The first chest creaked open for the first time after years of neglect, its surface dusty and its hinges rusty. There were not many items within – two swords resting in exquisite bronze scabbards, a small stack of books, and a few pieces of expensive-looking accessories.
"This!" Lan Guyue hurried forward and knelt before the chest, his hands gripped the edge of the opening tightly while his gaze stared greedily at the contents. "Could they be the legendary swords wielded by the great ancestors Lan Fangyan and Qian Qiqi in their battle against the Night Emperor? They look just as they have been described in the historical records!"
Once again, it was clear how much Lan Guyue admired his predecessors of the Lan Clan.
"Pick them up and take a closer look," City Lord Lan Huolian urged dotingly.
"Can I? Really?"
"Of course. Just be careful not to damage them."
Zhao Yunxiao watched silently from behind as Lan Guyue carefully picked up the two swords and rested them on his thigh. Then, he slowly drew them from their scabbards one after another.
Even after so many years had passed, they remained in rather good condition.
Decently forged swords, even to a cultivator like himself. However, the value of their legacy was numerous times greater than their material value as weapons.
While Lan Guyue used his hands and eyes to meticulously examine every last square centimetre of the swords, Zhao Yunxiao's focus fell upon the stack of books instead. He stepped forward and picked up two books with Gu Qiansi watching from right beside him.
There were no titles on the covers, but a quick glance within revealed exactly what the books were for.
They were diaries of sorts – books that chronicled the thoughts of the late Lan Fangyan.
Zhao Yunxiao exchanged a glance with Gu Qiansi, then turned towards City Lord Lan Huolian. "Would it be all right if we...?"
"Sure, go ahead," City Lord Lan Huolian answered casually, clearly focusing more on his current task of picking up the expensive-looking accessories for close examination.
Zhao Yunxiao did not have to be told twice, and started flipping through the pages without pause. Gu Qiansi did the same, reading along from beside him.
The records were stacked in chronological order, beginning with early events that seemed to have followed right after the three heroes' successful expedition in slaying the Night Emperor. There were many records about the events that happened within the city, but it was the short notes addressing Lei He that truly drew Zhao Yunxiao's attention.
[Brother Lei, are you watching from above? We have returned to the city, and everyone is thrilled that the Night Emperor is finally gone. City Lord Chang personally welcomed us and was basically treating us like royalty. You have always said that the rewards will justify the effort. To be honest, I doubted your words before, but I think I finally see what you mean. That said, how I would gladly exchange all of this for a chance to laugh together with you once more...]
[Brother Lei, you must have crossed the Bridge of Oblivion by now, though I can't help but have the feeling that you must be watching over us from somewhere in the heavens, just like you have always done while walking by our side. I often think back to the moment that you willingly sacrificed your life to delay the Night Emperor, buying Qiqi and I the precious seconds required to finish off the demon. Without you, none of us would be alive today. You deserve the glory as much as we did. If only you could be here with us right now...]
[Brother Lei, can you believe it? They actually named the city Demonfall to commemorate our achievement. We could never have done this without you. This is to you, and to a greater future for mankind that you have helped create.]
[Brother Lei, I am thinking of running for the position of city lord. City Lord Chang has always been great to us, but everyone is really getting frustrated about how he handles things. Many powerful characters have already approached me, hoping that I would be able to take the position instead and lead Demonfall to greater heights. That is even more so for the citizens of Demonfall, many of them basically praying for it to happen. However, I am not sure if it will be seen as repaying kindness with ingratitude if I seek to replace City Lord Chang. After all, even though he has never truly supported us prior to our expedition, he did treat us quite well after we have successfully slain the Night Emperor. Do you think I should do it?]
[Brother Lei, Qiqi and I are getting married. Even though you are no longer here by our side, I'm sure you will wish us happiness. We have decided to take in your disciple Tingyi as part of the family as well, so you no longer have to worry about her. I believe that your soul must have similarly found solace in the cycle of reincarnation. I wish that in your next life, somebody would watch over you in the same manner that you have watched over us in this life. My only regret is that I didn't have the power to do the same for you while you were still with us.]
That was the last book written by Lan Fangyan. All in all, the records matched the events told in the origin story of Demonfall City. Through it, he could almost recreate a mental image of those days – a period that passed through phases of relief, glory, uncertainty, and finally stability.
Even then, it had ended with a note of regret.
People often talk about the ultimate sacrifice made by Sir Lei He, but how many had stopped to consider the thoughts of those who had been left behind?
Zhao Yunxiao let out a sigh as he closed the book, his heart heavy from reading about the regrets of one of the three great heroes of Demonfall.
The next book gave a different perspective. This time, it was written from Qian Qiqi's angle.
That said, the handwriting and perspective might have changed, but the contents did not differ by much.
Gratitude, respect, and regret – a theme similar to those written by Lan Fangyan.
It did not take long for them to finish perusing the books penned by Lan Fangyuan, but City Lord Lan Huolian had still managed to open the remaining three wooden chests within this short frame of time.
The contents in one other chest were similar, containing a sword, a book, and several accessories, albeit ones that looked less expensive.
By now, Lan Guyue already had this third sword resting in his lap, meticulously wiping down all three swords with his sleeves, a clear sense of reverence shining within his eyes.
As for City Lord Lan Huolian, his attention had been kidnapped by the contents of the remaining two wooden chests – chests that were filled to the brim with gold, silver, and pearls.
Zhao Yunxiao let out a helpless smile but did not blame him for such a reaction. Zhao Yunxiao would probably have reacted similarly if he were to suddenly uncover two chests of spirit stones within his own residence.
He let the father-son duo be, picking up the book that had been left untouched and starting to flip through it.
This was a diary of events as well, except it was done in a different fashion, by a different person.
