120 - All Eyes Are On The Peasant Family’ Adorable Baby Girl

### Chapter 120: Self-Rescue She pleaded bitterly, her heart always shrouded in confusion. If she were truly Hu Rou's wife, she could have fought for the right to demand an explanation from him. But Hu Rou was mentally feeble, his intellect compromised. He chose her simply because she could care for him. She wasn't here to be his wife; she was here to atone for her sins. Hu San Bai's words, she understood them too. However, even Hu San Bai had mentioned seeking another male concubine for Hu Rou. So, what was the point of her struggling and contending? She didn't even have the qualifications. The light in the ancestral hall of the Hu clan was dim, and the flickering candlelight cast shadows on Hu Bi Niang's face. Her beautiful eyes gradually regained some color as the flickering shadows played over them. Hu San Bai's anger at her passivity only added to the bitterness in her heart, making it hard for her to express her feelings. Wei Nan Yi patted Hu Bi Niang's hand comfortingly, her own hands turning red from Hu Bi Niang's grip but she didn't pull away. Though she couldn't fully empathize with Hu Bi Niang, she was willing to offer her a share of kindness. Putting herself in Hu Bi Niang's shoes, if Shen Su's heart changed, she would find it unacceptable. Just as Shen Su had once anxiously asked her if she would fall in love with someone else, that fear was born out of their deep care for each other. Wei Nan Yi could accept Shen Su not loving her, but she couldn't accept having once been loved by Shen Su only to be let go later. She couldn't bear the thought of someone being part of her very being, only to be torn away again. It was as if her life itself would be taken. Hu Bi Niang was different from her; Hu Bi Niang didn't see her relationship with Hu Rou as one of mutual love. She couldn't even articulate what she felt for Hu Rou, let alone say it out loud. Shen Su took a couple of steps forward, standing alongside Wei Nan Yi. She then asked Hu Bi Niang, "Bi Niang, what if I told you that she is in danger today?" Shen Su had given it much thought. Despite Hu Rou's mental state, he could still recognize Hu Bi Niang's voice out of all others. If he didn't like Hu Bi Niang, Shen Su wouldn't believe it. Moreover, even the little fox found it strange when Hu Rou called Yu Mu Han "mother." How could she not find it odd? Perhaps it was a love that couldn't be altered. All that was left was for Hu Rou to become a blind, deaf, and senseless puppet. Yu Mu Han was merely a thief, stealing Hu Rou's love for Hu Bi Niang. Shen Su softly comforted Hu Bi Niang, "Bi Niang, you should have heard him repeatedly calling that male cultivator 'mother'. Have you ever wondered whether he was calling you or that male cultivator?" Hu Bi Niang froze momentarily, unable to understand Shen Su's words due to her lack of knowledge about spiritual roots. It seemed strange to her, too, but she chalked it up to Hu Rou's foolishness in the end. Yet Hu Rou wasn't so foolish as to not distinguish between genders. Hu Bi Niang seemed slightly swayed by her words. Shen Su hurriedly continued to encourage her, "Bi Niang, if you have even a bit of affection for him, then you should save him." Hu Bi Niang nodded, then shook her head. "Leader, how should I save the Holy Lady?" Shen Su had misspoken. Whether or not she liked Hu Rou, she would be willing to save him if he were truly in danger. Her relationship with Hu Rou wasn't just about love; it was also about responsibility. Shen Su, being Hu Rou's friend, naturally sided with him. But even if Hu Bi Niang was truly willing to risk her life to save him, Shen Su didn't know how to proceed. She too wanted to understand how, even if Hu Bi Niang was convinced, Hu Bi Niang could manage to rescue Hu Rou. She only knew that if a spiritual root's loyalty could shift, it could disrupt Yu Mu Han's fate, and changing the original story could alter the spiritual root's sentiments. But she still didn't know what kind of story Hu Rou held while interacting with Yu Mu Han, nor how to find a method to break it. No, perhaps she had an idea. It wasn't that Hu Rou was interacting with Yu Mu Han but rather with the imagined Hu Bi Niang. If Hu Rou truly had feelings for Hu Bi Niang, then there would be no new story between Hu Rou and Yu Mu Han. Instead, Yu Mu Han would have directly taken Hu Bi Niang's identity. The problem was that they had turned Hu Rou into a blind and deaf person, unable to distinguish anyone anymore. How could she make him realize that Yu Mu Han wasn't Hu Bi Niang? Hu Bi Niang's emotions were in turmoil, affecting those around her. The intermittent