"Wow, what a beautiful painting! Dad, is this for me?"
Master Yi smiled as the servant behind him carried a ceramic shard nearly a meter wide. On it was a painting of a crane taking flight, surrounded by mountains and rivers, each stroke exquisitely detailed. The scene was vivid, and the mist-shrouded mountains in the distance made the painting even more enchanting. Isabelle Frost bounced happily over to the ceramic painting, studying it closely.
"Isabelle, you’re six now. Later, your mother will pick up your new clothes from the shop. Tonight, I’ll host a banquet for many guests. This painting will be displayed in the main hall for now; after the banquet, it’ll be yours. All right, Isabelle, keep practicing!"
Isabelle Frost happily sat back down in front of her zither, continuing her practice as Master Yi had taught her. Mrs. Yi’s illness had miraculously improved—even the visiting doctor called it a miracle. She looked several years younger now.
The gloom of the past few months was swept away. Isabelle played the zither with a bright smile, while Zhou Kan waited quietly nearby. He was finally at ease—Miss Frost’s condition had been worrying these past few days, and he’d been deeply concerned.
Master Yi had promised Isabelle that after the first frost, he would begin teaching her to paint. Isabelle was already excited, often imagining herself painting just like her father as she looked at her small hands.
That night, the Yi Manor was filled with the sounds of a lively banquet. Six large tables were packed with guests, all prominent families from Liao City—even the county magistrate attended. Master Yi’s ceramic paintings were displayed, drawing endless praise from the visitors.
Master Yi was overjoyed. Just days ago, Mrs. Yi had been on the brink of death, but now she had miraculously recovered. It was also his daughter’s sixth birthday—a rare occasion for a banquet at the manor. Master Yi gifted several paintings to the guests, then pointed to the largest one, explaining that it was a birthday present for his daughter.
Isabelle Frost wore a long red gown adorned with gold and silver ornaments, looking exceptionally regal. Many guests praised her beauty, and some even broached the topic of marriage with Master Yi.
"My daughter is only six years old. Such matters can wait for the future."
Master Yi politely declined many proposals, feeling quite cheerful. He immediately began painting on a new ceramic shard right there.
Late at night, after Isabelle Frost had woken from a nap and yawned, she felt full—she’d eaten many of her favorite foods today. Most importantly, Mrs. Yi’s illness had improved. To ensure a full recovery, Mrs. Yi still couldn’t sleep beside Isabelle tonight.
By moonlight, Isabelle got up and ran to the cabinet, gazing at the ceramic paintings displayed on top.
"Hmm, not bad. Really not bad."
At some point, the Ghost Painting Book Immortal was already standing behind Isabelle Frost.
"Uncle Book Immortal, you’re not allowed to take this painting. It’s my birthday present from Dad."
Ghost Painting Book Immortal looked surprised, his expression turning a bit forlorn. Isabelle grabbed his hand.
"If you’ll take me out to play, I’ll let you borrow the painting to admire—but you have to bring it back to me by morning."
Ghost Painting Book Immortal blinked and sighed. The little girl had already forgotten everything about her trip to the underworld and saving her mother.
"Yvette, you look so happy. Did something good happen?"
"Uncle Book Immortal, starting tomorrow, Dad will teach me how to paint."
Ghost Painting Book Immortal’s eyes widened in astonishment.
"Yvette, how about this: whatever you learn from your dad each day, you teach me too? I’ll take you to fun places to play."
Isabelle Frost held out her little finger for a pinky swear with Ghost Painting Book Immortal. Then, with a wave of his hand, he produced a bamboo scroll. When he unfurled it, Isabelle stared in amazement.
"Sit here, Yvette. Don’t be afraid, I’ll take you out for a ride."
After Isabelle climbed on, Ghost Painting Book Immortal sat in front. Isabelle clung to his robe, and with a whoosh, the bamboo scroll whisked them out of Yi Manor in an instant.
The air on this blood-red night was bitterly cold, but Isabelle felt not a trace of wind. Beneath the tranquil night sky, the city lay in total darkness, save for a few scattered sparks. The moonlight made the snow gleam even whiter, and stars twinkled overhead. Isabelle was utterly captivated by the beauty—she had never seen such a scene before.
"Wow, Uncle Book Immortal, I never imagined the night could be so beautiful."
Ghost Painting Book Immortal smiled.
"Of course. Once you learn to paint, you should capture this scene in your artwork."
For several nights after that, Isabelle Frost would go out for a stroll with Ghost Painting Book Immortal before returning home. She would recount what Master Yi had taught her that day, and Ghost Painting Book Immortal would carefully record it.
Sometimes, Ghost Painting Book Immortal would tell Isabelle stories.
