Capture the Jade (Attacking the Jade) - Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi distributed a round of Qingxin Pills and instructed Chang Rong to have the kitchen prepare a large amount of talisman soup.
Once most of the people in the room had regained their senses, they hurried over to Teng Yuyi and asked, “Miss Teng, are you alright?”
Du Tinglan quickly interjected, “My sister can’t speak right now.”
Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi were taken aback.
“Why can’t she speak?”
Teng Yuyi used the hilt of her sword to write a few words in Du Tinglan’s palm.
Du Tinglan whispered, “The young master has poisoned my sister with a mute toxin. Do you two little Taoist masters have an antidote?”
Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi were shocked.
How could their senior brother have poisoned Miss Teng?
But then again, ever since they met, their senior brother and Miss Teng had been at odds.
Either their senior brother was casting spells on Miss Teng’s magic tools, or Miss Teng’s hidden weapons were injuring their senior brother.
Either Miss Teng was silencing their senior brother, or their senior brother was silencing Miss Teng.
“We don’t have an antidote,” Qi Zhi said, pacing anxiously.
“Senior brother is busy dealing with the corpse demon right now and probably doesn’t have time to attend to other matters. Let me ask him and try to get the antidote.”
Teng Yuyi nodded gratefully.
She didn’t hold much hope for getting the antidote, but it was worth a try.
She then had Du Tinglan ask them, “Where did you two little Taoist masters go tonight?”
“Don’t mention it,” Jue Sheng said with frustration.
“We fell for the Golden Robe Gentleman’s diversion tactic. Senior brother had arranged for many monks and Taoists to patrol inside and outside Chang’an City recently. This afternoon, several seniors from the outskirts suddenly came into the city seeking help. They said they found a dozen dried-up corpses in a manor outside the city, all of whom were local residents, their necks bitten and blood drained. They also mentioned that two young ladies had just been kidnapped, suspected to be the work of the corpse demon and the Golden Robe Gentleman.
“Senior brother, in order to save them, immediately took five Taoists from Dongming Temple to the outskirts. After much effort, they managed to track down the fleeing corpses and rescue the people, sealing the evil corpses in time. However, they discovered that these were just ordinary corpse fiends, not the corpse demon. Realizing something was wrong, he rushed back from the southern part of the city, but with half the city between them, he almost didn’t make it back in time. Ah, this is the first time senior brother has been tricked by a demon. He must be fuming right now.”
Qi Zhi added, “That’s not all. Miss Teng, Miss Du, you might not know this, but before senior brother left, he specifically set up the Nine Heavens Demon-Subduing Formation inside and outside the Prince’s residence. This is the first divine formation of Taoism, capable of repelling any evil spirit. Senior brother had been setting it up for the past two days, putting in a lot of effort. He thought you would be absolutely safe in the residence, but who knew the corpse demon would still break in.”
Teng Yuyi and Du Tinglan exchanged glances.
No wonder Lin Chengyou looked so grim.
“Fortunately, with the formation in place, the corpse demon couldn’t summon any other helpers. Otherwise, if it had called the Golden Robe Gentleman or lower-level corpse fiends, the residence would have been in chaos by now.”
At this moment, Commander Chang returned after arranging some matters and said, “No wonder the corpse demon was alone all night. Even if it wanted to find helpers, it could only use the method of turning people into puppets. The daughters of Minister Meng and Li Bique are missing, and Young Master Gu Xian, Liu Mao, and Liu Quan were all bewitched. Oh, and Young Master Lu Zhao’an as well. I don’t know if the shizi has found them yet. I’ll leave this place to you two little Taoist masters. I need to go and mobilize more people to help.”
Qi Zhi and Jue Sheng quickly took out some talismans from their robes and said, “Commander Chang, be careful. These talismans were drawn by our master before he went on his travels. They are much stronger than the ones we draw. Keep them with you to ward off evil.”
Commander Chang tucked the talismans into his robe and went to find Lin Chengyou.
Jue Sheng, while checking on everyone’s recovery, said to Teng Yuyi, “Senior brother said that it was the founder of Dongming Temple who suppressed the two demons back then. To capture the corpse demon, we will need the help of Dongming Temple. That’s why senior brother brought the Five Beauties Immortal Masters with him earlier. I’m afraid that with the chaos just now, the corpse demon might have escaped.”
Jue Sheng was right.
In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Commander Chang returned, saying that the corpse demon had fled as soon as the young master returned to the residence.
Shizi had chased it for a while but found no trace.
Fortunately, all the missing people had been found.
Miss Meng and Miss Li were thrown into the camellia bushes in the garden, while Gu Xian and the others were thrown into the lake.
