One month later, in Chang’an.

On this evening, in a secluded alley of Tonghua Ward, the soft rustling of footsteps suddenly broke the silence.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi walked while glancing around. Though the New Year’s Eve and Lantern Festival had passed in succession, the weather showed no signs of improvement. The old snow had not yet melted when fresh snow fell again. No matter where they walked in Chang’an city, they were greeted by refreshing expanses of white.

It had snowed again last night. When they awoke this morning, the world seemed frozen in place. However, the two didn’t feel cold at all. Before the new year, their Master had given them several sets of new clothes – felt caps and boots, along with thick padded robes. With such attire, they feared no cold. Though this made them appear even plumper, often drawing teasing remarks from passersby: “The food at Qingyun Temple must be exceptional – look at those two little Daoist priests, round as meatballs!”

The sky grew darker as they searched for their Senior Brother.

Though it wasn’t a festival day, the palace was hosting a family banquet tonight. Lady Cheng’s brother, Qu Ziyu, had returned from his post in Yizhou. Accompanying him back to Chang’an were Lady Cheng’s sister-in-law and parents. The letter had originally stated they would arrive in two days, but unexpectedly, the Qu family’s carriages had entered through the Chunming Gate at noon today.

The Prince and Princess were overjoyed, rushing to welcome them at Chunming Gate. Their Master was equally elated, setting aside his temple duties to hurry to the palace for the reunion. With family members meeting after a long separation, there was endless conversation. His Majesty and the Empress remarked that since the family was rarely so complete, they should hold a family banquet in the palace tonight.

Speaking of which, the palace hadn’t been this joyous since Senior Brother lost his sight. Unfortunately, he had gone to the Court of Judicial Review at that time, missing this festive scene.

Upon asking Kuan Nu, they learned that a mysterious case had occurred in Tonghua Ward. The officials of the Court of Judicial Review, fearing the culprit’s escape, had specifically brought the case files to the Cheng Prince’s mansion to seek Lin Chengyou’s help.

After hearing the case details, Lin Chengyou left without hesitation. Kuan Nu wanted to follow, but Lin Chengyou forbade it, saying there was no precedent for servants accompanying Court officials during investigations. Though his eyes couldn’t see, his other senses and inner power remained unimpaired. With yamen runners accompanying him, there was no need to worry about getting lost outside.

However, to ease his parents’ minds, Lin Chengyou took the small leopard Jun Nu with him before departing.

As darkness approached, Lin Chengyou had still not returned.

Kuan Nu and the two disciples split up to search – one heading to the Court of Judicial Review, the other to Magpie Lane where the murder had occurred.

Magpie Lane was extremely humble, with few residents, but one could still sense the lingering festive atmosphere of the New Year. Every household had hung carp banners for blessings, and each doorway displayed fresh, bright peach wood charms.

Sadly, just days ago, a seventy-year-old elder had been murdered here.

The old man’s surname was Liu. His wife had passed away years ago, and he had a daughter who had married over a decade ago. Unfortunately, his daughter died of illness shortly after her marriage, leaving the old man to live alone. As time passed, Old Liu’s finances grew increasingly strained. To maintain a living, he had no choice but to venture out selling charcoal despite his ailments.

When Old Liu died, his head was separated from his body, and all valuable items in his home had vanished. Coincidentally, several theft cases had recently occurred in Tonghua Ward, and the chief culprit had just been captured. The legal officials and ward chief had therefore classified Old Liu’s case as theft, requiring only the completion of case documents for it to be considered solved.

Yet at this moment, the Chang’an County Office became haunted.

Every night, a headless ghost wanders at the county office gates, carrying its own head. The office clerks recognized it as Old Liu and were terrified out of their wits. Old Liu’s nightly wandering clearly indicated unresolved grievances.

The county office reported to the Court of Judicial Review overnight. Court officials rushed to investigate the scene, only to lament that most clues in Old Liu’s home had already been destroyed. Given the case’s supernatural elements, they had no choice but to seek Lin Chengyou’s help.

