Chapter 110 I’ve Decided

Chapter 110: I've Made Up My Mind

Bai Xiuming looked at Zhang Jinghuai, unperturbed by his rudeness, and asked calmly, "Who do you wish me to release?"

"Shen Huixue."

"A member of the Shen family?"

"Lord Bai may recall I once brought her to the Bright Mirror Bureau to sign a contract." Seeing Bai Xiuming offer no reaction, he continued, "I know the Shen family's crimes are heinous, but Shen Huixue has resided in the capital all these years and never participated in any of their affairs. Please, Lord Bai, grant her clemency."

"Grant her clemency?" Bai Xiuming chuckled softly. "Heir, would you dare utter these words before His Majesty?"

Zhang Jinghuai stiffened. "Lord Bai, speak plainly. What price must I pay to take her away?"

"You overstate the matter, Heir. She is but a half-demon—releasing her is no great concern. But are you prepared? Many in the capital know she hails from the Shen family. If you rescue her, where will you keep her?"

Zhang Jinghuai fell silent. He had indeed not yet considered where to settle her in the future, but at the very least, he had to ensure her survival.

He vaguely sensed that something had gone awry with the contract signed with the Bright Mirror Bureau that day. After much deliberation, his thoughts invariably returned to Shen Huixue.

Her situation was likely dire.

He ought not to have left the camp, but he feared Shen Huixue could not wait.

After a long pause, Zhang Jinghuai finally spoke, "Rest assured, Lord Bai. I will neither bring her back to the capital nor allow anyone to discover her identity."

Bai Xiuming gazed at Zhang Jinghuai for a long moment before remarking, "I had not realized the Heir was such a man of sentiment. I imagine the Duke of Li would be quite disappointed if he knew."

Zhang Jinghuai bowed deeply to Bai Xiuming. "I implore Lord Bai to make an exception."

"Someone!"

"My lord." A Bright Mirror Bureau Guard at the door stepped inside.

"Summon the Qianhu officer who guarded the dungeon last night. I have questions for him."

"Yes, my lord."

The guard soon returned with the officer.

"What are your orders, my lord?" The Qianhu entered without glancing around and bowed to Bai Xiuming.

"There is a prisoner named Shen Huixue in the dungeon. Bring her here."

The Qianhu looked up at Bai Xiuming, then lowered his gaze after a moment. "My lord, I recall this person. Last night, Shen Huixue and Shen Qingwu took their own lives in their cell. By this hour, their bodies have likely been disposed of."

"What did you say?" Zhang Jinghuai turned sharply, his words gritted out.

"Greetings, Heir Zhang." The Qianhu seemed to notice him only then and bowed.

Ignoring the man’s demeanor, Zhang Jinghuai seized his collar. "Repeat what you just said."

The Qianhu looked confused and repeated, "Shen Huixue and Shen Qingwu have taken their own lives."

"Are you jesting? Why would she kill herself?" Zhang Jinghuai suppressed the panic rising in his chest, though reason told him Shen Huixue would never do such a thing.

"Many Shen family members in the dungeon have chosen suicide these past two days. Knowing death was near, they likely sought a more dignified end." The Qianhu spoke in a matter-of-fact way.

"And her body? Why such haste in its disposal?"

"You misunderstand, Heir. The disposal was not specifically aimed at her. My men have been incinerating the Shen family’s dead for days. She merely happened to die on this day and was included in the cremation."

He then added to Bai Xiuming, "My lord, every word I’ve spoken is true. There has been no deception."

Bai Xiuming nodded. "You may leave."

"Yes, my lord." The Qianhu pulled Zhang Jinghuai’s hand from his collar, bowed to both men, and withdrew.

Once outside, he exhaled in relief, thinking his performance would surely please his superior, then hurried off with a lighter step.

When only Bai Xiuming and Zhang Jinghuai remained in the room, Zhang Jinghuai glared at the other man, teeth clenched. "Bai Xiuming, are you toying with me?"

Bai Xiuming feigned helplessness. "I had no intention of mocking you, Heir. Until now, I was unaware of this matter."

Had A Chan been present, she would have marveled at Lord Bai’s ability to lie straight-faced.

"I don’t believe she’s dead. I want to go to the dungeon."

Bai Xiuming refused outright. "I cannot grant that request. The dungeon holds important prisoners of the state. No one outside the Bright Mirror Bureau may enter."

"And if I insist?"

Zhang Jinghuai’s tone was hostile, but Bai Xiuming, ever good-natured, pointed him to a clear path. "Then the Heir must first obtain a pass from the Commander. He is currently residing in the Shen estate. If you secure his permission, I will comply with your request."

Zhang Jinghuai gave Bai Xiuming a long, hard look before turning and leaving without another word.

