Chapter 31-Part 3

Juesheng, somewhat embarrassed, ran to the courtyard to practice his martial arts.

Teng Yuyi sat cross-legged under the corridor’s eaves, picked up a chopstick, and wrote on a tray: Why don’t we chat for a bit? Do you think the corpse demon will come tonight?

Qizhi was about to nod but then hesitated after glancing at the sky.

“After breaking the formation, the corpse demon urgently needs to replenish its sinister energy. If it has fixed on a target, it usually strikes quickly. But its nature is unpredictable and it doesn’t follow ordinary logic. The Classic of Demons says the corpse demon is very particular before it attacks.”

Teng Yuyi wrote: Particular? Does it eat human flesh?

Qizhi lowered his voice.

“It likes to bewitch its victims before striking. Besides its inherently cruel nature, this makes it easier for it to seize their souls. Those it targets are tormented with grief before death and they either weep uncontrollably or are consumed by regret. In such a state, their souls are shattered upon death, leaving them unable to even reincarnate.”

A shiver ran down Teng Yuyi’s spine.

Du Tinglan trembled.

“No wonder it was so terrifying that night at Prince Cheng’s mansion. It was trying to break Ah Yu’s will first. What a vicious creature, not content with ruining one life, it seeks to doom its victims for eternity.”

“That’s why it’s called a corpse demon,” Qizhi sighed.

“Miss Teng, do you remember the illusions Juan Erli and Ge in saw that night? Juan Erli saw her late father’s pancake shop, while Ge Jin saw an abandoned courtyard.”

Teng Yuyi nodded.

“Those were likely the darkest, most painful memories in their hearts. The corpse demon crafted illusions from them to draw out its victims’ deepest suffering.”

At this point, Du Tinglan finally realized what had been bothering her.

“Wait…if that’s the case, then Juan Erli and Gejin from the Caifeng Tower were targeted first. Since the corpse demon hadn’t succeeded with them, why did it abandon them and come after Ah Yu instead?”

Teng Yuyi dared not let her cousin know she was living on borrowed time and stayed silent.

Qizhi said, “Juesheng and I haven’t figured that out either. It might be related to how Miss Teng wounded the Golden-Robed Young Master with her sword. Since he’s the corpse demon’s companion, it might have come for revenge.”

Juesheng rushed up the steps and added, “There’s another possibility…the corpse demon is toying with everyone. There are three targets, each in different places. Even our senior brother can’t predict whom it will strike first. Human effort has its limits and we can’t cover everything. This way, it keeps its victims in constant terror while exhausting our senior brother’s energy. I suspect the reason he hasn’t arrived yet tonight is because something happened at the Caifeng Tower.”

That made sense.

The night the corpse demon broke into Prince Cheng’s mansion, though the talismans hadn’t burned, the Xiaoya Sword had given repeated warnings.

Tonight, however, the sword had remained eerily quiet.

Qizhi performed a Taoist ritual step, trying to detect any trace of sinister energy in the wind.

“Perhaps the corpse demon really won’t come tonight. But even so, we mustn’t let our guard down.”

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the courtyard.

Already on edge, everyone immediately tensed.

Juesheng and Qizhi shouted, “What’s happening?”

A servant rushed in.

“Reporting to the two Taoist masters, the lamps in the main house suddenly went out, then relit moments later. Steward Cheng has already taken guards to investigate.”

A cold gust brushed the back of Teng Yuyi’s neck.

The main courtyard was her parents’ bedroom.

When she returned to the capital, she had brought back her mother’s belongings, aside from the keepsakes she touched daily, most were stored there.

Du Tinglan paled.

“Could it be the corpse demon? Last night at Prince Cheng’s mansion, the lamps also went out for no reason.”

Juesheng and Qizhi positioned themselves at opposite ends of the courtyard.

“Be wary of a diversion,we can’t leave this place.”

Du Tinglan ordered, “If Steward Cheng has news, report back immediately.”

The servant hurried off.

Fear hung thick in the courtyard, but soon Steward Cheng returned.

