E Ji held a lantern to lead the way ahead: “Daoist Master, Ge Jin’s chambers are just ahead. It’s a waterside pavilion called Leaning on Emerald Chamber. The place is quiet and elegant, perfect for her recovery. Unfortunately, after the incident, she became despondent and hasn’t left her room for days.”

Teng Yu Yi observed his surroundings. Though all the top courtesans of Colored Phoenix Tower lived in the same area, there were still distinctions in rank. Ge Jin, being the leading flower among them, had quarters different from the others.

The wing rooms were divided into two sides, east and west facing each other, winding like a snake, with thirty rooms on each side.

Ge Jin resided in the largest chamber on the east side. Her front window faced the peony garden, while the back window overlooked the water. In spring, she could admire flowers; in winter, she could appreciate the snow. The arrangement showed considerable thought, befitting Ge Jin’s status as the most renowned courtesan of the Colored Phoenix Tower.

The entertainers remained in the front tower, making the corridor of the waterside pavilion in the back garden even more silent than usual. The light from the lanterns under the eaves cast a dim, melancholic glow, far less bright than the crescent moon overhead.

E Ji raised her lantern high to illuminate ahead. Seeing Ge Jin’s door tightly shut, she finally relaxed: “The door is still closed. We’ve passed the Daoist Master’s talismans all around the tower. As long as Ge Jin doesn’t open the door on her own, nothing should happen.”

When everyone reached the door, Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi stood on tiptoe to look: “Senior Brother, the talisman is still properly pasted.”

Lin Cheng You kicked open the door without a word. Everyone peered inside, but there was only cold moonlight in the room—no sign of Ge Jin.

“Damn it, where did she go?”

Lin Cheng You had already rushed to the window and leaped out: “She couldn’t have gone far, quick, after her!”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi jumped onto the window without hesitation.

Jue Sheng was the first to jump down. With a splash, he cried out in pain from below: “Ouch! Senior Brother, why didn’t you tell us there was a pool outside?”

Lin Cheng You’s voice came from afar: “Did I need to teach you that? Couldn’t you look before jumping? Qi Zhi, your hand is injured, don’t go in the water. First, draw a Pure Child Golden Sovereign Formation in the room, then go to the shore to help Qi Zhi.”

Qi Zhi hung upside down from the window, at least avoiding Jue Sheng’s fate of plunging into the water, though his hands flailed about helplessly, looking quite awkward.

He called out weakly: “Young Master Wang, could you lend a hand?”

Teng Yu Yi ran over to pull Qi Zhi back: “Tsk, now I understand why your Senior Brother scolds you both all day.”

As he spoke, he looked down from the window. This window was made differently from others, unusually wide and able to accommodate two people. If the room’s occupant was in the mood, they could easily sit on the windowsill to enjoy the moon and drink together.

Jue Sheng splashed about in the pool, silver waves rolling under the moonlight. Teng Yu Yi glanced at it and suddenly recalled the night of his death in his previous life. His expression changed instantly.

Qi Zhi steadied himself and looked at Teng Yu Yi curiously: “Young Master Wang, are you afraid of water?”

Teng Yu Yi pretended nothing was wrong: “Is Jue Sheng alright? Should we pull him out?”

“He can swim, he’ll be fine. I’ll go find him after I draw the formation.” Qi Zhi ran back into the room.

He Mingsheng leaned weakly against the doorframe, his legs trembling uncontrollably: “You scared me to death. We just rescued Juan’er Li, and now Ge Jin has vanished. This place is so ghostly and strange. Young Daoist, could you quickly escort me back to the front tower?”

Qi Zhi was taken aback: “There’s no time now. Miss Ge Jin’s life hangs in the balance. This poor Daoist must first help Senior Brother save her.”

He Mingsheng wiped the beads of sweat from his plump face: “It won’t take long to send us back. Young Daoist, please be kind, just make one trip and then return.”

Qi Zhi quickly drew the formation: “With the formation’s protection, the room is safest right now. You four stay in the room and don’t wander off.”