Not long after his departure, Shen Zhuo walked in, looking pleased. "Was that the Heir to the Duke of Li I just saw? What did he want?"

Bai Xiuming replied, "He wished to enter the dungeon. I refused and told him to seek a pass from the Commander."

Shen Zhuo scoffed. "Old Qin seems to have uncovered something extraordinary at the Shen estate and is engrossed in studying it. He has no patience for these noble heirs. What are they thinking, nosing into Bright Mirror Bureau affairs?"

As Shen Zhuo went on, Bai Xiuming poured himself a cup of hot tea. Lifting it amidst the fragrant steam, he smiled slightly.

Few knew of Zhang Jinghuai’s request to Bai Xiuming, and Shen Huixue certainly did not.

She and her mother were staying at A Chan’s small courtyard.

Her mother’s residence could no longer be lived in. Fortunately, before their arrest, they had arranged for Mother Wu’s care, leaving nothing to worry about.

A Chan’s courtyard was small, with only two livable rooms. Hui Niang vacated hers for the mother and daughter, sharing A Chan’s room instead.

Having spent most of the day in the dungeon, Hui Niang prepared bathwater for them. Her mother was now bathing behind a screen.

Shen Huixue sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her hands with a blank stare.

She didn’t know how to move forward.

Her past life hadn’t been what she wanted, but she knew she had to live that way.

Zhang Jinghuai was betrothed, yet she still had to remain by his side. Back then, she understood that in the future, aside from enduring the Duke of Li’s disdain, she would also have to face the hatred of Zhang Jinghuai’s wife.

Her future had never been hers to decide.

But now, the contract that bound her had vanished without warning.

As Shen Huixue sat lost in thought, Shen Qingwu emerged wearing Chen Hui’s clothes. Seeing her daughter fixated on her hands, she quietly sat beside her.

After a moment of silence, she said, "Hui Xue, do you remember what I once told you?"

Shen Huixue looked at her mother and hesitated slightly before saying, "Is it... about becoming a demon?"

Shen Qingwu nodded. "Yes. Have you thought about it?"

Shen Huixue couldn't answer immediately. Too much had happened recently, and before she could even process it, she'd been imprisoned.

She had thought she was going to die, yet here she was, released so unexpectedly.

In merely two days, she had experienced so many ups and downs. Even though her mother’s revelation had shaken her deeply before, that day's shock and fear had faded in the face of life and death.

When it's about survival, whether human or demon mattered far less than simply staying alive.

After a moment of thought, she said, "Mother, let me talk to A Chan first."

She had so many uncertainties about her life, but A Chan was the opposite. At a time like this, she most wanted A Chan's counsel.

"Alright," Shen Qingwu agreed. "Go bathe first, wash away the prison’s taint, then go see A Chan."

Shen Huixue nodded. After a quick bath, she went alone to A Chan’s room.

Chen Hui, noticing that she seemed to have something to discuss with A Chan, discreetly excused herself, saying she wanted to chat with Shen Qingwu, and left.

A Chan had already undone her hair, letting it fall softly around her face, revealing her delicate face. She was dressed in sleepwear, barefoot, sitting on the bed.

Seeing Shen Huixue enter, she beckoned her over. "Come sit."

Shen Huixue sat on the edge of the bed and, under A Chan’s gaze, stated her purpose.

"A Chan, my mother told me that if I use my father’s inner core, I can become a demon. Is that true?"

A Chan nodded. "It’s true. That method was what I told her."

Shen Huixue became thoughtful.

Seeing her hesitation, A Chan didn’t pressure her. "If you don’t want to become a demon, that’s fine too. It’s not something you have to agree to."

Shen Huixue shook her head softly. "I'm no longer hesitating. To me, whether I’m human, half-demon, or full-blooded demon doesn’t make much difference. I’m not afraid of becoming a demon—if being one is better for me, then I’ll become one."

"Then what are you afraid of?" A Chan asked, puzzled.

Shen Huixue hesitated briefly before suddenly changing the subject. "The Shen family will soon be executed. My mother and I only survived because of you. Even so, we probably won’t be able to show ourselves freely in the future, right?"

A Chan thought for a moment, then decided to lay out Bai Xiuming’s condition. "Yes. The condition for Bai Xiuming to release you is that you can’t stay in Great Xia."

Shen Huixue sighed softly. "That’s what I’m afraid of. I've always been under others' control—they charted my life for me. But now, no one is arranging it anymore."

"I feel lost. I don’t know where to go or how to live outside of Great Xia. Can my mother and I really find a home? I..."

She paused, then asked uncertainly, "A Chan, what should I do?"

Shen Huixue’s concerns were not what A Chan had expected, but it made sense.

Beginning a life utterly different from the one she had known required immense courage.

