abnabooks Chapter 71 The Inviolable Triple Contract
Chapter 71 The Inviolable Triple Contract
Vijay was unaware of how he had encountered such a perfectly timed danger.
The problem we need to solve now is that the slow horse refuses to move forward!
The remaining distance is definitely not short, and it is impossible for us to pull the cart across this scorched earth by manpower!
But as far as the eye can see, there is no end to the scorched earth. Is it possible to take a detour?
Vijay glanced at both sides; one side seemed to be heading towards the Misty Swamp, while the other side led to the once sacred mountain.
Where could there be danger?
Vijay stood at the very front of the line, his posture upright, his robes fluttering slightly in the heat, yet he showed no sign of panic.
His gaze calmly swept over the restless livestock, then over the tired, fearful, and almost desperate faces of his team members, finally settling on the endless, infernal scorched earth in the distance.
Vijay slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on the Brahma Eyes that were hovering diagonally above the group.
"Livestock are naturally afraid of fire, and it is absolutely impossible for them to pass directly through the core of the scorched earth." Vijay's voice was not loud, but it was steady and powerful, penetrating the scorching air and clearly reaching everyone's ears.
He paused, then raised his hand and pointed to the eastern horizon, his gaze resolute, his tone carrying an unwavering certainty: "But the eastern trade route must traverse this scorched earth!"
"Now we only have two paths to choose from: one, turn back towards the Misty Swamp and try to detour around the Scorched Earth; two, continue eastward along the edge of the Scorched Earth."
Vijay turned his head, his gaze calm as he looked at Fannu, his tone respectful yet not subservient: "My lord, what is your opinion?"
Fan Nu slowly opened his huge single eye, the dark red pupil shimmering slightly in the scorching light, his gaze deep, carrying a hint of inquiry and a touch of indifference.
He remained silent for a moment, his beard trembling slightly, his voice hoarse and devoid of any emotion: "I'll do as you say."
He uttered just four simple words, his attitude indifferent, as if the future held no importance for him.
"Then let's head east!"
Vijay looked eastward, where, theoretically, there should be a towering sacred mountain reaching into the clouds.
But now it's completely empty.
It's unknown what kind of natural disaster or divine power could have achieved such a terrifying effect.
Apart from Bim, who was somewhat afraid, the rest of the caravan members were unaware of what this place had once looked like; ignorance is bliss.
Now that the caravan leader had given the order, everyone acted without hesitation, gathering the scattered goods and continuing their journey.
The team slowly set off, heading east along the boundary between the scorched earth and the wasteland.
The two sides presented starkly contrasting scenes. One side was a desolate yet relatively mild grassland with sparse vegetation and occasional low shrubs; the other side was an endless infernal scorched earth with reddish rocks, deep cracks, and eerie blue flames, with rolling heat waves and a deathly desolation. The two scenes formed a glaring contrast, making people feel increasingly oppressed.
The heat wave lingered around me, and every breath was scorching. Sweat evaporated instantly as soon as it seeped out of my skin, leaving only a layer of fine salt residue that felt sticky and uncomfortable.
A day and a night pass in the blink of an eye.
The eastern sky, from pitch black to a pale dawn, then the sun high in the sky, its scorching rays pouring down, turning the scorched earth even redder, before gradually sinking into twilight. Night fell, the stars lit up, but they still could not dispel the heat and deathly silence of this wasteland.
The team continued along the edge of the scorched earth without stopping.
But the scorched earth before them still stretched endlessly, with no end in sight, and the surrounding scenery remained unchanged!
The next morning, the first rays of dawn pierced the horizon, casting a crimson glow on the barren wasteland, illuminating the entire landscape in a fiery red.
The caravan members had just gotten up, rubbing their aching muscles and bones, preparing to continue their journey. Before they were fully ready, Fan Numu was the first to move.
A flash of white light enveloped him, and he instantly landed in front of Vijay from his levitating state. His enormous single eye narrowed slightly, and for the first time, a hint of anxiety and impatience appeared in his dark red pupil.
His gaze was fixed on Vijay, his voice hoarse and tinged with coldness: "How much longer are we going to go?"
It's only been one day!
Although Vijay was somewhat surprised, he remained calm and slowly raised his hand, pointing to the vast expanse of reddish-brown earth in the distance. His tone was sincere and resolute: "My lord, you may not know this place, but it is the land burned by the heavenly fire after the collapse of the ancient divine mountain. The Stone People once lived here for generations. The secret path to the east does not mean going around the edge, but rather crossing the core of the wasteland directly to the divine mountain."
