16 Lingxi's Past
Xu Han understood that Lingxi's intense response to the murder stemmed from her past experience.
When Xu Han had first encountered Lingxi, he hadn't delved into her personal history. Her fragile appearance and tattered clothes had led him to assume she was homeless, perhaps abandoned by her parents who couldn't afford to take care of her. At the time, he hadn't dwelled on it too much, occupied with his own concerns.
Days turned into weeks as he slowly settled into the sect. At times when Lingxi struggled with house chores due to her clumsiness, Xu Han would take over the cleaning. During one such routine clean-up, his attention was caught by a small locket, left forgotten on the floor.
As he dusted off the relic, something unusual about it grabbed his attention. Intrigued, he opened the locket to find a concealed letter, one he might have missed had he not been a cultivator.
And the letter unveiled the truth of Lingxi's past and background.
Lingxi's parents had an unconventional love story. Lingxi's mother had been an esteemed elder of the Immortal Crane Sect from the central region, a sect of higher rank than the "FrostBite" sect and had fallen for her father, a mortal village chief, after he had selflessly cared for her when she was injured.
Despite their differences, they had given birth to Lingxi. However, upon her birth, the mother had disappeared, leaving Lingxi under the sole protection of her mortal father. The sect, incensed by the elder's actions, hunted down Lingxi and her father.
The father, unable to protect Lingxi from the cultivators, managed to send her to the Northern Region using an escape talisman just before his untimely demise.
When Xu Han had learned about Lingxi's tragic past, he couldn't help but berate himself for his previous naivety and compassion. It seemed he had unknowingly trapped himself in a clichéd protagonist's story, similar to the ones he had read in novels.
At first, he had joined the sect oblivious to Lingxi's complex background. Now, even knowing the truth didn't change their predicament. They lived in a world where the weak were unheard.
Concerned about his safety, Xu Han had made the decision to strictly prohibit Lingxi from cultivating, fearing that she would try to uncover her mother identity and the truth of her father's death when her cultivation increased, inevitably entangling him in the dangerous web of revenge as Xu Han knew that anyone associated with the protagonist would be drawn into the impending bloodshed.
He understood that at that time not even the sect would be able to save him then. This was precisely why Xu Han made the decision to exclude Lingxi from becoming a candidate for celestial simulation.
Despite his protagonist status, Xu Han understood the importance of having sufficient power to protect himself before considering the risks involved in Lingxi's participation.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft rustling sound. Xu Han glanced at Lingxi, whose cheeks were flushed a bright red as she fiddled nervously with her dress.
Sighing, he set these thoughts away and walked toward the door and said, "I'll investigate this matter myself." Without wasting any more time, he stepped out, leaving a blushing Lingxi behind.
…
Not far from Xu Han's house, a street lined with charming two-story houses in a distinct Chinese style set the backdrop. In the middle of the street, a lively crowd had formed. Their hushed whispers filled the air, creating an atmosphere of unease and anticipation.
Xu Han joined the crowd, pushing his way through, which displeased some of them. However, as soon as they recognized him, they fell silent and made way for him. Without wasting any time, Xu Han found himself at the forefront, while the others kept their distance, eyeing him with a mix of fear, disdain, admiration and some with love.
Despite his cold and cruel personality, his power and looks had earned him popularity, especially among women. Ignoring them, he focused on the sight ahead.
In the midst of the gathered crowd, a lifeless body lay sprawled on the ground. Two middle-aged men, distinctively dressed in a combination of black and blue, stood prominently near the body. Their attire marked them as the sect's law enforcers.
With serious expressions, they carefully surveyed the scene, their furrowed brows and narrowed eyes indicating the gravity of the situation.
As Xu Han witnessed the identity of the deceased, relief washed over him. His previous anxiety had stemmed from the fear that Brother Zhu had died. Otherwise why would he care if anyone died or live.
In novels he had read, enemies often manipulated scenes to make the protagonist take the blame for crimes.
However, Xu Han's worry was alleviated when he realized that the deceased was not Brother Zhu, but rather Fang Shu. Fang Shu was also an outer court disciple and a talented cultivator at Body Tempering Level 5.
"I overthought this," Xu Han thought, readying to leave, but a crisp voice of a girl suddenly reached his ears from behind. The voice taunted, "Look, isn't it the demon of the Outer Court? I thought you would never leave your courtyard."
Startled, Xu Han turned around to face the source of the voice. To his surprise, he was greeted by the sight of a young girl—a loli—with porcelain-white skin, big eyes, and a mischievous smirk on her face. Her hair was fashioned into ponytails.
Xu Han knew, however, that despite her youthful appearance, she was actually older than him, accounting for the additional years from her past life. He suspected that her current appearance was a result of her cultivation.
Seeing her, Xu Han's expression showed clear disdain. He pointed at her and asked, loud enough for everyone to hear, "Whose child is lost?"
As Xu Han's voice echoed through the crowd, curious gazes turned towards him. And when people heard his words and the direction he pointed, a wave of laughter swept through the gathering. The street reverberated with the joyous sound, causing the little Lolli's face to burn with a blend of embarrassment and anger. Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red as she struggled to contain her emotions.
