(5) The Demon's Lullaby

Wang Zhu brows furrowed. She felt a sense of discomfort from his statement, but she didn't dwell on it.

Instead, she directed her attention to the young demon, who was still recovering from the effects of the healing pill.

The drug was called MonTai, made from red spider lilies and tulip flowers with a slight tonic.

This drug can cause massive confusion and illusions in individuals who lack a strong foundation in cultivation, especially in those who are not of legal age to take such a prescription.

Aside from that, the remaining effect is the healing process.

If a normal being ingests such without cultivation, they will fall into a deep sleep for five days, as the pill gradually restores their energy and regenerates new skin tissue to repair rotting skin and any other wound.

However, someone with cultivation strength or has the blood of any kind of entity will only sleep for two days.

Wang Zhu slowly approached the boy,

"Calm yourself, or else this inn will become burial ground. There are many different cultivators outside; don't alarm them."

Hearing the familiar voice, Zui finally relaxed and, like a fallen leaves slumped back onto the bed as if he had just exerted all his energy to stand.

"Where are we?"

The young demon look at her with face fatigue, his voice dry and weak.

"We're at the western inn,"

Wang Zhu gently tucked him back inside the blanket and, once again, channeled her spiritual power to seal his demonic identity, all while maintaining her neutral expression.

The young demon, feeling completely drained, groaned in discomfort as he welcomed the warm, soothing sensation of Wang Zhu's spiritual power flowing into him.

By chance, he glanced to the left and saw Pu Lian, smiling warmly and waving at him as though they had already met. Instantly, his guard went up, accompanied by a surge of anxiety.

"Who is he?"

Wang Zhu glanced in the direction of his gaze before turning back to him. Her right hand remained on his forehead, continuously glowing with spiritual power, its soothing energy calming him completely.

"Don't mind him, he's no threat."

As though her words were enchanted, Zui's eyes slowly fluttered. Before he could reply, he drifted back to sleep.

"Wow, surprisingly, you're good at taking care of kids too!" Pu Lian remarked.

Wang Zhu, exhausted from expending so much spiritual power in a single day, ignored him and simply walked to the other side of the wooden chair before sitting down.

"We've been here too long; the others might suspect something's wrong. You should go back first."

Pu Lian, stared at her, oblivious to her exhaustion, and noticed her eyes remained fixed on Zui. There was no concern; only the usual calm expression she wore.

"Are you sure?" He asked, and Wang Zhu nodded.

"When you return, inform Elder Ning about that dark alley, so he can bring his ten junior disciples, eager to experience their first real battle. As for the young demon, don't reveal anything yet. I'll handle it myself."

"Aiya, senior, as always, you're so considerate and caring toward others," Pu Lian said, standing up and stretching both his arms.

He gaze briefly shifted to Zui and back at Wang Zhu.

"Are you sure you can manage him alone?"

Wang Zhu did not reply, which he had already expected.

"All right, I'll do as you say..." He turned his back, but before he could step forward, he added,

"I noticed a two-seventh-stage cultivator from the Lunyang Sect downstairs earlier. Be careful." His expression slowly grew serious.

With that, he strode toward the door. Just as he was about to step out, Wang Zhu's voice stopped him.

"A-Lian."

He paused.

"Don't go back to that alley without me."

Somehow, her words unexpectedly made him feel valued. He couldn't help smiling.

"Of course, without you there, it wouldn't be any fun. I'll wait for you to return to our sect."

He then left the room, not waiting for any respond.

A child, seemingly around five years old, crouched on the floor, her frail body wracked with despairing sobs.

She wore a tattered sackcloth stained with filth and fresh blood that, strangely, didn't appear to be hers.

The little girl's cries grew weaker as exhaustion overtook her.

Finally, she collapsed where she sat, her tiny frame curling into the dirt-covered ground.

Wang Zhu, her brows furrowed in confusion, sprang from her chair.

She approached cautiously, an inexplicable but familiar ache tugging at her chest as she gazed at the pitiful figure before her.

Just as her hand reached out, hesitant but compelled to comfort the child, the girl vanished-disappearing like a fleeting wisp of fog.

In an instant, the scene around her morphed into chaos. Flames licked at the wooden structures of a burning village, and screams of agony echoed in all directions.

The cries of people and animals blended into an unbearable cacophony.

Wang Zhu frowned, unease prickling at her senses.

Did I fall asleep while meditating earlier? Impossible. I took that pill...

Despite the unsettling circumstances, she held her ground, letting the scene unfold.

A sickening scent of blood and charred flesh thickened the air, forcing her to cover her nose with one hand.

Her eyes darted across the desolate surroundings, and then she heard it-a voice she hadn't heard in long years but could never forget.

It was the voice of a young girl, raw with despair and fury, crying out for answers.