The woman's appearance was breathtaking, as if she were a celestial being who had stepped out of a painting.
Her skin was as white as snow, smooth and delicate, almost glowing with a soft, ethereal light.
Beneath her slender, willow-shaped eyebrows were eyes as clear as autumn water, and when her gaze shifted, it seemed capable of capturing one's very soul.
Her lashes were thick and long, gently curling upwards, adding a sense of lively beauty to her already enchanting features.
Her nose was straight and delicate, and beneath it, her small, cherry-red lips were soft and tender, subtly curved into a tempting smile.
The thin black attire clung closely to her form, accentuating her flawless figure with every movement.
Jiang Li stared at her stunning face, his expression momentarily lost in a daze.
Realizing his momentary lapse, Jiang Li quickly bit the tip of his tongue to keep himself alert.
Is this some kind of charm technique?
Afraid of losing his composure again, Jiang Li quickly shifted his gaze away.
Upon noticing his reaction, the woman covered her lips with a playful smile, her voice carrying a hint of teasing."Hehe, what's wrong, little lord? Why won't you look at me? Am I not beautiful?"
Jiang Li furrowed his brow, growing more cautious in his heart.
Calmly, he replied,"Miss, you jest. Men and women should not be too familiar. I dare not overstep. It's getting late, and I must be on my way. Farewell!" With that, Jiang Li turned, intending to leave.
However, the black-clad woman suddenly extended a hand, gently placing it on his shoulder. Her fingers were as cold as jade, and the touch was both strange and unnerving.
The black-clad woman's voice was low and seductive as she spoke,"Don't be in such a hurry, young lord. In this desolate mountain, wouldn't it be just right for a man and a woman to spend some time together? Perhaps, we could talk a little. Who knows, you might even gain some unexpected insight."
Jiang Li's mind immediately went on high alert, but he didn't act hastily. Instead, he remained calm and asked,"Miss, if you have something to say, feel free to speak directly. If it is of no importance, I must respectfully decline your company."
A glimmer of appreciation flashed in the woman's eyes, and she chuckled lightly."You're quite the interesting one, young lord. Since that's the case, let me tell you a story."
Jiang Li frowned slightly but didn't interrupt her.
The woman continued, her voice becoming soft and mysterious,"Once upon a time, there was a beautiful woman. She died because of a misunderstanding. But in her heart, she always carried an unfulfilled love. So, she transformed into a ghost, wandering the world, searching for the one she was still attached to."
Jiang Li's thoughts raced, his instincts telling him this was no ordinary tale.
What does this mean? Is she human or ghost?
Jiang Li felt a slight unease in his heart as he listened to the woman's tale. Still, his curiosity got the better of him, and he asked,"Did she succeed in making him remember her?"
The black-clad woman's eyes flashed with a hint of mischief."She did, but when she found that the person no longer remembered her, she decided to make him remember her... in her own way."
Jiang Li felt a chill run down his spine."What way?" he asked, unable to shake the unsettling feeling in his chest.
The black-clad woman smiled subtly and moved closer to Jiang Li's ear, whispering softly,"She used the gentlest of methods, gently awakening his memories, piece by piece... like this..."
As she spoke, she blew a cold breath in his ear. The sensation sent a shiver down Jiang Li's spine.
Jiang Li froze, his thoughts racing. Could this person really be a ghost?
Although he had read about ghosts and spirits in books—stories about demonic creatures devouring minds and souls—he never truly expected to encounter one in person. Now, standing before this woman, his body reacted involuntarily, with goosebumps rising on his skin.
But there's no need to fear... he thought, trying to steady his nerves. If she's truly a spirit, they're usually said to be weak in daylight, especially if they are not in their natural element. I may be a little physically weak, but as a young male, I still have a certain amount of yang energy... There's no need to be scared. Just stay calm.
He took a deep breath, attempting to ground himself. No need to act rashly. If she is playing some game, I'll need to see through it.
"That's quite the story," Jiang Li said, forcing a calmness into his tone."But if this tale is truly about you, I must ask... What is it that you want from me, Miss?"
The woman smiled sweetly but there was something in her eyes—a glimmer of intent—that made him wary."What do I want?" she repeated softly, before looking him over slowly."I'm not sure... Perhaps I just want to see if you will remember me, the way I want you to."
