Chapter 290

Chapter 290: The Figure in the Nightmare

Lou Yun still didn’t know the name of the middle-aged man he had just killed. However, he understood that Duan Wentian had obviously related the events to the old man, and this old man’s response amounted to an admission that he was Wen Zhi Lao Ren.

Lou Yun quickly nodded and bowed in respect. "Senior must be Wen Zhi Lao Ren. I am Lou Yun. I’ve come to seek your guidance."

The old man appeared quite pleased with Lou Yun’s courtesy. Stroking his beard, he smiled and nodded. "Indeed, I am Wen Zhi Lao Ren. You’re called Lou Yun? Your cultivation seems rather impressive—to have slain that old ghost Song. I’ve long wished to kill him myself, yet lacked the strength to act. Now, you’ve rid the Great Snowfield of a scourge and saved Xiao Tian. Good, very good! Truly satisfying!"

Lou Yun had already discerned through his spiritual sense that despite Wen Zhi Lao Ren’s formidable reputation, his magical weapon realm barely reached the Earth level. Though he could barely qualify as an expert, slaying a Heavenly level magical weapons master would indeed be immensely difficult.

Moreover, from the old man’s words, Lou Yun deduced what Duan Wentian later wrote on paper about his origins must be true!

Wen Zhi Lao Ren and Duan Wentian clearly knew each other, and their relationship seemed favorable—otherwise Duan Wentian could not have summoned Wen Zhi Lao Ren with his bamboo whistle, nor would the old man understand sign language.

Wen Zhi Lao Ren likely knew Duan Wentian’s background and favored the boy. Though he might have considered rescuing him from old ghost Song’s clutches, inadequate cultivation prevented it. Thus, learning Lou Yun had killed old ghost Song brought him visible joy.

However, Lou Yun found it puzzling: if Wen Zhi Lao Ren knew about Duan Wentian, he surely knew of old ghost Song’s vile deeds. Why did he do nothing? Even if weaker, he could have sought help to stop the cruelty!

Of course, Lou Yun didn’t know that in the entire Great Snowfield, most reclusive dwellers adhered to "sweeping only snow from one’s own doorstep"—no one meddled in others’ troubles unless personally provoked. They avoided unnecessary trouble entirely. Kill whom you will, deceive whom you wish—it mattered not!

Lou Yun offered modest replies, but an idea suddenly struck him. "Senior Wen, though I’ve rescued Duan Wentian, pressing matters prevent me from returning him home now. You seem fond of him. Might he stay with you temporarily? I shall come back to fetch him once my affairs are settled. Would that suit you?"

Wen Zhi Lao Ren paused in surprise, then broke into a delighted grin. "I’ve no objection! Only, who knows if Xiao Tian would willingly linger with this old wreck?"

Both turned to Duan Wentian, who responded with a beaming nod.

Lou Yun exhaled a long breath of relief. The matter of Duan Wentian had finally reached a favorable resolution!

Only then did Wen Zhi Lao Ren recall Lou Yun’s request. Chagrined by his earlier distraction, he hastily added, "Young man, why not visit my abode briefly?"

Normally, Lou Yun would seize any chance to converse with Spirit Weapon Star’s greatest repository of knowledge. Yet, his urgency to find his second brother forced him to politely decline.

A man of broad experience, Wen Zhi Lao Ren saw Lou Yun’s pressing need and spared no insistence. "Very well. Truthfully, my seclusion aimed to cease answering queries. Still, today you saved Xiao Tian… and you seem strangely familiar to me. We share a certain connection. So I shall make an exception. What question burns within you?"

Lou Yun stifled inward laughter. Familiar? Surely because you’ve seen my second uncle, not me—though we do resemble each other.

Dispensing any mention of his second uncle, Lou Yun went straight to the point. "I wished to inquire about a name. Logically, it should denote a place. Yet, despite asking many, no one recognized it. Now I cannot even ascertain if it refers to a location, or something else entirely."

"Hmm, speak it. What name?"

"Thousand Layer Cave."

The moment Lou Yun uttered those three words, Wen Zhi Lao Ren’s smiling expression vanished. His brows knotted instantly, gaze turning frigid as if another person faced Lou Yun. "Where did you hear that name?"

Not unperceptive, Lou Yun noted the old man’s abrupt shift. Though bewildered by such intensity, half the weight in his heart lifted—Wen Zhi Lao Ren absolutely knew the meaning behind "Thousand Layer Cave"!

"My second brother entrusted it to his steward before departing."

