Capture the Jade (Attacking the Jade/Inverted Fate) - Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Juesheng and Qizhi guarded the cakes tightly.
“No no no, these were specially bought for us by Senior Brother, we cannot give them to anyone else.”
“Who said they were bought for you? The elders of Dongming Temple have not yet eaten either.”
The two shook their heads like rattles.
“Two packs of cakes are not enough to share among five Taoists, and Taoists may not even like Longcong cakes.”
Teng Yuyi slowly sipped her tea, but inwardly she muttered that Lin Chengyou, who always looked down on the world with pride, actually had such a childish side.
Juesheng and Qizhi sometimes acted silly and slow-witted, but when it came to food, they were uncommonly clever.
Lin Chengyou deliberately asked, “Not giving?”
“Not giving. Other things are fine, but this is Senior Brother’s heartfelt thought.”
Qizhi wiped at his eyes.
“When the elders of Dongming Temple come later, they can eat other things.”
Lin Chengyou said, “Very well, but remember, it was you who said it. If you are not afraid of upsetting your stomachs, then you must not leave a single piece. If you dare to waste grain, your allowance for the next half year will be gone.”
Juesheng and Qizhi broke into smiles through their tears, holding the Longcong cakes like treasures.
“Lady Teng, this is delicious beyond words. Next time we will buy some to treat you, but this time it was Senior Brother who went out of his way to bring them, so we dare not share them without permission.”
Teng Yuyi stroked her beard and wrote, I will remember these words.
The two patted their chests.
“This poor Taoist will never speak falsehoods.”
Lin Chengyou thought to himself that these two brats had the same temperament as their master, unusually stingy with money.
Whenever they saved up their allowance, at most they would buy some food to show filial respect to their master and the temple’s priests.
As for actively inviting outsiders to eat, it was almost unheard of.
Yet with Teng Yuyi, they were surprisingly generous.
Just then, Jian Mei and the others arrived, followed by five or six Taoist boys.
Each boy carried a bundle in his arms, seemingly filled with bamboo slips or other such objects, which looked heavy and hard.
The five Taoists were dressed in flowing robes, their socks and shoes spotless, urging their disciples forward.
Catching sight of the beautiful performers in the hall, their souls half flew away, their eyes blinked a few times, and they absentmindedly said, “Young Lord, everything that could be found has been gathered. It is all here.”
Lin Chengyou called He Mingsheng over and pointed at the courtesans.
“Send them away. And while you are at it, prepare us a table of vegetarian dishes.”
He Mingsheng turned back and glared fiercely at the women.
The courtesans dared not make trouble and left gracefully one after another.
He Mingsheng cupped his hands with a smile.
“Last time, Shizi ordered several pots of Dragon Balm Wine. This wine is fragrant, spicy, and intensely strong. Only those who truly understand wine can appreciate its marvel. A few days ago, I obtained several more pots from the Kuche merchants. Since we are preparing a meal, shall I present them together?”
“Dragon Balm Wine?” Lin Chengyou was utterly confused.
When had he ever drunk Dragon Balm Wine at the Caifeng Tower?
Juesheng and Qizhi’s hearts trembled.
That night at the Caifeng Tower when they caught the demon, Senior Brother had the shop prepare their food.
Because Senior Brother refused to break the curse on the Jade Sword, Lady Teng, in her anger, ordered several pots of Dragon Balm Wine.
It was said that a single pot cost quite a bit of silver, and Madam E was overjoyed at the time.
Logically speaking, Caifeng Tower should have already sent the wine bill to the Prince of Cheng’s residence.
Could it be that Senior Brother still did not know?
Teng Yuyi stood up with a cheerful smile, her meaning clear.
“Shizi, esteemed Taoists, please enjoy yourselves. I shall take my leave.”
Lin Chengyou said, “Wait.”
He smiled and asked He Mingsheng, “How many pots of Dragon Balm Wine did I drink last time in total?”
He Mingsheng always carried the account book.
Smiling, he flipped to a certain page.
“This wine has endless aftertaste. A single pot can make one drunk. But Shizi has a different kind of stomach for wine and ordered three pots in one breath.”
Lin Chengyou narrowed his eyes as he studied Teng Yuyi.
Dragon Balm Wine was not often seen outside, but the palace stored quite a lot of it.
Every year he drank it, and every year he became drunk.
He remembered it to be extremely strong.
Yet last time Teng Yuyi had drunk three pots, and when she left the Caifeng Tower she had shown no sign of drunkenness at all.
Clearly, her capacity for wine was not shallow.
He smiled with hidden meaning.
“Tonight there are many drinking, so we ought to have ordered ten pots or more. But since we still have serious matters to handle, it is better to drink lightly. Let us begin with three pots. And remember to prepare another table of fine dishes. Put it all under the account of Young Master Wang.”
He Mingsheng was taken aback, looking somewhat troubled.
“This… Young Master Wang made arrangements in the afternoon. Each meal has a fixed limit. Tonight’s meal has already reached the quota, I fear we cannot add more wine and dishes.”
Teng Yuyi feigned anger.
[Nonsense. Since Shizi wishes to drink, what harm is there in breaking the rule? I have long wanted to entertain Shizi and Dongming Temple. The opportunity is rare. Quickly warm the wine and bring it up.]
She wrote a line, and each time she did, He Mingsheng bent lower and lower.
At last his face was glowing red, and rubbing his hands, he laughed.
“Shizi is open and upright, and Young Master Wang is generous and magnanimous. The two shine like pearl and jade together, and even I, He, share in the glory. Then I shall follow Young Master Wang’s command and go arrange it at once.”
Lin Chengyou laughed.
“Many thanks for Young Master Wang’s hospitality.”
Teng Yuyi pretended to be bold and cupped her hands, her expression calm as she gracefully sat down again.
Jian Mei and the others laughed.
“We have troubled Young Master Wang to spend so much. This poor Taoist has abstained for many years and should not touch meat or wine. But since such fine wine is here, I cannot help but make an exception this once.”
Juesheng and Qizhi secretly frowned.
The five Taoists not only had red noses, but their eyes were clouded as well. It seemed they had not abstained from wine and meat in the past.
How could they shamelessly claim to have fasted for years?
Before long the wine and dishes were served.
Teng Yuyi made a show of modestly refusing, but soon lifted her cup and drank.
Steward Cheng came forward to stop her, but was driven back by Teng Yuyi’s murderous glare.
Her heart was bleeding.
Three pots of Dragon Balm Wine…that amounted to more than ten thousand coins.
She had carried that pouch of seven-colored glass beads when she left during the day only for emergencies.
Who knew it would end up spent on wine? Now that the food and drink were on the table, how could she not drink heartily to justify it?
Teng Yuyi drank the three cups without changing her expression.
When she reached for the second pot, she did not expect the bottle to be empty with not a single drop left inside.
Lin Chengyou tossed a jujube into his mouth with a wicked grin.
Needless to say, he was the one who drank it.
Teng Yuyi smiled faintly and instead reached for the third pot. She had only just poured a cup when Lin Chengyou raised his hand and pressed down on the wine pot.
Lin Chengyou said with a smile, “Young Master Wang, I know a little of medicine. Let me give you a kind word of advice. You have an ailment. If you drink so heavily, you must beware of harming your throat.”
His words carried a hidden meaning.
He was clearly sounding her out. Teng Yuyi deliberately showed a startled expression, but as soon as Lin Chengyou released his hand, she immediately picked up the pot again and poured herself another cup.
Dragon Balm Wine was brewed from the scales of a spiritual beast from the western regions of Kuche.
Besides being mellow and rich, it could also dispel bruises and detoxify poison.
It was precisely because of this wondrous effect that one pot was worth five thousand.
She was not truly suffering from a chill, so she ought to drink more to dispel poison.
Lin Chengyou’s words might fool others, but they could not frighten her.
She leisurely drank several more cups.
When she tried to pour again, the pot was once more empty.
