This success gave Teng Yuyi tremendous confidence.
She eagerly returned to the edge of the eaves and once again leaped down from the roof beam.
As soon as her feet steadied, she immediately ran toward the corridor pillar. After stepping onto the pillar, she used the momentum to leap upward. Though she thought it would be a sure success, she failed – this time falling halfway up.
Fortunately, the experience of her first success had given her insight. Although she failed several times afterward, her successes became more and more frequent.
Looking at her figure running back and forth in the moonlight, Lin Chengyou couldn’t help but find it somewhat amusing. Teng Yuyi sometimes really had a childlike nature – was learning the basic principles of lightness skills worth being so happy about?
However, as he watched, that doubt he had long suppressed quietly resurfaced in his mind.
Teng Yuyi had a determined personality – he had known this clearly since their time at the Colorful Phoenix Tower. The hardships of learning martial arts certainly couldn’t defeat her.
But wasn’t her enthusiasm for learning martial arts a bit too intense?
Last time at the Colorful Phoenix Tower, her desperate efforts could be explained by her fear of developing heart sores on her face. But now she no longer had any unprocessed spirit grass decoction in her body.
Could it be as she had said when mentioning the person in the black cloak – was she worried about Xiaoya’s “prophecy” coming true? This seemed like unnecessary anxiety. Setting aside how a dream could be taken seriously, even if someone might wish her harm, how could Teng Shao, who loved his daughter so dearly, let Teng Yuyi fall into danger?
Yet looking at her determination, it was as if she feared that one day there would be no one who could protect her.
After watching silently for a while, he thought to himself that regardless of what she feared, he had come tonight to repay a debt of gratitude. If she wanted to learn, he would teach until she mastered it.
So he was exceptionally patient, correcting several habitual mistakes in her force application while also teaching various mental techniques. Seeing her growing increasingly skillful in using internal force, and noting how late it had grown, he finally said, “Alright, this counts as mastering the basics. Remember to practice diligently from now on – in about ten days, you’ll be able to leap freely.”
“Yes.” Teng Yuyi happily jumped down, but in her excitement, her sleeve almost caught on a branch of the pear tree. In her urgency to lift her arm away, she managed to dodge but consequently scattered the package of flower petals hidden in her sleeve. Following the downward momentum of her body, the package of petals flew straight to Lin Chengyou’s feet.
Before Lin Chengyou could see what it was, Chunrong and Biluo hurriedly ran over to pick it up, worried that it might be one of Teng Yuyi’s items – it wouldn’t be proper for such things to fall into a man’s sight.
However, the moonlight tonight was as bright as day, and the handkerchief was aqua-colored. Even with just a fleeting glance, Lin Chengyou vaguely caught sight of the flower petals.
Hmm, what was Teng Yuyi doing with so many flower petals? Recalling what Tian Shuo had mentioned before, collecting so many petals – could she be planning to make some kind of flower cake?
He glanced at her and cleared his throat, saying, “Well, this debt is repaid. I’ll be very busy the next few days, so there’s no need to send things or messages – I won’t be able to receive them anyway.”
As he spoke, he walked toward the courtyard exit.
Teng Yuyi was still caught up in her excitement when Lin Chengyou suddenly announced his departure. Though she knew he was busy catching criminals, she instinctively called out, “Um, Young Lord—”
Lin Chengyou suddenly stopped and said, “Oh right, if there’s any unusual activity in the temple these next few days, I’ll send word to Juesheng and Qizhi in advance. If you notice anything strange, just ask them.”
As he spoke, he leaped onto the courtyard wall. Teng Yuyi looked up in the direction where he had disappeared, not moving for a long while. Besides pondering what “unusual activity” Lin Chengyou referred to, she was more envious – he had leaped up directly, without using the corridor pillar. Such a high wall, and he had simply jumped up as if it were nothing.
This showed just how far her lightness skills still were from experts like Lin Chengyou.
Still, she was delighted. After all, her lightness skills had been stagnant all these days, but tonight she had suddenly made a great improvement.
Turning to see the stone table under the pear tree, she couldn’t help feeling some regret. She had prepared fine wine and delicacies but hadn’t even had the chance to invite Lin Chengyou to drink a few cups.
At least Lin Chengyou’s birthday wasn’t far off.
She eagerly returned to her original position and leaped onto the roof beam again using the method Lin Chengyou had taught her. She practiced jumping up and down several times, growing happier with each attempt, even calling Chunrong and Biluo over to admire her newly learned martial arts.
After practicing countless times, seeing how late it had grown, she finally let Biluo wipe her sweat. With hands behind her back and head held high, she walked toward the room, her movements light and graceful, feeling she had acquired the bearing of a martial arts expert.
“Duan Fu, have Changgen return to the manor tomorrow morning and relay my message to Uncle Cheng – tell him I want to add some more items,” she said happily.
