Chapter 110 I've Made Up My Mind

Bai Xiuming looked at Zhang Jinghuai, ignoring his rudeness, and asked in a calm tone, "Whom does the young master want me to release?"

"Shen Huixue".

"The Shen family?"

"Lord Bai should remember that I once took her to the Mingjing Bureau to sign a contract." Seeing that Bai Xiuming had no reaction, he continued, "I know that the Shen family has committed heinous crimes, but Shen Huixue has been in the capital all these years and has not been involved in any of the Shen family's affairs. Please let her go, Lord Bai."

"Let her go?" Bai Xiuming chuckled lightly and said slowly, "Your Highness, do you dare say these words to His Majesty's face?"

Zhang Jinghuai's expression froze: "Lord Bai, you might as well speak frankly. I want to take her away. What price do I need to pay?"

"Your Highness is too kind. She's only half a demon. Letting her go is fine, but are you prepared? In the capital, many people know she comes from the Shen family. If you rescue her, where will you put her?"

Zhang Jinghuai remained silent. He hadn't figured out what to do with her in the future, but he had to at least save her life.

He vaguely sensed that there seemed to be some problem with the contract he signed with the Mingjing Division that day, and after thinking it over, he could only think of Shen Huixue.

I'm afraid her condition isn't very good.

He shouldn't have left the camp, but he was afraid Shen Huixue couldn't wait.

After a long pause, Zhang Jinghuai finally said, "Lord Bai, you can rest assured that I will not bring her back to the capital, nor will I let anyone discover her identity."

Bai Xiuming stared at Zhang Jinghuai for a long while before saying, "I didn't know that the young master is such a sentimental person. I suppose if the Duke of Li knew, he would be disappointed in the young master."

Zhang Jinghuai bent down and said to Bai Xiuming's luggage, "Please, Lord Bai, show leniency."

"Someone come here."

"My lord." The guard from the Mingjing Division stepped inside.

"Summon the commander who guarded the dungeon last night; I have questions for him."

"yes."

Not long after the guard from the Mingjing Division left, he returned with someone.

"What are your orders, sir?" The commander of the Mingjing Division walked into the room without looking to either side and greeted Bai Xiu with his luggage.

“There is a prisoner named Shen Huixue in the cell. Bring her here.”

The commander looked up at Bai Xiuming, then lowered his eyes after a moment: "My lord, I remember this man. Last night, Shen Huixue and Shen Qingwu committed suicide in prison. By now, their bodies should have been disposed of."

"What did you say?" Zhang Jinghuai turned his head and asked the question almost through gritted teeth.

"Greetings, Prince Zhang." The commander seemed to only then notice him and bowed.

Zhang Jinghuai ignored the other party's attitude and grabbed his collar, saying, "Say what you just said again."

The commander looked somewhat bewildered and repeated, "Shen Huixue and Shen Qingwu have committed suicide."

"Are you kidding me? How could she commit suicide?" Zhang Jinghuai suppressed the panic in his heart, but reason told him that Shen Huixue would never do such a thing.

“In the past two days, quite a few members of the Shen family have committed suicide in the prison. They knew their death was imminent and probably wanted to choose a more dignified way to die,” the commander said eloquently.

"Then what about her body? Why are you in such a hurry to dispose of her body?"

“Your Highness has misunderstood. The disposal of the corpses was not directed at her. These past few days, my brothers have been disposing of the Shen family’s corpses, all of which have been burned. She just happened to die on this day and was caught in the cremation.”

After saying this, the commander said to Bai Xiuming, "My lord, everything I have said is true, and I have not lied to you."

Bai Xiuming nodded to him: "You can go down now."

"Yes." The commander pulled Zhang Jinghuai's hand off his collar, bowed to the two men, and then left.

Stepping out of the room, he breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the master would be very satisfied with his handling of the situation, and then left with light steps.

Once only Bai Xiuming and Zhang Jinghuai remained in the room, Zhang Jinghuai glared at the person in front of him, gritted his teeth, and said, word by word, "Bai Xiuming, are you playing me?"

Bai Xiuming's face showed a hint of helplessness: "I had no intention of playing a trick on the young master. I was unaware of this matter beforehand."

If Ah Chan were here, she would surely admire Lord Bai's ability to lie through his teeth.

"I don't believe she's dead. I'm going to the dungeon."

Bai Xiuming directly refused, saying, "I cannot agree to this. The dungeon is where the court's most wanted criminals are imprisoned, and no one outside the Mingjing Division is allowed to enter."

"What if I insist on going in?"

Zhang Jinghuai's tone was very impolite, but Bai Xiuming kindly pointed him in the right direction: "Then, Your Highness, you should first go to the Commander to get the pass. The Commander is currently living in the Shen family mansion. As long as Your Highness can get the pass, I will grant your request."

Zhang Jinghuai gave Bai Xiuming a deep look, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

Not long after he left, Shen Zhuo walked in looking refreshed: "Was that the Duke of Li's son I just saw? What's he doing here?"

