In the main hall of the Nüwa Temple in Yinshuang City, fierce battle raged in the center of the hall. In a corner to one side, only Li Si and Huo Daozhang stood face to face.
Li Si spoke softly and slowly.
First, while Wu Wen was guarding Cui Yunhai’s corpse, he inadvertently heard two servants next door whispering. One servant said, “The master has been acting mysteriously lately. In less than a month, he’s scattered yellow sand into the pond twice. He keeps saying something about ‘golden sand enriching water.’ Probably only he believes the fortune-teller’s lies.”
“Speaking of which, I also think the master’s been a bit abnormal lately. Previously he only liked to place three-legged incense burners in his study. Once placed, he wouldn’t easily replace them. But recently he’s changed burners twice, and this last one is even a single-legged burner. Don’t you find it strange? Could the master have changed his nature and also become fond of the new and tired of the old?”
“Shh shh, someone’s coming. Let’s get busy.”
This was the new clue Wu Wen overheard: scattering yellow sand into the pond twice, changing incense burners twice.
Wu Wen told these things to Li Si. Li Si was like discovering a streak of meteor in the pitch-black long night. A bold, nearly insane notion surged to his mind. So Li Si left the temple alone and returned to the Cui residence.
In the Cui residence study, he examined the small red sandalwood stool again. As a result, he discovered new indentations among the three slight indentations—also three of them, proving the information Wu Wen had heard was accurate. Li Si pondered: twice scattering yellow sand, twice replacing incense burners, and most critically, the one clue that until now couldn’t be explained—why hadn’t Lin Mang destroyed the Ghost Script Code secret letter? Combining these three points, that insane notion in Li Si’s mind became increasingly certain.
The reason Lin Mang hadn’t destroyed the Ghost Script Code secret letter was because—he was already dead.
After Lin Mang killed Cui Yunhai, within a few days he was also killed by another person. This other person was the equally missing Xiao Liu’er. The claim of returning home to marry was just a smokescreen. Xiao Liu’er did the same thing as Lin Mang—secretly imitating Cui Yunhai, then taking his place. But Xiao Liu’er had one additional task: to eliminate or imprison Lin Mang.
Scattering yellow sand twice and replacing incense burners twice were to cover up the two corpses at the pond bottom.
If Lin Mang was a chess piece in the conspiracy, a piece called Demon-Man, then Xiao Liu’er was an invisible chess piece in the same game, whom one could call Shadow Demon-Man. Shadow Demon-Men monitored and controlled Demon-Men, and their numbers should also be equal.
The more Li Si thought about it, the more alarmed he became. Coming to the pond’s edge, the true and false answer was hidden beneath the calm water surface. Li Si leaped into the pond. Under one chi of yellow sand at the pond bottom, Li Si indeed found the second corpse. Because this corpse was earlier, he was the real Cui Yunhai. The corpse found earlier belonged to Lin Mang.
Li Si floated to the surface carrying the corpse. At the same time, an even bigger question flashed before his eyes—the Demon-Men were secretly planted in Yinshuang City by Zhang Xianglin, so who planted the Shadow Demon-Men?
Li Si thought of one person. Only he was possible.
“Huo Daozhang.” Li Si said his name word by word. The reminiscence ended. Opposite him was the expressionless Huo Daozhang. Li Si had finished explaining the clues, process, and results. He sighed. “Although I’m very certain the mastermind behind the Shadow Demon-Men is you, there’s one question I find very difficult to understand.”
“Everything that happened in Yinshuang City was undoubtedly the inevitable result of multiple conspiracies stacked together. Even if you had long ago thoroughly understood Zhang Xianglin and the others’ huge conspiracy, and used the conspiracy to remake plans, wanting to topple Zhang Xianglin and the important figure behind him in one stroke, putting the young prince’s life at stake is too great a chip. Moreover, the young prince is deeply favored by His Majesty. The Crown Prince would absolutely not take such a great risk. I had the notion that the young prince was also an imposter Shadow Demon-Man, but on second thought, that old, treacherous fox Zhang Xianglin, if he couldn’t be certain of the young prince’s authenticity, would absolutely not rashly make a move, and definitely wouldn’t risk twenty thousand lives to gamble. Therefore, the young prince must be real.” Li Si lamented. “The problem returns to the starting point. The Crown Prince won’t put the young prince forward as a chip. Zhang Xianglin must be certain it’s the young prince. What is the truth?”
“Lao Sitou said I’m a bold person, not because my courage is great, but because I dare to think boldly,” Li Si looked at Huo Daozhang. “I racked my brains and finally thought of a terrible yet reasonable answer. So I secretly snuck back to the temple precisely to verify my idea.”
