الشطرنج الخالد - Book 03 Chapter 058

Love Flower Valley:

Gu Hai’s group traveled on a thorny road, feeling extremely curious before arriving inside.

Once the group entered, an endless sea of flowers greeted them.

A lingering fragrance filled the place. Not far away, human-sized love flower treants chased each other around, having fun; they looked like young children. This presented a utopian scene of peace.

Some islands with some palace halls on them floated nearby.

“That one. That’s the Xiaoyue Secondary Residence’s floating island.” Mu Chenfeng smiled as he pointed to a nearby island.

Just at this moment, ten-odd tree-like love flower treants walked over.

“Which master zitherist played that piece earlier? Granny invites him over,” the leading love flower treant said politely.

“It was me. The piece was composed by my master!” Ensnaring Performance immediately called out.

“Oh?” The many love flower treants looked at where Ensnaring Performance pointed to and saw Gu Hai.

“Sorry for interrupting, but we do need to meet with Granny Qing Hua first. Would you kindly lead the way?” Gu Hai requested with a smile.

“This way, please,” the love flower treants invited respectfully.

“I won’t be going. I’ll go to the Xiaoyue Secondary Residence and search for clues,” Chu Chen said.

“That’s fine.” Long Wanqing nodded.

Chu Chen brought the Metal Division disciples to the Xiaoyue Secondary Residence. Mu Chenfeng also sent the one thousand Wood Division disciples to follow Chu Chen to the Xiaoyue Secondary Residence.

As for the poisoned Metal Division disciples, the earlier treant had taken them away for treatment.

Then, ten-odd love flower treants led Gu Hai, Mu Chenfeng, Long Wanqing, Venerable Liu Nian, and Ensnaring Performance to the largest tree around.

Although Love Flower Valley was called a valley, it was extremely vast.

The largest tree in this place was more than three kilometers tall. It seemed to be a huge, verdant, and lush love flower tree.

There was a large hole at the base of the tree. Some love flower treants standing in the surroundings bowed respectfully when they saw Gu Hai’s group arrive.

The love flower treants were extremely polite. Gu Hai and the others returned the bows.

“Master! Master! I’ve returned to see you!” Me Chenfeng was the first to run to the tree hole.

“Chenfeng is back as well? Welcome, honored guests. Please come in,” an aged voice came from the tree hole.

Gu Hai and the others hesitated slightly. However, since Mu Chenfeng already ran in, they entered as well.

“The last time I came, I did not get to meet Granny Qing Hua. Unexpectedly, we benefited from Division Master Gu’s efforts.” Venerable Liu Nian smiled as he walked.

Gu Hai and the others entered the tree hole.

The moment they did so, they saw a petite old woman holding a teapot and pouring tea into a few cups.

A petite old woman?

Gu Hai felt startled. This was different from what he expected. This is Granny Qing Hua? She already took on a complete human form? A petite old woman?

Granny Qing Hua carried a few cups of fragrant tea on a serving tray and said with a smile, “Everyone, please take a seat. This is a simple place; anywhere will do.”

The tree hole was bright and looked like a hall for receiving guests, with tables and chairs there.

“Chenfeng, why aren’t you serving them?” Granny Qing Hua said with a smile.

Mu Chenfeng carried the serving tray over as he said, “Right, right! Sit together, then. My master is very amiable. Have a seat; it’s fine.”

“Many thanks, Granny Qing Hua!” Everyone bowed.

“Oh? The heaven-grade zither Ensnaring Performance?” Granny Qing Hua felt slightly startled upon seeing Ensnaring Performance.

“How did you know?” Ensnaring Performance exclaimed.

“I am old, not blind. The Silver Moon Mountain Manor’s manor lord brought you here before. However, it was only your body. Your soul had not merged with your body yet.” Granny Qing Hua smiled.

“Oh? The manor lord brought me here before?” Ensnaring Performance said blankly.

“How is the manor lord now?” Granny Qing Hua asked with a smile.

Everyone’s expression immediately became solemn.

“Master, the manor lord passed away not long ago,” Mu Chenfeng said with a bitter smile.

