Virgin blood

Chapter 4

Just like Leng Ruofeng's experience, it seems that the word "love" is something that even a ghost cannot let go of.

“I asked Zhu Zhu, and she always said that she would kill him after she had figured out how to torture him to her heart’s content. I think she was just stalling. It wasn’t until the man killed her sister and drove her crazy that she finally decided to take action. The man was very cunning. He was worried that Zhu Zhu’s vengeful spirit was not yet at peace, so he hung talismans on not only his body, but also on his house and even his car.”

"That's why Zhu Zhu used you to destroy his protective charm before attacking him."

“That’s right. Actually, from the very beginning, she was just using me. I’ve had enough. I negotiated with her, and she agreed that I would help her kill that man and then back out. But I was too naive. I knew so many secrets. How could she allow me to back out?” She looked at Leng Ruofeng again and said, “It’s a good thing you saved me today.”

"Forget it, let's not talk about who saved whom. We're in the same boat, and it's hard to explain why," Leng Ruofeng said.

"Every time I see you, I feel so happy, and I feel hopeful. You're the only person I can rely on." As she spoke, her slender hands grasped Leng Ruofeng's. Leng Ruofeng quickly pulled away; after all, he was used to being single and wasn't comfortable with such close contact with a girl.

“I know you’ll dislike me, but who in this world wouldn’t?” Ouyang Bingbing said, looking down.

"No, Bingbing, don't misunderstand. I, I just..." She changed her tone, adopting a more mature demeanor, and said, "I understand how you feel, I can empathize with your pain. If you trust me, I will protect you in the same way and not let you get hurt."

"Really?" Ouyang Bingbing looked at Leng Ruofeng, her eyes immediately filling with tears.

"Alright, I've been speaking from the heart. It's getting late, so get some rest. We can discuss things further each day," Leng Ruofeng said with a smile.

[6] A long-cherished trip

Luckily, they rented a two-bedroom apartment, otherwise it would have been a real hassle. But Ouyang Bingbing insisted that Leng Ruofeng stay by her side. She had already endured so many lonely, empty, and terrifying sleepless nights, and she really needed someone to rely on.

"I'm right here beside you, don't be afraid," Leng Ruofeng said softly, like a lover. Looking at the girl before him, this pitiful and forlorn girl, Leng Ruofeng couldn't help but feel tenderness. That night, Leng Ruofeng slept on the floor next to Ouyang Bingbing.

Leng Ruofeng was in a daze, unaware that he was boating on the emerald waves, bathed in the setting sun, leisurely drifting on the tranquil lake. A golden salmon leaped, startling him so much that the oar slipped from his hand and landed on his leg. He then awoke; it was all a dream. However, the oar was still there—it was Ouyang Bingbing's leg, draped diagonally from the bed, resting on Leng Ruofeng's thigh.

Looking at the clock, it was already 10:00. This sleep had been so comfortable; it had been a long time since I'd had such a dream. This was a dream Leng Ruofeng cherished dearly. Looking at Ouyang Bingbing again, she was still fast asleep. Her slightly weary face now appeared serene. No matter the time, Ouyang Bingbing always gave him the impression of being so delicate and beautiful, yet retaining a pure and innocent charm. Such a girl should be intelligent and kind-hearted; if one hadn't been through it all, one would never believe the hardships she had endured.

However, he's quite the lazybones, sleeping in such a carefree and unrestrained manner. Looking at him, Leng Ruofeng couldn't help but find it amusing.

Despite living alone, Leng Ruofeng's best food is still instant noodles. Of course, she sometimes cooks side dishes. Today, with a special guest, she put a lot of thought into preparing a few Northeastern stir-fries.

Everything was ready, but when I went to call Ouyang Bingbing, she was no longer in the room.

"It smells so good, it looks amazing." Just as Leng Ruofeng was wondering, he saw that Ouyang Bingbing had already dressed up and sat down at the dining table, her two medium-sized eyes staring straight at him.

Leng Ruofeng chuckled to himself, then walked to the dining table and sat down. "Looks like you rested well. Is my bed comfortable?" He immediately realized his words were inappropriate and blushed slightly. Seeing his expression, Ouyang Bingbing couldn't help but laugh, and Leng Ruofeng laughed along with her.

After finishing his meal, Leng Ruofeng felt increasingly agitated. He glanced at Ouyang Bingbing, who also seemed preoccupied. He understood that until this matter was resolved, none of them could find peace. Just then, his phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, he saw it was Liu Wen. Why was he calling at this hour? Did he know something? Leng Ruofeng answered the phone with a puzzled expression.