With that, he dashed away.

He Mingsheng stamped his foot in frustration, but despite his unwillingness, he could only slowly shuffle into the room.

Teng Yu Yi and Huo Qiu stood by the window watching him curiously. E Ji, probably embarrassed by her master’s cowardice, also looked uncomfortable.

He Mingsheng paid no attention, sitting down at Ge Jin’s dressing table and continuously wiping the sweat from his brow: “So many incidents in just a few short days—this will be the end of my Colored Phoenix Tower!”

Teng Yu Yi slowly walked back to the low couch and sat down, lifting his robes: “I hear Master He came from Luoyang. What business were you in before?”

“Harnesses and grain, silk, and jewels—I’ve done it all,” He Mingsheng said pretentiously. “Rising early and sleeping late, pursuing every small profit, accumulating bit by bit, seeking the most minute gains. After finally saving up a fortune, I invested it all in Colored Phoenix Tower. If the supernatural occurrences here can’t be completely cleared out, I’m afraid I’ll lose half my life’s worth.”

E Ji flattered him: “Master is a renowned merchant from Luoyang. How could a small establishment like Colored Phoenix Tower affect you so deeply?”

He Mingsheng’s eyes bulged: “Listen to this woman’s naive view! Colored Phoenix Tower is different from other places. It requires huge silver investments daily. When business is good, it’s like a spring that nourishes everything endlessly. When business is poor, it can shake the foundation within three months. I just hope tonight’s events don’t spread, or business will plummet, and who knows how much more money I’ll lose.”

After speaking at length about nothing but money, Teng Yu Yi smiled faintly: “I hear Ge Jin is your Colored Phoenix Tower’s leading courtesan. When she was harmed by the evil spirit, why didn’t the proprietor find someone to exorcise it? Aren’t you worried other courtesans might suffer the same fate?”

He Mingsheng’s face fell: “How could we not seek exorcism? The small disturbances before were manageable, nothing too serious. When Ge Jin was injured a few days ago, I immediately went to Luoyang to find that expert. Who knew that after searching the entire city, I couldn’t find a trace of him? I guess he was either a fraud or had gone wandering. I was planning to seek help from Azure Cloud Temple these days, but tonight’s incident happened first.”

As he was speaking with spittle flying, he suddenly felt something was wrong. The window, which had been bright with moonlight, suddenly darkened. He turned to look and immediately collapsed to the ground in fear. Someone was hanging wet and dripping at the window, blocking most of the moonlight from outside.

E Ji screamed in terror, while Teng Yu Yi quickly drew his jade sword: “W-w-who are you?”

The person laboriously raised their head: “It’s me.”

He Mingsheng and E Ji seemed to find the voice familiar and looked at each other in surprise: “Ge Jin?!”

“Master…” Ge Jin said weakly, “Madam E… quickly pull me in.”

He Mingsheng tremblingly raised the lampstand. The woman’s hair was half-undone, dripping wet, her features enchanting—truly a rare beauty. Unfortunately, the scars on her face were visible, marring half her beauty.

“It is Ge Jin.” He Mingsheng stammered, “How did you end up here? Weren’t you taken by the monster?”

Ge Jin struggled to hold onto the windowsill: “It was my fault for opening the door. I carelessly fell for the creature’s trick. Fortunately, the Daoist from Azure Cloud Temple rescued me, but they were busy chasing the monster and couldn’t escort me back to my room.”

She coughed once: “Master, you’ve finally returned from Luoyang. Did you find that extraordinary person?”

He Mingsheng and E Ji, who had been afraid to move, suddenly froze at these words. The matter of He Mingsheng going to Luoyang to seek an expert was known only to a few of the most prominent courtesans.

This must indeed be Ge Jin.

“Master… Madam E…” Ge Jin’s breath was weak, “Come give me a hand.”

As the two hesitated, Teng Yu Yi suddenly asked: “Miss Ge Jin, which Daoist master left you here?”

“Not a Daoist master, but a young gentleman,” Ge Jin sighed. “After saving this humble one, he found me burdensome. Without saying a word, he abandoned me and left.”

