The Unhallowed Child

Hua Lin had been observing Xiao Hong for months now, a sense of unease churning in her gut. Initially, she'd dismissed the girl as useless, a pawn in some forgotten game. But seeing her in person, the way she tilted her head, the subtle flicker in her eyes, it was like a ghostly echo of Yinou resonating in the present. The resemblance was unsettling, a constant reminder of a wound that Zhang Li bore that time refused to heal. Zhang Li, in his usual brusque manner, had ordered Yueqing to eliminate Xiao Hong's organization, deeming them a liability, a wellspring of knowledge that had outlived its usefulness. Hua Lin had expected the task to be completed but to her surprise Xiao Hong lived, and was under the protection of Dong Ying. She had taken a different path now, observing, spying, not wanting to act rashly.

That day, a letter arrived for Xiao Hong, a simple greeting from Su Ning stationed at the border. "How are you, Hong Hong?" he'd written. Why was this woman, Xiao Hong, so eerily similar to Yinou? Why was Su Ning, the man who held a great affection for Yinou, now interested in her? The pieces began to fall into place. The uncanny resemblance, the timing, the faint whispers of ancient lore she'd overheard. Could it be? Could Yinou have undergone samsara, the cycle of rebirth, to return? But why? And who possessed the power to facilitate such a thing?

Doubt and uncertainty gnawed at her. Should she report this to Zhang Li? He was so consumed with his own grief, his obsession with Yinou's memory, that she feared this truth might only push him further to the edge. She needed to understand this first, needed to know the stakes. She ventured deep into the library, her fingers tracing the spines of forgotten tomes and grimoires. Nights bled into days as she delved into the secrets of samsara, a desperate quest for answers that consumed her every waking moment.

She finally emerged from her studies into the pale dawn, her understanding of samsara now more profound. She returned to her small hut hidden within the forest, a feeling of dread weighing heavy in her heart.

"Sister!" A young voice pierced the silence. Mei, now a gangly teenager, rushed to greet her, her dark hair bouncing around her shoulders. "You missed me?" She wrapped her arms around Hua Lin, her hug both fierce and loving.

Hua Lin smiled, a genuine smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes. "Of course I did, little one. Did you cause any trouble while I was gone?"

Mei giggled, shaking her head. "No, sister. I've been good."

Hua Lin ruffled her hair. Mei, the child she had found abandoned years ago, was her anchor to the human world, a fragile reminder of the innocence she had long since abandoned. The world might be filled with danger, with political upheavals, but here, within these walls, she could find a sliver of peace. Hua Lin had kept her confined within the confines of this dwelling, a sanctuary built on safety and secrecy.

Zhang Li had always known about Mei, a distant observer, his attention fixed on more urgent matters. He never intervened, letting Hua Lin nurture her secret. A strange protectiveness, he'd said, a weakness he tolerated in his most loyal subordinate. He wouldn't admit it, but he held a twisted kind of affection for Hua Lin. A long time ago, in a rare moment of vulnerability, he had almost choked her to death in a fit of rage triggered by his grief for Yinou. He had used his cultivation to save her, the warmth of his embrace a stark contrast to the cold indifference he normally showed. Yet, he could not bring himself to show any other form of genuine affection other than that.

He was so immersed in grief and his pursuit of creating the another weapon in substitute of the one Yinou broke when she fled from them, he hoped that he could use this to somehow bring cultivate Yinou's original body back to life and take his revenge to the people of Dongying. Their interaction nowadays was non-existent, limited to brief orders and curt replies.

Before delving into the truth of Yinou's death, Hua Lin once sustained a grave injury during a previous mission, falling into a coma for an entire week. During this time, Zhang Li secretly took care of Mei, making sure she was safe when Hua Lin was unable to. She never asked him why, but she felt the warmth of it. She had been shocked when she woke up, because in her mind and from the injuries she sustained, that she was out for far longer, yet Mei was well taken care of and completely healthy.

She now knew, from her extensive research that Yinou might not have been dead. She had come to a theory, a horrifying and dangerous one. Yinou had undergone samsara, but not just any ordinary rebirth. She suspected that her soul had been bound within a vessel, a host body, in an attempt to meld her soul with another to unlock a power that Yinou unknowingly possessed. If the two souls could harmonize, she would become incredibly powerful. However, there was another, darker possibility. If the souls contradicted each other, she would become a soulless husk. This process was only possible through those within the Serpent Demon Clan. The same ones that were responsible for Yinou's disappearance. They had taken her, used her, and were using her spirit for their own twisted desires.

