Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 873: Chapter 117: Forget Worry, Yellow Springs (5)

Ouyang Jie was playing with a card of heavy texture, a black spade A.

This was what he did when he was bored… Time had already passed three in the afternoon, and now it was about three o’clock seven, but Tu Shenyi had yet to arrive.

The sound of the door opening came right at this moment, and Ouyang Jie stood up abruptly, “Teacher… Uncle Jin.”

The visitor was Uncle Jin, not Tu Shenyi, causing Ouyang Jie to sit back in his seat, helplessly. Uncle Jin entered with a kind smile, “What, you don’t like seeing me?”

Ouyang Jie shook his head, “How could I?”

He recalled the events that happened after he was adopted, feeling rather sentimental: “Although Master adopted me, he was often not around except when teaching me, spending most of his time researching his vineyard. Instead, it was you, Uncle Jin, who always looked after me.”

Ouyang Jie looked at Uncle Jin sincerely, “I don’t know who my biological parents are, but I don’t feel unfortunate. Later, I had two fathers. One was my master. As the saying goes, once a teacher, always a father. Master gave me a new life and made me who I am. The other is you, Uncle Jin. You have been like a father to me, accompanying me as I grew up.”

“Isn’t using your skills for coaxing women on me a waste?” Uncle Jin shook his head, then walked to the wine cabinet in the study, picked up a bottle of red wine, poured two glasses, and approached him, “If you’re not in a hurry, accompany me for a chat; your master will be here in a while.”

Ouyang Jie, without any suspicion, smiled and took Uncle Jin’s wine glass. The two clinked their glasses lightly and each took a sip.

Ouyang Jie remarked, “Master’s brewed red wine is really good.”

Uncle Jin suddenly asked, “A Jie, today you specially brought Miss Zhong here, do you have some other intentions?”

A Jie chuckled, “What intentions could I have? She is my boss now, and she wants to meet the master. She gave a strict order; I can’t not bring her, can I?”

Uncle Jin shook his head slightly, “You won last year’s grand competition, and with your accomplishments, even if it’s not for the Zhong family, casinos with strong influence from all over the world would rush to have you. No one can force you to do things you don’t like. You say I’m like half a father as I’ve watched you grow up… So, even to me, you’re not speaking the truth?”

Ouyang Jie exhaled, put down his wine glass, thought for a while, and slowly said, “Zhong Luoyue, she is a very special woman. After seeing her the first time, I confirmed a few things. Uncle Jin, do you understand that kind of feeling of desperately wanting, yet unwilling to hurt and still respecting?”

Uncle Jin said calmly, “Zhong Luoyue is a person at the pinnacle of a tomb-robbing family. The Zhong family can use you for your talent, but it doesn’t mean the Zhong family is willing to accept you as a true member.”

Ouyang Jie was silent for a moment before he spoke solemnly, “Even if I can reach my master’s level, is there no chance?”

Uncle Jin shook his head, “No one can reach your master’s level, whether it is you or me.”

Ouyang Jie couldn’t help but feel defeated, smiled bitterly, “An hour ago, Zhong Luoyue asked my master who would win if we gambled now. Honestly, I had no confidence at all at that time; instead, the master was calm… To be frank, you’re right, I currently am not up to the master’s level.”

Uncle Jin remained indifferent, as Ouyang Jie took another sip of wine, it was a sad drink.

“Don’t think too much about future matters.” Uncle Jin comforted Ouyang Jie, “Although she is a woman at the pinnacle of a tomb-robbing family, you also have ways to reach high…”

“Thank you, Uncle Jin, no one but you is good to me…”

Ouyang Jie yawned, seemingly sleepy, he slowly lay down on the table, half-closed his eyes, muttering, “Master… why hasn’t he come yet, he regards me… very distant, very distant… distant…”

Ouyang Jie completely closed his eyes.

Uncle Jin then gently patted Ouyang Jie’s shoulders, softly said, “Take a good sleep… I will fulfill your wish, even the pinnacle of tomb-robbing families cannot resist transcendent power. Someday, I will also become transcendent, and then…”

…

…

In a quiet stone chamber, Tu Shenyi held a brand new white candle in his hand.

Behind him were Mr. Long Ze, Queen Elizabeth, and others. After the stone chamber was opened, Tu Shenyi did not immediately enter, but let the others enter first.

