"A scripture?"
Both Lin Yi and the giant beast were stunned. At a moment like this, a scripture was sent? What could it mean?
"Heh, could this be a plea for mercy? Seems like this so-called Uncle Qin isn't much after all…" The beast sneered.
But the next moment, its laughter stopped abruptly!
Because it realized, to its shock, that the scripture was glowing brilliantly, as if it were burning. Gradually, a blurred face formed in the center of the text. Though the features of the face were unclear, it emitted a terrifying pressure that made the beast tremble and its legs weaken with fear.
"Qin… Qin Chuan?" it murmured in a trembling voice.
That face gazed at the beast, as if looking down at an insignificant ant. The voice was calm, yet commanding, "Leave. Do not let this happen again."
The beast snapped back to its senses, ecstatic. "I will leave immediately! Thank you, Lord Qin Chuan, for sparing my life!" it shouted in relief.
With that, the beast's body rolled into a tight ball and thundered away, disappearing into the distance in no time, fleeing in a panic.
Lin Yi, watching the "rolling ball" beast disappear, finally came back to his senses and became excited.
"Uncle Qin!" he shouted with enthusiasm, unsure of what else to say. Expressing gratitude seemed too formal.
In his heart, Uncle Qin had long since become like true family to him. Sometimes, he even felt like Uncle Qin was more like a father figure…
"Meet me at White Moon Lake," the giant face said calmly, before dissolving into golden letters that dispersed into the air.
"White Moon Lake?"
Lin Yi pulled out a newly published map of Xuanhuang Heaven from the "Hengtian Ancient Sect" and began searching for White Moon Lake's location.
The map was massive, filled with countless mountains, lakes, grand sects, and vast nations. It was so densely detailed that it took Lin Yi some time, even with his divine sense, to finally locate White Moon Lake. Without hesitation, he set off in that direction.
"Uncle Qin said he has a gift for me. I wonder what it could be. But knowing Uncle Qin's generosity, it's bound to be extraordinary."
With this thought, Lin Yi felt energy surging through his body, quickening his pace.
Fortunately, White Moon Lake wasn't too far from his current location. After half a month of travel, he finally arrived at the lake.
It was nighttime.
The tranquil lake reflected a giant crescent moon, its light shimmering on the rippling water, making the entire lake seem like a vast expanse of white.
Above, the sky was studded with twinkling stars. The surrounding mountains were pitch black and silent, while the White Moon Lake shimmered beautifully, so breathtaking it could captivate anyone.
At the center of the lake stood a figure in white, as pure as snow, standing quietly on the surface of the water. The scene was peaceful and serene, like a dragonfly lightly touching the water.
"Uncle Qin!" Lin Yi called out happily.
The figure in white turned around, revealing a handsome face. His flowing black hair shimmered in the moonlight, glowing faintly.
"You've arrived?" Qin Chuan smiled warmly, looking refined and dignified, like a scholar of great integrity.
"Uncle Qin, is there something important you wanted to see me about?" Lin Yi suppressed the urge to fidget nervously, speaking with a hint of shyness.
Qin Chuan smiled and took out a phoenix jade pendant, holding it up. "Do you recognize this?"
"This is… the jade pendant my mother left me?!" Lin Yi was shocked. He quickly took the pendant from Qin Chuan and held it carefully in his hands, his eyes sparkling.
"Uncle Qin, where did you find this?" Lin Yi asked excitedly.
"I've had it all along," Qin Chuan replied calmly.
"What?! This…"
Lin Yi felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. He stared at Qin Chuan in disbelief, his breath quickening. "Are you saying… it was you who took my jade pendant?!"
"Yes," Qin Chuan nodded without hesitation.
"This… this…"
Lin Yi's face turned pale, as if his world was crumbling. How could this be? How could Uncle Qin, the person he respected and admired the most, have stolen from him?
It felt like finding out the person who had raised him for years was actually the one who had killed his father!
Plop.
Just then, a strong hand rested on Lin Yi's shoulder.
Instinctively, Lin Yi looked up and met a pair of sincere, deep eyes. "Lin Yi, do you really think Uncle Qin would harm you?"
Boom!
It was as if thunder echoed in Lin Yi's mind, scattering all the negative emotions he had been feeling. Suddenly, everything became clear.
Of course!
How could Uncle Qin ever harm me?
If Uncle Qin had truly coveted the jade pendant, why would he return it to me? He could have kept it without saying anything, and I would never have known it was him.
There must be more to this!
"Uncle Qin, I believe you would never hurt me!" Lin Yi said sincerely, taking a deep breath.
However, he couldn't help but ask, "But why did you take my jade pendant? What's special about it?"
Qin Chuan met his gaze and smiled softly, then turned to look at the crescent moon hanging in the sky.
Sometimes, silence spoke louder than words.
Lin Yi felt a vague sense that Uncle Qin had done something significant, maybe even something monumental, for him.
His curiosity only grew, and he pressed, "Uncle Qin, can you tell me why you took my jade pendant? What did you do with it?"
Qin Chuan continued to gaze at the moon, remaining silent.
Seeing that, Lin Yi stopped asking. Instead, he too began to stare at the giant crescent moon, though he couldn't see anything meaningful in it.
Splash…
After a long while, a cool breeze blew across the lake, causing ripples to shimmer across its surface.
Finally, Qin Chuan turned back to Lin Yi, his eyes filled with warmth and kindness. In a soft voice, he said, "You will understand in time."
Lin Yi felt a jolt of emotion surge through him!
Now more than ever, he was certain that Uncle Qin had done something great for him, something that might have even come at a significant cost!
It was a gut feeling.
For some reason, a phrase suddenly surfaced in Lin Yi's mind: "There is no such thing as peace and quiet. It only exists because someone is carrying the weight on your behalf."
"Uncle Qin, thank you!" Lin Yi murmured, his voice quiet and filled with emotion.
He said it as a way of testing his suspicion, hoping to verify the thoughts swirling in his mind.
If Uncle Qin had truly done something selfless for him, then based on his experience, Uncle Qin's next reaction would be…
"Heh."
Qin Chuan chuckled softly, shaking his head without saying anything. Yet, on his gentle face, there was a trace of gratification—a look that seemed to say his efforts had been worth it.
"Just as I thought!"
Lin Yi felt a surge of emotion, his nose tingling with the urge to cry. Suddenly, he lunged forward, throwing his arms around Qin Chuan.
Tears welled up in his eyes, and he began to sob softly. "Uncle Qin, why are you so good to me…?"
"Silly child."
Qin Chuan smiled, shaking his head as he patted Lin Yi's back, comforting him like one would a weeping child.
Sigh.
Silly child.
Do you really not know why I'm good to you?
Oh wait, you actually don't know.
But I do!!
In this moment, Qin Chuan, the master of deception, felt not the slightest hint of guilt. People, after all, live in the emotions they weave for themselves. Does the truth really matter?