Bai Xiuming said, "I refused his request to enter the dungeon. I told him to go to the commander for a warrant."

Shen Zhuo said in a light tone, "Old Qin seems to have discovered something extraordinary at the Shen family and is studying it. He has no time to deal with these noble sons. I don't know what they're thinking all day. They dare to be curious about our Mingjing Division's territory."

Listening to Shen Zhuo's incessant chatter, Bai Xiuming poured himself a cup of hot tea. He picked up the teacup, and amidst the rising aroma, a slight smile played on his lips.

The news that Zhang Jinghuai had come to Bai Xiuming to demand the release of people was not widely known, and Shen Huixue was naturally unaware of it either.

She and her mother returned to the small courtyard with Achan and settled down.

Now, her mother's house is no longer habitable. Fortunately, before they were arrested, they had already made arrangements for Wu's mother, so they no longer have any worries.

Achan's courtyard was small, with only two rooms available for living. Huiniang vacated her room for her and her daughter, while she shared a room with Achan.

Because they had spent most of the day in the dungeon, Hui Niang prepared bathwater for them, and her mother was taking a bath behind the screen at that moment.

Shen Huixue sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at her hands with a hint of confusion in her eyes.

She didn't know how to move forward in the future.

The life she had before wasn't what she wanted, but she knew she had to continue living that way.

Zhang Jinghuai was engaged, but she still had to stay by his side. She knew then that in the future, besides facing the dislike of the Duke of Li, she would also have to learn to face the disgust of Zhang Jinghuai's wife.

Her future has never been in her own hands.

But now, the contract that bound her has suddenly disappeared.

Just as Shen Huixue was in a daze, Shen Qingwu came out wearing Chen Hui's clothes. Seeing that her daughter was staring at the back of her hand, she silently sat down next to her.

After a moment of silence, she said, "Hui Xue, do you remember what your mother told you before?"

Shen Huixue looked at her mother, hesitated slightly before saying, "Is it... about becoming a demon?"

Shen Qingwu nodded: "Yes, what's your decision?"

Shen Huixue was unable to answer for a moment. Too many things had happened recently, and she was arrested and imprisoned before she could even think about it.

He thought he was going to die, but he left the cell so easily.

In just two days, there have been several ups and downs. Even though I was quite shocked by my mother's words before, I no longer feel the shock and fear of that day.

In the face of life and death, being human or demon is not as important as being alive.

She thought for a moment before saying, "Mother, let me talk to Achan first."

She had many uncertainties about her life, but Achan was the opposite. At times like these, she wanted to hear Achan's opinion.

"Okay." Shen Qingwu nodded. "Go take a bath first, get rid of the bad luck you picked up in prison, and then go see Achan."

Shen Huixue agreed. After taking a quick bath, she went to Achan's room alone.

Seeing that she seemed to have something to say to Achan, Chen Hui took the initiative to say that she wanted to talk to Shen Qingwu and got up to leave.

At this moment, Achan had already taken off her hair bun, and her long hair fell smoothly down to the side of her face, revealing only her small face. She was wearing her inner garment and sitting barefoot on the bed.

Seeing Shen Huixue come in, he waved to her: "Come and sit down."

Shen Huixue sat down on the edge of the bed and, under Achan's gaze, began to explain the purpose of her visit.

"Achan, my mother told me that as long as I use my father's inner core, I can become a demon. Is that true?"

Achan nodded: "It's true, this is the method I told her."

Shen Huixue fell into deep thought.

Seeing that she seemed to be hesitating, Achan didn't want to force her, so she said again, "It's okay if you don't want to become a demon. It's not something you have to agree to."

Shen Huixue shook her head and said softly, "Actually, I'm no longer hesitant. To me, there's not much difference between being human, half-demon, or demon. What I'm afraid of isn't becoming a demon. If being a demon is better for me, then I'll become a demon."

"Then what are you afraid of?" Achan asked, puzzled.

Shen Huixue hesitated for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject: "The Shen family will soon be executed. My mother and I were spared because of you. Even so, I'm afraid we won't be able to appear in public so freely in the future, will we?"

After thinking for a moment, Achan simply stated the conditions proposed by Bai Xiuming: "Yes, the condition for Bai Xiuming to release you is that you cannot stay in Daxia in the future."

Shen Huixue sighed softly and said to Achan, "This is what I'm afraid of. I've always been kept by others, and they've arranged my life for me, but now no one is arranging it for me anymore."

I'm lost. I don't know where to live or how to live after leaving Daxia. Will I really be able to find a place to settle down with my mother? I…”

She paused, then asked hesitantly, "Achan, what should I do?"

Shen Huixue's concerns were quite different from A Chan's, but that's understandable.

It takes a lot of courage to go and live a life completely different from what you have now.

