Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 84: Love
When Chi Yingxue dissipated the stationery effect, the epiphyte flower fell back to the ground and got squashed, suddenly turning into a charged twig.
All five of them saw this magical transformation and looked at each other in disbelief. Chi Yingxue, being the closest, stepped forward and bent down to pick it up.
His translucent fingers passed through the twig, catching nothing.
To this world, they seemed to have become intangible.
But their voices could still be heard, as Kuang Jinxin soon weakly reminded them, “Captain, the flowers are over there…”
Everyone turned to look. Cornina, who had fainted at some point, was sitting in a corner of the kitchen, with the epiphyte flowers lying quietly next to her on the ground.
They looked as if they had never been part of the battle, as pristine as if they had just been plucked from the tree, dew still clinging to their fragrant petals.
Xu Wang looked at the flowers, then back at the charred twig by the wall. Something suddenly flashed through his mind but eluded his grasp.
At that moment, the epiphyte flower emitted a faint blue light.
The light, no longer dim, grew stronger and brighter, illuminating the entire kitchen.
In the psychedelic colors, the epiphyte flower slowly transformed into a human figure.
He or she appeared to be sixteen or seventeen years old, with delicate features, clear eyes, skin so pale it was almost transparent, and a body lightly draped in cloth. The face was a mix of a boy’s and a girl’s, like an elf stepping out of a forest.
Bending down, it gently kissed Cornina on the forehead.
Its eyes were brimming with emotion, freely pouring out.
In the quiet blue light, everyone heard the whispering words of love—
“I remember that wonderful moment,
As before my eyes you appeared,
Like a vision, fleeting, momentary,
Like a spirit of the purest beauty,
…
Then to my soul an awakening came,
And there again your face appeared,
…
And my heart beat with a rapture new,
And for its sake arose again,
A godlike face, an inspiration,
And life, and tears, and love, and you.”
As the whisper faded, everyone left the illusion of the oil painting and returned to 1310.
The room was so quiet that it seemed as if the whispers were still echoing in their ears.
The secret door in the wall remained but was now silent, as Teacher Wei’s team had probably already moved on to the next part of the escape line, struggling somewhere in the Castle Hotel.
There was no more noise from Han Buting’s team in the hallway, and even the traces of the fight had faded, with only the charred black marks on the walls remaining distinct.
The luxurious canopy bed, with its dark green silk sheets, now held a cluster of light blue flowers.
Dark green and light blue, complementing each other beautifully.
“Those last words spoken by the epiphyte flower…” Xu Wang looked at Wu Sheng, asking out of curiosity, “Is it still a love poem?”
Wu Sheng nodded cleanly. “Still a love poem, still by Pushkin, 1825, ‘To Kern’*.”
*This poem was written by Pushkin for Anna Kern. There are various translations of it online.
Xu Wang: “You answered too quickly…”
Knowing some classic love poems was one thing, and he believed in Wu Sheng’s photographic memory, but this speed of retrieval without even a search…
“I spent some time specifically reading books on this topic,” Wu Sheng said, pausing for a few seconds. His gaze moved from Xu Wang’s face back to the epiphyte flower in the middle of the bed, finishing the sentence softly. “It left a deep impression.”
Xu Wang wondered if it was just his imagination, but in those few seconds of silent eye contact, it seemed like Wu Sheng was waiting for him to say something or give some sort of reaction.
But…
The only reaction he could think of was to complain about why on earth you would read love poems.
Does our advisor really want this?
“Whoosh—”
The dark green silk sheets suddenly ignited with a translucent flame, which quickly engulfed the epiphyte flower.
The fire was focused, not harming the sheets or the canopy, just burning the light blue flower.
The change happened too quickly for anyone to react, and the epiphyte flower was charred. The flame disappeared in an instant, like a claw hurrying back to its master.
But as it left, the remnants of the epiphyte flower turned into a small, charred twig, and the intact epiphyte flower reappeared next to it.
Just like the scene in the painting not long ago.
Even Qian Ai, slow as he was, understood. “The epiphyte flower was the substitute, and the 1829 braided girl was Cornina.’
Kuang Jinxin agreed. “The epiphyte flower used itself to deceive the evil spirit. Unable to escape, it could only confess through letters.’
‘It probably didn’t expect Cornina to come looking for it following the address.” Wu Sheng analyzed calmly. “Because once Cornina entered the Castle Hotel, she risked being discovered by the evil spirit.”
