The girl asked Chang Rong and the others to help bury the white bones found in the cave, then performed a simple ritual ceremony to deliver the souls of those who had been killed by the serpent demon.

Outside the cave, the sky had not yet grown fully light — only a faint grey shadow was dimly visible.

The group made their way out of the cave. As they watched the morning sun in the east finally beginning to show the first hints of its presence, the cold, oppressive atmosphere that had blanketed the mountain earlier was completely swept away, and everyone had a feeling of having crossed from one world into another.

The girl breathed in several long, contented lungfuls of the cool, fresh morning mist and sighed, “We have finally accomplished the mission.”

Lin Xiao had been standing shoulder to shoulder with the girl. Hearing her words, he turned to look at her.

Golden morning sunlight fell softly upon her face, making her skin look as white and delicate as fine jade. Lin Xiao could even see the fine down on her face; seen by daylight, she possessed a certain luminous, graceful beauty that was difficult to put into words — more than what had been visible by moonlight.

Only she still lacked a little color — not as full-blooded and healthy as she might be.

Lin Xiao stood beside her observing this, privately wondering whether this young woman had some congenital deficiency. If she truly had a hidden ailment, why was she spending her days dealing with demons and monsters?

After a moment’s thought, he spoke. “Last night when that serpent demon led us down the mountain, after we had managed with great difficulty to reach that large rock, the path was plainly right there before us, yet we could not go around no matter what we tried. Was that some method the young lady employed?”

The girl nodded and smiled. “When I came up the mountain, to prevent any demons from escaping, I sealed the exit from the mountain with a barrier. I heard your men say that when you came up the mountain, the serpent demon had also used an illusion technique to draw close to your group. I simply turned its own methods against it.”

So when she had encountered Lin Xiao’s party at the stream, she had not stopped them from descending the mountain. If they were not demon creatures, they would naturally be able to descend without trouble. If the barrier stopped them, it would mean at least one among them was a demon — and she only needed to watch and see how things unfolded.

Lin Xiao furrowed his brow. “This demon creature has been causing havoc for years now. I wonder how many innocent lives it has taken.”

“Indeed,” the girl agreed. “Half a month ago I was passing through this area with my master. My master saw that this mountain was dense with demonic energy and guessed there was likely a great evil lurking within, but at the time he was occupied dealing with other demons and had no time to investigate. These past few days he couldn’t stop thinking about the matter and felt uneasy leaving it unresolved, so he sent me here with our Daoist order’s most prized treasure to look into things.”

Lin Xiao’s gaze fell on the golden bell at the girl’s chest. This kind of treasure was truly rare in the world. Last night, without its power, he and Chang Rong and the others would very likely have ended up inside that serpent’s belly — and even the young female Daoist herself would likely have been doomed.

Yet if her master had been willing to give her their order’s most prized treasure, it showed how deeply he cared for this disciple. So why was he willing to let her brave such danger alone?

The girl hadn’t noticed Lin Xiao’s contemplative gaze, and was looking curiously at the treasured sword at Lin Xiao’s waist. “Sir, may I ask about the origins of your sword? It is remarkably extraordinary.”

Lin Xiao hesitated a moment, then unfastened the sword from his waist and handed it to the girl for a closer look. “It was given to me by my grandfather before he passed. I only know that it is called Chixiao. My grandfather cherished this sword greatly in his lifetime and almost never left it at his side — but I never knew it also had the power to ward off evil.”

Seeing the girl take the sword with evident delight and begin to examine it, Lin Xiao felt a strange sensation rise inside him. No matter how he looked at it, the scene looked like two children comparing their favorite toys. Yet with men and women being different, the girl could openly take his sword and examine it at leisure, while it would be quite improper for him to scrutinize a young woman’s personal ornament so closely.

He gave a light cough and changed the subject. “After we entered the mountain yesterday, I encountered a ghost in that village without any villagers. It came and went without a trace, but after I struck at it with Chixiao and scattered it, it never appeared again. I imagine it must have been wary of this sword.”

