Chapter 6: A Lever's Weight
The sun dipped below the horizon as Teng Lin left Su Xianyu's valley, its shadows stretching long and thin across the landscape. The faint chill in the evening air pressed against his skin, sharp and persistent, but his thoughts were far colder. He clutched the broom he had used to sweep the graves, its weight feeling heavier than it should, as though it bore the significance of all he had been through that day.
Today had been monumental. The valley, the graves, the system's abrupt resurgence—it all seemed too much to process. His first mission had been a success, yet he felt no rush of triumph. Instead, there was an unease that lingered, a quiet discomfort at the questions left unanswered.
The valley had changed, and not just because of him. He could sense that something had shifted, though he couldn't pinpoint what. His body, mortal and untrained, lacked the ability to see the greater ripples his actions had caused. The valley now felt alive, vibrant in ways he couldn't articulate, but it was a vibrancy that eluded his comprehension.
"Stop overthinking," he muttered to himself as he walked. The sound of his voice in the quiet woods did little to settle his nerves.
As the familiar wooden gates of Bluewood Town came into view, Teng Lin let out a soft sigh. He didn't expect the sight to comfort him, but it did. He had grown fond of this quiet town in the few days he had been here. Its simplicity reminded him of home, though the faces here were far less familiar.
Lanterns flickered faintly along the main street as Teng Lin stepped into town. He was just about to head toward the inn when movement near the gates caught his eye.
Two figures stood waiting, their outlines barely illuminated by the faint light of a nearby torch. Teng Lin squinted, recognizing them instantly: Chen Bo and Wei Jian.
"You're back!" Wei Jian called, his voice tinged with relief as he strode forward.
Teng Lin blinked in surprise. "What are you two doing out here? I thought you'd be at the inn."
Chen Bo crossed his arms, his expression somewhere between relief and irritation. "We weren't waiting for you or anything. Just… taking a walk."
Wei Jian smirked, leaning casually against a post. "Don't believe him. He was worried about you. We both were. We were debating whether to go looking for you."
Chen Bo's face reddened, and he snapped, "And who was pacing back and forth, huh? Don't act like you weren't worried too!"
Teng Lin chuckled softly, his chest warming at the sight of their banter. He hadn't realized just how much it meant to have people who cared about him, even in small ways. He hadn't expected anyone to wait for him, let alone worry.
"Thank you," he said simply, his voice sincere. "I didn't mean to make you worry. Everything's fine. The old farmer I met… he wants to meet you both tomorrow."
Wei Jian raised an eyebrow. "Us? Why?"
Teng Lin shook his head. "I'm not sure. I told him about our situation, but he still insisted. He said I should bring you both."
Wei Jian rubbed his chin, considering. "Well, I don't mind tagging along. If nothing else, I'm curious. Plus, I should probably see where you're planning to work, in case you ever need help."
Chen Bo, on the other hand, frowned slightly. "This old farmer… is he safe? He's not going to try something weird, is he?"
Teng Lin shook his head quickly. "Not at all. He's strange, yes, but in a good way. You'll see when you meet him."
Chen Bo hesitated a moment longer before letting out a quiet sigh. "Fine. I'll come. But only because you're so insistent."
Wei Jian grinned, patting Chen Bo on the shoulder. "See? I knew you'd come around."
The three of them made their way back to the inn, the streets quiet save for the faint murmur of conversation from a few late-night stragglers. By the time Teng Lin reached his room, exhaustion had fully settled in.
He lay down on the small, slightly creaky bed, staring up at the cracked ceiling above him. His mind, restless as ever, replayed the events of the day.
The mission was complete. He had the land. The system was content—for now. But the road ahead felt as uncertain as ever.
He closed his eyes, forcing himself to focus on one simple truth: he wasn't walking this path alone anymore.
Morning came with the first light of dawn filtering through the thin curtains of the inn's modest room. Teng Lin stretched, rubbing the remnants of sleep from his eyes. Today, he would introduce Chen Bo and Wei Jian to Su Xianyu. He wasn't sure what to expect, but the old man's strange demeanor and probing questions from the day before left him feeling both curious and slightly apprehensive.
He met his companions downstairs, where Chen Bo was already nursing a cup of tea while Wei Jian rummaged through the breakfast spread, selecting only the best cuts of meat for his plate.
"Ready?" Teng Lin asked, grabbing a steamed bun for himself.
Wei Jian looked up, a piece of meat hanging from his chopsticks. "Give me a minute. Can't make introductions on an empty stomach."
Chen Bo rolled his eyes. "You're always thinking with your stomach."