When she first arrived in human territory, she was just as bewildered and uneasy. If it weren't for A-Mian, she would never have set foot on human land.

later……

Achan's expression softened. She put aside that unpleasant past for the time being and focused her attention on the important matter at hand.

She thought for a moment about the information she knew about things outside of the Great Xia Dynasty, and slowly said to Shen Huixue, "There is a vast world outside of the Great Xia Dynasty, but it is very dangerous. North of the Northern Wilderness is the domain of the demon race. The world of the demon race is very cruel. Even if you become a demon, I do not recommend that you go there."

Achan didn't even tell Shen Huixue about Qingyu Mountain. She didn't think her grandmother would accept Huixue. Even if they were given a place to stay, it would be far from a good place for Huixue and her mother.

Shen Huixue nodded. Since Achan said that the demon realm was not a good place, she would not go.

Achan continued, "The alien races in Xiling are not only hostile to humans, but their attitude towards demons is even worse. Most importantly, they are not smart enough, and their minds seem to be different from ours. Stay away from them. As for the south, there are vast seas there, and many dragons. Dragons are not only warlike but also arrogant. They look down on other races like insects. I don't know where their confidence comes from. You'd better not go."

As Shen Huixue listened to A Chan reprimanding the other races one by one, she suddenly felt like laughing.

She couldn't help but wonder, who did A-Chan hear these things from?

Achan tried hard to recall what she had heard, and finally thought of a good place: "By the way, I once heard that humans and various races live together in the wilderness. The races living there are relatively peaceful, so it is a good place."

"Are there humans outside of the Great Xia?" Shen Huixue asked in surprise.

“Of course,” Achan said with a smile. “The world is so vast, how could there be no place to stay?”

Shen Huixue's initially anxious mood suddenly calmed down because of A Chan's words, and she even felt a little expectant. Leaving Da Xia didn't seem so unsettling anymore.

"Achan." Shen Huixue looked at Achan, "Now, transform me into a demon."

Have you made up your mind?

Shen Huixue nodded vigorously: "I've made up my mind."

"Alright then."

Achan took out the pouch containing the inner core, removed it, and handed it to Shen Huixue.

After Shen Huixue received the inner core, the originally dark inner core suddenly seemed to lose its color and become a little brighter.

"Achan, what's wrong?" Shen Huixue asked in surprise, staring at the inner core in her palm.

Achan explained, "This is your father's inner core. After he died, the inner core would become corrupted. Usually, you can awaken the inner core using demonic power or your blood. However, it seems to have sensed your relationship, so it is gradually 'awakening'."

"So what's next?"

"Next, use your demonic power to communicate with the inner core. The original owner's consciousness exists within the inner core, but this consciousness is difficult to leave the inner core. You need to transmit your demonic power into it and tell it that you need its demonic power, so that it can give you its demonic power."

Shen Huixue was waiting for Achan to continue, but she suddenly stopped.

The two looked at each other for a moment, and Shen Huixue was dumbfounded: "Is that all? There are no other steps?"

Shouldn't such an important event have a very complicated ceremony?

Achan couldn't help but laugh: "It's that simple. You're father and daughter, so your father's inner core won't reject you."

Not all demons will accept their offspring, but her sixth uncle will.

Her sixth uncle would definitely be willing to pass on his demonic power to Huixue, because she is the daughter he has always longed for.

Seeing that the inner core in Shen Huixue's hand was gradually emitting light, Achan got up and got out of bed, leaving the room to Shen Huixue.

Before leaving, he comforted her, saying, "Don't be nervous, you will succeed."

After saying that, she left, leaving Shen Huixue alone in the room.

Achan entered Chen Hui's room. At that moment, Shen Qingwu was chatting with Chen Hui, but it was clear that she was somewhat distracted.

Upon seeing A-Chan enter, she stood up nervously: "A-Chan, Hui Xue, she..."

"She is communicating with the inner core. After she absorbs the demonic power in the inner core, her body will gradually change. Don't worry, it won't be very dangerous."

"She...she just agreed like that?" Shen Qingwu said in disbelief. She thought her daughter would at least need a day to consider it, but it only took a moment.

"She hadn't originally intended to refuse."

After saying that, Achan sat down on a chair to the side. When Shen Qingwu finally came to her senses, she said, "I have something I want to ask Miss Qingwu. I hope you can answer me truthfully."

"Go ahead and ask." Ah Chan saved their lives, and now Shen Qingwu would tell her whatever she wanted to ask.

"Have you ever heard Liu Feng mention his elder brother's whereabouts?" A Chan finally asked.

“I’ve heard about it, he said…” Shen Qingwu suddenly stopped, trying to suppress her expression so that A Chan wouldn’t notice anything unusual.

"What did he say?" Achan asked anxiously.

Shen Qingwu lowered her eyes: "He said that his older brother went to the wilderness."

Ah Chan's eyes lit up. What a coincidence.

What Shen Qingwu didn't say was that Liu Feng said his older brother went to the wilderness and died there.