Inside Sunrise Inn, in Boss Xiong and Madam Xiong's private bedroom, they sat quietly at the table, looking at each other. A heavy silence hung between them. Boss Xiong's face was etched with a subtle worry.
"Why are you so worried?" Madam Xiong broke the silence, her voice sharp. "I told you to send people to look for her, but you refused. Now, what are you going to do?" She slammed her cup of tea onto the table, the ceramic clattering loudly. "Xiong Fong... I am telling you right now, I will not allow my daughter to go."
"We don't have a choice," Boss Xiong said, his brow furrowed.
"I don't care!" Madam Xiong retorted angrily, rising from her seat. "My daughter will not be sacrificed. It's been years, that monster... why now? You told me the last person to be sacrificed was thirty years ago!"
"The dragon monster is awake," Boss Xiong explained, his voice grim. "Did you hear the screams two nights ago? The loud screams could be heard for miles. The town leaders decided to sacrifice two people, and our family and the Mui's family were selected."
"Then, since Ping'an is not here, tell your mother to go, or you go!" Madam Xiong declared, her voice cold and resolute. "I am not sacrificing my daughter or myself. This is the end of this conversation." She turned abruptly and walked out of the door.
Boss Xiong sighed, rubbing his temples. "Tell the chef to cook a good breakfast. Have someone bring my mother to the table and call Lifeng. We are going to have a family breakfast this morning."
It was late morning when Xiong Grandma, Boss and Madam Xiong, and Xiong Lifeng sat at the dining table, an uncomfortable tension in the air.
"Mother, this will be our last meal together," Boss Xiong announced, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Why do you say that Ah Fong?" Xiong Grandma asked, her voice soft and confused.
Boss Xiong looked at Xiong Lifeng, a calculating gleam in his eye. "Lifeng, you will take care of your grandma from now on. I don't think the devil's child will come back. I think she is dead."
Xiong Grandma, still confused, turned her head towards him. "Ah Fong, why do you say that?"
"Because our family name was chosen for the human sacrifice!" Madam Xiong snapped, her voice laced with bitterness. "As the head of the family, he will have to sacrifice himself!"
"Ah Fong..." Xiong Grandma uttered, a newfound resolve in her voice. "I will go."
Boss Xiong shook his head, a rare hint of genuine concern. "Mother. No."
"I am old. I am blind," Xiong Grandma insisted, her voice firm. "I don't want to be a burden for anyone anymore. Promise me that if Ping'an does come back, you will treat her better. Don't call her 'devil child.' No matter what, she is still your daughter."
"Mother..." Boss Xiong began, his voice strained. "I will not let you go."
"I have decided to go," Xiong Grandma stated, her resolve unyielding.
Just then, a servant rushed inside, interrupting the strained family meal.
"Boss Xiong, the town council members and the priest are waiting outside now!" the servant announced breathlessly.
"Help me out," Xiong Grandma said, reaching out her hands blindly.
Boss Xiong, with a heavy sigh, held her right hand, and they walked out of the Inn to meet the assembled town council members and the priest.
Guo Baiyu, Zhao Renshu, and Ping'an stood on Sunset Street, looking towards Sunrise Inn, their eyes scanning the growing crowd gathered on the street.
"You two can go this way," Ping'an said, turning to Zhao Renshu and Guo Baiyu and pointing towards Sunrise Inn. "It will bring you to the front of Sunrise Inn. If you want, you two can order some food and reserve a room. I have to go see my grandmother."
Zhao Renshu grabbed Ping'an's hand playfully. "What if you run off? How am I going to catch you?" He flirted with her with a teasing glint in his eyes.
"She lives here," Guo Baiyu interjected flatly, taking five steps forward, then stopping, his gaze fixed on the Inn.
"This is your inn?" Zhao Renshu asked Ping'an, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
"No, it belongs to my father," Ping'an replied, a faint shadow crossing her face.
"So, that's why you know so much about this inn," Zhao Renshu mused, a knowing smirk on his face. "Then... Let me guess, you must be the beauty who lives there?" He teased her, a playful challenge in his voice.
Ping'an smiled faintly and shook her head at Zhao Renshu. "The beauty who lives here is my younger half-sister."