The door was still open, because there were still some who hadn’t arrived.

The interior decorations of the stone chamber were surprisingly luxurious, resembling a medieval bedchamber, yet the chamber was exceptionally dim, only lit by Tu Shenyi’s candle illuminating a small area.

In front of a huge round table, there were seven large chairs, Tu Shenyi put down the candle, first sat in one of the chairs, while everyone else took their seats as well.

Tu Shenyi glanced around, then pressed his hand on a part of the table in front of him, lightly pressing it, part of the surface was depressed. It seemed to be a mechanism… and at this moment, the center of the table began to open. The opened mechanism slowly revealed a long crystal bottle.

Seeing the appearance of the crystal bottle, Lady Eve suddenly closed her folding fan, sat straighter, and softly said, “River of Oblivion.”

Tu Shenyi then made a gesture of invitation.

Queen Elizabeth nodded in response, Mr. Amonst beside her then received a wooden box from her, opened it, and took out what turned out to be a bottle of red wine, though less than half remained.

The bottle was a very ordinary glass one, but Mr. Amonst cautiously placed it before Queen Elizabeth, “Manjusaka.”

Lady Eve also opened her delicate wooden box, took out the crystal bottle inside, its style differing from Tu Shenyi’s bottle, she softly said, “97.”

Next was Mr. Long Ze, who opened his leather bag, revealing a cylindrical transparent container. Mr. Long Ze held this container for a moment in front of everyone, laughed lightly, and placed it before himself, “Naihe.”

The Forget Worry series, which Tu Shenyi originally brewed seven bottles of. Including the ‘Forget Worry, River of Oblivion’ currently placed at the center of the table, six bottles were known. As for the last bottle, nobody present except Tu Shenyi had ever seen it.

“Then, we are only missing Yellow Springs and Three Lifetimes.” Lady Eve said with a slight smile.

“It seems I wasn’t late.” Someone who arrived tardily, said with a frivolous voice… It was Xitacil.

However, he came empty-handed, quickly attracting a few gazes.

Xitacil pulled out a chair to sit down, “No need to be nervous, I won’t break the rule… Here it is.”

He drew something on the table with his finger, accompanied by his finger’s motion, dark red lines began to appear on the tabletop, finally all the lines form a complete pattern.

Before long, from the pattern, a ball-shaped creature began to emerge, looking a lot like the Messenger, a furry yellow creature, unlike the Messenger, apart from its large eyes, this creature also had a large mouth.

The yellow sphere suddenly opened its mouth, revealing densely packed sharp teeth… it was spitting something out.

“Yellow Springs.” Xitacil took what the sphere spat into his hand — it was a goblet, seemingly made of gold, though its brim was sealed.

Yet the yellow sphere again spit out another object. This time it expelled a box. Xitacil opened the box, inside was a diamond-shaped ruby-like crystalline structure, and he added, “And the final Three Lifetimes.”

“It really is Three Lifetimes…” Mr. Long Ze and Lady Eve both furrowed their brows at the same time. “How did it end up in your hands?”

Xitacil shrugged and said, “It was delivered to me by that woman, and she asked me to bring it here. As for why she didn’t come herself, I have no idea.”

Mr. Long Ze and the others exchanged glances, then turned their attention to Tu Shenyi. Lady Eve smiled and said, “No wonder you said it doesn’t matter if she comes or not. Looks like you knew all along the Three Lifetimes was with Xitacil?”

Tu Shenyi replied calmly, “I had once communicated with Xitacil.”

Xitacil nodded at this moment, confirming that Tu Shenyi was telling the truth.

Mr. Long Ze wore a playful smile, “It’s one thing to miss previous Hunting Days, but not coming today… Tu Shenyi, looks like she really doesn’t take much liking to you. Even if she gave you that initial embrace…”

Tu Shenyi ignored Mr. Long Ze’s remarks and calmly said, “Since it’s here, I’ll go get prepared.”

With a wave of Tu Shenyi’s hand, the various containers in front of the group started moving to the center of the table, slowly descending, and finally disappearing from sight.

“Start your performance,” Tu Shenyi said, and his figure faded into the darkness, eventually disappearing, indicating he was gone.

Xitacil was the first to rise, “I’ve already got my eye on someone, so take it easy.”

