Xu Qi’an did not ask to go inside and sit down, as that would have been quite improper. With no man at home, such behaviour could even lead to gossip.
Of course, Xu Qi’an knew that the mother and daughter’s wariness and anxiety were not due to such concerns, but because they were “harbouring a guilty conscience.”
“Little girl, do you know Chai Xian?” Xu Qi’an asked.
At these words, the little girl’s mind went blank. She stared at him, bewildered and helpless due to her young age, not knowing how to respond.
The young woman could not understand the official language, but when she saw her daughter’s vacant expression, she immediately sensed something was wrong and hurried over.
Xu Qi’an squatted down. Before the girl could scream, he reached out to stroke her head and, taking the opportunity, activated his Heart Gu ability, smiling as he said,
“I am a friend of your Uncle Xian. Did he not mention me to you last night?”
In the little girl’s eyes, the stranger at once became kind, gentle, and harmless.
“Mhm!”
The girl nodded vigorously. “He said that if a strange uncle came looking for him, I should remember what he said.”
Xu Qi’an followed the opportunity and handed her the small note. “Could you pass this on to him for me.”
After saying this, he glanced at the frostbite on the back of her hand, as well as the thin shoes almost useless against the cold. He supposed that her small feet were also covered in frostbite.
He then took out several pieces of broken silver and stuffed them along with the note into the girl’s hand. “Take this silver and buy yourself some sweets.”
The little girl accepted the note, but did not take the silver. She turned her head and looked at her mother.
The young woman pressed her lips together, staring at the silver with a conflicted expression, wanting it, but not daring to accept. For a poor family, such broken silver could buy meat for several days or a winter coat for the child.
“Mhm!”
The young woman nodded vigorously.
The little girl stretched out her frostbitten hand and tightly took hold of the silver.
Xu Qi’an immediately said his goodbyes and left. Just as he walked out of the yard, he heard the girl call out behind him. He turned around, but she did not catch up; instead, she ran back into the house.
Soon, she returned holding a handful of dried sweet potato, timidly and with an air of seeking favour, she handed it over.
Xu Qi’an’s gaze softened at once as he accepted the dried sweet potato.
The little girl’s eyes lit up immediately, and a pure smile appeared on her face.
“I’ll ask you a few more questions. If you answer me, I’ll give you more silver,” Xu Qi’an said with a smile.
The little girl thought for a moment, then nodded earnestly.
“What is the relationship between Chai Xian and your dad?”
The little girl replied, “Dad says I should call him Uncle Xian.”
She did not know about her elders’ pasts.
“How long did Chai Xian stay at your house?”
The little girl thought for a while and said, “He doesn’t stay at my home much at all.”
Not much at all? Xu Qi’an frowned and asked, “Do you think Uncle Xian is a good man?”
“Yes, just like you, Uncle.”
The little girl nodded. Children had a terribly keen intuition.
Sounds better if you call me “big brother”. After all, I’m forever eighteen… Xu Qi’an smiled and said, “Anything else?”
A random question.
“He often has nightmares and daydreams…” The little girl tilted her head, thought carefully, and suddenly her eyes lit up. “Uncle Xian has six toes.”
As agreed, Xu Qi’an placed the silver in her hand and waved as he left the village.
…
Chai Manor
Zen Master Jingxin returned to the courtyard, found the Warrior Monk Jingyuan, and said, “I investigated and found that the death of benefactor Chai Xing’er’s ex-husband was linked to the head of the household, Chai Jianyuan.”
Jingyuan nodded. “Tell me in detail.”
A Zen Master with mastery of precepts could usually find out whatever he wished with ease.
Although it was inconvenient to use the precepts on Chai Xing’er, he could compromise by questioning the household servants.
The matter he asked about most was Chai Xian; Chai Xing’er was only brought up incidentally.
As he listened to his senior explain, the Warrior Monk Jingyuan frowned and said:
“If everything Chai Xing’er said was false, then perhaps Chai Xian is not as we thought, and he did not obtain the Dragon Qi. So Chai Xing’er was once widowed, I thought the man beside her was the Chai family’s uncle.”
Jingxin mused, “That man is indeed worth questioning. Surely, he will know more.”
…
At night.
The charcoal fire roared. Li Lingsu lay on the bed, holding a beautiful married woman in his arms, both covered by a brocade quilt. They had just finished their exercise, both sweating all over.
