I Will Leave Before Dawn

Chapter 12: The past in verse

The door swung open, and as soon as he stepped inside, all eyes immediately fixated on his presence. Damu Lan shut the door behind him and seated himself beside Cang Ren. Across him sat Jin An, while on the other side of the table sat the sect leader, Huang ChenTao, with Zhang XiYi standing by his side.

Jin An unfolded his hand fan, using it to partially cover half of his face due to the awkwardness. The tense atmosphere alone was enough to depict that this gathering was no ordinary tea time.

Once Damu Lan settled himself, Huang ChenTao began, “Damu Lan, you must understand why I’ve summoned everyone here."

Damu Lan promptly stood up, slamming his hand on the table.

Startled, they all glanced at him as he replied, "I do not." Then he turned to leave.

"Damu Lan! How dare you behave like that!" Zhang XiYi shouted.

Damu Lan paused in his tracks. "I don’t know what I don’t know. And I don’t wish to know what I don’t know," he said.

Knowing him, Huang ChenTao managed a more direct approach and asked, "Damu Lan, you can't hide the fact that you know Yin Xuan, the lord of the The Grim City."

"Damu Lan. You're not going anywhere until you explain."

"..."

Damu Lan turned his head halfway, his body still standing tall by the door revealing only his side profile. He let out a sigh.

"Centuries ago, I received a letter from Lord Yin, Yin Xuan, inviting me to visit the secluded residents of The Grim City. That's how I met him."

“Exactly when, centuries ago, do you refer to?” Jin An interrupted, joining in the conversation.

“Five years after Mo Yun’s death.”

At that moment, Cang Ren's crossed arms began to relax. His movements paused momentarily and he gasped softly, as if he had just discovered the secret passage leading to the depths of his understanding.

"Your words are too brief. For what reason would he—" Zhang XiYi's words were cut short as Damu Lan interjected, "I won't disclose the main reason. But part of it was because he wanted to give me books."

"Damu Lan, right now, none of us can discern which part of your words are sincere."

"Believe me or not, it’s your choice. Either way, it won't benefit me,” Damu Lan retorted, his face turned towards the door.

"Understood. I won't press you to explain further, but I'm interested in the books you mentioned."

"They’re just books. Tons of books. Such matters need not concern the sect leader. So Damu Lan kindly requests that the sect leader not involve himself in this,” he said, then began to make his way towards the exit.

The room fell silent as everyone watched his departure. Huang ChenTao exchanged a brief glance with Zhang XiYi, silently conveying a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Cang Ren’s mind wandered, and a fragment of his thoughts slipped out as he murmured, “Books…”

Zhang XiYi noticed his distraction and asked, “Something troubling you, Cang Ren?”

But Cang Ren hesitated, doubting his own thoughts. He shook his head, dismissing any peculiarity.
.

In his room, Damu Lan sat by his bed, in his usual night attire. He had yet to drink or spill any wine, but his face was rather flushed with red hue. It was not the flush of intoxication or frustration, but rather a weariness that weighed heavily on his mind.
Suddenly, a knock resounded on his door.