Li Si looked toward the sedan chair. “Although the young prince’s face appears normal, his eyes are dull and lifeless, his hands hang with empty strength. What impressed me most was the yellow-green eye fluid in the young prince’s pupils. That’s not tears, but the derivative liquid of an ancient medicine that can maintain corpses in a normal state. I truly wish I’d never heard of this ancient medicine, but I happened to read about it in Lao Sitou’s Ancient Things Chronicle. It’s called Immortal Powder. Immortal Powder can keep a corpse from decaying or rotting for a full hundred days.”
“So the terrible speculation is correct—the young prince has long been dead.”
Li Si slowed his tone, but his voice gradually condensed into an unquestionable force. “Because he’s dead, the Crown Prince agreed to your request. And you used a corpse as bait to hook the big fish Zhang Xianglin, or even bigger fish. As for the existence of Shadow Demon-Men, it’s to catch all the Demon-Men in one net, to use as human evidence for holding Zhang Xianglin accountable later. Bei’an Central Province, Prince Ding’s confidant, Xuanjie Encampment, dark blood demon people, twenty thousand innocent civilians—various factors stacked together. I’m afraid you want to hold accountable not just Zhang Xianglin, but want to hold Prince Ding accountable before the Imperial Court and the world. Even the young prince’s sudden death will be calculated onto Prince Ding’s account. Am I correct?”
Huo Daozhang gazed deeply at Li Si for a moment, then smiled mockingly. “I’ve long heard God-Catcher Li’s thoughts are meticulous and perceptions penetrating. Meeting you today for the first time, you’ve left me utterly admiring.”
Li Si remained calmly silent. He was waiting for Huo Daozhang’s subsequent words.
Huo Daozhang first coughed twice, then said, “The current Great Shi Dynasty seems calm on the surface but actually has undercurrents surging. The Crown Prince’s power is weak and isolated. Combined with his pure and kind nature, he has long become a target for all. How many people are coveting and plotting—God-Catcher Li should also know. We foolish ministers, to protect the imperial orthodox line, must do certain things. Even if these things are dirty, even if they would provoke heaven’s anger and people’s resentment, we do not hesitate. Hmph, although I detest despicable villains like Zhang Xianglin, there’s one thing he said I agree with: residing in the Imperial Court, one cannot help oneself. The matter in Yinshuang City—I too had no choice under ten thousand kinds of helplessness.”
“God-Catcher Li’s speculation is not false. I can also frankly tell you,” Huo Daozhang continued. “In November, the young prince suddenly contracted a strange disease and died suddenly. The Crown Prince was heartbroken with grief. At the same time, he discovered Prince Ding’s moles hidden around him. So I risked death to offer strategy to the Crown Prince. After much deliberation, the Crown Prince agreed. The Crown Prince residence sealed the fact of the young prince’s sudden death and spread news that the Crown Princess was gravely ill and the young prince wanted to go to the Nüwa Temple to pray for blessings. After Zhang Xianglin and other Prince Ding confidants tested overtly and covertly several times, they believed it without doubt, whereupon they set about plotting to harm the young prince in Yinshuang City. As for the young prince lifting the curtain, waving hands, and other movements—all were controlled by ingenious mechanisms installed inside the sedan chair.”
“You knew Zhang Xianglin’s conspiracy like the back of your hand. If I’m not mistaken, there are Prince Ding’s people in the Crown Prince residence, and around Prince Ding there are also the Crown Prince’s people,” Li Si’s eyes shot toward Chou Kui at the center of the hall, saying slowly, “Such as him.”
Huo Daozhang smiled with deep meaning. “God-Catcher Li holds the pearl of wisdom. What else could be hidden from you?”
“That’s right. Chou Kui is the Crown Prince’s man. It was also he who provided details of the Yinshuang City conspiracy. Demon-Men, Dark Blood Plague, Xuanjie Encampment—I made corresponding arrangements. Just as God-Catcher Li deduced earlier, Shadow Demon-Men dealt with Demon-Men, trying to capture them alive as human evidence. I also urgently transferred seven thousand elite troops from the Divine Archery Encampment in Youzhou to check Sui Bing.” Huo Daozhang paused. “Lin Mang at the Cui residence was an accident. He saw through the Shadow Demon-Man. I could only kill him. But the little thief Sun San happened to witness the scene of Lin Mang being killed and babbled nonsense in the prison. To ensure the plan was foolproof, I could only kill again. I sent Chou Kui to the prison to eliminate the trouble. Later, we also discovered a fish that slipped through the net called A’Shu or something. Chou Kui also killed him and stole the corpse from the Yizhuang to destroy it.”
“I thought there were no flaws, but didn’t expect God-Catcher Li to be so formidable, actually investigating all the way to this step. Besides admiration, I have nothing to say,” Huo Daozhang shook his head.
“Did you ever think the most terrifying link in Zhang Xianglin’s conspiracy was the Dark Blood Plague? You arranged Shadow Demon-Men, arranged Divine Archery elite troops, but overlooked the massive dark blood people infected by the Dark Blood Plague. What if your guards couldn’t protect you—do you know the consequences?” Li Si asked with brilliant eyes.
