Exploring the Illusory Tomb Part 1 [Ancient Times Version] - Chapter 26: Playing Chess

Chapter 26: Playing Chess

The sky was pitch black. It was as if a massive hole had been torn open and ink-dark liquid rushed in, churning. Beneath the shroud of black clouds lay scattered corpses. The bl00d was once a vivid, eerie red. It now looked as if it had been stained black by ink.

Strange-shaped birds hovered low in the night sky. Their wings outstretched as they swept past blades and swords that gleamed with slaughter. It stirred the dead air filled with the stench of death.

Dragging my weary body, I walked indifferently across the bl00d-soaked land. The vendors, artisans, and passersby who once filled the streets had all been ground to dust. The former prosperity of this city had long faded—only ruins remained.

I looked at it all as tears slowly streamed down my face. They were seeping into the corners of my mouth—then suddenly, I began to laugh maniacally.

They were all dead.

All of them were dead—only I remained.

“Miss Shi…” 

A soft voice faintly reached my ear. 

“Miss Shi, what’s wrong?”

A gentle hand shook me. And the horrific scene before my eyes instantly vanished like smoke. I sat up with a start and turned to glare at the person in front of me.

“You!” 

The girl gasped and stumbled back in fear. She was clearly terrified. Yet I had tightly grasped her hand, and her face turned bright red. It was as if she were about to cry.

“Shao Jing?” 

My mind suddenly cleared. I looked at her face and recognized the head maid from the Prince’s residence. I quickly let go of her and apologized, 

“Sorry, I scared you.”

Shao Jing forced a smile. She was still visibly shaken. 

“Next time you’re asleep, I won’t dare wake you,”

She said awkwardly, her voice dropping. 

“The way your eyes looked… like you were going to eat me.”

I flushed. I quickly took the medicine bowl from her. I then drank the bitter decoction in one gulp before handing the bowl back. 

“Thank you, Miss Shao Jing.”

Leaning back against the headboard, I waited until Shao Jing left and closed the door. Before I finally settled down.

It had been three days since I returned from the tomb of the Consort of King Chu. Due to both internal and external injuries, I had held up inside the tomb. But I collapsed as soon as I stepped out. I was immediately carried back to the Prince’s residence by Luo Shen and the others. The severely injured Xiao Jian and Cheng Yun were taken to a medical clinic in the city.

The Prince, upon seeing the fragments of gold foil we brought back—most of which had been taken away by Yu Linxing to the Mo Yin Valley—did not look pleased. But he still rewarded Xiao Jian and Cheng Yun with a considerable amount of gold and silver. And he ordered his servants to take good care of me.

These past few days, all I had done was lie in bed and recuperate. Shao Jing was in charge of delivering my medicine and food. Every day, I asked her to help me send messages and inquire about Kunlun. But the answer was always the same vague line: 

“Be patient, you will be reunited.”

How could I not be anxious?

I even started to wonder whether Kunlun had already fallen into the hands of Prince—but I had to force that terrifying thought down. Every time I recalled his pale face, I couldn’t help but wonder what exactly he was plotting. I had no power, no status, no support—what could I possibly have that was worth his attention?

But one thing I was sure of: he wanted something from me. That’s why the Prince allowed me to be treated at his residence. So long as I still had value, there was a chance I could turn things around and regain control.

Luo Shen often came to see me. Still the same cool and misty presence, she would sit quietly by my bed for long stretches. She said very little. Sometimes, even when I was half-asleep, I could sense the faint cold fragrance beside my pillow. For some reason, whenever I smelled that scent with my eyes closed, I felt a strange comfort. It was as if I had something to rely on.

“Have I been possessed by demons? Why are my dreams all so terrifying?” 

I muttered to myself. I climbed out of bed with a self-mocking smile.

Recently, I had been plagued by nightmares—chaotic scenes, all involving killing and bloodshed. Every time I woke up, I was drenched in cold sweat. Under Kunlun’s teachings, I had always cultivated my body and mind. I never had such dark dreams before. Why had they started after I left the tomb of Consort Chu?