Luckily, Gu Xian had regained some consciousness when he was hit by the talisman paper ball.
The cold water further woke him up, and he managed to swim back to shore.
Just as the Taoists from Qingyun Temple were searching for people, Gu Xian guided them to fish out Lu Zhao’an and the others.
After some rescue efforts, they all survived, though they were not fully awake yet.
Lu Zhao’an was the most severely injured, having both his arms dislocated.
Lin Chengyou, besides detoxifying them, also called in physicians to examine them.
The injured were now settled in the side rooms, waiting for the Taoists to feed them talisman soup.
As they spoke, servants brought in the Soul-Calming Soup.
Encouraged by Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi, everyone cautiously left the side room.
They saw that the flower hall was in complete disarray, as if a storm had swept through.
The door was broken, the back window was half-collapsed, and the low couch, tables, and rope beds were smashed to pieces.
Qi Zhi explained that when the corpse demon controlled puppets, it could make even a weak person incredibly strong.
Moreover, the ones controlled earlier were three young, strong men.
It was a miracle the entire main hall wasn’t torn down.
Just as everyone finished drinking the Soul-Calming Soup, Lin Chengyou entered, carrying Ah Zhi on his back.
Following him were several plump old Taoists: Jian Tian, Jian Xian, Jian Mei, Jian Le, and Jian Xi.
Their clothes were still intact, but their faces looked terrible.
The five Taoists walked in, complaining, “We’re exhausted. I don’t know how our founder managed to capture it back then. This thing is really hard to deal with.”
Another pouted, clearly unhappy, “I’m sweating all over. My Taoist robe is soaked. Shizi, where is the bathroom in your residence?”
Another held his stomach, “I’m starving. Does your residence have any flatbread or noodles? Just a simple bowl to fill my stomach would be fine.”
“Ah, the Shizi is always considerate of the elderly and the poor. After catching demons for half the night, surely he won’t just give us flatbread or noodles. Be patient, wait for the kitchen to prepare some vegetarian dishes.”
The five Taoists chattered away as soon as they entered, treating the Prince’s residence as if it were their own temple.
Everyone was stunned, but Teng Yuyi remained calm.
She had already experienced the “Five Beauties Immortal Masters” demeanor during her last visit to Dongming Temple to remove the Sha Ling Huan spell.
They were greedy and noisy, more like street ruffians than cultivated Taoists.
She just didn’t expect them to be so unrestrained outside as well.
“Shizi, the midnight snack doesn’t need to be too elaborate. Four dishes and two soups will suffice,” the five Taoists hummed as they walked to the head of the room and sat down cross-legged.
Lin Chengyou instructed the servants, “You heard them. The five masters are tired from catching demons and need to replenish their energy. Quickly prepare seventeen or eighteen vegetarian dishes. Don’t let the masters go hungry.”
The servants bowed and left.
Although everyone in the flower hall was still shaken, they couldn’t help but chuckle at this.
In the afternoon, during the poetry gathering at the water pavilion, there was a plaque hanging that read: “The sage eats according to his appetite, the wise are cautious of luxury and idleness.”
The calligraphy was neat and elegant, but the strokes were somewhat immature.
It was unclear whether it was written by the Shizi and the second young master when they were children or by the current Princess Ah Zhi.
Regardless, it was evident that the Prince’s residence did not advocate for extravagance in food.
Lin Chengyou ordering the kitchen to prepare so many midnight snacks for the Five Beauties Taoists was clearly a sarcastic jab at their “lack of sagehood and wisdom.”
The five Taoists didn’t catch the sarcasm and thought Lin Chengyou was honoring them.
Their faces lit up with joy.
But before they could bask in their pride for long, Lin Chengyou added, “From now on, the masters will stay in the residence. Until the corpse demon is captured, we must not neglect the masters. Go to Dongming Temple and fetch the masters’ clothes and towels.”
The Taoists’ smiles froze.
“Young master, that won’t be necessary,” they said.
Did this mean they couldn’t leave the Prince’s residence until the corpse demon was caught?
Lin Chengyou sighed, “I think it’s very necessary. You masters are elusive. Every time we needed to discuss setting up formations to catch demons in the past few days, we couldn’t find you. It’s better to gather in one place to avoid delays.”
The five were dumbfounded.
In all of Chang’an, they were most envious of Qingxuzi.
Any movement in Qingyun Temple never escaped their five pairs of sharp eyes.
As for Qingxuzi’s little disciple, they had watched him grow up.
They were well aware of his knack for causing trouble.
If they were confined to the Prince’s residence, Lin Chengyou might drag them out in the middle of the night to catch demons.
In less than half a month, their old bones would be done for.