The girl heard this, raised her head, and looked around them. “What you encountered was most likely the wandering souls of the villagers who were killed by the serpent demon. They died unjustly and lingered in this world, unwilling to be reborn. Now that the serpent demon has been eliminated, and I’ve just performed the ritual ceremony to help them pass on, I imagine they will soon be able to release their attachments and re-enter the six cycles of rebirth.”

At this point Chang Rong led Wei Bo and the others in carrying the still-unconscious Tan Qi and Wang Xingzhi back along the original path to the tent by the stream. The girl seemed to sense something and, thinking it over, took the small medicine vial from her pouch again and tipped out two pellets to hand to Lin Xiao.

She said somewhat reluctantly, “These medicinal pellets were refined by my master. The ingredients are rare and precious — ordinarily he wouldn’t sell a single one for fewer than ten strings of cash. But in light of the fact that you helped me subdue the demon, I’ll give you two more. With these pellets, those two who were injured will recover more quickly.”

Lin Xiao found himself caught between wanting to laugh and feeling at a loss. This girl appeared open-natured and forthright, and acted with such decisiveness — yet unexpectedly she was a little miser.

He inwardly suppressed his amusement, put on a solemn expression, and said, “My thanks… young lady. These pellets are so precious — we already received two last night, and I could not in good conscience accept more from you free of charge. I absolutely cannot allow it.” He gestured to the attendant beside him to produce some coins to offer the girl.

The girl looked up unprepared and saw a thick stack of cash vouchers, startling her considerably. She hadn’t expected Lin Xiao to be so generous.

Earlier, seeing that Lin Xiao was simply dressed yet carried himself with a noble bearing and spoke with uncommon refinement, and was accompanied by a group of highly skilled attendants, she had vaguely guessed that he was likely no ordinary commoner. Now it was clear he was far beyond ordinarily wealthy.

She had not wanted to become entangled with complications on this outing, especially not with the noble families of Chang’an.

So even though she still felt the pang of losing those four medicinal pellets, she firmly declined on the surface. “Subduing demons and exorcising evil is the duty of those of us in the Daoist tradition… and moreover, last night if it hadn’t been for your assistance, I would have been torn apart and swallowed by that serpent demon long before now. What is there to speak of giving away medicinal pellets? Please don’t stand on such ceremony.”

Before Lin Xiao could speak again, she bid them farewell openly and without any ceremony. “I hired a carriage from Chang’an when I came. Before entering the mountain I told the driver to wait for me at the inn at the foot of the mountain. By now he’s probably been waiting somewhat anxiously. The evil corruption in the mountain has been eliminated; it is time for me to descend the mountain. Farewell.”

With that she turned and walked briskly down the mountain.

What a peculiar woman — as though she were afraid of having anything to do with him. Lin Xiao watched that small figure grow gradually more distant and narrowed his eyes, then said something quietly to the attendant at his side. The attendant nodded and went off to carry out his orders.

By then Chang Rong had finished settling Tan Qi and Wang Xingzhi and came running to Lin Xiao’s side. “Huh! Why has the female Daoist already left?”

Seeing that Lin Xiao’s face held a somewhat wistful expression, Chang Rong feared the young lord might still pursue the young woman’s whereabouts. He quickly changed the subject. “Tan Qi and Wang Xingzhi have been arranged in the tent, but it’s cold in the mountains, and it probably isn’t good to stay long. My lord, shall I go down the mountain to hire a few carriages to come up and transport them back to Chang’an?”

That seemed the only option. Lin Xiao looked up at the sky and gave a crisp order: “Let us descend the mountain as quickly as possible.”

On the road back to Chang’an, Chang Rong asked Lin Xiao, “My lord, how did you know that Daoist was a demon creature?”

Lin Xiao thought for a moment. “Last night when we were drinking by the stream, I accidentally made contact with that Daoist’s left hand. The hand was as cold as ice, without the slightest trace of warmth, and there was a faint odor of decay about him. That was when I grew suspicious of that Daoist.”