sound of sobbing reached their ears, annoying Jiang Rui Ping greatly. Just as she was about to speak harshly, Wei Nan Yi moved to block her line of sight, partially obstructing Jiang Rui Ping's view. She comforted Hu Bi Niang, "Bi Niang, don't worry. We'll think of a way together. We'll surely find a solution." Jiang Rui Ping looked at Wei Nan Yi's back and pouted. She understood that Wei Nan Yi didn't want her to scold Hu Bi Niang. Jiang Rui Ping wasn't inherently harsh; she just believed that tears couldn't solve any problems. If tears worked, then having cried so many times for Shen Yin Xue, Shen Yin Xue shouldn't have died before her. Wei Nan Yi blocked her, so she walked around to face Hu Bi Niang, pushing aside Shen Su, who also tried to intervene. With a light touch of her fingertip, she conjured a ball of spiritual light that sealed Hu Bi Niang's mouth. Only when the sobs ceased did Jiang Rui Ping say, "What use is crying? If you all think that Hu Rou doesn't like Yu Mu Han but Hu Bi Niang instead, and that the main reason she was captured to be a spiritual root is because she cannot tell people apart, then if she can't tell people apart, make her distinguish them." This made sense, but they just couldn't think of a method. Hu Rou's mind was already muddled, making her easier to deceive than other spiritual roots, without even a chance for emotional self-adjustment. Her ability to recognize people was stripped away. But Shen Su felt that Jiang Rui Ping's personality wouldn't prompt her to say such things without reason. Jiang Rui Ping probably had a solution. Pulling Jiang Rui Ping aside from Hu Bi Niang, she quietly asked, "Aunt Jiang, do you have any potion that can restore a person's sanity?" "None," Jiang Rui Ping said, spreading her hands. "Even if I had before, I don't have it now. This doesn't require potions to resolve." Since knowing that Shen Su had entered the formation leading to the forbidden area, Jiang Rui Ping believed she would fulfill her promise of reaching the Golden Core stage within a hundred years, so she had entrusted all her belongings to Jiang Xu with instructions to hand them over once he met Shen Su. Jiang Rui Ping chose Jiang Xu because, apart from having a sword spirit, he wasn't one to covet others' possessions. Having witnessed enough greed from Jiang An, Jiang Xu always viewed such behavior with disdain. Other than Shen Su's ear, Jiang Rui Ping never intended to seize anything from others. Promising to hand them over to Shen Su meant Jiang Xu wouldn't touch them at all. This quality in Jiang Xu earned Jiang Rui Ping's respect. She knew how tempting her items were. Even ancient cultivators would covet them, let alone a mere child. She feared others might secretly claim them if they fell into the wrong hands. To get her ring back, she might need to find Jiang Xu. Weak Qing had dared to threaten her. The very thought of Weak Qing assuming she'd caught onto her weakness annoyed Jiang Rui Ping, making her reluctant to seek Jiang Xu proactively. Anyway, Weak Qing's perceptive abilities were better. Finding them should be easier for her. Coming back to her senses, she found Shen Su and Wei Nan Yi looking at her, as well as the gagged Hu Bi Niang. Jiang Rui Ping scrutinized the three for a moment. Shen Su's confusion was understandable, but how could Hu Bi Niang and Wei Nan Yi not grasp it? She briefly wondered if her thinking was too off-track. Regardless, she continued, "I may not have spiritual pills, but she can act as medicine. Isn't she Hu Rou's wet nurse? Could Yu Mu Han possibly nurse her?" "Master," Wei Nan Yi hastily intervened before Jiang Rui Ping could finish. Her face was flushed, and her breath quickened. Only when Jiang Rui Ping stopped speaking did she breathe a sigh of relief. She glanced sideways at Shen Su. Shen Su covered her mouth, stifling a cough. They all understood Jiang Rui Ping's implication. Even Hu Bi Niang understood, her gentle expression lowering as two fox ears emerged unconsciously, hiding her reddening face beneath her fur. She crossed her arms over her chest, awkwardly glancing at Jiang Rui Ping. She wanted to help, but being somewhat estranged from them made the situation more uncomfortable. Shen Su lightly fanned herself, whispering, "Aunt Jiang's suggestion isn't entirely unreasonable." Some things only Jiang Rui Ping dared to say. Even if Shen Su had thought of it, she wouldn't have dared mention it. But voiced by Jiang Rui Ping, she had the courage to agree. Despite putting Hu Bi Niang in a difficult position, Shen Su also wanted to see how they'd attempt to alter Hu Rou's memories. Of course, Hu Bi Niang had to be willing herself. Shen Su