Suspicion filled her heart.
She lowered her head to search around the table.
There had clearly been more than half a pot left.
How could it have vanished into thin air? Yet when Lin Chengyou picked up the pot, wine once again poured out in a steady stream.
Teng Yuyi knew full well that he was only relying on his skill to play tricks.
By her count, she had drunk only a pot and a half. How could she be willing to stop now?
But no matter how she tried to snatch, she could never win.
The two of them contended openly and secretly, while the five Taoists were still slowly savoring their very first cup.
“Good wine. Truly good wine.”
Lin Chengyou set down the pot and pointed to the bundles.
“All the records from the temples about the Golden-Robed Gentleman are here?”
“Correct. The Golden Robe Gentleman began causing trouble two hundred years ago. There are many miscellaneous writings about him. But just now when we skimmed through them, most were about this demon’s origins and the ways it harmed people. As for its connection with the corpse demon, we have yet to find any related accounts.”
“Something must have been overlooked. The Golden Robe Gentleman would not suddenly change its nature. Search carefully through the strange records of each temple. The source may yet be found.”
“Shizi, how should we arrange things tonight? Where will Young Master Wang and the two performers stay?”
Lin Chengyou replied, “Lady Gejin and Juan Erli will share a room. Young Master Wang will stay opposite them. The three of them will live in the side chambers of the back courtyard, next to one another. In the courtyard there is a small Buddha hall not more than a hundred steps away. I have already ordered He Mingsheng to send bedding there. Tonight I must trouble the Taoists to stay in the Buddha hall.”
After finishing the meal, Lin Chengyou led people to inspect every place.
He sprinkled Seven Pursuit Powder in each corner before taking Juesheng and Qizhi to the back courtyard.
As they passed through the corridor, they suddenly saw a person standing at the turn.
Juesheng and Qizhi were stunned for a moment.
“Teng—Young Master Wang.”
Lin Chengyou looked up.
The moon tonight was bright and the stars few.
The courtyard was quiet and embroidered with splendor.
Several peony bushes leaned out before the railing.
Though their petals had not fully opened, their rich forms were half concealed.
A gentle breeze stirred, and the flower shadows trembled.
The person stood before the flowers, hands folded behind as if admiring them.
From the back it looked like Teng Yuyi, yet though she clearly heard the call, she seemed not to have noticed.
Juesheng and Qizhi wasted no time and were about to run forward.
“Young Master Wang.”
Lin Chengyou felt a chill in his heart.
He raised his arm to stop the two of them. A talisman flared at his fingertips and he was about to flick it out.
Just then Teng Yuyi turned and looked at him.
Her expression was calm and composed, without the least trace of sinister qi.
Lin Chengyou immediately extinguished the talisman and, feigning ignorance, asked, “You are not in your room. What are you doing here?”
“Yes, Young Master Wang, are not the taoists beside you?” Juesheng and Qizhi pressed around Teng Yuyi.
Teng Yuyi sized up Lin Chengyou’s expression.
She knew he had been suspicious a moment ago, which suited her perfectly.
She took out a stack of papers she had prepared in advance and looked at Juesheng and Qizhi.
[I have a few words I want to speak privately with your Senior Brother.]
Lin Chengyou crossed his arms and smiled.
“I do not think there is anything between you and me that cannot be said in public.”
Teng Yuyi drew out a second sheet.
[It concerns the corpse demon. If Shizi does not want it to escape again like last time, you had better listen patiently to what I have to say.]
Lin Chengyou stroked his chin and spoke.
“You two wait to the side for a moment.”
He then stepped closer and said, “Speak. What counsel does Young Master Wang have?”
Teng Yuyi smiled and pointed to the third sheet.
[Shizi just now mistook me for the corpse demon, did he not.]
Lin Chengyou’s smile was half a smile.
“And what of it? You stood here sneaking about. Is it not natural that I should grow suspicious?”
Teng Yuyi replied.
[But Juesheng and Qizhi did not show any suspicion. The moment they suddenly saw me, their first reaction was to ask why I was here. If I truly were a corpse demon in disguise, by the time they realized it would probably be too late.]
Lin Chengyou had already guessed she would say that, so he deliberately furrowed his brow.
“That is true enough.”
Teng Yuyi turned the next page without missing a beat.
[Have you considered that tonight Juesheng and Qizhi are the closest to me? They are cautious in every way, yet they never imagined the corpse demon would impersonate me. That demon is cunning and would long ago have learned my looks and manner. If it deceives the two little taoists, the worst is not the failure of the plan but the harm to people. Shizi, are you sure you want to take that risk?]
Lin Chengyou said, “Let me finish the next part for you. For now, the only course is to hurry and detoxify me. If I can speak and prove myself, then there will be no fear of the corpse demon impersonating me.”
Teng Yuyi smiled.
[Better safe than sorry. The corpse demon is that treacherous. If Shizi refuses to give me the antidote and then lets the corpse demon escape, would you not feel regret?]
Lin Chengyou suddenly stepped closer, lowered his head, and sniffed at Teng Yuyi’s shoulder.
Teng Yuyi was secretly startled and quickly bounced back.
[What are you trying to do?]
This line had not been written on the paper beforehand, so she could only widen her eyes and let her shock and anger show on her face.
Lin Chengyou had drunk some wine.
Though there was no drunkenness on his face, his dark eyes were like a cold spring, growing even deeper.
He lazily stepped back, “Lady Teng drank so much dragon balm wine, your whole body reeks of it. Even if the corpse demon tried to imitate you, it could not. Later I will tell Juesheng and Qizhi, if they run into Lady Teng, they only need to smell whether there is wine on her. Their noses are very keen, they will not be mistaken. The one without the wine smell must be the corpse demon.”
Teng Yuyi steadied her mind and immediately drew out the next slip.
[If it were truly that simple, why would I need to come seek Shizi? Do you know why that night I was bewitched by the corpse demon? Just resemblance in face and manner to my mother was not enough to deceive me.]
Lin Chengyou pondered.
Last night, when Teng Yuyi acted as bait, he had lain in ambush not far away.
Seeing her face covered in tears, it did not look like an act.
Clearly her mind had truly been clouded then.
Later she suddenly attacked the corpse demon, which had genuinely surprised him.
“Why did Lady Teng fall for it?”he asked with a hint of curiosity.
[ The corpse demon did not come to me directly. It first sneaked into the main room, stole my mother’s clothes, and even used the balm from my mother’s chest. Since every detail matched, I fell into the trap. Does Shizi think the corpse demon would come without preparation? There was plenty of dragon balm wine hidden in Caifeng Tower. For it to douse itself in wine scent was the easiest thing in the world. Stealing my clothes and felt hat was just as effortless. However, precisely because it did too much that night, I realized there are some things the corpse demon cannot control.]
“What can it not control?” Lin Chengyou asked deliberately.
Teng Yuyi drew out a slip of paper.
[It seems it cannot immediately discern the abnormalities of the person it bewitched. For example, my throat had been hoarse for two nights, yet last night in the illusion I could open my mouth and speak. I guess if it intends to impersonate me tonight, it will learn from its mistake and act as if I cannot speak, so as to win the trust of those in the building. If Shizi does not wish everyone to be deceived, the only way is to give me the antidote. Even if the corpse demon can adjust its breath and appearance in time, it will never realize that my throat has already recovered.]
A smile still lingered on Lin Chengyou’s face, but he did not respond.
Teng Yuyi chuckled.
[I have finished what I wanted to say. As for what to do, I leave it to Shizi to weigh for himself.]
Saying so, she lifted her chin and strolled two steps toward the stairs.
Juesheng and Qizhi glanced over,” Finished speaking?”
Teng Yuyi nodded.
Juesheng and Qizhi then came running out,”Senior brother?”
Lin Chengyou said calmly,” I am going to the small Buddha hall to look into Dongming Temple’s records of strange matters. You two escort Young Master Wang back to his room.”
