It turned out that after he had set out ahead with his men, he had grown uneasy halfway through the journey and turned back—only to find her unconscious in bed. He had hurriedly taken her with him, but when she failed to wake up, and several doctors had been at a loss, he decided to continue traveling. Chong Zhou City was home to many renowned physicians, increasing the chances of finding help.
Understanding that he had acted out of good intentions, Hong Ning said, “Thank you.”
Yang Zhen then asked, “That Bi Qin…”
Hong Ning briefly recounted what had happened but omitted the part about Jin Xiu.
Yang Zhen nodded. “I figured he must have had his reasons.”
“He may have done it to save his brother, but it still cost so many innocent lives. Being forced back into his original form is already a merciful punishment,” Hong Ning said, adjusting to the light and raising the curtain again to look outside. “It’s over now. Since Young Master Yang is heading to Chong Zhou, I’m afraid I won’t be able to accompany you.”
Yang Zhen seemed to have anticipated her response. “Since you’re injured, you should rest at my private residence for a while. Besides, they’re all very grateful to you.”
Grateful, yet they had to express it through someone else’s arrangements. Hong Ning couldn’t help but smile. She turned to check her bundle of belongings. “That won’t be necessary. At the next crossroads, I’ll just—”
Mid-sentence, she suddenly felt an overwhelming fatigue. She had no choice but to abandon her plan and leaned against the carriage wall, struggling to catch her breath.
“You think you can walk like this?” Yang Zhen glanced at her but made no move to help. “Besides, I received a letter yesterday—several strange murders have occurred in Chong Zhou. You might find it interesting.”
Hong Ning paused, then narrowed her eyes slightly. “Young Master Yang, you certainly don’t hold back, do you?”
"Aren't you traveling the world to slay demons, exorcise ghosts, and uphold justice?" Yang Zhen remarked.
"Uphold justice?" Hong Ning laughed. "Of course. But I don’t believe the will of heaven is so fair."
Seeing that she did not refuse outright, Yang Zhen’s expression gradually softened.
Sensing something unusual about her body, Hong Ning fell silent, straightened her posture, and attempted to circulate her qi, clearing her mind of distractions. Yet the moment she tried, a wave of shock and fury crashed over her—her innate spiritual energy could no longer condense, and her powers had been sealed!
The wound on her wrist had vanished, leaving not even the faintest scar behind.
A deity who prioritizes the greater good could never tolerate a mere mortal going against the Northern Celestial Realm. Besides, he and Lu Jiu were related by blood—how could he possibly allow her to seek revenge? This was undoubtedly his way of stopping her.
So that was his true purpose in coming to the mortal world.
And she—she had almost been deceived once again. It was only now that she finally understood.
Hong Ning sat in stunned silence.
So, in his eyes, she was still just that "willful little demon." No matter how harsh her words had been, no matter how decisively she had severed ties, as long as he had saved her life multiple times, as long as he showed even the faintest trace of concern, she had never truly given up.
And as long as she still harbored hope, he could slice another wound into her without hesitation—until that hope was completely extinguished.
Noticing the shift in her expression, Yang Zhen frowned. "Are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm fine." As if all strength had left her body, Hong Ning slowly leaned back against the carriage wall, inching herself into the corner, and closed her eyes.
* * *
Chong Zhou was a vast city, teeming with life. As a center of wealth and prosperity, it housed no fewer than thirteen of the empire’s most renowned merchants. Naturally, competition among them ran fierce, leading to extravagant displays of wealth—spending money like water, constructing lavish gardens, and turning their mansions into veritable earthly paradises.
Along the riverbanks, grand restaurants, pleasure houses, and flower-strewn pavilions had been built solely for entertainment. The breathtaking scenery and convenient social venues had drawn countless scholars, literati, and retired officials to settle in the city.
Yang Zhen’s private residence was even more magnificent—imposing, majestic, and opulent.
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