Bai Zhi recalled Teng Yuyi’s earlier glance and secretly broke into a cold sweat. Given her mistress’s vengeful nature, there was no guarantee she wouldn’t settle scores with that servant woman later.

“Young Mistress, do you know the master of that servant?”

As Teng Yuyi instructed Bai Zhi to light the lantern, she thought to herself: how could she not know? Three months ago, Duan Ningyuan, the eldest son of the Marquis of Zhenguo, had suddenly appeared at their door to break off their engagement – all for Madam Dong Er who was in that carriage.

She remembered how everyone who heard the news was shocked. Her father was both startled and enraged. The Marquis of Zhenguo, losing face, had brought his bound son to apologize. However, Duan Ningyuan was extraordinarily stubborn, willing to accept corporal punishment rather than maintain the engagement.

“If Father is not satisfied, add another hundred lashes if you wish.”

In the misty rain, the young man in an ink-colored traditional robe knelt straight in the courtyard, adopting a posture of absolute determination.

The Marquis of Zhenguo was furious beyond measure and seized the whip to personally carry out the punishment.

“This old man shall beat this scoundrel to death today!”

Her father coldly observed until the Marquis had beaten Duan Ningyuan half to death before speaking: “Breaking off the engagement without cause – the fault does not lie with my daughter. You betrayed trust first; don’t think to push the blame onto Yu’er. If this matter spreads and causes public discussion, should I hear even half a word criticizing Yu’er, don’t blame me, Teng Shao, for being merciless!”

With that, he publicly tore up the “Marriage Proposal” and “Marriage Acceptance” documents and expelled the barely conscious Duan Ningyuan from the manor.

At first, when people in the neighborhood discussed this matter, all were shocked that Duan Ningyuan would commit such an immoral act. But as time passed, different versions of the story began to circulate.

Duan Ningyuan was known as a man of principle. For him to willingly bear such infamy, surely it must be because Teng Shao’s daughter was lacking in virtue.

It was said this young lady was two-faced, bearing a flower-like countenance but possessing an extremely cunning nature.

This version of events grew increasingly intense until it reached Teng Shao’s ears. A woman’s reputation was of utmost importance – who would dare propose marriage to the Teng family now?

But before Teng Shao could return from Huainan Circuit to handle matters personally, Young General Duan was caught in a tryst with Madam Dong Er.

It happened during an autumn archery ceremony. Almost all the attendees were nobles and officials. The location was Leyuan Plains, near a long-abandoned temple. Someone mentioned that rare flowers were blooming in the temple, which instantly sparked everyone’s interest.

The group went to explore and accidentally encountered Young General Duan and the second daughter of Magistrate Dong of Wannian County in a private meeting.

Madam Dong Er wore men’s clothing for convenience in traveling, but couldn’t conceal her graceful demeanor.

Madam Dong Er’s eyes brimmed with tears while Duan Ningyuan consoled her gently. Though they maintained propriety, anyone could see Duan Ningyuan’s admiration and protection toward Madam Dong Er.

This incident caused an enormous stir. The two were intimate, indicating a long-standing relationship. Young General Duan’s character had always been praised by all, yet he had broken off his engagement because he had fallen in love with another woman.

Earlier, there had been so many discourteous speculations about the Teng family’s young lady, yet Young General Duan hadn’t defended her once. Even without love, they had been betrothed. To only care for his beloved while allowing the Teng family’s young lady to be slandered – was truly stone-hearted.

For a time, rumors flew. Some condemned Duan Ningyuan’s actions, others criticized Madam Dong Er for being flirtatious and seductive. The Marquis’s manor lost all face. The Marquis’s wife didn’t blame her son but hated Madam Dong Er, vowing she would rather die than let Madam Dong Er enter their door.

That night, Teng Yuyi reclined on her couch, calmly drinking Stone Frozen Spring wine from her cup.

She had no interest in whom Duan Ningyuan chose to spend his life, but trying to drag her down for his selfish interests was going too far.