Following the neighbors’ directions, Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi walked deeper into the lane. The alley twisted and turned, growing increasingly narrow and shabby. In the blink of an eye, darkness had fallen. Residences lined both sides, and they couldn’t tell which humble dwelling had been Old Liu’s home.

As the two discussed whether to light a fire, slight movements came from a house ahead. Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi’s hearts leaped with joy as they hurried forward: “Senior Brother.”

Raising their lantern, they saw two figures, one tall and one short, sitting on the doorstep of a dilapidated house.

They sat in darkness, seemingly lost in thought, or perhaps waiting for something.

It was indeed Lin Chengyou and Jun Nu.

Qi Zhi, being more perceptive than Jue Sheng, immediately noticed something amiss in Senior Brother’s expression. Senior Brother’s face was slightly lowered, “looking” at his feet, appearing to have been sitting here for quite some time. Qi Zhi raised his lantern to peek behind Senior Brother: “Senior Brother, have you completed the investigation?”

Before he could finish speaking, two shadowy figures approached from within the house – two yamen runners emerged carrying lanterns.

“Evaluator Lin,” one runner said, wiping sweat, “We’ve searched again but found no suspicious clues.”

The other runner spoke awkwardly: “This humble official isn’t trying to slack off. But continuing this fruitless search until dawn may yield nothing. Such a major case cannot be handled carelessly. Should we return to request the Minister assign another senior official to assist? We’re too crude in our methods, always relying on superior guidance when searching for evidence. With your eyes, Evaluator Lin…”

The implication was clear – Lin Chengyou hadn’t been of much help all afternoon.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi secretly glanced at Lin Chengyou.

Lin Chengyou remained calm: “You return to the Court first. I’ll wait here for your return. As for whether to transfer this case to Director Chen, let Minister Zhang decide tomorrow.”

The two runners sighed in relief: “Very well, we’ll report to the Minister immediately.”

Glancing at the young disciples before Lin Chengyou, they left with peace of mind.

After the runners departed, Lin Chengyou sat motionless.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi felt a crushing weight in their chests. Their Senior Brother had always been brilliantly astute in investigations – when had he ever been treated as a burden?

“Senior Brother,” Jue Sheng said glumly, “Qi Zhi and I surely have better eyesight than those two brothers. We’ll help you search for evidence.”

Lin Chengyou remained silent.

After a moment, perhaps to comfort his junior brothers, or perhaps feeling the case’s mysteries too dense, he relaxed his brow and regained his spirit: “Very well, let’s try inside.”

Speaking thus, he tied Jun Nu at the entrance and followed Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi inside.

To accommodate Lin Chengyou, Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi walked extremely slowly. Every few steps, Lin Chengyou would stop to listen.

“Check beneath the grass and flower branches.”

“Don’t miss the stone crevices and wall corners.”

“Are there any strange marks on the water vat’s walls?”

Searching inch by inch this way, it took nearly an hour to reach the outer room.

Old Liu had been murdered in the inner chamber, where blood had splattered all four walls during the incident. Though the three entered cautiously, Qi Zhi suddenly exclaimed: “Jue Sheng, careful!”

Jue Sheng froze in terror. Raising his lantern, he saw his sleeve had nearly brushed the doorframe, which bore a bloody handprint. Though dried, it could easily be disturbed by careless contact. Jue Sheng withdrew his hand in relief but turning his head, he nearly cried out again – Lin Chengyou was standing on a strange mark. The mark left only a faint trace, invisible without careful inspection by lantern light. Being somewhat far earlier, they hadn’t managed to warn Lin Chengyou.

The two held their breath. Their Senior Brother seemed unaware, standing still awaiting their next guidance. They were now his eyes, and he trusted them completely. Yet no matter how careful they were, there would always be things beyond their attention.

