《天堂旅館》長篇奇幻愛情小說

【三十三】黃立華來到淡水 Chapter Thirty-Three: Huang Lihua Comes to Tamsui

羅馬市郊錢皮諾(Ciampino Airport )機場出境大廳，林曉陽夫妻拉著行李箱，來到登機門口。
曉陽牽著敏華的手說︰「就要離開歐洲，敏華，這兩年感覺就像一場夢境般。」
敏華說︰「沒想到會在琉森湖和你相遇，與你一起經歷一段奇幻旅程。」
曉陽感性地說︰「是啊！剛到巴黎時，我完全沒預料到後來會捲入吸血鬼集團間的恩怨，更無從想像，我的前世竟然會是大衛，和吸血鬼世界有著諸多糾葛。」
敏華說︰「那些，都過去了。往後我們簡單過日子，不要去操心那麼多人鬼間的恩怨。」

初夏的淡水河，金色水岸上遊人穿梭如魚群洄游。一對街頭畫家夫妻，在人行道旁擺設人像畫攤，各自為遊客作畫。一個中等身材的青年，穿著藏青色長袍馬掛，頭頂戴紅色扁呢帽，臉上架著圓鏡框眼鏡，走近畫攤，望著正邊作畫邊和顧客聊天的黃敏華的側臉，敏華一轉頭看見他，從座位上彈起來，驚呼出來︰「爺爺，真的是你嗎﹖爺爺。」

一旁的曉陽聽到敏華呼叫，抬頭定睛一看，果然是黃立華。可周遭的遊客卻被眼前這一幕弄得矇了，一個荳蔻年華的大女孩，竟然親切地喊那個老派衣著的青年「爺爺」。
黃立華舉起右手手指，放在上唇，暗示敏華別引起騷動，繼續專心作畫。曉陽拉來一張椅子，讓黃立華坐下來，並且遞給他一隻罐裝咖啡︰「前輩，你先坐一會兒，稍後我和敏華陪你聊聊，附近走走逛逛。」
「看你們小倆口如此悠閒過日子，我就開心了。」
「爺爺，我跟曉陽說，您一定會來台灣探望我們。我的預感很準的。」