Mr. Long Ze and Lady Eve also stood up, while Queen Elizabeth remained seated.

Queen Elizabeth timidly said, “I’ll… I’ll just wait here.”

Mr. Long Ze whistled softly, chuckling, “My dear Elizabeth, I hope you manage to endure this time… Why not join us and enjoy this wonderful feast? Once you try it, you’ll see resisting it all this while was foolish.”

Elizabeth bowed her head, nervously fidgeting with the corner of her dress. At this moment, Mr. Amonst gently pressed her shoulder and, casting a glance at Mr. Long Ze, said calmly, “Get lost.”

Mr. Long Ze shrugged, leaving even faster than Xitacil. Lady Eve followed behind, and after casting a final glance at Queen Elizabeth and Mr. Amonst with a smile, Xitacil took out a small bottle from his person and tossed it over to Mr. Amonst.

“What’s this?” Mr. Amonst frowned slightly.

Xitacil replied calmly, “It’s a new product from the Magician’s Association this year, a supplement for energy. But note, after taking it, you’ll feel very tired, so Mr. Amonst, make your own decision.”

After a moment of silence, Mr. Amonst nodded, “Thank you.”

Xitacil waved it off casually, “You’re welcome. I’m a Dark Merchant, and making one more friend is no bad thing for me.”

Elizabeth gave Xitacil a grateful look and softly said, “May the True Ancestor’s glory be with you, Mr. Xitacil.”

Once everyone else had left, leaving only Elizabeth and Mr. Amonst, Elizabeth took a deep breath, her hands pressing on her chest, visibly tense.

Mr. Amonst gently patted her shoulder, “Is it starting?”

Elizabeth shook her head, “Not yet… I’m just a bit nervous. Grandpa, if…”

She lifted her head earnestly, “If something unexpected happens, I… I hope you won’t hesitate.”

“I absolutely won’t let anything happen to you,” Mr. Amonst said, gripping his black umbrella tightly, “I promised your mother, Lola, that I would never let you get lost… Elizabeth.”

…

…

Being the last to enter the passage leading to the cellar, Luo Qiu found the guests had already vanished from sight by the time he descended the long staircase.

Only the faint sound of voices could be heard from ahead.

This so-called cellar seemed much more complex than imagined.

Only upon reaching the bottom did its vastness become apparent.

Candlesticks lined the walls, seemingly to guide guests further… However, Luo Qiu, with his curious nature, couldn’t help but glance at those unlit passageways.

“There’s nothing over there.”

At this moment, Xitacil’s voice came from ahead. He appeared leaning against the wall as if waiting, having arrived long before.

“This place doesn’t seem as simple as a cellar,” Luo Qiu remarked casually.

Xitacil paced slowly towards him, “This cellar was built by Baron Fernandis. It’s much larger than the castle above. Initially constructed as a place to hide soldiers, it was designed as a last resort against enemies. Ironically, it was built like a maze, but never used until the baron was hanged.”

Luo Qiu nodded, looking at a dull stain in the corner. Under the candlelight, it appeared dark brown… probably a bloodstain, “And now, it’s become your hunting ground?”

“Seems you’re the only one who came down?” Xitacil asked suddenly.

Luo Qiu simply nodded, “Is that a problem?”

“Not really,” Xitacil smiled, “As long as you feel fine, I trust you’ve got it all arranged.”

Luo Qiu returned the three remaining rings to Xitacil.

Xitacil took them back, taking a moment to observe the butterfly perched tranquilly on Luo Qiu’s shoulder, wings spread open, with curiosity, “A Goddess of Light Flash Butterfly, a fine specimen. Where did it come from?”

Luo Qiu glanced at it, “Probably flew here from outside, it’s quite amusing, hasn’t left since it perched on me.”

Xitacil stroked his chin, “They say butterflies are like spirits. Each bears the longing of the deceased. I wonder if this one does.”

As Xitacil reached out to touch the butterfly, it unexpectedly took flight and disappeared into the dim passage before his hand reached it.

Xitacil looked disappointed, “It doesn’t seem to like me… Sorry, scared off your little pet.”

Luo Qiu chuckled, “We’ll surely meet again if fate allows.”

Xitacil beamed, “Come, let me take you to a place.”