Xu Wang agreed with Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin, and Wu Sheng’s outline of the love story. From the experiences inside the painting and various clues, there couldn’t be a second script. But he felt something was missing…
Chi Yingxue listened quietly, without any disturbance in his heart. Compared to the NPC’s deep emotions, he was more concerned about: “What’s the mission?”
There should always be an endpoint to a mission line.
“Back to 1829.” Xu Wang gave up on pursuing those elusive feelings. He carefully picked up the epiphyte flower and looked at his companions. “We promised to help her find the person who wrote the love letter, and now we have the answer.”
The hallway was empty. They didn’t know where the other teams were fighting, but the five companions’ return journey was smooth. Before reaching their destination, they took a detour to check room 1825.
1825, the year of the love poem the epiphyte flower recited to Cornina—the beginning of this phase, when they followed the 1829 “I Once Loved You” to find the braided girl, thus truly starting the love story.
But the same trick didn’t work twice. There was nothing in 1825.
Just as they were about to leave, a loud “boom” came from outside the window, shaking it.
Startled, the five rushed to the window to see what was happening.
They saw a huge pit blasted open on the lawn of the Castle Hotel. The turf flew everywhere, revealing dark soil. Not far from the pit, three challengers were busily setting up new explosives, their faces glinting in the sun with the sheen of hard work.
On the other side, one person operated an excavator while another directed from outside. Under their skilled cooperation, the northeast corner of the lawn was also being destroyed, seemingly about to connect with the other pit.
Kuang Jinxin: “Are these five people a team?”
Wu Sheng: “Judging by their objectives, definitely a team.”
Qian Ai: “Working together to destroy the lawn, what kind of mission is this?”
Chi Yingxue: “……”
Xu Wang couldn’t figure it out either but was glad their team didn’t choose such a physically demanding task.
Ignoring all that, the five, carrying the epiphyte flower, quickly returned to 1829.
Cornina opened the door, but as they entered to tell her the truth, they found a familiar old man with gentle eyes sitting in a chair.
“Are you… here to save our progress?” Xu Wang couldn’t think of any other reason.
The polite elderly writer stood up but was no less surprised than them. “You know Nancy?”
Nancy, the name of the girl with the braids in this life.
“You know each other?” The girl with the braids looked at the five friends and then at the elderly writer, also startled.
The three parties exchanged glances, and the air suddenly became quiet.
Xu Wang and his team hadn’t mentioned the love story to the elderly writer at all, only asking about finding inspiration based on his identity as a writer, leading to legends and a save point. With just these, there was no reason for the writer to appear here.
Seeing that neither side spoke, the girl with the braids took on the role of a communicator, explaining to Xu Wang and his team. “I met Mr. Dokken in the banquet hall on my first day here. I’m his loyal fan!”
Then, to the elderly writer, she said, “Mr. Dokken, these are the people who kindly helped me find the letter sender.”
The elderly writer suddenly realized, returning to his kind smile. “So it was you who helped Nancy. How is the progress? Any clues?”
The five companions: “……”
Not just clues, they had the answer.
But just before reaching the end, suddenly having an audience, it all seemed like a conspiracy!
After a moment of silence, Captain Xu confirmed for the last time with the elderly writer—
“Can we save?”
“No.”
“Thank you.”
The five quickly gathered in a corner of the room.
Qian Ai decisively suggested, “Just tell the truth.”
Kuang Jinxin agreed, “Yeah, face the challenge as it comes!”
Wu Sheng shrugged. “I’ve always said, just go for it.”
Chi Yingxue smiled. “Don’t worry, we can always clear the field if needed.”
Xu Wang: “……”
If it weren’t for that last sentence, he would have been reassured!
Refusing to ponder over the meaning of “clearing the field”, Xu Wang, holding the epiphyte flower, approached the girl with the braids.
Taking a deep breath, he didn’t bother with any preambles and simply revealed the truth. “The letters are written by it.”
The girl with the braids and the elderly writer beside her were both stunned.
Just as Xu Wang was about to explain everything, a dark red shadow suddenly appeared on the wall behind the girl and the elderly writer.
Xu Wang’s heart sank. He had anticipated a final battle with the evil spirit, but he didn’t expect that a few words of truth would trigger the revenge of the evil spirit!
The epiphyte flower in his hand emitted a strong, blinding blue light.