曉陽和敏華各自完成顧客的人像畫，隨即掛出「休息」。三人在畫攤裡聊著。
「其實，瑪莉亞公主曾交代我一個任務，她想請你們回去天堂旅館，主持暗黑世界的偵探工作。」
曉陽和敏華夫妻不約而同好奇問︰「暗黑世界的偵探工作？」
「你們是活生生的人，由你們以旅行作家的身分當作掩護，暗中調查是否還有殘餘的吸血鬼或人魔，混居在人類社會，繼續作惡殘害人類，如果發現這兩類魔鬼，就通報陳約翰神父，由公主安排適當人手，找機會予以剷除。」
曉陽不解地問︰「人魔？混居在人類社會﹖」
「人魔，是指那些滿腦子權力慾望，為達目的不擇手段的壞蛋，他們手裡掌握可觀的資源，對外總是披著宗教家或慈善家外衣，以權力來攫取巨大利益，且不惜殘害周遭的人。」
「我懂了，瑪莉亞要我去當她的私家偵探，可這類工作，找陳約翰神父不是更合適嗎﹖」
黃立華解釋說︰「約翰神父的身分敏感，何況他在暗黑世界名氣響亮，並不適合執行這類任務。」
曉陽說︰「老前輩，坦白說，我平生沒有遠大的抱負或志向，只想和敏華簡單過日子，沒意願再去淌渾水。」
敏華語氣堅定說︰「爺爺，我和曉陽都沒打算回去天堂旅館。」
華立華臉上閃過一絲苦笑，平靜地說︰「當我第一眼看到你們小倆口，在風景區裡擺設畫攤，為遊客畫人像，我就已心裡有數，公主的期待肯定要落空了。坦白說，我同樣不想你們再回來淌渾水，你們有自己的未來，沒必要接受瑪莉亞公主的支使，去做那些必須冒險犯難的工作。可是，我擔心如果這趟旅行我沒能說服你們，接下來公主可能會指派大法師魯夫出面來找你們，魯夫現在可是公主身旁的大總管，天空城堡裡大權在握的大紅人。」
曉陽不太以為然問︰「魯夫大法師雖然法力高強，難不成他能把我們夫妻綁架回去瑞士琉森湖﹖」
「綁架倒不至於，但是你們夫妻曾經喝過公主餽贈的龍髓液，因而得以練就一身武術，開發出強大的內在潛能。你們可能並不清楚這龍髓液的厲害，凡是飲用過的人，心靈都會被瑪莉亞公主以咒語控制住，不得不為公主賣命。」
曉陽追問︰「不得不為公主賣命？公主真的會對我和敏華施咒語﹖」
立華憂心說︰「這是有可能的，如果魯夫找到你們，你們不願意跟他回去瑞士，魯夫就可能說動公主，以咒語逼使你們就範。」
曉陽不悅地說︰「當初離開幽冥山谷後，我曾經讓陳約翰神父，幫我帶話給公主，請公主高抬貴手，這一輩子放過我和敏華，給予我們自由。」
立華聽曉陽如此說，眼神為之一亮說︰「我相信約翰神父應該已把你的話帶給公主，公主是個念舊情的人，聽了你的願望，她應該不會為難你們。」
曉陽納悶地問︰「如果公主可以施咒語控制我們夫妻，當初我們夫妻在幽冥山谷時，公主大可以催動咒語控制我們，從坦雅手中搶奪到那隻太陽法杖。何必現在大費周章，以咒語來綁架我們？要我們夫妻回去天堂旅館，當她的私家偵探呢？」
立華想了一下說︰「也許，公主的咒語無法穿透幽冥山谷，也許公主當時心裡有所顧忌，這其中到底有什麼蹊蹺﹖我一時間也想不透。」
曉陽又提問︰「老前輩，如果公主催動咒語想要控制我們夫妻，我們堅決抗拒的話，會有什麼後果﹖」
立華說︰「我曾聽龍騎士說過，飲用過龍髓液的人，執意反抗咒語法力，最糟的情況就是被法力反噬，從此喪失心性變得瘋狂。」
曉陽深深嘆氣說︰「如果公主執意將我們夫妻逼上絕路，唉…，那麼我寧可瘋狂，也不願意再受制於她。」
立華安慰說︰「我想，公主應該清楚你的想法和脾氣，不至於以咒語來傷害你，所以，我們不必過度悲觀。」
曉陽又問︰「有沒有任何方法，可以擺脫公主咒語的法力，不受她遠端控制？」
「這個我可以找龍騎士問看，他長期跟隨公主，也許知道解方，你們給我些時間，等我回去琉森湖，進入天空城堡找到龍騎士問出解方。」立華隨即又叮嚀說︰「可是，公主若知道我沒說服你們，也許很快就會派魯夫大法師來這裡找你們。我離開後，你們最好先找處隱密的地方，躲藏起來過日子，並且，這段期間絕對不要使用你們的超能力，以免留下任何線索，讓魯夫感應到，有跡可循找到你們。」
曉陽胸有成竹說︰「台灣島雖然不大，要找個僻靜的地方，自給自足過日子，卻不是難事。」
立華說︰「就先這麼辦吧﹖等我一離開台灣，你們小倆口也別待在這裡，找個深山或海角，安頓下來，讓魯夫感應不到你們的存在。」
黃敏華聽著兩人問答，突然想出主意︰「不如，我們夫妻就買艘遊艇，躲到海上，輪流在不同的港口靠岸補給，這樣魯夫想要感應到我們，機會就不大了。」
立華鼓掌說︰「這主意很不錯，可你們現在就需要一筆現金買遊艇，我瑞士銀行戶頭裡有一筆存款，本來留著給你們結婚後創業使用的，這時候剛好可以派上用場。等我回到瑞士，就轉給敏華。」
敏華滿臉欣喜，摟著立華撒嬌說︰「謝謝爺爺，爺爺有您真好！」
黃敏華左手勾著黃立華手臂，右手勾著曉陽，漫步在河堤旁。金色水岸海風徐徐陽光和煦，三人享受著休閒時光。

Chapter Thirty-Three: Huang Lihua Comes to Tamsui

At the departure hall of Ciampino Airport on the outskirts of Rome, Lin Xiaoyang and his wife pulled their suitcases to the boarding gate.