The dreams were too vivid. It left me helpless.

I quickly straightened my clothes, put on my boots, and decided to go out for some air. Since I had recovered somewhat, I couldn’t stay cooped up in the room all the time. Once outside, I began to wander aimlessly.

The guest room I stayed in was located in Changfeng Courtyard. It was quiet and seemingly unoccupied by anyone else. Very few servants remained behind. I walked along winding paths, heading further away. The fresh air of spring invigorated me. It was as if every pore on my body opened up to soak in the refreshing breeze.

As I walked, a large garden caught my attention. Flowers weighed down the branches over the wall. Many white blossoms peeked out—delightful to see. Looking up, I saw a jade-colored plaque inscribed with the words “Jade Steps and Carved Railings.” It was indeed elegant.

I entered and found the garden serene and quiet. Turning left and right, I saw over a dozen apricot trees blooming in dense clusters. Beneath the pure white blossoms sat a woman in white, alone. She was playing chess on a stone table.

“Luo Shen?” 

I softly called. Suddenly I remembered—she once mentioned she lived in the Jade Garden. Could this be it?

Luo Shen turned. A hint of surprise was in her eyes. She quietly placed her chess piece back in the bowl and sat still. She then watched me. Her black hair was loose and flowing like ink. A few crystalline apricot blossoms had fallen on it—she made no move to brush them off. Surrounded by the pristine white petals, she looked almost translucent.

The saying “Green pines and distant misty hills lack brocade (ornate beauty). Yet among mortals walks an exiled celestial” must have been written for someone like her.

I mused quietly. I then walked over and sat across from her. On the square chessboard, black and white pieces were scattered. It was as if half the battlefield had already fallen.

Playing chess alone—truly fitting for someone so cold, I thought with a chuckle.

“What are you laughing at?” 

Luo Shen’s voice was calm. Her dark eyes were like polished black jade.

“I’m not laughing,” 

I quickly denied. Heaven knows my face was deadly serious.

“Then what are your eyes hiding? They’ve already betrayed you.”

I winced inwardly. Luo Shen continued, 

“Are you feeling better?”

“I’m alright. I’m not that fragile,” 

I replied softly. Seeing the chessboard, I felt an itch in my fingers. I picked up a black piece and gently placed it. 

“This move creates a ripple.”

“Why place your piece there? You’ve ruined the peace between both sides.” 

Luo Shen sighed and placed a white piece. 

“You’ve stirred up conflict for nothing.”

I began to form a new formation on the board. The chess skills Kunlun once taught me—I hadn’t forgotten a single bit. As I played, I said, 

“If you played your way, it would always end in a draw.”

“What’s wrong with a draw?”

“A draw? The hardest thing in the world is a draw—because it never truly exists. If you’re weak, the strong will trample you. So, you must rise up and shatter the stalemate.”

“Qingyi…” 

Luo Shen stared for a moment, then softly called my name.

I couldn’t remember when she stopped calling me “Miss Shi” and started calling me by my name—Qingyi. Her voice was light, like a feather. Hearing it, my heart trembled slightly.

“Do you want to challenge our master?” 

She asked.

“Yes,” 

I looked at her calmly. I was trying to dig out something deeply hidden in her cold gaze. I continued, 

“I’ve thought it through. I’ll walk this path myself, slowly. The riddles I don’t understand—I’ll solve them one by one. All I want is the truth and Kunlun’s freedom. What about you, Luo Shen? What do you want?”

Luo Shen’s hand was holding a white piece. As soon as I spoke, it froze in the air. After a long pause, she finally placed her piece—and the whole game shifted. The white pieces launched a counterattack. I was utterly defeated.

“I lost,” 

I said with a helpless smile.

But unexpectedly, she suddenly leaned toward me. She reached out to touch my hair. The chill of her fingers sent a jolt through my entire body—I froze in place.