Chai Xing’er lazily curled up in his embrace, showing off her smooth, fair, rounded shoulders. Her fingertips traced circles on Li Lingsu’s chest as she spoke lazily,
“You are investigating me!”
Li Lingsu was right in the middle of post-nut clarity. Hearing this, his pupils contracted slightly, but immediately returned to normal. “I can sense that you’re still hiding something from me.”
Chai Xing’er sighed. “Li Lang, don’t involve yourself in the Chai family’s affairs. As long as you are by my side, I am content. It’s not you who wants to investigate me, it’s that Xu Qian, isn’t it?”
Xing’er’s intuition is still that terrifying… Li Lingsu replied, “It’s nothing to do with him.”
Chai Xing’er wriggled her slim waist to adjust her sleeping position and said,
“He has a certain special quality about him. I can’t quite describe it, but I feel he’s not a real person, that he’s always pretending. Of course, if he is as you say, a beyond-mortal expert, it’s natural for him to act with caution.”
After a few seconds’ pause, she said again, “Xu Qian has a grudge against the Buddhists, doesn’t he?”
Chai Xing’er spoke with great certainty.
“What makes you say that?” Li Lingsu kept his expression unchanged.
“As soon as those monks arrived, the two of you immediately left the residence. Li Lang didn’t even dare reveal his name in their presence.”
Chai Xing’er looked cool and elegant, with a faint smile. “There were two fourth rank monks in that group. By rights, if Xu Qian is truly a beyond-mortal expert, why would he fear them? Either there’s another reason, or there is someone behind those monks as well, am I right, Li Lang?”
We can’t talk about this any further… Li Lingsu rolled over and pressed the beautiful married woman beneath him, grinning, “Xing’er, you are clever as ice and snow, let husband take good care of you.”
…
The next morning.
Xu Qi’an was leading the little mare, with Mu Nanzhi sitting on horseback. Clip-clopping along, they left Xiangzhou City.
The Demon-Slaying Assembly was being held at the Xiang River, chosen especially to avoid drawing attention from nosey commonfolk. The jianghu and commoners had always been distinct.
This was the consensus between the jianghu and the court, only ordinary people themselves were oblivious and fond of joining in the excitement.
The authorities had cleared an area beside the Xiang River, built a stage, laid down planks, divided up sections, and so on.
All jianghu factions who had registered were assigned their own pavilion. As for unregistered groups and lone martial artists, they could only stand at a distance and watch.
After leaving the city, Xu Qi’an mounted the horse, riding with Mu Nanzhi, clip-clopping toward their destination.
Just under an hour later, they finally saw the venue for the Demon-Slaying Assembly, now packed with people.
There were jianghu folk equipped with all kinds of weapons, and soldiers maintaining order.
The riverside wind was bitterly cold. Inside the pavilions, many jianghu factions were already seated.
As a “wandering cultivator” like Xu Qi’an, he could only watch from afar, kept back by the soldiers.
“Senior?”
Suddenly, a delighted voice called from behind.
Xu Qi’an looked back. It was Wang Jun and Feng Xiu, who had “shared trials and tribulations” with him in the ruined mountain temple a few days back. Both had sect backgrounds, though Xu Qi’an had forgotten exactly which ones.
“Ah, it’s you guys.”
Xu Qi’an nodded with a smile.
Mu Nanzhi, still seated tall on horseback, looked down at them proudly.
Wang Jun, sabre at his waist, asked in confusion, “With your status, Senior, why didn’t you go inside?”
“Just here for a bit of excitement is all.”
Xu Qi’an explained casually.
Wang Jun was still decked in tight black clothing, though it was a different style to last time.
Feng Xiu had swapped her previous neat attire. Now her top accentuated her slim girlish figure, while she wore a flaring long skirt below.
This outfit made her appear both dignified and graceful while not restricting her movements if needed.
“Everyone!”
A strong, resonant voice rang out above the hubbub, bringing the hundreds-strong Demon-Slaying Assembly to silence. All eyes turned to the official standing on the high stage.
“That’s the Prefect of Xiangzhou,” Feng Xiu whispered.
The Prefect, standing on the stage, spoke impassionedly, denouncing Chai Xian’s crimes and expressing deep regret for the murders in Xiangzhou and even throughout Zhangzhou.
