Chapter 71

Since the Anomaly Management Bureau took over the Demon Market case, Zhu Ming hadn’t encountered any more such anomalous situations.

Tang Qiaoqi’s life was similarly stable. She didn’t receive an invitation letter, nor did she awaken any Supernatural Power. Although the time was too short to conclude anything, she was heading into finals and could no longer worry about such things.

Equally busy was Yun Zouchuan. When the first snow fell, she received a reply from her mother. Her mother still refused to come down from the mountain, leaving Yun Zouchuan helpless.

The only thing she could do was record every detail of her life with pen and paper, then let the letters travel thousands of miles to her mother’s hands.

On December first, Zhu Ming made her customary visit back to the Zhu family.

But this time, after the routine matters were done, Zhu Ming was brought before a spirited, silver-haired old lady.

The old lady’s silver hair was pulled into a meticulous bun, and her sharp gaze was no less keen than a young person’s. She was none other than the Zhu Family Head, Zhu Wanying, Zhu Ming’s own maternal grandmother.

“We haven’t seen each other for so long, and you won’t even greet me?”

Zhu Ming played idly with her hair and said perfunctorily, “Hello, Old Madam. Have you eaten? If not, I’ll be heading back first.”

“Zhu Ming!” Zhu Wanying struck her cane on the ground and said irritably, “Do you have nothing to explain?”

Zhu Ming feigned ignorance. “Explain what? I’m fine.”

“Last month, that incident on the university campus—was that your doing?” Zhu Wanying stated bluntly, “Your ability… do you have nothing to explain?”

Zhu Ming scratched her head with a headache, knowing she couldn’t hide it forever. She had previously avoided using her ability precisely to avoid being discovered by Zhu Wanying so soon. But the commotion with Tang Qiaoqi had been too big. Anyone with intent to inquire would know it was her.

It was already generous of Zhu Wanying to only confront her now.

Zhu Ming spread her hands, acting like a dead pig not fearing boiling water. “Oh, this? Funny thing, ever since I could enter the Dark Realm Space, my ability just healed. What a miracle.”

Zhu Wanying stared at her for a long moment, her aged eyes like two knives, wishing she could flay open Zhu Ming’s skin and thoroughly study what exactly lay within her flesh and blood.

“This time, you controlled it better,” Zhu Wanying said.

“…Thanks for the compliment?” Zhu Ming laughed. “It’s a society of laws now; private punishment isn’t in fashion. If you have nothing else, I’ll be going.”

They were clearly grandmother and granddaughter by blood, yet the look they directed at each other held little warmth, instead containing considerable hostility.

On this, Zhu Ming believed the responsibility lay entirely with Zhu Wanying.

Many things, Zhu Ming had only learned after returning to the Zhu family. The Vermilion Bird Blood within her, her origins, and her ability… all were different from a normal Zhu family member.

Zhu Ming’s mother was the stunningly talented Zhu Fengyu of twenty years ago, but her father was merely a heretical cultist with a handsome face. Thus, this relationship was initially kept secret and unknown to others.

During a demon-elimination operation, Zhu Fengyu hadn’t yet known she was pregnant. Only after the operation ended did Zhu Fengyu discover that the Vermilion Bird Blood hadn’t driven her mad with frenzy, nor had it caused her to self-immolate. After several examinations, the key was found.

The Vermilion Bird Blood had already entered Zhu Ming’s body.

This was an unprecedented event. No one knew what would happen after Zhu Ming was born, or even if she could be born at all—she might die before birth, taking Zhu Fengyu with her.

Furthermore, she had a low-born father.

Therefore, Zhu Wanying made her choice almost without hesitation. She didn’t want her daughter to risk continuing the pregnancy. She wanted Zhu Ming aborted—and incidentally, to study why Zhu Ming, as a fetus, could trap the Vermilion Bird Blood.

Zhu Fengyu, of course, refused the abortion. She also successfully persuaded her mother: If this child could consistently contain the Vermilion Bird Blood, perhaps the Zhu family could find a way to safely use it.

But in truth, Zhu Fengyu was unsure herself. And she knew how cold and hard her mother was. If Zhu Ming was born, she would likely be treated as a lab rat, leading a life of inhuman cruelty. If lucky, she might survive a life of control; if unlucky… she would naturally lose all future.

