Unseen Immortal of Three Hundred Years - Chap 77

Chapter 77

In this world, there are countless plants and trees, some extremely tall and massive. While they might not be seen everywhere, they are not uncommon in the wilderness or places like Night City, so it’s not surprising.

Therefore, for three hundred years, no one has ever thought there was anything special about the towering tree in the courtyard of Que Bu Luo. Not to mention others, even people who have lived in Que Bu Luo for decades have not noticed anything unusual about this tree. Like Ning Huaishan.

At this moment, Ning Huaishan was sitting in the small building where he was reflecting, with his sleeves folded, peeking at the people outside the door. He had been fidgeting for almost half a day, until the sky was getting dark and night was approaching. “Fang Chu” finally moved his legs and walked over to him slowly.

Ning Huaishan originally thought that he finally had someone to chat with, so he wouldn’t have to talk to himself to pass the time. Given this, he even reluctantly forgave “Fang Chu” for his previous lack of enthusiasm. However, his joy didn’t last long before he was brought back to reality.

Because although “Fang Chu” came to see him, he didn’t say much. He chattered on for a while, but “Fang Chu” only responded with a few words, visibly distracted and perfunctory!

Ning Huaishan frowned and said, “Hey, weren’t you here to see me? Why are you always turning your head away from me? What are you looking at over there? There’s nothing to see.” Fang Chu, calm as ever, replied, “The city lord is over there. Since you’re locked in this building reflecting, I naturally can’t relax. It’s only right to keep an eye on it.”

Ning Huaishan retorted, “Nonsense! Who are you trying to fool? Do you think I’m stupid or blind?” Fang Chu was momentarily stunned, then after a brief pause, he glanced inside the door. Even though there was a door between them, it was as if he could see Ning Huaishan, his gaze falling directly on him.

Ning Huaishan pointed into the courtyard and said, “Just because you show me the back of your head, you think I can’t tell? You’re obviously daydreaming over there, not even looking at the city lord’s door, yet you can’t relax for a moment…” Fang Chu stared at him for a while through the door, then turned back and said, “Not much difference, I can see any movement.”

Ning Huaishan frowned, “You’re speaking strangely today.” Fang Chu asked, “What’s strange?” Ning Huaishan replied, “Everything’s strange…” He squinted through the crack in the door, his dark eyes suddenly half-closed, staring at Fang Chu without blinking for a long time, then suddenly spoke, “Tell me the truth—”

Fang Chu looked up at him. Ning Huaishan said, “Did something happen in Luohuashan City? Every time you’re worried, you look half-dead like this.”

When Fang Chu heard him say “half-dead,” his eyes flickered slightly. Without responding, he just turned his head away.

Following his gaze, Ning Huaishan only saw the towering tree in the courtyard. He grumbled impatiently, “What’s so fascinating about that tree? Are you particularly good at daydreaming or something?”

After a moment, he heard Fang Chu say slowly, “Never had the chance before… to look closely.”

Ning Huaishan chuckled and said, “What’s wrong with you, being so sentimental? Don’t tell me it’s because you haven’t been back for twenty-five years, and now you find it difficult to see anything in the courtyard.”

Fang Chu glanced at him again and surprisingly replied, “Not far off.”

Ning Huaishan rolled his eyes but didn’t mock him further.

Compared to his own personality, Fang Chu indeed had a more thoughtful nature. It wasn’t surprising that after so many years away, he would feel sentimental looking at the trees and flowers in the courtyard. Ning Huaishan reluctantly restrained his sarcasm and agreed, “But it really isn’t easy. Look at all the people outside Que Bu Luo, each one staring over here, yet unable to see a single tree clearly.”

Fang Chu, perhaps reminded of something, chuckled, “What you said…”

Ning Huaishan interrupted, “What’s wrong with what I said? Is there a problem? Question?”

Fang Chu replied, “None.”

He paused for a moment, then said, “Not a word is wrong. Many people want to see this tree, but they will never see it in their lifetime.”

Ning Huaishan said, “That’s right!”

It is well known that standing outside Que Bu Luo Courtyard, one cannot see clearly inside, even this towering tree is shrouded in clouds and mist, never clear.

For a moment, even Ning Huaishan was touched by a hint of sourness, and he felt that every plant and tree in the courtyard was worth mentioning. He also stared at the giant tree for a while, murmuring, “Come to think of it, this tree seems to have never changed…”

Fang Chu didn’t look back, and after a moment of silence, he replied, “Yes.”

“Has it ever flowered or borne fruit?” Ning Huaishan suddenly realized that he had lived in this courtyard for decades, and could see this tree every day, but it seemed that he had never really looked at it carefully.

So much so that at this moment, he was trying hard to recall, and even dared not to be sure whether this tree had ever flowered or shed its leaves.

He thought it was his own carelessness. Who knew that after he asked, he did not hear Fang Chu’s answer for a long time.

Ning Huaishan has always been straightforward, and immediately said, “You used to stare at the courtyard for no reason, just like you are now. You can’t be at a loss for an answer, right?”

Ning Huaishan sneered, “Hey, it looks just like the real thing. Turns out you’re just like me, huh? Every time the City Lord says I’m thick-headed, I’m really wronged!”

In Ning Huaishan’s memory, this tree seemed to have remained unchanged for decades. “It probably never bloomed. Such a big tree, if it bloomed, would definitely be very eye-catching,” Ning Huaishan muttered, suddenly startled.

