As their final day in the capital approached, the group gathered for a heartfelt farewell before embarking on their separate journeys. LingJie, brimming with excitement, expressed his desire to learn the magic of teleportation, eager to emulate the cool feat he'd witnessed.
Minghao added, "It's clear that he's having the time of his life here."
With a curious edge to his voice, LingJie posed a question to Shushin, "You mentioned that each member of the royal family is born with a unique skill and a specific magic. Who was the individual born with the ability to move through places? I can't help but feel intrigued."
Shushin, her facial expression tinged with amusement, replied, "How on earth would I know?"
She continued, her tone slightly exasperated, "The person must be older than my great-grandfather. If my memory serves me correctly, there's a book within the collection that chronicles the royal families that have ruled the capital for millennia, each entry detailing their distinctive skill and the magic they manifested with it."
The mention of the ancient tome that documented the skills and magics of the royal families sparked a spark of curiosity within LingJie.
He contemplated the wealth of knowledge that lay within those pages, each entry offering a glimpse into the history of the capital's rule and the unique talents that had shaped its past.
LingJie, his eagerness palpable, inched closer to Shushin, unable to contain his excitement and curiosity. "Can I...?" he asked, the question hanging in the air.
Shushin, her voice lowered, responded, "Don't be so upfront; people will think you're a spy. The book has been around for thousands of years, making it futile to track down the individual behind the magic."
Tianyang chimed in, a playful smirk on his face, "You, on the other hand, seem more like a spy. You've said too much. If your uncle catches wind of this, your days are numbered."
In response to Eugene's query, Shushin explained, "Everyone may use magic, but not everyone has virtuous intentions. Some individuals misuse magic for malevolent purposes. Thus, information about our special skills as members of the royal lineage is concealed to protect us, as it is dangerous and can be exploited. While our talents are inevitably discovered, we refrain from leaving evidence behind that future generations can utilize against us."
She continued pointedly, "Consider, for instance, Churan, who abused the Heaven's magic, which was my mother's magic"
A sense of intrigue filled the room as Minghao voiced his skepticism, "How could she know all this?"
Shushin, her tone mysterious, continued, "It's not just that. We previously believed that the killers hailed from the Magic Kingdom, but subsequent revelations have debunked that theory. This indicates that they originated from another place, and it seems apparent that she is their boss."
Eugene chimed in, "But it's just a forest. How can someone claim ownership of such a place, especially with a military presence? It's even implausible to enlist any locals or foreigners in their ranks."
Shushin nodded in agreement, "Precisely. And it's crucial to emphasize that this magic is forbidden. Anyone attempting to learn it faces severe consequences. My mother taught me and my brother this magic when we were young."
Shushin suddenly fell silent, her expression growing pensive, as if contemplating something profound. After a moment of reflection, she spoke, her words laced with intrigue, "Hao Ran is close to Minghao, Minghao is close to Lingjie, Lingjie is close to Ziyi, Ziyi is close to Eugene, and Eugene is close to Churan."
The others stared at her, puzzled by her words. Eugene, clearly disoriented and baffled, exclaimed, "What are you saying?!"
Ziyi took a deep breath and then said while looking at her: "Maybe, do you mean that they know each other?"
"Think about it, my brother knows magic, especially my mother's magic well, and he can find a place for her in the forest and he can bring soldiers for her as well, she spends her time in her room and he can easily move to her room, isn't it strange that they don't know each other and yet she tries to kill him? I just feel like all this time we didn't really know anything, maybe I'm overestimating myself and overlooking the truth."
Minghao said: "I feel as if whenever we feel that we have arrived, we are still at the same point."
Lingjie: "Your words are convincing, but based on your words, he wouldn't do such dangerous things to someone he hates? So there must have been a deep relationship that brought them together and they ended up becoming enemies."
Minghao replied while rubbing his hair vigorously: "But no, maybe they are both together, because of his injury he could hide completely, so she helped him."
Ziyi's voice quivered with emotion as she confessed, "My sister endured solitude since our mother's passing. I thought it was mere sorrow and heartache, but her gaze haunted me. She was no longer the wide-eyed, curious girl who wandered the house, filled with smiles. She rarely left her quarters unless Father implored her. Instead, her eyes held a murderous glare."
Shushin's eyes widened in realization. "That explains your perplexed looks at me that day. You must have been taken aback and frightened by your sister's abrupt transformation."
Ziyi cast her gaze onto Shushin's eyes, her words coming from a place of deep concern. "I saw those eyes," she said adamantly, "and they revealed much. They never deceive. When I observed your eyes back then, they were filled with mirth. My sister, even during her most joyous moments, never donned such a radiant smile. I harbored suspicions for a lengthy time that you were not my sister, yet I opted instead to set aside those thoughts, treating you kindly, desperately hoping that my little sister had found a glimmer of happiness in her life."
Shushin's tone grew serious as she questioned, "Your sister transformed completely after your mother's death, right? I apologize for the inquiry, but what led to her demise?"
Eugene replied, his lips curving into a sad smile as he attempted to conceal his sorrow, "The royal doctor declared she fell ill to a terminal disease and had little time to live."
Shock flickered across Shushin's face as Eugene completed his explanation, her eyes widening in surprise. "What? The royal doctor?"
Ziyi, sensing Shushin's agitation, inquired, "What's wrong?"
Shushin, deep in thought, contemplated the information she had just learned. "What if," she mused, "just what if we have been mistaken all along? Perhaps Churan did not indiscriminately kill to cover up something significant. Perhaps her motives were not fueled by greed for my body. Could it be that all this time, she was exacting revenge?"