"We'll have to take a detour now; please forgive me, I don't know the way!"
His tone was firm, and his words were earnest. After all, the resonance between the stars and the round card the night before was still vivid in his mind, and there was no mistake about it.
Fan Numu remained silent for a moment, his countless pink tentacles trembling violently. In his dark red pupils, his expression shifted, as if he were weighing the pros and cons, or suppressing his anger.
After a long silence, he spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable resolve: "I'm not going to Dongfang."
These words were like a thunderclap, instantly causing an uproar within the group!
Everyone was stunned, their faces filled with disbelief, exchanging bewildered glances, and for a moment, no one could react.
Day and night, we traveled tirelessly, persevering, enduring hardship, and suffering, all for the sake of the Eastward Journey.
But now, he's saying he's not going to the East?
The team members' faces were filled with a variety of emotions: shock, confusion, elation, and disappointment.
Vijay was also startled and momentarily lost in thought.
He hoped day and night, and day and night he would voluntarily abandon the Eastward route.
At this moment, his wish had come true, and a surge of joy welled up in his heart, almost overflowing, but he forcibly suppressed it, not daring to show it in the slightest, for fear that Fan Nu would notice something amiss.
Before Vijay could calm himself down, Fannumu's voice rang out again, still calm, but with an undeniable command: "You, take me to the temple."
Vijay's smile froze instantly, his elation instantly turned into a helpless, bitter smile.
He knew that this Brahmin's most loyal servant had never truly abandoned his master's orders!
The Eastern Road was dispensable to the Brahma priests, who already possessed all the world's wealth. However, the temple and the secrets of the Mithar family's divine favor were his long-cherished and determined goals!
Vijay pondered for a moment, then his gaze unconsciously drifted into the depths of the wasteland.
Guided by the stars and resonating with the circular tablets, the direction of the temple was crystal clear.
But the temple, based on the information we have now, is very likely to recognize the round token in my possession, rather than the Mithril bloodline...
This information must absolutely not be known to Mu!
Otherwise, they will inevitably be coveted, lose their only trump card, and lose the necessary condition to control their own eastern trade routes.
His fingertips unconsciously traced the round plaque beneath his clothes, his mind racing with thoughts.
Fan Numu's attitude was tough; refusal could lead to conflict and put the caravan in dire straits, while compliance would expose the location of the temple and might even reveal the secret of the round tablet.
However, only you know where the road leads; the twists and turns within it are vast!
After careful consideration, Vijay slowly nodded, his expression calm and his tone neither humble nor arrogant: "Alright, I will take you to the temple, sir."
He turned his head and looked at the old servant Bim beside him.
Bim was standing at the front of the group, his eyes fixed on Vijay, his face full of genuine worry and concern, his unease undisguised.
Vijay looked at him, a warmth spreading through his heart, and calmly instructed, "Bim, lead the men to set up camp here and rest, and wait for my return."
Bim stepped forward, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something but then stopped himself. All his words ultimately boiled down to a low, admonishing sentence: "Master, please be careful."
Their concern was genuine and undisguised.
Vijay patted his shoulder gently, assuring him that everything was under control.
Having finished explaining, Vijay said no more, turned around and walked slowly into the depths of the wasteland with Fannumu.
At first, the two walked slowly.
The lava shell beneath their feet was scorching hot. The deeper they went, the higher the temperature became, the more intense the burning sensation in the air became, and the more severe the distorted light and shadow became.
The sound of dark red magma flowing through the cracks grew clearer and clearer, and pale blue flames were visible everywhere. The smell of sulfur in the air was so strong it was suffocating.
After walking for a short while, Fannumu complained that Vijay was moving too slowly.
A soft yet dazzling white divine light suddenly shone around him, spreading out instantly and gently enveloping Vijay.
The next second, the two of them instantly took to the air and rode the wind.
The speed was astonishing; the crimson wasteland beneath his feet rushed past, the wind whistling past. The scorching heat was blocked by the divine light, and Vijay suddenly felt cool and comfortable all over, as if he were in a cool place, completely different from the scorching heat of the outside world.
As they sped along, Vijay couldn't resist his curiosity and quietly reached out to touch the air outside the divine light.