The people in the room’s doubts instantly vanished—this was exactly something Lin Cheng You would do.

He Mingsheng, being habitually cowardly, still didn’t dare approach and just kept directing E Ji: “E Ji, go help Ge Jin.”

Ge Jin smiled bitterly: “Master, you’re so close, why make Madam E do it?”

Her tone and manner were no different from usual. E Ji had no more doubts and rolled up her sleeves to help: “Fine, fine, I’ll do it.”

But before she could take a step, Teng Yu Yi stopped her. He pulled something from his sleeve and walked toward the window: “Miss Ge Jin, earlier tonight when the Daoist Master had people paste talismans, he specifically instructed that no doors should be opened. I wonder what tricks the evil spirit used to deceive you.”

Ge Jin hesitated: “That thing disguised itself as someone familiar bringing me medicine. I was careless for a moment and…”

“I see.” Teng Yu Yi nodded. “Ah, this creature’s methods are truly sophisticated, almost impossible to guard against.”

“Indeed.” Ge Jin sighed with embarrassment. “It’s all because of this humble one’s foolishness. Young Master, I can barely hold on anymore, please give me a hand.”

She extended a delicate white arm, looking at Teng Yu Yi with hope.

“Coming.” Teng Yu Yi quickened his pace to the window, smiling as he raised the object in his hand.

Ge Jin’s expression changed as she saw Teng Yu Yi holding a worn brush, stabbing it straight at her face.

Ge Jin had no time to dodge. Her face transformed instantly, her skin glowing with a faint golden hue in the moonlight. She remained motionless, her voice carrying a cold and eerie quality: “Where did I slip up?”

Though Teng Yu Yi had succeeded by chance, he was internally terrified. While retreating backward, he said: “Why should I tell you?”

He had been suspicious early on. Ge Jin had just been taken by the creature, and even if she had been rescued promptly, she would have been unconscious from the demon poison, just like Juan’er Li who took quite a while to wake up, and how she had once fainted from demon poison.

Lin Cheng, You would have known this. Even if he were cold-hearted, he wouldn’t carelessly abandon an unconscious person.

Yet this fake “Ge Jin” not only suddenly appeared at the window but also appeared completely unharmed.

The woman began to laugh softly. Her arms slowly lowered, and when she raised them again, their color had changed. Looking closely, they were densely covered with what looked like scales, rich and gleaming, transforming in the blink of an eye into a pair of golden wings.

Half of the woman’s face still resembled Ge Jin, but the other half had grown downy feathers. The massive wings reached into the window, seemingly desperate to enter, yet each time they touched the window frame, they appeared to be blocked by something invisible.

Huo Qiu’s face turned pale as he hurriedly moved to protect the others: “Young Master, quickly leave! This humble one will find a way to hold it back. The Daoist Master must be nearby—once outside, just call loudly for help.”

E Ji and He Mingsheng rushed to run out of the room but were too frightened and collapsed weakly to the ground.

Teng Yu Yi’s heart pounded violently: “Let’s stay in the room. Daoist Qi Zhi drew a formation here, and if this monster could enter, why would it need to disguise itself as Ge Jin to trick us? There must be a barrier on the doors and windows—look how it can’t get in no matter what.”

Huo Qiu found this reasoning sound and quickly pulled He Mingsheng, who had crawled to the doorway, back inside.

Just then, the feathers on the creature’s face at the window grew increasingly dense, and its form grew larger and larger, clearly transforming into a giant bird that completely blocked the window. Under the room’s light, one could see its crimson claws gripping the windowsill as it made strange hissing calls. Suddenly, it raised one claw, pointing its sharp talons at E Ji.

E Ji’s eyes went blank as she walked steadily toward the window. Teng Yu Yi knew this was bad: “Huo Qiu, stop her quickly!”

Huo Qiu rushed forward, but unexpectedly, E Ji manifested extraordinary strength. Before Huo Qiu could reach her, she swung her arm and threw him aside. Huo Qiu’s body flew through the air with a crash, instantly shattering the rope bed beside the table.

