It was nearly noon when Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi returned to the Qingyun Temple.

The entrance was quiet, without even a sparrow in sight. As they climbed the steps, they noticed two azure-colored ox carts with precious knobs parked beneath the eastern wall.

“Didn’t Master say the temple was closed today? Why are there visitors?” Jue Sheng asked curiously.

Qi Zhi looked over at the carts. Though simple and unadorned, a closer inspection revealed that both the wheel hubs and crossbars were sturdier than ordinary ox carts.

A servant sat upright on one of the carts. Upon seeing the two of them, he jumped down from the shaft and clasped his hands in greeting, “Greetings to the two Daoist masters.”

The servant was fair-skinned and beardless, with a Buddha-like smile. Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi returned the greeting in confusion, wondering about the identity of the cart’s owner, as even their servant carried himself with such distinction.

As they walked inside, Qi Zhi said, “Before we left this morning, Master mentioned that since the soul of Duke An’s wife had been separated from her body for too long, retrieving it would be extremely difficult. However, he said there was a method, but it required another person of profound cultivation to help set up the formation. Could that person be the owner of those ox carts?”

“I think so too. Why else would Master let them in?”

They hurried back to the scripture hall. The main hall was empty—the Prince of Jun’an and Imperial Physician Yu had already left.

They could hear people talking in low voices from the eastern side room. Master’s voice was easily recognizable, and the middle-aged man’s voice also sounded somewhat familiar—rich and deep, with inner power seemingly no less than Master’s.

Just as they were about to knock, the door creaked open and someone came out.

They startled backward. “Master!”

“What are you two sneaking around for? How did the task I gave you go?” Lin Chengyou deliberately kept his voice low.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi grew more puzzled—Master’s manner clearly showed great respect for the person inside.

“We—we completed it.”

Qi Zhi nodded vigorously. “That’s right, Maiden Teng’s jade sword has lost its spiritual power.”

Lin Chengyou gave a slight laugh and walked out first, asking as he went, “Did you do exactly as I instructed?”

The two then recounted what had happened earlier.

Lin Chengyou’s footsteps faltered. “So you’re saying that if I hadn’t planted the evil spirit ring beforehand, not only would you have wasted a packet of itching bugs, but you wouldn’t have even managed to trick her out of the jade sword?”

Qi Zhi stammered, “We tried our best, but Maiden Teng isn’t stupid at all.”

Lin Chengyou delivered a knock to his head. “The two biggest fools are right here, so naturally those outside can’t be foolish. Where’s the sword? Where is it?”

Jue Sheng deflated. “The sword is still with Maiden Teng.”

Qi Zhi puffed up his chest and said urgently, “She wouldn’t give it to us, and we couldn’t very well take it by force.”

Lin Chengyou laughed in exasperation. “You’re giving me a headache. How did I end up with such stupid junior brothers?”

Jue Sheng said timidly, “But Maiden Teng will come to us with the sword. She might even go to the Caifeng Tower tomorrow night.”

Lin Chengyou was about to descend the steps when he stumbled at these words. “Caifeng Tower? You told her about Caifeng Tower?”

Qi Zhi’s face fell. “Master, we’re not good at deception. If we had told Maiden Teng to come find you at Qingyun Temple, you might have kept her waiting for ten days or half a month. By telling her to go to Caifeng Tower, she can find you right away. Maiden Teng only wanted some itching bugs, but we turned her treasure into waste. Jue Sheng and I couldn’t bear it.”

Lin Chengyou’s face darkened. “Well, well, you’re both such compassionate bodhisattvas. Bodhisattvas should be cultivated in pure and quiet places—why are you still loitering before this villain, determined to anger me to death? Get to the meditation room right now, and don’t come out for a month.”

The two were both ashamed and anxious, and couldn’t help but start sobbing. Their voices carried to the back, and from the previously quiet side room came a cough. The sound was neither loud nor soft, carrying a kind and generous tone that seemed to be admonishing Lin Chengyou.

As Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi wondered about this, Lin Chengyou rubbed his ear. “Fine. Before I left, I taught you word by word, yet you still let her trick you completely. You say you were soft-hearted, but why didn’t you consider that if Maiden Teng doesn’t learn a harsh lesson, she’ll keep targeting Qingyun Temple? Only by making her truly wary will this matter end. Instead of helping the temple prevent future troubles, you foolishly plead on her behalf. Do you want to be tricked by her a few more times?”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi shook their heads in unison, then wiped their noses and said, “But… maybe Maiden Teng just wanted some itching bugs to play with. She might not trick us again in the future.”