Duan Ningyuan was an extremely cautious person. To set up this scheme, she didn’t know how much effort she had expended. Finally waiting for the day these two would fall into disgrace, how could she not drink in celebration?

***

Seeing Teng Yuyi’s group successfully enter, the servant woman also came forward to negotiate, but the group of noble servants merely blocked the forest entrance, refusing entry no matter what.

The servant woman’s voice was quite loud. Bai Zhi, from the front, heard a few sentences and learned this servant was the housekeeper from Magistrate Dong’s manor in Wannian County.

Though Bai Zhi had lived in Yangzhou for many years, she knew Chang’an City was divided into two counties – the eastern city belonged to Wannian County, and the western city to Chang’an County.

Though the two county magistrates were only of upper fifth rank, they wielded real power in the imperial capital and were considered significant figures. No wonder even a manor housekeeper could be so overbearing.

The negotiations proved completely ineffective. The middle-aged servant woman was quite embarrassed. Then someone called from within the carriage. The woman got in, lifted the curtain again, and reluctantly instructed the driver: “Second Young Lady is worried about the Old Madam’s illness. She’s anxious to return to the city after attending the banquet to attend to her. Let’s not waste time here; we’ll take the long way around.”

The driver agreed, and the fragrant carriage gradually disappeared into the distance.

Bai Zhi glanced at Teng Yuyi. Her mistress had been on high alert since entering the forest. Though she was curious, she dared not ask more questions. She only wondered about the identity of those noble servants’ master, who could so easily dismiss even the Wannian County Magistrate. They must have already left the forest, as the earlier sounds of laughter and footsteps had gradually faded to nothing but the whistling wind.

Still waters run deep – the quieter it became, the more eerie it felt.

After walking for a while, unable to tell directions, Bai Zhi felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Fortunately, Duan Fu was with them. This old servant had been assigned by the master to serve her mistress since she was three years old. He was skilled in martial arts and loyal. Earlier, he had been sent by the mistress to find Du Tinglan, and now he accompanied them into the forest. Having him by their side protecting the mistress provided some peace of mind.

The air was cool and thick, gradually permeated by a bitter, fishy smell that grew stronger as they proceeded. As the three were growing suspicious, a woman’s sudden scream came from the forest. The treetops rustled as if some enormous creature had flown overhead.

Bai Zhi felt chills throughout her body and hurried to protect Teng Yuyi, but Teng Yuyi shouted lowly: “Duan Fu!”

“Yes!” With a clear ring, the blade’s cold light was intimidating as Duan Fu drew his sword and leaped forward.

Teng Yuyi lifted her skirts and gave chase. Though the woman’s scream had been brief, it was her cousin. When that huge thing had passed overhead moments ago, its qi had been overwhelming – she couldn’t tell if it was human or beast.

Thousands of thoughts raced through her mind. The culprit couldn’t be someone from the Feng forest. If they wanted to kill someone, why make such a display of blocking so many carriages from entering? It was tantamount to announcing to the world they were the murderer.

In her view, the culprit was most likely hiding in the darkness of the forest. Fearing an ambush, she had been extremely cautious after entering the forest. Yet sudden change still occurred, even more bizarre than she had anticipated.

Weapons clashed with a metallic ring as Duan Fu engaged with that thing. His weapon was forged from thousand-year dark iron that her father had obtained while guarding the border at Congling – it could split stones and cut gold, breaking through anything.

Teng Yuyi felt slightly reassured. Regardless of the culprit’s background, Duan Fu rarely failed.

Bai Zhi was frightened but fortunately hadn’t dropped the lantern. The master and servant rushed forward several steps, the flickering light falling ahead where a shadow lay prone on the ground, vaguely appearing to be a woman.

Teng Yuyi drew the jade sword from her sleeve. Just as she was about to rush forward, a remaining thread of rationality held her back. She stopped and had Bai Zhi raise the lantern: “See who that person is.”

Bai Zhi tremblingly illuminated the person.