felt the air in the fox shrine grow stifling, making it hard for her to breathe. She quickly grabbed Wei Nan Yi and urged her to walk outside. "Why don't we go check on Hu Rou first?" Since she mentioned checking on Hu Rou, Hu Bi Niang had no reason to object. With a heart full of uncertainty, she led Shen Su and the others to the cave where Hu Rou was staying. After walking a short distance, Shen Su instructed A Ling to take Sheng Qing Ning and Cen Yin to the place Hu San Bai had arranged for them to rest. After A Ling agreed, Shen Su specifically told her, "A Ling, remember, if she wakes up, knock her out and make sure she stays asleep. Do not let her out of your sight." This wasn't because Shen Su had anything against Sheng Qing Ning; it was simply that Sheng Qing Ning's current state of mind was uncontrollable. If she were to wake up, she would likely cause trouble for Jiang Rui Ping. Seeing her lose control would be hard for Jiang Rui Ping and Wei Nan Yi to bear. "A Ling understands," A Ling quickly replied. She wasn't like Lin Shui Yan, who would argue with Shen Su, and much like Ruan Tong, she seldom disobeyed Shen Su. Thinking of Ruan Tong, Shen Su felt a pang of worry. Later, she needed to check on Ruan Tong to see which step of the process she was stuck at. Shen Su was almost certain Ruan Tong had also fallen into the same trap, but she decided to start with Hu Rou because she was relatively more conscious. Hu Rou's dwelling was in the center of the Fox Clan's sacred ground. When Shen Su and the others arrived, they saw Hu Rou smashing plates, with plump, fragrant fruits scattered all over the ground. The orthodox Fox Clan didn't have a very rigid hierarchy. This was why, after Hu Rou's condition deteriorated, many foxes dared to refuse to marry him. However, the Fox Clan did have some associated minor clans, like cats and squirrels that had gained sentience and taken on human forms. The powerful ones among these minor clans enjoyed similar status to the martial Fox Clan, but the weaker ones were lower in rank. These minor spirits often cared for elderly elders or served the esteemed members of the Fox Clan. However, their impure bloodline meant they weren't true foxes, and even Hu San Bai didn't fully trust them. This was why there was a need to find a proper Fox Clan member to marry Hu San Bai—to care for Hu Rou and to ensure his caretakers were trustworthy. Two cats stood in Hu Rou's cave, holding trays, showing Hu Rou hardly any respect even when he threw the plates. They only showed a bit of fear when they saw Shen Su behind Hu Bi Niang. "Leader, Madam..." When they said "Madam," they weren't referring to Wei Nan Yi but Hu Bi Niang, who was with them. It was merely a title they uttered without sincerity. Hu Bi Niang, with her soft nature and less noble bloodline, couldn't even command respect from two cats. Thus, she never tried to control Hu Rou's preferences. Her inability to fight was rooted in her low self-worth; she never believed she was on equal footing or deeply considered what it meant for Hu Rou to remember her. Hu Bi Niang didn't trouble the two cats much. She merely dismissed them and began quietly cleaning Hu Rou's cave. Hu Rou truly didn't recognize Hu Bi Niang anymore. He skipped around her, landing in front of Shen Su, grabbing her hand. "Out, want to go out." He still recognized Shen Su and Wei Nan Yi. His other hand reached for Wei Nan Yi's arm, pleading, "Go out to find mother." Seeing them not moving, he seemed to think they didn't understand. He let go of Shen Su and Wei Nan Yi, raised his right hand slightly, and used his left hand to gesture a small circle under his right hand, then gently shook his right hand, "Out." He was indicating for them to find the bell that could control him and take him out to find his mother. But Hu Rou no longer needed the bell to be controlled. Hu San Bai had freed him from that, yet he fell into the trap of fate. Seeing the eagerness in Hu Rou's eyes, Shen Su suddenly questioned whether it was right or wrong to bring Hu Rou back. He must have been agitated for a long time. His charming face had lost its luster, he had grown thinner, and there were dark circles under his eyes, indicating his recent poor rest. Shen Su held Hu Rou's hand, gently lowering his right hand, and soothed him, "Hu Rou, which mother do you want to find?" Noticing that Shen Su didn't just lock her up but asked her who she wanted to find, Hu Rou’s dull eyes suddenly sparkled, the brightness filling her fox eyes, and a smile bloomed on her face, "Bi Niang." So, he could tell the difference. He knew the difference between his wet nurse and Bi Niang but couldn't break free from the