Throughout the night, they rescued people attacked by demons. As darkness fell, Ling Feng and Shen He rested beneath a tree. Shen He had set up concealment arrays around them, ensuring no demons would attack in the night.
The two sat by the campfire, each holding a fish to roast. The cool night breeze carried away much of the fatigue from a day of exertion.
"Senior Sister, why did you lie to those people earlier today?" Ling Feng asked slowly.
"What do you mean?" Shen He looked at Ling Feng with confusion.
"Every time we find people attacked by demons, you're always the first one to rush forward. A few times, I almost couldn't keep up with your speed. When they thanked us, you always used 'it was nothing' as an excuse. Why is that?
You always seem so hurried, and I can feel it. It's like you're worried about them getting hurt, no, perhaps you're afraid. I don't understand why you're like this, so I wanted to ask. Of course, if you don't wish to speak of it, it's fine. I'm just curious."
Upon hearing Ling Feng's words, Shen He fell silent, her gaze fixed on the campfire as she mechanically turned the roasting fish. She seemed lost in thought.
Ling Feng didn't disturb her. He guessed that Shen He must have experienced something significant, but it was her private matter. The decision to speak of it or not lay with her.
He disliked forcing people to do things they didn't want to do, as it felt unpleasant.
Shen He's current situation was as Ling Feng had imagined. Her heart was torn, unsure whether to reveal this matter to Ling Feng.
She was afraid.
Afraid that Ling Feng would distance himself, fear her, or alienate her upon learning the truth.
Ling Feng's presence felt different from anyone else's. Although he was still somewhat innocent and naive, like a child who hadn't fully grown up, he was incredibly sincere and respectful towards others. He cared for people, and being around him, interacting with him, was extremely comfortable.
Especially being by his side, she felt her own bloodlust seemed to be suppressed, bringing her a great sense of peace. Ling Feng was also one of the few who cared about her.
For all these reasons, she was thankful she hadn't revealed her destiny to Ling Feng from the start.
She felt that if Ling Feng knew about this, he would likely react like everyone else before him, avoiding her at all costs. Even after joining the tutelage of the Cloud Retainer, he might have become distant and ostracized her.
However, Ling Feng would eventually discover her background. From his actions today in saving people, Ling Feng had already sensed something.
Later, if Ling Feng found out she had concealed this, that he had been with a harbinger of misfortune all along, and that his life was in constant danger, he would probably despise her immensely.
So, what should she do? Tell Ling Feng the truth now, or continue to conceal it?
Beside her, Ling Feng saw Shen He's expression, which had been cold and indifferent, suddenly become turbulent. Startled, he thought something had happened to her and quickly tried to comfort her.
"Senior Sister, don't overthink it. If what I said caused you discomfort, I apologize. Let's just let this matter go. Your current state is very unstable."
As if hearing Ling Feng's words, Shen He's expression gradually softened, returning to its previous state.
"Junior Brother, may I ask you a question?" Shen He suddenly asked.
"Please do," Ling Feng replied. Though he didn't understand why the tables had suddenly turned, he straightened himself and spoke earnestly.
"If you had a friend you got along with well, but she was a natural disaster, destined to harm those around her. Her parents had also died because of the calamity she brought, and people feared and avoided her. What's more, she concealed this fact, not wanting you to know. If you were to discover the truth, would you still remain friends with her?"
As she asked this question, Shen He's body trembled slightly, betraying her nervousness. This question was already a hint to Ling Feng.
"Yes," Ling Feng said without hesitation.
"Why?" Shen He was surprised. She hadn't expected Ling Feng to be so decisive. Shouldn't he at least have considered it?
"Because it's not her intention, it's not her fault. She's also a victim. Since she's my friend, I will treat her with the attitude a friend deserves."
"Besides, damn fate! I don't believe in fate right now. If fate is unfair, I will fight against it to the end! The future is in our own hands."
Upon hearing Ling Feng's words, Shen He lowered her head and murmured softly, "If fate is unfair, I will fight against it to the end?"
After repeating it twice, a slight smile appeared on Shen He's lips, as if she had come to a realization.
"Junior Brother, indeed... I have been lying all day. Are you willing to listen to my story?"
"If Senior Sister is willing, I will listen attentively. If not, I won't pry. Everyone has their own secrets," Ling Feng said earnestly and seriously.
Shen He looked up at the sky, the twinkling stars of the night reflected in her eyes, and began to recount her tale.
"In my childhood, my mother passed away from illness. My father loved my mother dearly and couldn't bear the pain. So, he abandoned me and went everywhere searching for a way to revive her."
"A year later, my father returned. He brought with him an evil art called 'Life for Life.' By offering sacrifices to the summoned 'immortal spirits,' one could reclaim the life of the deceased while still alive."
"That day, my father summoned the malevolent entity according to the ritual described in the evil art. Initially, my father intended to sacrifice himself to resurrect my mother. However, the entity told my father that my destiny was one of solitary stars and calamity, that I would harm those around me even if I lived."
"So, my father decided to sacrifice me in exchange for my mother's life. At that time, I had no inkling of the disaster about to befall me. Being young, I understood nothing and was simply overjoyed that my father, who had been away for so long, had finally returned."
"That day, my father told me he had a big surprise for me in a cave behind the mountain and would take me to see it immediately. I was very happy then."
"When we reached the cave, my father abandoned me and left the cave filled with the remnants of demons, leaving me all alone. I looked at the demon's lingering will, its blood-red eyes, and its gaze that craved my flesh and blood. I was terrified."
"I understood it wanted to devour me, but I didn't want to die. I wanted to live. In despair and helplessness, holding my mother's遗物, a dagger for exorcising evil, I engaged in a fierce battle with it."
"Ever since my father left me in that cave, I had desperately hoped he would return to save me."
"One day, two days, three days... I fought the demon with all my might until I collapsed, unable to wait for him. I don't know if it was my solitary, malevolent destiny that led to me being abandoned, or if my difficult fate caused me to develop this murderous aura?"
"Eventually, I won, but I was also severely wounded, on the verge of death. At that critical moment, my master arrived. She found me, brought me back to the mountain, and nursed me back to health, bestowing her teachings."
"After my master took me in, she had the True Lord of Lunar Retraction and Solar Augmentation cast a divination for me."
"The divination indicated that my destiny was indeed one of solitary stars and calamity.
A solitary star's destiny means separation from loved ones and a lonely life.
A calamity's destiny means a life fraught with peril and misfortune.
As I bore both solitary stars and the calamity, my killing intent was extremely strong. It was a dire fate, rarely seen in a thousand years, harming both myself and others.
To ensure I could grow up safely without harming innocent people, the immortals placed the 'Crimson Thread Binding Soul' spell upon me."
"For the next twenty years, I remained by my master's side, learning immortal arts, wanting to become stronger and suppress my murderous intent."
"In the interim, I secretly descended the mountain once, returning to my hometown to see how my father was doing. But I couldn't find him anywhere. Finally, I learned from a neighbor that my father had committed suicide three days after I went missing."
"From then on, my connection with my blood relatives was completely severed. The people and memories I cared about were forever lost."