Starfall Nine Heavens

After a few seconds, he spoke: "What I just used can be understood as a special power. As for where this power comes from and how to deal with those unclean things, that's a long story."

Lin Fan opened his mouth, wanting to ask more questions. Lu Xiuyuan raised his hand, stopping him from saying anything more.

"I know you have many questions. What are demons? What did I just use? What exactly does the Dust Fate Pavilion do? What is cultivation all about?" Lu Xiuyuan listed them one by one, his tone calm. "Each question cannot be explained in just a few words."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the darkening sky outside. "But today is not the time to tell you these things. You've just gone through a crisis, and you're quite exhausted. What you need most right now is rest. Because there's so much information, and many things are counterintuitive, if I force too much on you, you might not be able to process it all at once. That would only do you harm, not benefit you."

Lin Fan remained silent. His mind was indeed in turmoil; the scene from just now felt like a fantasy, still vivid in his mind, and his limbs were still a little weak. If Lu Xiuyuan were to sit down and launch into a long speech now, he probably wouldn't be able to absorb much of it.

Lu Xiuyuan looked at him and remained silent for a few seconds.

"After what happened today, tomorrow," he began slowly, his voice soft but clear, "would you still be willing to work at the store?"

Lin Fan raised his head.

Lu Xiuyuan didn't urge him, but just looked at him quietly. His eyes were calm and deep, revealing no emotion, but Lin Fan inexplicably felt that this mysterious Mr. Lu was genuinely waiting for his answer.

Lin Fan did not speak immediately.

A voice inside him was saying: Forget it, just pretend nothing happened. Go back to delivering food. Life might be tough, but at least it's safe, and you can keep your life.

But another voice was louder.

Are you just going to back down like that? Become a coward?

He remembered the gray mist seeping from the mirror, and the chill that seemed to want to drag him into the abyss. His back was still cold, and his hands were still limp.

I'm afraid. Of course I'm afraid.

But what he fears even more is that if he encounters something like this again, he will still be left standing and waiting to die.

He subconsciously touched his chest. The jade pendant felt warm against his skin, not as intensely hot as before, but like a quiet hand gently pressing on his heart, urging him to move forward.

"Come here," he said.

What if that thing had been in the house last night? What if Mom, Dad, and Xiaoxiao had encountered that kind of thing if he hadn't been there?

Lu Xiuyuan glanced at him, a slight smile playing on his lips. The smile was faint, but Lin Fan could tell it wasn't just politeness; it was satisfaction, even a hint of admiration.

"Okay." Lu Xiuyuan nodded. "Then we'll talk in detail when you come tomorrow. Go home first today and process what happened today."

Then he walked over and patted Lin Fan on the shoulder. The hand was warm and strong, carrying an indescribable sense of comfort, and Lin Fan felt as if his tense nerves had really relaxed a bit.

"I understand, Mr. Lu." Lin Fan nodded.

"Just call me Uncle Lu." Lu Xiuyuan smiled. "Once you've entered Chenyuan Pavilion, you're family."

Lin Fan felt a warmth in his heart: "Thank you, Uncle Lu."

"No need to thank me, it's nothing." Lu Xiuyuan glanced at his face, "You look pale. Go home and rest early today, and be careful on the road."

"it is good."

As Lin Fan finished packing his things and walked out of the storeroom, he glanced back—Lu Xiuyuan was still standing by the long table, holding the bronze mirror in his hand, but his gaze was fixed on the window. The dim light illuminated his profile, making him appear deep and distant, as if he were lost in thought.

When I pushed open the door to leave Chenyuan Pavilion, the streetlights on Wutong Street were already on.

A cool evening breeze brushed against his face. Lin Fan leaned against the wall at the alley entrance, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. Only then did his nerves, which had been tense all afternoon, truly relax, leaving his muscles aching and his hands trembling slightly.

tomorrow.

Lu Xiuyuan said, "Let's talk again tomorrow."

This agreement gave his chaotic thoughts a sense of direction. He had a vague feeling that what Uncle Lu was going to say tomorrow was probably not simple.

He touched his chest. The jade pendant lay quietly against his skin. It had saved him once again today.

What exactly is this jade pendant?

And Lu Xiuyuan... who exactly is he? Is Chenyuan Pavilion really just an antique shop?

The doubts remain, but I'm not as anxious as before. Because there's an agreement, and a clear expectation.

Lin Fan straightened up and walked towards the bus stop.

As dusk fell, the old street gradually quieted down. The cobblestone path reflected the dim yellow light, and everything seemed to have returned to its most ordinary, everyday state.

But Lin Fan knew that things were different now.

The world has already been torn open in his eyes. And tomorrow that opening might be even wider.

The bus swayed and rattled through the evening rush hour traffic. Lin Fan leaned against the window, watching the dazzling city lights outside. Neon lights, office building lights, the steam from roadside stalls... everything was the same as yesterday, but in his eyes, it was shrouded in something indescribable.

By the time I got home, it was completely dark.

Pushing open the door, warm yellow light and the aroma of food wafted out. Chen Xiuzhi poked her head out from the kitchen: "Fanfan's back? So early today?"

"Yeah, nothing's going on at the shop." Lin Fan put down his backpack and tried to make his voice sound normal.

Lin Xiao looked up from her notebook, blinking, "Brother, why do you look a little pale? Are you not feeling well?"

"It's nothing, I'm just a little tired." Lin Fan walked over and ruffled her hair. "Eat your food, and I'll check your math homework after you finish."

Lin Jianguo, sitting in his wheelchair, glanced at his son. He didn't speak, but simply pushed the bowl of soup he had prepared towards Lin Fan.

Eating, chatting, checking homework, massaging my father's legs, watching TV with my mother. Every little detail, like warm water, slowly melted away the chill left by the afternoon's fright.

This is what he wants to protect.

Late at night, Lin Fan lay in bed, unable to fall asleep.

He stared at the ceiling, the images of today replaying in his mind: the bronze mirror, the ashes, Lu Xiuyuan's hand, that word "still"...

And then there's that phrase, "Let's talk about it in detail tomorrow."

What will Lu Xiuyuan tell him tomorrow?

The truth of this world? The secrets of the Dust and Fate Pavilion? Or those unclean demons?

Lin Fan turned over, placing his hand on his chest. The warm, smooth feel of the jade pendant wafted through his pajamas, carrying a comforting warmth.

What if... what if that monster appeared in our house? What if he wasn't there, and our parents and sister were in danger?

Jade pendants alone? Not enough.

He needed answers. He also needed power—the power of Uncle Lu, who could freeze that broken mirror with a flick of his wrist; or the power of Sister Su Wan, who could cleave that dark shadow in two with a single sword strike that night.

Either way is fine. He can't just stand there and wait to die any longer.

Lin Fan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

He's ready.

No matter what lies ahead, you have to keep going. For your family, and for yourself.