***
Lin Chengyou didn’t leave Dayin Temple directly but first went to the meditation hall to find Abbot Yuanjue.
The Abbot and several of his senior disciples were still awake, discussing strategies to deal with Naizhong.
Seeing Lin Chengyou arrive, Yuanjue said to his disciples, “You may all leave first.”
After the monks had bowed and withdrawn, he beckoned, “You’er, sit.”
Lin Chengyou clasped his hands in greeting and sat opposite Abbot Yuanjue: “Junior heard from Master Mingxin that the temple has already devised a way to deal with Naizhong. Unfortunately, Junior’s knowledge of Buddhist principles is shallow, and there were many things I didn’t understand when Master Mingxin explained earlier.”
“You said you had something to discuss with this old monk in private – was it about this?”
Lin Chengyou smiled and nodded.
Yuanjue personally poured Lin Chengyou a cup of lotus heart tea and unhurriedly explained: “I suppose you already know that this being was originally a Dharma-protecting Devaraja from the Asura realm.
“After entering Buddhism, it devoted itself to cultivation, aspiring to inherit the mantle of the Wheel-Turning King. However, it violated the sins of wrath and jealousy, was stripped of its kasaya robe and alms bowl, and should have confined itself in repentance. Instead, it angrily slaughtered its fellow disciples, its evil thoughts becoming uncontrollable, thus falling into the realm of evil spirits, extensively commanding the ghosts of the netherworld. To subdue this demon, ordinary Buddhist arrays are ineffective, and your Daoist Ming Lu secret techniques can only scratch its surface. Therefore, to find a method to destroy this demon, we must start from the Sanskrit sutras.”
Lin Chengyou listened intently.
“These past two days, the sutra library has been copying and translating, and finally found several passages about Naizhong in the vast sea of Sanskrit sutras. Once this being recovers its powers, it can freely seize the yin force of various ghosts, replenishing itself as it fights, almost without exhaustion. If we try to wear it down, no number of Buddhist or Daoist practitioners would be enough. After discussing with several disciples, this old monk has decided to arrange an array to invite several Dharma-protecting Devas of the righteous path to subdue this being.”
“Dharma-protecting Devas?” Lin Chengyou gradually understood. No wonder Master Mingxin had ordered the crafting of four Dharani pillars – it must have been in preparation for this.
Yuanjue continued: “These four Dharma-protecting Devas are Dhrtarastra, Virudhaka, Virupaksa, and Vaisravana. According to legend, on the slopes of Mount Sumeru lies Mount Gandhamadana with four peaks, where the four Heavenly Kings each occupy a peak to guard the four directions’ peace. No matter how powerful Naizhong’s abilities are, before falling into the demonic path, he was just a Buddhist monk. Though it harbors evil thoughts, its powers originate from our Buddhist teachings. To subdue this demon, there’s no better method than inviting the true Dharma-protecting Devas.”
At this point, Yuanjue added: “This is the least damaging method of demon subjugation this old monk could think of. Unfortunately, though nearly two nights have passed, we still haven’t found Naizhong’s whereabouts. Even if you hadn’t come tonight, this old monk was about to send someone to find you. Have you had people search in Tongzhou? This being moves like lightning – could it have returned to Tongzhou?”
Lin Chengyou suddenly said: “Junior feels this being is still in the city.”
Yuanjue’s eyes showed confusion.
Lin Chengyou added: “It’s just that someone is intentionally preventing us from finding it.”
Yuanjue’s expression underwent a subtle change: “What do you mean by that?”
Lin Chengyou spoke seriously: “Besides discussing methods to deal with Naizhong, Junior came tonight to inquire about someone’s background. Though Chang’an has many Buddhist and Daoist practitioners, truly prosperous temples and Daoist abbeys are not numerous. Abbot has been the head of Dayin Temple for many years and must have dealt with the abbots of these temples and abbeys. Junior wishes to ask – when did that person become an abbot—”
This conversation continued until midnight.
Abbot Yuanjue’s words confirmed Lin Chengyou’s suspicions. As he listened, Lin Chengyou fell into deep thought. Even though he had figured out how that person had committed the crimes, he couldn’t be certain whether there was another master behind the scenes. Because with that person’s abilities alone, they were capable of arranging this conspiracy. Unable to fathom the other party’s background, he naturally couldn’t predict what actions they might take next. That night, after much discussion, they only temporarily settled on several contingency plans.
***
The next day, Minister of Justice Zhang Tingrui reported to the Emperor about this complex case of murder and fetus theft.
With the suicide of the killer Shu Wenliang, the case was completely solved.