Xiaoyang held Minhua’s hand and said, “We’re about to leave Europe. Minhua, these past two years feel just like a dream.”

Minhua said, “I never imagined that I would meet you at Lake Lucerne and experience such a fantastical journey with you.”

Xiaoyang said emotionally, “That’s right! When I first arrived in Paris, I never expected that I would later become entangled in the feuds among vampire groups. Even more unimaginable was that my previous life was actually David, and that I would have so many entanglements with the vampire world.”

Minhua said, “All of that is in the past. From now on, let’s live a simple life and stop worrying about all those conflicts between humans and ghosts.”

In early summer, the Tamsui River was bustling with visitors along its golden waterfront, moving back and forth like schools of migrating fish. A husband-and-wife team of street artists had set up portrait stands beside the sidewalk, each drawing portraits for tourists.

A young man of medium build, wearing a dark navy long robe and a mandarin-style vest, with a red flat wool cap on his head and round-framed glasses on his face, approached the portrait stand.

He looked at Huang Minhua’s profile as she chatted with a customer while drawing. When Minhua turned her head and saw him, she sprang up from her seat and cried out in surprise.

“Grandpa, is that really you? Grandpa!”

Xiaoyang, sitting nearby, heard Minhua calling out. He looked up carefully and, sure enough, it was Huang Lihua.

But the tourists around them were completely confused by the scene before them. A young woman in the prime of her youth was actually affectionately calling a young man dressed in old-fashioned clothing “Grandpa.”

Huang Lihua raised the index finger of his right hand to his upper lip, signaling Minhua not to cause a commotion and to continue concentrating on her painting.

Xiaoyang pulled over a chair for Huang Lihua to sit down and handed him a canned coffee.

“Elder, sit here for a while. Minhua and I will chat with you later and take you around the neighborhood.”

“Seeing you young couple living such a leisurely life makes me happy.”

“Grandpa, I told Xiaoyang that you would definitely come to Taiwan to visit us. My intuition is always accurate.”

Xiaoyang and Minhua each finished their customers’ portraits and immediately put up a “Resting” sign.

The three of them chatted at the portrait stand.

“Actually, Princess Maria once assigned me a mission. She wants you two to return to Paradise Inn and take charge of detective work in the Dark World.”

The husband and wife asked curiously at the same time, “Detective work in the Dark World?”

“You are living human beings. You can use your identities as travel writers as a cover and secretly investigate whether there are still any remaining vampires or human demons living among human society and continuing to commit evil and harm humans. If you discover either type of demon, report it to Father John Chen. The Princess will arrange the appropriate people to eliminate them when an opportunity arises.”

Xiaoyang asked in confusion, “Human demons? Living among human society?”

“Human demons are those villains whose minds are filled with a desire for power and who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. They control considerable resources and always present themselves publicly as religious figures or philanthropists. They use their power to seize enormous profits and do not hesitate to harm the people around them.”

“I understand. Maria wants me to be her private detective. But wouldn’t Father John Chen be more suitable for this kind of work?”

Huang Lihua explained, “Father John’s identity is sensitive. Besides, he is well known in the Dark World, so he is not suitable for carrying out this kind of mission.”

Xiaoyang said, “Elder, to be honest, I have never had any great ambitions or aspirations in my life. I only want to live a simple life with Minhua. I have no intention of getting involved in that mess again.”

Minhua said firmly, “Grandpa, Xiaoyang and I have no intention of going back to Paradise Inn.”

A bitter smile flashed across Huang Lihua’s face, and he said calmly, “When I saw you two setting up a portrait stand in the scenic area and drawing portraits for tourists, I already knew what was going on. The Princess’s expectations were bound to be disappointed. To be honest, I also don’t want you to get involved in that mess again. You have your own future. There is no need for you to accept Princess Maria’s orders and take on those dangerous and difficult tasks. However, I am worried that if I fail to persuade you during this trip, the Princess may next send Grand Mage Ruf to find you. Ruf is now the Princess’s chief steward and a highly influential figure who holds great power in Sky Castle.”

Xiaoyang asked with some skepticism, “Although Grand Mage Ruf has great magical power, could he really kidnap the two of us and take us back to Lake Lucerne in Switzerland?”