"Hey, Officer Liu, have you made another new discovery?"

"Hey, it's good that you found something. Lu Xiaoming just called and said he checked the QQ ad you mentioned. It was put up by a travel company for promotional purposes. Although the location and content are somewhat coincidental with the case, there's nothing wrong with it."

"Really? Are you sure?"

"There shouldn't be any problems. Lu Xiaoming also gave me detailed information about the travel company's activities. I've looked at it and there's nothing suspicious about it."

"Oh, I see. I understand."

...

After hanging up the phone, Leng Ruofeng felt that this matter shouldn't be so simple. He recalled the advertisement: "[Seeking alternative pleasures in life, experiencing the thrill of extreme terror. Join us on the day of the devil's birth—'Devil's Day Summer Camp'! We look forward to your participation and registration. All boys and girls born on June 6th, the devil's birthday, can enjoy a free three-day trip to the wilderness. This is a rare opportunity, register now!]"

(QQ: 348763685 E-MAIL: [e-mail])]

Leng Ruofeng was a movie buff. The advertisement reminded him of a film he'd seen long ago, which mentioned the devil's birthday was June 6th, specifically at 6:00 AM. He was surprised to find that it matched his own birthday perfectly; he too had been born at 6:00 AM. Despite some doubts, he trusted Lu Xiaoming's skills. After all, his talisman had saved him and Ouyang Bingbing.

Back in the bedroom, Ouyang Bingbing was watching TV. Although the programs on TV were very interesting, Ouyang Bingbing didn't seem to be paying attention at all. He knew she was just trying to find a way to relax, but it wasn't easy.

"Have you ever been to Guilin?" Ouyang Bingbing suddenly asked.

Leng Ruofeng turned to look at Ouyang Bingbing, who met his gaze with a captivating, innocent look. "Nothing, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing. Seeing the images on TV just brought back some memories," Ouyang Bingbing replied gently.

"Have you been there? Was it fun? Everyone says Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven!"

"No, I've never been there either. I only saw Guilin in my textbook when I was in elementary school, and I've always wanted to go. My parents promised to take me there someday. Many years have passed in the blink of an eye, and this wish has never come true. The other day, I often thought that if I were to die, my biggest regret in life would be not having seen the beautiful mountains and rivers of Guilin with my own eyes, and not having personally experienced the natural beauty of Guilin. Perhaps everyone will always have regrets." As she spoke, she appeared very sad and sorrowful.

Gazing at the pleasant images on the television, Leng Ruofeng was surprised. What beautiful scenery! But why did such a scene appear in his dream this morning? Ever since he met Ouyang Bingbing, there have been so many coincidences.

"Why not?" Leng Ruofeng suddenly said.

Ouyang Bingbing stared at him with confused eyes, "What are you talking about? Why are you acting so strangely?"

“I mean, why don’t we go to Guilin?” Leng Ruofeng replied.

"Alright, I'm not in the mood for jokes."

"Bingbing, I know you're not in the mood, that's why you're going to Guilin!"

Ouyang Bingbing looked at the serious-looking Leng Ruofeng, "You..."

“Lately, I’ve been feeling very depressed, living in an inescapable shadow every day. I’ve been thinking about how to get out of this. Your words reminded me that since we have no idea when things will end, and we can never predict what tomorrow will bring, or what awaits us tomorrow might be death, why not do as many things as we want to do while we still can?”

"you..."

“That’s right, I’ve decided to go to Guilin with you to fulfill your wish, which is also a wish of mine,” Leng Ruofeng said confidently.

"Are you sure you're not joking?" Ouyang Bingbing asked to confirm.

“Of course, we’ll set off in the next couple of days. The sooner the better for us,” Leng Ruofeng said firmly.

"Yes!" Ouyang Bingbing stared at Leng Ruofeng, perhaps happy, perhaps excited, and finally nodded vigorously.

Leng Ruofeng first informed Liu Wen, but that was all; his mind was made up, and he didn't care about Liu Wen's opinion. Of course, he wouldn't reveal who he was going with.

This was peak tourist season, and arrangements were quickly made with a travel agency. After packing his bags, withdrawing his savings from the bank, and buying some travel supplies, Leng Ruofeng was determined to enjoy a wonderful trip. Through all these experiences, Leng Ruofeng's outlook on life had changed.