“This man is a bloodthirsty killer. Every day he is not eliminated is a day Xiangzhou knows no peace. For all you gallant heroes to gather here today is proof of your understanding of righteousness. The villain Chai Xian, in Xiangzhou…”
It had been twenty days since the Chai Manor murders. During this time, “Chai Xian” had been killing people everywhere, at first mainly targeting those from the jianghu. Three clans had been wiped out.
Six hundred and forty-three jianghu folk had died at Chai Xian’s hands.
Even more commoners were killed, as numerous ill-intentioned folk took the opportunity to cause trouble, either mimicking Chai Xian to commit murders or breaking into homes to rob and kill.
From overhearing, Xu Qi’an finally understood the scale of Chai Xian’s crimes in Zhangzhou, and why such a big fuss had been made to organise this Demon-Slaying Assembly.
That’s not right, why kill so many people if only to frame Chai Xian and keep him around?
Detective Xu Qi’an frowned, sensing something fishy.
Previously, he had surmised that the villain behind the scenes was using Chai Xian’s extreme personality to frame him, meanwhile keeping Chai Lan as a “hostage” to tie Chai Xian down and waiting for a chance to finish him off.
But if they had the ability to kill so many people, how could they not track down Chai Xian? Xu Qi’an had met Chai Xian on his very second day in Xiangzhou, it might be the Dragon Qi effect at work, but it also suggested Chai Xian’s movements weren’t all that well-hidden. And Chai Xian himself was trying to find the person framing him.
If the mastermind wanted to kill Chai Xian, they could just commit a murder somewhere and wait for him to take the bait and walk into a trap.
In this situation, there are only two possible explanations. Either my hypothesis is wrong, or the real culprit is a lunatic who hates Chai Xian to the bone and can’t be judged with normal logic…
The Prefect announced loudly, “From today, our office, together with Chai Xing’er of the Chai family and the various clans and families present, is issuing a warrant for Chai Xian. Anyone who kills him will receive a handsome reward.”
The various sects and families voiced their agreement, and the jianghu folk outside were abuzz. Finally, they could rid the world of a villain.
Compared to ordinary people, the local sects and families hated Chai Xian even more. Martial artists had strong blood and energy, perfect for raising corpses. If a sixth rank Bronze Skin and Iron Bones martial artist died, they could be refined into an iron corpse.
That was why, until now, most of Chai Xian’s victims had been from the jianghu.
The Prefect pressed his hand down, asking for silence, then looked to Chai Xing’er. She understood at once, leaving her pavilion and stepping onto the stage.
As a widow, and following a murder in her house, Chai Xing’er was dressed today in a plain white long skirt and light makeup. Her demeanour was cold and quiet, delicate and frail, arousing a powerful urge in men to protect her.
“Thank you all for your response. This matter arose because of the Chai family, and it has implicated everyone here. I, Xing’er, am deeply ashamed.”
As soon as she finished speaking, someone called out loudly,
“Chai Xian is ungrateful, killed his father and relatives. What does that have to do with Aunt Chai?”
“Exactly, the Chai family is a victim too.”
Chai Xing’er cupped her fists in thanks and continued, “For this demon slaying assembly, the government, the Chai family, the Huangfu family, Chunyu Hall … have all organised teams to patrol everywhere in search of Chai Xian. I hope all of you will also assign disciples to assist in this effort.”
No sooner had she finished than someone said, “Chai Xian himself is a Rank Five Transforming Force, and even has four iron corpses to help him. If patrol teams encounter him, they are doomed with no chance of survival, what then?”
Chai Xing’er turned to Jingxin, who sat upright, pinching his Buddhist prayer beads, and said,
“For this demon slaying assembly, our Chai family was fortunate to invite several eminent monks from the Buddhist sect to help.”
The gathered heroes immediately turned their gaze to Jingxin and his companions.
The monks solemnly joined their palms and recited a Buddhist chant.
A sect leader spoke loudly,
“Eminent monks? How strange, I’ve lived in Xiangzhou most of my life and this is the first time I’ve seen Buddhist monks here. How exactly do the revered monks plan to assist?”
Facing everyone’s sceptical looks, Jingxin removed the Buddhist beads from his neck and said,
“These beads have accompanied this humble monk for over ten years, refined by scripture over time until they gained spirituality. The seventy-two beads are of one set. Each patrol team can take one bead; if you encounter Chai Xian, simply inject your qi into the bead and I will be alerted at once.”
Everyone’s eyes lit up, but soon turned sceptical again. The magistrate smiled and said,
“The revered monks have come from afar. May I ask what level your cultivation has reached? If you don’t mind, could you demonstrate for everyone?”