“Kidnap you? Probably not. But you two once drank the Dragon Marrow Fluid given to you by the Princess, which enabled you to develop your martial arts abilities and unlock powerful inner potential. You may not understand how powerful this Dragon Marrow Fluid is. Anyone who has drunk it will have their minds controlled by Princess Maria through a spell and will have no choice but to risk their lives for the Princess.”

Xiaoyang pressed further, “Have no choice but to risk our lives for the Princess? Would the Princess really cast a spell on Minhua and me?”

Huang Lihua said worriedly, “That is possible. If Ruf finds you and you refuse to go back to Switzerland with him, Ruf may persuade the Princess to use a spell to force you to submit.”

Xiaoyang said unhappily, “After we left Netherworld Valley, I asked Father John Chen to deliver a message to the Princess, asking her to be gracious and leave Minhua and me alone for the rest of our lives and give us our freedom.”

Huang Lihua’s eyes brightened when he heard what Xiaoyang said.

“I believe Father John must have already conveyed your message to the Princess. The Princess is someone who values old relationships. After hearing your wish, she should not make things difficult for you.”

Xiaoyang asked in puzzlement, “If the Princess can use a spell to control the two of us, then when Minhua and I were in Netherworld Valley, she could have activated the spell to control us and seized the Sun Staff from Tanya. Why go to all this trouble now, using a spell to force us to return to Paradise Inn and become her private detectives?”

Huang Lihua thought for a moment and said, “Perhaps the Princess’s spell cannot penetrate Netherworld Valley. Perhaps the Princess had some concerns in her mind at the time. As for what exactly was going on, I can’t figure it out right now.”

Xiaoyang asked again, “Elder, if the Princess activates a spell to try to control the two of us, and we firmly resist it, what will happen?”

Huang Lihua said, “I once heard Dragon Knight say that when someone who has drunk Dragon Marrow Fluid stubbornly resists the power of the spell, the worst outcome is that the magical power will rebound upon them, causing them to lose their sanity and become insane.”

Xiaoyang sighed deeply and said, “If the Princess insists on driving the two of us into a dead end, sigh... then I would rather go insane than be controlled by her again.”

Huang Lihua comforted him, “I think the Princess should understand your thoughts and temperament. She would not go so far as to use a spell to hurt you, so we do not need to be overly pessimistic.”

Xiaoyang asked again, “Is there any way to escape the power of the Princess’s spell and prevent her from controlling us remotely?”

“I can ask Dragon Knight about that. He has followed the Princess for a long time, so perhaps he knows a solution. Give me some time. After I return to Lake Lucerne, I’ll enter Sky Castle and ask Dragon Knight to find out how to break the spell.”

Huang Lihua immediately added a warning.

“However, if the Princess learns that I failed to persuade you, she may soon send Grand Mage Ruf here to find you. After I leave, you had better first find a secluded place and hide there for a while. During this period, absolutely do not use your supernatural abilities, so that you do not leave any clues for Ruf to sense and follow to find you.”

Xiaoyang said confidently, “Although Taiwan is not a large island, finding a quiet place where we can live self-sufficiently will not be difficult.”

Huang Lihua said, “Let’s do that for now. As soon as I leave Taiwan, you two should not stay here either. Find a remote mountain area or a far-off corner of the coast and settle down there, so Ruf cannot sense your presence.”

Huang Minhua listened to the two men talking and suddenly came up with an idea.

“Why don’t we buy a yacht and hide out at sea? We can take turns docking at different ports to replenish our supplies. That way, Ruf will have little chance of sensing where we are.”

Huang Lihua applauded and said, “That’s a very good idea. But you need a substantial amount of cash right now to buy a yacht. I have some savings in my Swiss bank account that I originally set aside for you to use to start a business after you got married. This is the perfect time to put that money to use. Once I return to Switzerland, I’ll transfer it to Minhua.”

Minhua’s face lit up with joy. She put her arms around Lihua and said playfully, “Thank you, Grandpa. It’s so wonderful to have you!”

Huang Minhua hooked her left arm around Huang Lihua’s arm and her right arm around Xiaoyang’s, strolling along the riverside.

The sea breeze drifted gently along the golden waterfront, the sunlight was warm and pleasant, and the three of them enjoyed their leisurely time together.