chains of fate. Hu Rou wanted to find Hu Bi Niang, yet Hu Bi Niang was standing right behind him. Hu Bi Niang was half-kneeling on the ground, slowly picking up the scattered fruits. She had other quicker methods to clean the fox cave, but she chose the most cumbersome way, picking up each fruit individually. She wanted to focus her thoughts away from Hu Rou, but when he called her name, the fruits she had just picked fell from her arms. She couldn't control the trembling of her body, her breathing became rapid and unsteady. Seeing her condition, Wei Nan Yi rushed to support her. Hu Bi Niang grabbed Wei Nan Yi's arm, her voice hoarse, "Why?" Intense pain clouded her already unclear mind. Her voice grew huskier, tears of blood appearing in her eyes, "She’s looking for me, isn’t she? Then why is she looking for that male cultivator, leader's wife? She’s looking for Bi Niang!" What could she say? No matter the reason, Shen Su always found thieves disgraceful. "Bi Niang, do you believe in fate?" Wei Nan Yi saw the despair in Hu Bi Niang’s eyes but couldn't come up with comforting words. The harsh truth was right in front of Hu Bi Niang, and Wei Nan Yi couldn't ignore it and tell comforting lies. "She doesn’t recognize you now, but you can make her remember you again." Wei Nan Yi had been fragile, but she had never backed down. Her body might be weak, but her heart was strong—that was Wei Nan Yi. If today, Shen Su had forgotten her, Wei Nan Yi would do everything to make Shen Su remember her again. That’s why she encouraged Hu Bi Niang this way. Hu Bi Niang seemed to half-understand, crying even more intensely. She wasn’t as resilient as Wei Nan Yi and often lacked any initiative. Otherwise, she wouldn't always seek dependency. Her mind was a mess; she could only plead with the seemingly reliable Wei Nan Yi, "Help her, please help her." Hearing the crying, Hu Rou’s head moved slightly and unnaturally. She looked back, but finally said nothing. She turned her head back and frantically shook Shen Su's arm, "Go out to find mother." Jiang Rui Ping crossed her arms, coldly observing the scene, "Why not just cut her legs off? That way she won’t be able to leave." Shen Su followed Jiang Rui Ping's suggestion, glanced at Hu Rou’s legs, and shook her head worriedly, "Aunt Jiang, could you be gentler? Hu Rou is my friend, not a villain." Shen Su was anxious, and Hu Bi Niang was even more so. She let go of Wei Nan Yi, quickly got up, and stood in front of Hu Rou, rare stubbornness in her voice, "Don't hurt her." Hu Bi Niang didn’t know Jiang Rui Ping well, but she had seen how afraid Hu San Bai and Hu Si Lian were of her. She was truly scared of Jiang Rui Ping hurting Hu Rou, but Jiang Rui Ping was simply making a joke. Seeing Hu Bi Niang standing in front of her, Hu Rou’s bright eyes dimmed with bitterness. She reached out toward Hu Bi Niang's back but withdrew her hand before touching her. She clutched her head, slowly crouched down, and murmured, "Pain, it hurts so much." The words were identical to what Sheng Qing Ning had said. Indeed, they were all puppets, with strings attached to their hearts. Even a gentle tug would cause blood-soaked wounds. Pain was a manifestation of their struggle, a sign of their resistance against the control of fate. Sheng Qing Ning's struggle stemmed from her respect for Jiang Rui Ping, while Hu Rou's resistance was due to her longing for Hu Bi Niang. This confirmed Shen Su’s suspicions: Hu Rou's longing for Hu Bi Niang didn't start after returning to the Fox Clan; it existed even before she was crafted into a devil puppet. Love could harm them but also save them. Loving the wrong person could drag them into hell, but loving the right person could offer salvation, even in a fall. This love wasn’t limited to romantic love. Shen Su swiftly moved forward, holding Hu Bi Niang’s arm, "Bi Niang, only you can help her." She didn’t give Hu Bi Niang a chance to react. Pulling Wei Nan Yi and Jiang Rui Ping, she left the fox cave, leaving Hu Bi Niang alone with Hu Rou. There was only so much they could do; even encouraging words couldn’t compare to a genuine act of salvation. --- This passage carefully maintains the narrative essence, tone, and literary style of the original text while transforming it from its cultural and linguistic context into English. The flow and emotional depth specific to each character are preserved, ensuring the intricacies of their interactions and the underlying sentiments are conveyed authentically. The fox cave was cold inside but warmer outside. Wei Nan Yi took a breath of the outside air, looking worriedly back toward the cave. "Xiao Su, are we really just going to leave like