Intruders in the Dark: Ghost Lotus' Unwelcome Pursuit

Zi Qian's eyes gradually fluttered open, revealing only a half-opened view. His vision remained obscured, offering nothing but a blurry, indistinct image of the darkened surroundings. A somber and chaotic atmosphere hung in the air, creating an unsettling ambiance. Despite his attempts, he struggled to fully open his eyes, each effort met with an involuntary closure. His hands throbbed with a persistent ache, as if tightly bound, hindering any attempts to free himself. Even the simple act of moving his legs proved futile, ensnared in an unyielding restraint.

In the midst of his impending drowsiness, Zi Qian was jolted awake by the distinct jingling of chains, a symphony of struggles echoing in the air. Just as his eyes teetered on the edge of closure, a sudden sensation hit him like a cascade of frigid water. His eyes snapped open wide as a bucket of water crashed over his face, forcefully dispelling the haze and compelling him into alertness.

Zi Qian gasped for breath, feeling the water cascade down his face and saturate his clothes. He panted heavily, his eyes widening as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings. In the aftermath, he could only watch in disbelief as the person who had drenched him with water retreated, their figure gradually fading away into the shadows.

Blinking away the lingering droplets, Zi Qian strained to focus in the dimly lit room. The air hung heavy with the remnants of pandemonium, and he could sense a mysterious tension that permeated the atmosphere. Upon closer scrutiny, Zi Qian realized that the room was not merely dimly lit; it unfolded as a stark and unwelcome revelation—a jail. The oppressive shadows unveiled the harsh reality of their confinement. The metallic clang of bars echoed through the space, and the pungent scent of dampness permeated the air. As Zi Qian's eyes adjusted to the gloom, the contours of the jail materialized. Thick iron bars confined them. Two ominous figures, shrouded in black attire, stood guard at the door, their faces obscured by foreboding masks. The masks, eerie and expressionless, hinted at a deliberate effort to conceal their identities. Their vigilant presence added an extra layer of tension to the confined space, accentuating the gravity of their situation. Zi Qian's gaze fixated on his hands, ensnared by chains that exuded an air of formidable resistance. The unyielding links pressed into his skin, rendering his hands a shade of crimson that hinted at imminent distress. Desperation etched across his face, he surveyed the unforgiving shackles, which seemed poised to draw blood.

Summoning courage, Zi Qian's voice cut through the oppressive silence. "Excuse me! Is there anyone present? Can you help me!" His plea echoed in the confined space, a desperate symphony that reverberated against the cold, unyielding bars. With each utterance, he strained against the unrelenting chains, a futile struggle against the oppressive constraints that bound him.

"Excuse me, sirs. Can you kindly release me from this confinement? I fail to understand any transgressions on my part that might have provoked your ire," Zi Qian beseeched, directing his plea toward the guards who stood sentinel at the jail's entrance. Undeterred by the guards' initial indifference, Zi Qian persisted. "Please, sir, I would ask you to reconsider. Release me from these chains," he called out once more, desperation infusing his voice.

"Please, sir!" Zi Qian's desperate cry reverberated through the oppressive stillness, only to be met with an unsettling growl from an unseen presence nearby. Intrigued and somewhat apprehensive, he furrowed his eyebrows, the tension in the air intensifying. With deliberate caution, he slowly turned his head to the left, unveiling the mysterious source of the growl that had shattered the silence. As Zi Qian turned his gaze towards the source of the growl, his eyes widened comically, and a startled scream escaped his lips, reaching a pitch that could rival a banshee. The guards, alerted by the sudden outburst, turned their attention toward the chaotic scene unfolding within the jail. "YOU! WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Zi Qian bellowed, his voice oscillating between indignation and sheer bewilderment. "Damn you, kid! Why on earth are you shouting like this?"

"Foxes also have sensitive hearing, brat!" The mysterious growler was none other than the fox lady herself.

"I'm definitely not deaf, so speak slowly if you don't want them to stuff something in your damn mouth," she declared with a growl, her eyes narrowing in a mix of annoyance and amusement. The guards, apparently unfazed by the commotion, nonchalantly turned away, resuming their duties. The fox lady, undeterred by Zi Qian's outburst, delivered a stern admonition.

