The cloudless sky stretched over thousands of miles, perfect for the journey. The sea was calm, and the ship sailed smoothly. Cang Yan knew this was all thanks to his older brother, Cang Hai. Whenever he looked at the sea, Cang Yan couldn't help but feel envious. As the Deputy to the Water Clergy, he had only mastered 'Shapeshifting' like his brother, Cang Hai. Although he had honed his skills in shapeshifting and swordsmanship to lead the assassination squad, it was far from the abilities of the Great Water Clergy.
One day, he hoped to control everything made of water: rivers, oceans, ice, snow, and so on.
Since he was very young, Cang Yan had always looked up to his older brother. He dreamed that one day he could be like him. Looking at his brother's gentle features, he had once vowed to succeed just like him. But as time passed, the voice of self-doubt never faded away. Cang Yan turned his head to the side, staring at the sea's surface, trying to focus his mind. He hoped the sea breeze would smooth away his troubled expression, but the wind only played with the neatly tied ponytail of Cang Yan's hair.
The warship slowly approached Time Island, where the Wind Clergy, along with their extended families, known collectively as the 'Wind Listeners,' had been imprisoned for generations.
The name 'Wind Listeners' originated from their basic ability — 'Wind Listening.' They could interpret messages from the wind and convey information to other Wind Listeners. Those with greater skill could manipulate air and wind, some even rumored to be capable of inducing instantaneous suffocation. During their active periods, they used to often carried out assassination missions for the Mu family. After the Wind Clergy was removed, the current assassination squads were led by the Water Clergy's specialty, 'Thousand Faces,' who specialize in disguise. However, even now, the legendary 'Void Art' of the Wind Listeners still kept those in power on edge.
For the past hundred years, the Wind Listeners have been exclusively women, and in this day and age, women are considered unlucky. The Wind Listeners have consistently given birth only to daughters, making it highly likely that one of them could bring about the end of the world. The role of a Clergy is considered close to the political center, and the late Emperor Mu Ran decided that since all five Clergys under the God of Light's throne must be present, though one of them would forever be absent from the rituals...
"After being imprisoned for a hundred years, aren't the Wind Listeners all mad by now? The elderly are slaughtered... forced into prostitution... pregnant women... It's hard to imagine they could live normally in that hell." Cang Hai was busy with his tasks at hand. Cang Yan asked Sheng Hua beside him who was often quiet in nature, though he didn't expect a response, preparing himself for a monologue.
"Perhaps the Wind Listeners are all people like Jing Yan," Sheng Hua replied calmly, surprising Cang Yan with his unexpected response.
Cold-hearted and icy to the core.
Although there haven't been any celestial signs indicating that the Wind Clergy and her successors are still alive, if the mysterious woman is indeed alive, wouldn't she be just like Jing Yan? In reality, she's over a hundred years old? Older than his brother?
"Everyone, we're here," came Cang Hai's voice from behind. Everyone on the ship felt as if the vessel had been lifted and gently set down again. The flow of water slowed down, as if they were sailing on a lake. Thanks to Cang Hai's guidance, the process of docking went smoothly.
The scenery gradually came into view. The island of Time was even smaller than expected, resembling a floating giant sea turtle from a distance. As the warship approached, there was no one on the shore. Originally, this island was just a fragment under the division of the Western land, Xining, with a small hinterland. Cang Yan thought to himself that this place was indeed strategically located, a natural barrier concealing a group of cursed individuals for generations.
The first generation of Clergy who deciphered the prophecy certainly didn't expect that their final resting place would imprison the Wind Listeners mentioned in the prophecy they unraveled.
As the group approached Time Island in a small boat, soldiers busied themselves securing the vessel upon reaching the shore. Meanwhile, Cang Hai and the other two proceeded forward along a wooden bridge. Beyond the sandy beach lay a stretch of shade, with no signs of human presence. Along the way, the three observed for any signs of movement but only saw their own footprints left behind. Cang Hai glanced back at Cang Yan and signaled with his eyes. Cang Yan immediately placed his right hand on his sword hilt, remaining vigilant.