A diary authored by Lei Tingyi.
Just like before, Zhao Yunxiao did not expect much when he started reading it. However, a wry smile quickly appeared on his face as he read on.
The reason was simple. Not only did this document come with a vastly different perspective, but it also came with a rather different record of the events of the past. Not just that, but unlike the diaries of Lan Fangyan and Qian Qiqi, it actually began from before the famed expedition.
[Master praised me again today! I am going to keep working hard, and make sure that he has all the reasons he wants to keep praising me! He won't ever regret taking me in as his disciple!]
[Master and Lady Qian sure look happy together...]
[Master seemed a little distracted today. Even his compliments did not sound as bright as before. I wonder if there is anything worrying him? How I wish I could help share his burdens somehow!]
[Master caught a cough last week. Lady Qian doesn't know much about medicine, so I went to get some from the local physicians. I wonder how happy he will be when I give it to him tomorrow? Can't wait!]
[Master complimented my cooking today! But how could he not? Having followed him for so long, I am the one who knows him best, even better than Lady Qian does! Cooking to fit his palate is nothing difficult!]
Zhao Yunxiao felt the corner of his lips twitch.
Why did this sound like the youthful diary of a naive kid crushing on her master?
"Keep flipping," Gu Qiansi urged.
"Is there even a point to reading this?" Zhao Yunxiao grumbled, but he did as he was told.
Plenty more entries. Plenty more records of Lei Tingyi's observations of Lei He.
Was this for real?
Lei He was Lei Tingyi's master and adopted father, wasn't he?
"A girl's emotions can be very complicated," Gu Qiansi remarked, clearly having read his mind. "It is not impossible for a girl to have a crush on someone whom she was aware that she was not supposed to love in a romantic sense, even if it was her adopted father."
"Is that so?" Zhao Yunxiao shook his head in disbelief before turning back to the book.
At the same time, their brief conversation seemed to have drawn the attention of the father and son duo, who curiously walked over to read the book alongside them.
They were just in time to witness a significant shift in the narrative.
[Master said that he, Sir Lan, and Lady Qian would be heading off to slay the Night Demon. No matter how I pleaded with him, he refused to let me come along. How unfair! I know he is worried about my safety, but doesn't he know that I am worried about his safety as well? How can he just leave me here to bear the lonely wait for their return? ...And what if they never return?]
[They returned. Without Master. They actually returned without him. They say Master sacrificed himself to save them? Why? How are they worth it?]
[They say it is for the sake of the people. To defeat grief with prosperity. I don't buy it.]
[They are actually talking about getting married. Lan Fangyan, the man whom Master used to call his best friend. Qian Qiqi, the woman whom Master used to call his love. Together. Married. How laughable.]
[That couple offered to take me into their household – said that they wanted to take care of me on behalf of Master. Seeing them talk as though they truly thought they could take Master's place makes my stomach turn. But I agreed. If they want to play this game of pretence, I will gladly play along with them.]
[I overheard that couple talking in private today. Lan Fangyan was saying that going on the expedition was the best decision they have ever made in their life, and even joked that Master would probably disagree. Master – the one whom they say sacrificed to save their lives. What utterly disgusting behaviour.]
[I recall Master saying that he has a forbidden sword art would just about ensure their victory and could be withstood with the strength of all three of them. Back then, Master said that they would either survive together or die together. Was he unable to use it? Or did something else happen during the expedition?]
[Adulterers! THAT DOG COUPLE ARE ADULTERERS! To think that they have actually been exchanging love letters even before the expedition! What a pair of liars! None of their words are to be trusted! Master, I will definitely find out the truth behind your death!]
[How funny. When questioned, they even have the gall to say to my face that while they have indeed developed feelings for each other before the trip, they did not act on it. What are these letters then? Had they materialised from mere emotions? And thank you for guiding me to hide in the vicinity instead of leaving after hearing their excuses, Master. Now, I know that after getting rid of you, they have begun to contemplate how to get rid of me. Now, I know what to do next.]
[Today is the day, Master. I will definitely avenge your death. I'm sorry for taking so long, but I will surely succeed.]
Zhao Yunxiao's eyes narrowed as he finished reading that last line.
Looking around, he could see expressions of shock showing on the faces of Gu Qiansi, Lan Huolian, and Lan Guyue.
City Lord Lan Huolian was clearly not lying about the Lan Clan not having touched these items left behind by their ancestors. Otherwise, it was unlikely that this book would still exist in this world.
"The date of that entry... it's the death anniversary of great ancestors Lan Fangyan and Qian Qiqi..." Lan Guyue said with a trembling voice, as though he could not believe the words that were coming out of his own mouth. "No, there must be something wrong with this diary. I know, maybe the Chang Clan has secretly altered the records. Yes, that must be the case! After all, we have always left this place unguarded and untouched. Isn't that right, Father?"
City Lord Lan Huolian remained silent, as though he was still in a state of shock, trying to process this new bit of information.
"Thank you for acceding to our requests. Seeing how things have turned out, we shall not trouble you any longer," Zhao Yunxiao saw that the father-son duo was not exactly in the right state of mind, and decided to beg his leave. "We will leave you to talk for today, and will visit again another day instead."
"No, wait, you can't leave like this!" Lan Guyue quickly stopped them. "You need to wait here for us to investigate... to figure out just who switched out the document!"
"Don't worry, we will come again when you have completed your investigations," Zhao Yunxiao assured. "Farewell."
With that, he placed Lei Tingyi's diary down and made to leave. Gu Qiansi followed right behind.
"No!" Lan Guyue began to panick upon seeing that Zhao Yunxiao and Gu Qiansi were about to leave with such disinformation. "Men, stop them!"