“I finally… found you…”
The shadow turned into the evil spirit, howling and fiercely pouncing towards the girl’s back!
But the epiphyte flower transformed into a human figure, embracing the girl from behind at a faster speed!
The evil spirit hit the epiphyte flower, but a faint golden light suddenly emerged from the slender, frail back!
The evil spirit was forcefully repelled, letting out a painful, shrill scream.
The epiphyte flower, ready to be scorched by the flames of hell, was momentarily confused.
But the five onlookers saw clearly that the golden light came from the elderly writer’s cane!
Now, the cane in the writer’s hand had turned into a cross, and he held it up to the evil spirit. His entire demeanor changed, as if two figures were superimposed on one another, both like the original writer and like another person.
Xu Wang and Wu Sheng glanced at each other.
There was no mistake.
It was the priest they had heard about in the village, who Amy had confessed to.
“Amy, let go,” the writer said, still in the elderly man’s voice but now with the calmness and peace of a priest. “Cornina is not a witch, but the moment you harbored malicious intent, you became an evil spirit.”
“She used witchcraft to control those petals… I wanted to save the entire village…”
The elderly writer shook his head, saying no more and only repeating, “Let go.”
The evil spirit laughed wickedly. It sounded so evil that it sent shivers down everyone’s spines.
In the next instant, the walls of the entire room burst into flames!
In just a few seconds, the five friends could barely hold on!
The elderly writer sighed almost inaudibly, and the cross he held suddenly emitted an extremely bright golden light.
The flames were extinguished instantly.
The evil spirit twisted in agony, but in just a few seconds, it completely turned to ashes in the light.
The cross turned back into a cane, and the elderly writer now truly resembled a priest. He turned around, looking at the epiphyte flower still protecting the girl with the braids, then at the five friends, apologetically smiling. “I’m sorry, I should have done this back then.”
Wu Sheng, Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin, Chi Yingxue: “……”
Xu Wang: “Cough, better late than never.”
Turns out, the boss was here.
The girl with the braids finally saw the person protecting her.
As she began to speak in confusion, the epiphyte flower gently placed its palm on her forehead.
The girl with the braids peacefully fell asleep.
The epiphyte flower carried her to the bed and gently covered her with a blanket.
Xu Wang watched, baffled. After all the hardships, just when the moment to confess arrived, why pause now?
“I only said the letter was written by you, nothing else,” he hurriedly reminded, as a participant in this love story.
The epiphyte flower gently shook its head. “When she wakes up, she will forget what you said too.”
Xu Wang was stunned for a moment before understanding the implication, incredulously asking, “You erased her memory?!”
The epiphyte flower looked down at the sleeping girl with a tender gaze. “The evil spirit has dispersed, and she should return to her own life. There’s no need for her to remember the letter, nor me.”
Xu Wang: “…Are you content with this?”
A hint of confusion appeared in the eyes of the epiphyte flower, but soon, it was replaced by a clear resignation. “She doesn’t even know who I am. Her love was not for me, but for the illusion woven by those letters… just like me.”
Xu Wang: “……”
What realization is this? That it also didn’t love Cornina, but an illusion in its heart?
Is the ending of the love story to tell them that there is no such thing as love and fairy tales are all lies?
Then what is true love?!
The epiphyte flower quietly watched him for a long while.
Xu Wang almost thought the flower had heard his inner roar.
But in the end, the flower left him with an ambiguous statement—
“I have never truly been burned by the flames of hell.”
Before Xu Wang could ask further, the epiphyte flower returned to its original form, falling back into his palm.
Five people, one flower, two NPCs.
The world was quiet again.
There was no joyous “ding—”
Only the persistent “bang bang bang” of the excavator outside on the lawn.
Xu Wang, holding on to the last bit of hope, looked at the priest. “Can we submit our answer now?”
Priest: “No.”
Xu Wang: “Thank you.”
The five friends looked at each other, completely lost for direction.
Kuang Jinxin: “Haven’t we reached the end of the love story line?”
Qian Ai: “This is a bit awkward…”
Chi Yingxue: “Do I need to interrogate this priest?”
Wu Sheng: “……”
Xu Wang: “Xiao Chi, stay away from the old man’s cane. I’m afraid he might hit you.”
Finding a corner away from the noise of the window, Xu Wang sat on the carpet, lost in thought.
Qian Ai, seeing he was untangling the events of the past two days, asked Wu Sheng, “Aren’t you going to help think?”
