There was something strange about this phenomenon. The paper beauty's figure, outline, and clothes had all been painted with pigment. The flames seemed able to burn only the blank yellow paper around him, without harming the figure itself.
This could still be explained by special pigments protecting the painting. With the right mixture, even mortals could accomplish that. The aura emanating from the painting could also be dismissed as an illusion. They were out in the wilderness, and with the breeze blowing, the painted beauty dangling from Han Tong's hand would naturally sway.
But the next moment, the painted beauty actually spoke. "Grandmaster Han, would you please let go?"
His voice was soft and clear, like that of a living young woman.
Han Tong's expression remained calm, as though he was not surprised in the slightest. "Youxuan, you really aren't dead."
The painted beauty said, "No, I died. But now I'm alive again."
Han Tong froze briefly. At last, a trace of surprise appeared on his face, which had remained as still as an ancient well. "What happened?"
The painted beauty said, "I don't know either. I was dead before I could even react. Thanks to the Substitute Death Paper Painting you gave me, I preserved my true spirit and memories and successfully revived."
Han Tong asked, "Someone had their sights on you?"
The painted beauty's voice remained soft, but a hint of anger lurked beneath it. "I don't know!"
Han Tong fell silent.
Though the information Youxuan had revealed was sparse, it gave him much to ponder. Even a towering figure of the Puppet Dao like him did not know how to continue his questioning for the moment.
"Tell me what you do know." After a long while, that was all Han Tong could say.
The painted beauty answered