The Daoists Wenqing and Haoyue were bent on revenge against the Emperor, resenting that the four directions were now prosperous and the people wealthy. For two people to attempt to disturb the imperial court’s governance was undoubtedly like an ant trying to shake a tree. After lying low for many years without developing a good strategy, the two criminals could only resort to the idea of using a great evil being to create chaos.
When it came to obtaining the Moon Phase Child Lords, everything had initially gone smoothly. Who would have thought that while killing the third pregnant victim, a witness would burst onto the scene?
This person not only detected the rare incense “Tianshui Shiluo” at the scene but also noticed that the true killer’s clothes differed from those of the ruffian captured at the scene. It was because of this testimony that the Court of Judicature learned not only that there was another true killer, but also that the purpose of taking the fetuses was to obtain the Moon Phase Child Lords.
Now that the entire conspiracy had been exposed, the Daoist Wenqing, knowing there was no escape, had no choice but to commit suicide by poison along with his wife and daughter.
Through Zhang Tingrui’s statement, people learned that there had been a witness behind this case.
Clearly, the Court of Judicature had protected this witness extremely well, as apart from the officials responsible for investigating the case, even other officials within the Court didn’t know the witness’s true identity.
According to Zhang Tingrui, the reason this witness had burst onto the scene was that when the first tragic case occurred in Tongzhou, this person happened to be in the inn. By chance, they had also heard an infant’s cry that night, which was why upon hearing a baby’s cry at the spice shop, the witness felt strong unease and decided to investigate the meditation chamber.
The Court of Judicature had revealed even such details, showing that the entire case was now completely clear.
Currently, only the murder case of the couple in Tongzhou still has some unclear points. Unfortunately, much time had passed, and many pieces of evidence at the scene had been lost. Fortunately, the Court’s officials had found the Moon Phase Mirror on the Daoist Wenqing. This Moon Phase Mirror had been crafted by the Daoist Qiankun at the height of his soul-controlling technique, and the mirror had consumed countless remnant souls, always being extremely sinister.
As early as fifteen years ago, Daoist Qingxuzi had gained considerable insight into how to break the soul-controlling technique. Now that this mirror had resurfaced, the best method would be to release the remnant souls from the mirror one by one. Once freed from the mirror’s constraints, these victim souls, now turned into fierce ghosts, would naturally recover their memories from life.
Therefore, a young official from the Court of Judicature planned to take this Moon Phase Mirror to Tongzhou immediately, first to summon the wandering souls of the couple from Tongzhou, then use ritual methods to release the souls from the mirror. When these two aspects came together, the ghosts would recover their memories. They would only need to clarify some unclear points in the case at the scene, then help these victims’ souls find their way home, and the case would be considered settled.
Though Zhang Tingrui didn’t specify, the court officials knew that the young official was the Crown Prince of Cheng.
The Emperor was especially pleased. To reward the officials who had contributed greatly to this case, he immediately issued an imperial edict to personally host a feast that evening in the Hanyuan Hall for the Court of Judicature officials and the city guard soldiers of Anhua Gate. The ward chiefs, military inspectors, and law enforcement officers who had been patrolling day and night to protect pregnant women in the city would also each receive rewards.
Once this imperial edict was issued, the dark clouds hanging over Chang’an were swept away. The city’s people praised this with hands raised, and those with pregnant relatives in their households wept with joy, no longer having to worry day and night.
That evening, all the Court of Judicature officials entered the palace for the feast. Since the Emperor had specifically stated he wanted to feast all officials, only a few jailers remained in the office to guard important prisoners.
Before the feast in Hanyuan Hall had ended, shocking news came from the Court of Judicature.
The prisoner called Zhuang Mu, perhaps fearing that the Court would focus on interrogating him next, had taken advantage of having only a few old jailers present to injure them and escape from prison.
The Court of Judicature searched through the night but couldn’t find any trace of Zhuang Mu by daybreak.
***
The next evening, Lin Chengyou and Yan Shizhi left the Court of Judicature.
At the gate, besides Juesheng and Qizhi, there were also two Daoist priests from Dongming Temple, Jiantian and Jianxian. The four had been talking, but hurried to greet Lin Chengyou when they saw him emerge.
They could all see that Lin Chengyou wasn’t in a good mood, as his usual smile had vanished. But one could easily guess why – just after solving a major case, an important prisoner like Zhuang Mu had escaped from under their noses.
Lin Chengyou took out the carefully wrapped Moon Phase Mirror from his chest and solemnly handed it to the two Daoist priests: “Some details of the Tongzhou case need to be clarified quickly, otherwise we can’t close the case. I had planned to take this Moon Phase Mirror to Tongzhou myself, but now I must follow orders to capture the escapee. My two junior martial brothers are too young for such a heavy responsibility, so I must trouble you two priests to make the journey. This is my superior Yan Shizhi – I believe you’re all already familiar with each other. Please look after one another on the way.”
