their own convenience. So we can also choose not to follow them for our own convenience."

"According to Elder Chen, disregarding the rules, wantonly killing humans, and disrupting the balance of nature can go unpunished as long as it's for one's own convenience?"

Upon hearing Zhang Lihua's words, Feng Qi began to worry. He wasn't usually so impulsive; even after seeing his sister's body and searching for Chen Yiting, Zhang Lihua had managed to control his emotions well. Now, just a few words from Chen Yiting had stirred up his emotions, and the grief and anger he had been suppressing for days showed signs of erupting.

Feng Qi took Zhang Lihua's hand and said calmly, "Old Zhang, how one views an event is a matter of personal freedom. Why don't you tell this Mr. Chen the truth about what you know?"

He deduced from Chen Yiting's manner of speaking and tone that this man was definitely not one to rigidly adhere to conventions. It was unlikely that Chen Yiting would be expected to conform to Zhang Lihua's worldview and values. If he truly had a close relationship with Yu Ye, as Zhang Lihua claimed, it might be more sensible to tell him directly that Yu Ye's life was in danger; that might have swayed him.

Zhang Lihua was startled and immediately came to his senses. He suppressed his anger and tried to calmly state his mind: "Elder Chen, I have come here today to discuss the matter of the water-based sorcerers Chaoyou and Yuye."

Chen Yiting smiled and shook his head: "There is no sorcerer named Chao You in the water system, but I do have some connection with Yu Ye."

Zhang Lihua looked at Chen Yiting with suspicion. Given his relationship with Yu Ye's mother, Jing Ling, it was impossible for him not to know that she had a younger brother named Chao You. Was he trying to hide something by saying this?

Seeing Zhang Lihua's suspicious and disbelieving expression, Chen Yiting was not annoyed and calmly smiled, "Chaoyou, I know, he is Jingling's younger brother. As for saying that he is a water-type wizard, I'm afraid you've made a mistake. Chaoyou was born into a family of water-type wizards, just like Jingling, and has the purest bloodline. However, his abilities are too poor. When Jingling died, he was 16 years old, but he couldn't even do the simplest thing like solidifying water, and he failed to obtain the qualification of a water-type wizard."

“What we’ve seen is that he not only possesses the strength of a water-type sorcerer, but also,” Zhang Lihua’s voice trembled slightly as he swallowed, pursed his lips, and continued, “he killed the earth-type sorcerer Zhang Yahua and imprisoned Jing Ling’s daughter.”

Chen Yiting looked slightly puzzled: "I know Chao You. He was definitely not hiding his strength back then. More than ten years have passed, and he actually has the ability to imprison Yu Ye?"

Knowing that words alone were insufficient proof, Zhang Lihua took out the carefully preserved mulberry beads from his backpack and handed them to Chen Yiting.

Sangzhu is usually only visible to earth-type shamans. Now Zhang Lihua is preparing to hand Sangzhu over to Chen Yiting. Firstly, Chen Yiting holds the position of elder and is familiar with the most basic skills of the five shamans. However, even so, if the image left on Sangzhu by Zhang Lihua is not strong and profound, Chen Yiting will not be able to see the past.

Chen Yiting suddenly realized: "I remember now, Zhang Yahua is your sister, right? A genius earth-elemental sorcerer. Heh, those old fogies love to talk about geniuses. It's quite remarkable that Chao You was able to kill her."

After Chen Yiting spoke, Zhang Lihua suddenly withdrew his outstretched hand. His palm gripped Sangzhu tightly, his knuckles contorted in pain. Feng Qi, watching this scene with concern, interjected, "Mr. Chen, I heard you're acquainted with Yu Ye's mother. Would you really abandon her daughter in her time of need?" Chen Yiting glanced at Feng Qi, then smiled and said, "You're that meddlesome reporter Yu Ye mentioned, Feng Qi?"

Feng Qi was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected Yu Ye to mention him to others: "Yes, I'm Feng Qi."

"Yu Ye told me you were interesting, and she was right. Are you an orphan?"

Feng Qi smiled slightly but did not answer. The words he hated most in the world were, "What do your parents do?" and "You're an orphan!"