The room fell eerily silent as Shushin's words hung in the air, like a dark cloud casting a shadow over their previous assumptions. The revelation brought a new element of complexity and dread to their situation, as they considered the possibility that they had misjudged the true motives of Churan all along.
Eugene's face was a mask of surprise, as he exclaimed, "Are you suggesting that she was seeking revenge on someone in particular? But who could it be?"
Minghao's voice took on a tone of anger as he answered, "The royal family."
Eugene's frown deepened, "The king, the crown prince, the crown prince sister, the people of the capital. What significant event could have triggered such madness?"
Shushin interjected, "I'll look into it, but I believe the king is the reason why she did this."
Lingjie's voice filled the room as he mused, "You've stated that we're all connected to the king in some way or another. We've made many discoveries thus far, but we still haven't determined which misfortunes were Hao Ran's doing and which ones were Churan's. Everything we've assumed, and why Nana intervened – even after this accursed king's death, he continues to haunt us."
Shushin's voice was tinged with a touch of sadness as she pondered aloud, "Although death may come easily on earth, it's quite difficult to die in memory."
The room was engulfed in a heavy silence as the weight of Shushin's words settled upon them. The realization that the king's memory continued to follow them, even in death, was a chilling thought. The group pondered Lingjie's words, aware that there were still many unanswered questions and doubts. As they grappled with this unsettling reality, the mystery surrounding their relationships with the king grew even more complex and shrouded in enigma.
Ziyi moved closer to Shushin, holding her hands and smiling with sincerity, "I thought I knew everything at my age, but after meeting you, I realized that my life pales in comparison to the future opportunities that lay ahead. Thank you for bringing me here and giving me a chance to start afresh. I will always be thankful for the opportunity you provided."
Shushin gently placed her hands on top of Ziyi's, her voice filled with gratitude, "You don't need to express your gratitude. You are helping me just by being here. Your homeland has become unsafe because of me, and for that, I feel deeply sorry…" Shushin's voice trailed off, her expression reflecting the weight of responsibility and regret.
Ziyi squeezed Shushin's hands gently, offering a reassuring squeeze. "You don't need to bear the burden of blame alone. We're in this together."
Shushin's eyes searched Ziyi's, grateful for her comforting words. "Your kindness, your resilience, it's more than I deserve," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of humility and affection.
Ziyi smiled warmly, her own eyes sparkling with determination. "That's where you're wrong," she replied, her voice firm yet tender. "You've given us purpose, a chance to fix what's broken. You've also given me the gift of discovering a new future, and for that, I will always be in your debt."
Eugene stepped closer, placing a firm hand on Shushin's shoulder. His voice held a mixture of determination and warmth as he spoke, "Do not be sorry. We are all responsible for our own decisions and desires that brought us here. We have grown together, and today, it's time to truly grow up. I've told you before that letting go of the past is a necessary step towards maturity. Today, it's my turn to lead by example."
Shushin's expression grew into a warm, content smile. She spoke softly, her voice filled with a mix of optimism and reassurance: "When you arrive, you will each be welcomed by a guard who will become your protector and help for you. The passage of time here is different from what you are used to. Instead of months in a year, time stretches out, making our lives longer and the decisions we make all the more significant. I can't say when we will meet again – it could be next year or even a century from now – but no matter how much time passes we will remain friends, united in facing any adversity that comes Our way.".
Shushin's words echoed with a deep sincerity, as if she were etching a promise into the very fabric of time itself.
Minghao stepped forward, his voice tinged with melancholy as he spoke with obvious reluctance to part ways. "Are you truly going to be okay?"
Shushin met his gaze, her own features reflecting a mixture of determination and resolve. "Yes," she replied, her voice strong and resolute. "I have many, many important things ahead of me, so I cannot give up hope. When I visit your cities, I will make sure to seek you out. And if ever trouble arises or someone needs aid, just send me a message, and I will come without hesitation."
Their eyes met, communicating a silent understanding that words couldn't express. The weight of their connection hung heavy in the air, and the knowledge of the journey they were about to embark on only heightened their emotions.
Shushin could sense Minghao's concern and knew that assuring him of her well-being was crucial. "I promise I'll be alright," she said, her voice steady and reassuring. "I won't give up, no matter what challenges lie ahead."
Tianyang chuckled, feigning annoyance. "Well, if you're finally done saying your goodbyes, I'll open a gate between this room and the shop in every city," he said, a playful edge to his voice. "Since your body is not used to it, you will pass out immediately, but don't worry, you will be fine."
Lingjie chimed in with a smirk, "What a mood killer."
Tianyang retorted, his tone teasing, "Ha-ha-ha, I've been taking it easy on you lately, but you treat me like a personal slave, I swear I'll never forget this."
Shushin rolled her eyes and gently smacked him on the back of the head. "Just open the gateway and cut the chatter," she said, her tone both exasperated and affectionate.
With a mock pout on his face, Tianyang chuckled. "Alright, alright, I'll do it." He focused his energy on creating the gateways, muttering playful complaints under his breath.
Once the gateways were ready, the air in the room rippled as the magical portals manifested, connecting the shop in each city. Seeing this, Lingjie quipped, "Well, that was a speedy goodbye."
Shushin shot him a wry smile, her eyes filled with both anticipation and a hint of reluctance. "Seems like it," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. "Looks like it's time for us to embark on our separate journeys."