At 3 PM, Chen Yang, Qin Moyao, and Huang Xiong boarded a military aircraft to search the area where Cheng Jianhua had fallen off the cliff. Chen Yang feared that his oversight and fixed mindset might have allowed Cheng Jianhua to escape. For instance, Chen Yang believed the Sect Founder's words that Cheng Jianhua's fate wasn't sealed, so he might have unconsciously given up the search, inadvertently letting Cheng Jianhua survive.
Chen Yang was a cautious person and wouldn't make such a mistake.
The aircraft flew directly to the bottom of the cliff, where there was a deep pool surrounded by jagged rocks.
Mist shrouded the middle of the cliff face, making it impossible to see the bottom from above.
Chen Yang and his group couldn't find Cheng Jianhua at the cliff base - no sign of him alive or dead.
Chen Yang realized that Cheng Jianhua must have indeed survived.
At the time, Cheng Jianhua's decision to sabotage the helicopter at the right moment might have been calculated, knowing there was a deep pool below to cushion his fall.
However, Chen Yang found it puzzling. Cheng Jianhua's legs were crippled, and the cliff was so steep that even Chen Yang couldn't climb it. How could Cheng Jianhua have managed?
It seemed impossible.
"What are you thinking about?" Qin Moyao asked, noticing Chen Yang's contemplative look.
Chen Yang glanced at the deep pool ahead and said, "Cheng Jianhua must still be alive. Do you think there might be some hidden realm within this pool?"
Qin Moyao replied, "How can you be so sure he's not dead? Maybe some strange fish or monster in the pool ate him?"
Chen Yang shook his head and said, "Moyao, don't you understand? The Xuanyi Sect members are all experts in fate and mystical arts. The Sect Founder said Cheng Jianhua's time hadn't come yet, and now we can't find his body. How could he possibly be dead?"
"If his time hasn't come, I don't think there's much you can do about it now, no matter how hard you try," Qin Moyao suddenly remarked.
Chen Yang responded, "It's not that simple. Everyone dies eventually, but we can't just do nothing because death is the ultimate end. Perhaps, with effort, we can change fate."
Qin Moyao asked, "Since Cheng Jianhua's legs are crippled, he shouldn't pose much of a threat anymore. Why do you seem so afraid of him?"
Chen Yang rubbed his nose and said, "Cheng Jianhua's danger doesn't lie in his physical abilities, but in his mind and cunning." He paused, then continued, "If you don't pull out the roots when you cut the grass, it will grow back with the spring wind. We've become mortal enemies, and even if he can't get to me in the future, he could target those close to me. So, I can't leave him any way out."
In reality, Chen Yang was also a bit unnerved. He had thoroughly beaten and humiliated Cheng Jianhua in the alchemy room.
Cheng Jianhua's expression had been cold at the time. Moreover, when jumping from the aircraft, he had said something about enduring as long as the mountains and rivers.
Even the smallest nail can hurt your foot. How much more so someone like Cheng Jianhua?
So as long as Cheng Jianhua lived, Chen Yang couldn't help feeling uneasy.
"I'll go down and take a look," Chen Yang said to Qin Moyao and Huang Xiong. He quickly stripped off his outer clothes, leaving only his boxers, and grabbed a revolver before diving into the deep pool.
The pool was as still as an ancient well. When Chen Yang jumped in, it erupted in a spray of water, sending ripples across the surface.
Chen Yang took a deep breath before plunging in, and as soon as he entered the water, he shivered from the cold.
Despite the hot weather, the pool water was surprisingly frigid.
Chen Yang swam straight down!
The deeper he went, the more his heart sank. The water was so deep that Cheng Jianhua couldn't have died from the fall.
If the pool had been shallow, there might have been a chance for Cheng Jianhua to die in it.
Chen Yang descended a full thirty meters, finding himself in what seemed like an underwater world, vast and filled with seaweed.
By this point, Chen Yang was running out of air. If he went any deeper, he risked drowning. He hadn't seen any sign of Cheng Jianhua's remains.
Suddenly, a sense of danger washed over him.
Chen Yang turned to see a giant python lunging at him with its mouth wide open.
Remaining calm, Chen Yang waited until the python was close before firing three shots from his revolver. All three bullets entered the python's mouth, and soon the water turned red as the creature died.
Without further delay, Chen Yang swam back to the surface.
A minute later, Chen Yang broke the surface. Huang Xiong quickly pulled him ashore, and Chen Yang hurriedly put his clothes back on.
"How was it?" Qin Moyao asked eagerly.
Chen Yang shook his head and said, "It's very deep down there. I didn't find anything. It's really strange - could there be some kind of mythical realm inside?"
"What should we do next?" Qin Moyao asked.
Chen Yang sighed in frustration and said, "Let's go."
The military aircraft soon took off, carrying Chen Yang, Huang Xiong, and Qin Moyao away.
By 5 PM, Chen Yang and Qin Moyao were on a private jet heading back to Binhai City, courtesy of the Binhai Military Region.
Chen Yang and Qin Moyao had naturally said their goodbyes to Huang Xiong.
For Huang Xiong, it had been an extraordinary day. Chen Yang had tactfully asked him not to spread word of today's events, as such sensitive matters were best kept quiet.
Huang Xiong understood this point and quickly agreed.