Huo Daozhang nodded with a desolate expression. “But if I looked ahead and behind, how would that old fox Zhang Xianglin believe I was a turtle in a jar? At any time, to reap rewards one must pay a price. Even if this price is like a moth to flame, unable to turn back.”
“The twenty thousand civilians of Yinshuang City are also the price?”
Huo Daozhang was startled, then slowly nodded.
“Then how are you different from Zhang Xianglin?” Li Si said resolutely.
“Of course there’s a difference. He’s a traitorous minister and rebellious son, plotting for position and disrupting politics. I’m supporting the imperial line, righteous in position. Even if my hands are stained with fresh blood, even if after death I fall to the mud plow demon prison, I have no shame in my heart,” Huo Daozhang’s eyes revealed divine light, aggressively pressing.
The fierce battle at the hall’s center was nearing its end. Of the five purple-clothed men, only two remained. Chou Kui and the leader fought more courageously, victory in sight.
Li Si quickened his speech. “You’ve revealed everything. Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell others or report to His Majesty?”
Huo Daozhang looked at Li Si with deep meaning. “God-Catcher Li, think thrice about everything. You’re the one who exposed Zhang Xianglin’s conspiracy in Yinshuang City. Prince Ding is narrow-minded and will certainly view you as a thorn in his eye and flesh, wanting to eliminate you quickly. If you also make an enemy of the Crown Prince, it would be unwise and without strategy. Since I’m being frank with you, I believe God-Catcher Li can make the correct choice.”
“Please don’t disappoint this old fool,” Huo Daozhang said earnestly.
Li Si’s eyes were resolute. He lowered his head without speaking.
Huo Daozhang captured Li Si’s subtle expression and looked toward Lao Sitou’s direction. “Sometimes people can’t think only of themselves. They must also think more of those who care about them.”
Li Si’s body trembled. Following Huo Daozhang’s gaze, he saw the unconscious Bai Zhenzhu.
“I have one request,” Li Si’s eyes were profound.
“Please speak.”
Li Si said, “I want Zhang Xianglin to hand over the antidote to the Dark Blood Plague.”
“If there is one, I promise you,” Huo Daozhang said without hesitation.
At the center of the hall, the purple-clothed men all perished.
Blood flowed from the blade tips of Chou Kui and the leader… This too was the price.
Zhang Xianglin tried to flee but was captured by Wang Hang and Zhu Chao.
At the same moment, outside Yinshuang City at the stationed Xuanjie encampment, at the end of Sui Bing’s gaze, black dust rolled and flew. Elite infantry units with high-raised “Divine Archery” battle flags surged forward like a tidal wave.
Sui Bing said indifferently with relief, “I really want to get thoroughly drunk again!”
The Divine Archery Encampment took over the Xuanjie Encampment’s territory. On the 25th at the Hour of the Serpent, seven thousand elite troops wearing helmets and armor marched into Yinshuang City, annihilated all dark blood people, and rescued Ministry of Rites Minister Huo Daozhang, Yinshuang County Magistrate Wang Hang, God-Catcher Li Si, and others. The young prince unfortunately perished.
In just one day, of Yinshuang City’s twenty thousand civilians, eight thousand died miserably. Blood flowed like rivers. Lives were devastated.
The surviving twelve thousand people underwent strict plague carrier examinations. Eight thousand corpses were buried in giant pits dug three li outside the city.
The heavy rain finally stopped. In a cellar in Yinshuang City’s slum district, a round little head popped out from the cellar entrance, brows and eyes condensing deep resilience. When he saw face after face of people rather than monsters, he jumped out of the cellar while excitedly shouting inside, “Grandmother, Xiao Qin, it’s fine now. Those monsters are all gone, gone!”
Xiao Qin helped Grandmother out.
“I hope everyone is safe and sound,” Xiao Qin said, rubbing her sore eyes.
There was no antidote to the Dark Blood Plague. What Zhang Xianglin had on his body that made dark blood people avoid him was a fragrant powder called Withered Bone Incense. It was said to be refined from the Insect-Eating Demon Flower, extremely mysterious and rare, capable of making all insects lose courage.
The previous night’s agitation of dark blood people at the temple also originated from the Withered Bone Incense’s deterrence, forcing the dark blood people into frenzy.
Huo Daozhang bid farewell to Li Si and Wang Hang, escorting Zhang Xianglin and the remaining Demon-Men back to the Holy City.
Lao Sitou suddenly left without saying goodbye, only leaving Li Si a note saying he’d met an old friend. Wu Wen had matters elsewhere. Bai Zhenzhu remained unconscious. Li Si bought a horse cart and settled the girl properly, preparing to send her back to the Bai family first. Li Si thought about when he saw Xuan Yuanshan again, he didn’t know how to explain to him.
The morning sun was sparse. The horse cart moved slowly.