Tomb Raiders: After the Nine Gates Ancestor, they let loose and did whatever they wanted!

Three orphans, a widow, and a little girl—the group traveled light, leaving the snowy plateau as silently as ink drops into a snowfield.

(*′▽｀)ノシ

The eastbound train roared across the vast land, the scenery outside the window gradually fading from the snow-covered landscape to a desolate, gray expanse of the northern plains.

The closer one gets to Kyoto, the clearer the undercurrents of power in the air become—like fine wine quietly fermenting in a sealed jar, its surface calm and still, yet within brewing a myriad of emotions…

On the streets of Kyoto in winter, the bare branches of locust trees rustle in the cold wind, creating a stark and stark scene against the backdrop of faded slogans on the walls.

As far as the eye can see, there is still that familiar blue-gray-green ocean, but if you stop and look closely, you can catch a glimpse of a small floral pattern blooming quietly on the collar of a young girl's dress, as stubborn as a wildflower breaking through the ice on a snowfield.

The occasional glimpse of a young man's gleaming leather shoes as he walks is like the quietly flowing spring water beneath a frozen river.

Even amidst the incessant blaring of loudspeakers and the monotonous background of editorials, a few light, cheerful melodies drifted in, like a ray of warm sunshine suddenly shining into the dead of winter.

Beneath this seemingly strict order, an invisible constraint is quietly loosening.

The yearning for life to break through the soil intertwines with restless energy, blending into the dry, cold winter air, and subtle changes can be tasted with every breath...

On the surface, all the families of the Nine Gates followed the rules and regulations, but time is a cruel mistress. The once powerful and monolithic Nine Gates now had internal relationships as fragile as a spider web.

There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests and each person's inability to let go of their own obsessions, maintaining a suffocating and precarious balance.

However, things ultimately took a different turn than originally planned. The cunning and strategist Zhang Dafoye probably never imagined that the pawns he saw were no longer lambs to the slaughter.

The chill of crisis has already silently seeped into everyone's bones. In this chaotic world of the Nine Gates, who among them isn't a shrewd and experienced person who has struggled through storms and waves?

O-(///￣皿￣)? Retreat! Retreat! Retreat! ─═≡☆゜★▄︻▇▇〓▄︻┻┳═

Apart from the black-backed sixth brother who traveled far away for love and had no ties left, the other leaders, in order to protect the peaceful sky above them and the safety of those around them, either tacitly understood or went along with the flow.

They all tacitly took advantage of this "purge" to thoroughly and decisively remove the treacherous moles that "it" had planted in their respective territories!

...Hahahaha (?w?) Hahahaha...

The crabapple blossoms never fade; Master Hong, who had passed on the torch of master and apprentice, had long since shed the dust of the world and, with his beloved maid, had completely retired from the hustle and bustle of the martial arts world.

The once magnificent stage has now been transformed into only a soft, lingering song sung to his beloved wife.

He handed over all his sects, his vast network of connections and resources accumulated over a lifetime, to his apprentice Chen Pi, whom he regarded as his own son, without reservation.

On the day of the handover, Chen Pi knelt on both knees and kowtowed three times, the floor tiles shaking. His eyes were filled with unfathomable filial piety and a heavy responsibility as heavy as a mountain.

Er Yuehong gently helped him up, leaving behind only a light yet weighty sentence: "Guard this foundation, and even more importantly, uphold the righteousness in your heart."

The implication is clear: don't just kill indiscriminately because you're in a bad mood. Your master is getting old, so you little brat better give me a break!

θ＼(；￢_￢) Slaps hurt a lot!

To outsiders, this bond between master and disciple is steadfast and pure, like the ever-blooming crabapple tree in the deep courtyard of the Red Mansion.

Its fragrance and arrogance, however, silently and sharply pierced the heart of Zhang Dafoye, whose mind was twisted by the loss of his beloved. A poisonous vine of jealousy grew wildly in the dark depths of his heart.

Zhang Qishan: My wife is gone, I'm crawling in darkness and twisting...

(▼へ▼メ)

The Third Master, who once controlled the underground network of Changsha, had long since buried his ambitions.

Now, she's adept at social maneuvering, all to protect her sister-in-law, with whom she depends for survival, and her increasingly robust son, to secure a peaceful division of assets, and to enjoy the family bliss stolen from her life of constant danger.

As for the magnificent grand ambitions and hegemony that Zhang Qishan spoke of?

He scoffed at it, too lazy to get involved. All he cared about was the roof over his head that could shelter those he cherished from the wind and rain.

Who are you trying to fool? Didn't you see that someone's lineage is already dead?

(??︿??●)

Even the loyal and devoted Wu Laogou finally turned away silently. This Fifth Master, known for his ever-smiling demeanor, had stubbornly clung to the last glimmer of hope.

He shuttled between Zhang Qishan and his old comrades, trying to mend the increasingly ferocious rift.

However, her repeated earnest advice only met with Zhang Qishan's ever-growing ambition and icy gaze. Ultimately, the last vestiges of their former affection were completely extinguished.

That's terrible! ((((*??))

From that moment on, she sealed away her heart and locked away her love, her back view desolate. Resolutely, she took Master Xie's hand and began to quietly build a path away from the storm for her family and her loyal old comrades.

At this point, all ties between him and Zhang Qishan, the Great Buddha, were severed, and they were completely estranged!

*:??(?′?`)??:*

Master Xie sighed and rubbed his forehead: Brothers-in-law are brothers-in-law, why are you holding hands with them?