“Huo Qiu!” Teng Yu Yi cried out.

He Mingsheng’s teeth chattered as he looked around frantically: “Where’s the Daoist Master? Help! Help, Daoist Master!”

Before his words faded, the monster at the window suddenly screamed in agony. In the moonlight, a large net descended, gleaming with golden light, vast as a blanket, completely enveloping the creature.

“Did you see clearly?” Lin Cheng You’s voice came from outside.

“Yes, I see now. This is its true form—the golden flood dragon from before was just its transformation.”

“If you understand, then pull in the net.”

But Jue Sheng shouted: “Senior Brother, it’s too strong! I can’t hold it!”

“If you can’t hold it, jump down. I’ll catch you below. Its feathers can’t touch the water—once it falls in, it’ll be easier to handle.”

Jue Sheng followed these instructions, making another splash as he jumped into the water. Fortunately, this method worked, pulling the monster down from the window.

Teng Yu Yi wiped the sweat from his brow, only then realizing his entire body was drenched in sweat. E Ji swayed, nearly falling, but fortunately, Huo Qiu had already gotten up from the ground and hurried over to support her.

Teng Yu Yi managed to sit at the dressing table, his legs still weak and powerless. Outside, the sound of water was like a waterfall, as if a sudden downpour had arrived. Golden shadows and red light intertwined, weaving an eerie scene as the two sides fought without clear victory, each clash terrifying to hear.

During this time, He Mingsheng tried to flee several times but was stopped by Teng Yu Yi each time. E Ji wanted to escape but didn’t dare, only able to huddle behind Teng Yu Yi.

After what seemed like an eternity, the outside gradually returned to silence. Teng Yu Yi stared out the window where dawn seemed to be approaching, the stars slowly fading as the world was tinged with deep blue. After fighting for so long, who knew if Lin Cheng You had caught the creature.

Just as these thoughts tumbled through their minds, the window suddenly darkened as something lunged at it again. Golden light flashed in the dawn—the monster. This time, for some unknown reason, the creature easily reached through the window frame.

The hair on Teng Yu Yi’s neck stood on end. Had Qi Zhi’s formation lost its effect? If it managed to climb in, everyone in the room would suffer. He Mingsheng and E Ji began to panic again. Teng Yu Yi ran to the window and thrust with his sword.

“You dare return!”

The thing outside was about to enter but was startled at this, choosing instead to grab the window frame.

Only then did Teng Yu Yi realize the arrival wasn’t the monster but a person, wearing Azure Cloud Temple’s Pan Luo Golden Net, which at first glance gave off a golden glow all over.

“You again?” Lin Cheng You said through gritted teeth.

Teng Yu Yi quickly withdrew his hand: “I thought it was the monster. So it’s Daoist Master.”

But it was too late—Lin Cheng You, in dodging the sword, lost his grip and fell with a splash, creating a huge spray of water.

Teng Yu Yi leaned on the windowsill to look down. Lin Cheng You was a good swimmer and quickly surfaced. He wiped his face, glared up at the window, then turned to swim toward the shore.

At this time, footsteps sounded in the corridor. Jue Sheng was completely soaked, and Qi Zhi was also quite wet. Together they carried a net into the room.

The net contained a person, heavy and motionless, dripping water along their path.

“Senior Brother,” they said upon entering, “Eh? Where’s Senior Brother?”

Huo Qiu coughed: “Your Senior Brother is still in the water.”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi were stunned. They bent down to place the person in the net on the ground. As the net loosened, the person rolled out—it was Ge Jin.

He Mingsheng and E Ji hugged each other in fear: “A monster!”

Qi Zhi quickly said: “Don’t be afraid, this isn’t the evil spirit—this is the real Miss Ge Jin, just rescued by Senior Brother. Everyone was frightened earlier. The monster tried to summon companions to deal with us while attempting to enter the room to harm people. Fortunately, you didn’t fall for its trick, or you would have been injured.”