“No need!” Master Jian Xian stood up first, smiling, “We’ve troubled you all night. Now that the matter is settled, we should take our leave. If you need to discuss catching demons tomorrow, just send a message to Dongming Temple at any time. No need to see us off, we’ll take our leave now.”
The five tried to make a quick exit, but servants immediately surrounded them, smiling, “Masters, please stay. The vegetarian dishes are already being prepared, and the bathwater is ready. Once the Shizi and the masters finish discussing the demon-catching matters, you can bathe and eat.”
Lin Chengyou watched as the five were escorted back to their seats, then turned to the old servants beside him, “There’s a pile of documents I brought from the Jucidial Court in the study. Bring them here; we need them urgently.”
The old servants hurried off to arrange things.
Lin Chengyou then prepared to put down Ah Zhi, who was on his back.
Ah Zhi’s face changed, “Brother, I’m scared!”
Lin Chengyou felt Ah Zhi’s forehead and checked her pulse, confirming that she was fine in every way.
He then turned to her and said, “Don’t be afraid. The demon has been driven away by your brother. The residence is safe now. You’re nine years old, not a child anymore. Come down; I have important matters to discuss.”
Ah Zhi pouted, “Then you can’t leave me.”
“I’ll be right by your side.”
Ah Zhi hesitated for a while before finally getting down, but she still held Lin Chengyou’s hand tightly, refusing to let go.
Lin Chengyou had no choice but to hold his sister’s hand and apologize to everyone in the room, “Today, everyone was invited to the poetry gathering, but such an incident occurred, causing you all distress. I feel deeply ashamed. I’ve already given you the talisman soup. If you still feel unwell, I’ll ask Imperial Physician Yu to check your pulses.”
Everyone had already heard the explanation from Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi.
The Prince’s residence had a powerful formation, making it the safest place in the city.
No one could have anticipated such an event.
Thinking that even Princess Jingde was terrified tonight, Lin Chengyou’s mood couldn’t be any better than theirs.
Even those with ulterior motives quickly dismissed them and hurriedly returned the courtesy, “The evil spirit came without warning, and the Prince’s residence suffered the most. Shizi, there’s no need to feel ashamed. It was just an unfortunate event.”
At this moment, the old servants returned with several trays.
As soon as they entered, they said to Lin Chengyou, “Shizi, we’ve brought them.”
Teng Yuyi put down her soup bowl and looked up to see several bamboo scrolls piled on the trays, looking quite old.
Lin Chengyou had the old servants put down the trays and said to everyone, “The corpse demon broke into the Prince’s residence, but its target wasn’t you. Later, I’ll have the Taoists from Dongming Temple and Qingyun Temple escort you home to ensure your safety. If you still feel afraid, you can stay in the Prince’s residence for the night and return home at dawn.”
Most of the attendees at today’s poetry gathering were young men and women, the oldest being seventeen or eighteen, and the youngest, like Ah Zhi and Wang Shiyi’s daughter, not even ten years old. They had initially wanted to leave after drinking the Soul-Calming Soup but were too afraid of the corpse demon to move. Hearing that Lin Chengyou had made such thorough arrangements, they immediately stood up. Except for a few young ladies from civil official families who planned to leave at dawn, the rest followed the Taoists out of the residence.
Ah Zhi had the maids lead the few young ladies to the guest rooms.
In the blink of an eye, only a handful of people remained in the main hall.
Lin Chengyou, seeing that most people had left, bent down to pick up a bamboo scroll and said, “The corpse demon appears to be only sixteen or seventeen years old. To deal with her, we first need to understand who she was in her past life—”
Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi exchanged glances and suddenly said, “Princess mentioned earlier that when the demon arrived tonight, it was Miss Teng’s magic tool that held it off for a while. Senior brother, why not let Miss Teng describe what the corpse demon was like?”
The Taoists from Dongming Temple had long been coveting Teng Yuyi’s emerald sword.
Hearing this, they became interested, “Oh? Just with that sword? Miss Teng, could you please describe what happened?”
Teng Yuyi pointed to her throat and sighed leisurely, indicating that she would love to speak but couldn’t.
Qi Zhi seized the opportunity, “Senior brother, catching the demon is urgent. If Miss Teng can speak, perhaps all the mysteries can be unraveled.”
“Yes, senior brother, please help Miss Teng.”
Even the five Taoists chimed in, “Shizi, if you have a way, please help Miss Teng.”
Teng Yuyi, seeing that Lin Chengyou remained silent for a long time, had already asked the maid behind her for a brush and ink.
She then wrote a line: Shizi, you should know how dangerous the side room was tonight.
Lin Chengyou stood up and walked around the table, smiling at Teng Yuyi: Are you reminding me of the situation in the side room to claim a favor?