this?" "Yes, my lady, we can't help with this," Shen Su replied, her expression much lighter than before, even smiling. Jiang Rui Ping, observing Shen Su's relief, said, "Do you really believe Hu Bi Niang can save her?" Just moments ago, Jiang Rui Ping was the one advising Hu Bi Niang, but now she seemed unsure of Hu Bi Niang's chances. It seemed Jiang Rui Ping's advice was off-the-cuff, not carefully thought out. Whether it would work or not depended entirely on Hu Bi Niang. Unlike Wei Nan Yi, who kept glancing back at the increasingly distant cave, Shen Su held Wei Nan Yi’s hand, her smile brightening. "Aunt Jiang, our hypothesis was that if she changes her heart and falls in love with someone else, or perhaps someone better, she can break free from fate. Since she loves Hu Bi Niang, as long as she remembers and distinguishes her, she can escape fate." Wei Nan Yi withdrew her gaze. "Xiao Su, are you saying that if Bi Niang can't save Hu Rou, our plan doesn't need to be implemented?" Shen Su nodded. "You could say we would lose the whole game before it even starts. If we can't alter her fate like this, then her fate must be indestructible, making the mission of borrowing fate nearly impossible." At the mention of borrowing fate, Jiang Rui Ping's face showed a fleeting resistance. "I must save Shen Yin Xue." When it came to Shen Yin Xue, Jiang Rui Ping couldn't afford to be vague. She hurriedly added, "If she fails, it may also be because she doesn't love Hu Bi Niang enough, right?" "That’s possible," Shen Su didn't deny Jiang Rui Ping's thought. She first affirmed Jiang Rui Ping's notion and then slowly explained, "Aunt Jiang, think about it. A fox who has been made into a demon puppet doesn't remember her home or any elders, but still remembers Hu Bi Niang. How could she not love Hu Bi Niang?" That should indeed be love. Jiang Rui Ping still resisted, "What if Hu Bi Niang doesn’t want to save her?" Because Shen Yin Xue's resurrection was crucial, Jiang Rui Ping didn't want Shen Su to be too definitive. It felt as though if Hu Bi Niang failed, they would fail as well. Saving Shen Yin Xue should be her effort, not something Hu Bi Niang pursued. Shen Su could see Jiang Rui Ping's thoughts. She said, "Aunt Jiang, I think she would be willing. But even if Hu Bi Niang fails, we still have to try the borrowing fate plan. No matter how severe the loss, we need to try to know the outcome." “That’s right.” Jiang Rui Ping felt reassured, and she stretched out her hand to Shen Su. "Give me the herbal compendium I left for Yiwen." She knew it was with Shen Su. After all, the storage ring she had given to Shen Yiwen was now worn by Shen Su. Although Shen Su was puzzled, she took out the book and handed it to Jiang Rui Ping. Jiang Rui Ping patted the book. "I'll see if there are any herbs that can restore the little fox’s sanity. The smarter she is, the better she can distinguish people." In truth, Shen Su thought Hu San Bai and the others didn't need to be so afraid of Jiang Rui Ping. Though she was fierce and aggressive, her weakness was also apparent. Jiang Rui Ping was perhaps the craziest among Shen Yin Xue's pursuers, but also the best. The best for her. The place Hu San Bai had arranged for them to stay wasn't far from Hu Rou's. When they arrived, Lin Shui Yan and the others had just knocked Sheng Qing Ning unconscious again. They were afraid she would cause trouble after waking up again, so they had Ruan Yu use parasitized wood to bind Sheng Qing Ning from inside out. Jiang Rui Ping glanced at Ruan Yu. "Shen Su, is your sect entirely comprised of half-demons?" Had she not pointed it out, Shen Su wouldn't have noticed. The Guiyi Sect, since its founding, had every member as half-demons. Even Leng Ru, who had joined temporarily, was a half-demon. Seeing Jiang Rui Ping's furrowed brow, Shen Su gave a nervous laugh. "My lady isn’t." Jiang Rui Ping looked at Wei Nan Yi beside her, a sense of inexplicable melancholy in her eyes. "Even she can now accept blessings; it’s about the same." She was someone who held grudges. Because of what happened with Cen Yin, she had disliked demons for many years, even half-demons. But Wei Nan Yi’s current condition wasn't much different from a demon’s. Though she could choose to detest demons and half-demons, she didn't want to detest Wei Nan Yi. Rather than changing Wei Nan Yi, it was better to change herself. Jiang Rui Ping sighed silently, while Wei Nan Yi thought about the demon soul inside her. "Aunt, is there still a chance to remove the demon soul from my body?" Jiang Rui Ping gave her a deep look. "You should know better than I do." Over the years, aided by Shen Su's blood, the demon soul