“Young Miss, there’s no need to worry. Two horn lanterns in the main house did go out, but upon inspection, it was because the oil had run dry. This evening, I ordered lamps lit in every corner of the estate, and we temporarily ran short of oil. Before we could refill them, the lamps burned out. They’ve been replenished now. His Lordship personally inspected the entire main house and there’s no sign of intruders. He also said he would guard outside the Songtao Hall tonight and not leave for a moment.”

Before long, footsteps sounded again outside the courtyard.

Teng Shao himself arrived with guards, surrounding the Songtao courtyard so tightly that not even a drop of water could pass through.

He stood outside the gate, halberd in hand, a towering and imposing figure.

At the sight of Teng Shao’s broad, steadfast back, everyone exhaled in relief.

Teng Shao was a famed general, a man who could slay thousands on the battlefield with ease.

Even in plain clothes, he exuded an aura of indomitable authority.

Yet Teng Yuyi still frowned.

Du Tinglan thought for a moment and said, “Last night at Prince Cheng’s mansion, after the lamps went out, no one could relight them. If the corpse demon had truly come, how could the lamps be relit so easily? It must have been the oil running out. Now that Uncle is here, we mustn’t panic.”

After this scare, no one felt like chatting further.

The night grew colder, and a breeze picked up.

Du Tinglan, feeling the chill first, subtly tightened her shawl.

Worried her cousin might catch cold, Teng Yuyi pulled Du Tinglan inside.

Juesheng said, “Miss Teng, Miss Du, if you’re tired, you may rest for a while. Last night, Qizhi and I only meditated on the couch and we didn’t sleep in beds.”

Du Tinglan and Teng Yuyi exchanged an amused glance.

These two little fellows are quite amusing, Du Tinglan whispered.

Aloud, she said, “Thank you for your kindness, but Ah Yu and I aren’t tired. We’ll sit for a while.”

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Qizhi’s face.

“Juesheng, Miss Teng and Miss Du aren’t like you, they can’t just doze off anywhere. With so many people around, even if they wanted to sleep, they couldn’t.”

Juesheng grumbled, “I was just being considerate. What’s it to you? You’re so nagging even worse than Master!”

“Y-you…how dare you disrespect Master!”

Teng Yuyi quite enjoyed listening to their bickering, but after a few exchanges, they fell silent.

Bored, she moved a chessboard inside and played a game with Du Tinglan.

Soon, drowsiness overtook her.

She propped her head on her hand, but her eyelids grew heavy, and her head kept drooping.

Du Tinglan said, “Tired? Why don’t you sleep for a while? I’ll stay with you.”

Teng Yuyi nodded.

Hearing no disturbance outside, she rested her head on the table and closed her eyes.

In a daze, she felt Du Tinglan drape something over her.

Warmth spread through her body, and sleep pulled her under.

She didn’t know how long she slept, but when she woke, her arms and legs were numb.

Groggily, she tried to shift positions.

As she lifted her head, she realized how eerily quiet it was.

She sat up abruptly—the room was empty.

Du Tinglan was gone.

Cold sweat prickled down Teng Yuyi’s back.

“Sister!”

Only then did she realize she could speak again.

How…how can I suddenly talk?

Her heart pounded as she rushed out of the room.

Du Tinglan wasn’t under the corridor.

In fact, not only was Du Tinglan missing—Juesheng and Qizhi had vanished too.

Teng Yuyi knew something was wrong.

Am I dreaming? She pinched her arm, it hurt sharply.

Frantic, she reached into her sleeve.

Thankfully, the Xiaoya Sword was still there.

Steadying herself, she gripped the hilt and whispered, “Xiaoya.”

Before she could finish, the sword grew warm.

Relieved, she murmured, “Come out. I need to ask you something.”

But just as quickly, the sword cooled again.

Teng Yuyi was stunned.

Realizing the situation was dire, she cautiously scanned her surroundings and descended the steps.

Steward Cheng was gone. Chunrong and Biluo were gone.

In an instant, the entire Teng estate seemed deserted and she was the only one left.

A deep dread settled in her heart.

It felt like she had returned to that horrific night in her past life.

Somewhere ahead lurked an inescapable trap.

No matter how hard she struggled, it would be futile.

That person was determined to take their lives and no matter where she fled, she couldn’t escape this calamity.