Chapter Seventy-Six: The Mysterious Hexagram

What on earth was this thing? She slowly rubbed her fingertip across the six-pointed star, confirming that it could not be erased, and the more she did so, the more her head throbbed. It was as if it had been carved into the very core of her flesh and blood—impossible to wipe away, impossible to extinguish. Eternal and immortal, ceaseless and unyielding—it was almost demonic.

The stranger something was, the more it made people think, and the more it inspired fear. The six-pointed star on her shoulder fit every standard of the uncanny.

Glancing around, Chao Xu wondered whether she could cut this thing off with a knife. And having thought it, she acted. Offering a brief apology to the soul above, she brought the blade down, slicing away the patch of flesh.

A thin piece of skin and flesh dropped to the floor, blood red and striking, beads of crimson sliding down her porcelain skin and landing on her back, making her look all the more decadent and seductive.

But then, something strange happened.

After she cut herself, the place where the flesh had been removed healed rapidly! In the blink of an eye, it returned to its original state. If not for the lingering pain, Chao Xu herself would have believed there had never been a wound.

She crouched down and picked up the piece from the floor. The skin she had sliced away bore no mark of the six-pointed star, yet the black star still stood arrogantly on her left shoulder, right atop her scapula.

Its insolent presence made Chao Xu want to hit someone.

But at this moment, she realized this thing was anything but simple.

Casually tossing the piece of flesh into the trash can, she grabbed her clothes, preparing to get dressed and head out. Before leaving, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror and paused.

Reaching out to touch her face in the mirror, Chao Xu sensed something was off, though she couldn't quite say what. Her face used to be round, as charming as a Japanese porcelain doll. Now, perhaps it was her imagination, but the curves seemed slightly sharper.

Yet it was only a slight change, so she did not dwell on it. Shaking her head to clear away the chaotic thoughts, she left the bathroom.

“Are you back?” came a familiar voice as soon as she stepped out.

Looking up, she found herself staring into a moist, azure sea. Ci Mo, whom she hadn’t seen for just half a day, was squatting at the door, gazing at her expectantly.

Perhaps because Ci Mo was the first little follower she’d taken in, seeing him made her feel inexplicably at ease.

She patted Ci Mo's head as one would pet a dog and asked casually, “Did you behave yourself at home today?”

Ci Mo squinted in comfort, little flowers of happiness seeming to bloom around him, and replied obediently, “I was good and listened, didn’t cause any trouble for anyone.”

On his face, Chao Xu saw the bold, block letters: “Praise me.”

She couldn’t help but laugh.

Suppressing her amusement, she said, “Alright, alright, you’re the best behaved.”

After she praised him, Ci Mo’s watery eyes shone even brighter. Chao Xu couldn’t help but think that if he had a tail, it would be wagging right now—perhaps spinning like a little windmill.

She smiled, her eyes curving, and asked, “Have you eaten?”

Ci Mo shook his head, “I was waiting for you.”

It was as if, without Chao Xu, he had no intention of eating at all. His dependence was strong, like a puppy newly recognizing its master.

So innocent and silly, yet so utterly endearing.

Author’s note: Actually, foxes are part of the canine family.