Jiang Li's senses heightened, and he felt the weight of her gaze. He resisted the urge to glance at his surroundings, keeping his focus sharp.
"I see," he said coolly, refusing to be drawn into her mysterious game."And if I don't choose to remember you?"
The woman's lips curled into a playful smile."Then perhaps I will have to find a way to make you. You're quite intriguing, young lord. I'd like to know... just how long can you resist?"
Jiang Li stiffened at her words. There was something deeply unsettling about her demeanor—like she knew something he didn't. But he refused to show weakness. He gave a half-smile and stood taller.
"If you believe I'll be swayed so easily," he replied, his voice steady,"Then you're mistaken. I am no stranger to strange encounters."
The black-clad woman studied him for a moment, her eyes dark and mysterious. Then, she laughed softly, an almost musical sound that echoed in the wind.
"I wonder," she mused,"how long that confidence will last."
Jiang Li couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was only the beginning of something far more complex—and dangerous. Still, he maintained his composure.
"If there's nothing more, Miss, I must be on my way," he said, his tone firm.
But as he turned to leave, he heard her voice once again.
"Don't worry, young lord. I'll be waiting for you."
Jiang Li's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't turn around. Instead, he quickened his pace, feeling a strange mix of relief and trepidation.
Who is she? What does she want with me? he thought, the questions swirling in his mind.
He had a feeling that this was only the first of many strange encounters.
"Miss, what do you mean by this?" Jiang Li's voice still carried a hint of tension.
The black-clad woman took a step back, a mischievous smile on her face."Young master, there's no need to be nervous. I was just playing a little joke. However, there is indeed a special aura about you that makes me curious to know more."
What special aura? The books say that mountain ghosts like to feed on men's yang energy. Could this ghost be after that?
Jiang Li became secretly vigilant but still politely replied,"You must be mistaken, miss. I am just an ordinary scholar with no special aura. However, I have important matters to attend to and cannot stay long. Farewell."
Without waiting for her response, he turned and swiftly walked away, his only thought in mind: to distance himself from this eerie woman as quickly as possible.
Though he didn't fully believe she was a ghost, the coldness in her gaze made him certain she harbored ill intentions!
Seeing Jiang Li desperately scrambling, the black-clad woman couldn't help but giggle.
"I thought you were brave, but it seems you're just running away from me!" she whispered, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
With a light step, as if walking on air, she quickly caught up to him. She spoke softly behind him,"You can't escape, today you're mine!"
Hearing the woman's voice behind him, Jiang Li didn't dare look back. He kept his head down, running as fast as he could, with only one thought in his mind: Run, run faster!
The black-clad woman smiled slyly, her lips curling up as she continued to chase him. Occasionally, she let out a light chuckle, as though enjoying the chase like a game.
Jiang Li had no idea he was being toyed with; he was simply running for his life.
He didn't know how long he'd been running or how far he'd gone.
As he continued his desperate sprint, he picked up speed, but suddenly his foot landed on a loose stone. He lost his balance, and before he knew it, his body was tumbling down the mountain.
"Ah!" Jiang Li screamed, his body uncontrollably rolling down the slope, branches and dirt scraping against him. The pain made him nearly lose consciousness.
Finally, Jiang Li came to a stop at the foot of the mountain, his body battered and covered in dirt, panting heavily.
He looked up at the mountain but saw no sign of the woman. He let out a sigh of relief.
After catching his breath for a while, he struggled to get up, brushing off the dirt and leaves from his clothes, silently thankful that he hadn't sustained any serious injuries.
Looking around, he found himself in the middle of a dense forest. The sky had turned completely dark, and the moonlight filtered through the treetops, casting mottled shadows that gave the area a quiet, eerie atmosphere.
Jiang Li closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to calm the unease in his heart.
After a long while, he finally opened his eyes again, determined the direction, and began walking forward.
However, just after a few steps, he suddenly felt the world spin around him. His vision darkened, and before he knew it, his body collapsed to the ground.
Soon, a pair of footsteps appeared beside him.
The black-clad woman stood over the unconscious Jiang Li, muttering to herself,"I didn't expect that the son of that brilliant woman from years ago would turn out to be so useless. What a pity! Jiang Zhenting, that old man, truly isn't worth anything!"
With a light step, the woman leapt away, disappearing into the night, leaving behind only the unconscious Jiang Li.