Moreover, at this point, neither Zhu Fengyu nor Zhu Wanying knew whether Zhu Ming could survive, whether her mind would be intact after birth, or whether other changes would occur.

But as a mother, Zhu Fengyu couldn’t bear to give up just like that.

She used this reason to successfully bring the child into the world. However, immediately after birth, Zhu Ming developed abnormalities: frail, burning hot body, as the Vermilion Bird Blood slowly but surely invaded the infant.

Fortunately, though the Vermilion Bird Blood posed a threat, it didn’t kill Zhu Ming outright. Zhu Ming was indeed different.

But unfortunately, even as an infant, under the influence of the Vermilion Bird Blood, she exhibited an agitated, chaotic, and berserk aggressiveness. Barely born, she could already manipulate fire to harm those around her.

Zhu Fengyu and Zhu Wanying came into intense conflict.

Zhu Fengyu believed they should find a way to help the child. Zhu Wanying believed no one could help her. If she was allowed to live, she would become a terrifying maniac, causing an irreparable disaster, and no one could stop her because she possessed the Vermilion Bird Blood.

Therefore, Zhu Wanying wanted to kill her to prevent future trouble. No matter what method Zhu Fengyu proposed, Zhu Wanying refused.

Zhu Fengyu had no choice but to risk escaping with the child and the child’s father.

It didn’t take long after their escape for them to realize that if they did nothing, even if Zhu Wanying didn’t act, Zhu Ming wouldn’t be able to live a normal life.

Thus, on that day, Zhu Fengyu resorted to heretical means—sacrificing the child’s blood kin to establish a Seal, allowing Zhu Ming to live like an ordinary person.

No one knew how effective this seal would be, or how long it would last.

But at least, Zhu Ming could survive.

From then on, the family of three disappeared. Later, Zhu Wanying found the remains of her daughter and her daughter’s little lover, but never managed to locate the child who had been taken away.

She assumed the child had died. But unexpectedly, seven years ago, the Sparrow-Slaying Bow suddenly hummed with a zheng sound. Through their blood connection, Zhu Wanying sensed Zhu Ming’s presence, and this child who had been lost outside was finally found and brought back.

And seven years ago was precisely when Zhu Ming had left Yin Yu and her seal had cracked.

At that time, Zhu Ming’s condition had also been very poor. The sudden awakening of her ability caused her agonizing pain and an uncontrollable, manic temperament.

It was Wenren Tu who visited again and again, shocking her unconscious with electricity, that allowed Zhu Ming to slowly gain control over herself.

Zhu Wanying had been observing, constantly judging. Upon discovering that Zhu Ming could purify the baleful aura of the Sparrow-Slaying Bow, she decided to re-seal Zhu Ming’s ability, turning her into a tool to contain the Vermilion Bird Blood and purify the bow.

She believed that without the seal, the baleful aura of the Sparrow-Slaying Bow would likely cause the Vermilion Bird Blood within Zhu Ming to erupt, triggering ominous changes.

In fact, Zhu Ming knew this old woman simply didn’t trust her. She always believed Zhu Ming would, like countless others before who had contained the Vermilion Bird Blood and wielded the Sparrow-Slaying Bow, follow the old path of destroying others before destroying herself.

Zhu Wanying wanted to ensure that even if Zhu Ming went mad, she would be powerless to harm. So, that seal was plugged right back in.

Until Zhu Ming entered the Dark Realm Space, and under the influence of those irresistible, mysterious powers, some things still developed in an irreversible direction.

“Hold on,” Zhu Wanying called out to Zhu Ming. “Did I say you could leave?”

Zhu Ming smiled impatiently. “What other instructions does the Old Madam have?”

“I want to see to what extent your ability has progressed now.”

…

When Yun Zouchuan returned to the studio, she was startled.

Zhu Ming sat properly on the sofa playing with her phone, while two people in black sat to her left and right, also playing with their phones.

“Ah, A-Zou is back!” Zhu Ming’s eyes lit up, and she quickly waved.

“Boss, are these customers?” Yun Zouchuan asked, puzzled.

“Let me introduce you. This is my… older female cousin, or maybe it’s second cousin? I can’t remember clearly; you can just call her Miss Zhu. This one is my… older male cousin, or maybe uncle? I can’t remember either, just call him Mr. Zhu.” Zhu Ming spread her hands and smiled falsely, “Of course, now they’re both my bodyguards. You can ignore them if you want.”

