Chapter 34: I Will Carry You

Shu Wan’s heart chilled, and a coldness surged up her back in an instant. She trembled as she asked: “This door… this door can’t be opened either, can it?”

Both the front and back doors had been sealed off. Did this mean they were trapped in this pitch-black passage?

Yi Chenlan had already prepared for the worst as soon as Shu Wan had failed to activate the mechanism earlier. There was someone in the forbidden area who knew his identity, someone with considerable standing in the Jianghu. Shu Qi would never let them leave alive.

Sealing off all the exits, even destroying the mechanism switches, was absolutely something he was capable of doing.

However, he had not expected Shu Qi to be so ruthless as to disregard Wan Wan as well, and cruelly decide to let her die here too. Perhaps…

Perhaps he had begun to suspect Wan Wan.

Yi Chenlan furrowed his brow, suppressing the murderous intent in his heart towards Shu Qi. He gently rubbed Shu Wan’s small head. Seeing her trembling in fear, he felt helpless. Softly, as though soothing a child, he said: “Wan Wan, don’t be afraid. Since you know how to operate and open these mechanisms, do you understand the principle behind them?”

Those were just random notes she had written; there was no principle to them. She, of course, didn’t understand. Shu Wan frowned and shook her head, then realized Yi Chenlan couldn’t see her, so she whispered: “I don’t know…”

Yi Chenlan smiled and began to explain: “The art of mechanisms changes endlessly but always follows the same core principle. The law comes from the craft, the mechanism springs from the heart, often moving the whole body by pulling a single thread. But all the principles behind them can be traced back to the Eight Trigrams of Yin & Yang.”

“The larger the mechanism array, the more complex the changes. A mechanism of this scale won’t just have eight simple paths; there are usually ‘a few obvious paths and countless hidden ones.’ Once the obvious paths are blocked, you must find the hidden ones yourself.”

His voice was deep yet clear, gentle in tone. Surrounded by this voice in the darkness, Shu Wan couldn’t help but feel a bit reassured.

Her hands, which had been holding on to Yi Chenlan’s, tightened a little in reliance.

Yi Chenlan could almost imagine what Shu Wan looked like at that moment—surely, she was staring at him with her pure, clear eyes, listening earnestly. His heart softened even more. The corners of his lips curved slightly, and he spoke again in a gentle voice: “Wan Wan, tell me, how did you operate the mechanisms to enter the forbidden area, the central chamber, and the exit we just passed?”

Shu Wan immediately recounted everything in great detail, describing precisely which raised parts she pressed and how many rotations she made.

Could it be that Senior Brother Ah Lan is proficient in mechanism arts? Shu Wan wondered in a daze. But how could he possibly know about these mechanisms at this moment? Although he did have this skill, he should have learned it only after arriving at Snowy Night Mountain, within the mysterious and strange large mountain array there, right?

Yi Chenlan listened to Shu Wan’s description, thought for a moment, and then said: “Wan Wan, I’ve only flipped through a few books in my spare time. I only know a little about mechanisms. But I’ll do my best.”

Upon hearing this, Shu Wan’s small flame of hope within her heart instantly weakened, and she felt that escape was impossible. She lowered her head, feeling apologetic, and said: “Senior Brother Ah Lan, I don’t know why the mechanism in the forbidden area suddenly broke… It seems I haven’t done anything right. My intention was to help you, but every time I only drag you down…”

Yi Chenlan furrowed his brows, unable to tolerate her speaking like this. “Stop saying such nonsense, or I will get angry.”

Shu Wan, feeling dejected, didn’t pay much attention to Yi Chenlan’s light threat and continued: “Senior Brother Ah Lan, if… if we die here together, would you blame me?”

It was enough to soften anyone’s heart. Yi Chenlan let out a helpless sigh. He feared that Shu Wan might discover his secret of being reborn, so he didn’t dare say the words: “I will definitely take you out.” as he could not explain how he had mastered mechanism arts.