“What?” Granny Qing Hua’s expression changed. The teacup in her hand suddenly slipped as she nearly lost grip of it.

Mu Chenfeng did not hide anything, telling Granny Qing Hua everything.

After Granny Qing Hua heard everything, she remained speechless for a long time. Only after a while did she sigh, “Hah…hah…hah…”

Granny Qing Hua sighed three times in a row, in low spirits.

“It was Mister Gu who composed the earlier piece, right?” Granny Qing Hua looked at Gu Hai.

After all, Mu Chenfeng had explained everyone’s identities earlier.

“Yes. The piece is called ‘Butterfly Lovers. It is based on a story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai that I saw in the past.” Gu Hai nodded.

“Since ancient times, love frequently ends in sadness. Turning into butterflies and flying freely is good,” Granny Qing Hua sighed.

After hearing of the manor lord’s death, Granny Qing Hua could not raise her spirits at all.

“Master, did you activate the Thorny Ritual Array to stop Duke Lu Yang from recruiting the love flower treants for war?” Mu Chenfeng asked.

“Indeed. My love flower treant race is few in number. Most are either young or old. How can we afford to fight? Hopefully, we can avoid this calamity,” Granny Qing Hua sighed.

“Calamity? What calamity?” Mu Chenfeng asked, feeling puzzled.

“It’s nothing much. Haha!” Granny Qing Hua sighed again, appearing like she did not want to talk about it.

Then, Granny Qing Hua turned her head to look at Long Wanqing.

“Long Xiaoyue’s girl? You resemble your mother a lot,” Granny Qing Hua said with a kind smile.

“Granny Qing Hua, I am here to investigate my mother’s death. Sorry for the interruption,” Long Wanqing said respectfully.

“Back then, your mother addressed me as aunty. We had a good relationship. How unfortunate…how unfortunate…hah… Just address me as granny, then,” Granny Qing Hua sighed again.

“Alright, Granny.” Long Wanqing nodded.

“This old lady is not feeling very well today, so I won’t entertain everyone any further for now. Do stay first. If you wish to leave, just come and find me.” Granny Qing Hua sighed once more.

Clearly, the manor lord’s death had dealt Granny Qing Hua a great blow.

“If that is the case, sorry for disturbing you. We would like to take a look at the Xiaoyue Secondary Residence.” Gu Hai nodded.

Granny Qing Hua nodded and sent everyone out of the tree hole before closing the door.

“Everyone, climb on my shoulders. I will carry you over,” a treant said in a friendly tone.

“Many thanks!” Gu Hai’s group said with a smile.

The treant was large and moved very fast, heading for the Xiaoyue Secondary Residence.

“Division Master Mu, were the previous Silver Moon Mountain Manor Lord and Granny Qing Hua good friends?” Gu Hai asked Mu Chenfeng.

“Huh? I don’t know. Senior Brother, do you know?” Mu Chenfeng asked the treant they rode.

“Granny and the Silver Moon Mountain Manor Lord? How should I put it? At that time, you had not taken Granny as your master yet. The manor lord and Granny had an extremely good relationship. Back then, the Silver Moon Mountain Manor Lord was still young, and Granny looked very young too. The manor lord would frequently come to play the zither for Granny. However, they fought the last time they met, and he never came again,” the treant the group rode said while shaking its head.

“Oh?”

“I recall now. That Long Xiaoyue seemed to bring news of the manor lord every time she came. Furthermore, I once heard that she would bring news of Granny back to the manor lord in Silver Moon City,” the treant said.

“Oh? My mother became the link between the manor lord and Granny?” Long Wanqing said in surprise.

“No wonder Granny likes the previous hall master so much. Even though the previous hall master already died, the manor lord still gave Elite Hall an event invitation?” Mu Chenfeng said, feeling startled.

Many things became clear in an instant. Everyone looked at the closed tree hole.

“Granny waited for a lifetime, thought about him for a lifetime, loved him for a lifetime, and resented him for a lifetime. In the end, all she got was news of the manor lord’s death. Hah!” Long Wanqing sighed.