Just three days after making their decision, the two boarded a plane through the morning mist, embarking on their dream journey. In the land of Guangxi Province, steeped in the vicissitudes of time, everything was so peaceful and serene. Although Dalian is also a city that embraces nature, the feeling was completely different. The atmosphere here was retro, as if you had suddenly stepped into Tao Yuanming's idyllic paradise. From Shuoyang to Xing'an, the hustle and bustle of the city had long since dissipated in these uniquely styled wooden cabins. Leng Ruofeng and Ouyang Bingbing only booked one room because their status on this trip was that of a couple, although they maintained a certain distance throughout. This was mostly Ouyang Bingbing's idea, not for any other reason than to relive a long-lost feeling and a sense of being moved.

The next day, following the tour group's itinerary, they traveled from Xing'an to Guilin. Only upon setting foot on Guilin's soil did Leng Ruofeng truly understand the meaning of "Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven." No matter how many angles of introduction and lavish praise were shown on television and in magazines, it couldn't compare to seeing it for the first time. All his worries vanished instantly. No wonder Ouyang Bingbing so longed to come to Guilin; she had already sensed its breathtaking beauty from her textbooks—no small feat. Ouyang Bingbing instinctively hugged Leng Ruofeng, jumping with excitement. Yesterday's weariness and melancholy had completely disappeared; her joy, a joy from the bottom of her heart, was evident in her expression. In this peak tourist season, throngs of tourists thronged the streets. Leng Ruofeng and Ouyang Bingbing were like two lone sails in a vast sea of people, still drifting aimlessly. Where they would end up was unknown. But at this moment, the world was beautiful, time was beautiful, everything was beautiful.

Diecai Mountain, Reed Flute Cave, Fairy Cave, Seven Star Crags... Each place is a masterpiece of nature, needing no embellishment. Any embellishment would only ruin its beauty; everything is simply "perfect." Leng Ruofeng prefers tranquility, and Ouyang Bingbing dislikes crowds. As night falls, the two arrive at Yangshuo's secluded paradise. The night cannot conceal its beauty, and the evening breeze cannot dispel its fragrance. Colorful lanterns reflect on the rippling river. Only at this moment is darkness free from fear, for even fear and evil themselves bow to the beauty of this place.

Leng Ruofeng, recalling his dream, wanted to row a boat, and Ouyang Bingbing readily agreed. Thus, on the rippling river, a small boat appeared, along with two beautiful figures. To outsiders, they were a sweet couple, but who knew the twists and turns, the dangers, and the unknown tomorrows they faced? Ouyang Bingbing nestled quietly in Leng Ruofeng's arms, basking in this unexpected blessing and happiness. Leng Ruofeng simply rowed, silently enjoying the beauty of nature, savoring the moment of stillness, and basking in this special warmth.

A bird, seemingly out of nowhere, gracefully flew past them in the night sky, leaving behind a crisp chirp. It added a unique beauty and a delicate touch to the tranquil night. Ouyang Bingbing stood up, and on the ark, she began to slowly dance, her jade-like body swaying rhythmically in the night.

An ice-cold maiden descends to the mortal world;

The first clear skies over West Lake;

Right and wrong are hard to discern, as elusive as a shadow;

A heart full of love, a body full of hatred;

A wisp of breeze, a trace of soul;

Wandering the world with a sword in hand and wine in hand;

So many grudges and resentments are buried in dreams;

Looking back suddenly, everything is empty;

Several layers of curtains, several pine trees;

A few distant peaks, a few tolling bells...

Ouyang Bingbing's tender, melodious voice echoed through the night sky. Leng Ruofeng felt as if the two of them were wandering knights, making the world their home. Green mountains and clear waters, a beautiful woman in the distant night—what could better represent the beauty of the mortal world? "Graceful as a startled swan, lithe as a swimming dragon" was the only phrase that came to Leng Ruofeng's mind at that moment, perfectly describing Ouyang Bingbing's exquisite beauty. At this moment, Ouyang Bingbing was happy, and Leng Ruofeng was happy too. Moreover, all of this moved Leng Ruofeng deeply.

[7] Regeneration Heresy

The more beautiful the moment, the more rushed it feels. As the moon strolled freely through the night, the clock hands already pointed to 10:30.

"It's time to go back, Bingbing," Leng Ruofeng said.

"Okay." Ouyang Bingbing looked at the colorful and mottled river behind her and left reluctantly.

Back in the uniquely designed cabin, both of them were a little tired, but neither wanted to go to sleep right away. Leng Ruofeng turned on his phone and set the alarm for 8:00 a.m. the next morning. He hadn't turned on his phone since boarding the plane in Dalian; he really didn't want to be disturbed on this hopeful journey.

