Lu Yao raised her hand, signaling for the conversation to end. A faint unease flickered in her dark, alluring eyes, and her delicate brows knit together slightly. Defying fate was an act forbidden by the heavens—divine punishment would undoubtedly be far more severe than usual. He had already risked everything to grant her a chance at immortality, which was more than enough kindness. Even if he still carried guilt, his level of concern seemed excessive.
She was, after all, the Celestial Lady of the Northern Immortal Realm, destined to ascend as a true celestial and the future consort of the Lord of the Central Heavens.
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt if I were the one to watch over her.” Her tone was indifferent.
* * *
The prince’s residence never neglected its guests. As a woman, Hong Ning was not suited to stay in the outer guest quarters, so she was temporarily housed in the rear garden. The two small rooms overlooked a pond—lacking the elegance of ornate corridors, but instead featuring a winding bridge and withered lotuses. White stones were piled by the water’s edge, and a cluster of short bamboo half-veiled the window, lending the place a quiet charm.
Though not particularly grand, the secluded atmosphere suited her well.
Thinking back on the bitter years spent in the mountains, then looking at the prosperity surrounding her now, Hong Ning let out a wry smile. Such drastic changes—all within just a year.
The magistrate had been extremely attentive earlier, allowing them to inspect the corpse right on the street and personally recounting the details of previous victims before escorting Yang Zhen to the entrance to bid farewell.
The two of them entered the garden in silence. Yang Zhen seemed unbothered by her quietness, walking ahead at an unhurried pace. At some point, the guards had withdrawn.
With a sigh, Hong Ning stopped in her tracks. “Your Highness, I believe the path is that way.”
Yang Zhen ignored her and kept walking.
Hong Ning already knew what he wanted to ask. “They all died because their vital essence was completely drained.”
As expected, Yang Zhen halted. “According to the Zhu family, the second young master fell ill last month. At worst, he had no appetite, looked fatigued, and grew a little weak. How could he suddenly—”
He recalled that yellowed, shriveled face and that skeletal body—skin stretched thin over brittle bones. He hardly resembled a man in his thirties. A chill crept into Yang Zhen’s heart.
“First, a sudden illness with no clear cause. Then, after death, the same horrifying remains. And each month, another identical case.” He frowned. “Clearly, this is the work of the same demon. But what kind of creature could it be?”
Hong Ning shook her head. “We won’t know until we see it for ourselves.”
She was telling the truth—only by witnessing it firsthand could they understand. But where was the creature hiding? How could they even begin to track it? Yang Zhen knew this investigation would be difficult. He hesitated before asking, “Do you have a way to deal with it?”
Hong Ning didn’t answer. Instead, she turned and walked straight into her room.
Yang Zhen stood outside, deep in thought. After a long pause, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Hong Ning sat by the window, gazing at the withered lotuses on the pond, her expression unreadable. A cup of cold tea rested on the table in front of her. She did not rise when he entered, only tossing out a single sentence:
“I have no way. Your Highness should seek someone more capable.”
Yang Zhen walked to her side but said nothing.
Hong Ning remained silent for a long while before lifting her face to look at him, smiling faintly. “Your Highness invited me here to subdue demons, but now I have lost all my powers. I am truly incapable—apologies for disappointing you.”
She had tried countless methods, yet she still could not break the seal placed upon her. That gentle man had once held her in his arms, comforting her—only to personally strip her of the one thing she had, the one thing that mattered. He hadn’t even left her with the slightest hope.
For a cultivator, losing their powers meant everything.
Yang Zhen showed no surprise. “No wonder you’ve looked so troubled these past few days.”
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