Don't ruin my reputation, I have a wife too.

(●'︶'●)ノ*\(?????)*

Wu Laogou, being sarcastic: Yes, yes, yes, your wife doesn't want you anymore~ Does her territory recognize the marriage certificate you two got?

Who knows, finding two young, blond, blue-eyed men might be better than an old man like you~

(????)?????

Hey~ Wasn't there supposed to be the Huo family too? Did they break up with each other too?

The Huo family was in dire straits; the change of leadership triggered a brutal infighting within the family, severely damaging its vitality and leaving behind a trail of devastation beneath its facade of prosperity.

In order to survive in the chaos of the times, they had no choice but to cling tightly to emerging political forces and rely on those fragile, spiderweb-like nepotistic relationships.

Although the Crescent Hotel was there, they did consider inviting the warlord Zhang Dafoye. Unfortunately, how could this path of "marrying into" and climbing the social ladder accommodate Zhang Qishan, who was ambitious and had the ambition to encompass the whole world?

The meager relationship between the two families is teetering on the brink of collapse due to conflicting interests; now, all that's left is a facade of fake smiles, bows, and superficial politeness.

Forget it.

╮(﹀_﹀”)╭

Huo Xiangu complained behind his back: "A divorced old man, if it weren't for the support of the New Moon Hotel, would he even know that he's already unsellable in the marriage market?"

"Whether that two ounces of meat will even be usable is another matter entirely, so please don't let my daughter suffer!"

Miss Yin was pitiful; she never had a child. If it weren't for the talisman Mr. Yu gave her that kept her alive, she wouldn't have survived until that year.

Zhang Qishan is still standing there, completely clueless!

Ugh~ I'm so damn stupid (U?x?U)

Speaking of Master Xie Jiu, he was a clear stream in a murky swamp—he saw through things and got out early!

From the moment Pipi Xian stirred things up, he foresaw the inevitable sinking of the Nine Gates, a giant ship riddled with holes.

In secret, he orchestrated and devised numerous schemes, subtly transferring and laundering the Xie family's power like a silkworm spinning silk.

Ultimately, carrying a portion of their family lineage, they resolutely sought refuge under the protection of Madam Ji Shutang, a woman with a powerful background and influence.

“纪” is the same as “继”.

The Xie family has a successor, which is a relief to their ancestors. However, this lineage has no further connection with my generation, leaving only Xie Lianhuan, the son born to his concubine.

Ironically, ever since Wei Wuxian left Changsha and caused that huge scene, half of the people present—his family members, and even his bedmates—were brought together.

Our most dashing Ninth Master was extremely cautious before making this decision.

Pipi Xian: The story's direction is both unexpected and predictable... Wait, a three-year-old calls it a "chain reaction"?

Could it be the "chain" from the Chinese idiom "chain scheme"? This father is really good at naming things; he has a rather wicked sense of humor!

The pandas are starving! So many bamboo shoots!

o(*≧▽≦)ツ┏━┓ *Slaps table and laughs wildly!!*

Master Jie set up a cover in the center of the vortex, while he himself constantly maneuvered, released smokescreens, and frantically maneuvered left and right.

Oh, right, as they were about to part ways, his gaze swept over a corner—Qi Tiezui, who had lost his son, spent his days staring blankly at the divination board, and was now emaciated.

Like an empty shell whose soul has been drained, knowing too many things one shouldn't know, even being a prophet is painful!

(? t t ?)

Ninth Master's heart softened, and without saying a word, he said, "Call those kids over and have them pack up Uncle Qi and take him with them! We're not getting involved in this mess!"

As for the Ghost Spirit Sect, out of consideration for the New Moon Hotel and Yin Xinyue's rare, genuine, and innocent heart, they decided to leave.

Mr. Yin's sincerity led to a straightforward connection with "Hibiscus Spring Colors".

But what about Zhang Qishan, whose methods are becoming increasingly ruthless and whose ambition is written all over his face?

Ghost Spirit Sect: Don't mention it, we're not familiar with them, even passing by is considered unlucky. If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't find anyone, he would also be thinking about it!

(﹁“﹁)

On the contrary, they particularly favored Er Yuehong and his apprentice—they were loyal and righteous, acted with integrity, and were inexplicably close to Pipi Xian.

After all, the rumors about those "bad kids" from the Ghost Spirit Sect are still circulating everywhere:

"His jade-like face resembles that of Yama, a judge of the underworld, yet he is like a ghost lost in a fog."

What? You Nine Gates are allowed to shamelessly ride the wave of popularity, but we're not allowed to debut in the arts?

Er Yuehong was a top-tier opera star with immense influence!

Coincidentally, the Ghost Spirit Sect also had the idea of ​​taking this opportunity to enter the arts and culture world and subtly manipulate public opinion.

Besides, he gets a free high-energy informant, Chen Pi, for every one he sells. This old man is incredibly resourceful; this is a win-win situation!

To go deeper, the Qi family, the Huo family, the Chen family... have all made a mess of things over the years... Which family hasn't lost a child?

Seeing that the Ghost Spirit Sect has connections and methods but has been unable to make connections for a long time, how can one not be envious and hold onto hope?

Since this title sounds appropriate, why not just make it official?

As for the Second Master, who now occasionally receives visits from old friends and lives a simple yet warm life, he's probably quite content with his leisure.

Occasionally, they can enjoy watching the drama unfold and have some fun, savoring the leisurely life of retired cadres.

(???????)??