Just as Teng Yuyi stepped down the stairs, Steward Cheng and Huo Qiu emerged from the shadows.
Until she returned to her room, Lin Chengyou did not follow.
Teng Yuyi had been brimming with confidence, but suddenly she felt drained of it.
She sat down and waited for a while longer, yet still there was no word from Lin Chengyou.
As she toyed with the chess pieces, she thought, could she have miscalculated? She had already spoken so much, yet he still did not intend to give her the antidote?
Juesheng and Qizhi stayed in Teng Yuyi’s room for a while, then went back to their own quarters to draw talismans.
Feeling despondent, Teng Yuyi ordered water to be prepared for washing and bathing.
Suddenly she heard Huo Qiu speaking outside,”Shizi.”
Lin Chengyou’s voice rang out,” Young Master Wang? Step out for a word.”
Teng Yuyi stepped outside and indeed saw Lin Chengyou standing at the door.
She waved to Steward Cheng and Huo Qiu, signaling them to withdraw.
Steward Cheng and Huo Qiu retreated into the room, but their ears were pricked.
“I was just on my way to Juesheng and Qizhi’s room. I heard Young Master Wang was drunk and thirsty, so I came by to bring you something to sober you up.”
Teng Yuyi’s heart gave a fierce thump.
He really had come to bring the antidote.
She lowered her head to look at his hands, only to find them completely empty.
Where is the antidote? She glared at him silently.
Lin Chengyou laughed and said,” Teng Yuyi, are you not supposed to be quite clever? Could you not try speaking yourself first?”
Teng Yuyi was startled and instinctively cleared her throat, only to realize that the strange sensation in her throat had unknowingly disappeared.
She tried uttering a few words,” Eh, when was it cured—”
After being mute for a few days, suddenly letting out words from between her lips and teeth even frightened her a little.
“This morning I already had Juesheng and Qizhi give you the antidote. You refused to speak yourself, can you blame me?” Lin Chengyou looked utterly innocent.
Teng Yuyi was dumbfounded.
So it had been that pale pink pill.
This scoundrel was truly despicable.
Giving the medicine without explaining the reason, how was she to know she could already speak?
And to think she had just prepared a long argument to persuade Lin Chengyou, while he had been listening with a straight face, probably mocking her endlessly in his heart.
She stole a glance at him.
Having finally been cured of the poison, she was too busy confirming its effects to spar with him now.
After trying it out and finding that aside from a slight roughness there was no real discomfort, she smiled sweetly,” Many thanks, Shizi.”
Her voice had not fully recovered, and her speech lacked the usual clarity and sweetness, but her eyes were bright, showing her good mood.
Lin Chengyou watched her expression and smirked mischievously,” This antidote is most averse to alcohol. If you had not drunk so much dragon balm wine, you would probably be fully recovered by now. Pity that Young Master Wang is too fond of the cup. I kindly advised you to drink less, yet I could not stop you.”
Teng Yuyi could no longer smile.
“Enough, I have delivered the sobering medicine. Young Master Wang, get some rest early.”
Lin Chengyou solemnly offered his “advice,” then turned and strode away.
As soon as he left, Steward Cheng and Huo Qiu came out from behind,” My lady, your voice—”
How did it suddenly recover?
Teng Yuyi casually made up an excuse, “This illness was caused by wind chill. It had already improved much during the day. I heard dragon balm wine has some effect in dispelling cold, and I drank quite a lot tonight, so it must have forced the chill out.”
Steward Cheng still felt full of doubts, but knowing his lady’s vengeful nature, if someone had really caused her to lose her voice, there was no reason she would cover it up.
Teng Yuyi cleared her throat again and happily said,” Uncle Cheng, quickly prepare some sobering soup for me.”
Juesheng and Qizhi were busy drawing talismans in the room, completely unaware of what was happening outside.
When they looked up and saw Lin Chengyou come in, they hurried over.
“Senior brother, Lady Teng has the Xuanyin Bell on her. Should we paste more talismans outside Lady Gejin’s and Juan Erli’s rooms?”
Lin Chengyou sat behind the desk, rolling up his sleeves to grind the ink.
“With the kind of talismans you draw, even if you paste a hundred of them, what use are they? At most they might block a few little ghosts. Against the corpse demon, they are not even enough to scratch an itch.”
He put down the ink pestle and held out his hand toward Juesheng.
“Give it here.”
Juesheng and Qizhi were stunned.
“What?”
“Your finger.”
Lin Chengyou seized Juesheng’s chubby hand.
“Will you bite it yourself or should I prick it for you?”
“I will bite it myself.”
Juesheng pulled a bitter face.
By chance he caught a glimpse of his senior brother’s fingers, already covered with many specks of scabs, no doubt from repeatedly breaking the skin to draw talismans these past few days.
He quickly bit his finger and let a few drops of blood fall into the ink, then scurried back to the desk, happily bringing out the apricot crisp cakes he had saved from earlier in the day.
“Senior brother, this was sent by Lady Teng. You have not eaten or slept well these days. Now that there is a moment of peace, you should take this to nourish yourself.”
Qizhi also pulled out a packet of Jade Dew Balls from his robe and pushed it in front of Lin Chengyou.
“Senior brother, you only drank wine at night and barely ate anything. These are Jade Dew Balls. A few days ago at the Teng residence, Lady Teng had them specially made. They are delicious. You should try them.”
Lin Chengyou glanced at them.
The apricot crisp cakes Juesheng brought had already clumped together; without even tasting he knew it had gone bad.
And the Jade Dew Balls that Qizhi treated like treasure looked wrinkled and pitiful, hardly appetizing. If he ate them, he might well upset his stomach.
For Juesheng and Qizhi, these foods were not common, so no wonder they had cherished them like treasures and now offered them to him in the same way.
At this point, he finally understood how Teng Yuyi managed to coax people.
He was not actually hungry, and besides, these were sent by Teng Yuyi.
But he could not bear to dampen Juesheng and Qizhi’s enthusiasm.
After discreetly checking and finding no strange odor, he judged that Teng Yuyi had not specifically poisoned them.
Though unwilling, he still ate everything.
Afterward he thought to himself, the Teng residence’s cook had pretty good skills, not inferior to the cooks at his own house.
“All right, I have finished eating. Time to work.”
He washed his hands and face, tossing the comb and cloth aside.
“Was it tasty?”
Juesheng and Qizhi asked with shining eyes.
Lin Chengyou had meant to say “so-so,” but what came out was “not bad.”
At the end, he raised his hand and patted the round heads of his junior brothers.
“Now get to proper work. Tear down those sorry-looking talismans of yours and paste this one instead. This talisman can burn through the corpse demon’s flesh. If it dares to break in, it will make noise. Since you two live the closest, be alert tonight.”
Juesheng and Qizhi happily agreed.
Lin Chengyou then spread out the strange records on the desk and skimmed through them line by line, looking for clues.
He went through several scrolls in a row, all of which only described where the Golden Robe Gentleman had appeared in certain years and months, how many women he had harmed, how monks and Taoists had pursued him, and how he managed to escape each time.
This demon delighted in harvesting yin energy for cultivation.
Any woman enchanted by him would have her yin essence drained to death.
Even if a monk or Taoist managed to save her, she would wither into an old crone overnight.
In just one year of the previous dynasty, during Maode Year, the Golden Robe Gentleman had harmed more than twenty people, his power growing greatly as a result, and from then on no one had ever been able to subdue him.
In almost every Taoist temple in Chang’an that had stood for over a hundred years, there were records of the Golden Robe Gentleman.
Lin Chengyou searched through them but still found no connection between the Golden Robe Gentleman and the corpse demon.
Just then Juesheng and Qizhi returned after pasting the talismans.
Lin Chengyou said, “You two search through this pile. I will go look over there.”
Scrolls were spread everywhere, and Juesheng and Qizhi quickly came to help.
