第98章 "血脉的背叛" 💔

**Chapter 98: The Betrayal of Blood**

The night air was heavy with the scent of blooming flowers, but White Xiaopu's senses were dulled by the weight of the secrets he had uncovered. He stood outside the gates of the Blackwood Estate, his eyes fixed on the intricate carvings that adorned the wooden doors.

"Ah, you're still here," a voice echoed from behind him.

White Xiaopu turned to face Xiao Feng, the Blackwood Estate's head butler. The old man's eyes seemed to hold a knowing glint, as if he could see the turmoil brewing within White Xiaopu's mind.

"I have questions," White Xiaopu said, his voice low and even.

"Ask away, young master," Xiao Feng replied, his tone dripping with innocence.

White Xiaopu took a deep breath and plunged into the heart of the matter. "What do you know about the cryptic whispers? And what's the meaning behind the strange symbols etched into the walls of the estate?"

Xiao Feng's expression remained unreadable, but his eyes seemed to flicker with a hidden intensity. "Young master, I know nothing about the whispers or the symbols. I'm just a humble butler, tasked with maintaining the estate's affairs."

White Xiaopu's eyes narrowed. He didn't believe Xiao Feng's words. The old man was hiding something, and White Xiaopu was determined to uncover the truth.

Just then, a figure emerged from the shadows, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous light. "Ah, White Xiaopu, I see you're still chasing after your precious secrets," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

White Xiaopu's instincts screamed at him to be wary, but his curiosity got the better of him. "Who are you?" he demanded.

The stranger's grin grew wider. "I'm someone who knows more about the whispers and the symbols than you do, White Xiaopu. And I'm willing to share my knowledge with you... for a price."

White Xiaopu's eyes locked onto the stranger, his mind racing with the implications of what he was being offered. But before he could respond, a voice boomed from within the estate, shattering the tension.

"Who dares to disturb the tranquility of the Blackwood Estate?"

White Xiaopu turned to face the speaker, his heart racing with anticipation. It was none other than the Blackwood Estate's master, the enigmatic and ruthless Blackwood Jian.

"Ah, master," Xiao Feng said, his voice trembling. "I apologize. I seem to have... uh... lost track of time."

Blackwood Jian's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through the darkness. "You're saying you weren't aware of the intruder's presence?"

Xiao Feng's face paled, but White Xiaopu held his ground, sensing an opportunity to exploit the situation. "Master, I think I can help clarify things. This stranger... he's been telling me about the whispers and the symbols. He claims to know more about them than anyone else."

Blackwood Jian's eyes flickered, his expression unreadable. "I see," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "Well, in that case... I think it's time we had a little chat."

As the master's words hung in the air, White Xiaopu felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that he was walking a tightrope, and one wrong move could send him plummeting into the abyss.

But he couldn't help himself. He had to know the truth, no matter the cost.

And as the darkness closed in around him, White Xiaopu steeled himself for the unknown, his heart pounding with anticipation.

Will he be able to uncover the secrets of the Blackwood Estate, or will he be consumed by the very darkness he's been chasing? The fate of his soul hangs in the balance, as the curtain draws closed on this episode of "One Thought Forever". To be continued...