As she spent more time around these humans, Xiaohong started to notice how much they cared about Yinou. She grew curious. She remembered seeing a painting of the girl in Su Ning's room—Yinou had eyes that seemed full of soul and emotion. People said she was a demon, but she felt more like an immortal. How could that be? The idea that Yinou was both Zhang Li's favorite and Su Ning's most cherished made something inside Xiaohong twist with jealousy.
She stared into the fire, its orange light flickering on her face. Her fingers twitched, not from the cold, but from something else. A picture of Yinou kept popping into her mind.
It had been a while since the others started talking about Yinou more often. There was something in the way they said her name—like they missed her, like she mattered—that made Xiaohong's chest ache. How could they speak so kindly about someone who was supposed to be a demon? How could someone with that kind of power be loved?
Xiaohong shook her head, trying to push away the thoughts. She usually didn't care about things like this. But still... Yinou's face wouldn't leave her mind. The way they looked at her, talked about her—it made Xiaohong feel like she didn't belong.
The fire crackled. Without thinking, she muttered, "She was lucky." The words hung in the air longer than she meant them to. She instantly regretted it.
Silence fell over the group. Everyone turned to look at her. She tried to act like she didn't care, though part of her did. She cleared her throat and said, "What? You can't handle a bit of truth?" Her voice was casual—too casual.
Li Yang spoke gently. "She wasn't lucky," she said. Her tone was full of sadness.
Xiaohong was caught off guard. She blinked. Yinou? Unlucky?
But everyone loved her. Even now. Even after she was gone. Meanwhile, Xiaohong stood here—alone. That kind of love… she could never imagine it. But she'd never say that out loud.
Days passed. Their travels were long and tiring. Nothing really changed—except for the thoughts in Xiaohong's head. Every night by the campfire, she kept thinking about Su Ning.
Even when he wasn't speaking, she could feel his presence. Like a shadow at the edge of her vision. Sometimes, he looked at her a little too long. Was he curious? Or was it something else?
When he came back from the frontlines, his armor was dirty, and he looked exhausted. But his voice, when he arrived, was soft.
"I'm back," he said. There was a gentleness in it that surprised her.
She looked at him and smirked. "Good to see you're in one piece. Got a new scar this time?"
He gave a short laugh. "The fight was hard, but we won." His eyes met hers. There was a pause. A quiet moment. "It's good to be back," he added, though he looked a little distant.
The firelight caught in his eyes. He looked different now. Softer. Less like a warrior, more like a person.
Xiaohong quickly looked away. Something warm stirred in her chest, and she didn't like it. "Well, thanks for your service, General," she said, forcing her voice to be cool. "Bet the people are throwing a big party for you."
Su Ning smiled. "Probably. Who can resist my charm?"
She rolled her eyes. "Please. Your ego needs someone to keep it in check."
"Glad to have you around then, master of modesty," he joked back.
She sneered, but inside, she felt a little lighter. Maybe it was the fire. Or maybe it was that they were finally speaking without trying to cut each other down.
Weeks passed, and Xiaohong began to notice Su Ning more and more. The way he walked, the quiet sadness behind his strength. The way he looked at her, like he was trying to understand something.
Then, during one training session, she overheard Li Yang.
"Have you noticed how Xiaohong's sword style is like Yinou's?" she said.
Xiaohong froze mid-swing. Her eyes narrowed. Her heart pounded.
"Are you saying I look like her?" she snapped.
Li Yang looked surprised. "I didn't mean—"
"Don't," Xiaohong cut her off. "Don't ever compare me to her. I'm not her."
"I just meant—"
"I don't care what you meant. Keep it to yourself."
The silence was thick. Even Su Ning had stopped moving. Xiaohong glanced at him, saw the look in his eyes, and quickly turned away. She didn't want anyone to see how much those words hurt her.
That night, as the sky darkened, Su Ning approached her. His steps were careful.
"Here to join the pity party?" she said, her tone sharper than usual.
"No. I came to talk."
"About what? That everyone thinks I'm a ghost with a sword?"
Su Ning looked serious. "You know what I mean." He hesitated. "Xiaohong, there's something about you. You move like her. You fight like her."
"You think I'm her?" she asked, stunned.
"I don't know," he said. "But something connects you and Yinou. I can't ignore it."
"I'm not her," she said, her voice shaking. "I'm me."
"I just can't stop wondering," he said quietly.
Before she could answer, Susu walked over. She gently took Xiaohong's hand and stared at her palm.
Xiaohong pulled back slightly, confused, but didn't stop her.
Susu finally let go. "Sorry. It's nothing," she said with a small smile, but her eyes were sad.
Xiaohong was left speechless. What was that all about?
Su Ning watched her closely.
He entered Jiu Tian's quarters, his expression tense. "Jiu Tian," he began urgently, "I think I know the truth...Xiao Hong is Yinou's reincarnation…and the Fox Immortal, right?"
Jiu Tian's gaze was unreadable. "And how did you reach this conclusion?" Su Ning's fists clenched. "Your power, Jiu Tian...it's identical to Yinou's. And your guidance, your warnings…"
He shook his head. "Not Yinou's power, but hers," Jiu Tian corrected sharply.
"So my suspicions are true. You seek the Fox Immortal, not Yinou."
Jiu Tian chuckled. "Very well. You actually just said that to make me confirm your suspicion. Playing smart, aye?" he paused, and continued: "You're perceptive, Su Ning. You've pieced it together."
Su Ning lightly gasped, "You are the lover of the fox immortal, whom she gave cultivation to."
Jiu Tian smiled. "Indeed. Xiao Hong is Yinou's reincarnation, but she is also Ling Yu, my beloved." He paused. "As for my guidance, the path of samsara is delicate, and the burden of the past is heavy."
A surge of emotion: hope, confusion, trepidation, washed over Su Ning. "What happens now?" he whispered. "If Ling Yu and Yinou's souls are bound, who will prevail?"
Jiu Tian's expression turned solemn. "That, my friend, is not for me to decide. Yinou is undergoing samsara to bind her soul with Ling Yu's, but the outcome is uncertain. They may coexist, or one may prevail. I have not seen this before, and can only guide as samsara unfolds."
Su Ning felt frustration and uncertainty. "What if she reject who she is? What if she chooses not to remember Yinou or Ling Yu?"
Jiu Tian sighed sadly. "Then we respect her choice, no matter how difficult. Samsara is not ours to control, only to guide." Su Ning felt despair. "I can't stand by and watch her walk away again." Jiu Tian's expression softened. He placed a hand on Su Ning's shoulder. "Trust in the universe, my friend. Samsara is winding, but the answers may come in time, if you listen."
Su Ning nodded, his resolve solidifying. He returned to the campsite, his mind a whirlwind. He looked at Xiao Hong, the familiar features of Yinou etched on her face. The realization that she was so close, yet so far, filled him with hope and trepidation. "Xiao Hong," he said softly, "I need to speak with you."