Zhao Renshu turned to Guo Baiyu, a curious glint in his eye. "This beauty... is she really that beautiful? Have you met her before?"
Guo Baiyu turned around, his expression unreadable. "Go see for yourself."
Zhao Renshu shrugged his shoulders, releasing Ping'an's hand. "I think she's just so-so then."
"Why did you come to that conclusion?" Ping'an asked, intrigued.
"Because, if this young master," Zhao Renshu said, pointing to Guo Baiyu with a dramatic flourish, "fell for you instead, then the beauty at the Inn is 'so-so.'" He laughed heartily.
"Ridiculous. Behave yourself," Guo Baiyu admonished, frowning deeply, his voice laced with annoyance.
"Okay... Okay... I won't make you lose face," Zhao Renshu jokingly apologized, holding up his hands in surrender. "Today, I will act obediently." He smiled mischievously at Guo Baiyu, raising both his eyebrows in a clear provocation.
"I noticed that you two have been very close lately," Ping'an observed, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"We decided to end the mind war," Guo Baiyu replied, a rare softening in his expression.
Zhao Renshu nodded in agreement, a proud smirk on his face.
"Good. Having a friend is better than having an enemy," Ping'an said, her voice turning serious. "I have to go. I am worried about my grandmother." Ping'an quickly hurried off towards the back of the Inn.
"Remember to meet us later!" Zhao Renshu called after her, waving energetically. After he lowered his hand, he noticed many people staring openly at him.
The people began to whisper amongst themselves.
"The world will end, or what?" one man muttered, shaking his head in disappointment. "Look at this. A homeless man is standing next to a handsome, high-class Childe."
Zhao Renshu pointed to himself, a nervous smile on his face. "Me? Homeless?" He looked at Guo Baiyu, a hint of genuine concern in his eyes.
"What's worse is that they are with her," another man added, shaking his head ominously.
A middle-aged lady gasped, clutching the baby tightly in her arms. "No wonder... the monster is awakened. These are all signs of bad omen. Will our town be destroyed by the awakened dragon?"
"By the way, why are you two with her?" the first man asked, turning his accusatory gaze on Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu.
"Ping'an?" Zhao Renshu asked, genuinely confused by the hostility.
Guo Baiyu's face remained expressionless. "What's wrong with that?"
"She is the child of the devil," one person explained, their voice filled with conviction.
"Who determined that?" Guo Baiyu demanded, a rare flash of anger in his eyes.
The person continued, unwavering. "She was born with two marks on her palms. The local priest states that only reincarnated demons have such marks. These markings represent all the punishments they received in hell."
Zhao Renshu looked at the man, shaking his head in disbelief. He noticed a mole on the man's upper left forehead, above his eyebrow.
Zhao Renshu turned to face the gathered people, his expression suddenly serious, his gaze piercing. "If I say," he began, pointing directly at the man with the mole, "that your mole right there, each time you concentrate on someone, you will bring them bad luck?"
The gathered people gasped, backing away from the man with the mole, a wave of superstitious fear rippling through the crowd.
"Hey, don't try to change the topic," the man protested, his voice defensive.
Zhao Renshu stretched out his hands and shrugged his shoulders, a casual dismissal. "I haven't changed the topic. I'm just comparing the situation."
Guo Baiyu showed no expression, but his voice was firm. "I don't believe those nonsense."
"Did everyone hear the dragon screaming two days ago?" the first man whispered, fear in his eyes.
"I heard this is a two-headed dragon," a third man added, his voice hushed.
Zhao Renshu shook his head, watching the gathered people chattering senselessly, their fear fueling their wild imaginings.
"Two-headed dragon, my ass..." Zhao Renshu murmured to himself, a sardonic smirk playing on his lips.
"Mind your words, Renshu," Guo Baiyu warned, glancing at him sternly.
Guo Baiyu shook his head again, then turned and walked towards the inn. Zhao Renshu quickly followed him, a knowing look on his face.
Ping'an rushed through the back door into the bedroom. Usually, Xiong Grandma would be waiting for her there, or perhaps sitting in a chair just outside, but today, both spots were empty. A cold dread seeped into her heart. She walked quickly towards the kitchen, and Old Lu approached her, his face etched with profound sadness.
"Mr. Lu, where is my grandmother?" Ping'an asked, her voice tight with panic.
