Chapter 8: The Mystery of the West Courtyard—Part 3

Yan Qige approached and stopped in front of Magistrate Wang, his gaze indifferent as he examined the man lying on the ground.

He reached out and tapped twice on Magistrate Wang’s body to release the acupoint block and said, “If you wish to see her, follow me.”

Without waiting for a response, Yan Qige turned and walked away, holding his lantern.

Magistrate Wang immediately stood up and followed him without hesitation, with Yusang quickly trailing behind.

They exited the West Courtyard and headed straight into the purple bamboo forest on the estate.

The sunlight was filtered by the bamboo leaves, and the intense heat from the fire and the scorching sun quickly dissipated, replaced by a sudden chill that seemed to permeate the air.

Yan Qige walked directly to the center of the bamboo forest, glanced around, and lightly touched one of the purple bamboo stalks.

“Magistrate Wang, you should thank the bamboo demons here. If not for them, everyone in your household would have perished in the flames today.”

A figure emerged from one of the bamboo stalks, revealing Huayi, who smiled warmly.

“You’re too kind, young master.”

“The matter has been dealt with as you instructed. It’s here,” Huayi pointed to a patch of empty ground in front of Yan Qige.

Without saying another word, Yan Qige lifted the lantern to the empty spot and cast a spell, suspending it in mid-air.

He then whispered an incantation while drawing two circles on the lantern with his slender finger.

Red smoke began to rise from the lantern.

Soon, the light inside the lantern dimmed, but the red smoke gathered on the ground and formed the shape of a person—a woman, draped in red silk, with a beautiful face.

When Magistrate Wang saw the woman, he rushed forward to support her, only to be stopped by Yan Qige.

“Your body carries too much Yang energy. If you touch her, she will vanish into thin air.”

Magistrate Wang, alarmed by the warning, hesitated and then slowly withdrew his hand, retreating a few steps with his head bowed.

Yan Qige glanced at the smoldering West courtyard, where faint cries could be heard.

He turned to Huayi, standing nearby, and said, “Go to the West courtyard and cast a barrier to contain the fire. Make sure it doesn’t harm any innocent people.”

Huayi chuckled, her posture playful as she teased, “And what do I get in return? You know we demons are quite practical.”

Yan Qige stepped closer to her, locking eyes with her.

Huayi didn’t flinch, instead raising her face to meet his gaze with a stubborn grin.

Smiling, Yan Qige curved his lips slightly and raised an eyebrow, offering Huayi a faint smile.

“Fine, for that handsome face of yours, I’ll do a good deed this time,” Huayi laughed, then waved her sleeve toward the bamboo forest.

The bamboo rustled as a dozen women, each dressed in colorful attire, emerged from the bamboo branches.

They nodded and smiled at Huayi before casting gentle smiles at Yan Qige.

Huayi led the group of bamboo demons away, and the forest immediately fell silent again.

Yusang, observing the woman in red, crossed her arms and took a few steps before asking Magistrate Wang, “You knew there was a demon living in your household, yet you allowed her to stay. You’ve got some nerves. Is she really your wife, Madam Lu? Did you know you married a demon?”

Magistrate Wang had been gazing at the woman with deep affection since her appearance, his eyes filled with love and sorrow.

Although he didn’t speak, his expression alone revealed how important this woman was to him.

Hearing Yusang’s question, he sighed deeply and replied, “Yes, she is indeed my wife, Madam Lu. Years ago, I got lost in the mountains on my way to the capital for the imperial exams. She saved my life and guided me to the capital. At that time, I swore that if I succeeded in the exams, I would marry her. After I passed the exams, I discovered she was a demon.”

“You knew she was a demon, yet you married her anyway,” Yusang said, surprised, her tone tinged with empathy.

She was about to speak further when Yan Qige shot her a subtle glance, silencing her.

“It doesn’t matter now. You were able to subdue me, so I won’t argue. I admit that I’m responsible for the murders in the city. You can take me in,” the woman in red finally said, looking at Yan Qige.

Yan Qige looked at her coldly without responding.

The woman then turned to Magistrate Wang, who, with a pained expression, said, “Ten years have passed in a flash. I once stood among the blooming flowers of the capital, climbed the ranks, received the emperor’s edict, and also fell to the lowest depths. Now, looking back, it all feels like a dream. I only regret that I failed you. Had I known it would come to this, I would have forsaken the exams and never dragged you into this. I owe you.”

“My lord, please take care of yourself and the madam from now on,” Madam Lu said, tears streaming down her face.

She reached out to hold Magistrate Wang’s hand, but as soon as she touched it, her hand dissipated into smoke, and her form began to disintegrate under the lantern’s light.

As Madam Lu’s figure dispersed, Yan Qige lowered his eyes and recited an incantation.

In no time, Madam Lu’s soul was drawn into the lantern.

Watching this scene, Yusang felt a wave of sorrow for them, but Yan Qige remained indifferent, his expression unchanged.

After sealing Madam Lu’s soul in the lantern, he said to Magistrate Wang, “The demon is now gone. I’ll take my leave.”

Magistrate Wang, barely holding back his grief, bowed to Yan Qige and said, “Thank you, young master, for saving the people of this region.”

Yan Qige waved dismissively and walked away as if he felt no guilt for causing such heartbreak.

“Yan Qige, Yan Qige, stop right there!”

Yusang, frustrated, chased after Yan Qige, catching up to him in the corridor and blocking his path.

Yan Qige stopped and turned to look at Yusang, waiting for her to speak. Yusang, annoyed, huffed and said, “I always knew you were sharp-tongued, but I didn’t realize you were so cold and heartless. From the look of you, I bet this isn’t the first time you’ve ruining friendship and breaking Mandarin ducks.”

(T/N: breaking couple)

Yan Qige listened to her indignant outburst, waiting until she was done before replying calmly, “Are you finished? If so, step aside. I have important matters to attend to.”

“Important matters? Your important matters involve breaking up couples, I suppose.”

“I find it strange. Magistrate Wang didn’t blame me at all, yet here you are, so angry on his behalf,” Yan Qige couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You can still laugh! You heartless man, don’t ever say you know me in the future,” Yusang snapped, turning on her heel to head for the gate.

Yan Qige shook his head slightly, thinking she was an odd demon—so soft-hearted, even more so than a human.

Seeing that she was truly upset, he sighed and walked a few steps closer, gently tapping her shoulder.

“Come with me, and you’ll see I’m actually helping them.”

“Who wants to go with you?” Yusang brushed off Yan Qige’s arm without turning around.

“You said it yourself, so don’t follow me anymore.”

With that, Yan Qige walked past Yusang, heading down the corridor toward the gate.

When he was about to leave the magistrate’s office, Yusang panicked and hurried after him, saying, “You told me not to follow you, but now I want to.”

“Fine, but if you do, keep quiet. Your constant questions are giving me a headache.”