Leading the army, the trio traversed the thick foliage, it appeared to have been neglected for quite some time. Cang Hai drew his sword to cut through the overgrown branches and leaves, while behind him, Sheng Hua remained silent, using his subtle abilities. Soon, the sound of branches colliding and breaking echoed through the woods. In an instant, a path opened before Cang Hai, seemingly guided and fenced off, leading them forward.
Cang Yan turned back and cast an admiring glance, but it was uncertain whether Sheng Hua noticed, as he consistently kept his head down, his hat brim low, and his face obscured by a shadow.
Since landing on the island, the three of them had maintained silence, sharing an unspoken agreement. They didn't want to risk alerting the Wind Listeners with even the slightest sound.
Guided by the tree enclosure, the group arrived at the tribe of the Wind Listeners, where most of them resided. The majority of the houses were constructed from wood, and despite the scarcity of materials used a century ago, the buildings themselves appeared well-maintained. However, despite the appearance of recent upkeep, there was no sign of any inhabitants. Some homes still had rotting food and vegetables on the table, as if they had been abruptly abandoned. Several other small houses were in a similar state. Cang Yan asked with mouthed words, "Doesn't it seem like... all the Wind Listeners have disappeared?"
"Not possible, what Jing Yan said can't be wrong," replied Cang Hai with lip movements, and with the absence of any celestial signs, this answer was further confirmed—the Wind Clergy Suo Suo or her successor was still alive.
Hearing this, Cang Yan felt a sourness in his heart and sighed, 'It's Jing Yan again.' He couldn't help but despise the people around his brother, the most hated person in his life. Yet he himself had to follow his orders, what kind of twisted fate was this? Cang Yan rolled his eyes internally countless times, the Fire Clergy Jing Yan had long made his brother suffer greatly, causing him immense pain and agony... Cang Yan had witnessed it all, yet his brother still obeyed Jing Yan's commands, not out of the reverence for the High Clergy, but out of something more inexplicable.
Admiration.
His brother, Cang Hai, adored Jing Yan.
After passing through the cluster of buildings, the three came upon a small hill, with a forest extending in front of it. At the foot of the hill stood the most prominent structure—a magnificent stone temple. Meanwhile, the soldiers dispersed to search through the nearby woods.
The grand purple lacquered doors of the stone temple were partially ajar. Cang Hai pushed them open, revealing the opulent interior entirely crafted from stone. The trio couldn't help but marvel at how much time it must have taken to construct such a temple. It lacked only a touch of golden brilliance to rival the palaces of Nan Yun. Upon the large stone throne in the main hall sat a statue, almost reclining rather than sitting upright like the other conventional statues. This figure, draped over the chair like a soft-bodied creature, had disheveled and lengthy gray-white hair cascading several feet, appearing as though it had grown over the span of nearly a century, presenting a rather eerie sight.
Beneath the steps of the stone throne were three stone coffins, each already covered with lids. On top of these lids lay three freshly offered red flowers. Cang Hai picked up one of them, noticing that the petals still held droplets of water. He gestured with his lips, saying, "Looks like we arrived here a bit late."
"It's not just a bit late, it's much too late," spoke the feeble voice of a woman from the statue on the stone throne.
Cang Hai and Cang Yan immediately stepped back agilely, drawing their swords and assuming defensive positions towards the speaking stone statue. Before their eyes, the statue slowly sat up.
It was a person, one who seemed as dead as ash.
The gray figure slowly turned its head, its disheveled long hair almost covering the purple robe and the left eye. Its hollow right eye gazed down at the three stone coffins as it spoke slowly, "Seven days ago, I placed my two beloved disciples and my own daughter inside these coffins."
Her complexion had long died and her face was a haggard grey it was no other than the Wind Clergy, her tone indifferent, as if the lives of those three were as insignificant as ants, easily snuffed out with a flick of her fingers. Her hair, several tens of feet long, obscured her face, but one could vaguely glimpse the frightening wrinkles, shadows, and traces of her 160-plus years, blending her complexion with the color of her hair, the background of the stone throne, all in the same grayish-white hue. If Suo Suo were to vanish into thin air the next moment, it wouldn't be surprising at all.
