Chapter 16

In the bamboo house of the Ning Family Village's southern school, a single oil lamp cast a dim light, illuminating two figures.

Ning Wuque looked at Ning Feng, who was rummaging through a cabinet, with confusion, not understanding why Ning Feng had suddenly called him in here.

After searching for a while, Ning Feng pulled out a dusty wooden box from the depths of the cabinet. He held it with both hands, gently blew off the dust, and wiped it clean with his sleeve, revealing intricate patterns on the box.

Ning Wuque's expression changed slightly, not because the box was made of rare thousand-year-old agarwood, but because the patterns on the box were the script of the demon race.

Sensing Ning Wuque's change in expression, Ning Feng sighed softly and handed the wooden box to Ning Wuque, a look of relief in his eyes.

"Take it. This is yours. When you were taken away by Daoist Baiyun, your mother and I discussed it. You don't belong to this world, and this wooden box is a legacy from your birth mother."

Ning Wuque's expression froze, his eyes wide as he looked at Ning Feng, stammering, "Tea... Teacher... You know my identity?"

"You were raised by me, how could I not know?" Ning Feng smiled faintly and said, "Sit down. I know you have many questions, and it's time to tell you."

Ning Wuque, disregarding etiquette, sat down on a chair, looking at Ning Feng, his mind filled with more speculations. In fact, these speculations had already appeared when Baiyun Temple confirmed he was a demon.

Ning Feng took a sip of water, moistened his throat, and began to narrate.

Sixteen years ago, the world was in turmoil, the Sui Dynasty's rule was corrupt, and demons were rampant. Ning Feng was a scholar preparing for the imperial exams. Unfortunately, at that time, corrupt officials were in power, and Ning Feng failed the exam. After countless nights of hard study, Ning Feng was extremely disappointed, filled with despair, and intended to jump into the river to commit suicide.

Unexpectedly, on the night he was about to jump, he encountered a woman being chased by demons on the road. The woman, riding a flying sword, had a newborn baby in her arms. In a moment of panic, she handed the baby to Ning Feng, explained the baby's background, and left a wooden box before leading the demons away.

Ning Feng, who had only read the classics, was greatly frightened by this incident. He returned to NIng Family Village in a daze. Coincidentally, Ning's mother was giving birth at that time, but the fetus died. Ning Feng then handed the baby to Ning's mother to raise. Sixteen years passed in the blink of an eye.

"That baby was you. Your father was a wolf demon, and your mother was a cultivator. This wooden box is a legacy from your birth mother. For so many years, I and your aunt always hoped you could live a peaceful life like a human, but unfortunately, you don't belong to the human world." Ning Feng sighed.

After hearing this, Ning Wuque's doubts were finally resolved. His parents were both humans, so how could he have the blood of a wolf demon? Clearly, there was a deeper story behind this.

It turned out that his mother and teacher had always known his true identity. Ning Wuque sighed and looked at Ning Feng, saying, "Teacher, you knew I was a demon. Weren't you afraid?"

"Afraid!" Ning Feng nodded and continued, "I was very afraid that my kindness back then might bring disaster to NIng Family Village. Demons and humans are different, but I also believe that besides your demon blood, you have half human blood. Moreover, you are my most outstanding student. Just from your calling me 'teacher' just now, I know I didn't misjudge you."

Ning Feng's honesty made Ning Wuque feel guilty. This was what it meant to have the virtue of a gentleman.

"Regardless of who you are, your mother is still your mother, your teacher is still your teacher, and NIng Family Village is still your home."

Ning Wuque stood up and bowed respectfully to Ning Feng. He knew why Ning Feng was being so honest.

As Ning Feng said, demons and humans are different. Ning Wuque staying in NIng Family Village would only bring disaster to the village. Moreover, Ning Wuque still had a great revenge to take. His birth mother died at the hands of demons, and whether it was for revenge or to avoid demons coming to find him, it would only bring unrest to NIng Family Village.

Ning Feng was not a saint. He brought Ning Wuque back, but he didn't want to bring danger to the village. When Ning Wuque was taken away by Daoist Baiyun, he was the most anxious. These few days, he couldn't sleep or eat well. He knew that no matter whether Ning Wuque would return or not, he couldn't let Ning Wuque stay in NIng Family Village anymore.

The incident on the 15th of the first month might happen again. NIng Family Village was a paradise, and it was home to hundreds of people. Ning Feng couldn't ignore the safety of the villagers just because Ning Wuque was his student.

"These past few days, I've been thinking, how much better it would be if you hadn't awakened your demon blood." Ning Feng's eyes were filled with a hint of sadness.

If Ning Wuque hadn't awakened his demon blood, there wouldn't be so many troubles. NIng Family Village would have another scholar, and one more ordinary NIng family member.

Ning Wuque smiled. This world has everything, but there are no "ifs" or "what-ifs."

"Teacher, I will take the county exam before I leave. It will be a way to give NIng Family Village a proper farewell. Just say I'm traveling for studies."

Ning Feng nodded and said, "You have truly grown up. Good, take the county exam before you leave."

"What about Mother?"

Ning Wuque sighed. He didn't know how to say it. In his previous life, he was an orphan. In this world, he had a mother, but he hadn't truly enjoyed the warmth of a family. Why must good things be so difficult? In just a few days, he had to part again.

Life is unpredictable. When you gain something, you also lose something.

Ning Wuque gained the power of a demon but had to lose the warmth of a family. If given a choice, he would rather choose the latter, but fate had already made the choice for him, already arranged his path.

Ning Wuque felt powerless. The feeling of not being in control of his destiny reappeared. It seemed as if there was a thread in the universe pulling him, making him walk a path he didn't want to walk.

"If I had supreme cultivation, if I could control the heavens and earth, would no one be able to control my destiny?"

Ning Wuque asked himself. He didn't know the answer, but he suddenly wanted to try. Why not try?

"Aunt, I will take care of her. You can rest assured."

Ning Feng felt relieved. Even if Ning Wuque was a demon, he should be a good demon. It wouldn't be in vain for him to have taught him for so many years. Isn't it also the essence of Confucianism to help others and do good?

Ning Wuque nodded silently. He knew that his mother had asked him to come to the teacher, and they had already discussed it.

Some things are inevitable. No mother would want to force her child out of the house. Ning's mother couldn't bring herself to say it, so she asked Ning Feng to do it.

Demons are demons, and humans are humans. The world has its own order. The difference between demons and humans is an eternal truth. Compared to the entire NIng Family Village, who is more important?

Leaving Ning Feng's school, Ning Wuque felt heavy-hearted. He bowed three times to the school. After sixteen years of teaching, there was no way to repay him. After today, they might never meet again. Who could predict the future?