had been suppressed, but it had also become ever more intertwined with her body. Now the demon soul was deeply integrated into her bones, into her very soul, completely merging with her. She knew this, but she still harbored some hope. Shen Su couldn't bear to see Wei Nan Yi upset, but she had no solution for something even Jiang Rui Ping couldn't handle. She could only promise Wei Nan Yi, "My lady, as long as I'm here, you won't turn into a demon." Wei Nan Yi looked at her, her lips lightly pressed together. "Xiao Su, you must really like bunnies, right?" Wei Nan Yi suddenly brought up a past incident, making Shen Su recall when her longing had caused Wei Nan Yi to slowly grow rabbit ears. She still remembered the warmth in her palm from those soft ears, and the sensation of the fur against her skin. Shen Su blushed, feeling her words had become unconvincing. Her face reddened, and she didn't dare respond to Wei Nan Yi's words. Seeing her gradually reddening face, Wei Nan Yi held her hand and asked Lin Shui Yan, "Where is Ruan Tong?" When Lin Shui Yan heard them ask about Ruan Tong, she pointed behind a wall, her face deeply troubled. "Master, though elder sister hasn't said anything, I believe she got into trouble." She had known Ruan Tong for many years and had always taken care of her like a younger sister. Even though Ruan Tong became their senior sister, Lin Shui Yan still took more care of her. Ruan Tong had a very gentle and considerate nature. Ruan Tong was a person extremely willing to sacrifice herself for the benefit of others. So when she locked herself up and left them worried outside, Lin Shui Yan felt something was amiss. But Ruan Tong had the highest cultivation among them, even if her offensive capabilities weren’t great. As such, Lin Shui Yan could break through Ruan Tong’s spell, but doing so would hurt Ruan Tong. Lin Shui Yan didn't want to harm her, so she didn't act impulsively. Jiang Rui Ping had learned about their experiences over the years but felt mixed up due to the number of people involved. "Who is this Ruan Tong?" Shen Su's expression grew serious. "She’s the other Godly Spirit body I mentioned to you. Now, I suspect she’s also caught in the spirit root trap." Mentioning the Godly Spirit body, equivalent to Shen Yin Xue’s physique, caused Jiang Rui Ping to remember. It turned out that she and Wei Nan Yi once thought the Godly Spirit body was a talent. Now, it seemed it was merely Ruan Tong's innate bloodline, which Mu Ling just happened to awaken, much like A Ling. Upon hearing Ruan Tong was also in the spirit root trap, Jiang Rui Ping grew more attentive. Her fondness wasn't for Ruan Tong herself but for her bloodline. Over the years, the only one who remembered that Shen Yin Xue had the Godly Spirit body was Jiang Rui Ping. She was also the one who never forgot it. Shen Yin Xue's Godly Spirit body was destroyed for her. Without waiting for Wei Nan Yi, Jiang Rui Ping directed her spiritual power into the wall. Wei Nan Yi grabbed Shen Su, closely following Jiang Rui Ping. Unlike Lin Shui Yan, they didn't need any harsh measures to get into Ruan Tong's spell. Ruan Tong's boundary was small, only about the size of a room. In it, she had set up wooden poles, binding herself to them with ropes deeply cutting into her flesh. The disturbance made her open her eyes to see a woman’s face with baby fat, pale and eerie in the dim light, causing Ruan Tong to shrink back anxiously. “Who are you?” Seeing the two figures behind the woman, Ruan Tong's anxiety turned to grievance. Her eyes turned red as she looked pitiably at them, "Master, Sect Leader." This wasn’t a closed practice. She had clearly sealed herself within the boundary. --- This passage maintains the essence, tone, and style of the original narrative, translating it carefully into English to preserve the emotional and situational intricacies. It ensures that the characters' interactions and underlying sentiments are conveyed authentically. Wei Nan Yi walked quickly forward, reaching out to untie the ropes. With her master's care, Ruan Tong felt even more aggrieved and pitifully said, "Master, you can’t untie me. If you untie the ropes, I won’t be myself anymore." Shen Su, who was originally eighty percent certain, now became entirely sure. As she walked closer to Ruan Tong, who was tied to the pole, she gently touched the rope-marks on her reddened wrists. "Because of Yu Mu Han?" Ruan Tong was momentarily stunned. She was surprised that Shen Su knew this name but admitted it frankly. "Yes, because of Yu Mu Han." Ruan Tong managed to pull a bitter smile from her lips. "I think I might have fallen in love with him, but it feels like I