Should she tell Zhang Li? Would he act rashly? Would he get hurt? She couldn't let that happen, not again. She needed to know more, to uncover the clan's plans and motivations. She would investigate it further, all alone, for now.

Driven by this sense of urgency, Hua Lin pushed further. Her research led her to a grim truth. Xiao Zhao, the missing wife of Xiao Li, to whom Dongying was looking for was a powerful figure within the Serpent Demon Clan. She had orchestrated Yinou's reincarnation. Her motive was shrouded in darkness, but it was clear it was tied to a desperate grab for power. They needed Yinou's unique combination of fox spirit and demon blood, something she acquired, for their agenda. They sought to break a seal, the Obsidian Seal, that would unleash something ancient and malevolent. Further, she discovered that Jiu Tian had been manipulated as well. He was heartbroken after Ling Yu's passing and desperate to bring her back. And Xiao Zhao had used that weakness to ensnare him, to unwittingly play a role in her scheme.

While Hua Lin fought to piece together this puzzle, Zhang Li was consumed by his own task. He remained oblivious to the danger, his focus solely on crafting his ultimate weapon, a means to avenge his loss, a futile attempt to reverse time.

The next act of Hua Lin's investigation would be her last. She decided to spy on Jiu Tian, hoping to gain some tangible evidence, a confession, or anything that can prove her doubts. She carefully tried to follow him, her senses heightened, but the Serpent Demon Clan were far more cunning than she anticipated. They ambushed her, their dark magic engulfing her like a venomous swarm.

The wounds inflicted were not instant death. It was slow, excruciating, a punishment for her audacity, for her interference in their plans. She felt her life force draining from her, each breath a painful struggle. With her last ounce of strength, she stumbled, trying to flee, holding her sides, her blood leaving a terrible trail. She somehow, by a miracle made it close to their sanctuary before her legs gave away.

Zhang Li found her like that; lying in her own blood, her breaths shallow and ragged. His heart, which he believed to be a cold stone, clenched in a vise-like grip. He rushed to her side, cradling her head in his hands. 

"Hua Lin!" he roared, his voice breaking. He pushed, doing all he can, but seeing her state, he knew it was fruitless.

"Zhang Li," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I… I can't…"

"Don't speak, I will heal you," he said he kept trying to channel his powers, but he found himself unable to move.

"It's… it's alright…" she said, reaching for his hand. "It's almost over…"

His hands trembled as he examined the wounds. He recognized the dark magic, a familiar darkness that sent a chill down his spine. "This…this was from Mother…" he whispered in horror, his voice cracking. "She isn't… she isn't dead…"

He'd thought that he was alone in this world, but it was his mother all along, the one who caused him all this pain.

Hua Lin gathered her remaining strength, her fingers tracing a note on the floor, using her own blood as ink. It was her final act of defiance, a desperate plea to the man she served.

"Yinou… samsara…" she rasped, each word a struggle. "Serpent… demon… clan… Mei… protect her… she is…" He used the last bit of his cultivation to heal her, while she coughed blood, her body shaking. She was looking better, even smiling weakly. And then they both collapsed. His energy used up to help her.

When he woke up he found a lifeless body beside him, her hands wrapping around him. Zhang Li stared at her lifeless form, a scream building in his throat. It was the first time he had truly looked at her, the first time he had seen past his own self-imposed grief. He saw the loyalty in her eyes, the unwavering care she held for him, even as his heart was consumed by Yinou. He read her note, the pieces of the puzzle finally coming together. Yinou's reincarnation, the Serpent Demon Clan's treachery, and the weight that Mei held.

A storm of grief, of rage, and of betrayal raged within him. This wasn't just about Yinou anymore; this was about everything he held dear being ripped away from him. He had loved Yinou with a possessive intensity but he had cared for Hua Lin, in a manner that he did not expect. He had failed them both.

His heart was heavy, and he vowed to honor her sacrifice, to protect the girl she had so fiercely loved. He would stop the Serpent Demon Clan, even if it meant facing his own mother's wrath. This time, he would not fail.