Chapter 286 (1/2)

Hao Ren looked back to where they came from and the path in the fog had disappeared. In its place was a layer of black mirror with a ripple effect across it, like a painting in the air stretching out of a building. It was ten metres wide or so and a black band, which looked like it was drawn with oil paint floated around the edges. He was curious. He touched it but his hand felt nothing. But when he poked his head through the mirror, he saw that the path was still there. Hessiana spoke snappily from behind, “If you want to go home, use this mirror and just follow the path. You guys have a marking; as long you you don’t wander into the fog, you’ll be safe. There’s an ancient one guarding the entrance and the exit between the Shadowy Divide and the real world, just give him a heads-up then you’ll be free to come and go. However, you’re not allowed to bring anyone in. Your marking is meant only for you. Outsiders who trespass the second level of the shadow space will surely die.”

This pseudo-mirror was the gateway between the Fortress of Shadows and the outside world. There was more than one psuedo-mirror around the city, with powerful guards manning both sides of the gateways. The one here before Hao Ren was a smaller one. The bigger gateways had tight security and were specifically used for moving large cargo and materials. Those were non-accessible to visitors. Soon after, Hessiana began to lead everyone off the platform. On their way, there was an old tree at the end of the platform and Hao Ren could not help but look at it curiously: the old tree appeared somewhat different from a normal tree; it had a severely wrinkled and twisted bark like the face of an old man.

“What’s wrong with me?” the old tree suddenly spoke as Hao Ren studied it. As the wrinkled bark moved, it produced a series of cracking sounds and a pair of dark brown eyes appeared beneath the thick bark. “I see you stranger, you’re an outsider. But since you’re with Hessiana, I guess I can trust you. But don’t create trouble in the city or I’ll turn you into fertiliser.”

“This is the old tree, Grandalr, the guard of the gateway. It came to the city 100 years ago.” Hessiana smiled politely at the old tree before making the introduction. “Each gateway is guarded by two guards; one in the real world and one in the Fortress of Shadows. Hesperides guards the real world side of the gateway while Grandalr is responsible for the shadow side. Don’t underestimate Grandalr’s capabilities, all the plants in this city follow his order. While he’s here, he also monitors all the streets in the city. He is the ancient one who’s lived since the Mythological Era. He is one of the most experienced seniors in the city.”

Grandalr swung its crown reservedly as though it was flattered by the compliment about its age and experience. Vivian took a walk around the old tree, then she came to a realisation. “I think I’ve seen you before. Wait a minute, you’re the one I planted with my own hands! Now I remember—where are the fruits that you’ve promised me?”

Grandalr was stunned and took a second look at Vivian. It started to tremble furiously. “My-My Lady!”

Vivian could not have cared less about its reaction. She grabbed its branch and started to shake it. “Have you borne? Where’s the promised fruit?”

Leaves and dead branches rained down as Grandalr’s voice shivered. “Wait… wait… this is all a misunderstanding! I’m not a fruit tree! I told you I wasn’t the one! I explained myself when I was still learning how to speak. I’m a sentient, tree warrior!”

Vivian let go of the tree in disappointment. “Dang it, I know. I was just pissed. It took me a few precious years to only realise that I had gotten the wrong sapling…”

Hao Ren was bewildered. “What’s going on?”

“I brought it here from the garden of Ymir.” Vivian was upset. “I once dropped by the garden and found a very tasty fruit, so I took a branch and planted it myself. But apparently, I got the wrong one; years of effort came to nothing but a barren tree. The one that actually bore fuits was its second uncle. Tsk, I waited eagerly under the wrong tree for years, watering and fertilising everyday not knowing that it was barren.”

Hessiana looked on, astonished. Suddenly, something suddenly crossed her mind and she now realised what was going on with Grandalr. “I’ve been wondering why you would act stupid whenever I mentioned Vivian. So, this is why… and to think that I looked up to you as my senior!”

Grandalr shook its crown and said, “So what? I’m still your senior by virtue of age! You have to respect your senior and be humble. Don’t forget the glorious days of the past even though times are bad now. If we live only for the purpose of surviving, what difference have we from the night birds on the third twig of my eastern bough?”

To make it look more convincing, Grandalr spread open its branches and revealed a nest of birds.