Even if, hypothetically, he and Wan Wan truly did die here together, how could he possibly blame her? Such a sweet and beautiful ending was something he had longed for.

At this moment, facing her in such a state, Yi Chenlan really felt somewhat helpless. “Wan Wan, don’t be afraid. Let me try first, okay?”

Although Shu Wan had little hope left, she was still soothed by Yi Chenlan’s gentle and soft words. She obediently nodded: “Okay.”

…

They turned around and headed back, but as they walked, Yi Chenlan kept one hand on the wall, carefully feeling around. Shu Wan didn’t understand what he was doing and didn’t dare disturb him. She quietly let him lead her.

When they reached the wooden wheel from earlier, Yi Chenlan placed one hand on it and carefully felt the protrusions on its surface. Shu Wan realized that Yi Chenlan was about to turn the mechanism, but since one hand was inconvenient, she slowly started to pull her hand back. However, Yi Chenlan immediately grasped it tightly.

“What’s wrong, Wan Wan?”

“Mm… it’s nothing.” Shu Wan said thoughtfully: “Senior Brother Ah Lan, you need to turn the mechanism. Isn’t it difficult with just one hand?”

“It’s fine.” Yi Chenlan said, holding Shu Wan’s hand. His grip was neither too light nor too heavy, but just enough to prevent her from pulling away. “I’m not sure what will happen when I activate this mechanism, so let’s stay holding hands.”

Shu Wan’s heart skipped a beat, and she immediately became still. Her other hand instinctively climbed up Yi Chenlan’s arm.

Oh heavens, she really didn’t want to be separated from Yi Chenlan in this pitch-black environment again.

Yi Chenlan seemed to let out a soft laugh, but he didn’t say anything else. He pressed down on a few protrusions at specific points, grasped the wooden wheel with one hand, and began to turn it with force.

This time, the passage no longer remained silent. A low rumbling sound echoed behind them.

Shu Wan immediately turned her head, like a frightened rabbit, but all she could see was pitch darkness. Turning her head was pointless. The sound left her feeling uncertain and puzzled. Yi Chenlan, standing beside her, tugged at her: “Wan Wan, don’t worry, we’re going ahead.”

He moved slowly, as if measuring something, his free hand continually touching the wall. Finally, after walking a considerable distance, Yi Chenlan stopped.

“Wan Wan, it’s your turn now.”

He guided Shu Wan’s hand and placed it against the wall in front of them. “Channel your Blazing Sun True Qi and strike here.”

Shu Wan trusted Yi Chenlan completely. She didn’t ask any questions or have doubts, but simply said straightforwardly: “Senior Brother Ah Lan, then you should step back, don’t let yourself get hurt.”

“It’s fine. It’s empty behind this wall, it should be easier to break.” Yi Chenlan replied with a smile. “The reason I asked you to use your True Qi is so your hands don’t hurt.”

Shu Wan’s heart warmed at his words. She whispered: “I understand… Senior Brother Ah Lan, you stand behind me.”

She positioned herself protectively, took a deep breath, gathered her strength, and with both palms, she struck with force. With a loud “rumble.” the stone wall immediately cracked open, and rubble tumbled to the ground in a clattering sound.

“Did it hit you?” Yi Chenlan’s voice came from behind as he gently touched Shu Wan’s head.

“No, Senior Brother Ah Lan, should we go in?” After the stone wall was broken, Shu Wan felt a faint breeze coming from ahead. Beyond the broken wall was a new passage.

As the author, Shu Wan was completely stunned. She hadn’t expected that in addition to the eight obvious paths, there would be such a hidden tunnel in the forbidden area. This was something she hadn’t even thought about, let alone written.

Yi Chenlan held Shu Wan’s hand as they walked into the passage. He lowered his voice and asked: “We’re in the Xun wind position. There are definitely many branches here, so it will take a lot of effort to navigate. Wan Wan, are you tired?”