Instantly, a piercing heat surged through him, causing a sharp pain in his fingertips. He immediately withdrew his hand, secretly alarmed. The temperature was probably well over a thousand degrees; any ordinary creature would melt upon stepping on it.
The two sped along, and in the blink of an eye, they had ventured several miles into the wilderness.
The deeper one goes, the more terrifying the strange phenomena become.
The cracks in the ground grew deeper, like wounds torn open in the earth. Dark red magma surged and flowed within the cracks, churning with scalding bubbles, while countless eerie blue flames flickered and danced like leaping sprites.
The air was thick with the pungent smell of sulfur, and the heat was almost enough to melt you.
After speeding along for a while, the scenery ahead suddenly changed drastically.
A colossal, deep pit suddenly appeared before their eyes.
The pit is several kilometers in circumference and its depth is unfathomable, as if a piece of the earth had been forcibly gnawed away. Its edges are made of reddish-brown, hard lava rocks, covered with dense, scorched marks. The rock surface gleams with a crystal-clear firelight, and countless tiny, eerie blue flames leap, swim, and flicker on the pit walls, dazzling and spectacular.
At the edge of the deep pit, heat waves rolled, the scorching heat far exceeding that of anywhere else, the air was distorted beyond recognition, and the sight alone was enough to send chills down one's spine.
Upon arriving at this place, Vijay suddenly realized that the divine light enveloping him and his destination had become even more dazzling.
Clearly, the high heat forced the eyes to increase their protective measures and implement more stringent safeguards.
Even so, the initial ease and comfort seemed to have vanished, and Vijay could almost feel the heat waves around him seeping into the divine light's protection through the gaps.
"Shiva, Lord Eye," Vijay tried to remind him, "we can go around this area along the edge!"
But Fannu Eye stopped and hovered at the edge of the pit, its huge single eye fixed on the crystals on the pit wall that were glowing with crystalline fire.
An uncontrollable greed and desire erupted from its dark red pupils, and countless pink tentacles around its body trembled wildly, as if those crystals were the most precious treasures in the world.
He slowly extended one of his tentacles, cautiously reaching towards the nearest glowing crystal on the pit wall.
The whiskers were pink and soft, with a strange luster, but as soon as they approached the edge of the pit, before even touching the crystal, they were instantly scorched by the high temperature of a thousand degrees.
The tender pink whiskers instantly dried up, turned black, and carbonized, turning into a wisp of ash in the blink of an eye, dissipating into the scorching air.
"hiss!"
Fan Nu let out a low groan of pain, his voice hoarse and clearly showing his suffering.
But the greed and desire in his eyes did not diminish at all; on the contrary, they became even more intense.
Without hesitation, he severed the damaged tentacle in an instant, his movements swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
Vijay stood enveloped in divine light, taking in everything and understanding it all.
Vijay didn't recognize these glowing crystals, but this was the second time he had seen such greed in Vijay's eyes!
It's easy to imagine that these seemingly random scattered items were, in the eyes of the target, something on par with the alien gods of the temple!
Floating in place and waiting, Vijay looked around.
Huh?
Staring at the flickering flames on the pit wall, they seemed to possess a spirit?
Vijay subconsciously switched to the perspective of Karma Yoga, focusing his mind on perceiving the surrounding energy.
The eerie blue flames on the pit walls, seemingly leaping haphazardly, indeed appeared to be alive.
They danced merrily around the luminous crystal, faintly emitting a low, yet incredibly clear, joyful murmur.
At that moment, a sudden change occurred!
Fan Nu suddenly turned his head, his huge single eye staring intently at Vijay. In his dark red pupil, killing intent surged instantly, chilling to the bone, as if he wanted to tear Vijay to pieces in an instant.
"You are a heretic!"
His voice was cold, hoarse, and filled with rage, like a curse from the abyss, making the air tremble slightly.
What heretics?
Vijay almost didn't react, but then he understood.
It is Karma Yoga!
Under the protection of Brahma, he practiced Karma Yoga.
This thing seems different from the way of the gods!
The sudden use of it was immediately detected by the Brahma Eye!
Before he finished speaking, the white divine light surrounding Vijay suddenly vanished.
The eye didn't hesitate at all to want Vijay dead!
Vijay instantly lost all protection and plummeted straight down into the scorching hot earth below.
A thousand degrees Celsius instantly enveloped his entire body, the scorching heat sweeping through his limbs and bones, his skin feeling as if it were about to melt. Vijay's pupils contracted sharply, and his heart turned ice-cold.