shouldn’t. He’s not particularly outstanding, and I've only seen him once. Yet I feel jealous seeing Sister Hu Rou beside him and even want to hurt her. If we really consider it, it’s obvious that Sister Hu Rou knew him first. Even if anyone should be angry, it should be her. I don't think I’ve fallen in love with him… I think I'm just ill. Once I'm better, I can leave this place." Shen Su had guessed that Ruan Tong was avoiding Yu Mu Han but hadn't expected that she was trying to evade her desires to harm Hu Rou. Ruan Tong was punishing herself, but it wasn’t her fault to begin with. Ruan Tong had fallen into the trap, but everyone had underestimated the innate gentleness of the Godly Spirit body. Her kindness wouldn’t allow her to be jealous of another girl or harm her. Wei Nan Yi still untied Ruan Tong and held her tenderly. "Silly girl, you’re not ill." The matter of the Heavenly Fate Son was too important for too many to know, especially not for Yu Mu Han or his Twelve Spirit Roots. This was also why they hadn't explained the specifics to Hu Bi Niang. Given Hu Bi Niang's overly gentle nature, it was unforeseeable whether she wouldn't tell Hu Rou. And if she told Hu Rou, he might, in turn, tell Yu Mu Han, even if he couldn’t speak clearly. Cen Yin was tightly held in their grasp, with no possibility of escape. As for Ruan Tong, being clear-headed enough to resist means she knew what could and couldn’t be said. She was a good child in the past and would remain so in the future. She wouldn’t become Yu Mu Han's spirit root, nor would she forget herself because of him. Ruan Tong wasn’t fighting her fate alone; they would all help her. Shen Su expected Ruan Tong to be worried and inquire about what to do after learning about the spirit root trap. She even had her responses ready. However, Ruan Tong just smiled; her smile was bright and unburdened, not like someone controlled by fate. Jiang Rui Ping squinted at her, "Frightened silly?" Ruan Tong clutched Wei Nan Yi's sleeve tighter. Her smile gradually faded, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Master, I thought, I thought I had turned bad. It's good that I haven’t. It’s good." She was relieved that it wasn’t her own heart that had changed, but that her consciousness was being invaded by external forces. Jiang Rui Ping found Ruan Tong to be a bit odd. She observed her, seemingly searching for someone’s shadow. "Aren’t you scared? You should know, you’re fighting against Heavenly Ways." "I know it's a difficult task, but I have Master, the Sect Leader, and my companions. I won’t let fate make me hurt those I care about." Ruan Tong’s spirit was reinvigorated, her eyes shimmering with resolve. "I may be a minor character in the Heavenly Ways’ story, but stories aren't always written by them, are they?" Wei Nan Yi saw a light in Ruan Tong’s eyes and stroked her pale face lovingly. "Little Ruan seems to have a great ambition." Ruan Tong was usually gentle and easy-going, but when it came to critical matters, she showed impressive fortitude. Wei Nan Yi guessed her thoughts, and Ruan Tong openly admitted it. "Master, I want to see the one who holds the pen." She was more clear-headed than Sheng Qing Ning and others, rapidly accepting her fate as a throwaway piece. She neither despaired nor slumped but quickly planned for her future. Shen Su admired Ruan Tong and also felt a deep sympathy for her. After Ruan Tong's emotions slowly stabilized, Shen Su softly asked, "Do you still want to stay here?" Ruan Tong gazed at the cage she had crafted with her own hands, her thoughts wandering far. She tapped her head and, with some annoyance, pinched her arm before smiling at Shen Su. "Sect Leader, I'll leave this place when I feel I can control myself." Her eyes grew determined. "My life, saved by Master, the Sect Leader, and my sisters, won’t be given to the Heavenly Fate Son to complete his spirit root." She didn’t intend to stay here forever, but she also wouldn't allow herself to lose control. Wei Nan Yi affectionately stroked Ruan Tong’s delicate face. "Alright, Little Ruan, the choice is yours." Once Ruan Tong stopped being fixated on binding herself, Shen Su and the others left her boundary. As they exited, Lin Shui Yan and the others were waiting eagerly near the cave. As soon as Shen Su and the others emerged, they were immediately surrounded. Lin Shui Yan hurriedly asked, “Sect Leader, Master, how is Senior Sister?” “She’s fine; she just needs to be alone for a while.” More accurately, she needed time to regain control over herself. Thanks to the unique properties of the Godly Spirit body, Ruan Tong hadn’t completely lost herself—a relief—but Shen Su still couldn’t