Qizhi held a bundle of scrolls in his arms, but one slipped and fell.
He bent down to pick it up and carefully searched through it, finding nothing.
He opened a second scroll, his eyes roaming over the lines.
He did not find the name of the Golden Robe Gentleman, but instead stumbled upon something else.
“Huh, this actually has our master’s Taoist title on it.”
Juesheng was flipping through scrolls under the lamp and said helplessly, “Don’t be silly. These are records from over a hundred years ago. Most of the Taoists mentioned inside already passed away long ago. Our master cannot possibly be that old.”
Qizhi insisted.
“But it clearly says here ‘Qingxuzi.’ Juesheng, see for yourself.”
“That is not strange. It must just be the same Taoist title.”
Juesheng rubbed his eyes and read aloud word by word.
“‘Taoist Qingxuzi’s Taoist arts were profound. Skilled in talisman writing and illusions, he often fasted and refined his qi in pursuit of the true Dao. In the eleventh year of Maode, he died capturing a Yan Yao and was honored as—’”
Lin Chengyou had not thought much of it, but suddenly his eyes lit up.
“‘Yan Yao.’ ‘The eleventh year of Maode.’”
He stepped closer and glanced over it. In just a few short lines, the life of that Taoist from the previous dynasty was summed up.
It was written in the corner of the scroll, completely inconspicuous.
“To be able to kill a Taoist described as having ‘profound Taoist arts,’ it could not have been an ordinary monster. Why is this ‘Yan Yao’ not recorded anywhere else?”
“That’s right. Whenever a great demon appeared in the world, Taoist temples would always give detailed records. Since this was during the Maode years, could the so-called demon have been the corpse demon?”
Lin Chengyou said, “Impossible. The corpse demon’s name was Feng Abao. She died in the fourteenth year of Maode and only became a corpse demon ten years later. First of all, the years do not match. Second, the corpse demon is neither a demon nor a devil. Since this is an official Taoist record, how could it falsely call a corpse demon a ‘demon’? Therefore, this Yan Yao must have been another kind of demon.”
“Yan Yao, Yan Yao,” Qizhi pondered.
“It must have been the name of a female demon.”
“I do not think so. Anyone who uses their appearance to beguile others can be called a Yan Yao.”
(T/N: can be translate as beautiful demon)
Lin Chengyou paced back and forth.
“In the Maode years, was there not a Yan Yao who came forth to wreak havoc among people? One was just mentioned earlier.”
“The Golden Robe Gentleman?”
“The Taoist from the previous dynasty was skilled in talisman writing and illusions. He would not have sat still waiting to die. If the ‘Yan Yao’ here really was the Golden Robe Gentleman, then when it killed the Taoist it must have been injured itself. That would explain why after the eleventh year of Maode, there are so few records of it.”
Tracing the line of writing upward, Lin Chengyou saw that it was from a Taoist temple called Xuanyang Temple.
That Taoist “Qingxuzi” of the previous dynasty had been the temple’s sixth abbot.
“Perhaps this is the key.”
A faint smile appeared in his eyes.
“Search carefully. Maybe through this we can sort out the true relationship between the Golden Robe Gentleman and the corpse demon. I will go to the small Buddha hall to look for the record of strange happenings from Xuanyang Temple. You two stay in the room, and remember what I just said. Do not make any mistakes.”
“Do not worry, Senior Brother.”
Teng Yuyi drank a bowl of sobering soup, feeling that her throat had improved even more compared to before.
Her heart grew happier.
Just as she was about to close the door to wash up, she heard Huo Qiu shout outside, “Who is it?”
Teng Yuyi pricked up her ears.
“What is it?”
“Nothing. A maid came over to deliver soup. I asked her a few questions.”
“What kind of maid?”
“She claimed to be here to bring combs and hairpins to Lady Gejin. Dark-skinned, rather rough hands and feet. Lady Gejin seemed to have scolded this maid before. I remember her name was Qingzhi.”
Teng Yuyi recalled Qingzhi’s disdainful expression when she curled her lip at Lady Gejin’s door, and her heart stirred.
“What did she just say?”
“She seemed startled by me, but her manner was calm. She spoke slowly and steadily, handed over the things, and left.”
From the description, she did not seem frightened.
Teng Yuyi was about to ask further when the Xiaoya sword hidden in her sleeve suddenly turned scorching hot.
Alarm bells rang in her mind, but then she remembered that Lin Chengyou and the others had not yet left.
If it was the work of demons or monsters, they could not possibly miss it.
It seemed that Xiao Ya had been pent up for too long and wanted to come out.
So she said to Huo Qiu, “For now there is nothing wrong. Why not return to your room first. If Qingzhi appears again in the corridor, you and Uncle Cheng must immediately inform the young Taoist in the neighboring room.”
“Yes.”
Teng Yuyi walked gracefully back to her bed.
“Come out now.”
The sword’s body shimmered with flowing light, and the little old man happily popped out.
“I am nearly dying of craving, Lady Teng. You drank so much fine wine. How could you not leave me a single drop?”
Teng Yuyi said, “I should be asking you that. Usually when I drink a little wine you make a fuss, but tonight in the front building why were you so obedient?”
“Because Lin Chengyou was there of course.”
“Oh? So you are afraid of him?”
“This is not called fear.”
Xiaoya jumped onto the huanghuali table by the window and stretched lazily.
“This is called avoidance. He is a little demon star, born fated with calamity, hated by gods and ghosts alike. Why should I provoke him for no reason?”
Fated with calamity? Lin Chengyou also had calamities? How come she had not seen him suffer misfortune?
Ah, when his turn for misfortune came, that would be satisfying indeed.
She poured a bit of her own wine into a glass cup.
“You dare not provoke him, so you come bully me instead. Do I look like someone easy to bully?”
“Not easy to bully. But no matter how difficult, you are still this old man’s little master.”
Xiaoya gulped down a large mouthful from the cup.
“Lady Teng, I came out not only to beg for wine but also for serious business. Did you find out the truth about the matter of borrowing life?”
Teng Yuyi was startled.
“I did ask, but unfortunately these past few days I have been busy avoiding trouble and did not manage to find out anything.”
Xiaoya leaned against the glass cup and sat down.
“I already expected this, Lady Teng. Right now there is a great chance to dissolve the calamity.”
Teng Yuyi deliberately asked, “You want me to personally kill the Golden Robe Gentleman or the corpse demon?”
“Or kill both monsters together. Remember, it must be a fatal strike. Only then will the merit of slaying demons and exorcising evil be recorded under your name.”
“What is considered a fatal strike?”
Xiao Ya narrowed his eyes.
“Every demon and monster has a vital spot. It could be the eyes, or the navel. You only need to figure out the weak points of the Golden Robe Gentleman and the corpse demon. Once Lin Chengyou and the others have subdued the two monsters, it will not be hard for you to seize the chance to strike.”
Teng Yuyi nodded.
“I understand. You want me to wait until Lin Chengyou has worn them down and then deliver the final blow? Even if he gave me the chance, even if he tied up the corpse demon and sent it before me, with the ferocity of that creature, the moment it is my turn to act I might still run into danger.”
Xiao Ya’s temper was like blasting charcoal and he grew angry at once.
“I have said all I needed to say. If you are afraid of danger, then do not even think about offsetting the calamity brought by borrowing life. It was hard enough to live again. Surely you do not wish to suffer misfortune every single day.”
Fuming, he gulped down more wine, then leapt onto the Xiao Ya sword and drilled inside.
“That is all. I am leaving.”
Teng Yuyi tapped the sword hilt, but Xiao Ya made no sound.
She drank a cup of wine gloomily.
It seemed that merely plotting was not enough.
She also had to personally slay demons and exorcise monsters.
In the past she would have thought it utterly ridiculous.
But ever since she woke up, many things could no longer be explained with common sense.
She often suspected this was a dream.
Each morning when she rose and combed her hair by the window, she could not help but stretch her hand out to the window frame and examine it.
