Fantasy Novel: Paradise Hotel    18

【Seventeen】The Archmage Rufu’s Investigation

60

Morning light streamed through the half-open curtains and spilled into the room, casting pale golden patches of light across the soft bed. Outside the window, birds chirped noisily among the trees, while an occasional breeze drifted by, carrying with it a touch of morning coolness.

Lin Xiaoyang sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at Xie Huijun, who was still immersed in her dreams. The morning light softened her features, making her face appear serene and beautiful. Her jet-black hair lay scattered across the pillow, while her chest rose and fell gently with her steady breathing. At that moment, she was like a tranquil painting.

Suddenly, Xie Huijun furrowed her brow slightly. Her eyelashes trembled, and then she slowly opened her eyes. She stretched out her arms and lazily yawned. After a moment of drowsy confusion, her gaze settled on Lin Xiaoyang before her.

“Huijun, you’re beautiful when you’re asleep,” Lin Xiaoyang said softly, his voice filled with tenderness.

Xie Huijun burst into a giggle and reached up to smooth her disheveled hair. “If you flatter me this much, aren’t you afraid I’ll get conceited?”

“I’m just stating a fact.” A smile played at the corners of Lin Xiaoyang’s mouth, but a trace of deeper emotion lingered in his eyes.

Xie Huijun sat up and glanced around the room before realizing that she had slept in Lin Xiaoyang’s bed. She let out a soft breath and said apologetically, “I’m sorry. I took over your bed last night.”

“It’s all right.” Lin Xiaoyang shook his head, his gaze still fixed on her. “Would you like some coffee?”

“Sure! With creamer, no sugar.”

“Got it.” He smiled and stood up, walking toward the living room with a slightly buoyant step.

Xie Huijun watched him disappear from sight, her eyes flickering slightly. She then got out of bed, placed her bare feet on the carpet, and slowly walked toward the bathroom.

A short while later, Lin Xiaoyang came back carrying a tea tray, and the rich aroma of coffee filled the air. He handed her a cup with a smile. “Your coffee. Rich and delicious.”

Xie Huijun accepted the cup and held it beneath her nose, gently inhaling the aroma with her eyes slightly closed. “Mmm, it tastes wonderful.”

“I specifically asked the kitchen to brew it with freshly ground beans.” Lin Xiaoyang sat down across from her and took a sip from his own cup.

Xie Huijun took a small sip. The warm coffee spread across her tongue. She set down the cup and gently exhaled. “Thank you.”

“What would you like for breakfast?”

“No, thank you. I’m not hungry yet.”

Lin Xiaoyang looked out the window. The morning sunlight glittered across the surface of the lake. He suddenly smiled and said, “The weather is nice today. Let’s take a walk by the lake later. I’ll paint a portrait of you.”

Xie Huijun blinked lightly, the corners of her lips lifting. “Should I put on some makeup?”

“No need. You’re beautiful without makeup.” Lin Xiaoyang spoke softly, his tone carrying a hint of earnest certainty.

Xie Huijun smiled with a slight curl of her lips, her eyes carrying a touch of teasing. “Really? You’re still so good with words.”

Lin Xiaoyang gazed at her, his expression suddenly becoming both gentle and profound. He sighed softly. “Huijun, I truly cherish the time I spend with you... I originally thought that we would never—”

Before he could finish, Xie Huijun had already raised one finger and gently pressed it against his lips. Her gaze was tender, yet carried an indescribable emotion.

“It’s all in the past, Xiaoyang,” she whispered, her fingertip trembling slightly.

Lin Xiaoyang stared at her in silence for a moment before finally nodding slowly. “Yes. It’s all in the past.”

The sunlight remained bright, and the air remained warm, but Lin Xiaoyang was immersed in the happiness he had long been deprived of. He failed to notice the complicated emotion that flashed through Xie Huijun’s eyes for an instant, and he had also forgotten about Huang Minhua, far away in Paris...

61

Along the shores of Lake Lucerne, the weather was clear and pleasant, and gentle ripples shimmered across the emerald-blue water. The blue sky was reflected on the lake’s surface, while several swans glided leisurely across the water, occasionally lowering their heads to peck at it and sending tiny ripples outward. The flower beds along the lakeshore were in full bloom, with red, yellow, and purple flowers interweaving into a vibrant scene. On the grass, several couples twirled to the melodious rhythm of a waltz, their skirts fluttering as light laughter drifted through the air. Two children ran barefoot after dragonflies, their laughter ringing like clear bells.