Shu Wan hurriedly responded: “I’m not tired. Senior Brother Ah Lan, what about you? You have injuries and haven’t had any rest. Are you alright? Should I carry you?”

Yi Chenlan chuckled softly. “I’m not that fragile. Besides, the Elixir you gave me worked wonders. I’m much better now. It’s fine.”

Though he would have been very happy to let Wan Wan carry him, given their close bond, he still hesitated… Looking at her delicate and slender shoulders, it would be better not to.

He didn’t want to tire her out.

…

This passage was not as straight as the previous one. In fact, it was rather roughly constructed, with uneven stone walls on both sides. The ground was also muddier, sticky and slippery as they walked.

Furthermore, the path was particularly hard to navigate. Shu Wan felt like they had been walking for a long time, and it seemed they were constantly going uphill. A thought suddenly crossed her mind. “Senior Brother Ah Lan, do you think we’re inside Mount Pochen now?”

“Yes.” Yi Chenlan replied quickly.

“The forbidden area is actually connected to Mount Pochen… Such a large mechanism passage, it’s a massive undertaking.”

Shu Wan marveled at this, but didn’t hear Yi Chenlan reply. She waited for a while but still didn’t hear him speak. Feeling a bit uneasy, she called out: “Senior Brother Ah Lan?”

Yi Chenlan responded with a soft “Mm.”

This time, Shu Wan sensed that something was wrong. She immediately reached out to feel Yi Chenlan’s forehead, and sure enough, it was burning hot.

“You have a fever!” Shu Wan exclaimed anxiously, quickly dragging Yi Chenlan’s arm over her shoulder to support him. “Senior Brother Ah Lan, rest for a while. Let me carry you.”

“No need.” Yi Chenlan, feeling the tender, fragile shoulder beneath his arm, couldn’t bear it. He spoke in a low voice: “We’re almost there.”

“No, this time you have to listen to me.” Shu Wan, angry that Yi Chenlan hadn’t said anything about his fever, and blaming herself for not noticing sooner, became a little forceful in her words. “You’re not walking anymore. If you don’t listen, I’ll hit your acupoints and make you unable to refuse. I don’t care, just get on my back.”

Her tone was both fierce and commanding, but Yi Chenlan couldn’t help but smile. He was about to say something, but before he could even get out the “I” word, Shu Wan swiftly hit his acupoints, rendering him completely unable to resist.

He was now securely carried on her back, his tall frame enveloping her small form. Though he couldn’t move, he could still speak. “Wan Wan, I’m really fine, don’t be stubborn. You’ll wear yourself out if you keep doing this…”

“Is there another fork in the road ahead? If there is, I’ll seal your speech acupoints next.”

Yi Chenlan paused, feeling utterly helpless. “…Yes, there is.”

“Ah… then you rest a bit, be good, and don’t talk. Don’t tire yourself out. When we reach the fork, tell me which way to go.” Shu Wan sounded like a boss, leaving no chance for Yi Chenlan to argue.

Yi Chenlan didn’t know how, but he really did quiet down, falling completely silent.

His body gradually relaxed, no longer tense. Shu Wan thought that maybe Senior Brother Ah Lan was truly exhausted from being sick, which was why he finally listened to her and stopped being stubborn. His head gently rested on her shoulder.

Her heart couldn’t help but tighten—Senior Brother Ah Lan, he truly made her feel a deep sense of sympathy.

She would protect him no matter what.

She couldn’t stand to see him bullied, and she couldn’t bear to see him hurt. A strange, inexplicable fluttering feeling stirred in Shu Wan’s chest, so vague that she couldn’t quite grasp its shape.

For the rest of the journey, Yi Chenlan only directed Shu Wan at the forks in the road, and indeed, he behaved and didn’t say anything else. His face leaned against Shu Wan’s soft hair, unconsciously rubbing lightly against it. The vulnerability and dependence that subtly leaked from him vanished into the darkness almost immediately.

He closed his eyes heavily, letting himself completely sink into the warmth—the only place where he felt truly at peace.