"The alarm's set. Get some rest early tonight, we have to go tomorrow..." The moment Leng Ruofeng turned his head, he froze. Ouyang Bingbing, dressed in pajamas, lay gracefully on the bed, her long, black hair flowing to her side. The pajamas, under the weight of her body, pressed heavily against her voluptuous figure. Women are always most beautiful at night, especially a beauty like the delicate and pitiful Ouyang Bingbing.

"What's wrong? Is something wrong with me?" Ouyang Bingbing asked softly.

"Oh, no, no, it's nothing." Leng Ruofeng blushed slightly. He knew Ouyang Bingbing's demeanor wasn't intentional; it was simply because her beauty was undeniable. At that moment, their eyes met simultaneously, and they both seemed to freeze, remaining silent and motionless for a full ten seconds. Some say that if two people of the opposite sex maintain eye contact for more than three seconds, their relationship is definitely unusual. And now, for them, both in the throes of first love, what did it mean?

"Get some rest. We have many places to go tomorrow." Leng Ruofeng finally spoke, shifting his gaze away from Ouyang Bingbing's eyes, as if it took a lot of courage to do so.

"Yes!" Ouyang Bingbing nodded lightly. She seemed to have known this would be the result, feeling somewhat sad but also quite at ease.

For some reason, the fog on the mountain was incredibly thick. He and Ouyang Bingbing had gone up the mountain first, because they were very excited. In the distance, there seemed to be a large, bustling crowd. Beside Leng Ruofeng, a half-meter-high stone tablet prominently displayed three large red characters in willow-style calligraphy: "Tongniuling." "Tongniuling?" Leng Ruofeng exclaimed. Wasn't Tongniuling in the Dalian Development Zone? How could there be a Tongniuling here? Leng Ruofeng's heart skipped a beat, then he thought, perhaps it was just a coincidence of names.

"Hey, young man, what's wrong? What 'Tongniu Ridge'? This is 'Blood Demon Ridge'." Someone appeared beside him at some point and said softly.

"What 'Blood Demon Ridge'? I mean..." Leng Ruofeng was stunned. The "Tongniu Ridge" that had been right in front of him had somehow transformed into the blood-soaked "Blood Demon Ridge." Leng Ruofeng rubbed his eyes hard. It really was "Blood Demon Ridge." What was going on? While thinking this, he turned to look at the person next to him. This person? Leng Ruofeng looked around in surprise, but there was no one there. This... Just as Leng Ruofeng was wondering, he suddenly realized that Ouyang Bingbing was also gone. Leng Ruofeng was stunned.

The fog around them grew thicker and thicker, and the people they had just vaguely seen had completely disappeared. Everything was so quiet that if there was any sound, it was the pounding of Leng Ruofeng's heart.

"Bingbing!" Leng Ruofeng's first thought was of Ouyang Bingbing. He shouted loudly, but there was no response. "Bingbing..." Leng Ruofeng ran through the fog, calling Ouyang Bingbing's name anxiously. At this moment, he was so worried about Ouyang Bingbing's condition that he was almost in tears.

"Ruofeng." A melodious voice reached Leng Ruofeng's ears.

Leng Ruofeng looked in the direction of the sound and saw Ouyang Bingbing, dressed in snow-white clothes, standing quietly seven or eight meters away from him.

"Bingbing, where did you go?" he called out as he ran towards Ouyang Bingbing. But he quickly realized that although Ouyang Bingbing stood there motionless, no matter how hard he ran, he was still so far away from her, seemingly unreachable. Just then, Ouyang Bingbing's figure grew fainter and smaller until it disappeared completely.

"Bingbing!" Leng Ruofeng shouted, but there was no sign of her anywhere. The mountain path became rugged, filled with jagged rocks and an eerie atmosphere. Leng Ruofeng looked around blankly, even wondering if he was in Guilin. He walked and walked, not knowing how long he had walked. The scenery around him was always strange, perpetually rugged, and he couldn't find a way down the mountain. At this moment, he felt fear, but even greater fear was his worry for Ouyang Bingbing. "Bingbing, where are you?" Leng Ruofeng muttered to himself. The surrounding mist showed no sign of dissipating, its color gradually darkening; it was getting dark. No matter what, he had to find Bingbing as soon as possible, Leng Ruofeng thought anxiously.

As darkness fell almost completely, with no light and no way to discern direction, worry, tension, and exhaustion overwhelmed Leng Ruofeng's already weak body. He was almost oblivious to the concept of thought, simply stumbling and thrashing forward.