In the past, he wouldn’t have made many associations, after all, it was just a tree… Such towering trees might attract more attention elsewhere, but in Night City, it was nothing special. Night City was a gathering place for demons, and their mansions and caves were one more lawless than the other.

Not to mention a big tree in the yard, some demons’ caves were trees themselves—unable to stand the earthly aura, they abandoned their houses and instead grew a tree in place, making a huge nest in its branches, living in the nest all day without touching the ground. Everything strange and unusual in Night City became commonplace, and no one would think much about a tree.

But Ning Huaishan was different now. He had seen the illusion of the sacred tree in front of his family’s city lord in the tower of the Feng family. With that sacred tree illusion in mind, when he looked at the tree in the yard, he felt that this tree might be related to that sacred tree.

He subconsciously nudged his elbow, wanting to quietly discuss with Fang Chu, but he bumped his elbow on the door, “Hiss—” Fang Chu turned to look at him. Ning Huaishan hurriedly said, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing, I was just lost in thought. I was just thinking, do you think this tree…” Fang Chu listened quietly, seeming to have infinite patience for this tree.

However, Ning Huaishan didn’t finish his sentence. He shook his head, saying to himself, “It shouldn’t be, I’m just overthinking.” The divine tree that appeared in the sealed tower of the Feng family was only a virtual image, but it was so radiant that it was impossible to look away, naturally exuding an indescribable sense of immortality and divinity. But this tree in the courtyard… hmm.

After careful consideration, he was certain that this tree had never bloomed, never borne fruit, and had never even withered or shed its leaves. It seemed that whenever he looked up, it always maintained its lush appearance, like the evergreen trees found in the mountains and fields, unchanged for decades or even hundreds of years, occasionally accumulating some snow in winter.

Because it always looked the same, it had never caused any astonishment.

His only impression of this tree was that, although it was as magnificent as a pavilion, it was lifeless, and no birds ever landed on it, hence its name “Que Bu Luo” which means “where no birds alight.”

This was far different from the divine tree’s virtual image, completely different in appearance.

Ning Huaishan was randomly guessing and overturning his thoughts in his mind, when he suddenly heard Fang Chu say, “Your words are all over the place. If you’re confused about something, just ask the City Lord when you get back.”

Ning Huaishan subconsciously replied, “What’s the use of asking the City Lord? He went to the Canglang Northern Territory once and forgot everything. We’re not even familiar with Que Bu Luo yet. If we ask him, he might end up asking us instead—”

Before he could finish the word “us,” he suddenly stopped, his fingers clenched tightly inside his sleeve!

This doesn’t seem right!

Ning Huaishan’s mind was struck by thunder—Wu Xingxue didn’t remember anything, this was clearer to him than anything else. How could Fang Chu possibly say something like “go ask the city lord”?! He suddenly raised his eyes, and his gaze pierced through the crack in the door to look at the person outside.

***

At that moment, the Ning Huaishan outside the door also seemed contemplative. He heard Fang Chu say, “The city lord has forgotten everything and is not familiar with Que Bu Luo yet,” and his eyes squinted slightly. While he was in contemplation, the owner of the “Li” mansion in Chao Ye City suddenly made a move.

Feng Xue Li was originally lighting lamps in the “Disciple Hall” at a leisurely pace. Over thirty delicate lanterns illuminated the hall brightly. When he lit the last lamp, he paused for a moment. The next moment, he stood up straight and glanced in a certain direction, then he picked up the lamp and walked towards the door.

Xiao Hu was taken aback and quickly followed, asking, “Young Master, what’s going on?” Feng Xue Li said, “Going out.” Xiao Hu asked, “Where to?” Feng Xue Li replied, “Que Bu Luo.” Xiao Hu was puzzled, “Didn’t the young master say before that there was no need to go to Que Bu Luo and that someone there would naturally be watching?” Feng Xue Li said, “Yes.” Xiao Hu asked, “So now it is—” The door of the “Li” mansion silently opened in front of Feng Xue Li. He crossed the threshold with the lamp in hand and instantly melted into the fog of Chao Ye City, heading towards Que Bu Luo. Only his calm voice fell into Xiao Hu’s ears, “Precisely because someone is watching, I know it’s time to make a trip.”

Xiao Fu Xuan’s body was injured, and Wu Xingxue’s calamity period had not yet passed. The owner of Que Bu Luo had also forgotten all the past events. If waiting for the right time, is there a more suitable moment than this?

Almost in the blink of an eye, there were two more figures in front of the Que Bu Luo gate at the extreme south of Chao Ye City, Feng Xue Li and the catching-up Xiao Hu. Feng Xue Li raised his finger slightly, and the celestial barrier of Que Bu Luo was struck, emitting a sound like a clear bell ringing in the golden light. The sound rang three times, as if someone was politely knocking on the door.

But those who understood knew that if this barrier wasn’t set by a celestial, after three polite “knocks,” the barrier would shatter into ashes, and the one who set the barrier would also be seriously injured. However, before the people inside Que Bu Luo could react, the gamblers and drinkers around Que Bu Luo suffered first.

Under these three knocks, their souls seemed to be heavily struck. Almost everyone spat out blood with a “huah.” In just an instant, most of the people in the gambling houses and wine shops retreated. But Feng Xue Li in front of the Que Bu Luo gate remained calm, as if nothing had happened. He even elegantly drew a talisman and sent it towards the barrier, like a literati visiting someone’s house, even offering a name card.

The card omitted the surname and read: “Heard that the city lord has returned, Xue Li specially came to pay a visit.”