Grasping Evil

Ning Fan stood at the empty courtyard. The Qixi Festival had ended and it was now the beginning of autumn. The floor in the courtyard was filled with fallen leaves but no one was there to clean it.

As dusk fell, Ning Fan looked at the sky and saw the bright red sun setting in the west. From that scene, he seemed to have gained a vague understanding of something but at the same time, he found it even more difficult to comprehend.

He remembered Old Devil's advice to bask in the sun more frequently to prevent losing sight of himself in the journey of cultivation.

He thought of Zhihe's young delicate appearance as she stood gracefully in the snow.

He recalled all the previous scenes of killings he encountered and he could vaguely see an unreachable giant which was ten thousand zhang* (3.33m per zhang) tall standing at the end of the sea of blood. A single step from that giant would be able to wipe out Seven Apricot City in its entirety!

He seemed to notice Emperor Moksha hideously grinning as his ears heard innumerable voices of mockeries which resounded from all directions.

Kill! Kill! Kill!

Ning Fan's mind became more and more chaotic. This was the sign of losing oneself in cultivation! He had once gotten in the same situation before. What he lost control of was his lust which was then relieved with Zhihe's help.

This time, what he lost control of was his desire to kill. It could not be solved without killing anyone. But if he kills someone, this desire would be rooted in him deeper and deeper and eventually, he would completely lose himself one day!

"The reason why Qiuling brought me to Gusu was to prevent me from being consumed by my killing intent… If I yield to that intent, wouldn't I be letting her down?!"

"I, Ning Fan, do not kill because of my thirst for blood but because of the perseverance of my Dao! I am a devil cultivator but I am different from other devils!"

*Puff*

In the courtyard, a wild gust of wind rose, making the leaves on the ground to swirl.

Despite the overwhelming killing intent which appeared within his mind, he firmly decided on not killing anyone in Gusu City and neither would he succumb to his killing intent!

After a long while, darkness gradually filled the sky. Ning Fan opened his eyes and they flashed with clarity this time.

After forcefully suppressing his killing intent, his state of mind improved slightly once again.

At the same time, he heard a few knocks from the door outside the mansion.

Along with the knocking sound, he also heard a soft gentle voice.

"Is Young Master Zhou asleep? Little Stone from my house has taken your things, I have come to return it to you."

*Door squeaks*

Ning Fan opened the door with a flick of his sleeve. A good-looking woman wearing a linen dress and a thorn hairpin was standing outside the door.

She looked like she was in her late twenties and wore a set of linen clothes with her black hair tied with a white cloth. Her appearance looked prim and proper but her expression was filled with sorrow, as if someone in her family had died.

She carried a basket of eggs in one hand while holding the fine sword which was wrapped in silk cloth in the other.

Seeing the door open itself while Ning Fan was still standing in the courtyard, the good-looking woman could not help but think of the rumors about this mansion being haunted and began to feel a little scared.

However, when she remembered that her child had taken someone else's possession, the woman gathered her courage and stepped into the courtyard with her soft shoes.

"You are?" Ning Fan asked curiously.

"I'm Bai Su, Little Stone's mother. I heard Little Stone saying that the Young Master lent this sword to him to study. But this sword is too precious. It is a rare divine weapon. Little Stone is still young. If this sword is lost, there is no way we can afford to compensate for the sword even if we sell off all of our family assets. Therefore, I purposely came here to return to you this sword."

Bai Su tried hard to keep a calm face, but it was still difficult for her to conceal her fear.

Gusts of chilly wind kept blowing in the courtyard. Her gaze swept across the dark surroundings and found out that not a single lamp was lit. Moreover, the young man who was standing in front of her was overly young and handsome.

Is Young Master Zhou who bought this haunted mansion a demon…? I think yes. Such a good sword can only be owned by the demons in the legends. How could a mortal swordsman have such a fine sword?

Bai Su's husband died of illness six months ago. She still had not taken off her mourning dress and lived with Little Stone alone.

She knew that she was quite a beauty in this city. If Ning Fan was indeed a demon, it would be a grave mistake for her to enter this haunted mansion at this moment. If she falls into this demon's hands, her purity would surely be at risk.

Ning Fan did not know that he was already being suspected of being a demon in Bai Su's eyes.

He did not even know that this woman wearing a mourning dress was worried that he would deprive her of her purity.

