The Transmission Talisman was placed on the table. On the other end, the sounds of heavy breathing and intermittent laughter continued, movements intense and unrestrained, making them all the more distinct in the silent room.
The events of the previous night replayed in their minds, and coupled with the memory of what followed, the atmosphere grew awkward. Yang Zhen averted his gaze, walked over slowly, and sat down on a chair. “What are you waiting for? Do you still want to watch?”
Having accidentally witnessed it once, she had already been labeled a peeping pervert. Hong Ning inwardly regretted agreeing to let him observe, but she steeled herself and asked, “Has he already swallowed the talisman?”
Yang Zhen's expression remained cold, and he did not answer.
Familiar with his methods and efficiency, Hong Ning knew her question was unnecessary. Steadying herself, she too sat down, taking out a golden peach branch along with another talisman. After racking her brain for days, she was not entirely without a solution.
Bi Qin’s inner elixir had been cultivated for a thousand years and naturally carried the essence of heaven and earth. Now that her own innate spiritual energy was sealed, she could temporarily borrow it for use. The effect would be limited, but it would suffice for a few minor talismans.
Hong Ning raised her hand and ignited the talisman.
The talisman paper burned to ashes, yet the ash did not scatter.
Yang Zhen, astonished, was about to speak, but Hong Ning gestured for him to stay silent. Instead, she asked, “Madam, where exactly are you from?”
After a moment, a breathless voice from the Transmission Talisman responded—Zhong Wencai's voice: “Madam, where exactly are you from?”
Only then did Yang Zhen understand—earlier, she had deceived Zhong Wencai into swallowing two talismans. One was the Transmission Talisman, and the other was meant for this purpose.
She intended to control Zhong Wencai, using his voice to extract information about the demoness, and the only way to evade the demoness's detection was to place the talisman inside his body.
Sure enough, the fox-woman noticed nothing unusual. Though she had taken on the appearance of Madam Wang, she knew little of Wang’s actual background. However, since Zhong Wencai had already fallen under her enchantment, she let her guard down and casually replied, “I, of course, am from Zhongzhou City.”
Her voice was sweet and alluring. Upon hearing it, Yang Zhen's heart involuntarily trembled, but he quickly asked, “Where in Zhongzhou City?”
The fox-woman chuckled. “Xihe Street.”
That confirmed it—she was not Madam Wang. Yang Zhen’s voice turned cold. “Which family on Xihe Street?”
Sensing that he was asking too much, the fox-woman became wary. With a playful “Darling”, she cooed, “Let’s just enjoy ourselves. Why all these questions?”
Fearing she might grow suspicious, Hong Ning quickly added, “This humble scholar thought I saw Madam at the prince’s manor earlier today.”
The excuse was entirely reasonable. The fox-woman’s doubts dissipated, and relying on her enchantment, she softly coaxed, “You must have mistaken me for someone else. There are plenty of people in this world who look alike…”
With a flick of Hong Ning’s hand, the Transmission Talisman fell silent.
Yang Zhen let out a slow exhale.
Hong Ning said, “Judging by Zhong Wencai’s behavior during the day, I guessed he didn’t actually know who Madam Wang really was. And sure enough, I was right. It seems he must have seen her somewhere by chance, developed admiration for her, and was then seen through by this fox demon, who took advantage of it by transforming into her to deceive him.”
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