Chang Rong recalled that Lin Xiao had been sharp of smell since childhood, and had always been fastidious about cleanliness, unable to tolerate even a hint of foulness — so it was no wonder at all that he had caught the strange smell on the Daoist.

He also privately laughed at that Daoist — of all the people to sidle up to, why did he have to pick the young lord? Served him right to be found out!

“But the female Daoist also seemed quite suspicious that night, and when things went wrong she disappeared along with Tan Qi and Wang Xingzhi. Why was my lord certain it wasn’t her?”

“Do you remember who was the last person to appear when Tan Qi and Wang Xingzhi met with trouble? And who was it that said, ‘It is that gentleman by the name of Tan’?” Lin Xiao said, his brow furrowed.

Chang Rong racked his memory hard, and then it suddenly dawned on him. “I remember now! It was that Daoist!”

He slapped his thigh with excitement. “I remember he also said, ‘This poor monk heard it perfectly clearly — there is no doubt whatsoever.’ That’s it! Last night things happened so suddenly, even those of us who had been with you day and night had no way of telling whose voice that cry had come from — so how could that Daoist possibly be certain it was Tan Qi?”

As he said it, Chang Rong felt rather ashamed of himself. That Daoist was, after all, a demon creature, and even in human disguise had left quite a few telling signs — yet all these details had been overlooked by his own careless self.

Honestly, when would he ever be as perceptive as the young lord? He looked toward Lin Xiao with admiration.

By the time the party returned to Chang’an, it was already dusk of the following day.

Butler Wu of Prince Lan’s estate had received news long in advance and was waiting at the gate.

Lin Xiao arrived at the entrance, gave Butler Wu a nod, dismounted, and strode off into the estate.

Butler Wu quickly fell into step behind Lin Xiao, respectfully reporting, “His Highness the Prince has been thinking of you day and night, young lord. Hearing that you would return today, he had the kitchen prepare a table of dishes you enjoy, and tonight he wishes to host a welcome banquet for your return.”

Lin Xiao paused mid-stride, smiled in a neutral way, and said, “Understood. You may go.”

Butler Wu nodded with delight, smiling as he withdrew.

Lin Xiao made his way back to Siru Study. The moment he stepped through the door, his wet nurse Madam Wen came forward to greet him, together with Listening Wind, Judging Snow, and a group of maidservants.

Seeing that Lin Xiao had gotten darker and thinner, she felt a pang of tenderness and quickly stepped forward to bow in greeting. “Young lord, you’ve finally returned! You’ve been traveling back and forth these past days — you must have suffered a great deal.” Her voice was faintly unsteady.

Lin Xiao quickly raised Madam Wen up and smiled. “You’ve worried on my account for nothing. I didn’t suffer at all, and things went very smoothly.”

This child — always reporting the good and hiding the bad. Madam Wen sighed fondly, took a cloth and gently cleaned Lin Xiao’s face, then handed him a cup of tea that had already been steeped and ready. “While you were away, there was no chance to eat anything proper. Nurse has made the sesame honey cakes you love — eat a few first to settle your stomach before dinner.”

Lin Xiao smiled and agreed. He noticed Madam Wen glancing toward the door every so often as she spoke, and knowing she was thinking of Chang Rong, he said, “Chang Rong came back to the estate with me. He’s gone to the stables now — he’ll be back in a little while.”

Madam Wen relaxed, and as she straightened Lin Xiao’s lapels she sighed, “Not a single peaceful night’s sleep this entire time you were both gone, always worrying that you might encounter some danger on the road. Now that you’re back, I can finally sleep properly tonight. If there had been no news of you any longer, Nurse was going to go to Dayin Temple to pray to the Bodhisattva.”

Just as she was saying this, Chang Rong returned, and mother and son met with the inevitable flurry of warm and affectionate exchange.

After Lin Xiao had changed his clothes, he said to Chang Rong, “Shortly, go yourself and send word to Sanlang at the Duke of Lu’s estate, letting him know I’m back in Chang’an and will come to find him at his estate this evening.”

