70: Manifestation

Yifan stood in a shadowed corner, lost in thought. This Ning Caichen, though somewhat muddled in mind and steeped in the air of a pedantic scholar, possessed a trace of integrity and a kind heart. Yet, such a person, if he does not change, will not survive long in this world. If he had to choose, he would still find kind-hearted people more endearing; they seem far more genuine than those whose hearts are as black as wolves.

He followed along quietly, arriving at Lanruo Temple as night fell. He did not reveal himself, but concealed his presence in the darkness, suppressing his aura, and watched as Ning Caichen busied himself inside the hall.

When the moon hung high in the sky, Ning Caichen was startled awake by a sudden noise. He rose, only to see a young woman standing nearby. Shocked, he was about to cry out when she quickly covered his mouth.

“Don’t call out. There’s someone outside who wants to harm me. If he finds me, it will be over.”

“Miss Xiaoqian?”

Ning Caichen looked closely, and it was indeed Nie Xiaoqian whom he had met the previous night. Hearing her words, he lowered his voice. “Miss Xiaoqian, how are you here?”

“Don’t ask how I’m here. Help me—draw the bad man outside away so I can escape,” Nie Xiaoqian interrupted softly.

Ning Caichen blinked at her anxious face, hesitated, then nodded. “Alright, I’ll go distract the bad man outside. You seize the chance to leave quickly.”

With that, he got up and walked out. Nie Xiaoqian suddenly grabbed his arm and looked into his eyes. “Aren’t you afraid the bad man outside will harm you?”

Ning Caichen grinned. “I’ve only one life—if it’s taken, so be it. As long as I can help you, Miss Xiaoqian. Besides, I’m a grown man. Would I stand by and watch a young lady be harmed?”

Nie Xiaoqian pursed her lips, displeased, and tapped his forehead gently. “You really are a fool.”

“A fool? My mother says the same. Anyway, there are plenty of clever people in the world; a little confusion might be a blessing,” Ning Caichen replied.

Nie Xiaoqian laughed quietly, stepped back, and said nothing further, only gazing at Ning Caichen. In the darkness, her eyes shone like stars, making the scholar blush and avoid her gaze.

“Miss Xiaoqian, if fate allows, we’ll meet again. I’ll go draw away the bad man outside—be quick to escape.”

Ning Caichen finished, walked out with his head lowered, not looking back, his pace quickening as he passed through the ruins and entered a corner. Suddenly, a cry rang out.

Next, a figure swept across the space like a wild goose, landing not far away and striding quickly toward him. As the figure approached, Ning Caichen recognized the face.

“You?”

It was the Daoist he’d met the previous night. Could this be the bad man Xiaoqian spoke of?

Yifan’s expression was puzzled as he glanced around, finding no trace of the demoness. “Roaming about at midnight—why? Why did you cry out just now? Did you see something?”

“Why do you care? Can’t a man relieve himself out here? I just saw a big rat and was startled—is that not allowed? But what’s even scarier is you, a Daoist, prowling around at this hour. What are you up to? Planning something wicked?” Ning Caichen retorted.

“Sharp-tongued. I have no patience for you. Don’t wander about at night—go rest. Leave early tomorrow, and don’t return,” Yifan shook his head. If it were up to him, he’d have slapped the scholar, but the events of the day had altered his view of him.

Suddenly, his expression changed and he looked sharply toward the ruined hall. “The demoness?”

He sensed a surge of demonic energy bursting forth within the broken hall, as if conjured from nothing. He rushed outside and saw a graceful figure sweep out, glare fiercely at him, then float away.

“I’ve waited long for you—now you show yourself. Let’s see where you run to.”

Yifan was about to leap forward, but Ning Caichen suddenly threw himself at him, holding him tightly. He heard Ning Caichen shout, “Miss Xiaoqian, run quickly! I’ll hold him off!”

“You?” Yifan was furious, shaking himself but unable to break free. “What are you doing? That demoness has killed countless, harming the people, and you want to help her? Did you learn your classics from a dog?”

“What demoness? Clearly you’re obsessed with Miss Xiaoqian’s beauty and want to harm her. That’s why you keep pursuing her!” Ning Caichen shouted.

“Utter madness—get off me!”

Yifan could not be bothered to argue. He hadn’t wanted to hurt him, but seeing his stubbornness, he had no choice. He shook the scholar off and kicked him away.

Ning Caichen cried out in pain, rolling several times before trying to stand. Yifan had already leapt after the demoness.

Moments later, Yifan returned, his face grim, landing near Ning Caichen, wishing he could crush the scholar with a slap. Because of the delay, the demoness had escaped.

To track her again would be all but impossible.

“Do you know how many people will die because you let that demoness go?” Yifan said coldly.

Ning Caichen laughed loudly. “You keep calling Xiaoqian a demoness, but tell me—what kind of person are you? In Guobei County, countless die of hunger or murder daily. Why don’t you save them? Across the world, untold numbers suffer in misery. Why don’t you help them?”

“Don’t pretend to be so righteous. If Miss Xiaoqian were truly a demoness, why am I still alive and unharmed? Clearly, you’re making excuses.”

“Why you’re alive, I’ve no idea—only a ghost would know,” Yifan snorted coldly. “As for all the people in the world, I cannot protect them, but I must deal with demons who harm others.”

He seized Ning Caichen by the collar. “Let me show you how many people this demoness has killed.”

He dragged him toward the ruined hall, kicked open the door, and searched the area. Stopping at a broken partition, he stomped hard, breaking open a hole.

He picked up a wooden stick, tore a strip of cloth from Ning Caichen’s robes, wrapped it around, lit it, and shone it into the hole. The scene below was revealed to them both.

A dozen shriveled corpses were piled haphazardly together, their faces gaunt and twisted in pain—a chilling sight. Ning Caichen shuddered in terror and tried to crawl away.

Yifan held him in place, even pushed him closer. “Look at these corpses—once living souls, now drained of their life by that demoness.”

“You’re lying!” Ning Caichen’s face was pale. He finally broke free from Yifan’s grip and scrambled away, not daring to look at the corpses.

“Lying? If she weren’t a demon, why would a frail young woman appear in this remote forest?” Yifan said coldly. “You claim I want to harm her—if she were human, would she escape me? Just deception and lies, and only a blockhead like you would believe them.”

His words pierced the illusion; Ning Caichen was left speechless, wanting to argue but unable to find a reason.

Indeed, their meeting last night could be explained as being separated from her servant—but tonight, what reason was there?