Yun Zouchuan understood. The Zhu family had sent people to keep a close watch.

These two statues generally didn’t speak much. Their attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, but their presence was extremely strong. They flanked Zhu Ming like two guardian deities, never leaving her side except when she retreated to her bedroom to rest.

Even Yun Zouchuan, who wasn’t the target of the surveillance, found it stifling, let alone Zhu Ming.

Once the weekend passed, Yun Zouchuan escaped to school, leaving the repressively tense atmosphere of the studio behind. But Zhu Ming couldn’t run away so easily.

However, she truly couldn’t stand being watched like this any longer. So, taking advantage of the night, she flipped out of her bedroom window and quietly slipped away.

“Wenren Tu, are you around? Why have you been so busy lately, never coming to hang out with me?” Zhu Ming strolled along, thinking she might as well go find Wenren Tu.

She’d been so busy lately; they hadn’t been in touch for ages.

Wenren Tu hemmed and hawed. “I’m super busy, it’s not really convenient. Why don’t you find someone else?”

“Are you sure?” Listening to the noisy background sounds coming through the phone, Zhu Ming narrowed her eyes, deeply suspicious. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not at work?”

Wenren Tu quibbled, “How could that be? Who do you think we are to each other? What’s there to gain from lying to you? The Management Bureau is super busy, really. I’ll come find you when I’m free.”

“Fine, then I’m hanging up. You get back to work.”

Zhu Ming hung up very crisply, but she didn’t intend to let the other off. She didn’t need Wenren Tu to tell her where she was; the melodious background music from the call was clearly from a certain quiet bar they used to frequent.

Something was definitely going on. Absolutely suspicious.

Zhu Ming rubbed her hands together, a secret excitement for catching someone in the act bubbling up inside her. They were all good sisters; what secrets couldn’t be shared? Hehe.

So, without hesitation, Zhu Ming hailed a cab and went straight to that quiet bar.

Coincidentally, there weren’t many people there tonight. The moment she walked in and swept her gaze around, she found Wenren Tu’s eye-catching mop of blue hair.

She was sitting in a booth, leaning forward with a silly grin, gazing at the beauty before her.

And the woman sitting beside her… she had an almost too stunningly gorgeous face, alluring and enchantingly charming. The way her gaze shifted was as captivating as a siren’s.

Such a beautiful woman… Zhu Ming looked, momentarily stunned, because she felt a sense of familiarity, yet couldn’t place her.

The woman held a smile at the corner of her lips and was gently helping Wenren Tu tie a scarf, appearing exceptionally tender.

Zhu Ming really didn’t remember who the other party was, but that wasn’t important. She was here today to catch someone in the act. Hehe, she just knew Wenren Tu had something going on!

So, tiptoeing, she quietly walked up behind Wenren Tu. The gorgeous woman had already seen her, but for some reason, she gave Wenren Tu no hint, and her look toward Zhu Ming showed no surprise.

Zhu Ming slapped Wenren Tu on the shoulder with a loud “Ha!”

Wenren Tu jolted as if electrocuted. She whipped her head around, surprised. “Zhu Ming?!”

Zhu Ming grinned. “That’s me, alright. No need to shout. Well, well, well, what’s going on here? Don’t you always say you’ll introduce me to hot girls? How come when there’s such a beautiful big sister, you didn’t call me to meet her—oh, you want to keep her all to yourself? No wonder you lied when I called earlier.”

Wenren Tu’s face went red as a monkey’s bottom. She hastily reached to cover Zhu Ming’s mouth. “What are you talking about? We’re just friends, purely friends!”

Zhu Ming slapped her hand away and laughed. “Sure, sure, the purest of friends. Got it.”

Thwarted by Zhu Ming’s interruption, Wenren Tu sighed and said with slight embarrassment, “She really is just a friend. This is Zhu Ming. She’s got an old flame, ignore her. Zhu Ming, this is…”

“Wang Xiaowu.” The woman extended a hand to Zhu Ming with a beaming smile. “That’s my name. Pleased to meet you, Zhu Ming.”

“Hello, pleased to meet you, too.”

Zhu Ming took her hand and shook it. Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, she suddenly felt a light, teasing scratch against her palm.

She froze. She saw Wang Xiaowu lick her full, red lips, the look directed at Zhu Ming unusually profound and meaningful.