Ning Zheng checked the time and could still stroll around the night market.

Large lanterns hung on both sides of the street.

Su Yuniang was still mulling over what had just happened, finding it interesting: "Embers are naturally unable to realize they have 'died,' and when they do realize it, they awaken."

"That sounds very interesting," Ning Jiaojiao nodded, "It's a pity, it's too far from us. We are still young, death is not even on the horizon for us! How could we die?"

"Exactly."

Su Yuniang agreed, excitedly, "Even if we did die, the chances of becoming Embers are low, let alone Embers Awakening."

The two young girls were frantically ruling out the correct answer.

Nevertheless, Ning Zheng couldn't find it funny; there was an inexplicable sadness lingering in his heart.

Back at the manor.

The two little girls hurriedly ran to their room to unwrap the various trinkets and clothing they had bought today.

Ning Zheng didn't pay attention to them and went straight to his room, recalling the details of that "Red Sun Cycle Theory" book.

After all, they could play without worries.

But the entirety of Sword Casting Manor still required his protection and management, to prevent external disasters, from powerhouses eyeing it, and it falling into slavery once more.

He didn't want to go through that again.

This world is too dangerous, requiring one to tread carefully.

In the room, he lit a dim, flickering oil lamp, sat at the desk by the window, took out paper and pen, and began organizing his thoughts.

Everything was now clear, clues fully gathered.

Though the storm outside was harsh, after a round of truth-seeking, it brought him back to his initial perspective.

1. The Red Sun has nothing to do with the manor.

2. The chaos in Pingchang City does not affect him.

It seems that staying uninvolved, highlighting his luck, was his strong suit.

Even if it doesn't concern him, he still needs to proactively engage in subtler ways, taking advantage of the situation during the Red Sun to make a name for himself in Pingchang City and keep those people in check.

During this process.

He didn't seek profit or gain, only infamy.

To give the impression:

Our manor is extremely fierce!!

At the same time, this chaos is not only a matter for the top families but will also affect the lower-tier cultivators.

Because on the eve of the Great Extinguishing, even though the Embers connecting to the Earth Vein are being drawn away, the unowned Wandering Embers throughout the land will instinctively go berserk.

These Wandering Embers aren't strong,

They pose no threat to sect disciples but are disastrous to the lower-tier Loose Cultivators and the common people.

This uprising will last a month.

Strange occurrences will pop up in every street while governmental constables and hired Demon Hunters and Exterminators capture culprits everywhere.

The common folk have also dubbed this calamitous month as the [Red Moon], referring to the month preceding the [Red Sun].

Though it's a month-long disaster, it's a necessary developmental process. Without a major cleansing every 150 years, the long-term accumulation would only worsen.

Therefore.

Everyone, both high and low tiers, has something to do.

The high-tier, busy with replacing or annexing declining families to ride out the Red Sun.

The low-tier, busy resisting those wandering Embers through the Red Moon.

Everyone gets busy.

This explains why some roaming Embers mistakenly wandered into our Ghost Market.

"In a few days, the Red Moon will arrive, just in time for the fifteenth of the new year."

"Strictly speaking, our manor is also among the lower-tier cultivators, and the Low-Tier Ember Tide here could be quite lethal to the manor."

"Although danger is unlikely, it's still necessary to strengthen our defenses."

Ning Zheng thought about it, then decided not to worry about them.

No need for any protection.

The place is already remote; there shouldn't be too many, and most would wander in the villages below the manor, leading to disputes and chaos.

Just like that burly man teasing a village woman today, it's really nothing to worry about.

Even if a ghost does inadvertently come up the mountain and intrude on the manor, so what?

Firstly, the ironworkers aren't afraid of death. If they die, they die; they're not ordinary citizens afraid of ghostly matters. There's no need for fear; it's more practical to think about how to survive the winter.

Secondly, Ning Zheng believed that if ghosts entered our Sword Casting Manor, it would be like lambs entering a tiger's den—they'd end up waddling out, crying.

Ning Zheng increasingly thought of these ironworkers as a special kind of wraith in their world.

"Why worry about so much? In any case, I'm the only living person here."

Ning Zheng decided it's more important to protect himself.

Instead, facing the Ghost Tide, he'd rather prepare, secure himself, or even hide.

Where to hide, that's crucial.

Ning Zheng thought the underground dungeon near the well would be suitable. They had hidden there during the last ancestral ceremony and felt good.

"We can expand it a little for Su Yuniang."

"Additionally, if we clear out the underground River Demon, I could develop this so-called underground city as my refuge area, and transplant the Meat Field down there as well."

Being prepared is always beneficial!

No matter what happens, even if Pingchang City joins forces to attack our manor.

As long as I'm alive, hiding at some hidden point in the manor, I could revive the ironworkers.

I'm the manor's Achilles' heel.

He reorganized his thoughts multiple times, confirmed it, then lit the messy thought diagram and watched the flame consume it before heaving a sigh of relief.

He silently gazed outside at the courtyard.

Under the night sky, Ning Jiaojiao sat at the well, fishing, while Su Yuniang dangled a hook exploring the underground city.

These two were indeed diligent.

Splash!~

In no time, a River Demon was rescued ashore to spend the winter together.

"Brother, want to fish?" Su Yuniang, drenched, climbed ashore, spotting Ning Zheng observing them from the window.

Ning Zheng wasn't interested initially.

After all, fishing was too boring, he was already tired of it.

He needed to cultivate; trivial fishing couldn't make him neglect his cultivation.

But then Su Yuniang shouted, "Brother, we have a new game! Double fish hooking—both of us act as bait! Do you want to try?"

Ning Zheng was a little tempted.

Double fish hooking, something he hadn't tried might be thrilling.

Ultimately, he couldn't resist their enthusiastic invitation, since Ning Jiaojiao also expressed a desire to play in the water with Su Yuniang, exploring the River Demon's domain, and wandering through the labyrinth for treasures.

Initially, Ning Jiaojiao strongly resisted fishing.

She'd always been the one getting hooked; the process was tedious—luring River Demons in the dark waters. But with Su Yuniang around, things changed.

Having a playmate, and her natural affinity for water, made her interested in becoming the bait, persuaded by Su Yuniang to be a dungeon partner and adventure in the maze together.

Thus.

Ning Zheng discovered a new continent.

He grabbed a fishing rod, bringing up two long, thick iron chains, each with a large iron hook on which two cute little girls bit a hook.

Gurgle!~

Below the well.

Su Yuniang and Ning Jiaojiao held hands underwater.

Two mermaids constantly playing, swimming along the river.

Seeing this, one could only imagine how many young and passionate River Demon lads were entranced by their charms, lured away.

Under the watery night, Ning Zheng brewed tea aside, eating Spirit Rice Cakes while fishing at the well, finding this uniquely pleasant:

"This is life!"

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