"Oh, you're Little Stone's mother… You came to return the sword? That sword is of no use to me. I don't mind giving it to Little Stone as a gift. You don't need to return it to me…"

Ning Fan shook his head and said. But after hearing his words, she immediately said with a stern expression and she seemed to have forgotten her fear.

"Young Master Zhou, I disagree with you! I believe Young Master must be a swordsman for being able to own such an excellent sword. As a swordsman, how could you regard a sword as something insignificant let alone give it away to others without proper consideration?! Even though my husband died early and he wasn't a swordsman, he was once the most famous blacksmith in Gusu City and he had seen countless popular swordsmen. He once said that as one decides to become a swordsman, one should be connected with their swords! One should have a strong connection with his sword where both of them become one. The sword lives and the wielder survives; the sword breaks and the wielder perishes!"

Bai Su's words were like a burst of sweet rain showering on Ning Fan's heart.

Originally, Ning Fan was unable to comprehend sword intent from the sword. He only felt that something was missing. At this moment, however, he seemed to have an epiphany of it after hearing Bai Su's words!

"Yes! The reason why I couldn't condense sword intent is because I'm lacking any affection to swords! A swordsman should be fond of swords!"

However, Ning Fan disagreed with Bai Su on the part about 'the sword breaks and the wielder perishes'.

He only nodded his head and sincerely agreed with her point where she said 'fond of swords'.

It can't be wrong! What's inside Little Stone is indeed an obsession and attachment to swords!

Only those who have great passion for swords can be adept at them!

Only those who are adept at swords can grasp its intent!

A hint of enlightenment hit Ning Fan and a trace of sharp and vigorous sword qi rose around Ning Fan's body. This sword qi made Bai Su who had some knowledge in swordsmanship become filled with disbelief. Her jaw slightly dropped as she looked at the current Ning Fan.

"W-What an incredibly strong sword qi! I've been staying in Gusu for twenty-nine years but I've never seen such an amazing sword qi!"

Originally, Bai Su only thought Ning Fan as an inept swordsman who did not treasure swords.

At this moment, only then did Bai Su realize that Ning Fan was an expert who deeply concealed his capabilities.

"Sword, return!"

Ning Fan looked at the sword which was wrapped in silk cloth in Bai Su's arms and called it. A tremendous telekinetic force surged and fetched the sword into his hand.

"Power of telekinesis! It's clearly a technique that can only be performed by a swordsman with very strong Neigong!"

Bai Su's eyes were brimming with shock. That feeling of shock, however, became a hint of shyness.

The strong telekinetic force had not only taken the sword away from her, but it also brushed past her chest. It made her feel as if a pair of invisible hands had violently squeezed her bosom.

It was clearly an accident that Ning Fan failed to notice. It was also impossible for Bai Su to reveal such a shameful thing.

Her beautiful eyes then stared at Ning Fan who was focused on his sword. She believed that a swordsman who was as skillful as him would definitely not commit such a lowly thing as touching her bosom.

"I suppose that was just an accident… This Young Master probably is a peerless swordsman! If my husband had not died, he would definitely have had no regrets in his life being able to witness Young Master Zhou's excellent sword and meet such a swordsman in this world…"

"My husband's lifelong wish was to let Little Stone become a peerless swordsman. If I let Little Stone learn some skills from him…"

The woman looked at Ning Fan and then shifted her gaze at herself and sighed gently.

The set of white clothes on Ning Fan's body was sewed with a type of fabric that she had never seen before. Without a doubt, she thought that he must be a person from a wealthy and respectable background.

As for her, the condition of her family declined after her husband died. How would she have extra money to let her child become an apprentice to a good master like him…

In her eyes, Ning Fan was definitely the best master in terms of sword techniques in Gusu City!

Little Stone can't afford to be an apprentice to a master like him…

A while later, Ning Fan withdrew all his aura force. He unwrapped the cloth and perused the sword which was gleaming with green light. This time, the look he had in his eyes was different.

As he placed all his focus on the sword, he seemed to be able to hear the breathing of this sword… This was doubtlessly the result of being one with the sword!

As for the rest of the process, he just needed to shift his focus from the sword to its intent. Afterwards, he would be able to condense his sword intent!