He's definitely going to die!
But at this critical moment, an unbelievable scene unfolded.
The eerie blue flames that had been leaping and swimming on the pit walls suddenly surged wildly toward Vijay, as if summoned.
Countless eerie blue flames leaped and danced merrily around Vijay's body, carrying a strange coolness that shielded him from the scorching heat of the outside world.
This is……
Vijay stood unharmed on the scorched earth.
Seeing this, Fannu became even more enraged. His tentacles danced wildly, and his body began to twist and deform, gradually transforming into a hideous and terrifying figure like the alien god in the temple. His killing intent was chilling, and his violent aura swept around.
Even when its true form was revealed, its body, which occasionally drifted away from the protection of the divine light, was instantly scorched to ashes.
The immense pain calmed Mu somewhat, and he stood at the edge of the pit, waving his tentacles and staring intently at Vijay.
For a moment, a strange stalemate ensued.
Vijay, still shaken, slowly regained his balance and looked down at his feet.
A crimson crystal, the size of a fingernail, lay quietly on the hard shell of lava, gently enveloped by a ghostly blue flame. It was crystal clear, dazzling, and emitted a strange luster.
He bent down and carefully picked up the crystal.
It feels warm to the touch, with a delicate texture, and a slight warmth spreads from the palm of your hand.
Holding the crystal up, Vijay could clearly see the entanglement and greed in Vijay's enormous pupils!
Vijay instantly had an idea.
He raised his head, looking at the enraged Fan Nu, and said calmly, neither servile nor arrogant, "My lord, why be angry? What you have been searching for, I can obtain for you!"
Fan Nu's furious movements suddenly stopped, the killing intent in his dark red pupils slightly subsided, and he stared intently at the fire crystal in Vijay's hand, his gaze complex.
There is a play!
Vijay pressed his advantage, speaking earnestly and clearly, "May Brahma protect us, as long as you, sir, make a pact with me!"
"You must protect my caravan and escort us safely back to our territory; report to the Brahma priest that although our journey to the East has not yet succeeded, everything is under control and can be explored again in the future; vouch for the Mithar family before the priest and Kshatriya Roshman, ensuring the family's safety; furthermore, today's matter will remain undisclosed!"
"I wonder if that's alright?"
Vijay was still a little nervous, but this was his best chance to negotiate!
As long as these crystals are valuable enough to the eye!
Fan Nu remained silent for a very long time.
The reddish tentacles around his body gradually subsided, and the rage and murderous intent in his dark red pupils slowly faded, leaving only deep entanglement and weighing of options.
After a long silence, he spoke slowly, his voice hoarse, carrying an undeniable resolve: "I want three pieces. I swear, in the name of Brahma, in the name of Shiva, in the name of my master, I will keep my promise."
A contract witnessed by three parties!
Vijay felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders, nodded solemnly, and extended his hand.
Successfully pleasing yourself
Add 1 talent point, 2 talent points remaining.
Taking a risky gamble? That sounds pretty thrilling!
Vijay suppressed his inner joy and watched as Fannu used his divine power to condense a sacred mark, which floated in front of Vijay.
With just one glance, Vijay knew that this oath was no different from what he had said, so he immediately reached out his hand.
With a flash of divine light, the vow between the two was made, a vow that could never be broken. Even with the protection of the Brahman, they would never easily betray their oath.
Vijay said no more, turned around, and walked step by step into the deep pit.
The pale blue flames gently surrounded him, causing him no harm whatsoever.
He bent down and easily picked up the second fire crystal, then walked forward and picked up the third, and there was a fourth, a fifth...
He thought picking up the fire crystal would be easy, but the moment he picked up the third fire crystal, the surrounding blue flames paused slightly!
With almost no pause, the once gentle and affectionate flames began to rage, as if blaming Vijay for his greed.
That feeling of intimacy was almost gone; it felt like they were about to devour Vijay in the next second!
Vijay reacted quickly; his heart tightened, and he immediately stopped what he was doing, turning around and running wildly towards the edge of the pit.
Behind him, waves of fire roared, the scorching heat relentlessly pursuing him; in front of him, the eyes of the Brahma Nu instantly unleashed white divine light, steadily protecting him within.
In the dim light, one could almost hear a violent roar.
Vijay lost consciousness amidst a burning sensation that seemed to penetrate to the very marrow of his back.