When A Chan had first arrived in human lands, she'd known the same fear and doubt. If not for A Mian, she would never have stepped foot in human territory.

Later...

A Chan’s expression darkened slightly as she set aside those bitter memories and focused on the matter at hand.

She thought about what she knew of the lands beyond Great Xia and slowly explained to Shen Huixue, "There’s a vast world outside Great Xia, but it’s dangerous. The lands north of the Wastelands are demon territory, but their society is ruthless. Even if you become a demon, I wouldn’t recommend going there."

A Chan didn’t even mention Qingyu Mountain. She didn't think her grandmother would accept Shen Huixue, and even if she did, it would be no proper home for her and her mother.

Shen Huixue nodded. If A Chan said the demon lands were bad, she wouldn’t go.

A Chan continued, "The alien races in the Western Tombs not only despise humans but treat demons even worse. Most importantly, they lack wits—their minds seem different from ours. Keep your distance from them. As for the south, there are endless seas and numerous dragon tribes. Dragons are not only belligerent but also arrogant, looking down on other races like insects. Their arrogance knows no bounds, but you shouldn’t go there either."

Listening to A Chan dismiss each race in turn, Shen Huixue suddenly felt like laughing.

She couldn’t help but wonder—who had told A Chan all this?

A Chan searched her memory for useful information and finally thought of a decent place. "Ah, I once heard that the Wilderness has mixed communities of humans and other races. The people there are relatively peaceable—it’s a good place."

"There are humans outside Great Xia?" Shen Huixue asked in surprise.

"Of course," A Chan said with a smile. "The world is vast. How could there not be a place for us?"

Shen Huixue’s anxious heart suddenly calmed at A Chan’s words, even stirring a spark of hope. Leaving Great Xia didn't seem so daunting anymore.

"A Chan," Shen Huixue looked at her. "Do it now. Turn me into a demon."

"Are you sure?"

Shen Huixue nodded firmly. "I’m sure."

"Alright."

A Chan took out the pouch containing the inner core and handed it to Shen Huixue.

As soon as Shen Huixue took it, the dull inner core seemed to shed its murky coating, growing brighter.

"A Chan, what’s happening?" Shen Huixue stared at the inner core in her palm in astonishment.

A Chan explained, "This is your father’s inner core. After his death, it became tarnished. Normally, demon energy or your blood can awaken it. But it seems to have sensed your connection, so it’s ‘waking up’ on its own."

"What do I do next?"

"Next, use your demon energy to communicate with it. The inner core retains remnants of its original owner’s will, though that consciousness can’t leave the inner core. You need to direct your energy into it, telling it you need its power, and ask it to give it to you."

Shen Huixue waited for A Chan to continue, but she stopped there.

The two stared at each other for a moment before Shen Huixue blinked in disbelief. "That’s it? No other steps?"

Shouldn’t something this important involve a complex ritual?

A Chan couldn’t help but laugh. "It really is that simple. You’re his daughter—your father’s inner core won’t reject you."

Not all demons would accept their descendants, but her Sixth Uncle would.

He would surely want to pass his power to Shen Huixue—because she was the daughter he had longed for.

Seeing the inner core in Shen Huixue’s hand begin to glow, A Chan rose and departed the room, giving her privacy.

Before leaving, she reassured her, "Don’t be nervous. You’ll succeed."

With that, she walked out, leaving Shen Huixue alone in the room.

A Chan entered Chen Hui’s room, where Shen Qingwu was chatting with her—though it was clear her mind was elsewhere.

Seeing A Chan enter, she stood up nervously, "A Chan, Hui Xue she..."

"She's communicating with the inner core. Once she absorbs the demon energy within it, her body will gradually change. Don't worry, it's not very dangerous."

"She... she agreed just like that?" Shen Qingwu breathed in disbelief. She had thought her daughter would at least take a day to consider, but it only took a moment.

"She wasn't going to refuse anyway."

With that, A Chan sat down on a nearby chair. When Shen Qingwu finally collected herself, A Chan spoke up, "There's something I'd like to ask you, Qingwu. I hope you can answer me truthfully."

"Ask away." A Chan had saved both her and her daughter's lives. Now, no matter what she asked, Shen Qingwu would tell her.

"Have you ever heard Liu Feng mention his big brother's whereabouts?" A Chan finally asked.

"I have. He said..." Shen Qingwu suddenly paused, trying hard to control her expression so A Chan wouldn't notice anything unusual.

"What did he say?" A Chan pressed eagerly.

Shen Qingwu lowered her eyes, "He said his big brother went to the Wilderness."

A Chan's eyes lit up—what a coincidence.

What Shen Qingwu left unsaid was that Liu Feng had told her his big brother went to the Wilderness... and died there.