Speaking of which, it's all thanks to Bai Su's reminder which helped me to successfully comprehend this step.

Ning Fan raised his head to gaze and asked with an astonished tone.

"Mm? Hasn't madam left yet? It's already late. Wouldn't it stir up some gossip if madam, who isn't a dead person, still stays in my mansion?"

"Y-Yes, it would…"

Bai Su was really awkward. She certainly knew that it was extremely inappropriate to run into Ning Fan's house in the middle of the night.

However, the affairs between men and women had never crossed her mind previously. Instead, she was just wholeheartedly admiring Ning Fan's profoundness in sword techniques and wondering whether it would be possible for Little Stone to acknowledge him as his master.

Now, after being reminded by Ning Fan, she retrieved herself from her thoughts. She paused at the entrance and hesitated. However, she was still too shy to speak out in the end and left with a soft sigh.

At the moment she left, it struck her that she had brought a basket of eggs with her to Ning Fan's mansion. It was originally a token of gratitude to Ning Fan for giving Little Stone the precious sword, wasn't it?

"I know that Young Master Zhou is wealthy and does not care about these measly things. But this basket of eggs is a little token of gratitude from me for Young Master to thank you for being willing to lend the precious sword to Little Stone… I heard that Madam Zhou has fallen ill. These eggs are just right for her to nourish her body."

Bai Su handed the basket of eggs to Ning Fan. Her actions were polite and she also bowed slightly as a sign of courtesy.

Ning Fan took the eggs and his heart felt a jolt.

A basket of eggs is one of the ways to express kindness among the mortals in a neighborhood.

Meanwhile, giving gifts to a stranger is considered a foolish act in the cultivation world.

But in the mortals' world, it's basic etiquette to express goodwill.

"Thank you…" Ning Fan sighed with feelings. He had not felt a friendly feeling like this for a long time.

"*Chuckle* Young Master is really a unique person. There is no need to say thanks for just a basket of eggs."

Bai Su's face puckered as her lips curved into a smile. Her expression was both rather fascinating and charming. Right at this moment, Xu Qiuling woke up. She pushed the door open and walked out from within the mansion. Then, she asked with a soft voice.

"Big brother, it's already late. Why don't you light up some lights? Eh? Is there a guest…?"

Other than her slightly pale complexion due to her illness, the rest of Xu Qiuling's appearance could only be described with one word: beautiful. In fact, as she stood and basked in the moonlight, she looked just like a fairy that descended to the mortal world.

As soon as Bai Su saw Xu Qiuling's attractive appearance, she was instantly overwhelmed and she inwardly mocked herself.

Since Young Master Zhou already has such a lovely wife, how would he be interested in an ugly woman like me, let alone molest me? I was really overthinking it just now...

"I'm Bai Su. Greetings to Madam Zhou. It's already late now. I will come for a visit again some other day."

Bai Su made a bow again and excused herself.

Xu Qiuling's eyes were flashing with surprise.

If this Bai Su was a few years younger, her appearance may not be inferior to mine.

After making a bow in return, she watched Bai Su leave. Then, she shifted her eyes to Ning Fan who was carrying a basket of eggs. Xu Qiuling burst into laughter as if a punchline just hit her.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at you.The dignified Great Devil Lord Zhou is carrying a basket of eggs… If your current look were to be seen by cultivators from the External Endless Sea, I wonder how many of them would get so shocked until their eyeballs pop out."

…

In Gusu City, the news of a young master surnamed Zhou buying a haunted mansion was gradually forgotten after being a hot topic in everyone's conversation for a few days.

As for the residences neighboring the haunted mansion, they also gradually grew familiar with Ning Fan.

They only knew that Ning Fan was rather weird. During the day, Ning Fan would sit in the yard with the gate wide open and stare attentively at a sword.

In the evening, Ning Fan would then bring a peerless beauty to go cruising on the Su River in Gusu.

However, no one knew that Ning Fan still had a nightlife which was to provide Xu Qiuling an erotic medicated bath treatment all night.

Many rumors claimed that Ning Fan was a swordsman but no one had actually seen him wield a sword.

The children who made fun of Ning Fan did not come anymore except for Little Stone. He never failed to visit Ning Fan every day, as if it was his daily routine. When Ning Fan was staring at his sword, he also stared at a sword, trying to learn something by imitating him.