"She left with Boss Xiong," Old Lu replied, his gaze downcast.
"Where?" Ping'an pressed, her heart pounding.
"Two days ago, everyone heard the scream of the dragon," Old Lu explained sadly, his voice barely above a whisper. "The townspeople were worried that the dragon would be awakened and would kill everyone. The town leaders decided to make a human sacrifice."
"Then?" Ping'an breathed, dread coiling in her stomach.
"The Xiong and Mui families were selected," Old Lu finished, his eyes filled with pity.
Ping'an's heart sank, a heavy, crushing weight. "So, they decided to sacrifice grandmother?"
"It should have been you," Old Lu admitted, his voice low. "You were selected a long time ago."
A faint, bittersweet smile touched Ping'an's lips, tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Lu. Thank you for all those years that you cared for me. Thank you for always saving food for me." She hugged him tightly, a spontaneous act of gratitude. "I will never forget you. Goodbye, Mr. Lu." She smiled at him through her tears, then turned and ran out the backdoor, driven by a desperate urgency.
Inside Sunrise Inn, the waiter seated Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu near the front entrance, two tables away from the register desk. Guo Baiyu ordered their food, then poured tea for Zhao Renshu and himself. Xiong Lifeng, from her post at the register, noticed Guo Baiyu. With a graceful sway, she walked to their table.
"Childe Guo," she greeted, a radiant smile on her face as she looked at Guo Baiyu. "Childe Guo Longtong is looking for you. He told me that you haven't been home for two days, and he is very worried. These past two days, the four childes were looking for you."
"I was in a rush," Guo Baiyu replied calmly, "I forgot to tell him before leaving the residence."
The waiter soon brought their food, and the two men began to eat.
"He is?" Xiong Lifeng asked, her gaze drifting curiously to Zhao Renshu.
"This is a friend," Guo Baiyu replied simply. "Are there any more available rooms?"
"There is only one room left," Xiong Lifeng informed him, a hint of apology in her tone. "Soon, it will be the annual Lantern Festival. We are fully booked."
"Then we will take that room," Zhao Renshu said, a mischievous smile playing on his lips as he boldly flirted with Xiong Lifeng, his eyes twinkling.
Xiong Lifeng was visibly embarrassed, her cheeks flushing crimson. "I will check again if there are more free rooms," she stammered.
"It's fine, we will share one room," Guo Baiyu interjected smoothly, taking a sip of his tea, a slight challenge in his gaze towards Zhao Renshu.
"Alright, if there is any open room, I will let you know," Xiong Lifeng replied, still flustered.
"By the way, are you the beauty who lives in this inn?" Zhao Renshu asked, his smile unwavering as he openly stared at Xiong Lifeng, his flirtatious intent clear.
Xiong Lifeng was even more embarrassed, her cheeks deepening in color. "That's just a title given to me by this small town's people."
"I'm sorry. I am a very straightforward person," Zhao Renshu said, though his eyes continued to flirt with her, making Xiong Lifeng squirm with even greater discomfort.
Guo Baiyu shot Zhao Renshu a pointed look, a clear "mind your own business" message in his eyes.
"What?" Zhao Renshu demanded, turning to Guo Baiyu, a smirk on his face. "Everyone was talking about her. I need to check her out. There is nothing wrong with me staring at the beauty. By now, she should already be used to it. Am I right?" He smiled, turning back to Xiong Lifeng, enjoying her embarrassment.
Guo Baiyu sipped his tea and then calmly put down the cup. "I believe you are the only person who says this in front of her."
"I don't like talking about other people behind their back," Zhao Renshu retorted, bursting into laughter.
Old Lu walked into the main dining room, placing another dish on a nearby table.
"Miss Xiong," Old Lu announced, his voice heavy with sadness, "Ping'an is back."
The two men looked up at Old Lu, their expressions alert.
"Where is she now?" Xiong Lifeng asked, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
"I told her about..." Old Lu's voice trailed off; his eyes filled with sorrow. "She ran away."
Zhao Renshu shot to his feet, his voice booming with unexpected anger. "What?! She ran away? Where did she go? I thought we had reached an agreement!" He grabbed Old Lu's robe, his knuckles white. "Where is she?!"