Her hand in the spring light was fair, warm, and soft.
It felt cold and hot, could bend and stretch.
She looked at it again and again, touched it again and again, until she was certain she was a person of flesh and blood.
Only then did the frantic beating in her chest slowly calm.
She was no longer a wisp of a wandering soul.
She could freely touch every inch of spring sunshine.
She had many plans in her heart.
She wanted to drink every fine wine under heaven.
She could not bear to part with the smiles of her cousin and her aunt.
She was eager to uncover the truth of that year.
Even when facing her father, her state of mind had already changed.
She did not know who helped her borrow a life, but since she had lived again, how could she be content to spend every day in fear.
Weak points? Fatal strike? While pondering, she slowly rotated the Xiao Ya sword in her hand.
Before she knew it, she realized she was earnestly planning.
She gave a small laugh.
Xiao Ya had not recognized her as master for long, yet he understood her temperament very well.
Even though she had not figured out the weak points of the corpse demon or the Golden Robe Gentleman, she was already savoring the process of planning it out.
But these past few days she had also been tired.
Since the corpse demon had not appeared, she might as well take a good rest.
After washing, she lay down on the bed and soon fell asleep.
In a half-dreaming, half-waking state, she heard a burst of chaotic footsteps.
Teng Yuyi’s heart trembled and she instinctively reached for the Xiao Ya sword, only to hear Steward Cheng’s deep voice outside.
“Two Taoist masters, what has happened?”
Juesheng’s voice was anxious.
“Someone has died in the garden.”
Steward Cheng was stunned.
“The corpse demon has come?”
“No, the one who died was a maid. It is unclear whether she killed herself or was murdered. I heard she was Lady Gejin’s personal maid, named Qingzhi.”
Before going to sleep Teng Yuyi had not dared remove her clothes.
She hurriedly lifted the quilt and got off the bed when she heard Steward Cheng outside saying, “Young Master, are you awake?”
Teng Yuyi was about to open the door but suddenly grew suspicious.
The corpse demon’s tricks were endless.
What if this was a ruse set by the corpse demon? If she opened the door would she not be walking right into the trap? She recalled what Lin Chengyou had said and stopped, shaking the string of bells on her wrist.
The bells were silent, showing that there was no ominous aura nearby.
Teng Yuyi felt relieved and opened the door, seeing Juesheng and the others outside.
Morning light was faint, and the corridor was bustling with voices.
Those living in Yicui Pavilion were all famous courtesans of Caifeng Tower.
Hearing something had happened, they all opened their doors to peer outside.
Since they had no time to dress up, their hair was disheveled and hairpins hung askew.
After confirming that Teng Yuyi was safe, Juesheng said, “Young Master Wang, something happened in the garden. We must go help our senior brother.”
Teng Yuyi straightened the hat on her head.
“Let’s go. I want to take a look as well.”
Steward Cheng quickly said, “A life has just been lost. The garden will surely be crowded and chaotic. If Young Master wishes to know anything, just order this old servant to inquire.”
Qizhi nodded.
“Yes yes yes. Though it is already dawn, the cause of Qingzhi’s death is still unclear. If we rush there carelessly we might provoke something. Juesheng, you go. I will stay here and watch over Young Master Wang.”
“Alright.”
Juesheng turned and ran.
Teng Yuyi hesitated slightly.
The matter was too strange.
Steward Cheng was sharp and clear minded.
Entrusting him to make inquiries might not be a bad idea.
She returned to her room and quickly washed up.
After waiting a while without seeing Steward Cheng return she asked, “Huo Qiu, have you told Taoist Qizhi what happened last night?”
Huo Qiu said, “I have. I was just about to ask for Young Master’s instructions. Should we report this to the officials from the Court of Judicial Review?”
“The officials from the Court of Judicial Review are here?”
Qizhi stood on tiptoe to look into the garden.
“The legal officer from Wannian County and the officials from the Court of Judicial Review are here. I guess senior brother sent someone to fetch them.”
So fast? Teng Yuyi walked outside.
Passing a room at the east end, she remembered it was Lady Gejin’s quarters.
She stopped to look inside.
It was said that Juan Erli had shared the room with Gejin last night, so they must have heard the news as well.
Yet the door was open and the room was empty.
The well was not far, just behind a cluster of peonies in the garden.
Along the path more and more people, having heard the news, rushed over.
Their footsteps were hurried and disordered, clearly frightened.
Teng Yuyi walked into the garden and from a distance already saw He Mingsheng rubbing his hands and stomping his feet.
“What bad luck have I run into, to keep coming across such misfortunes. I usually treat them well with good food and drink, even when they make mistakes I cannot bear to beat or scold them. If this lowly maid had even a trace of conscience, even if she wanted to die, she should have chosen somewhere else to do it.”
A middle-aged clerk shouted, “He Mingsheng, is this the place for you to make a scene? Both the Supervising Judge and the Adjudicator are here, they need quiet to investigate. Hurry and drive your people aside. If you continue to shout and stir up trouble, beware of being punished yourself.”
He Mingsheng sheepishly wiped his sweat and turned to drive the crowd away.
The people pushed and shoved each other, retreating several steps back.
Teng Yuyi sized up the clerk.
He wore a blue robe, his rank not high.
Since he had been summoned to investigate, he was likely a judicial officer of Wannian County.
As she drew closer, she saw someone lying in front of the well.
No, not someone, a corpse.
The body’s clothes were soaked through, beneath it a large patch of water had spread.
The hair was scattered and disheveled, spread around the head.
The hands lay at the sides, the fingernails a pale whitish purple, with some filth caught under the nail crevices.
A gust of wind blew past, carrying with it a faint fishy smell of water.
Teng Yuyi’s chest churned with slight nausea.
Before she had a chance to see Qingzhi’s face clearly, Steward Cheng happened to come over and Teng Yuyi paused where she was.
Lifting her head, she noticed a few people standing behind He Mingsheng.
E Ji clutched her chest saying again and again how frightening it was.
Juan Erli and Baozhu huddled together in terror.
There was also a woman in a vermilion and green pleated skirt.
From the side her face looked exceptionally beautiful.
She stood alone in the corner, with an air of being apart from the world.
Teng Yuyi was stunned.
Gejin?
Gejin gazed at the corpse by the well, her eyes full of sorrow.
Then she turned her head with dim desolation, revealing the scarred and crimson other half of her face.
She seemed unaware of Teng Yuyi’s gaze, walking back in a daze.
After only two steps, an official stepped forward to stop her.
“No one may return indoors. The Supervising Judge and Adjudicator have questions to ask.”
Qizhi ran forward.
“Senior brother.”
Only then did Teng Yuyi notice Lin Chengyou standing at the well.
She had almost forgotten that this man was also an Adjudicator of the Court of Judicial Review.
Cases that could not be judged at Wannian County would be reported upward step by step.
Since Lin Chengyou was an Adjudicator, he naturally had the right to intervene.
Beside him stood a green-robed official in his twenties or thirties, most likely the Supervising Judge of the Court.
The two spoke a few words, then Lin Chengyou waved at He Mingsheng.
“Bring everyone out. Wait in the garden for questioning. No need to clear another room, use the small Buddha hall.”
How would He Mingsheng dare refuse?
He repeatedly agreed.
“Yes.”
The official looked around and declared, “While we conduct questioning, no one inside the building may converse privately, nor leave without permission. Any violation will be treated as causing disturbance out of fear of guilt.”
Juesheng and Qizhi, for once, did not cling to Lin Chengyou but stood far off to the other side.
The five Taoists of Dongming Temple were also there, pulling at Juesheng and Qizhi to ask questions.
Once these words were spoken, the Taoists too fell silent.
Teng Yuyi glanced at Steward Cheng, who gave her a discreet nod.
There were already quite a number of courtesans in Caifeng Tower, and together with the temple guests and kitchen staff, there were around one or two hundred people.