“Hong Nu?”

Hong Nu’s face was ashen, but she was still breathing. Teng Yuyi crouched down to check on her, urgently asking: “Where is Elder Sister?”

Hong Nu opened her eyes with heavy coughs, her expression blank for a moment before she scrambled up in panic: “Young Lady! Young Lady!”

This maid was already scared out of her wits. As Teng Yuyi’s anxiety flared, she grabbed Bai Zhi’s lantern and was about to stand when behind her came a “BANG!” as something heavy struck the ground. She heard Duan Fu groan: “Young Lady, be careful!”

Teng Yuyi’s mind went blank – how could Duan Fu have failed?

Before she could turn around, a strange wind rushed from behind, carrying within it a thick fragrance of plants and trees.

Hong Nu and Bai Zhi’s pupils dilated sharply. That thing came too fast – before the two could push Teng Yuyi away, the black shadow’s hand had already landed on her shoulder. With just one hook and pull, it could tear Teng Yuyi in half.

Having landed its strike, the monster surprisingly began to laugh strangely, its tone tender and light, extremely similar to a woman full of gentle affection. Hong Nu and Bai Zhi had finally mustered the courage to help, but upon hearing this terrifying laugh, both fainted to the ground.

Duan Fu struggled to his feet with a roar – if this thing closed its giant claws, how could his young mistress survive?

In that moment, strength surged wildly – though his arm was already broken, he forced himself to grip his sword handle again, springing up from the ground to dive down like a hunting falcon.

This move carried the force to split mountains and crack stones, certain to make that thing’s flesh bloom open. Yet unexpectedly, when the sword’s edge struck down, it was as if striking solid rock. “Clang! Clang! Clang!” A shower of orange sparks flew up, not even breaking the skin.

That thing was extremely pleased, its laughter growing even sweeter, suddenly sounding almost like a coquettish girl of fifteen or sixteen. Beneath its giant claws, something like vines seemed to grow, slowly caressing Teng Yuyi’s neck.

Duan Fu’s heart and courage both shattered. Just as he was about to charge with his shoulder, the bell-like laughter suddenly changed to miserable screaming.

They saw Teng Yuyi gripping her jade sword, viciously stabbing at the monster’s claw on her shoulder.

With each stab, the monster would cry out once, as if suffering the pain of having its heart carved out, screaming incomparably shrill.

Duan Fu was so shocked he forgot to withdraw his hand. Teng Yuyi had long forgotten fear – before coming, she had imagined thousands of times in her mind: that if she could catch her cousin’s would-be murderer on the spot, she would cut them into a thousand pieces. Thinking her cousin might still be in this creature’s hands, her attacks were both vicious and swift.

In her previous life, after her cousin’s tragic death, her aunt had also fallen gravely ill from the trauma. In just half a year, she had successively lost her two most important relatives. Now that she knew all the misfortune that arose from this monster, she wanted nothing more than to eat its flesh and sleep on its skin.

Stabbing into its flesh wasn’t enough. Teng Yuyi gave a fierce laugh and, as if grinding paste, twisted the sword tip back and forth inside the monster’s claw.

The monster’s screams rose several pitches higher, but unable to move, another heavy thud sounded as something fell to the ground. In the darkness came a woman’s pained groan.

In Teng Yuyi’s mind, it was as if a zither string had been plucked.

“Elder Sister!”

“It’s Elder Sister! Quick, Duan Fu!”

Duan Fu didn’t wait for orders. Seizing the opportunity, he rolled on the ground, scooped Du Tinglan into his arms, and in a single leap and fall, carried her away from the monster’s feet.

Teng Yuyi meant to stab again, but in that moment of distraction, the pressure on her shoulder suddenly lightened. Amid continuing screams of agony, the monster tore off its giant claw.

In an instant, blood gushed like a pillar, its foul stench shooting straight to the clouds.

The monster wailed miserably, like a woman whose heart had been utterly broken, leaping high into the treetops and disappearing into the night in the blink of an eye.