Everyone remained silent.

Soon, the friendly treant sent everyone to the Xiaoyue Secondary Residence.

——

On the floating island:

Chu Chen stood upright with his hands behind his back as he looked at the group coming over. He narrowed his eyes and said, “You came back so quickly?”

Then, Chu Chen turned away and walked into the palace hall on the floating island.

When Gu Hai’s group arrived, they did not have much to say to Chu Chen.

Gu Hai’s habit was to search through everything belonging to Long Xiaoyue first. Ideally, things that she wrote or drew, which might have some useful information.

“This is my mother’s study,” Long Wanqing said as she pointed to a room with many books.

“Oh? This place has been searched?” Gu Hai felt slightly startled.

Mu Chenfeng quickly called over a Wood Division disciple.

“Division Master Chu searched it earlier. He said he was trying to find clues to the previous hall master’s death.”

Gu Hai frowned slightly as he nodded.

“Why didn’t Ensnaring Performance come with us?” Mu Chenfeng asked, feeling puzzled.

“He went to bring disaster to that group of love flower treants,” Gu Hai replied casually as he started tidying up the surrounding books.

“Oh?” Mu Chenfeng’s expression turned stiff as he observed a moment of silence for his senior brothers.

Thus, the group stayed at the Xiaoyue Secondary Residence for now.

Chu Chen did not manage to find any clues. However, he did not show any intention of leaving, staying at the Xiaoyue Secondary Residence as well.

Gu Hai read through the materials here every day or took walks with Long Wanqing.

Love Flower Valley was very beautiful. This was a rare time when they could feel so content.

Gu Hai felt somewhat dazed as he looked at Long Wanqing’s face under the setting sun several times already. Every time Gu Hai worked seriously, reading through the materials, Long Wanqing would also look at Gu Hai in a daze, occasionally showing a faint smile.

As for the rest of the time, Granny Qing Hua would invite Long Wanqing over to chat.

After a few days, Granny Qing Hua’s mood seemed to improve. However, she now looked even more ancient.

After chatting for a few days, Long Wanqing found Granny Qing Hua very easy to get along with, so she started to tell Granny Qing Hua about some things.

“Huangfu Chaoge?” Granny Qing Hua felt slightly startled.

“Yes. It was the result of Gu Hai’s efforts. Huangfu Chaoge might know the reason for my mother’s death. That’s why we come here. Gu Hai said that we would leave after he finished reading through everything. Then, we will try to meet Huangfu Chaoge.” Long Wanqing nodded.

“I know Huangfu Chaoge. Back when, whenever your mother came here, he would come as well, trying to pursue your mother. Unfortunately, your mother already had someone in her heart. Furthermore, it seemed to be someone outstanding,” Granny Qing Hua said with a smile.

“Really? Do you know who my father is?” Long Wanqing asked anxiously.

“I don’t know. Your mother refused to say. Hah…what a catastrophe! However, there’s no need to search for Huangfu Chaoge. I can call him here. He has lived a bitter life. Previously, while he felt bitter over your mother, his heart was still filled with goodness. Now, he is enraged. However, he probably would come if he knew you were here,” Granny Qing Hua said.

“Huh? Why?”

“Because he liked your mother. Since he liked your mother, he will like everything of your mother’s, including you. Of course, he definitely won’t like your father,” Granny Qing Hua said while smiling.

“Many thanks, Granny Qing Hua!” Long Wanqing let out a long breath as excitement flashed in her eyes.

“You like that Gu Hai, right?” Granny Qing Hua suddenly showed a strange smile.

“Granny, what are you saying? I don’t understand,” Long Wanqing immediately said while blushing.

“Hahahaha! Granny had seen everything over the past few days. Granny was once in your shoes; how can I not understand? You like Gu Hai, and that blockhead Gu Hai likes you too. However, he has not opened up. That Gu Hai seems to have something holding him back emotionally?” Granny Qing Hua smiled.

“Someone caused the death of his wife decades ago,” Long Wanqing said softly.

Granny Qing Hua’s expression turned solemn as she sighed, “Another person with a bitter life. Hah…”