Beneath the shade of a stand of poplar trees by the lake, Lin Xiaoyang was concentrating on painting a portrait of his girlfriend, Xie Huijun. Sitting on a wooden bench, Huijun held a book in her hands, her slender fingers gently turning the pages. From time to time, she lifted her eyes toward the distance, a faint smile appearing at the corners of her lips. Morning sunlight filtered through the branches and fell across her hair, while soft light and shadows outlined her tranquil and beautiful features.

A middle-aged man wearing a linen trench coat and a wide-brimmed hat slowly approached. His steps were light, and his gaze was sharp. Although he was disguised as an ordinary tourist, it was difficult to conceal his extraordinary presence. He was none other than the Archmage—Rufu.

He slowly approached and stood behind Lin Xiaoyang, folding his hands across his chest as he watched the painting with interest. Several passersby also stopped to cast curious glances at the portrait taking shape.

Rufu smiled faintly and murmured, “I didn’t expect to find a street painter here, too.”

Lin Xiaoyang heard the voice and turned his head slightly, giving him a friendly nod. The charcoal pencil in his hand never stopped as he continued outlining Huijun’s eyes and brows.

Rufu’s gaze fell upon the canvas, but his heart was struck by a sudden shock. That familiar face... His eyes darkened slightly as questions and unease surged within him.

“Annie?” he whispered inwardly, his gaze quietly sweeping over Xie Huijun’s face. Her hair had returned to its natural black color, and her eyes remained gentle, yet there was an unmistakable familiarity about her that made him uneasy.

“I sent her to seduce David, yet now she is so intimate with this painter... If he really is David reincarnated...” Rufu narrowed his eyes, his fingertips tightening slightly.

He thought in silence and finally decided to remain still and watch how things unfolded.

At that very moment, a burst of cheerful bells came from the distant path. Several young couples rode toward them on tandem bicycles, the girls’ laughter ringing like silver bells as the vibrant energy of youth filled the air.

Rufu gazed at the scene, and a long-sealed memory was suddenly stirred within him—

When he was young, he had ridden a bicycle, with a girl sitting behind him, her arms tightly wrapped around his waist.

“Rufu, watch out!”

The girl’s bell-like laughter drifted through the wind and gently brushed against his ears. He turned his head and glanced back. The girl’s golden hair shimmered beneath the sunlight, and her smiling face was as beautiful as a blooming flower.

“Don’t worry, Maria. I’ll take you to the most beautiful place!”

He pedaled with all his strength, riding along the country paths toward a hillside covered in blooming wildflowers. They stopped on the slope, and the girl happily jumped off the bicycle and ran through the flowers, chasing butterflies fluttering gracefully through the air. Sunlight streamed down, and her smiling face became an eternal image...

Those had been the purest and most beautiful moments of his entire life.

Rufu returned to the present. Gazing at the laughing couples before him, complicated emotions churned within his heart. His gaze once again fell upon Lin Xiaoyang and Xie Huijun, his expression deep and unreadable.

Perhaps the entanglement of this lifetime had only just begun...

62

In a corner of the lobby of Paradise Hotel, a warm yellow wall lamp cast soft shadows over a man wearing a dark trench coat. The brim of his hat was lowered slightly, concealing most of his face. His fingers slowly tapped on the tabletop, like the ticking of a pendulum marking the passage of time. The scent of sandalwood burning in the fireplace filled the air, while the people quietly conversing around him remained unaware of the Archmage Rufu hiding among them.

However, Xie Huijun recognized him.

She made her way through the crowd, the hem of her skirt gently brushing across the marble floor of the lobby as she slowly approached the corner. Her gaze was probing, with a slight hint of caution. Finally, when she was only a few steps away from him, she spoke softly:

“Archmage, I’m Annie. It’s good to see you.”

Rufu’s fingers stopped. He gently tapped the tabletop once, then looked up at her, his eyes as inscrutable as mist. Almost imperceptibly, he shook his head, signaling her to lower her voice.

Huijun smiled faintly and pretended to ask casually, “May I sit down?”

Rufu reached out and pulled out the chair opposite him, a meaningful smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

“Of course, beautiful and elegant lady.”

She sat down gracefully, her fingers unconsciously caressing the glass on the table as she lowered her voice. “Master, thank you.”

Rufu leaned slightly forward, gazing at her with deep-set eyes. His voice was slow and low. “At the café in town just now, I heard that there was a fierce battle here not long ago?”