The cold stare remained unbroken. "Who is this second brother of yours?"

Lou Yun hesitated before answering. "My second brother is Beichen Ming."

"Beichen Ming?" Wen Zhi Lao Ren froze momentarily, then laughed uproariously. "Bold lad! Picking someone fitting for your tall tales, were you? Spouting nonsense before me just courts trouble! How could Beichen Ming possibly be your second brother? Hahaha!"

Lou Yun watched him calmly until the laughter spent itself. Only then did he lift his hand, revealing the ice crystal jade weapon before the old man’s eyes. "Second brother gave this to me personally. I believe you recognize it?"

Staring at the ice crystal jade weapon, Wen Zhi Lao Ren gaped in disbelief. After a long pause, words fell out haltingly. "You… you truly are… Beichen Ming’s… brother?"

"Indeed. We’re bonded brothers." Retracting the weapon, Lou Yu pressed forth. "Senior Wen, circumstances kept me from second brother’s side. Recently returned, I learned he left home three months ago—speaking just ‘Thousand Layer Cave’ as explanation and saying if he didn’t return in half a year, not to wait. Half that time has already passed without word. As his brother, I must find him and bring him back safely. This concerns second brother’s life. I implore you: tell me everything you know about ‘Thousand Layer Cave’ in detail!"

Beholding Beichen Ming’s ever-present ice crystal jade weapon erased Wen Zhi Lao Ren’s doubt about Lou Yun’s claim. Yet he offered no immediate reply, his gaze drifting into the far distance.

Lou Yun dared not disturb the old man. Duan Wentian maintained total silence beside them.

At length, Wen Zhi Lao Ren finally spoke. "‘Thousand Layer Cave’—it can both be considered a place name… and yet cannot."

This ambiguous statement only deepened Lou Yun’s confusion, but he waited patiently for the answer.

Instead of explaining, Wen Zhi Lao Ren turned suddenly. "Have you heard of Gui You Quan?"

Gui You Quan!

Those three syllables caused Lou Yun to shudder involuntarily. He nodded. "I have."

Gui You Quan. Truly living up to his name—like some ghost emerging from the depths of the Yellow Springs, cloaked in mystique! None knew his origins, his lineage, or his past. These things were entirely unknowable.

Roughly thirty years ago, he appeared suddenly upon Spirit Weapon Star: possessed of terrifying, unfathomable cultivation. His nature proved bloodthirsty and merciless; he slaughtered all encountered, and in the most brutal fashions.

Even Leng Cangqiong, the White-haired God of Death—known for cold arrogance and eccentric dominance—stood no comparison. At least Leng Cangqiong spared ordinary folk. Gui You Quan did not. Wherever he walked, blood drenched the earth; corpses lay strewn. Whether commoner or magical weapons master—encountering Gui You Quan meant your death warrant stood signed.

Terror seized the entire populace of Spirit Weapon Star. The very name Gui You Quan sent cowards pissing themselves. In those days, the planet was engulfed entirely in the shadow of horror he cast.

If naming Spirit Weapon Star’s most renowned historical figure, he might not qualify. But its most infamous? Absolutely Gui You Quan—without peer!

Yet, exactly one year after his rampage began, Gui You Quan vanished without a trace. The palpable dread he instilled lingered for years after. So terrifying was his name, most deliberately excised it and all related memories from their minds.

They preferred believing Gui You Quan existed only as a figure within their darkest nightmares!

Thus, younger generations largely remained ignorant of his name. Lou Yun knew solely through voracious reading—certain chroniclers had recorded Gui You Quan’s deeds in obscure texts.

At the time, Lou Yun brimmed with curiosity and questioned his father. Enraged, his father burned every book referencing Gui You Quan before Lou Yun’s eyes and sternly commanded him to forget that name.

Exactly this fanned Lou Yun’s fixation. Determined, he unearthed a text detailing Gui You Quan’s reign—finally grasping his father’s command to obliterate all memory.

Wen Zhi Lao Ren seemed startled Lou Yun recognized the name, yet pressed on. "Then do you know his fate?"

Lou Yun reflected. "Though concrete proof of death remains elusive, given his bloodlust and savagery, prolonged seclusion seems unlikely. Thus, I believe he perished."

Wen Zhi Lao Ren chuckled. "For one so young, your analysis shows remarkable detail. Yet, regrettably—you’re mistaken!"

"Mistaken?" Lou Yun gaped. "Do you imply Gui You Quan still lives?"

"Indeed. He did not die!"