Teng Yuyi smiled: Shizi, you overthink. But it’s a fact that you owe me a favor, after all, Ah Zhi is your own sister.
Lin Chengyou: Are you sure you want me to spell it out?
Teng Yuyi: Are you planning to renege on your debt?
The two exchanged glances, their eyes filled with hidden meanings.
The others couldn’t understand what was going on.
Qi Zhi curiously tugged at Lin Chengyou’s sleeve, “Senior brother.”
Lin Chengyou suddenly said, “Miss Teng, have you ever wondered why Ah Zhi invited you to the residence for the poetry gathering today?”
Teng Yuyi silently looked at Lin Chengyou.
He smiled, “This was my idea. These past two days, I’ve been searching everywhere for traces of the two demons. This morning, I accidentally noticed some demonic energy near your residence. I was worried that the two demons might come after you today, so I used Ah Zhi’s name to invite you to the residence. This move was both to test the demons and to protect you. I set up the Nine Heavens Demon-Subduing Formation in the residence a few days ago, which should be enough to ward off demons. Although the formation didn’t stop the corpse demon, it ultimately suppressed her power. Otherwise, why didn’t she kill anyone tonight? Your emerald sword alone couldn’t have dealt with her.”
Teng Yuyi was stunned.
She had been wondering why Ah Zhi would invite her, whom she had only met once.
It turned out to be Lin Chengyou’s idea.
“So, Miss Teng, you understand now. If Ah Zhi hadn’t invited you to the residence, and if my formation hadn’t protected you, you might have already met a tragic end tonight.”
At this point, he paused.
Teng Yuyi, have you figured it out? Do I owe you a favor, or do you owe me another one?
Unexpectedly, Teng Yuyi wrote a few lines, stood up, and bowed deeply: Shizi, I am deeply grateful for your great kindness. When I mentioned the side room earlier, it wasn’t to claim a favor. But you should know that even if the formation could suppress the corpse demon’s power, it couldn’t suppress her ability to bewitch people. She had already turned many people into puppets, and later in the side room, almost everyone lost their minds. This method is more terrifying than killing directly. If it weren’t for my magic tool holding her off, even if the people in the room weren’t injured by the puppets, they would have been scared to death. Shizi, this is something the formation couldn’t suppress, right?
Lin Chengyou took the paper from the maid and glanced at it, remaining silent.
Alright, you have a point. I owe you this favor, but one thing at a time. How to repay this favor is up to me.
Teng Yuyi: First, help me detoxify.
Lin Chengyou looked innocent and suddenly said, “I’m sorry, but I have no way to cure Miss Teng’s throat. Since Miss Teng doesn’t know any Taoist arts, whether she can speak or not doesn’t matter. But I promise, I won’t let the corpse demon harm you. If you lose a single strand of hair, I’ll compensate you with one of mine.”
Everyone was stunned.
What did that mean?
Lin Chengyou checked the water clock, “Later, I’ll escort you back. Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi will stay at your residence. For the next few days, they will protect Miss Teng at all times. I will also guard outside your residence. If anything unusual happens, I’ll be there at any time.”
Teng Yuyi was taken aback.
Lin Chengyou would rather act as her bodyguard than help her detoxify?
Du Tinglan, though also surprised, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Lin Chengyou might be arrogant, but he was known for keeping his promises.
If he had promised down to the strand of hair, Ah Yu’s situation shouldn’t be too dangerous. Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi were only nine years old.
Having them stay at the residence as honored guests for a few days was acceptable.
Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi were overjoyed. Staying at the Teng residence?
Wonderful! The last time they had those two boxes of jade dew pastries, they were delicious.
They wondered if Miss Teng would serve them vegetarian dishes every day during their stay.
Lin Chengyou added, “Miss Du, although the corpse demon is after Miss Teng, it is cunning. If you return to your residence, I’m afraid it might come after you to torment Miss Teng. It’s best if you stay at the Teng residence for the next few days and return home only after the corpse demon is subdued.”
Du Tinglan felt uneasy but, seeing Teng Yuyi’s calm expression, nodded, “Alright, I was worried about my sister anyway. Staying by her side these few days will put my mind at ease.”
Teng Yuyi thought about speaking up but suddenly felt the little sword in her sleeve heating up again.
The little sword, hidden in her sleeve, wrote a word in her palm: Soup.
She vaguely understood. This old man had previously mentioned that he needed to be regularly offered a Taixi Yuhua water, specifically the bathwater of Lin Chengyou or his two junior brothers. Now that he was acting up, was it because he heard that Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi were going to stay at the residence and was getting excited in advance?
Tsk, what was this old man thinking about all day?