Huijun’s heart tightened. She lowered her eyes as though lost in thought. After a moment, she raised her head, a calculating glint flashing in her eyes—Rufu has already heard the news. I might as well turn this situation to my advantage...

She composed herself, allowing a trace of sorrow to appear between her brows. Her voice carried a hint of pity. “I only heard about it after I arrived here. The two guardians, George and Jack, were both defeated by ‘Ghostbane’—Father John Chen. Jack refused to accept the humiliation and took his own life by severing his head, while George... was forced to destroy his own magic. He is now physically crippled.”

Rufu’s brows furrowed slightly when he heard this, and the fingers tapping on the table stopped for an instant. His eyes grew dark and contemplative. After a moment, he said quietly:

“‘Ghostbane’ truly is not someone to be underestimated... Then what about the people he brought with him? Were they all captured by Maria?”

Huijun let out a soft sigh, a flicker of light passing through her eyes as she answered quietly:

“They have all surrendered. They took the medicinal pills bestowed by Princess Maria and were taken to Sky Castle...”

Rufu’s gaze sharpened slightly, and his fingertips unconsciously slid across the tabletop. He calculated silently—The Duke’s followers are nothing but opportunists who switch sides with the wind... It seems the Duke’s defeat is already inevitable.

One of his fleeting thoughts, however, had already been detected by Huijun. She tilted her head slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing at the corners of her lips, and thought to herself, Rufu, in the end, you still cannot escape my mind-reading ability...

At that moment, Wilson quietly watched them from the other side of the lobby. Standing beside the counter, he pretended to organize the account books while secretly observing Rufu’s every move.

Rufu paid no attention to the eyes watching him. He gathered his thoughts, looked directly at Huijun, and slowly asked:

“The young painter who is with you is David, isn’t he?”

Huijun nodded, a trace of tenderness appearing in her eyes as her voice unconsciously softened. “Yes. He is David reincarnated. His name is Lin Xiaoyang, and now... he is with me.”

Rufu smiled faintly, seeming somewhat relieved, and slowly said, “Before he joins Maria, win him over as quickly as possible. With him on his side, the Duke will have a chance to turn the tables.”

Huijun lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously stirring the coffee in her cup, while a faint trace of helplessness appeared between her brows. She said softly, “I’ll do my best... but he seems interested only in painting. As for me... he is neither particularly warm nor particularly cold. To be honest, I have no confidence that I can persuade him.”

Rufu pondered for a moment and sighed, his tone softening slightly. “As long as he does not join Maria, that is enough. If you like him, then stay with him.”

Huijun suddenly trembled. She looked up at Rufu, her expression complicated and her voice trembling slightly. “But... humans and ghosts belong to different worlds... If I continue to stay with him, I will only bring harm to him.”

Rufu looked deeply into her eyes and slowly said, “Actually, when I rescued you from Bai Lang’s subordinate, Ghost Night Hound, all those years ago, I read through your personal diary... and was moved by the depth of your love for your boyfriend.”

Huijun’s fingers trembled slightly, and her heart seemed to skip a beat.

Rufu continued, “I did not want you to fall into the path of ghosts, so I used my own blood to cleanse the vampire virus from your body and used magic to erase the curse on your soul... because in you, I seemed to see Princess Maria as she was when she was young.”

Huijun held her breath and tightly gripped her knees with both hands. Her voice was almost a whisper. “Master... are you saying that I’m a normal human being?”

Rufu nodded slightly, his tone distant and solemn. “You always have been. Although you died once, I brought you back and used magic to protect you, making the leader and the other ghosts believe that you were one of them... I even specifically instructed Jack to protect you.”

Huijun gave a bitter smile, her eyes vacant and her voice low. “But I lost my memory... I feel as though I’m nothing more than a walking corpse.”

Rufu let out a soft sigh, his voice carrying a trace of regret. “Between two evils, we must choose the lesser one. In order to erase Ghost Night Hound’s curse, I had no choice but to erase your past as well.”

Mist gathered in Huijun’s eyes, and her voice trembled. “Master... why are you telling me all this?”

Rufu was silent for a moment before finally speaking softly. “I have a feeling that we will not see each other again... I hope you can find true happiness.”

Huijun’s heart suddenly trembled, tears welling in the corners of her eyes. She softly uttered two words: “Thank you...”

Rufu smiled faintly. His gaze was deep, yet carried a trace of tenderness. “Put yourself in another person’s place... In the end, you and I are both people troubled by love.”