Lin Chengyou and the Supervising Judge of the Court of Judicial Review each took charge of half.
Even moving quickly, the questioning would last until midday.
Fortunately, the Court soon dispatched more clerks to help.
Even so, by the time Teng Yuyi was invited into the small Buddha hall for questioning, more than an hour had already passed.
The door of the small Buddha hall was open.
Approaching it made one shiver.
Teng Yuyi lifted her chin and looked around.
The place was still so cold and gloomy.
She had heard that last night Lin Chengyou and the five Taoists slept there.
Strangely, they had passed the night without falling ill from the cold.
She was just about to enter when someone came out from inside.
Startled, the person lifted her head in a panic, and her gaze clashed with Teng Yuyi’s.
Teng Yuyi froze.
Gejin.
Gejin’s fragrant cheeks were streaked with tears, and as she walked she wiped at them with a handkerchief.
Teng Yuyi secretly studied her.
No wonder the five Taoists had said this woman bore some resemblance to her.
In other respects they were not alike at all, but the eyes were similar, with long lashes and almond-shaped pupils like ink.
If tears shimmered within, they carried a delicate charm that could move hearts.
Teng Yuyi smiled and cupped her hands.
“Lady Gejin?”
Gejin had never seen this young bearded Hu man before.
She bent her body slightly in a casual salute.
“Young master.”
After speaking she hurried away.
Only then did Teng Yuyi step inside.
On the altar table offerings of banners and an incense burner were set, but the statue of the boy attendant behind it was missing.
At this moment, standing before the table was the official from the Court, with a register spread open before him and a brush in hand.
Lin Chengyou sat lazily to the side, arms folded.
Teng Yuyi respectfully bowed.
“I have seen His Lordship Shizi and the Supervising Judge.”
The judge sized up this odd Hu person, then glanced at Lin Chengyou.
Strangely, he did not inquire into Teng Yuyi’s identity or background, but went straight to asking about last night.
“Young Master Wang remained in the room the whole night?”
“I did not dare wander about.”
“Did you hear anything?”
“No.”
“It is said your father sent two guards to accompany you. After you slept, they surely would not have dared to sleep too deeply. Did they tell you anything?”
“Huo Qiu ran into Qingzhi in the corridor last night. He found her behavior suspicious and questioned her a few times on the spot.”
Lin Chengyou’s gaze flickered.
“At what time did this happen? What exactly did Qingzhi say?”
Teng Yuyi carefully recounted the events of the night.
Lin Chengyou exchanged a glance with his colleague.
“Young Master Wang may leave. Call in Huo Qiu for questioning.”
Teng Yuyi bade farewell and left.
By midday, Qingzhi’s body had been carried away.
The order confining everyone was lifted, and they were told they could move about the building freely.
While Huo Qiu had not yet returned, Teng Yuyi asked Steward Cheng, “What did you find out this morning?”
Steward Cheng said, “The well is used by the tower to wash clothes. This morning when a rough servant woman came to draw water, she found the bucket set at the edge of the well. Looking inside she discovered Qingzhi within. The maid was so frightened she became disoriented. Her cries brought Shizi and the others. When Shizi examined the corpse, he seemed to notice something amiss, so he stayed by the well to guard it and sent someone to the Court to summon officials. The rest, my lady already knows.”
Teng Yuyi nodded.
As expected of Steward Cheng, in such a short time he had already gathered so many details.
“Uncle Cheng, you have sharp eyes. Did you notice anything unusual on Qingzhi’s body?”
“The old servant found a way to get closer and saw that there were no wounds on the body, and the clothes had no damage. There was some mud under her nails, with a faint greenish tint, probably from the moss on the well wall. It should have been caused when she tried to scratch at the walls after jumping in.”
“Scratching the well walls?”
Steward Cheng said, “The old servant has seen people who drowned themselves in wells before. Qingzhi’s condition is very similar. The water in the well is deep, and she leapt in headfirst. Most likely she regretted it after jumping and tried to save herself, but it was too late. When she was found, she must not have been dead long, as her fingers had not yet developed the wrinkles from soaking. If she had been pushed in from behind, her clothes around the chest and abdomen would have been scratched during the struggle, and her body would have had wounds as well. That is why the old servant guessed Qingzhi was not murdered. But this is only speculation. As for the truth, only the examiner of the body can say.”
This was strange.
If there was nothing suspicious about Qingzhi’s death, why would Lin Chengyou go to such great lengths? What exactly had he discovered that made him interrogate everyone one by one?
Not long after, Huo Qiu returned.
“Shizi summoned this servant and asked only about the smallest details. For example, what Qingzhi’s expression was like, how it changed when I questioned her, what she was holding, whether she wore any hairpins or ornaments… This servant has a decent memory, yet could hardly withstand such questioning. Over and over he asked, and I said what I could recall bit by bit. When Shizi saw that nothing more could be drawn out, he finally let me go.”
Teng Yuyi nodded.
“We have said everything we know. What follows is not our concern. The tower is full of ears and eyes. You and Uncle Cheng need not purposely ask around. Even if you overhear something, do not respond. Wait until you are back here to tell me privately.”
With that, she went to the front hall to eat.
The five Taoists from Dongming Temple were already discussing the matter there.
“Who would have thought, last night the corpse demon did not appear, yet another incident happened instead. I heard this Qingzhi was the maid of that disfigured former stewardess. The mistress is still alive and well, yet the maid sought death.”
Jianmei lowered her voice.
“Was it confirmed? Was it truly suicide?”
“The Court officials declared it openly. Shizi was present and raised no objections. It seems there was nothing suspicious. Otherwise, why would they not have taken even one suspect away?”
The Taoists all let out a breath of relief.
“That is good. With so many people in the tower last night, if the maid had been murdered, the killer would be far too ruthless and brazen.”
While they were speaking boldly, many in the hall pricked up their ears.
Hearing that Qingzhi had thrown herself into the well, the courtesans’ expressions eased somewhat.
Jian Xian spotted Teng Yuyi and greeted her warmly.
“Young Master Wang.”
Teng Yuyi glanced around.
Strangely, she did not see He Mingsheng.
She had intended to ask him to arrange the food and drink, but could only let it go for now.
“Greetings to all the Daozhangs.”
“Eh, Young Master Wang, your voice is healed?”
“I caught a chill a few days ago, but I had already recovered. After drinking last night, I woke this morning able to speak again.”
Jian Tian smiled and said, “Last night we troubled Young Master Wang to spend so much. Only today did I learn from Madam E that a pot of Dragon Balm Wine is worth five thousand. We had planned to treat you another time, but alas, if the corpse demon and the Golden Robe Gentleman are subdued within three days, there may be no chance to invite you out again.”
Within three days? Teng Yuyi sat down slowly.
“Have you found a way to deal with the corpse demon and the Golden Robe Gentleman?”
Jian Le glanced around the hall and, seeing the courtesans sensibly rising from their seats, lowered his voice.
“Last night Shizi returned to the small Buddha hall and had us search through the strange records of Xuanyang Temple from a hundred years ago. By chance, Young Master Wang guessed we had found something.”
Before Teng Yuyi could ask, he grinned and said, “A Taoist called Qingxuzi lived a hundred years ago. He once fought a Yan Yao during the Maode years and was tragically killed by that enchantress. Strange thing is, the Yan Yao vanished from records after that. The Young Lord suspects that Yan Yao was the Golden Robe Gentleman. In the small Buddha hall we searched half the night and indeed found a note saying this demon was a creature transformed from an exotic bird. Moreover, from the year that Yan Yao appeared, records of the Golden Robe Gentleman become scarce. It only reappeared several years later.”
Jian Xian narrowed his eyes.
