Yang Hanxue maintained his poker face, as if no expression ever graced his countenance, regardless of the situation.
"A month ago, people from the Illuminati went to Kunlun Mountain. Not a single one returned; they were all buried there," Yang Hanxue stated.
"What were they doing in Kunlun Mountain?"
"Looking for something."
"What something?"
Yang Hanxue fell silent. I glanced at Fu Honglang and his wife, Mao Guizhi, sitting beside us, saying nothing.
"What is it?" I asked again.
"A passage," Yang Hanxue replied.
"A passage? What kind of passage?"
I couldn't quite grasp it. What passage would people from the Illuminati be looking for?
"We don't know the specifics. We were all summoned by the Eldest Miss, and our purpose this time is also to find that passage."
"Where is she then?"
"Already in Kunlun Mountain," Yang Hanxue said.
"So, we're heading to Kunlun Mountain? Is An Ying going too?"
Yang Hanxue nodded.
"Does she know you contacted me?"
Yang Hanxue shook his head. "I can't reach her, so she doesn't know."
"Will we be able to see her if we go to Kunlun Mountain?"
"Yes," Fu Honglang spoke up then. "She arranged a meeting place with us. As long as we arrive within the deadline, we can rendezvous with them."
"What's the deadline?"
"Three days."
"What day is it today? The first day."
I mused for a moment, then stood up. "Then what are you waiting for? Let's go!"
"Brother Xiang," Yang Hanxue called out to me. He seemed to have something to say but hesitated, falling silent again.
"What is it?"
Fu Honglang said, "There's a very high chance this trip is a one-way ticket to certain death... You need to think carefully whether you want to go with us. Before Old Yang called you, I told him the same thing. But he said he promised you that he would inform you as soon as there was news of the Eldest Miss, so..."
Hearing this, I finally understood why they all looked so grim when I arrived.
So, this was a road of no return.
They were 'Suo Zhe' and could only obey An Ying's orders, but I was different.
This put me in a difficult position, and for a while, I didn't know whether to go.
If it was certain death, didn't that mean that besides An Ying, everyone else going might lose their lives?
"You guys..." I looked at them. "Have you thought it through too?"
Fu Honglang gave a wry smile. "What's there to think about? We and the Eldest Miss are a collective. If something happens to her, we won't be able to survive either... We have no choice, but you're different. You have a choice."
I pursed my lips and looked at the Fatty beside me. He shrugged. "Don't look at me. I'm a lone wolf anyway. If you go, Fatty will accompany you to the death, and if I die, I'll be a hero again in eighteen years."
I didn't know how to choose. Yang Hanxue stood up and patted my shoulder. "Brother Xiang, think it over carefully. We depart at five this afternoon, and we still have three hours. Take your time to decide."
With that, they left the room, leaving me and Fatty sitting there, incessantly smoking.
"Master Xiang, what do you think they're looking for that passage for? Could there be treasures inside?"
"Fatty," I exhaled, "you should go back."
"Back where?"
"Guangling."
Fatty was taken aback. "Master Xiang, have you made up your mind?"
I nodded. "As you said, I'm also a lone wolf. Besides you and Brother Peng, I have no other close relatives in this world. Since I'm here, I naturally need to figure some things out."
"What things?"
At this point, I couldn't keep anything from Fatty. I told him everything, including the curse from Elder Zhang.
Fatty was much calmer than I expected. He wasn't surprised at all; instead, he became more animated. "Are you serious? That so-called Eldest Miss An Ying, is she Chang'e? Is she Yang Guifei? Can she achieve immortality?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but it's very likely true."
"Holy cow! That's incredible!" Fatty exclaimed. "Master Xiang, are you sure you're not joking with me?"
I couldn't help but laugh. "Do you think I have time to joke with you?"
"If what you say is true, is it possible that we can also achieve immortality?" Fatty asked, his eyes shining with excitement. "Like drinking An Ying's blood, or like eating Tang Sanzang's flesh..."
"Can you be serious?" I was rendered speechless by him.
"I'm talking about serious business! Think about it, if An Ying can live forever, can't others too? If I had such an ability, wouldn't that mean..."
Fatty's talk was becoming increasingly absurd. I quickly stopped him. "Don't talk about such nonsense. Keep these things to yourself, and go back to help Brother Peng with his wedding."
"Who says I'm going back?" Fatty's expression turned displeased. "What does Hong Yunpeng's wedding have to do with me? He's not marrying me, anyway. Besides, are you sure you can go without me?"
Just as I was about to speak, Fatty's expression turned serious. "Master Xiang, do you know why I've never had many friends all this time?"
Before I could answer, he continued, "It's because I simply don't think much of other people. But you're different. Ever since I met you, you've never taken advantage of me, and you're always straightforward. That's why I like being with you. Many times in the tombs, I thought if something really happened to me, at the very least, you would give me a proper burial."
"You damn Fatty, what are you talking about?" I was a bit flustered by his words.
"I'm just speaking the truth. I know myself best. Do you really think I go into these tombs just for money?" Fatty chuckled. "I just feel that life is short, only a few decades. If you don't do something earth-shattering, it's a waste! So, I thought, while I'm young, I should experience more so I can brag about it when I'm old."
"Is that all for you?" I laughed. "You're too unambitious."
"Everyone's pursuit is different. Anyway, I believe that even if you live, you should live it spectacularly. Otherwise, what's the difference between that and being dead?"
As he spoke, Fatty grabbed my arm. "Regardless, I'm going with you this time, no matter what!"
Seeing his determined gaze, I didn't know what to say. I took a deep breath and asked, "Are you sure you want to go with me?"
"Certain!"
"Alright then, let go of my hand. Don't be so sappy." I pushed his hand away. "But let's be clear, if something really happens, and you can survive, don't save me."