"You've gone mad... How could you do such a thing?" Cang Yan pointed his sword at Suo Suo, implying two things: his anger at her for severing the bloodline of the Wind Listeners and self-defense. He didn't want Suo Suo to use air manipulation to suffocate him and shatter his spirit.
Suo Suo smiled grimly. "Who's the one mad here?... Entrusting them to you lot is madness... Who doesn't know what you intend to do? Keeping them imprisoned for a lifetime, monitoring them, just to maintain your facade as Wind Clergymen, so you can continue obeying that psychologically twisted God's orders? Hmph, the prophecy didn't shatter because the Four Clergys severed their bloodlines; it was the descendants of the God of Light who severed their bloodlines that caused the prophecy to shatter." Suo Suo laughed uproariously, her laughter sounding more like that of a young girl than someone over a hundred years old, sending chills down one's spine like the tinkling of silver bells.
"What's wrong? Do you think I don't know what you're like? Oh, the things I've heard the wind by Jing Yan's side whisper to me. Would you like to know?" Suo Suo cackled.
"What have you done to Jing Yan?" Although the anger in Cang Hai's eyes was concealed, it burned as fiercely as if he wanted to incinerate Suo Suo. He, who was known for his calm and composure, could easily lose his cool when it came to matters related to Jing Yan. Despite still wearing a gentle expression, his inner turmoil was palpable. Cang Yan had observed him countless times, his gestures, his expressions—Cang Yan knew them all too well.
Suo Suo met Cang Hai's gaze directly, her empty eyes suddenly turning serene. Cang Yan thought he might be mistaken, but Suo Suo's gaze seemed to reflect that of an old friend being reunited. She smiled gently. "I just want it to end." Suo Suo looked down at the three stone coffins. "You don't want what's necessary, and you need what you don't want... I've decided to stop here. The fate of the Wind Listeners will no longer be manipulated by the Mu clan."
With a final chuckle, Suo Suo laughed aloud, her laughter dripping with sarcasm. "The God of Light is really nothing but a hoax by Jing Yan. Only you all believe without a doubt that His will is Jing Yan's will. Hahaha! Don't you think it's riduculous?"
"You're full of shit! 'The Queen of Annihilation,' I think that's you, isn't it?" Cang Yan abruptly swung his sword forward, intending to take down Suo Suo himself. He knew his brother's cautious nature well; this mission wasn't about capturing Suo Suo. As the leader, if he took action he would be held accountable. So, Cang Yan chose to take the responsibility himself.
As Cang Yan approached, he saw Suo Suo give a sinister smile. Suddenly, a fierce wind swept up, like blades, sending him flying. Instantly, his entire body ached, his organs pressing against each other. The gust pinned him against the wall, despite his armor. Though protected, the force of the wind pressed heavily against Cang Yan.
"His Highness the Crown Prince was only twelve years old when he allowed you to be promoted to the captain of the assassination team. It seems his vision was indeed short-sighted. With your impulsive personality, what tasks can you handle?" Suo Suo remarked. "You don't need to act; I'm already dying. Once I'm gone, the Wind Listeners may truly perish." With that said, Suo Suo released Cang Yan. However, as soon as Cang Yan's feet touched the ground, he immediately raised his sword again towards Suo Suo, spitting out blood onto the ground.
"...My two disciples and my daughter are all extremely resilient individuals. I couldn't bring myself to end their lives. Seven days ago, I placed them in the stone coffins... If the God of Light truly exists, let Him decide their fates," Suo Suo said, lifting her face and meeting the gentle and handsome gaze of Cang Hai. It was the only time the three of them had a clear view of Suo Suo's face. The gray face, filled with wrinkles and strands of hair, now seemed to regain its youthful appearance. The lifeless complexion now bore a pair of shining eyes, with smooth skin devoid of wrinkles or signs of illness.
A glimmer of life returned.