“I think Young Master Wang has his suspicions. The Taoist and the Golden Robe Gentleman of the previous dynasty fought to mutual harm. One died at once, the other disappeared for years. The Golden Robe Gentleman went off to heal his wounds, so he had no chance to cause trouble. Another odd detail is that according to Xuanyang Temple’s record, Qingxuzi’s last battle with the Golden Robe Gentleman took place near Fanchuan, and the Taoist’s corpse was also found in Fanchuan.”
“Fanchuan? Wasn’t the palace where the corpse demon was once imprisoned located in Fanchuan?”
Jian Mei slapped his thigh.
“We never managed to clearly link the Golden Robe Gentleman and the corpse demon. Now the threads appear, tenuous as they are. If we had not stumbled on the Yan Yao note by chance, we might never have traced the origin of these two monsters.”
“Does the record say which year this was?”
“Eleventh year of Maode.”
Teng Yuyi exclaimed, “At that time the corpse demon was still a princess kept in the palace, named Feng Abao, only thirteen years old. From the single fact that the Golden Robe Gentleman was wounded near the palace, it seems insufficient to establish how those two became connected.”
“But aside from that, there is no other link between the two. Three years later Feng Abao died, and ten years after that she rose as the corpse demon. The Golden Robe Gentleman caused mischief with it and was later subjugated by the patriarch of Dongming Temple.”
“Even if true, how does this relate to subduing the monsters within three days?”
Jian Xian lowered her voice.
“Before this we only had conjecture without evidence. After last night’s events, it’s basically confirmed these two have known each other for a long time. There are not many arts that both a corpse demon and a demon could train together. If we can find the related records within three days and then crack the key to their technique, would that not allow us to capture them both at once?”
So it is still speculative.
Teng Yuyi asked with curiosity, “That Golden Robe Gentleman last time seemed badly wounded. Might his vital point have been struck?”
“A vital point?”
Jian Mei waved her hand.
“Where would such a vital point be?”
Teng Yuyi felt a chill.
If the Golden Robe Gentleman had no vital point, how could she deliver that fatal strike she had been planning?
“This monster has been able to cause havoc for a hundred years not only because of its ever-changing abilities, but also because of the wings on its back. If it really wanted to escape, it would only need to flap once, and in the blink of an eye it would vanish without a trace. For Shizi to have hit it with a few arrows last time was already no easy feat. Most likely it was related to the demon-subduing array set outside the manor. Because it forced its way through and was wounded, its movements slowed. This time its vitality must have been greatly damaged. Within the next few years it will not be able to cause trouble again, but to injure its vital spot is incomparably difficult.”
So it still had one.
Teng Yuyi sipped her tea.
“No matter how powerful this Golden Robe Gentleman is, at the end of the day he is just a bird demon. Since he is made of flesh and blood, how could he not have a critical weakness?”
Jian Le raised two fingers and made a motion as if poking his own face.
Teng Yuyi’s eyes lit up.
“The eyes?”
Jian Le withdrew his hand.
“Not only bird demons. In fact, most monsters that wreak havoc in the human world cannot separate themselves from their eyes. But according to the Classic of Monsters, the Golden Robe Gentleman differs from other demons. The ability of his eyes to confuse and bewitch people is no less than that of the corpse demon. As long as he looks at you, never mind striking his eyes, if you are not eaten on the spot you should already consider yourself lucky. So even knowing where his weakness lies, one is still helpless.”
Teng Yuyi felt her scalp tighten.
This rotten old fellow Xiao Ya only ever came up with bad ideas.
She had thought that the Golden-Robe Gentleman’s abilities were beneath those of the corpse demon and that it would therefore be somewhat easier to strike, but she never expected it to be this perilous.
She recalled the order in which Lin Chengyou had shot his arrows that night.
A thought stirred in her heart.
Stroking the rim of her cup, she asked, “And the corpse demon? Last time Shizi shot it with five arrows. Was there some special significance?”
“The corpse demon was born of the foul qi of heaven and earth. So long as its bones are not crushed and its ashes scattered, no matter how severe the wound it can slowly regenerate.”
Teng Yuyi felt her heart grow cold.
No wonder it was called the king among demons.
This thing was truly troublesome.
Perhaps she should give up this time and wait for a weaker demon next time?
“But,” Jian Mei continued, “the corpse demon does have a vital weakness. Young Master Wang, can you guess where it is?”
Teng Yuyi’s spirits lifted.
She remembered how this monster had chosen her and Juanerli and the others.
From what she could see, apart from their eyes, the three of them had no other similarities.
So she boldly guessed, “The eyes?”
All five shook their heads in unison.
“No.”
Teng Yuyi then recalled the appearance of the corpse demon’s hands when it attacked.
Those sharp, mandala-like red nails were enough to make one’s heart quail.
“The nails?”
“Also not right.”
Teng Yuyi had wanted to guess the heart, but she knew the corpse demon had no heart.
Besides, Lin Chengyou had fired five arrows yet deliberately spared its chest.
The more she guessed wrong, the more animated the five grew.
“This poor Taoist knew Young Master Wang would not be able to guess it.”
“How about this. You guess three more times. If you still cannot guess it, Young Master Wang will have to treat us to another round of drinks.”
Teng Yuyi sneered inwardly.
These old men had come up with a fine idea.
They saw that she was interested in this matter and were circling around and around, trying to trick her out of her wine money.
She pondered for a moment, then said with a smile, “What if I guess correctly? Can the daozhangs agree to grant me one request?”
The Taoists whispered among themselves and then clapped their hands.
“As you say. But if Young Master Wang loses, we will not accept ordinary food and wine. It must be last night’s Dragon Balm Wine.”
Teng Yuyi laughed.
“What difficulty is that? Who has paper and brush? Let us write it down as proof.”
The temple guests in the hall brought over a set of brush and ink.
Teng Yuyi wrote down the terms and handed them to the Taoists to read over one by one.
Then she had them press their handprints and signed and sealed it herself before continuing to guess.
“The throat?”
“No, no.”
“The stomach?”
Jian Mei’s beard quivered with excitement, as if that black-as-lacquer Dragon Balm Wine was already sitting before him.
“Young Master Wang, do not blame this poor Taoist for not reminding you, but you only have one chance left.”
Teng Yuyi furrowed her brows and sighed.
“It seems I am bound to lose this round.”
At that moment, footsteps came from the courtyard.
The newcomer was Lin Chengyou, with Juesheng and Qizhi following behind.
Lin Chengyou raised his brows.
“What is all this noise about?”
The five Taoists were in high spirits and quickly recounted the whole matter.
“Please, heir, sit down. If by luck we win this wine, this poor Taoist will offer it to you as if presenting flowers to the Buddha, shamelessly treating you to a round.”
Jian Mei feigned seriousness.
“Just now everyone urged Young Master Wang to be cautious, but who knew he could not be stopped.”
Teng Yuyi spread her hands helplessly.
“Indeed, I could not be stopped.”
Lin Chengyou seemed to be waiting for someone.
He looked rather nonchalant, accepting the tea set from the attendants.
While brewing tea, he watched them play.
The Taoists, seeing Teng Yuyi hesitate without speaking, urged her on.
“Young Master Wang, hurry and guess.”
“A wager must be honored. Do not deny it afterward.”
Teng Yuyi slowly put down her cup and suddenly smiled.
“I have it. The teeth?”
The smiles froze on the Taoists’ faces.
Juesheng and Qizhi were so delighted they rubbed their hands together.
“No, no, it does not count.”
Jian Xian was the first to stand.
“Young Master Wang clearly guessed blindly.”
“Exactly. Before the wager, you guessed three times. After the wager, you guessed three more times. There are only so many places on the corpse demon’s body. You stumbled onto it by sheer chance. It does not count.”
Teng Yuyi swept her gaze across them from left to right.
“What did you say just now? ‘A wager must be honored, no denying it.’ How I guessed it is none of your concern. Since I guessed correctly, you must admit defeat.”
Jian Xi chuckled with narrowed eyes.