bring herself to smile. After comforting Lin Shui Yan and the others, they prepared to take Cen Yin to the Mirror Lake. Just as Shen Su took hold of the rope binding Cen Yin, Jiang Rui Ping snatched it from her hand, clearly unwilling to walk with them, and moved ahead. Shen Su was about to call Jiang Rui Ping back when Wei Nan Yi grabbed her other hand. Turning back, Shen Su saw Wei Nan Yi looking at her with hesitation. She suddenly understood. Jiang Rui Ping was giving them a chance to be alone. Despite her general hostility towards the world, she was genuinely good to Wei Nan Yi. Wei Nan Yi had something to say. Shen Su tightened her grip on Wei Nan Yi’s hand and took a few steps down Yan Bi Mountain. "My lady, do you have something to tell me?" Wei Nan Yi gently bit her lip, her expression complex as she looked at Shen Su. "Xiao Su, there are still two spirit roots left. You are the leader of Yan Bi Mountain, and your lineage might even be better than Little Ruan’s. What… what if you fall in love with someone else? I mean, if fate makes you love someone else." Shen Su had asked Wei Nan Yi this same question on Lin Xian Mountain. Now it was Wei Nan Yi’s turn to ask her. It wasn’t surprising. Wei Nan Yi didn’t know her soul was from another world and couldn’t be controlled by fate. She was just worried they might end up like Hu Rou and the others. Shen Su couldn't reveal the truth to Wei Nan Yi, but she knew how to comfort her. She tightened her grip on Wei Nan Yi’s hand, her fingers pressing the soft skin of her palm. "My lady, my love for you isn't just a current feeling. If he chose me as a spirit root, it would be his misfortune." She wouldn’t serve as a stepping stone for anyone she didn’t love. "Xiao Su, what if you don't recognize me?" Wei Nan Yi's fingers trembled with anxiety. She wasn't doubting Shen Su's feelings, but the power of fate was terrifying. Shen Su stopped and turned to look at Wei Nan Yi. Her gaze was firm yet tender. "Then I’ll rely on my lady to wake me up. We have many irreplaceable memories together, don't we?" As she spoke, her eyes unconsciously roamed over Wei Nan Yi’s head. Wei Nan Yi seemed to understand. She took a step forward, suddenly reaching out to hug Shen Su. Before Shen Su could react, two fluffy rabbit ears emerged, trembling as they pressed against her, their tips brushing against her neck, bringing a tickling sensation that made Shen Su's breath catch. "My lady, what are you doing?" Wei Nan Yi hugged Shen Su tightly, burying her face in her shoulder, her hot breath brushing against Shen Su’s neck. She didn't dare lift her head, fearing Shen Su would see her flushed face, and murmured, "Xiao Su, I… I know you like rabbits." Shen Su didn’t dare respond or deny it. She had to admit, the bunny ears looked especially tender, the fur exceptionally soft, and the warmth against her skin brought an itch that tempted her to reach out and touch them. But Wei Nan Yi wouldn’t think she had some strange fetish, right? Shen Su resisted the urge to touch the ears and spoke softly. "My lady, it’s not that I like rabbits specifically. As long as it's you, I love it all." Wei Nan Yi's ear tips twitched, her breath becoming even warmer. Her voice, however, grew softer. "It doesn't matter what you like, as long as it's me. The demon soul is also part of me." It seemed as if she and Wei Nan Yi were speaking past each other again. Shen Su couldn't shake off the feeling that Wei Nan Yi's words sounded like she was indulging her. Unsure if Wei Nan Yi meant what she thought, Shen Su felt beads of sweat forming in her palms, her voice growing even weaker. "But it's your body, my lady. It shouldn't be what I like that determines everything." Wei Nan Yi's grip around her finally loosened a bit. Her eyes welled with tears, and her voice, though sounding both pleading and indulgent, whispered, "Then I grant you the right now, is that okay?" It was okay, but Wei Nan Yi herself seemed not okay. She was probably petrified. Terrified that Shen Su might be pulled into the fate trap. She wanted Shen Su to remember every part of her, so he wouldn't have the chance to replace her. Shen Su knew she wouldn't fall in love with someone else, but Wei Nan Yi didn't know that. It turned out Wei Nan Yi loved her even more than she had imagined, to the point that a divine maiden could accept every demonic aspect of herself, just so Shen Su would always remember her. "My lady," Shen Su gently pulled Wei Nan Yi back into her embrace, slowly retracting those bunny ears. Her palms stroked Wei Nan Yi's soft, silky hair as she whispered in her ear, "You must believe, Shen Su only loves Wei Nan Yi." ### End of Translation