Lin Chengyou sneered, “She’s not a child. Knowing the harm these bugs can do, what else would she want them for except to hurt people?”

Wiping their tears, Qi Zhi and Jue Sheng thought that Master’s words made sense. The itching bugs could make life worse than death when they attacked. Though Master kept them for amusement, knowing their potency, he rarely used them to tease people.

In their memory, Master had only released the bugs twice.

One was to deal with a lecherous Daoist priest from another region.

That scoundrel was quite old but had an exceptionally wicked heart. Not only did he use devious methods to cheat people of their money, but he also violated many women. After catching this old priest, Master released several dozen of the largest itching bugs onto him, letting them keep him company in prison.

The other time was just the previous night at Purple Cloud Tower, dealing with the deceitful Madam Dong.

In comparison, Maiden Teng’s attempt to obtain the itching bugs was indeed puzzling. To get bugs to harm others without reason—no wonder Master suspected she wasn’t a good person.

The two wiped their tears and nodded, “Master’s lesson is right.”

Lin Chengyou rubbed his brow. “You’ve botched this task, but I’m used to it by now. With those little brains of yours, I’d be more surprised if you didn’t mess things up. What about the other matter I asked you to handle? What did Miss Du say after she woke up? Did she tell you who invited her to the bamboo grove?”

Qi Zhi pouted in disagreement and said sullenly, “Official Du said his daughter did reveal the truth after waking up, but since it concerns Du’s family privacy, she could only tell the Crown Prince.”

Lin Chengyou scoffed, “Don’t they know how many women that tree demon has killed? Since the Du family knows the truth, they should speak up immediately. What right do they have to make conditions with me?”

Qi Zhi scratched his head. “From Official Du’s meaning, the matter seems very troublesome. The Du family desperately wants Master’s help now, but they seem to be afraid of something and insist on telling only Master.”

Lin Chengyou vaguely guessed what the Du family was worried about—likely concerning Miss Du’s reputation. He pondered this internally but didn’t bother to point it out, instead turning to walk forward. “When and where do they want to tell me?”

“As soon as Master agrees to the Du family’s request, Official Du will come immediately to inform you.”

Lin Chengyou clasped his hands behind his back and looked skyward. “We need to set up formations in the temple today and are very busy at present. Send someone to the Du mansion with a message: I have no interest in spreading others’ private matters, but my patience is limited. The Du family must send a representative to Qingyun Temple before tomorrow to tell me everything about that night, without changing a single word.”

Jue Sheng ran down the steps. “I’ll go have someone deliver the message right away.”

Qi Zhi asked, “Master, if Maiden Teng goes to Caifeng Tower tomorrow night, will you meet with her?”

Lin Chengyou smiled and asked, “Why would we go to Caifeng Tower?”

“To exorcise evil spirits.”

Lin Chengyou patted Qi Zhi’s head. “If we’re going to exorcise evil spirits, how would I have time to deal with irrelevant people?”

Qi Zhi froze—so Master was going to leave Maiden Teng waiting? They had meant well but ended up doing wrong again.

However, Maiden Teng seemed different from ordinary noble ladies. Qi Zhi timidly asked, “What if she insists on seeing Master?”

Lin Chengyou nodded with a smile. “Let her come. She’d better properly apologize to me and voluntarily return the itching bugs. If she dares to play tricks, destroying one magical artifact will be nothing compared to what I have in store for her.”

Qi Zhi anxiously scratched his head and ears. Master was angry now—if Maiden Teng came tomorrow night, she would surely suffer greatly. Should he send her a warning? But he feared being caught by Master. As he pondered this, he looked up and saw Master had begun drawing talismans by the well, stepping in the patterns of the Big Dipper.

Looking closer, he saw it was the “Gate of the Mysterious Female.”

This gate was the root of Heaven and Earth. After Duke An’s wife’s soul fell into the realm of darkness and wandered without returning, Master created a false Gate of the Mysterious Female to lure her back.

Qi Zhi rushed over to help. On the altar table by the well lay an object covered with a dark square cloth. When the cloth was lifted, it revealed a young tree with lush green branches, possessing a bewitching beauty that could capture souls.

Qi Zhi’s eyes widened slightly—it was the tree demon’s original form.

Jue Sheng returned to the courtyard and was equally surprised at this sight. “Master, if we’re trying to draw back Lady An’s soul, why is the tree demon enshrined here?”

