“That curved sword…” Pán Chí looked again and his eyes widened. “That blade is the very weapon that severed Li Kǎixiáng’s head!”
The Western curved sword had seven colorful gemstones inlaid in its hilt, which was crafted from gold-copper alloy. The scabbard was shaped like a crescent moon – thin and elongated. The slightest force could cause a victim’s flesh to split open.
Pán Chí made eye contact with Shěn Dù and silently pointed towards the northwest. The two men seemed to share an unspoken understanding. Pán Chí was preparing to leave.
Zhū Yán observed their subtle exchange, feeling as if they were hiding something from her deliberately.
“Zhū Yán, I’m leaving,” Pán Chí announced.
Zhū Yán looked at him in confusion, still not fully recovered from her earlier shock. Why was he departing at such a critical moment?
“If I return safely, will you give me a chance? I want to court you,” Pán Chí continued, carefully studying Zhū Yán’s expression. Seeing no response, he added, “Your silence, I’ll take as agreement.”
Zhū Yán snapped back to attention, furrowing her brow as she looked at Pán Chí. What exactly was he planning? His sudden confession had startled her. Recalling his words, Zhū Yán found herself at a loss, unable to vocalize the questions stuck in her throat.
Shěn Dù stood to the side, his face darkening. “Pán Chí, you’re…”
Ignoring Shěn Dù’s sour expression, Pán Chí stepped forward and grasped Zhū Yán’s hand. He took out a piece of thousand-year-old amber from his pocket and placed it in her palm, saying softly, “Don’t forget your promise to me.”
With that, he suddenly turned and walked towards another section of the city wall.
Zhū Yán clutched the cool amber, her emotions in turmoil. Pán Chí’s words had sounded like a farewell, yet she couldn’t utter a single word, not even finding the chance to refuse. When had he developed such deep feelings for her?
Shěn Dù stood nearby, silently watching the dazed Zhū Yán. He wanted to say something but hesitated, merely observing as Zhū Yán stared intently at the amber, his heart heavy.
“What exactly is he going to do…” Zhū Yán murmured worriedly. As she looked up again, her eyes widened in shock at the sight of Pán Chí in women’s clothing not far away.
He wore a light pink short-sleeved dress and had his hair styled in a demure bun, looking utterly charming. With his looks rivaling the legendary beauty Pán Ān, Pán Chí in women’s attire appeared completely natural. Zhū Yán was momentarily stunned.
“How beautiful!” someone exclaimed in genuine admiration.
Indeed, Zhū Yán shared the sentiment – Pán Chí truly looked exquisite in women’s clothing.
“Zhū Yán!” Shěn Dù had noticed her mesmerized gaze and a surge of jealousy welled up inside him. He had been wanting to ask Zhū Yán about her feelings towards Pán Chí, but with the enemy at hand, he had repeatedly held back. Now, seeing her stare at Pán Chí so intently, how could he not feel upset?
Zhū Yán snapped out of her trance at his call. She suddenly understood Pán Chí’s earlier actions – he was sacrificing himself for others, disguising himself as a woman to replace Dù Xiǎowǎn. Zhū Yán felt deeply moved.
She quickly regained her composure, her face returning to its usual calm as she gazed ahead. Shěn Dù embraced Zhū Yán again, sensing her tranquility and change. His heart stirred slightly – she seemed to have gained a new appreciation for Pán Chí. A sense of crisis immediately sparked within him.
Mò Qiánzhī frowned as he watched Pán Chí approach. He understood Pán Chí’s intentions. The Half-Faced Ghost’s earlier arrogance had already displeased him for some time. How could he possibly be intimidated by neither neither-human a figure’s words?
“Duke Shěn, you and I both understand Prince Pán’s actions. We must now carefully plan our troop deployment,” Mò Qiánzhī spoke up.
Shěn Dù suppressed his discomfort and nodded. “The Half-Faced Ghost is on the city wall, which is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Let’s first arrange for our troops in the Snake Formation to respond flexibly to any changes. What do you think, Duke Mò?”
Mò Qiánzhī nodded in agreement.
“I’ve also brought some imperial guards. Feel free to deploy them, Duke Mò. These guards are highly skilled and can help subdue the Half-Faced Ghost.”
“Excellent! Given the current situation, this is our best option. Let’s proceed with the Snake Formation!”
As they finished their discussion, they saw that Pán Chí had already approached the Half-Faced Ghost alone.
“I want to exchange myself for her,” Pán Chí said bluntly, disguising his voice.
The Half-Faced Ghost observed the newcomer’s delicate features and smiled wickedly. This was a man – did they take him for a fool? Well, if he wanted to play, the Ghost would oblige.
“What makes you think I’d agree?” the Half-Faced Ghost asked, shamelessly appraising Pán Chí.
Pán Chí covered his face and laughed softly. “Because I’m more beautiful than her.”
This statement startled Zhū Yán from afar – only Pán Chí could say such a thing!
The Half-Faced Ghost let out a cold laugh, half-believing and half-doubting. “How do I know you two aren’t equally matched? Why don’t you undress so I can see more?”
Pán Chí met the Half-Faced Ghost’s eyes, unsure if his true identity had been discovered. But saving the hostage was the priority.
“What’s the matter? Too shy to show me? Seeing your fair skin, perhaps we should go inside for a closer look.”
These words thoroughly humiliated Pán Chí, but he showed no anger. He merely clutched his handkerchief tightly, as if steeling himself for what was to come. “As long as you promise to release her, this humble girl will do whatever you wish.”
“Stop pretending. I know who you are – the current literary and martial arts champion, Pán Chí!” The Half-Faced Ghost exposed his identity directly, letting out an eerie laugh beneath his mask.
Seeing that his disguise was futile, Pán Chí dropped the act. “Since you already know my identity, let’s cut to the chase! Tell me, why did you kill Li Kǎixiáng and cut off his head? Why won’t you release Dù Xiǎowǎn? Why did you kill Bǐqiū, the Magistrate of Yíng Province? Why have you killed so many people?”
Having revealed his identity, Pán Chí abandoned his feminine pose. His forceful questions impressed those behind him – confronting the Half-Faced Ghost directly took courage.
The Half-Faced Ghost sneered at his words. “I didn’t expect you, Pán Chí, to be such a righteous person. I am carrying out heaven’s will! These people had impure hearts and didn’t deserve to occupy their bodies. By consuming their flesh, I’m purifying them!”
“Only after being digested within me can their souls be purified and their physical bodies find peace. I am collecting them on behalf of heaven, purifying them for the gods!”
The Half-Faced Ghost’s bloody rhetoric was absurd and showed no regard for the law against murder.
Mò Qiánzhī, hearing his preposterous claims, was furious. He shouted, “Silence! Your heart is as venomous as a snake, yet you dare to pose as a divine being? Aren’t you afraid of being struck down by heavenly lightning?”
“Magistrate Bǐqiū was devoted to the people, as all in Yíng Province know. Yet you mercilessly killed him, flaying him alive and extracting his tendons, subjecting him to unbearable agony, unable to live or die.”
“And those other innocent victims who died tragically were all good people, yet they met with such gruesome ends. You… you are utterly devoid of conscience!”
Mò Qiánzhī’s words stirred up discussions among the onlookers, all condemning the Half-Faced Ghost.
“How depraved! Such a person deserves to be torn apart by five horses!”
“Yes, dismemberment, then left in the wilderness. Even wild beasts would refuse to eat such an evil man.”
“Black-hearted fiend, die already!”
…