Yan Shizhi hurriedly exchanged greetings with Jiantian and the others.
Lin Chengyou then pointed to two yamen runners behind him: “These two are our Court’s most skilled runners. With them escorting you, I’ll be more at ease.”
Jiantian and Jianxian quickly replied: “No problem, no problem. Young Lord, whoever was behind Zhuang Mu must have been formidable to obtain the Moon Phase Mirror back then. You focus on catching this criminal. Leave such small matters to us – don’t forget that our Dongming Temple is Chang’an’s oldest Daoist temple, and our Daoist arts have never been inferior to your Qingyun Temple.”
Juesheng and Qizhi also said: “Senior Brother, please don’t worry.”
Lin Chengyou looked up at the sky – today was overcast, so it would be best to set out early if they were to travel. Although he was still somewhat worried, he had to let them depart. Since this was an “official mission,” Jiantian and Jianxian didn’t insist on riding their small donkeys this time, and obediently mounted the horses provided by the Court.
It was already late when they set out. Jiantian and Jianxian were chatterboxes, and Juesheng and Qizhi loved to talk too, so the group chatted as they traveled, not feeling lonely on the way.
Before they knew it, they had reached the vicinity of Mingyi Gate. Ahead was the Imperial Guard of Xingqing Palace, and after traveling a bit further, they would exit through Chunming Gate. By this time, it had grown completely dark, and the surroundings became increasingly quiet.
Since the fetus-snatching cases, the city’s people hadn’t dared to go out much at night recently. Although the culprit had been caught in recent days, Naizhong still hadn’t been captured, so apart from some patrolling military inspectors, almost no one could be seen on the streets.
As they walked, Jiantian seemed to sense something amiss. While vigilantly looking around, he concentrated on listening, then suddenly pulled his reins and shouted: “Not good, there’s an ambush—”
As quick as lightning, several figures suddenly leaped out from the side, their blades light bright as snow waves, striking directly at Jiantian and Jianxian in the front.
“What bandits dare—!”
The two yamen runners also cursed: “How dare you target Court of Judicature personnel!”
Jiantian and Jianxian raised their swords to meet the attack, while Juesheng and Qizhi also frightfully reined in their horses to fight. However, whether because the opponents’ skills were too outstanding or because Jiantian and the others’ skills were too poor, after just two exchanges, Jiantian was knocked off his horse.
Jiantian didn’t forget to pull Yan Shizhi down from his horse, while both protecting Yan Shizhi as they fled backward and shouting: “Quick, send word to the nearby military inspectors! Juesheng, Qizhi, don’t try to hold on – be careful not to get hurt by these bandits!”
Juesheng cried: “Priest, didn’t you say your skills were even better than Senior Brother’s?”
Jiantian ran even faster: “This old priest hasn’t even figured out who these people are, why should I fight to the death?”
When Jiantian fled, those bandits surprisingly abandoned Juesheng and the others, chasing directly after him. Jiantian was puzzled when suddenly Yan Shizhi exclaimed in alarm: “Priest, you’re bleeding!”
Jiantian looked down in shock and indeed saw dirty blood flowing from his chest.
Jiantian turned pale with fright and hurriedly felt his front, pulling out the Moon Phase Mirror, only to discover the blood was flowing from the mirror.
He quickly slapped his forehead: “I almost forgot I was carrying this thing—”
Before he could finish speaking, his hand emptied as one of the bandits, upon seeing the mirror, leaped into the air, reached forward, and snatched the mirror away.
Jiantian and the others were stunned but couldn’t spare the effort to retrieve the mirror. They ran while shouting: “Bandits are robbing imperial envoys! Help!”
The bandits seemed to have no intention of harming people. After obtaining the Moon Phase Mirror, they abandoned the group and fled back the way they had come, disappearing at the end of the alley in the blink of an eye.
The lead bandit was very familiar with the surroundings. After putting the mirror in his chest, he made several turns in quick succession and soon escaped to a narrow alley. The bandits pulled off their masks and sighed in relief. Next to the narrow alley was an empty residence – they only needed to climb over the wall to change out of these clothes. But before he could climb the wall, there was suddenly a light before his eyes.
The man’s face darkened. In that pitch-black corner at the end of the alley, someone had already been waiting.
Someone walked out from the darkness – a young man. As he raised his torch, the firelight revealed a familiar face.
A chill immediately ran up the man’s spine. This youth had a magnificent bearing and a face like fine jade – it was Lin Chengyou.
Lin Chengyou walked closer with the torch. Although he had been mentally prepared when he saw that person’s face, complex emotions still flashed in his gaze.
“So it was you.”
The unusual expression on Song Jian’s face slowly faded as he said self-mockingly: “You’ve gone to such trouble, setting up such a grand trap just to wait for me to show my flaw.”