Lin Xiao didn't see the image and just decided to go to bed.
He was fast asleep, but once in a while, the face would flash in the moon, as if it was mocking the puny humans.
Lin Xiao woke up not feeling refreshed, mainly because he hadn't slept properly last night. Lin Xiao woke up gently, hoping not to wake his cats.
Xiao Bai was sprawled out on his back, paws twitching slightly as he dreamed, while Lil'blackie lay curled up in a tight ball, her serious expression softened in sleep. Lin Xiao couldn't help but smile at the sight of them.
He carefully slipped out of bed, trying not to make any noise, and headed to the bathroom to wash his face and get ready for school.
After a while, he came out and saw that the cats were still sleeping. Xiao Bai had rolled over, now half off the bed with one leg dangling, while Lil'blackie had stretched out but still looked dignified.
Lin Xiao quietly put food and water in their bowls and went downstairs to eat breakfast.
The aroma of freshly made congee and steamed buns greeted him as he entered the kitchen.
His mother was bustling around, preparing the meal. She looked up and smiled. "Good morning, Xiao Xiao. You look tired. Didn't sleep well?"
Lin Xiao shook his head. "No, just a lot on my mind." He sat down at the table and began to eat, trying to push the troubling thoughts of the red moon out of his head.
Lin Xiao noticed that his sister, Lin Meiying, was not downstairs yet, so he decided to leave for school without greeting her. He was running a bit late, though technically, he could just teleport there. However, he wanted to conserve his mana in case of an emergency.
Lin Xiao walked to school, observing the everyday hustle and bustle of normal people going about their lives, unaware of the near world-changing event that had occurred the previous night.
The streets were filled with the usual morning chatter, cars honking, and the smell of freshly baked bread wafting from a nearby bakery.
Soon, Lin Xiao reached the entrance of his school. The tall gates loomed before him, and the familiar building stood as a symbol of routine and normalcy.
He hesitated, his steps slowing as he looked at the school building, bathed in the morning sunlight.
The students, laughing and chatting, were oblivious to the strange events Lin Xiao had been involved in. He felt a pang of disconnection from this ordinary world.
The idea of sitting through classes, pretending everything was normal, filled him with a sense of dread. He knew he needed to be at the military base, learning more about the events of the previous night and the potential dangers that lay ahead.
The thought of gaining more information and perhaps even taking action was far more appealing than pretending to be a regular student for the day.
Finally, Lin Xiao made his decision. He turned away from the school gates and began walking towards the bus stop that would take him to the military base.
Reaching the bus stop, he saw the usual crowd waiting, but today, he felt like an outsider among them. His thoughts were still consumed with the red moon.
When the bus arrived, he boarded it, noticing some people glancing at him. He knew it was because of his increased charisma and chose to ignore it.
The ride to the military base felt longer than usual, his mind filled with questions and concerns about the red moon and the mysterious face.
Finally, he reached the military base. Unlike before, the majority of the base was deserted. Only a few soldiers were present, patrolling the area with a sense of urgency.
Lin Xiao went through the usual security procedures and made his way to Li Jing's office. He hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door.
After a second, Li Jing's voice came from inside, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Lin Xiao," he replied.
"Come in," she responded.
Lin Xiao entered the office, giving the usual greeting. Li Jing looked up from her desk, her expression serious yet relieved to see him.
"Where is everyone?" Lin Xiao asked, concern evident in his voice.
Li Jing sighed and leaned back in her chair. "After the red moon incident last night, most of our personnel were dispatched to various locations to investigate and secure potential threats. We're operating on high alert. The supernatural energy readings spiked across multiple areas, and we're trying to understand the full scope of what happened."
Lin Xiao nodded, his mind racing with the implications. "Did you find out anything new about the red moon or the noise we heard?"
Li Jing shook her head. "We're still analyzing the data. The energy readings from the moon were similar to the red crystal, but beyond that, we don't have concrete answers yet. The sudden disappearance of the red moon and the noise has left us all puzzled."
Lin Xiao took a deep breath, then asked, "Why are you still here?"
Li Jing's expression turned somber, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "It's because my family was exiled," she began, her voice quiet. "We can't leave this city."
Lin Xiao's brow furrowed in confusion. "Even if the world is ending?"
Li Jing sighed deeply, the weight of her situation clear in her demeanor. "Yes, there's a curse on me and my family. If anyone from our bloodline leaves this city, or ventures beyond a 50-kilometer radius, they'll experience unimaginable pain."
Lin Xiao was stunned. "A curse? How did this happen?"
Li Jing's eyes grew distant as she recounted the story. "Its cause of the ancestor I told you once about,"
Lin Xiao felt a mix of sympathy and frustration. "That's... that's horrible. Is there really no way to lift the curse?"
"We've consulted with countless experts and tried numerous rituals, but nothing has worked," Li Jing explained. "For now, we focus on our duty to protect this city and its people. It's all we can do."