Chai Xing’er glanced at Jingxin but said nothing.
She had introduced them, enough such that these rough, coarse men would not show impropriety. However to actually win them over, the Buddhist monks could not just rely on talk.
Jingxin looked at his junior brother, Jingyuan, who nodded and stepped out calmly, sweeping his gaze around the assembly.
“Can anyone force me to take a single step back?”
With a calm, level tone he spoke wildly arrogant words, as if stating a fact.
The various figures of the jianghu on scene all cocked their brows, this was outright provocation for any warrior.
After speaking, Jingyuan put his palms together; a point of golden lacquer glowed on his brow and swiftly coursed through his body.
In a moment, he seemed transformed into a radiant golden man.
“This, this is…”
A lavishly dressed sect leader examined him for a moment uncertainly and said,
“Could this be the Buddhist sect’s Vajra Divine Art?”
“It’s said that even among Buddhists, those who can master the Vajra Divine Art are few and far between.”
“This monk really is something…”
A flurry of discussion broke out, whispers buzzing in the air.
Wang Jun murmured, “If I could master the Vajra Divine Art, I’d be the number one expert in Zhangzhou.”
But Feng Xiu thought of something else: “Rumour has it, Silver Gong Xu also knows the Vajra Divine Art.”
When the two of them snapped out of it, Wang Jun looked around and said in surprise, “Where’s our senior?”
Only then did Feng Xiu realise that the senior they met in the abandoned temple in the wilds was already nowhere to be seen.
…
At a height far from the demon slaying assembly, a colossal stupa tower hovered in mid-air. Xu Qi’an stood by the window, looking down.
The Xiang River wound like a silver belt, the fields were scattered unevenly, and the mountains looked like lumpy mounds.
He held the Earth Book fragment, controlling the Stupa Tower as he roamed and surveyed the surrounding dozens of miles, yet try as he might, he could not see any golden dragon shadow.
Time ticked by. As noon approached, Xu Qi’an finally gave up, collected the tower in a concealed spot, and led his little mare back to the site of the demon slaying assembly.
It had just dispersed, the notable figures left by carriage, and the wandering martial artists also scattered in all directions.
“Senior!”
Xu Qi’an encountered Feng Xiu and Wang Jun again, and from their mouths heard that the eminent monks from the Buddhist sect had totally stolen the limelight at the assembly.
That monk who had mastered the Vajra Divine Art stood on stage for a quarter of an hour as more than a dozen people came up in turn, yet none could so much as shake him.
“What formidable Vajra Divine Art. With such eminent monks involved, why worry about not being able to eliminate Chai Xian? The Buddhist sect is truly powerful,” Wang Jun said excitedly.
Feng Xiu just shook his head: “I’m just afraid Chai Xian will slip away.”
…
Back at the inn, Xu Qi’an held a cup of tea as he gazed into the distance from the window.
“Maybe it’s because he hasn’t received your note yet,” Mu Nanzhi analysed. “After all, he’s already left, perhaps it’ll be several days before he comes by?”
“That’s possible! But given Chai Xian’s character, logically he’d never pass up such a good opportunity as this demon slaying assembly, confronting Chai Xing’er with his zombies would, at worst, only cost him a single one, nothing at all to worry about.”
Xu Qi’an frowned deeply, “Doesn’t he keep trying to prove his innocence? What’s he concerned about?”
Chai Xian hadn’t appeared; Xu Qi’an’s plan to take advantage and extract Dragon Qi came to nothing. Faint unease rose in his heart. After thinking it over, he said,
“I’m going out for a bit.”
He rode his little mare out of the city, speeding along the official road, field ridges, and small paths all the way to the village.
As the villagers looked on curiously, Xu Qi’an made his way to the courtyard gate.
The gate was tightly shut.
He caught the faint scent of blood.
“Bang!”
Xu Qi’an kicked open the gate and rushed indoors, there, he saw three corpses.
They lay in pools of blood. The man’s body was beside the table, while the young mother held her daughter tightly in her arms; the blood under the two women was dry and sticky. Their bodies were by the bed.
The corpses were icy cold and stiff, they’d been dead for some time.
Judging by how the bodies were positioned, the man was killed first. The woman, in panic, instinctively clutched her daughter trying to protect her, then they were both killed too.
Veins bulged on Xu Qi’an’s forehead, standing out one by one.
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