The ancient courtyard was silent and still. A man in a blue robe stepped into the courtyard through the remnants of wind. The cold breeze rustled sharply, prompting a solemn expression. The man in the blue robe looked up at a century-old tree in the yard. The tree had no leaves left, leaving only a trunk that had experienced a hundred years of the world’s warmth and coldness.
Beside the ancient tree stood a sealed side chamber.
The man in the blue robe pushed open the chamber door. The familiar scenery stirred memories of the past. On a table inside the room sat an object—a micro-carved walnut painted in reddish-brown. Astonishingly, inside the walnut’s micro-carving was also a side chamber. Before the table in that chamber stood a man wearing an old catcher’s uniform, holding up a walnut for examination. The walnut was only half the size of a fist, yet every scene within was complete and lifelike, though the facial features were not entirely clear.
The tiny walnut displayed supernatural craftsmanship. The man in the blue robe was absorbed in contemplating the walnut when the door behind him was suddenly pushed open. A catcher with a short beard and well-proportioned features rushed in, calling out excitedly, “Butou!”
The man in the blue robe turned around with a smile and said, “You’re the Butou now. Why are you calling me Butou?”
The short-bearded man laughed heartily. “Then as before, I’ll still call you Big Brother Li.”
“Good.” The man in the blue robe nodded with satisfaction. He was none other than Li Si, the Great World God-Catcher. The short-bearded man was Xiao Ning, Li Si’s former subordinate.
Sealed past events leave no traces like flowing water.
Li Si had returned to Suishui City, revisiting old grounds. Xiao Ning had already become the Butou of Suishui City. Xiao Ning spoke animatedly with Li Si, reminiscing about the thrilling memories of following Li Si at the Budong Manor. (See “The Most Mystery” Issue 36: “Deep Pupils.”)
Li Si listened with a smile, his gaze quietly shifting to the micro-carved walnut.
“By the way, Big Brother Li, where’s the old senior?”
Xiao Ning was referring to Lao Sitou. Li Si shook his head. “I don’t know where that old fellow went.”
Four years ago, Li Si, together with Lao Sitou, Wu Wen, and Xiao Ning, had solved the case of Lou Tianming at the Budong Manor. Now Wu Wen remained stationed in the Holy City, and Lao Sitou’s whereabouts were unknown. A faint sense of loneliness grew in Li Si’s heart.
As for this walnut—the man examining the walnut inside was clearly himself from four years ago. Who could have left it here?