"Uncle Zhou, are you really not a swordsman? You can tell me and I promise I will not tell my mother!" Little Stone pleaded.

"No, I'm not…" Ning Fan told him the truth. He was indeed not a swordsman.

Every time Ning Fan gave him this answer, Little Stone's face would turn disappointed.

When evening fell, Bai Su would definitely come to bring the pestering Little Stone back home and occasionally prepare some food and wine for Ning Fan.

As a result, word about him spread and eventually, he was left with the reputation of being a lascivious guy.

Hooking up with a widow from the late blacksmith's family during the day and cruising freely with a beauty at night. These accusations were placed on Ning Fan's head.

To Ning Fan, reputation was nothing more than fleeting clouds. To Bai Su, however, it was difficult to clean her reputation once it was tainted.

No matter where she went, be it the Su River for laundry or the market for selling cloth, she would always be pointed at and criticised by others.

No matter how hard she tried to explain, no one would believe her. She had thought several times of not stepping into Ning Fan's house again. However, in order to let Little Stone learn sword skills, she clenched her teeth and thickened her face to endure the stigma.

"So this is what it takes to be a mother…?" Ning Fan closed his eyes and said something that Little Stone did not understand.

A month later, Ning Fan seemed to have gained new insights from the sword. He stashed the sword and then took out a soft sword made of crepe myrtle wood.

"Uncle Zhou, aren't you going to study the sharp sword more? Why are you looking at a soft sword? It looks soft and limp. Can it be used to fight and kill?" Little Stone asked confusedly.

"Of course it can…"

Ning Fan casually waved the soft sword and the rockery in the courtyard crumbled with a loud crash after a flash of sword light!

Little Stone was stunned. It was his first time seeing Ning Fan act.

With a trace of sword qi, he cut the rockery which had a height equivalent to three adult men into pieces. It was already at an extremely marvelous level!

"Uncle Zhou, y-you lied to me! You're clearly a swordsman!" Little Stone exclaimed with excitement. He was now even more determined to learn sword skills from Ning Fan.

"I didn't lie to you. I'm indeed not a swordsman. You have a good innate talent. Perhaps one day, you will understand my words when you walk my path."

Ning Fan shook his head with a smile. He did not use any of his magic power or even the Neigong of the mortal martial arts in the strike he displayed just now. Instead, he just imagined sword qi in his mind and a trace of sword qi was then condensed.

This was the initial stage of condensing sword intent!

During the first month, Ning Fan only studied the sharp sword.

In the second month, he only looked at the soft sword.

The principle of a sharp sword lies in its sharpness and rigidity. There is nothing that it cannot destroy.

As for the soft sword, its essence lies in its flexibility and malleable nature. It was soft and tricky, making it difficult to deal with.

In the third month, Ning Fan took out more than one hundred low grade flying swords. Right before Little Stone's eyes, Ning Fan blew a breath and black flames suddenly burned all the flying swords. After a brief moment, they were melted and remolded into a broadsword which was nearly one meter long and as heavy as a giant rock.

Little Stone was once again petrified. He now had a feeling that Uncle Zhou was probably not a true swordsman but a god of swords.

He became more and more obsessive in the art of swords. In the end, he actually stayed at Ning Fan's house for an entire day. He would not leave even when Bai Su tried to drag him back. Everyday, Bai Su had to spend a lot of effort and strength in order to bring her silly kid home.

The weather gradually became cold. In the fourth month, heavy snow fell in Gusu. Little Stone's house which was built of thatch was crushed by the snow. Under Xu Qiuling's invitation, Bai Su brought along her kid and stayed in Ning Fan's mansion.

After Ning Fan extorted the five elderly men, the silver he had piled up like mountains in his mansion. As such, Bai Su no longer needed to show her face in public to earn money.

She could not help but feel bad by just accepting someone else's aid. Therefore, she took care of all the house chores within the mansion. As for Xu Qiuling, she no longer rested during the day. Her face began to get more and more ruddy as days went by. Every day, she would have Bai Su accompany her and the relationship between the both of them became so close that they were like blood sisters.

In the fourth month, Ning Fan snapped one of the peach trees in his courtyard and carved it into a wooden sword.

Little Stone just could not understand this action of his at all.

The first sword was sharp, the second sword was soft and malleable and the third sword was heavy. What advantage does this fourth sword, a wooden sword have?