Lin Chengyou said, “Lady An’s soul was scattered by this tree demon—who does she hate most now?”

Qi Zhi blinked. “The tree demon!”

Jue Sheng clapped his hands. “I understand! Using the tree demon’s aura as bait will stir up the resentment in Lady An’s soul. With such a strong attachment, the chances of finding her soul will be greater.”

“Moreover, I’ve drawn a false Gate of the Mysterious Female here, essentially setting up a target in Qingyun Temple. Once we remove the evil-repelling talismans outside the temple, wandering souls from all over Chang’an will be drawn here. Though the tree demon has been forced back to its original form, its yin and evil qi remain. Placing it in the courtyard will keep ordinary wandering ghosts away, saving us much trouble when we truly begin to summon the soul.”

As Lin Chengyou spoke, he rechecked all the mechanisms in the courtyard. After ensuring everything was prepared, he took out the paper Duke An had drawn that morning.

“If footprints appear in the Soul-Tracking Powder later, it means souls have arrived. Compare them carefully—if they don’t match, drive them away immediately. If they match the footprints on the paper, find a way to guide Lady An’s soul toward the well.”

“Yes, Master.”

Lin Chengyou reminded them, “Be careful. If none try to impersonate her, that’s fine, but any that dare to must be dangerous. This is a rare opportunity for you to gain experience.”

“Don’t worry, Master.”

Just then, a strange sound came from the scripture hall. The tightly closed doors of the side room flew open, and a red thread shot out, flying straight toward the well.

Qi Zhi and Jue Sheng were greatly startled. No wonder Master showed such respect to that person—their inner power was so profound it was no less than their Grandmaster’s.

The red thread was extremely thin, with small bells hanging every few inches. Strangely, though the bells swayed constantly in the wind, they made not the slightest sound.

Lin Chengyou reached back and caught the red thread steadily. “Go, tie it by the well.”

Qi Zhi complied. The person in the side room held firmly to the other end of the thread. When Qi Zhi tied the red thread above the well opening, the other end suddenly pulled taut, making the thread as tight as a bowstring.

Incense smoke curled up from the scripture hall, and the faint sound of chanting could be heard. The bells on the red thread began to ring with clear, crystalline tones.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi’s hearts pounded. Lin Chengyou leaped onto the well’s edge, pointing his sword at the eastern wall, and called out, “Madam Li of the Cheng family, won’t you return?”

Though the sun had been high overhead, clouds suddenly obscured it. A massive shadow covered half the sky, plunging the entire courtyard into darkness.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi braced themselves for battle, quickly running to sit under the corridor. The ground was covered with Soul-Tracking Powder as fine as down—when spirits came, they would surely leave traces.

Lin Chengyou stood on the well’s edge with his sword, holding his breath and staring intently at the courtyard. The surroundings were so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Suddenly, a ghostly wind arose.

With a creak, the courtyard gate slowly opened.

Then, accompanied by a faint putrid smell, a golden footprint suddenly appeared on the ground. The footprint was extremely small—not Lady An’s soul.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi’s scalps tingled. Coming so quickly, this entity must be quite powerful.

***

Teng Yu’yi looked at the sun overhead—it was already noon. Brother Cheng had gone to handle matters as she instructed but hadn’t returned. After waiting a while with no news, she decided to go visit her cousin. Just then, Madam Du sent someone to fetch her, saying lunch was ready and asking her to come quickly.

When Teng Yu’yi arrived at Yilan Pavilion, Du Tinglan had taken her medicine and gone back to sleep. The meal was set up in the outer room, where Madam Du and Du Shaotang were waiting. Du Yuzhi had only taken half a day’s leave and had already returned to the Imperial Academy.

Madam Du said, “We should have properly welcomed you, but with everything that’s happened, we couldn’t prepare properly this morning. We hastily made a few dishes—I hope they suit your taste.”

Teng Yu’yi happily sat cross-legged, seeing the table was filled with almost all her favorite dishes. Her eyes roamed over the table as she asked excitedly, “Did Aunt make all of this?”

Madam Du smiled and handed her chopsticks. “Try it and see.”

Teng Yu’yi picked up a jade dew dumpling and couldn’t stop praising it. “In Yangzhou, I didn’t miss anything else—just Aunt’s cooking. So much has happened since I returned to Chang’an, I thought it would be days before I could taste Aunt’s cooking. I didn’t expect to have it so soon, and it’s still so delicious.”