As for Bai Yinshuang's situation, the Xuanyi Sect would deal with Elder He. Although Elder He had committed murder, there was no tangible evidence, and Bai Yinshuang's abilities couldn't be used as admissible proof in court. So in the end, Huang Xiong and Qin Moyao simply let the Xuanyi Sect handle the matter internally.
Neither Huang Xiong nor Qin Moyao were inflexible people.
Chen Yang was somewhat worried about Bai Yinshuang, fearing she might not be able to control the Xuanyi Sect or that its members might covet her Phoenix Jade.
Bai Yinshuang specifically communicated with Chen Yang in his mind. She first expressed her gratitude, then assured him not to worry.
She said that now that she had returned to the Xuanyi Sect, she had nothing to fear. The area was surrounded by treacherous mountains and forests, which she could easily navigate. No one could harm her!
Moreover, she had Lin Feng's support.
Chen Yang couldn't help but ask about her relationship with Lin Feng.
Bai Yinshuang smiled gently and said, "He's like an older brother to me and has always had feelings for me. But I've always been rather cold and distant."
Chen Yang felt relieved, understanding the situation. Bai Yinshuang had always been aloof, and in the past, she had only had eyes for Cheng Jianhua. But Lin Feng's care for her was genuine.
At the same time, Chen Yang voiced his confusion, asking, "Why was the Founder's Temple a thatched hut?"
Bai Yinshuang smiled slightly and said, "The Sect Founder preferred simplicity and being close to nature. That's why he always lived in a thatched hut."
Chen Yang suddenly understood and asked, "If the Sect Founder didn't like high-tech things, why is the Xuanyi Town so modern?"
Bai Yinshuang replied, "That's because the Sect Founder knew modernization was inevitable. He might not have liked it, but he wouldn't interfere with others' right to enjoy it."
Hearing this, Chen Yang felt even more respect for the Sect Founder.
On the private jet back to Binhai, Qin Moyao and Chen Yang sat in the rear cabin, separated from the pilots. Their conversation wouldn't reach the front.
Qin Moyao asked Chen Yang in a serious tone, "What exactly is the 'Heavenly Calamity,' and what is a 'Chosen One'?"
Chen Yang hadn't gone into detail about the Chosen Ones or the Heavenly Calamity when explaining his escape earlier, feeling these concepts were too mystical and complex to explain briefly.
But now that Qin Moyao had asked, Chen Yang couldn't avoid the topic. He could only say, "I'm not entirely sure of the details, but it seems the world will face some kind of upheaval in the future."
Qin Moyao was shocked and said, "What kind of upheaval? We're in an era of peace. Don't be an alarmist!"
Chen Yang said, "It's not what you're thinking. It's a change in the cosmic order. Simply put, due to the progression of time, all supernatural beings - ghosts, demons, spirits - will be swept away!"
Qin Moyao shook her head and said, "I don't understand!"
Chen Yang replied, "I don't fully understand it either."
Qin Moyao asked, "Then what's a Chosen One? It seems Cheng Jianhua said you were one?"
Chen Yang explained, "A Chosen One seems to be someone with extraordinary luck, similar to a protagonist in stories. The difference is, in reality, there are countless Chosen Ones. In the future, we might be drawn into these coming changes, serving the cosmic order by eliminating supernatural entities."
Qin Moyao seemed to grasp the concept vaguely.
But it wasn't a topic that could be easily explored further.
So, the conversation on this subject came to an end.
"Oh, right," Chen Yang changed the subject, "Get some rest today, and tomorrow, lead a team to reopen the Golden Age Bar. Invite reporters and announce that the culprit has been brought to justice. Emphasize that there were never any evil spirits involved. Let the reporters go in and take pictures."
Qin Moyao nodded and said, "Alright!" This was an opportunity to earn merit, so Qin Moyao wouldn't refuse.
The Golden Age Bar had been a headache for the city government, and her solving the case would be a win-win situation. Besides, no one would dare to compete with Miss Qin for the credit.
Qin Moyao suddenly smiled as she thought of something and said, "Jin Dahai, the owner of Golden Age, is a typical businessman. He thought he made a great deal selling it to you for two million. I bet he'll be crying tomorrow when he finds out."
Chen Yang smiled faintly and said, "I didn't earn that money easily." In the past, he had closed million-dollar deals in Africa without going through such hardships.
Qin Moyao was stunned for a moment, then realized he was right.
They arrived in Binhai at 7 PM, and Chen Yang said goodbye to Qin Moyao. He had been away from home for too long, and now that everything was resolved, it was time to go see his dear Qing.
Forgive Chen Yang for his nature - when he thought about being tied down and taking responsibility, he wanted to run away. But when lust took over, he couldn't wait to get things started.
This was probably the inherent flaw in all men.
As night fell, Binhai City came alive with lights.
Neon signs flickered, and traffic converged on the overpasses.
It was a city brilliant with countless lights.
On his way home, Chen Yang suddenly realized it wouldn't be good to return empty-handed. So he detoured to a flower shop and bought a large bouquet of roses. He also bought a handbag, though he didn't really understand such things. He just went to a boutique and picked the most expensive one they had.
After all this, Chen Yang happily headed to the rented apartment.
Taking a taxi back to the apartment, Chen Yang got out. To his disappointment, Su Qing wasn't home.
Chen Yang had a key to Su Qing's place, so he let himself in.
Everything inside was neat and tidy.
Chen Yang turned on the lights, put the flowers in a vase, and then sat down on the bed. He wondered where Su Qing had gone.