Could a wooden sword be used to cut people down? Could it be used in battle?!

If it could, wouldn't everyone be wielding wooden swords while fighting their enemies during battle?

Outside the mansion, the street was crowded with people who were spectating the parade of the best imperial scholar who was riding a horse. However, Little Stone did not even dart a glance at him.

People laughed at him for his obsession with swords whereas he laughed at them for wasting their energy and effort in pursuing fame and reputation which were as transient as clouds and being childish but acting arrogantly on account of their seniority.

"So what if one becomes the best imperial scholar? Neither imperial examinations nor merit is more exhilarating than settling vengeance and debt of gratitude with a single slash of a sword!"

In Gusu City, Philanthropist Zhao whose age was over eighty years old, had married a beautiful concubine who was only thirteen years old. Many villagers had gone to spectate the groom's procession to the bride's house, but Little Stone did not even pay the slightest attention to it.

People teased him for being obsessed with swords while he laughed at them for being addicted to wine and women.

"Wine, women, wealth and pride are deceptive. Only the sword in one's hand is true!"

Little Stone was still a mortal, but under Ning Fan's influence, his heart had almost been filled with swords.

As long as he gains enough experience in the future, he could become a peerless swordsman in the mortal world. When he wields a sword, he will be undefeatable.

In the world of immortals, he would be capable of breaking through the Void Realm and stir up a storm!

He had this latent potential!

Gradually, Ning Fan no longer stayed still while holding the wooden sword in his hand. Now, even if he was wielding a sword made of wood, he could cause smoke and ashes to fly.

That was a realm where being formless wins against any forms. However, it was still not enough…

In the fifth month, Ning Fan held nothing in his hand. A sword would be formed with just a snap of his fingers.

An intangible aura condensed on him. He would only need to complete the final step and he could then wield it at will.

Seeing Ning Fan release sword qi which pulverized a massive rock weighing approximately fifteen thousand kilograms with just a snap of his fingers, Little Stone's eyes burned with excitement. At that very moment, a burning passion rose within his heart…

He wanted to be a swordsman!

"Uncle Zhou, I want to be a swordsman. Can you be my master?!"

*Thud*

Little Stone fell to his knees on the ground in front of Ning Fan, but the latter just shook his head with a kind smile.

"Your potential in the Dao of Sword may not necessarily be weaker than mine. It will only limit you if you acknowledge me as your master. You just need to remember the process that I went through for the past five months in comprehending swords. Carry this insight with you and go challenge all swordsmen beneath the heavens along your path in seeking the art of sword. One day, you will find your own Dao of Sword."

"You're too young right now and your eyes only see the sword but not life. This isn't enough... Gusu is a good place. Get along well with your mother and be a filial son. There are two pills here, one is for you and the other one is for your mother. Consume it and your lifespan will extend for one hundred years. As for this book, it has a set of cultivation methods regarding the Dao of Sword which can lead you to the path of cultivation. However, do not open this book before you become a peerless and unrivalled swordsman in the mortal world!"

"When you become so strong that you wish to be defeated but no one can do it in this world, only then can you open this book and step into the world of cultivation. It will be a brand new world with even more challenges to satisfy you!"

Ning Fan's gaze swept across Gusu City. He had stayed here for five months and it was about time to leave. Both his silver and mansion were all given to Little Stone including the sharp sword, the soft sword, the heavy broadsword and the wooden sword which he randomly chose to comprehend his sword intent.

Pulling Xu Qiuling into his arms, Ning Fan made a step forward and vanished completely into a ray of sword light.

Little Stone was stunned by the scene before his eyes while Bai Su felt an inexplicable feeling of sadness.

"Young Master Zhou has disappeared… So it turns out that he is not a mortal. Immortals really exist in this world…"

A tremendous sense of loss flooded her heart. It was hard to explain and it was even more difficult for others to understand.

Bai Su was unclear of the feeling she had and she just let out a gentle sigh.

"It's good for it to end like this…"

…

With a flash of sword light, Ning Fan travelled away from the island to the sea in a single step with Xu Qiuling in his embrace. They dived ninety thousand zhang* (3.33 m per zhang) deep into the sea. Then, he waved his hand, summoning a sword light and split the sea apart, creating a space without water.

