Pi Ping squatted down, patiently gathering the cave guardian’s bones and burying them in the fine sand at the entrance. Nali picked up a square stone as a tombstone and placed it on top.
They exchanged a glance. Nali was the first to climb over the large stone at the cave entrance, lighting a torch and walking a few steps inside.
The flame not only did not extinguish but burned even more vigorously. Clearly, there was a ventilation opening in the cave, so they need not worry about suffocation.
Pi Ping moved slightly slower but also safely entered the cave. He looked at the cave walls and shook his head: “No text was left behind.”
After walking along the winding rocky path for a short while, the space suddenly opened up, with gold and silver utensils and precious treasures piled into small mountains. The light from Nali’s torch scattered everywhere, sparking a fine, firefly-like golden glimmer.
Pi Ping’s expression was calm, a cryptic, derisive chuckle emerging from deep in his throat: “It’s finally going to end.”
Nali’s heart skipped a beat, doubt flashing briefly. But the other seemed to see through her momentary suspicion, revealing a smile of an elder looking down on a junior: “What’s the point of a kingdom with only one person, even with mountains of gold and seas of silver?”
“I’m not…” Nali lowered her eyes shamefully.
Pi Ping let out a tolerant light laugh, waving his hand: “Alright, give me the dagger.”
Nali frowned in confusion, gripping the black dagger without releasing it: “What are you…”
“It’s enough that I remain here,” Pi Ping’s eyes reflected the wild dance of flames, yet his expression was as calm as water, “I want to settle this with my own hands.”
Nali took a step back: “Remain here?”
“Yes,” Pi Ping responded flatly, “The core of Magic Object No. 1 is in me. That dagger and these treasures are of the same origin and must remain here.” He looked at Nali’s complex expression and laughed, sighing, “Instead of feeling sorry for me, you should hate me. This makes me feel even more despicable than I imagined.”
Nali’s gaze flickered, scanning the cave ceiling and Pi Ping’s face. Finally, she spoke softly: “I understand.” She handed the dagger to Pi Ping, her downcast expression somewhat childlike.
