The Unhallowed Child

 It had been several days since Su Ning had returned from the drought-stricken villages, only to be called away once more to aid in the ongoing border skirmishes. The fighting had been fierce, and Su Ning had poured his heart and soul into protecting the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.

When he finally made his way back to the group's campsite, his armor was stained with the remnants of battle, and his body ached with the strain of countless hours spent on the front lines. Yet, as his gaze fell upon Xiao Hong, a strange sense of calm washed over him.

"I'm back," he greeted, his voice colored with a surprising softness.

Xiao Hong turned to face him, her expression a mixture of relief and concern. "I'm glad to see you all in one piece." Su Ning nodded, his eyes sweeping over her features. He couldn't help but notice the way the firelight danced across her face, highlighting the delicate curve of her jaw and the depth of her eyes.

It was a sight that tugged at him, though he couldn't quite place why. "The battle was fierce, but we prevailed," he said, his tone measured. "I'm relieved to return to the relative peace of our campsite."

Xiao Hong offered him a small smile, the warmth in her gaze catching him off guard. "We're all grateful for your service, General. The people you've aided are blessed to have you as their protector." Su Ning felt a curious warmth bloom in his chest at her words, a sensation he hadn't experienced in a very long time. He quickly pushed it aside, however, reminding himself that his focus should remain on the task at hand – finding Yinou.

In the days that followed, Su Ning found himself increasingly drawn to Xiao Hong's vibrant presence, his eyes often lingering on her as she moved about the camp. He marveled at her unwavering determination, the way she pushed the group to action and refused to back down in the face of adversity. Yet, the nagging reminder of Yinou's tragic fate never strayed far from his mind.

He couldn't help but wonder if Xiao Hong's connection to the missing woman ran deeper than any of them could fathom, and the weight of that possibility filled him with a sense of trepidation.

One day, as Su Ning was sharpening his sword, he noticed Li Yang staring at Xiao Hong with a contemplative expression.

"What is it, Li Yang?" he asked, his voice low. Li Yang turned to him, her brow furrowed. "Have you noticed how similar Xiao Hong's sword work is to Yinou's?" she murmured.

"It's as if she's relearned the techniques we taught Yinou all those years ago." Su Ning's breath caught in his throat, his heart pounding.

Could it be? Had Yinou returned, disguised as this enigmatic woman? Hope and dread warred within him. Unable to confront the possibility directly, he began to observe Xiao Hong more closely, searching for any further clues.

The rhythmic clash of swords during morning training was a familiar sound. Xiao Hong moved with graceful ferocity, her blade a blur. Su Ning saw Yinou in her movements—the fluid grace, the unwavering focus. The memory clenched his heart, but he pushed it aside, determined to stay present.

Then, he saw Su Su approach Xiao Hong, her expression unreadable. The others stopped, watching as Su Su took Xiao Hong's hand, tracing her palm. Xiao Hong stiffened. "Su Su, what—" Before she could finish, Su Su pulled her closer, studying her face. The others watched in stunned silence. Su Su sighed, a look of disappointment crossing her face.

Without a word, she released Xiao Hong and stepped back. Xiao Hong blinked, bewildered. "Su Su?" Su Su smiled wistfully. "Nothing, Xiao Hong. Forgive me." She rejoined the others, her movements heavy with melancholy. Xiao Hong looked around, confused.

Su Ning felt a pang of sympathy for her unease. He wanted to offer comfort, but his doubts held him back. Su Ning noticed a hesitation in Xiao Hong's movements, as if Su Su's scrutiny had shaken her confidence. Guilt pricked him. He wished he could reassure her, but the questions about Yinou and Xiao Hong's true identity continued to haunt him.

The more he watched, the more he saw Yinou—and the more he feared the consequences. He couldn't voice his suspicions, fearing he'd shatter their fragile peace. The memory of Yinou's disappearance haunted him; he couldn't bear the thought of losing Xiao Hong. He watched, listened, and waited, his heart torn between past and present.

One night, Jiu Tian's words echoed in Su Ning's mind: "The one you seek is closer than you think, but it's up to them to remember." He'd also warned against interfering with their "samsara." Su Ning headed to Jiu Tian's quarters, his mind racing. The similarities between Xiao Hong and Yinou, Jiu Tian's cryptic warnings—it all pointed to a startling conclusion.

He entered Jiu Tian's quarters, his expression tense. "Jiu Tian," he began urgently, "I think I know the truth—Xiao Hong is Yinou's reincarnation…and the Fox Immortal, right?"

Jiu Tian's gaze was unreadable. "And how did you reach this conclusion?" Su Ning's fists clenched. "Your power, Jiu Tian—it's identical to Yinou's. And your guidance, your warnings…" He shook his head. "Not Yinou's power, but hers," Jiu Tian corrected sharply. "So my suspicions are true. You seek the Fox Immortal, not Yinou." Jiu Tian chuckled. "You're perceptive, Su Ning. You've pieced it together."

Su Ning gasped, "You are the lover of the fox immortal, whom she gave cultivation to." Jiu Tian smiled. "Indeed. Xiao Hong is Yinou's reincarnation, but she is also Ling Yu, my beloved." He paused. "As for my guidance, the path of samsara is delicate, and the burden of the past is heavy."

A surge of emotion—hope, confusion, trepidation—washed over Su Ning. "What happens now?" he whispered. "If Ling Yu and Yinou's souls are bound, who will prevail?"

Jiu Tian's expression turned solemn. "That, my friend, is not for me to decide. Yinou is undergoing samsara to bind her soul with Ling Yu's, but the outcome is uncertain. They may coexist, or one may prevail. I have not seen this before, and can only guide as samsara unfolds."

Su Ning felt frustration and uncertainty. "What if she reject who she is? What if she chooses not to remember Yinou?"

Jiu Tian sighed sadly. "Then we respect her choice, no matter how difficult. Samsara is not ours to control, only to guide." Su Ning felt despair. "I can't stand by and watch her walk away again." Jiu Tian's expression softened. He placed a hand on Su Ning's shoulder. "Trust in the universe, my friend. Samsara is winding, but the answers may come in time, if you listen."

Su Ning nodded, his resolve solidifying. He returned to the campsite, his mind a whirlwind. He looked at Xiao Hong, the familiar features of his beloved Yinou etched on her face. The realization that she was so close, yet so far, filled him with hope and trepidation. "Xiao Hong," he said softly, "I need to speak with you."