Light from torches illuminated the forest’s edge as footsteps approached in a jumble. Madam Du rushed over with her servants in alarm: “Lan’er, Yu’er!”

Following them was the group of noble servants who had earlier set up curtains outside the forest.

Seeing the scene, everyone showed expressions of shock, not knowing what kind of illusion the demon had used – such earth-shattering fighting, yet not half a sound had been heard outside the forest.

One servant crouched down to pick up the monster’s severed limb, but before he could examine it, the thing turned into a pile of black powder. His face changed: “Quick, report to the Young Master.”

“The Young Master just went down to the polo field. The Moon Lantern Pavilion is locked, and there are so many people competing in the field – how can we get him a message?”

“Prince Jun’an is also by the river tonight. Why don’t I go ask His Highness to find the Young Master? The demon’s origins are unknown – if left unchecked, others will surely meet with disaster.”

Teng Yuyi was still shaken as she hurriedly embraced her cousin to check on her. Though still unconscious, her breathing was steady.

Teng Yuyi’s nose stung and eyes burned – before she had a face full of vibrant life, not like in her previous life when she rushed from Yangzhou to find that lifeless, swollen, ashen face.

For days she had been trapped on the boat rushing from Yangzhou to Chang’an, planning day and night how to avoid the same tragedy. Now seeing her cousin alive before her eyes gave her a feeling of surviving a catastrophe.

Madam Du’s face was deathly pale as she hurriedly pushed aside her serving maids to rush forward: “What happened?”

Smelling the familiar incense on her aunt’s short jacket, Teng Yuyi felt as if cotton was stuck in her throat, but when she looked up, she calmly said: “Cousin and I agreed to meet here for entertainment, but unexpectedly encountered an evil creature.”

Why her cousin had left the nunnery remained a mystery to her. With too many strangers around, she had to be cautious.

Madam Du’s thoughts turned quickly. Seeing one daughter unconscious and the other badly frightened, she was overcome with fear and quickly embraced both: “Good children, don’t be afraid.”

She looked around apprehensively and rapidly instructed her servants: “Quickly carry First Young Lady to the carriage and return to the city to find a doctor.”

Teng Yuyi cherished her aunt’s embrace but knew there were still many matters to attend to. She rose to check Duan Fu’s injuries and saw that from his right shoulder down, his entire arm was mangled.

Duan Fu remained silent. Teng Yuyi was extremely anxious and had the old driver support him: “There’s medicine for wounds in the carriage – let’s stop the bleeding first.”

After leaving the forest and settling Du Tinglan, just as they were about to carry Hong Nu and Bai Zhi to the carriage, hoofbeats kicked up clouds of dust as the group of servants returned, followed by palace attendants in yellow robes.

This group hurried forward: “May we ask if this is General Teng’s carriage? We are Prince Jun’an’s attendants. His Highness heard of what happened and, fearing others might meet with disaster, sent us to quickly seal off the bamboo forest.”

“Prince Jun’an?” Madam Du lifted the curtain, having already noticed her daughter’s blackened lips and feeling greatly disturbed.

“Not just your household – Magistrate Dong’s carriage from Wannian County also passed through here and was attacked, all injured by the evil creature. Ordinary doctors cannot treat this. Fortunately, the Daoist master is also enjoying the evening by the Qu River. The Prince has gone to invite him and asked us to send the injured to Purple Cloud Tower.”

Teng Yuyi’s heart jolted. She quickly grasped Madam Du’s hand: “Aunt, please follow what the palace attendants say and carry Hong Nu and Bai Zhi to the carriage.”

Her cousin and the others were barely breathing, and Duan Fu’s face was also covered in a layer of black qi – obviously related to that demon. Without quick treatment, death would come in a matter of days.

If she wasn’t mistaken, this Daoist master who could freely enter and exit Purple Cloud Tower was none other than Qingxu Zi, the eccentric who was revered as the current Emperor’s honored teacher.

This person’s Daoist arts were unmatched in all the realms.