"Do you know her?" Xiong Lifeng asked, astonishment in her voice.
Guo Baiyu also stood, his face grim.
"She is at the holy sacrifice ground," Old Lu choked out, pointing faintly.
Zhao Renshu's face was contorted with fury. "What is so holy about a sacrifice ground?! Are you people stupid or do you refuse to accept reality? What is a two-headed dragon? This is all nonsense!" His voice rose, attracting the attention of everyone in the Inn.
"Renshu, you promised," Guo Baiyu said, a warning in his tone, reaching for Zhao Renshu's hand.
Zhao Renshu glowered. "Did I say something wrong?" He raised his voice further, glaring at the staring patrons. "You should consider renaming your town! I've got a good one for you: how about 'Dumb Town'? Or 'Brainless Town'? Now... where is this holy place?" His eyes blazed with uncontrolled anger.
Xiong Lifeng was shocked by Zhao Renshu's outburst. As far as she remembered, no one had ever shown any concern for Ping'an. She felt a pang of jealousy seeing how much both men seemed to care for Ping'an.
Since Guo Baiyu had known Zhao Renshu, he had never seen him so angry. Even when they faced the demon snake and the two-headed octopus, Zhao Renshu had laughed. Now, his emotions had made him lose control.
"Please take us to the holy ground," Guo Baiyu urged, grasping Zhao Renshu's left hand that still held Old Lu's robe, "You promised me. Let go... Let go of his robe."
Zhao Renshu breathed slowly, forcing himself to calm down, and released Old Lu's robe.
"I'll take you," Xiong Lifeng offered, her voice subdued.
Zhao Renshu, Guo Baiyu, and Xiong Lifeng then ran towards the crowded street, pushing through the stunned onlookers.
From atop the road, Ping'an saw her grandmother, a frail figure clutching her walking-stick, walking resolutely towards the forbidden forest. She ran frantically down the hill, but her grandmother was already halfway towards the ominous woods.
"Grandma!" Ping'an called out desperately, her voice raw. Xiong Grandma didn't look back; she kept walking, a steady, unyielding pace.
"You devil! Why are you here now?" Boss Xiong roared, his face contorted in a furious snarl. He slapped Ping'an's left cheek, the sound sharp and brutal. "You are always bad luck!" He pointed his finger at her head, his eyes blazing with hatred. "Do you know how much I hate you?"
Madam Xiong watched, a look of grim satisfaction on her face.
Ping'an looked hurtfully at her father, tears streaming from her eyes. "I knew long ago how much you hate me," she said, her voice trembling but gaining strength. "You keep reminding me every day. I don't understand what I ever did wrong to you, that would make you hate me so much, blame me for all the misfortunes that happened to you."
These were words she had held inside her heart for many years. Today was the day to release all the anger she had suppressed for so long. There might not be another opportunity to express her feelings to her father.
"In my life, no matter how much you abuse me, I have never complained because I always regarded you as my father. I knew you didn't love me a long time ago, because I was dust in your eyes. No matter how much I tried, it's..." She wiped her tears with the back of her hand, then looked directly at Boss Xiong, her gaze unwavering. "They said that even the fiercest tiger would never eat its own cubs, but the truth is just the opposite." There were no more tears left to cry. "Today, I can proudly say... I hate you too."
She turned around and saw the Mui family members, weeping openly, refusing to let go of their daughter's hands. Madam Mui must have cried more than any other family member because she could hardly speak, her sobs racking her body. Lady Mui's two brothers also cried, their faces streaked with tears. Ping'an walked calmly to the Mui family.
"Let me replace you," Ping'an said softly to Lady Mui, extending her hand. "Give me your silver bell."
"Why?" Lady Mui whispered, tears flowing freely from her eyes. "My family was selected."
"Look at how sad your family is," Ping'an replied, her gaze briefly flicking to Boss Xiong, a hint of bitterness in her eyes. "My family doesn't care whether I live or die. Your family, they love you very much. You should be with them. You should be happy."
Lady Mui, overwhelmed with gratitude, slowly handed her silver bell to Ping'an.
"Thank you for saving my daughter's life," Madam Mui choked out, grasping Ping'an's hands. "I promise that as long as I am still alive, I will burn money for you every year."