He Mingsheng asked tremblingly: “Did you catch the monster?”

The two shook their heads dejectedly: “It escaped.”

“Escaped?”

“Senior Brother chased it from Colored Phoenix Tower across half of Pingkang Ward, almost catching it, but it still got away. Dawn is approaching, and this creature won’t appear again. Unless we dig up all of Chang’an three feet deep, there’s no way to find it now.”

Just then, footsteps sounded outside again. Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi went to look: “Senior Brother.”

Lin Cheng You held the Pan Luo Golden Net, soaked from head to toe, leaving winding water trails on the floor as he entered.

Upon entering, he immediately searched for Teng Yu Yi with his gaze, his expression unreadable.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi were shocked: “Senior Brother, didn’t you enter directly through the window? How did you fall into the water?”

Teng Yu Yi whispered to Huo Qiu: “Prepare the calf cart. As soon as we get a chance, we’ll slip away.” Huo Qiu agreed and went quietly to make arrangements.

Lin Cheng You glanced at Teng Yu Yi and walked into the room: “Ridiculous, how could I fall into the water? I suspected the monster had dropped something in the water, so I went back in to check.”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi didn’t doubt him: “So that’s it! Senior Brother, did you find anything in the water?”

Lin Cheng You shook the water from his sleeves: “Ge Jin has been poisoned by the monster and is at death’s door. If you keep chattering, we won’t be able to save her.”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi came to their senses and hurriedly moved Ge Jin to the couch: “Senior Brother, Miss Ge Jin’s pupils are like threads, suggesting viper poison, but her tongue is red, indicating fire poison. What should we do? Fire poison would be manageable, but if it’s viper poison, that would be troublesome.”

Lin Cheng You asked: “Are there any marks on her neck?”

“No.”

Lin Cheng You pondered: “Check her chest.”

“This—”

“I’m not asking you to look. Isn’t Madam E here?”

However, after the recent events, E Ji was already scared out of her wits. Clutching Teng Yu Yi’s shoulder, she trembled: “This humble one wants to move, but my arms and legs have turned to dough—I can’t move at all.”

Everyone’s attention turned to Teng Yu Yi. Ge Jin’s situation was critical, and there was no time to find someone else. Since this Young Master Wang was a woman in disguise, it should be her task.

“Young Master Wang,” Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi looked at Teng Yu Yi hopefully.

Teng Yu Yi sighed inwardly. Tonight, countless times they had wanted to leave, yet were repeatedly trapped in Colored Phoenix Tower: “Alright, I’ll take a look.”

Everyone left the room. Before closing the door, Lin Cheng You suddenly added: “I forgot to warn Young Master Wang—Miss Ge Jin’s monster poison is different from others. It attacks the heart meridians and might cause strange transformations. If she suddenly opens her eyes, you must be extremely careful. This poison can control the mind, and those poisoned often take pleasure in biting flesh. Young Master Wang, if you can’t run, just shout in the room.”

Teng Yu Yi was startled: “Wait—”

“Don’t be afraid, I’ll be right outside the door. I’ll come in as soon as you call.” Lin Cheng You smiled and closed the door. Then he took out some money and gave it to Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi: “There’s a clothing shop next door. Go change your wet clothes and get me a set as well.”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi looked at each other. In truth, viper poison wasn’t as mysterious as their Senior Brother described. While those poisoned might indeed act like fierce ghosts when the poison took effect, they would at most put on a show of aggression—they wouldn’t bite people.

However, with their Senior Brother saying this, Miss Teng would likely be quite frightened, as anyone would worry about being bitten. Simply being in the same room with Ge Jin would be extremely distressing.

It was clear their Senior Brother wanted to send them away. They hesitated, reluctant to go, but their Senior Brother’s expression was stern, water still dripping from his hair.

The wounds on his arm where Miss Teng had stabbed him had started bleeding again after getting wet. Since joining Azure Cloud Temple, they had never seen their Senior Brother in such a disheveled state. Defying him now would surely result in severe punishment.

The two decided to go quickly and return quickly, so they ran off in a flash.