But such beautiful days did not continue as always.
One day, a stranger arrived at Yi Manor—he didn’t look local, and Isabelle had never seen him before. His clothing was different from the locals, and no one knew where he was from.
After the man spoke with her father all afternoon, Master Yi’s expression grew grim. No one knew what had happened, and Mrs. Yi’s face was troubled as well.
Days passed. At mealtimes, both her father and mother were silent. Isabelle didn’t ask, but her smile had faded.
On the fifth day, Isabelle couldn’t hold back any longer and finally asked.
"Dad, Mom, what’s been going on with you these past few days?"
Isabelle had planned to learn painting, but for several days her father had been busy in the study, with no time to teach her.
"It’s nothing, just business. Isabelle, finish your meal and get some sleep early."
That night, Isabelle Frost sat gloomily on the edge of her bed, waiting for Ghost Painting Book Immortal to appear.
"What’s wrong, Yvette?"
"I don’t know what’s wrong with Dad and Mom lately. Ever since a stranger came, they’ve been secretive and troubled. I can tell they’re sad, even though they don’t say it."
Ghost Painting Book Immortal nodded and said,
"It’s true—something bad may happen soon. I’ve sensed a gathering of misfortune in Yi Manor. Within a few days, something major could occur. Yvette, maybe you should persuade your parents to leave, escape tonight."
Isabelle looked at Ghost Painting Book Immortal in confusion, blinking as if she didn’t quite understand.
"There are natural disasters and man-made calamities. Natural disasters are unpredictable, but man-made ones have signs. Tonight, I saw your parents’ foreheads clouded with darkness—misfortune has already gathered above them."
"What should we do?"
"That’s why, Yvette, if it can be avoided, the best thing now is to leave this place. Once you’re far away, you might escape disaster."
Early the next morning, Isabelle Frost snuck over to Master Yi’s study, peeking inside. Master Yi was resting his chin on one hand, his cheeks flushed—he’d been drinking and looked quite unwell.
Isabelle watched for a while before finally steeling herself and walking in. Her father could be strict, and Isabelle felt a bit afraid.
"Dad... Dad..."
After calling softly a few times, Isabelle walked over slowly. Master Yi had already fallen asleep. Isabelle approached the desk, eyes wide as she stared at the words written on the bamboo scroll—she recognized them: "life" and "death," written alternately, as if in deep hesitation.
After a while, Master Yi woke up and saw Isabelle staring. He suddenly roared in anger, startling Isabelle into retreating three steps, her eyes wide with fear.
"Isabelle, why did you come in here?"
After a moment’s hesitation, Isabelle closed her eyes and took several deep breaths.
"Dad, let’s leave here. An old uncle I know said leaving could help us avoid disaster."
Master Yi’s eyes widened, then he gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
"Matters of great duty cannot be avoided. Someday, Isabelle, you’ll understand."
Master Yi stood up and affectionately stroked Isabelle’s forehead.
That day, Master Yi began teaching Isabelle to paint again. That night, when Ghost Painting Book Immortal arrived, Isabelle asked him a question.
"Uncle Book Immortal, what does ‘great duty’ mean?"
For a moment, Ghost Painting Book Immortal seemed to sense something. He chuckled and shook his head.
"To give up the self for the greater good—such stubborn, ignorant thinking. I’ve witnessed countless people sacrifice themselves for so-called duty, all deceived by those in power waving the banner of righteousness. For the world, for the people—ridiculous. It’s always for their own ambitions. Remember this, Isabelle. Try again to persuade your father tomorrow."
But Isabelle had no idea what Ghost Painting Book Immortal was talking about. She’d never heard of such things—her days were always cheerful, and matters of power or the world’s people seemed to have nothing to do with her.
The next day, as her father was teaching her to paint, Isabelle suddenly repeated what Ghost Painting Book Immortal had told her the night before.
With a soft clatter, Master Yi’s brush fell to the floor. He stared at Isabelle in shock.
"Isabelle, where did you hear those words?"
Isabelle lowered her head in silence and shook it. Master Yi didn’t press further, but spoke sternly.
"To be born human means to repay kindness a thousandfold. Isabelle, you’re still young; you don’t understand these things yet."
Isabelle cried. She didn’t know why—her heart just felt heavy, and her mood was bad all day.
Yet as the days went by, Isabelle’s life gradually returned to its former happiness. Her parents showed no unusual behavior, except Master Yi would sometimes leave for ten days or half a month, returning in seemingly good spirits.
One evening at dusk, Ghost Painting Book Immortal stood quietly by the courtyard wall, watching the black aura rising from Yi Manor, and sighed.
"Is their fate already sealed?"