Ping'an smiled, a genuine, soft smile. She tied the ceremonial silver bell onto her belt and then ran after Xiong Grandma, catching up to her. She reached out and gently held Xiong Grandma's hand.
"Grandmother, let's go," Ping'an said, her voice filled with quiet determination.
"Ping'an?" Xiong Grandma asked, her voice wavering, surprise and faint hope in her tone.
"Yes," Ping'an confirmed, squeezing her grandmother's hand.
"Why?" Xiong Grandma whispered.
"I want to be with the only person who has always loved me," Ping'an replied, her voice thick with emotion.
"My silly girl..." Xiong Grandma murmured, tears in her blind eyes.
Ping'an smiled, a genuine, soft smile. With a smile on her face, Ping'an grabbed Xiong Grandma's right arm, and she wrapped Xiong Grandma's left arm around her right arm. The old lady and the young lady walked side by side towards the forbidden forest, and then, together, they plunged into its thick, obscuring fog, disappearing from sight.
Guo Baiyu, Zhao Renshu, and Xiong Lifeng got to the top of the hill, their breath ragged. They saw the crowd of townspeople starting to disperse, the tension slowly easing. The three of them walked down the hill, and Xiong Lifeng quickly spotted her parents.
"Over there!" Xiong Lifeng pointed, her voice a little breathless.
The three hurried to Boss and Madam Xiong.
"Ping'an? Where is Ping'an?!" Zhao Renshu demanded frantically, his eyes scanning the thinning crowd, a desperate urgency in his voice.
Not far from them, Guo Longtong and his friends spotted Guo Baiyu. They immediately rushed towards them.
"Baiyu! Baiyu!" Guo Longtong shouted loudly, his voice filled with relief.
"Where is she?" Guo Baiyu asked, ignoring his cousin, his gaze fixed on Lady Mui, then his family.
"Childe Guo, she sacrificed herself for me," Lady Mui explained, her voice choked with gratitude and sorrow.
"If she came earlier, my mother would not be sacrificed!" Boss Xiong spat, his face contorted with anger. "Ungrateful thing."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Renshu's self-control snapped. He was at his absolute angriest. He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles white. He raised his hand, about to throw a punch at Boss Xiong, but Guo Baiyu was faster. Guo Baiyu's own fist shot out, landing squarely on Boss Xiong's left cheek, sending him sprawling to the ground with a bleeding nose. Guo Baiyu's unexpected punch utterly surprised Zhao Renshu.
"Wow..." Zhao Renshu breathed, his eyes wide with a mix of shock and admiration. "I didn't expect that from you."
"I held it for a while," Guo Baiyu replied, a grim satisfaction in his voice.
"Baiyu..." Guo Longtong began, his voice filled with astonishment.
"I think that person is calling you," Zhao Renshu interrupted smoothly, pointing to Guo Longtong.
Guo Longtong and his three friends ran towards Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu, their faces a mixture of confusion and concern.
"We've been searching for you for two days!" Guo Longtong exclaimed, his voice high with worry. "I heard Lady Xiong said you drove the rapist out, and no one saw you since. I was so worried! My father was very angry at me for not taking care of you."
"I am fine," Guo Baiyu reassured him. "Sorry for not telling you."
"I shouldn't have gone to that useless meeting," Guo Longtong lamented, blaming himself.
"I am fine. I am leaving with him," Guo Baiyu stated, looking directly at Zhao Renshu, a clear decision in his eyes.
"Where are you going?" Guo Longtong asked, bewildered.
Guo Baiyu pointed at the forbidden forest, its thick mist now obscuring the path. "There."
"Childe Guo, you can't go in there!" Lee Dachin exclaimed, his eyes wide with alarm. The other four friends nodded in fervent agreement.
"Why not?" Guo Baiyu asked, his voice calm.
"Because no one ever comes back once they enter!" Lee Dachin insisted, fear in his tone.
Zhao Renshu smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Then we will be the first."
"I am leaving with him. Don't try to stop me," Guo Baiyu declared, his resolve unshaken.
Zhao Renshu and Guo Baiyu looked at each other, a shared determination in their gazes. Then, as one, they ran towards the Forbidden Forest, plunging into the swirling mist. Their audacious action left the townspeople speechless, their mouths agape in stunned silence.