After five months of recuperation, the gold qi in Xu Qiuling's life force had recovered up to 90%.

Next, he would only need to insert an extra powerful trace of gold qi into her and she would then be fully cured!

Ning Fan patted his storage pouch and took out the crimson-red metal piece - the remnant piece of the Immortal Entrapping Sword. His eyes sparkled with determination and he swallowed it down in one gulp.

The remnant piece was forced into his Sea of Consciousness and was engulfed by his sword sense. All of a sudden, his sword sense increased rapidly and the barrier of the sword intent that he had been comprehending for the past five months broke at this moment!

Sword intent, condense!

One would never be considered as a true sword cultivator without sword intent. When one successfully condenses sword intent, they would be able to unleash twice the power when using sword techniques compared to before.

"Congratulations to Big Brother for successfully condensing your sword intent! But is it really good that we leave Gusu City just like this…? Aren't you going to keep Little Stone as your apprentice? And that Bai Su, aren't you going…"

"My bonds with this mortal world have come to an end!" Ning Fan answered in a decisive manner.

Mortals should have a mortal life. Even though he gave Little Stone a book which recorded a set of sword cultivation methods in the end, if Little Stone fails to reach a level where he is completely unrivalled in the mortal world, he would not allow Little Stone to take the path of cultivation.

Cultivation is a path with no return. It may not necessarily be suitable for mortals as it involves too much bloodshed. If he can enjoy the peace of Gusu City, why should he involve himself with endless killings and battles like Ning Fan?

The things that happened in Gusu City were cast aside by Ning Fan in his mind.

In the past, the most beautiful memories he had in his life were those he had in Seven Apricot City. Along his path of cultivation, the collection of beautiful memories he had included those in the Luo Yun Tribe and now it was added with those in Gusu.

If possible, he would like to live in Gusu for the rest of his life. However, he had a reason not to stop moving forward.

"Next, I will expel a trace of sword power from the Immortal Entrapping Sword and insert it into your immortal veins. Then, I will help you refine this power. If everything is successful, not only will your gold qi be completely replenished, your cultivation base will also be improved greatly. At the very least, you will attain Half-Step Divine Transformation Realm!"

"I don't care about my cultivation base. I am already content if I can stay alive and continue to stay by your side to relieve your exhaustion in killings…"

Xu Qiuling looked affectionately at Ning Fan and they grasped each other's palms. A trace of sword power exuded from Ning Fan's palms and entered Xu Qiuling's body.

At this moment, Xu Qiuling revealed a pained expression but she clenched her teeth and endured it.

If I don't endure this pain, I will then have no qualifications to be with him till the end of my life…

This pain is nothing. Despite knowing it was withering day after day, wasn't it still able to wait for the butterfly to return? Though it was just the remnant ashes of the butterfly…

*Ahh*

Xu Qiuling clenched her teeth even more tightly and nearly lost her consciousness due to the excruciating pain. But she still struggled to open her eyes and looked directly at Ning Fan.

She felt that as long as she could look at Ning Fan, the pain and bitterness of the process would be less intolerable.

*Puff*

An aura which was getting stronger and stronger started forming within Xu Qiuling's body.

Everyone claimed that she would not live long, but she was determined to live on in a proud manner!

As the gold qi of her life force was fully replenished, the level of her cultivation base which had been suppressed by her sickness began to rise sharply.

In the past, the reason why Xu Qiuling did not break through to the Nascent Soul Realm was not because she was unable to do it, but because she did not have the courage. If one breaks through to the Nascent Soul Realm, one would need to combine the five elements into one. Since she was born with an inadequate amount of the gold element, she could not achieve Nascent Formation…

However, her magic power had been accumulating in her body through years of cultivation. All of them were now unleashed on this very day!

Her magic power rose to 5500 units and her cultivation base broke into Half Step Divine Transformation Realm!

"Big Brother! I-I…" Tears welled up within her eyes out of joy.

She finally won against her fate and survived!

All of a sudden, countless Heavenly Lightning Tribulations befell her, penetrating into the deep sea. Ning Fan intended to help her parry those lightning rays but she shook her head with a confident smile.

"Don't worry… I can do it! I don't want to be a woman that will only burden you!"

<strong>Translated by Tommy, edited by Roel.</strong>

<strong>Note:</strong>

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