Huijun lowered her head, her emotions churning within her. More than three hundred years had passed, yet he... still carried her in his heart.

63

When Rufu set foot on the island of Sicily, the night was already deep. In the distance, waves crashed against the rocks, bringing with them bursts of damp, salty sea air. Draped in a black robe, he followed the winding mountain road, passing through hidden passages concealed among layers of cliffs, until he arrived before the gates of Bat Castle. The castle gates towered ominously overhead, while stone bats stood with their wings spread on either side, their scarlet eyes flashing with an eerie light in the darkness. The black-armored guards stationed there silently stepped aside to let him pass. Rufu entered slowly, the faint smell of blood filling the air.

He pushed open the heavy oak doors and entered the hall. Golden candlelight flickered, illuminating ancient murals on the walls—a painting depicting a battle from long ago, with countless warriors lying in pools of blood while, at the center, stood a man with his cloak billowing in the wind. It was Anderson.

Anderson sat upon a high-backed throne. When he saw Rufu enter, he immediately rose and strode forward to greet him, his gaze sharp as an eagle’s. “Archmage, how are things in Switzerland?”

Rufu stopped, took a deep breath, and said solemnly, “The situation is extremely unfavorable for you, Master.”

Anderson’s brows furrowed, his voice low. “Tell me in detail.”

Rufu walked to the long table and lightly tapped his fingers against its surface, as though organizing his thoughts. Then he slowly said, “I have learned that the two guardians you sent to Switzerland have already fallen victim to Ghostbane, Father John Chen. Even worse, all the brothers they brought with them have surrendered to Princess Maria.”

Hearing this, Anderson unconsciously clenched his fist, his veins bulging as his voice dropped lower. “Even they surrendered?”

“Not only that...” Rufu raised his head, his gaze sharp as a blade. “Those independent humans and ghosts who originally stayed out of the conflict are now also defecting to the princess one after another. The princess’s forces now control two-thirds of the territory of the Dark World.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell completely silent, broken only by the faint crackling of the burning candles.

Anderson’s face turned livid. He slammed his palm onto the table with a deafening bang. “How is this possible? I have ruled the Dark World for hundreds of years. How could I be betrayed by some little girl?!”

Rufu sighed softly, his tone gentler. “Master, I must make you understand how grave the situation really is... If you insist on taking action at a time like this—”

“Is Heaven determined to destroy me?! No, I refuse to accept it!” Anderson suddenly turned around, fury burning in his crimson eyes. “Guards!”

General White Wolf and General Black Bear immediately stepped forward, dropping to one knee and clasping their fists. “Master!”

“Immediately gather all our elite forces and prepare for war! I will fight Princess Maria to the death!” Anderson’s voice echoed throughout the hall with unmistakable determination.

Seeing this, Rufu shook his head and said heavily, “Master, please think this through... The circumstances are against us. If we attack recklessly, I fear the consequences will be disastrous.”

Anderson’s eyes blazed with fury as he gritted his teeth. “Rather than sit here and wait for death, we should strike first! Even if it becomes our final battle, that is still better than clinging to life in disgrace!”

White Wolf and Black Bear exchanged glances. After a moment of hesitation, they finally clasped their fists. “Yes, Master!”

Seeing that the decision had already been made, Rufu could only sigh helplessly. After pondering for a moment, he slowly said, “Since you have made up your mind, I suggest dividing our forces and attacking along multiple routes. First, harass several major cities and divert the attention of the Church and the government, keeping them constantly occupied so they cannot assemble their main forces. Then our main army will strike directly at Milan, enter Switzerland, and head straight for Lake Lucerne.”

White Wolf frowned slightly and said in a low voice, “But... we still have not determined the exact entrance to Sky Castle. Acting so recklessly may only result in twice the effort for half the result.”

Rufu smiled coldly. “That is precisely my strategy. We will deliberately start fires in different places and create chaos, forcing Maria to dispatch her elite Imperial Guard. As long as we can defeat her main forces on a localized battlefield, we can capture prisoners and force the secret passage to Sky Castle out of them. By then—Maria will have nowhere to run!”

A gleam appeared in Anderson’s eyes, and he nodded. “Brilliant plan! In that case, we’ll proceed according to the plan—advance along separate routes and strike together!”

Rufu nodded slightly, but a trace of unease stirred within him. He gazed toward the Sicilian coastline beneath the distant night sky, knowing that this war would be a trial of blood and fire...