As they finished their meal and stepped into the bustling streets, the conversation turned to supplies.
"We should pick up some necessities before we head out," Wei Jian suggested. "I doubt that old man has everything we'll need."
Teng Lin nodded in agreement. "Good idea. What should we get?"
Chen Bo thought for a moment. "Basic stuff. Food, blankets… and maybe toilet paper. I'm not about to rely on leaves."
Wei Jian chuckled. "Smart thinking. There's nothing worse than rough bark in the middle of nowhere."
With a quick stop at the market, the three gathered their essentials, drawing amused glances from the shopkeepers as Wei Jian dramatically described the hardships of rural living.
By mid-morning, they were ready to leave, their modest supplies packed into simple satchels. The road to Su Xianyu's valley stretched before them, quiet and serene under the rising sun.
Teng Lin led the way, his steps steady but his thoughts swirling. He couldn't shake the strange sense of anticipation that gnawed at him. What was Su Xianyu planning? Why had he insisted on meeting Chen Bo and Wei Jian?
The journey passed quickly, punctuated by Wei Jian's endless stream of jokes and Chen Bo's occasional groans of exasperation. Teng Lin, for his part, was mostly silent, his focus fixed on the path ahead.
When they reached the valley's entrance, the three of them paused. Even from a distance, the land seemed different—more vibrant, almost unnaturally so. Teng Lin couldn't see it as clearly as Su Xianyu, but there was something undeniably alive about the place.
The old farmer was waiting for them, leaning casually against a newly built cabin. The sight made Teng Lin blink in surprise. There were now three small cabins standing where there had only been one yesterday.
"Welcome back," Su Xianyu called, his voice carrying easily across the valley. His gaze flicked to Chen Bo and Wei Jian, his sharp eyes assessing them with an intensity that made both boys shift uneasily.
Teng Lin stepped forward. "Senior Su, these are my companions, Chen Bo and Wei Jian."
Su Xianyu nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Good. You're here. Follow me."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode toward the center of the valley. The three boys exchanged glances before hurrying after him.
Su Xianyu stopped near a patch of soft earth, turning to face them. His hands rested lightly on the hilt of the wooden hoe strapped to his back, but his posture was anything but casual. There was a weight to his presence, a quiet authority that demanded attention.
"I have a question for you," he said, his tone measured. "A moral question."
The boys glanced at one another, uncertain.
Su Xianyu continued, his gaze fixed on the horizon as if addressing the valley itself. "If someone were to die, but by pulling a lever, you could save that person, would you pull it?"
Wei Jian opened his mouth, but Su Xianyu raised a hand to stop him.
"What if pulling that lever meant that another person would die because of it? Would you still pull it? What if two people would die? Ten? A hundred? A thousand? How many lives is a single life worth? Is it worth any at all?"
The question hung in the air, heavy and oppressive. Chen Bo and Wei Jian both furrowed their brows, deep in thought.
Teng Lin, however, didn't hesitate. He took a step forward, his voice calm and sure. "I only know this: if I can save the life in front of me, I'll pull the lever. Every time."
Su Xianyu's sharp gaze shifted to Teng Lin, his expression flickering with something unreadable. Surprise? Approval? Amusement?
"You didn't even pause to think," the old farmer remarked. "Most people would."
Teng Lin shrugged. "I don't need to think about it. Saving someone is always the right thing to do. I can't control what happens beyond that, but I can do what's right in the moment."
For a long moment, Su Xianyu said nothing. Then, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He glanced at Chen Bo and Wei Jian, who both still looked deep in thought.
Finally, he nodded. "Good. That's enough for now."
Teng Lin frowned slightly. "Did I answer correctly?"
Su Xianyu's smile widened, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Who's to say what's correct? Life isn't that simple."
The conversation ended as abruptly as it had begun. Su Xianyu gestured for them to follow him back toward the cabins, his pace unhurried but purposeful.
As they walked, Teng Lin couldn't help but glance back at the valley. It still felt strange, alive in a way he couldn't describe. He shook his head, focusing instead on the path ahead.
Just as they reached the cabins, a familiar sound echoed in his mind.
Ding!
The system's voice, calm and measured, chimed in. "System online. Host, your reward has been delivered. The Tree of Life (Seedling) represents the beginning of all life and the root of all Dao. All paths, even death, are born from life."
Teng Lin's steps faltered slightly, his mind racing as the system continued.
"Host, would you like further assistance?"
He didn't answer, unsure of what to say. For now, he would simply move forward, one step at a time.