"Well, brat, even if you scream, cry, or keel over, no one will come to your rescue. If you want to survive here, you must comply with their orders," she cautioned, her words carrying a weight of pragmatism amidst the dire circumstances. "You don't know them?" Zi Qian inquired, his gaze scanning the fox's condition. Her previous injury from the arrow persisted, a visible wound still seeping blood. Disheveled strands of hair framed her face, and her lips bore traces of fresh bleeding. Her countenance, stained with blood, hinted at a recent bout of brutality. Numerous scars adorned her arms, exposed by the torn fabric of her clothing. Most surprisingly, instead of being restrained by chains, she sat in a corner, a lone figure amidst the gloom. The absence of physical restraints juxtaposed with the evident signs of mistreatment created a perplexing tableau, leaving Zi Qian to ponder the nature of the enigmatic captors and the peculiar circumstances surrounding the fox lady.

"Are you serious with me right now? If I was with them, would I be here right now? Can't you see my condition?" the fox lady retorted, frustration and pain evident in her voice. "I won't even last one day, and perhaps I'll die soon in a few hours. That's why they didn't chain me because I won't be able to run away, no matter what," she explained, her words carrying a somber acknowledgment of her dire circumstances.

"And it all happened because of you, brat! Damn it," the fox lady exclaimed, frustration tainting her words. "If you had given me what I wanted quickly earlier, you and I would not have been in such a situation," she continued, the weight of blame carried in her strained voice. Despite her injuries, she managed to struggle to her feet, using the bars for support. Limping towards Zi Qian, she grasped his ears, pulling them gently but firmly as she emphasized her words. "The arrows your guards used on me were poisoned. The venom is spreading throughout my entire body. Initially, I thought I could endure it, but I was wrong. This poison is devouring my spirit energy, and soon I'll revert to my fox form, unable to return to normal," the fox lady disclosed, her admission carrying a sense of urgency and vulnerability. The revelation painted a grim picture of her deteriorating condition.

"And our troubles don't end! Now the Ghost Lotus Alliance is after us. Even though I told them I don't know you, they beat the life out of me. It's ridiculous; they don't even know how to behave with a lady," the fox lady exclaimed, frustration and a hint of indignation coloring her words. "Ghost Lotus Alliance? What is that?"

"You don't know them? They're a clan that follows the ancient demon King. They've existed for 50,000 years," the fox lady explained, introducing Zi Qian to the ominous and long-standing faction that had become a new threat in their unfolding saga. "Well, I get it. Maybe you crossed paths with them, stole their prized possession with that damn attitude of yours. But why drag me into this drama?" Zi Qian asked, a hint of sarcasm dancing in his eyes. He couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at the fox's visibly annoyed expression.

The fox, irritated by Zi Qian's sarcasm, scowled and retorted, "Well, it's not always about me, you know? Perhaps you unwittingly stumbled into their affairs or interfered with their plans. Not everything revolves around my 'damn attitude.'" Zi Qian couldn't help but chuckle at the fox's fiery response.Despite her injuries and evident wounds, her fierce demeanor conveyed an unyielding spirit. Even in the face of adversity, she exuded an undeniable strength that resonated with Zi Qian. Her tenacity and refusal to succumb to weakness left an impression, earning his admiration for her resilient attitude in such dire circumstances.

"Well then, why were you tailing me? What's the big idea, and what on earth did you want from me? You even had the audacity to ask me to strip!" Zi Qian queried, genuine surprise etched on his face. The fox retorted, "Hey, BRAT, mind your foul mouth. I have refined tastes, and I prefer more handsome and decent men than you." Her sassy response added a touch of humor to the conversation. "Who in their right mind would want a kid like you? You don't even come close to my standards! Piss off, brat!" the fox exclaimed, injecting a humorous dose of disdain into her words. "Hmm, you've got a point! I wouldn't want someone rude and mannerless like you either," Zi Qian retorted, playfully sticking his tongue out in a comical gesture. "But instead, I'd prefer someone sweet, understanding, cute, intelligent, outgoing, and always happy," Zi Qian mused, causing his thoughts to drift to the Crown Prince. A smile crept onto his face as he envisioned those qualities in someone he held dear. "Pathetic," the fox scoffed.