Earlier they had been dissatisfied with the two runners, but now they understood why they would rather offend Senior Brother than not return to the Court for help. A blind man could easily contaminate the crime scene with the slightest misstep.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Chengyou sensed something amiss.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi felt even worse: “Senior Brother… there’s a mark under your foot.”

Lin Chengyou froze.

After a long while, he managed to speak: “Make a rubbing of the mark. Let’s go.”

As they left, a suffocating sense of dejection hung in the air.

By chance, the two runners returned with Director Chen. Chen approached carefully: “Thank you for your trouble, Evaluator Lin. It’s late, and the investigation must be inconvenient for you. Please leave this place to us for now. Minister Zhang urgently awaits my case report. If I discover anything, I’ll certainly visit the Prince’s mansion to consult with you.”

Lin Chengyou bent down carefully, silently taking Jun Nu’s leash. Rising, he smiled faintly: “Very well, let me know if you find anything.”

With that, he passed by them, heading straight for the alley exit. His strides were quick and long, never looked back.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi watched their Senior Brother’s retreating figure – it carried an extremely lonely air that pained the heart even at such a close distance.

According to Kuan Nu, Senior Brother had eagerly left upon hearing of the difficult case, full of spirit, showing he still had complete confidence in his investigative abilities. Yet not only had he failed to help, but his colleagues had—

Through tonight’s events, they truly experienced how difficult the circumstances of blindness could be. Without his eyes, Senior Brother was like a mighty eagle with forcibly broken wings…

At this moment, Lin Chengyou stumbled slightly from walking too hastily.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi were deeply saddened and hurried forward to help when suddenly they sensed a ghostly shadow flitting through the alley. Lin Chengyou blocked Jue Sheng’s helping hand with his arm, tilting his head to listen.

Qi Zhi quickly formed hand seals and lit a talisman: “It seems to be a vengeful spirit.”

“It appears there’s more than one victim,” Lin Chengyou said after a pause. “The murderer was extremely brutal. Old Liu’s head still hasn’t been found. Since we’re here, let’s look around the vicinity.”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi’s eyes reddened. Though they dared not return to contaminate evidence, they couldn’t let go of the case.

As the three prepared to move forward, a strange jingling suddenly came from a dark corner.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi were startled – how could that sound be so similar to—

No, it couldn’t be possible. The Spirit Chime could only be worn by the living. When Lady Teng “died” last time, the Spirit Chime should have fallen from her wrist.

Yet Lin Chengyou reacted as if struck by lightning, his expression changing instantly.

A figure stood in the corner ahead. That bell sound came from them.

She held a lantern and had likely been standing there for some time, presumably witnessing the entire previous scene. The night was so cold, and her body trembled slightly as if crying.

Recognizing her face, Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi showed expressions of wild joy but perhaps stunned by happiness, the words “Lady Teng” stuck in their throats.

Teng Yuyi wore snow-white fur clothing, appearing to have journeyed thousands of miles, her nose reddened by cold, her makeup and hair somewhat disheveled.

Teng Yuyi’s nostrils quivered as she tearfully examined the crimson cloth over Lin Chengyou’s eyes. As she gazed, her feet unconsciously moved toward him. The snowy ground was hard and slippery – she fell, but without a sound, got up and continued walking. Walking faster and faster, until finally, she broke into an unrestrained run.

Lin Chengyou stood frozen, motionless, desperately listening to the movements ahead.

Author’s Note: According to historical records, Tang Dynasty people would hang banners with carp designs on their doors on New Year’s Day, symbolizing prayers for blessings and longevity. They would also replace peach wood charms and paste door gods and spring couplets. Peach charms were a pair of wooden strips made from peach tree branches, painted red and hung on either side of the main door, said to ward off evil. Documents excavated from Dunhuang prove that paired verses posted on either side of doors appeared as early as Emperor Xuanzong’s Kaiyuan period in the Tang Dynasty.