New chapter 8

# Chapter 8 — Crimson Glimpse

# Sun City — Xu Yuan’s Courtyard

The Xu Family became unusually quiet that night.

Normally, younger disciples would still train late inside the courtyard while servants moved between buildings carrying supplies and spirit lamps.

Tonight—

most people stayed indoors.

Even conversations became quieter.

---

Xu Yuan lay lazily across a wooden chair beneath the courtyard tree while staring toward the night sky.

Unfortunately—

peaceful relaxation lasted less than three minutes.

“You saw the corpse too?”

Lin Hao sat nearby looking completely restless.

Xu Yuan sighed.

“You’ve asked that four times already.”

“Because nobody’s acting normal!”

“A dead spirit hound isn’t the end of the world.”

“It looked like dried wood!”

“That part was admittedly unpleasant.”

---

Nearby lantern light softly illuminated the courtyard while cold wind moved through the trees quietly.

Several Xu Family guards continued patrolling more frequently than usual.

Even Third Elder personally inspected the outer walls earlier.

That alone already explained enough.

---

Lin Hao lowered his voice nervously.

“My father wants me staying inside the family estate starting tomorrow.”

“That sounds reasonable.”

“You’re staying inside too, right?”

Xu Yuan thought carefully for several seconds.

“…Probably.”

“You sound unbelievably unreliable.”

“I’m emotionally reliable.”

“That means nothing.”

---

A faint laugh suddenly came from nearby.

Xia Yu slowly walked into the courtyard while carrying warm tea.

As usual—

Lin Hao immediately became noticeably more civilized.

Xu Yuan found that transformation very fake honestly.

---

“You’re still here?” Xia Yu asked calmly.

Lin Hao straightened instantly.

“We were discussing important matters.”

Xu Yuan looked toward him blankly.

“You spent ten minutes panicking.”

“That was strategic concern.”

“Same thing.”

---

Xia Yu quietly placed tea beside Xu Yuan before sitting nearby naturally.

Lin Hao stared silently for several moments before finally sighing deeply.

“You two seriously act married already.”

Xu Yuan grabbed the tea lazily.

“We’re engaged. People should be grateful we behave this respectfully.”

Lin Hao almost choked.

Xia Yu calmly ignored him completely.

---

The courtyard slowly became quiet afterward.

Distant patrol footsteps occasionally echoed beyond the walls while night insects filled the silence between conversations.

For a brief moment—

everything almost felt peaceful again.

---

Then suddenly—

Xu Yuan frowned slightly.

A strange sensation briefly passed through his chest.

Cold.

Heavy.

Gone instantly.

---

Xia Yu immediately noticed his expression.

“What happened?”

Xu Yuan slowly sat upright.

“…Nothing.”

But this time—

he wasn’t completely sure.

---

At the same moment—

far beyond Sun City—

inside the eastern forest—

dim red lights slowly illuminated between ancient trees again.

Not one.

Not two.

Hundreds.

Watching silently within the darkness.

---

Back inside Sun City—

a distant scream suddenly echoed somewhere beyond the southern streets.

Lin Hao instantly stood up.

“…Again?”

Several Xu Family guards immediately rushed toward the outer roads.

Alarm bells soon followed afterward.

DONG!

DONG!

DONG!

The peaceful atmosphere shattered instantly.

---

Xu Yuan slowly stood beneath the courtyard tree.

This time—

even he no longer looked relaxed.

“What now…” Lin Hao muttered nervously.

Before anyone could answer—

a Xu Family guard suddenly entered the courtyard breathing heavily.

“All outer disciples remain inside the estate tonight!”

His voice sounded tense.

“What happened?” Xia Yu asked calmly.

The guard swallowed once before answering.

“Another body was found.”

Silence spread briefly.

Xu Yuan frowned.

“Where?”

The guard hesitated slightly.

Then quietly answered:

“…inside the city.”