Chapter 118: Demons Are Born of the Heart

Hearing this, the Prince’s expression turned icy. "You reap what you sow. You must endure this disaster yourself; the Master of Furong City has already shown you mercy by giving you only this lesson."

At the mention of the Master of Furong City, the Fairy Nüyi’s face paled slightly.

Chu Yudong was shocked and terrified, never having expected such a response from his father. He knew his father’s nature—he was fiercely protective of his own—and to hear him speak this way meant that the other party’s status must be unimaginably high. At that moment, he slumped to the ground, defeated.

Yet, simultaneously, a wave of resentment surged within him. Even if the Master of Furong City was powerful, his father should not have abandoned him! He resolved that he must win first place in the competition, obtain the cursed treasure, and secure the Fairy Nüyi’s artifacts; perhaps then he could resolve this calamity.

Seeing this, Chu Youcai felt a stir in his heart, as he was suddenly reminded of a story from "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio." Although there were slight differences, it was remarkably similar.

It was then time for Chu Youcai to draw his lot. He stepped forward and pulled number eight. To his surprise, he noticed Chu Zhaoyun showing him her own draw—it was number seven. This meant that his first match would be against her.

He returned to his seat and smiled faintly. "It seems that is the case. Ninth sister, please go easy on me."

Chu Zhaoyun, however, shook her head. She clutched the incense burner in her arms, her face listless, showing no sign of fighting spirit.

Curious, Chu Youcai asked, "Ninth sister, by the look of you, it seems you do not care for this competition?" In the Prince’s manor, everyone knew that one’s rank in the competition determined their status—to not advance was to fall behind.

Chu Zhaoyun said softly, "I lost my soul some time ago. I don't know why, but I just cannot summon any spirit."

Chu Youcai inquired, "Did something happen to you?"

Chu Zhaoyun replied, "I have been haunted by a ghost for half a month. But no one around me sees any shadow; they all think I am just overly exhausted and seeing things. I went to seek out some talismans, but they were of no use."

Chu Youcai suddenly realized the truth. No wonder he couldn't discern the cause earlier; her pulse was fine, but her spirit had been damaged. Upon hearing that she had used talismans, a flash of inspiration struck him. He said, "Ninth sister, perhaps a story might help you resolve this ailment."

Chu Zhaoyun paused, listening intently.

Chu Youcai began, "In ancient times, there was a scholar named Tang who was arrogant. Once, his tutor, while lecturing, remarked that ghosts did not exist and were merely rumors concocted by monks. The scholar was unconvinced, so that night, he scattered dirt and tapped on the tutor’s window. When the terrified tutor asked who was there, Tang replied, 'I am a ghost.' The tutor was paralyzed with fear and ordered his two disciples to stand guard by his window all night. By the next day, the tutor was withered and bedridden. When friends came to visit, he could only mutter, 'Ghosts, ghosts.' When the truth eventually came out that it was the scholar’s doing, everyone laughed heartily."

Hearing this, Chu Zhaoyun paused, her expression curious. "Does that mean there really were no ghosts?"

Chu Youcai smiled slightly. "The following night, a true demon appeared and threw stones at the window, repeating the act several times. The tutor, thinking it was still the scholar, was initially unafraid. Only later, when he realized it was indeed a demon, was he so frightened that he turned pale and fled the place forever."

Chu Zhaoyun gasped in realization. "Because his heart had already been broken by fear?"

Chu Youcai nodded. "Exactly. In the moment of shock and terror, one’s inner strength wanes, allowing ghosts and foxes to take advantage. This is the method by which they borrow human fear."

As she reflected on this, Chu Zhaoyun’s mind suddenly cleared. She had been harboring fear, so she mistook every shadow for a ghost. When she used the talismans, they failed because her hands were trembling, preventing her from fully channeling their power. Otherwise, how could a place like the Prince’s manor be haunted incessantly?

Her inner turmoil vanished, and she felt a sense of profound relief and joy. "Thank you for your guidance, Third Brother."

Chu Youcai smiled. "You are my ninth sister; there is no need for such formality."

"Yes," Chu Zhaoyun replied. Her eyes were clear and bright, the previous panic gone. Feeling the world suddenly vibrant, she set aside her incense burner, stood up, and walked toward the center of the grand hall.

The competition had not yet begun, and the onlookers were astonished to see her step forward. Normally, Chu Zhaoyun was incredibly timid, often too shy to speak in crowds; why would she act so brazenly now?

As they watched, Chu Zhaoyun stood in the center of the stage. Her heart pounded slightly, but recalling Chu Youcai’s words—that ghosts arise from the heart—she calmed herself. "For this round of the competition, I forfeit."

After speaking, she caught the look of surprise on Chu Youcai’s face and felt a surge of joy. She walked down from the hall and back to his side.

Chu Youcai asked with surprise, "Ninth sister, I see your spirit has recovered and you have regained your fighting will. Why forfeit?"

Chu Zhaoyun stuck out her tongue playfully. "My spirit isn't that easy to restore; I need to rest and recover properly."

Seeing this rare, charming side of her—so different from her usual weak and timid demeanor—Chu Youcai felt a warmth in his heart. He understood that she had fully recovered and was merely forfeiting out of gratitude to him.

The sight of them together drew the eyes of others. They whispered, "I can't believe the Ninth Sister actually forfeited!"

"I heard she was so frightened by ghosts that she lost her nerve. Is she too scared to even compete now? After all, Chu Youcai was cast out by our manor and has very low cultivation; she is truly..."

"Chu Youcai is incredibly lucky to have caught such an opportunity! We work ourselves to the bone and might not even make it to the next round."

"But he will surely lose the next round. What is the point of clinging on for just one more?"

They did not call him Third Brother, nor did they show any respect. Instead, they mocked him, convinced he had simply been blessed with extraordinary luck.

At the same time, Chu Yudong, standing in the hall, cast a cold, murderous glare toward Chu Youcai. He had not expected Chu Youcai to dare show his face, let alone chat so lightheartedly with Chu Zhaoyun, completely unafraid. His heart overflowed with murderous intent.