Chang Rong quickly agreed.

Then, remembering something, he lowered his voice. “I hear a guest has come to our estate.” He tilted his head toward the direction of the main rooms.

Madam Wen quickly ordered Listening Wind and the others to leave. Once no one else remained in the room, she turned to Lin Xiao. “They say she is a niece on Cui Shi’s side, come from Youzhou. She’s only two years younger than Cui Shi. The moment she entered the estate she was installed by Cui Shi in Yihong Lodge. These past days Cui Shi often takes her around everywhere, has even procured quite a number of ornaments and clothes for her, and says she will be living here in our estate permanently from now on.”

Lin Xiao’s brow furrowed. Cui Shi’s family, though nominally a family of decorated nobility, had been in significant decline for many years. The number of relatives who could be named could be counted on one hand — where had this full-grown niece come from?

Chang Rong said with indignation, “What is she up to now? Surely she isn’t trying to plant someone in the young lord’s chambers? She’s even dragged out a niece from her own family — doesn’t she feel ashamed of herself?”

Madam Wen shook her head. “That’s not necessarily the case. I’ve seen that young lady a few times myself. Her manner and comportment are quite proper and dignified — she doesn’t seem the type of brazen, flirtatious person. Perhaps it’s simply that the princess consort herself is getting worked up over nothing.”

Then she sighed again. “It’s truly difficult to understand what this princess consort is thinking — she hasn’t let it rest from the very day she entered the estate. Never mind that the young lord was already conferred the title of heir apparent by the Holy Emperor himself — even if he hadn’t been, there’s a gap of over ten years between the two brothers. Does she really expect that one day her own son will be the one in charge of the household?”

Chang Rong said, “What does His Highness the Prince say? Is he just letting Cui Shi run wild like this?”

Madam Wen shook her head. “You know what His Highness is like — he spends his days in love with music alone and takes no interest in any of the household’s mundane affairs whatsoever. In the time you were both away, His Highness also purchased a troupe of famous musicians and performers from the south of the Yangtze River. They say he’s been in Mist-and-Waves Pavilion listening to performances these past few days, perfectly content.”

Lin Xiao said nothing.

His father the Prince was the most indifferent to political affairs of all the late Emperor’s sons. From his youth he had loved to pluck the qin and play the flute, to compose poetry and write prose — even more the stereotypical man of letters than any actual man of letters. All of Chang’an jokingly called him “the Poet Immortal Prince.” And it was precisely because of this that his father had been able to come through intact and unharmed when the new Emperor ascended the throne and swept away potential rivals with sweeping force.

Yet in recent years, his father had become increasingly sunk in his musical pleasures, growing more and more single-mindedly lost in them. And Cui Shi was naturally pleased to see it — seeing that the Prince took no interest in anything, her boldness grew greater and her reach grew longer with each passing day…

While he was thinking this, the servant girl Cui Nu from the Prince’s side came to request an audience with a cheerful smile, saying that the Prince and Princess Consort had already arranged the food and wine in Mist-and-Waves Pavilion and invited the young lord to come for dinner.

Mist-and-Waves Pavilion was a water pavilion in Prince Lan’s estate, surrounded by water on all four sides. The lake was planted with lotus flowers; every midsummer, the lake was full of towering lotus leaves and pink lotus blossoms, and opening the window to enjoy the view was the height of elegance. But at present it was still early spring, and there was not so much as a withered branch to be seen in the lake.

Today, Mist-and-Waves Pavilion had — unusually — no sound of musical instruments drifting from it. The water pavilion and its surroundings were perfectly quiet, and there was something uncanny about that tranquility.

Outside the corridor, two rows of servants stood without a sound, each one holding a palace lantern. They were as still as clay figures or wooden statues — as if even the wind could not stir the hems of their clothes.

Lin Xiao gazed from a distance at the servants’ faces, rendered somewhat eerie by the red glow of the lanterns, and for some reason that he couldn’t quite name, a strange feeling stole over him.