Madam Du was beaming with joy and personally ladled her a bowl of millet soup. “Your aunt was so worried last night, I didn’t sleep at all. I heard you were tossing and turning in the next room too. After we finish eating, we should both go rest.”

Du Shaotang sat cross-legged on the opposite side and asked curiously, “Cousin Yu’yi, earlier your maid asked me for a map of Chang’an. Are you going out?”

Teng Yu’yi said, “I haven’t been back to Chang’an for several years. Now that I’m back, I want to look around, but I’m worried the cart driver might not know the way, so I wanted to check a map.”

Du Shaotang smiled. “Why go to such trouble? I can accompany you, Cousin. I study at the Imperial Academy now and occasionally go out with my classmates. I know Chang’an’s streets and alleys well.”

Teng Yu’yi took a sip of sugarcane juice and said casually, “I heard there’s a new Persian tavern in Chang’an. The owner is Persian and brews excellent wine. The tavern has a common name—Red Clouds Tower or something like Cloud Phoenix Tower.”

Du Shaotang thought for a moment. “I haven’t heard of such a Persian tavern, but there is a Caifeng Tower that’s recently become famous in Chang’an. My classmates have been there several times and praise it highly, though I’ve only heard their discussions and haven’t seen it myself.”

Teng Yu’yi asked curiously, “Why do they praise it so much? What’s special about this Caifeng Tower?”

Du Shaotang glanced furtively at Madam Du and said evasively, “They just say the food and wine are good…”

He quickly changed the subject. “Cousin Yu’yi, if you’re looking for good wine, why go to outside taverns? Sister brewed a jar of osmanthus wine for you last year and buried it under the begonia tree in the corner of the courtyard. She said she’d dig it up for you when you came.”

Teng Yu’yi couldn’t wait to put down her chopsticks and turned her head to look around. “Where’s the wine?”

Madam Du laughed. “You child, your eyes light up at the mention of wine. The wine is buried under the tree—it has no legs, it won’t run away. Sit properly. You’ve been tired lately, don’t think about drinking now. Rest well today, and ask Lan’er about it tomorrow.”

After the meal, Teng Yu’yi went to rest in the adjacent room. She took out the jade sword and polished it by the window, her brow furrowing more with each stroke.

Chunrong and Biluo were puzzled. When their mistress had spoken with the two young Daoists that morning, they had been too far away to hear what happened, but since the Daoists left, she had been taking out the sword to look at it from time to time.

“It’s quiet at noon, why not take a nap?” Chunrong said.

Teng Yu’yi slowly lay down on the bed, holding the sword up to her eyes to examine it carefully.

“Miss, are you going to Caifeng Tower tomorrow?”

“Have Brother Cheng inquire about other Daoist temples in Chang’an.” Teng Yu’yi tucked the sword under her pillow. “Or about any Daoists with profound skills. If he finds anything, tell him to report back to me quickly.”

She refused to believe that in a city as large as Chang’an, with surely no shortage of extraordinary people, only Lin Chengyou could deal with the evil spirit ring.

“I’ll go pass on the message right away.” Chunrong tucked in Teng Yu’yi’s quilt. “However, I’ve heard that Qingyun Temple is the greatest Daoist temple under heaven. It might not be easy to find its equal in Chang’an.”

Teng Yu’yi found this comment dispiriting and snorted. Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, she opened her eyes and turned her head on the pillow. “Hey, where’s my doll?”

Qiyun came in carrying a gray little cloth doll. “Biluo washed it this morning, and it just dried. Miss, smell it—it still has the fragrance of sunshine.”

Teng Yu’yi took the doll and turned over, mumbling, “Be careful. If you lose it, I’ll never forgive you.”

Chunrong and Biluo couldn’t help but smile. Though their mistress was young, she was used to making her own decisions about everything. Yet when it came time to sleep, she was still like a child, unable to part with the doll her mother had left her.

Suddenly they heard low voices outside. Teng Yu’yi quickly said, “Is that Brother Cheng back? Go see quickly.”

Biluo went out and returned with a map. “The young master sent it. Miss, are you going to Caifeng Tower tomorrow?”

Teng Yu’yi sat up and took the map to study it. “Oh, so this tavern is in Pingkang Ward?”

Could it be a brothel?

What would Lin Chengyou be doing taking his two junior brothers to a brothel?

Biluo and Chunrong also gathered around the bed. “Ah, that’s quite far from Qinren Ward. It takes more than an hour each way. Miss, whether you go or not, you need to decide by noon tomorrow at the latest. If we leave any later, we won’t be able to return to the Du mansion before dark.”