Chapter 56: Damn It, I'll Never Believe a Bad Woman's Lie Again - I Forged Them in Darkness, and They Buried Me in It

**Chapter 56: Damn It, I'll Never Believe a Bad Woman's Lie Again** Chen An slowly stopped his actions and placed the half-carved wooden figure on the table. He thought to himself, perhaps it's time to take a break from carving. Doing the same thing all day long can indeed become tiresome. At that moment, Xiao Yu, as if noticing something, exclaimed in surprise, “Sir, you have a gray hair…” She pointed at the small tuft of hair by Chen An's ear, where a single gray strand stood out starkly against the black. Chen An was taken aback. He asked, "Xiao Yu, how long have you been here?" "How long? It feels like a very long time.” Xiao Yu tilted her head in thought, counting on her fingers, “One, two, ... five, it's been five years, sir.” She gazed out the door at the sky, filled with emotion. “Sir, time flies so fast.” “Does it? Perhaps…” Chen An followed her gaze outside, feeling a bit absent-minded. Five years. Adding the six years before Xiao Yu's arrival, it had been a total of eleven years. In all these eleven years, he had never stepped out of this small Guiping City. Unknowingly, he was already forty-one years old. They say a man establishes himself at thirty and becomes clear-minded at forty; this is also considered a man's golden age. Historically, most great achievers start their accomplishments around this age. But looking at Chen An today, you couldn't see the slightest hint of the vigor typical of a man in his prime. What you saw instead was the withering semblance of a candle in the wind, akin to an elderly man in decline. “Let's go out for a walk.” Chen An suddenly spoke. However, Xiao Yu seemed less than enthusiastic, resting her head on her hands as she muttered, “Sir, we've walked through every alley big and small in Guiping City countless times.” Chen An chuckled, “This time, let's step outside the city.” Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu was momentarily stunned, then her eyes lit up with excitement, “Really?” “Really.” Receiving a firm answer, Xiao Yu hesitated again. Although she had long wanted to venture outside the city to see the mountains and rivers. “What’s wrong, don’t want to go?” Xiao Yu quickly waved her hand, “No, it's just that, just that…” She thought for a moment, choosing her words carefully before saying, “It seems like you’re acting a bit strange today, sir.” … In the twelfth year, Chen An began to sleep more excessively. He could lie on that bamboo chair and sleep for an entire day. If Xiao Yu didn't call him regularly for meals, Chen An might just sleep until the next day. Indeed, it's possible he might simply sleep on forever. The craft he had maintained for over ten years was also completely abandoned by then. That small storeroom hadn't been opened since it was last locked. The lock was covered in thick dust. Initially, Xiao Yu would ask Chen An why he had stopped carving, but as time passed, the matter gradually faded from her memory. She would almost forget it had happened at all, were it not for occasionally glimpsing the locked room while cleaning the courtyard. People’s memories are so easily overwritten by other things. In June of the same year, news arrived from Li Ye. But it wasn't him who came, rather, it was his son, Li Yizhou. He came on behalf of his father to visit Chen An. He was accompanied by several guards. After a brief three-day stay in Guiping, Li Yizhou departed once more, taking with him some books Chen An had whimsically written years before. These books contained theories and ideas from Chen An’s knowledge of the Blue Star. Even though Li Yizhou found much of it incomprehensible, he regarded it as a treasure, respectfully gave three bows towards the small courtyard from afar. … In the thirteenth year after Luo Cong An left. It was a scorching September. On this unremarkable morning, Chen An awoke. As he opened his eyes, instead of the familiar beams of his room, he was met with complete darkness, unable to see a single glimmer of light. And, as expected, he experienced full body paralysis. Chen An lost his sight. Unlike those born blind or those who became blind later, he could truly see nothing at all. Others with sight issues might still discern some light or vague shadows. But not Chen An. He knew this was the final warning from this world. Chen An didn't panic, he continued to call Xiao Yu softly. Suddenly, he felt somewhat grateful that he hadn't lost his ability to locate sounds. He heard footsteps outside, and the creaking sound of the door being opened. Soon, Xiao Yu's gentle voice spoke. “What’s the matter, sir?” She inquired softly. Chen An answered truthfully, withholding nothing, as there was no reason to hide it. Hearing this, Xiao Yu was left speechless for a long while, opening her mouth to speak, yet unable to utter a sound. “Xiao Yu, thank you for taking care of me all these years.” Chen An spoke calmly, recounting his gratitude. For once, he indulged in much unnecessary talk, with most of it subtly suggesting Xiao Yu could leave him. But whether she misunderstood or chose not to understand, Xiao Yu decided to stay. She had an inkling, just not that it would come so soon. Xiao Yu knew nothing, understood nothing, but this did not prevent her from being kind and grateful. And in these muddled days, Chen An miraculously lived for another three months. He lasted until the winter at the year’s end. It wasn't that he didn’t want to hold on longer, nor that he couldn't find another excuse, simply that life was drawing to a close. That night, Guiping City was blanketed by a heavy snowfall. Chen An lay in bed, quietly experiencing the final moments of life. There was no regret, no resentment. Only fleeting, scattered, and useless thoughts. He thought ruefully. Damn it, I'll never believe a woman's lie again. … Meanwhile. Inside a secret realm of the Tian Yan Sect. A white-haired, red-eyed girl paused her meditation and slowly opened her eyes. For an unexplained reason, Luo Cong An felt a sudden pang of unease. Instinctively, she clutched at her chest, it felt as though an invisible hand had just gripped her heart tightly. A faint pain lingered. What was going on? Could it be a misstep in her cultivation? She tried to resume her meditation, but peace eluded her. So Luo Cong An took out a small wooden carving from her clothes, holding it close to her heart for comfort. She hoped her 'chibi' self would bless her, allowing her to successfully reach the mid-stage of Qi refinement, and return to visit her teacher by the end of the year. The girl meticulously counted the days, doing so repeatedly until she couldn't help but feel a little pleased inside. Just two more months… When she breaks through and emerges, she must surprise her master, then sneak back to the small courtyard to see if in her absence, her teacher had gotten involved with any mischievous women. At this thought, she couldn't help but feel a bit anxious. Hopefully… right? He did promise that before marrying or having children, he'd let her evaluate them first. Luo Cong An mused blankly, suddenly knitting her brows. She fixated on the wooden carving in her hand. In merely three to four months, how had it aged so much? (End of Chapter)