"Yeah, yeah, you wouldn't know these qualities since you have none of them in you. Anyways you don't seem like you are dying. Even if it's happening i won't even help you," Zi Qian quipped. As he spoke, the fox was about to retort, but suddenly, she began to choke. Her eyes fluctuated between black and normal, and she reached out, gripping Zi Qian's shoulder for support. With a pained expression, she uttered, "Hey, brat, I didn't think this day would come so soon. Remember my name... I'm Rou Ya." She paused, sliding her fox necklace bead into Zi Qian's clothes, surrounded by a golden glow. The fox's body emitted a radiant light as she closed her eyes, transforming into a white fox with nine tails. The glow dimmed, leaving only one tail as the guards entered the jail.The injured female fox lay on the ground, her delicate leg wounded, and her pristine white fur stained with blood. "Hey, evil fox lady! Are you fine? I did not mean what i just said" Zi Qian inquired, struggling with the chains in an attempt to free himself as he observed the injured fox. "Ah, damn it!" he exclaimed in frustration. Meanwhile, the guards stood impassively in front of the fox, not sparing her a glance. They remained side by side, as if anticipating someone's arrival. "What the hell are you doing? Help her, damn it!" Zi Qian shouted, but the guards remained silent and unresponsive. "You freaking bastards! Help this fox, she's in pain! And let me go! Untie these bloody chains!" Zi Qian yelled in desperation, his frustration evident in his voice. "How despicable! People like you should rot in hell! Shame on you! Bloody murderers! How can you stand there, indifferent, watching a woman suffer like this? You don't have an ounce of shame," Zi Qian raged, his voice resonating with anger and disdain as he confronted the callous guards. However the guards remained unbothered.

"Lower your voice; it's not the Lingtian Academy or the Xue Pavilion here," a distant voice warned, gradually approaching. The shadow of a person emerged, casting itself upon the jail floor. As the figure drew closer, features became discernible. A young man, approximately 18 years old, stepped into view. His countenance remained cold and impassive, a poker face revealing no trace of emotion. Draped in a sleek black attire, he possessed long, ebony hair that cascaded down his back. With an air of indifference, he strolled into the cell, hands held casually behind his back, moving at a deliberate and measured pace. He approached Zi Qian, gripping his chin forcefully with an air of dominance. "You're a difficult one, aren't you?" he remarked coldly. "First of all, let us introduce ourselves," he continued, his tone revealing a hint of authority as he held Zi Qian's gaze with an unwavering intensity.

"I am Ling Qiang," the man declared, his voice cutting through the tension in the air. With a subtle bow, he continued, "Deputy Leader of the formidable Ghost Lotus Alliance. You seem to have found yourself entangled in our affairs, young man."

"As long as you surrender the Eternal Ember Divine Bead, we guarantee your safety and will ensure your return, along with assistance for your fox friend," Ling Qiang asserted, releasing Zi Qian's chin. Confused, Zi Qian responded, "Eternal Ember Divine Bead? I've never heard of that before."

"What do you mean you don't know?" Another man in black attire entered the cell. "I have no clue, and how am I supposed to explain it to you?"

"Hey, mortal, watch your tone. And thanks to you, my back is killing me. You were so damn heavy!" the other man griped.

"Run Yu!" Liang Qiang instructed, motioning for him to keep silent.

"Master Xue, I comprehend that you may be unaware of it, but it appears that this bead was inexplicably placed inside your body. This magical bead is of great importance to us. Therefore, we must extract it from your body. Until then, you stay here," Ling Qiang explained with a stern expression.

"Deputy Leader, why keep him alive? Just kill him!"

"Run Yu, for what you've done to Miss Rou, your punishment is inevitable. You'll be sent to Fire Hell for one week. When I examined Miss Rou, she was already in distress," Ling Qiang declared with an unyielding tone.

"And, most importantly, we won't make enemies; that's what the leader desires. So, Young Master Xue, we've arranged a room for you, and your friend will receive treatment. Until then, please accompany the guards to your designated room," Ling Qiang conveyed, maintaining a stern demeanor.