Ch 10
The village slowly faded from view as Shu Yi, Chen Wei, and Xiao Fang made their way through the dense forest. The once peaceful atmosphere had shifted, replaced by an air of tension as they ventured deeper into unknown territory. They had a destination now—a forbidden tomb that could hold the key to ending the Wandering Scholar's curse once and for all.
Shu Yi adjusted the straps of her pack and glanced at her companions. Xiao Fang, always optimistic, had a spring in his step, while Chen Wei's face was serious, his mind already racing through possible obstacles.
"I still can't believe we're doing this," Shu Yi muttered, running a hand through her hair. "A tomb. This doesn't feel right."
Chen Wei glanced at her. "We don't have much choice. The curse isn't going to lift on its own. We need to find the tomb and destroy whatever ties the Wandering Scholar's soul to this world."
Xiao Fang, ever the optimist, flashed a grin. "Well, at least we'll get to see some ancient treasure! Who knows, maybe there's a hidden artifact or two."
Shu Yi shot him a sidelong glance. "You're always thinking about treasure, aren't you?"
"Hey, treasure means power, and power means freedom. What's wrong with that?" Xiao Fang said, his eyes gleaming.
"Freedom…" Shu Yi muttered to herself, her thoughts drifting. For so long, she had dreamed of freedom—freedom from her family, freedom from the constraints of society. But now, standing on the precipice of something greater, she wasn't sure what that freedom would look like anymore.
---
The Forbidden Tomb
After hours of travel, they finally arrived at the tomb's entrance. It was hidden deep within the forest, surrounded by towering trees and vines that had overtaken the stone structure. The tomb was ancient, its carvings worn by time, but there was no mistaking its ominous presence.
Shu Yi felt a shiver run down her spine as she stood before the entrance. It was as if the tomb itself was alive, watching them.
"This is it," Chen Wei said, his voice low. "The Tomb of the Wandering Scholar."
"Looks… welcoming," Xiao Fang quipped, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Shu Yi knelt down and inspected the carvings on the tomb's entrance. There were symbols—ancient runes—etched into the stone. Some of them were familiar, others unfamiliar. "These symbols… they're part of the forbidden arts, aren't they?"
Chen Wei nodded. "Yes. These runes are used to trap souls. The Wandering Scholar must have used them to bind his own soul to this tomb."
Shu Yi's heart beat faster. "So, we're literally going to break into a tomb full of dark magic and possibly angry spirits?"
"I thought that's what we've been doing this whole time," Xiao Fang replied with a wink.
Chen Wei ignored him and stepped forward. "We need to enter, find the body, and destroy whatever remains of his soul. The sooner we do this, the sooner the curse ends."
---
A Dangerous Journey Within
The entrance to the tomb was narrow, forcing the three of them to squeeze through. As they made their way deeper into the darkness, Shu Yi could feel the weight of the atmosphere press down on her. The air was thick with a strange, almost suffocating energy.
They walked for what felt like hours, their footsteps echoing in the silence. Finally, they reached a large chamber, its walls lined with shelves full of dusty, forgotten scrolls and relics. At the center of the room stood a large stone altar, and on it, a figure—covered in a tattered cloth.
Shu Yi's breath caught in her throat. "That's… him, isn't it?"
Chen Wei nodded gravely. "The Wandering Scholar. But it's not just him. His soul is still bound to the tomb. We need to break the seal."
Shu Yi moved closer, examining the altar. It was covered in runes, glowing faintly with dark energy. "This is going to be tricky," she muttered, tracing her fingers along the markings. "I'm going to need all my concentration for this."
Xiao Fang took a step back, looking uneasy. "You want me to stand guard while you play with dark magic? Fine by me."
"I'll need you to help with anything that comes our way," Shu Yi replied, still focused on the altar.
---
The First Test
As Shu Yi began to chant the incantation to break the seal, the air in the tomb shifted. A low rumble echoed through the stone walls, and the temperature dropped. Shu Yi's heart raced as the runes on the altar began to glow brighter.
Suddenly, a burst of dark energy surged from the altar, sending Shu Yi stumbling backward. Chen Wei quickly grabbed her arm to steady her, his eyes wide with shock.
"It's protecting itself," he said, his voice tense. "This isn't just about destroying a body. The curse is tied to the very essence of this tomb."
Shu Yi's mind raced. "We need to destroy the source of the energy. There must be something else in this room that's feeding the seal."
She quickly scanned the room, her gaze falling on a small pedestal in the corner. There, hidden among the dust and cobwebs, was a dark stone—its surface glowing with an eerie light.
"That's it," she said. "That's the source."
---
The Final Battle
Before they could make a move toward the pedestal, the room seemed to come alive. Shadows twisted and writhed on the walls, and from the darkness, figures began to materialize—ghostly apparitions, their hollow eyes locked on the trio.
Chen Wei drew his sword, stepping forward to protect Shu Yi and Xiao Fang. "Stay close. We'll fight through them."
Shu Yi didn't wait for any further orders. She moved toward the pedestal, her hands glowing with alchemical energy as she summoned all her strength to break the stone's seal.
The apparitions closed in on them, but Xiao Fang moved swiftly, his blade flashing through the air. "I've got this!" he shouted, slicing through the shadows with ease.
But there were too many. The ghostly figures kept coming, their forms shifting and flickering with each strike. Shu Yi could feel her energy draining as she focused on breaking the stone.
"I need more time!" she cried.
Chen Wei gritted his teeth. "We'll give you that time."
With a powerful roar, he swung his sword in a wide arc, cutting down the nearest apparitions. "Hurry!"
Shu Yi's heart pounded in her chest. She focused all her energy on the stone, her mind connecting with the ancient forces that bound it. She could feel the power within—the dark, oppressive magic that had been feeding the curse for so long.
With a final push, she shattered the stone.
---
The Curse Breaks
The moment the stone cracked, a shockwave of energy rippled through the tomb. The apparitions screamed in fury before dissipating into nothingness. The altar's runes blinked out, and the temperature returned to normal.
Shu Yi collapsed to her knees, exhausted. Chen Wei rushed to her side, his expression filled with concern. "Are you alright?"
Shu Yi smiled weakly. "I'm fine… just a little tired."
Xiao Fang grinned, wiping blood from his blade. "Well, that was fun."
As the tomb fell silent, Shu Yi's thoughts drifted back to the Wandering Scholar. She had broken the curse, but was it really over?