“If it were truly guessed by Young Master Wang himself, this poor Taoist would have no objection. But where in the world would such a coincidence exist? Before, no matter what, you could not guess it. How is it that suddenly you could? In a wager, win or lose depends on one’s own skill. But if someone secretly lends a hand, then it cannot be considered fair.”
Lin Chengyou lifted his eyes.
Teng Yuyi asked in surprise, “Taoist Jianbxi, are you suspecting that someone secretly told me the answer?”
Jian Xi glanced at Juesheng and Qizhi with meaning in his look.
“This poor Taoist does not mean that, but if I am to concede wholeheartedly, Young Master Wang must be able to explain the reasoning.”
Juesheng and Qizhi, puffing with anger, were about to speak when Lin Chengyou stopped them.
He sneered.
“Today I have truly broadened my horizons. So the daozhangs of Dongming Temple are fond of reneging on wagers. I do not care how Young Master Wang guessed correctly, but since my two junior disciples have spoken only a single sentence since they came in, you think you can slander them as giving secret aid? Did I agree to that?”
Jian Tian blinked rapidly.
If this went on and they offended Lin Chengyou as well, it would be disastrous.
He quickly said, “Jian Xi was talking nonsense. Shizi, please do not take it to heart. Young Master Wang, we honor our wager. Please, tell us, what do you want us to do for you?”
Teng Yuyi replied coolly, “You wrongly suspected me of cheating. Simply agreeing to what is written in this contract is not enough. If I can state the reason, you must also apologize to me and to the two young Taoists.”
“Agreed. As long as Young Master Wang can explain, this poor Taoist will certainly offer a proper apology.”
“Heh, I fear Young Master Wang will not be able to say it.”
“Exactly. If you could, you would have already.”
Teng Yuyi gave a cold laugh.
“That night, in order to unsettle the corpse demon, you Taoist masters repeatedly provoked it with words. Yet until Shizi mentioned that its name was Feng Abao, it seemed not to truly show anger. When he went on to say that it would never in its life recognize its parents, this creature not only flew into a frenzy, but two sharp, snow-white fangs sprouted from its mouth. If I remember correctly, even though Shizi shot it with golden arrows before, it felt nothing. Only when its fangs appeared did the flesh on its body begin to fester and stink. Therefore, I guessed that its weakness lies in those fangs. Unless its mind is disturbed, it will never reveal them. Once it bares them, that is the moment when its power is at its weakest.”
Jian Xi froze for a moment, then rose and bowed deeply.
“This poor Taoist spoke recklessly and nearly slandered Young Master Wang and the two Taoists, staining your integrity. I was truly discourteous and feel deeply ashamed.”
Jian Tian and the others also apologized begrudgingly.
“Whatever you would have us do, Young Master Wang, just say it.”
Teng Yuyi tucked the contract into her sleeve and smiled sweetly.
“No hurry. I will keep this contract for now. One day when I think of something, I shall trouble the daozhangs again.”
Then she asked, as if unintentionally, “The corpse demon hides its fangs so deeply, if they were pulled out, would it then be reduced to ashes? I wonder if they are easy to pull.”
Lin Chengyou glanced at Teng Yuyi and suddenly asked, “Why is Young Master Wang so interested in these matters today?”
Teng Yuyi’s eyes shifted slightly.
“After dealing with it several times, I have long hated it to the core. Though I am powerless against this creature, I still want to know what weaknesses it has.”
Lin Chengyou touched his chin and was about to speak, when suddenly the sound of ornaments clinking was heard.
Madam E led a group of courtesans dressed in rainbow silks and golden hairpins into the hall.
When they reached the front, Madam E folded her sleeves and smiled.
“This humble one knows that ordinary looks cannot catch Shizi’s eye, so I specially chose a few ladies who excel in both beauty and talent. If Shizi fancies any of them, just tell me.”
Everyone looked up and saw that eight renowned courtesans had arrived at once, each with towering cloud-like hair and stunning allure.
Lin Chengyou’s gaze swept from left to right, then he suddenly laughed.
“One may not be enough.”
Teng Yuyi nearly spat out her tea and hurriedly set the cup down.
The Taoists’ eyes flickered with envy.
Juesheng and Qizhi looked embarrassed, lowering their heads to stare at their own toes.
Madam E was dumbfounded.
Although Lin Chengyou had visited Caifeng Tower twice before, he had never once called for female company.
Was he suddenly enlightened today?
She quickly covered her lips with a white-horn fan and laughed in delight.
“Shizi is young and spirited, naturally fond of novelty. Whether one or eight, it will all be as Shizi wishes.”
Teng Yuyi sneered inwardly.
Steward Cheng quietly approached and said, “Young Master, the wine in the room is almost warmed.”
Teng Yuyi knew Steward Cheng was making an excuse to lead her away.
Though she had wanted to stay and watch the lively scene, on second thought it seemed unwise.
She rose and said, “I shall take my leave.”
The five Taoists were distracted and paid her no mind, but Juesheng and Qizhi quickly followed after her.
“Young Master Wang, our senior brother told us to go with you.”
Teng Yuyi gave a meaningful smile. Since he was busy seeking pleasure, of course, he had to send the two junior brothers away.
“Have you two eaten yet? I have not either. I will have them bring lunch to my room.”
“Senior brother bought us food.”
Qizhi patted his stomach, indeed bulging full.
As they were speaking, they were already walking out, when E Ji happily said, “There are elegant private rooms on the second floor, always used to entertain distinguished guests. Why not let the heir come upstairs with me, I will have people send food and wine there as well.”
“The second floor? No need. Just find a large room in the back courtyard, one big enough to hold eight bathing tubs at once.”
Bathing tubs? And eight of them!
This time, not only Juesheng and Qizhi, even Jian Mei and the others all blushed deeply.
Just then, He Mingsheng came over with two temple guests.
His body was stout and sweaty with every movement.
“My lord, all the bathing tubs you wanted are prepared. I have sent them to the back courtyard, though I do not know what you intend to use them for.”
Lin Chengyou put down his teacup and lazily said, “Fill the tubs with water, then lead the people into the room with the tubs and wait.”
Two of the courtesans, being more lively, could not help but giggle.
He Mingsheng glared at them, about to scold, when unexpectedly Lin Chengyou took a gold ingot from his chest and placed it on the table.
The courtesans’ faces instantly glowed.
They were the most outstanding among the first-class courtesans of Pingkang Ward, skilled in music and literature, rarely coming out to receive guests, usually serving only nobles and wealthy merchants.
Silks, jewels, and treasures they had seen plenty, and by reason would not look twice at one gold ingot.
But since this was a reward from Shizi of Prince Cheng, and given ahead of time, it showed he was truly impatient.
E Ji smiled in surprise.
“There is no need for you to reward them so quickly, my lord. Better to reward after they have served well.”
He Mingsheng laughed ambiguously.
“Can’t you tell? Shizi does not wish to wait.”
Lin Chengyou tossed the gold ingot in his hand, then rose with a smile.
“Let’s go.”
Suddenly he remembered something, turned back, and said, “Wait. I recall last time there were more people. What about the others?”
He Mingsheng stuffed his sweat cloth back into his sleeve, smiling obsequiously.
“Shizi’s memory is excellent. There are indeed two more, but they were unwell and resting in their rooms. I was afraid their sickness might offend you, so I did not let them come.”
Lin Chengyou asked, “What are their names, and when did they fall ill?”
“One is called Wei Zi, the other Yao Huang. Shizi had them identify paintings last time, you should still remember them. Wei Zi has been sick for several days, while Yao Huang only complained of discomfort this morning. Just now, I already had a physician check her pulse.”
Lin Chengyou asked, “Are their illnesses serious?”
“Not serious. Recently many strange things have happened in the here, and Wei Zi and Yao Huang were frightened, so it is natural they are weak and weary. A few doses of medicine and several days of rest will make it fine.”
“If it is not serious, then have them come out as well.”
Teng Yuyi’s footsteps faltered.
This man truly would not even spare those still sick.
