The day Khitan invaders stormed Kaifeng, Ni Laoshan was locked in a duel atop a cliff miles away. "Rumor says …
The day Khitan invaders stormed Kaifeng, Ni Laoshan was locked in a duel atop a cliff miles away.
"Rumor says you joined the Ghostlight Market and became Zhu Yousheng's honored guest," the Jiangnan Creepy teased, reclining against a pine tree. "Why waste time with an old friend like me?"
Drawing his long sword, Ni Laoshan laughed. "Heaven and earth may be vast, but martial arts reign supreme!"
Their battle raged for three days and nights, sword and blade clashing without end.
It was only when the Jiangnan Creepy received a carrier pigeon message about urgent sect affairs that Ni Laoshan reluctantly stopped, still hungry for more.
Martial arts had been his life's passion. He'd met Zhu Yousheng through a duel and joined the Ghostlight Market initially just to test his skills against its oddball residents. But over time, he'd discovered joys beyond fighting.
"Xiaozhu loves tea, Xiaoba adores wine." As he approached Kaifeng with snacks for his friends, he joked, "They'd better not be mad at me for vanishing for three days."He never imagined he'd return to find them gone, all of them.
Five years passed. Then ten. Then fifteen... Ni Laoshan still wore his carefree grin, but he never dueled again.
In the dead of night, the grin would fall from his face, and he'd stare toward Sleeping Tomb Cemetery.
"Don't worry. This time, I'll guard this place."