Rebirth

In an ancient, elegantly furnished room, a young girl lay asleep on her bed. Suddenly, a black hole materialized above her, and a book tumbled out of it, landing silently beside her. The girl remained completely unaware. 

Meanwhile, in a manor of the Song Dynasty, a maidservant rushed into the study, exclaiming, "Scarlett, something terrible has happened! Just as Emily was about to kill that boy, a bolt of lightning struck them both down!" 

The lady of the house, intrigued by the unusual event, replied, "Oh? How peculiar. Let me see for myself." With that, mistress and servant hurried toward the rear courtyard. 

Elsewhere, another maidservant whispered, "Amelia, have you heard? The child they captured wasn't killed by the lightning—he's still alive!" The young miss, roused from her slumber, sat up and noticed a strange book lying atop her. She picked it up and read the title: Nine Yin Manual. "What an odd name," she murmured. Then, with a thoughtful frown, she asked, "Do you think Noah will come?" 

The maidservant nodded eagerly. "If Noah hears of this, he'll surely come." 

"Really?" Amelia's eyes lit up. "Then let's go see!" But after taking a few steps, she paused and glanced back at the book. "Did you leave this in my room?" 

The maidservant shook her head. "No, Amelia. Why?" 

Amelia frowned, puzzled. Where did this book come from? How did it just appear here? But her thoughts quickly returned to Noah. "Never mind," she said, turning away. "Let's go." 

—— 

"Make way! Scarlett is coming!" The gathered servants quickly parted as their mistress approached. 

Scarlett stepped forward, surveying the scene. The stone platform meant for executions lay in ruins, and atop the debris lay the very boy they had captured. Nearby, Emily, still pale and shaken, sat on the ground, recovering. Scarlett waved a dismissive hand. "Go rest," she instructed. 

As the old servant retreated, a delicate young girl emerged from the crowd. "Mother, is that the one who survived the lightning?" 

The resemblance between the girl and the beautiful noblewoman was unmistakable. Scarlett's expression darkened. "Who brought Amelia here? Take her back at once!" The servants, accustomed to obeying without question, swiftly ushered the reluctant Amelia away. 

Scarlett, mistress of the Hilton Manor, studied the soot-covered boy with fascination. How could he have survived a direct lightning strike? Leaning closer for a better look, she was unprepared for what happened next. 

Elliott, who had been motionless, suddenly convulsed. His left hand shot out, still crackling with residual electricity from the lightning strike. 

And then—he grabbed precisely where he shouldn't have. 

A jolt of sensation coursed through Scarlett. She staggered back, her cheeks flushing crimson, before collapsing weakly against a nearby servant. "Help me to my chambers," she breathed, her voice unsteady. "And tend to the boy. I have questions for him." 

Her tone left no room for discussion. The servants exchanged fleeting glances—none had ever seen their mistress in such a state—but they knew better than to acknowledge it. Without a word, they obeyed.