A glimmer of light appeared ahead, a faint, dim yellow, and slightly shaky. Those in darkness blindly yearn for light, and following the light, Leng Ruofeng quickened his pace. Closer, he seemed to hear music, percussion, "Boom, boom, boom..." The sound was piercing in the chilly wind, or rather, it stabbed directly into Leng Ruofeng's heart. Closer still, Leng Ruofeng finally saw clearly that it resembled an altar, built on a grand scale. Two large, blazing torches stood before four massive stone pillars on the altar, and in the center was a huge round drum. A long-haired, disheveled person dressed like a wizard was wielding two drumsticks, wildly pounding the drum. Below the altar was a wide space, crowded with many people kneeling, muttering incoherently, like devout believers. At first, he thought it was a bonfire party? He hadn't expected such a scene. Closer still, Leng Ruofeng peeked cautiously from a stone platform... Ah? Leng Ruofeng was startled. The people there included men, women, and children, but they were all dressed in ancient clothing. Was this the only way the believers here were required to dress? Leng Ruofeng couldn't help but wonder. Suddenly, the drumming stopped, and the shaman-like man put down his drumsticks, picked up a broadsword, and shouted something loudly. Due to the noise, Leng Ruofeng couldn't hear a single word.

After the man's final, long shout, everyone stood up abruptly, hands clasped to their chests, heads bowed as if in silent prayer. Starting from the very edge of the crowd, one by one, they began to walk in an orderly fashion towards the altar. Leng Ruofeng was astonished and quietly circled around to observe the direction the crowd was heading. It appeared to be a cave, though the entrance had been artificially modified. There were some writings on either side of the entrance, but it was too dark to read them clearly. Suddenly, Leng Ruofeng seemed to hear ghostly wails and howls from within the cave, a shrill and vivid sound, like the desperate cries of someone on the verge of death. And the people were lining up, entering the cave one by one.

“No,” Leng Ruofeng muttered to himself. He suddenly understood the fate of these people; they would surely die if they went in. But he didn't know how all this had happened—were they there voluntarily, or had they been bewitched? He didn't know what he should do. Suddenly, a white-clad figure near the cave entrance slowly turned his head and looked at Leng Ruofeng. That was… “Bingbing!” Leng Ruofeng exclaimed. It was Ouyang Bingbing. How could she be in this group, and about to… “No!” Leng Ruofeng roared. However, Ouyang Bingbing seemed completely unresponsive, indifferently turning her head back and walking towards the cave entrance with the others.

"No!" Leng Ruofeng rushed towards Ouyang Bingbing without hesitation, but no matter how hard he tried, his legs were stiff and he couldn't move. At this moment, Leng Ruofeng felt a panting sound behind him, and he slowly turned around.

"Ah!!" Leng Ruofeng sat up abruptly.

"What's wrong, Ruofeng?" Ouyang Bingbing asked with concern.

Leng Ruofeng stared blankly at Ouyang Bingbing, then suddenly hugged her tightly. "Don't leave me, I'm so worried about you, don't leave me, don't..."

Ouyang Bingbing, nestled in his arms, looked up at Leng Ruofeng and asked softly with a happy voice, "What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare? I'm fine, I'm right here."

"I just had a terrible dream, I dreamt about you..." Leng Ruofeng looked at Ouyang Bingbing in his arms, staring straight into her clear eyes, then slowly lowered his head, his lips pressing tightly against Ouyang Bingbing's delicate cherry lips.

"Ring... Ring... Ring..." The phone rang; it was the alarm set last night. Leng Ruofeng turned off the alarm, glanced at the pink curtains bathed in the morning sunlight, and gently opened the window. The idyllic morning scene was breathtaking, with clear water and a tranquil mountain landscape. The two stood by the window, Leng Ruofeng gently placing his hand on Ouyang Bingbing's shoulder, enjoying this beautiful paradise on earth.

"I wonder how the investigation with Liu Wen is going," Leng Ruofeng sighed and said heavily.

"Didn't you say you wouldn't consider these things on this trip?" Ouyang Bingbing said sadly.

"I don't want to think about it, but I have a feeling that something is about to happen, and I feel very restless," Leng Ruofeng said. Last night's nightmare made him uneasy. Especially the last scene, in the dream, the wizard was standing behind him, but the face gave Leng Ruofeng not only fear, but also an indescribable feeling in his eyes. The feeling seemed very close, but he couldn't figure out what it was.