This was not the first time Ren Fei had heard Ning Zhishui mention matters concerning herself, Lin Huaiyuan, and Shen Bingqing.
From the information shared in these previous conversations, she had, more or less, pieced together the outcome of her own story.
First, she would be betrayed by Lin Huaiyuan and Shen Bingqing working together, her bracelet would be stolen, and she would end up disfigured and gravely injured.
After that, her personality would change drastically, and she would drift from one man to another, becoming a despised seductress, eventually dying at their hands.
Compared to her, Lin Huaiyuan and Shen Bingqing fared smoothly. They married each other, became Dao partners, and even rose to the positions of sect leader and sect leader’s wife.
It was likely because of the predecessor within the bracelet that they were able to seize such opportunities and attain their status.
All of this was far too detailed. Ren Fei, who had initially scoffed, now felt a gnawing unease in her heart.
Moreover, the more she thought about it, the more she realized that if these events were true, if she were really betrayed by the two people she trusted most then it was highly probable that her drastic personality change and drifting among men could actually occur.
Not for anything else, but for giving up, for revenge.
However, as soon as this thought appeared in her mind, she immediately shook her head.
What are you thinking!
How could Huaiyuan and Bingqing ever do such a thing!
They had grown up alongside her. Their character and conduct were the most familiar. None of this could be true.
There had to be some misunderstanding.
Ning Zhishui pondered ways to expose the truth about the two, when she suddenly realized that her aunt would be leaving tomorrow.
She thought, She’s leaving tomorrow, so she won’t be back for several days.
The refining furnace still had some materials I need to borrow.
“I want to borrow something from you, Aunt,” Ning Zhishui spoke up. “I remember you said the old man in your bracelet had plenty of materials for refining artifacts, and also a refining furnace. Can I borrow these?”
Her aunt had only learned alchemy from the old man. As for artifact refining, those items had remained unused.
The old man had deliberately concealed that he was once a master of artifact refinement and that he became an artifact spirit through self-sacrifice. Her aunt had no interest in artifact refining and never intended to learn. She simply let those items gather dust in the bracelet, never used.
The old man’s items were still in good condition, enough for Ning Zhishui’s current needs. She didn’t intend to waste them.
No way am I lending you!
You just talk bad about Huaiyuan and Bingqing all the time!
Ren Fei rolled her eyes at the thought. She wanted to answer like that, but it was only a fleeting thought. This was her own niece. How could she deny her request?
Besides, Ren Fei guessed that Ning Zhishui wanted these materials mostly to refine an artifact.
“Alright, I’ll bring them to your room later,” she nodded.
Ning Zhishui thanked her. “I’ll go back to cultivate now, Aunt. I’ll wait for you.”
“Mm.”
After Ning Zhishui left, the remaining four sat in silence for a moment.
“Fei Fei…” Ren Muqing began.
“Sis, I know what you want to say,” Ren Fei cut her off. “I trust Huaiyuan.”
“Then do you trust Zhishui?” Ren Muqing asked. “Regarding what Zhishui said about your husband… setting aside whether the subsequent events are correct, the part about her celestial bones has already been confirmed, hasn’t it? That shows her words carry some weight.”
“That’s different. Sis, you know that Huaiyuan, Bingqing, and I have known each other for a long time. You watched them grow up too. Do you really think they would betray me?” Ren Fei’s face turned cold. “In short, I don’t believe it, nor will I doubt or distance myself from them.”
“That’s right, that’s right. I agree with Aunt!”
Ning Chengfeng nodded like a little chick pecking rice. “This is too absurd. It’s like when my little sister said I would be possessed by my master. That’s a joke!”
At these words, three faces turned sharply toward him.
“What are you talking about?”
“Possessed?”
“Your master wants to possess you?”
All three questions were asked at the same time.
Ning Chengfeng blinked. “My little sister said so… but it’s definitely not true. My master wouldn’t do that.”
“Repeat exactly what Zhishui said,” Ning Cheng frowned, asking his wife.
Ning Chengfeng repeated it all.
“My master, I remember, has both exceptional cultivation and age among cultivators, right?” Ning Cheng asked uncertainly.
Ren Muqing nodded. “Yes, that’s correct.”
“Then it’s strange. Why would he want to possess you?” Ning Cheng found it unreasonable. “Chengfeng, your master has been in good health. Does he have some hidden illness?”
Ning Chengfeng shook his head without hesitation. “No, my master’s always been healthy. He’s often sent on tasks by the sect. That doesn’t indicate any health issues.”
Ren Fei laughed. “See, this proves Zhishui’s words are sometimes accurate, sometimes not. We should listen selectively, not believe everything. We’re adults; don’t we have our own judgment?”
“That’s true. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t even know the exact rules,” Ning Chengfeng agreed. “By the way, Father, Mother, my little sister also mentioned some other things today.”
She shared everything Ning Zhishui had said.
For example, she said the whole family was dead, that Lake Ying City would suffer a flood leading to a new city lord, and that during cultivation practice she immediately spotted the problem with someone nearly going rogue.
She emphasized how Ning Zhishui’s speech and behavior had changed significantly compared to before. She had visibly matured, no longer acting like a child.
Like when she gave colored bead bracelets to two stewards, something she wouldn’t have done before.
Also, she discovered Mo Gangqing along the way and visited Gao Yue’s shop, mentioning things concerning him and her aunt. They shared information unknown to the others.
As Ning Chengfeng recounted, his voice fluctuated, rhythmic, as if narrating a story.
“Considering all this… could Zhishui really be a powerful being reborn?” Ren Muqing’s eyes showed surprise, still unsure.
“Rebirth might be true, but whether she’s a powerful being reborn… is uncertain,” Ren Fei shook her head. “I think her memory is inconsistent because something went wrong during rebirth, causing her confusion.”
“Maybe this is the Heavenly Dao’s punishment, deliberately making information about us partly true, partly false to prevent revealing secrets,” Ning Chengfeng guessed, slapping his thigh.
“Makes sense. Zhishui’s thoughts are accessible to us already, which is extraordinary. If all information were correct, the Ning family would soar. That must be why this was done. And they deliberately didn’t allow us to tell Zhishui related matters. If we did, she’d be forced to be silent. That’s Heavenly Dao’s constraint!” Ren Fei agreed.
“Then this Heavenly Dao really is strange,” Ren Muqing whispered.