Chapter 80: Reading the Letter (2)

“That ship, the one that started it all—right now, as I write this letter to you, it is right before my eyes. So you can understand why I have to write to you now. Yes, I intend to go in, to board that ship. I believe that once I’m on it, I might finally unravel many of the mysteries that have plagued us.

If the three of us could go together, perhaps we might even stand a chance of making it out alive. But now, I can only go in alone.

You might wonder, since I’m writing to you, why I won’t tell you where the ship is. The answer is simple: I don’t even know where I am myself. This place is terrifying—on the surface it’s the ocean, but it feels more like the underworld. Perhaps I really am dead, and all I see is the scenery of hell.

In any case, you’ll never find that ship, so you needn’t waste thought on it. Still, I advise you to be prepared; perhaps one day, that ship will seek you out, just as it sought me... I’m not like you; in the end, I’m only one man. But if something happens to your Yuan family, the consequences are beyond words.”

The person writing this letter was clearly trembling while penning these lines. Though the handwriting remained neat, the words all leaned forward slightly, as if the writer was eager to finish this part.

That sentence of his was especially thought-provoking: “Perhaps one day, that ship will seek you out, just as it sought me...” A strange unease rose in my heart; my instincts told me not to probe too deeply into the implications hidden between those lines. Yet, when I read the next two words he wrote, my astonishment grew—I gaped in shock.

“Yuan family.”

Could the one known as “Axi” actually be someone from our Yuan family? The more I thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Judging by the timeline, “Axi” should be my grandfather—Yuan Tianhong. Although I still harbor doubts about the stories my father told me, he certainly wasn’t lying about Grandfather visiting that ancient tomb all those years ago.

The letter’s author implied that if that ship ever came for us, disaster would befall our family. But upon closer analysis, the logic didn’t hold. If one took his words literally, it would mean that on some unknown date, a ship would drift right to my grandfather’s side, and then calamity would strike each member of our family in turn... But that can’t be. So I realized this matter couldn’t be understood literally; it required a different way of thinking.

“Could it be that the ‘ship’ mentioned in the letter isn’t a real ship, but rather a metaphor for something else?” The thought struck me as not entirely impossible.

But suddenly I realized my mind was flooded with too many such questions. If I didn’t sort them out, everything would remain a tangled mess, and I might miss what truly mattered.

So, I set the letter aside, made myself a cup of tea, grabbed some snacks from the hotel room, and began recalling all that had happened in recent days, summarizing every issue in my mind.

First, there was no doubt that my father was hiding something major from me. So I gave this matter a code name: “x.”

If this “x” was the origin of everything, then there were six related questions before me:

First, the Yuan family. Whatever this matter was, it had to be intimately linked to our family; only then would both Grandfather and Father be involved across two generations. So my first question was: what exactly is the connection between the Yuan family and “x”?

Second, the Map of the Four Directions. Whether it was my father’s words or the letter to my grandfather, both indicated that the Map of the Four Directions was somehow deeply entwined with this affair. According to the letter, the map might be the key to unlocking the mystery, or at least have a restraining relationship with “x.” Therefore, my father’s claim that finding the map was to clear the family’s name was likely untrue. The letter made it clear that there might be other ways to resolve the matter aside from relying on the map. Moreover, as indicated by the writer, the map might not even be the most crucial clue within “x.” Still, that’s all relative; considering the risks my father took to obtain the “Blue-Blooded Dragon Pattern,” this matter might indeed be key to unraveling “x.”

Third, Peanut. Of everything that has happened, Peanut’s influence on me has been the greatest. His appearance and departure are both shrouded in mystery. When it comes to him, I really don’t know what stance to take—friend? Companion? Savior? Or... stranger? No, that’s not quite right. Like his chosen name, he is simply Peanut. When I’m with him, I sense that he holds all the answers I seek. Yet, strangely, I feel I shouldn’t ask him my questions—even if he were willing to answer. It’s as if I’m wrestling with myself, which is both ridiculous and eerily unsettling. One thing is certain: Peanut is deeply tied to “x” and is a vital part of the entire affair.

Fourth, “us” and “them.” My father had spoken of these terms, suggesting a certain relationship—likely an adversarial one—between his group and Peanut. “A cornered dog will leap over a wall...” My father had spoken so calmly then, but it seemed they were already driven into a dead end.

Fifth, the bamboo slip. When our group found the way down from the city tower, Peanut’s expression was unforgettable, and from that moment, the conflict between him and my father intensified. Everything seemed linked to the bamboo slip my father and second uncle found years ago. When Peanut met my father, he was also desperate to get that slip. It’s clear that the bamboo slip is a crucial element within “x.”

Sixth, as for all the previous issues—though they troubled me greatly, I could, with some effort, force myself to ignore them. But the last point was different; this was something I had to clarify, and that was... myself.

What spoke volumes were Fatty’s theories. Though I was reluctant to believe them, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my father was concealing something very important about me. Maybe I, too, am a part of “x.”

Inexplicably, I thought of Tan Wei’s words—how one day I’d beg him to take me to meet someone. Could he also know the truth about me, and is that person the one with the answers?

I grew agitated at the thought, downing several gulps of tea before I could steady myself. Ever since learning that Tan Wei was planted by others to spy on me, I’d begun to resist everything about him. To put it bluntly: “I’d rather think myself to death than ever seek out that damned bastard.”

After organizing my thoughts in this way, I didn’t gain much new insight, but I did feel much calmer. Lighting a cigarette, I picked up the letter and continued reading.

“Axi, if I’m not mistaken, you’ll soon have a grandson. Hmm... Along is a good kid—he’s far too good for this line of work. I considered not telling you this last thing, but I, Old Fish, am a selfish man. I simply can’t keep it to myself. Better I tell you than let outsiders know. This matter concerns Along, so forgive me for going on.”

At this point, my mind tensed sharply. “Along”—my father!