Chi Yan and Chu Yang both looked over, seeing an old man who appeared very, very old. His face was full of wrinkles, holding a basket of flowers and wearing a cloak. In his hand was a long, beautiful staff that seemed more like a scepter, with its head adorned with precious gems, suggesting it was quite ancient.
The old man stared directly at them, his pale blue eyes looking rather eerie.
Chu Yang quickly said in English, "Hello, we're tourists from the East."
Chi Yan stood beside Chu Yang, feeling there was something off about this old man and his piercing, unsettling gaze.
Hearing they were tourists, the old man nodded, "Hello to you."
Chu Yang wondered what the old man was doing here, then tugged Chi Yan to leave, "We've seen everything, let's go."
After they left, the old man took fresh flowers from the basket and placed them in front of a witch statue, closing his eyes as the gems on his scepter began to glow. He muttered something inaudible.
Soon, the old man opened his eyes, and a raven immediately perched on his shoulder, cawing as if speaking to him.
"What? You've sensed magical power from her?" the old man said, responding to the raven.
He immediately turned and hurried after Chu Yang and Chi Yan. Despite his elderly appearance, he moved surprisingly swiftly.
Chi Yan and Chu Yang were walking when Chi Yan whispered, "That old man seemed really dangerous." His piercing eyes had unnerved even a grown man like him.
"Don't worry, he's just an old man," Chu Yang said nonchalantly.
"Yeah... Should we look for an inn in this village to stay tonight?"
Chu Yang agreed.
As they walked, they suddenly heard a commotion behind them. Turning around, they saw the old man rushing towards them at full speed, eyes wide in disbelief at how nimble the elderly woman was.
Still, Chi Yan stood protectively in front of Chu Yang.
The old man stopped before them, showing no signs of being winded, and stared at Chu Yang behind Chi Yan. "You, move aside," he said, pointing at Chi Yan.
Chi Yan glanced at Chu Yang, who nodded, so he stepped aside, holding Chu Yang's hand. The old man scrutinized Chu Yang, then smiled and extended his hand. "Child, give me your hand."
Chu Yang hesitated a moment before stepping forward and placing her hand in his. His hand looked rough and wrinkled but felt warm to the touch, and she sensed a power from him.
The old man closed his eyes while holding her hand, and she saw the gem on his staff glow briefly. He soon opened his eyes again, looking kindly at Chu Yang. "Child, come with me."
Chu Yang and Chi Yan exchanged glances, but she eventually nodded at him to follow, feeling this old man was a witch like herself, perhaps even more powerful.
They followed the old man to a secluded house near the forest, behind the village. It was an old-fashioned building with a fireplace and a spiral staircase. He invited them in and served them milk tea.
"Thank you."
Afterward, the old man asked them to wait as he went upstairs, the wooden steps creaking under his feet.
Chu Yang and Chi Yan looked around the room, which seemed ordinary aside from a bookshelf full of books, some in English and others in a language Chi Yan couldn't read but Chu Yang recognized as the Witch Clan's writing. So this old man really was a witch?
Chu Yang stood up and walked over to the bookshelf, seeing titles like 'Alchemy', 'The Witch Clan', and 'Witchcraft', clearly indicating the owner's identity.
She hesitated but picked up 'The Witch Clan' and flipped through it, surprised to find this book here. The first page had an image depicting a witch similar to the statue, and the next page began recounting the history of witches.
Chu Yang had only read two lines when she heard footsteps - the old man was coming back down. He carried a large, heavy-looking box, which Chu Yang hurried to help him with. Though it looked weighty, it wasn't too heavy when she picked it up.
The old man didn't object, letting her carry the box to the living room table where they sat down.
"If you wanted to read that book, you could have taken it," the old man said, referring to the book she had touched earlier.
"No, no, I'm sorry for touching your book without permission," Chu Yang said apologetically, waving her hands.
The old man didn't mind. "So you can read those words?"
Chu Yang nodded. "Yes." She didn't deny it, sensing this old woman likely knew her true identity too.
The old man slowly opened the box, revealing a crystal ball inside. In a raspy voice, he said, "It's been a long time since anyone sought me out. Everyone thought the Witch Clan had gone extinct in this world."
Chu Yang detected a note of despair in his tone.
But then the old man lifted his head, looking at Chu Yang with relief. "I never expected our Witch Clan would still exist on another continent." He picked up the crystal ball and handed it to Chu Yang. "I see your crystal ball is gone, so take this one I've treasured. It's a gift for you."
"No, no, I couldn't," Chu Yang hurriedly declined. "This is yours."
But the old man insisted firmly. "Take it. If you don't, this crystal ball may become useless. Here, apart from me, there are no other witches left. I thought after I died, the Witch Clan would be extinct forever. I never expected you to come." He paused, then added warmly, "So take it."
Chu Yang hesitated but accepted the crystal ball. Upon taking it, it emitted a blinding flash of light that quickly faded back to normal.
The old man smiled. "It likes you."
Chu Yang stroked the crystal ball, feeling its friendly aura.
"Thank you."
The old man stood again and took two more books from the shelf, handing them to Chu Yang - 'The Witch Clan' and 'Witch Spells'.
Chu Yang accepted them. "But you..."
He waved his hand dismissively. "I've read them many times, I know them by heart. I think you need them."
While 'The Witch Clan' was fine, Chu Yang did need 'Witch Spells', sensing that Zhu Ying was still alive and that she needed to become stronger. She had a premonition Zhu Ying would return.
"Thank you. Is there anything I can do for you?" Chu Yang asked.
The old man considered for a moment, then uttered two words: "Carry on."
