Night, a rural mountain village.
Xue Yuantong's little face was practically pressed against the window when, suddenly, a wild-haired woman lunged out of the darkness, rapidly filling her vision like a scene from a horror movie brought to life.
Xue Yuantong staggered back two steps in panic and looked to Jiang Ning for help.
Behind the window's iron bars appeared a twisted face. The woman slapped frantically at the bars, producing burst after burst of noise, filled with a desperate will to survive.
With a flick of his finger, Jiang Ning sealed off all sound from the area.
He patted Xue Yuantong's head, soothing her terror. All the while, the woman inside continued battering the window like a madwoman.
Fear, confusion, and doubt tangled together in Xue Yuantong's heart.
Only after calming down with great difficulty did she ask, "Jiang Ning, is she Madman?"
Jiang Ning's Spiritual Sense swept into the house and detected two filthy iron chains. "Yeah. She's gone mad."
His words easily passed through the window and reached the woman's ears like a thunderclap. Her pounding stopped at once.
The madwoman slowly lowered her hands, as if all strength had left her.
Xue Yuantong looked away and glanced toward the distant night sky. The mountain village was built deep in the mountains, far from the clamor of the city, isolated from the world. The scenery was beautiful, yet at that moment, it sent chills down her spine.
Several shouts came from outside the courtyard. Jiang Ning turned and left, while Xue Yuantong looked once more at the madwoman, committing her appearance to memory.
Just then, the madwoman seemed to realize something and began pounding the window again.
The shouting outside grew louder, and Xue Yuantong hurried after Jiang Ning.
Outside the courtyard, two men carrying flashlights approached.