After such unnatural occurrences, fear gripped the entire area. The neighboring families all moved to the other side of the mountain, and those who couldn’t afford to relocate took detours, avoiding the place at all costs.
Because of this, the furniture and household items inside remained untouched.
And it was for this very reason that Hong Ning chose to live here.
* * *
After thoroughly inspecting every room, including the well, Hong Ning picked the cleanest room, set down her belongings, and wiped the dust from the table and bedboard.
Then, she drew water from the well and washed up before placing protective talismans at the front and back of the house. If anything unnatural approached, she would immediately sense it.
Once everything was settled, she finally sat down beside the table and took out the fire-red inner core from her robes.
The smooth, radiant orb rested in her palm, its deep crimson hue glowing beautifully. As she gazed at it, her expression softened.
For over a year now, she had traveled across the land, hunting down wicked demons and ghosts, seizing their inner cores to enhance her own power.
The inner core was a treasured artifact for celestial beings, a symbol of cultivation, and something that only true practitioners could possess.
To ordinary people, it was merely an object that accelerated magic growth.
But to those who walked the path of cultivation, it was as precious as life itself. Losing it meant losing centuries of cultivation—a price too steep to pay.
That was why exorcists and demon hunters rarely forced demons to surrender their cores. Doing so would harm their spiritual merit.
And no demon would ever hand over their core willingly—except one.
Only he had ever given up his inner core without hesitation, shaping it into a bracelet and slipping it onto her wrist.
He had known she disliked cultivation, yet he never once tried to persuade her—he had only ever wished to protect her.
A sharp pain gripped her chest.
Hong Ning clutched at her heart, her laughter tinged with bitterness.
Three lifetimes, three worlds—
You gave so much… but I remember nothing.
Even the heavens must have thought it unfair—so they made sure I would never forget again.
She had spent so much time chasing after eternal love, never realizing it had been beside her all along.
The brilliant red color of the core began to fade, its luster gradually dulling until, at last, the entire core vanished—as if it had evaporated into nothingness.
Just like that, the fox demon’s hundreds of years of cultivation were gone.
Hong Ning simply let out a cold, indifferent laugh.
She pulled out a few hard biscuits from her bag and took slow bites, washing them down with water from her gourd.
What did a non-cultivator like her need spiritual merit for?
Past lives, future lives—none of it mattered.
Only the present was important.
These demons had all been murderers, committing atrocities without remorse.
Losing their inner cores was a light punishment.
Evil deeds deserved retribution.
No one could escape it.
By the time she finished eating, the sky had darkened into twilight.
Hong Ning was about to enter meditation when—
Creak.
The main courtyard gate suddenly swung open.
A wave of noisy chatter followed.
“Master, do we really have to stay here? I heard…”
A woman’s voice, laced with unease.
“Clean up the house. We’ll rest here for the night.”
A clear, refined voice interrupted her, tinged with impatience.
Someone else murmured in agreement.
Someone dares to stay in a place like this?
Hong Ning frowned.
But from outside the window, she could hear the constant footsteps—people bustling about, busy clearing out the house. The once-deserted courtyard had suddenly become lively.
The footsteps drew closer.
Then—bam!
The door was kicked open.
Hong Ning met the intruder’s gaze with an icy stare.
She had already heard from the locals about what had happened here.
Yet despite the warnings, their young master refused to believe the stories and insisted on staying the night.
His people had no choice but to follow him.
Many among them were skilled in martial arts, but when it came to ghosts and demons, there was still a trace of fear in their hearts.
This place had been abandoned for years—and now, out of nowhere, a woman appeared?
The man at the door went pale.
What kind of young lady would dare come here alone?!
“Someone! Hurry!”
His expression changed in an instant as he stumbled back, yelling into the courtyard.
“This must be the demon!”
The moment his voice fell, several figures flashed into view.
They all stared at Hong Ning inside the room, hesitation and suspicion in their eyes.
Hong Ning sighed inwardly, both exasperated and amused, but couldn’t be bothered to explain herself.
Then, a calm and clear voice rang out.
“Enough. It’s not even dark yet. Do you think demons appear so early? Stop making a fuss.”
At once, the gathered men stepped aside.
A young man strode forward—his robes luxurious, his presence commanding.
From the white jade belt fastened around his waist alone, it was clear that he was no ordinary traveler.
He was someone of high status.
Why would a person like him stay in a place like this?
Hong Ning was about to dismiss him—but the moment she saw his face, her entire body went rigid.
His features were sharp and striking, exuding an effortless nobility.
His brows were straight and defined, carrying a natural air of strength.
He looked to be in his early twenties, but it was hard to say for certain. In this era, people matured quickly—even at seventeen or eighteen, they carried themselves with an air of steadiness far beyond their years.
None of that mattered.
None of it explained why Hong Ning stood frozen, staring into his eyes.
Eyes that were cold. Detached. Unreadable.
Because with these eyes…
That face looked just like…
His.
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