Wu Sheng looked at him and suddenly asked, “Why did the epiphyte flower give up?”
Qian Ai scratched his head. “Didn’t it say the girl didn’t love it, but an illusion?”
Wu Sheng: “How did it come to that conclusion?”
Qian Ai: “……”
Wu Sheng: “Did the epiphyte flower truly love her?”
Qian Ai: “It should, right? Otherwise, how could it endure being a substitute and burned for life after life?”
Wu Sheng: “Then why did it say, ‘I have never truly been burned by the flames of hell’?”
Qian Ai: “……”
Wu Sheng: “……”
Qian Ai understood Wu Sheng’s mood. “It’s better to leave it to the captain to figure out such a confusing storyline.”
Wu Sheng: “Mm.”
Qian Ai: “Why did you choose this line in the first place?”
Wu Sheng: “Young and naive.”
Qian Ai: “…I forgive you on behalf of the moon.”
A few minutes later, the priest turned back into the elderly writer. Although confused about the situation, he decisively said goodbye, just as abruptly as last time, as if in a hurry to go back to collect his salary.
In the corner, Captain Xu took out a letter.
Not the ones given to them by the girl with the braids later, but the letter that guided them at the very beginning of the love line, with only one poem on it—”I Once Loved You”.
The love poem was not long but filled with sadness from beginning to end.
Especially the last two lines, “But may God bless you, and may someone else love you as I did,” were heart-wrenching.
For a while, Xu Wang thought this was the tone of the love story line—that they were about to experience a story of unrequited love and hopeless resignation.
But looking back now, the epiphyte flower indeed gave up, but without heartbreak. Instead, it was more open-minded and clear than when in love.
Even when in love, the letters it wrote to the girl with the braids were filled with passionate emotions, never showing a hint of discouragement or despair!
Xu Wang suddenly looked up. A few steps away, Kuang Jinxin and Chi Yingxue sat quietly, not sure how long they had been watching him.
“Any discoveries?” Kuang Jinxin, seeing the “epiphany” in his captain’s eyes, immediately asked with anticipation.
Xu Wang confidently said, “There’s another person.”
Kuang Jinxin was astonished.
Chi Yingxue, leaning on his hand, was initially indifferent, but Xu Wang’s conclusion suddenly piqued his interest.
“Another person?” His voice rose slightly, carrying a subtle anticipation. “Someone more difficult to deal with than the evil spirit?”
Xu Wang: “…There’s another heartbroken person who loved but couldn’t have it.”
Chi Yingxue paused, then smiled at Xu Wang. “Oh, that’s nice.”
“……” Xu Wang swore he just received a 😏 emoji.
Seeing that he seemed to have really figured something out, Advisor Wu and Classmate Qian, who were distant from love, immediately gathered around.
Wu Sheng asked the most practical question, “Evidence?”
Xu Wang lifted the letter in his hand. “This poem isn’t about the epiphyte flower. Its silent love for Cornina brought it happiness, not sorrow.”
Wu Sheng: “……”
Xu Wang: “Think about the poem it recited to Cornina in the painting. It said, ‘And my heart beat with a rapture new.’ Just being able to silently love her was enough to make it happy.”
Wu Sheng: “…Mm.”
Qian Ai: “Captain, actually, the advisor doesn’t understand, nor do I, but it’s okay. Continue.”
“Never truly burned by the flames of hell…” Kuang Jinxin muttered to himself, then suddenly, his eyes widened in realization, looking at Xu Wang. “There’s someone else protecting the epiphyte flower. That person is the real substitute!”
Xu Wang almost despaired in the bewildered gazes of Qian Ai, Wu Sheng, and Chi Yingxue, but now he almost wanted to hug Classmate Kuang and kiss him. “Exactly! Only those who can feel sadness, heartbreak, jealousy, and despair experience true love!”
Kuang Jinxin: “That’s why the epiphyte flower didn’t confess and also erased the girl’s memory!”
Xu Wang: “This whole ordeal wasn’t about their love story!”
Kuang Jinxin: “……”
Xu Wang: “……”
Together, they had an epiphany. “The twig!”
Wu Sheng, Qian Ai, and Chi Yingxue listening in silence: “……”
They might be more suited to digging holes in the lawn outside.
The author has something to say:
Ah, love, the little demon that grinds people down~~(～￣▽￣)～
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