The Tale of the Black Basin

Looking at Old Xu's grizzled hair, the mud-caked, cracked creases between his fingers, and his bloodshot eyes,

Zhou Sheng did not know how to explain it to him.

Perhaps, to Magistrate Zhu, leaving the poor with no way to live was precisely the path to his official career.

"Three years as an incorruptible prefect, and a hundred thousand taels of snowflake silver."

If he did not suck the marrow from the people's bones and exploit them to the utmost, where would he get the tribute silver to grease palms in every direction?

And the saddest part was that even if Uncle Xu's resentment had refused to disperse and turned him into an Evil Corpse, he still could not take revenge.

For Magistrate Zhu kept a Chang Soldier in his residence. Even without Zhou Sheng, Old Xu would soon have been discovered by that Chang Soldier and torn alive into pieces.

He could not avenge himself as a man, nor could he do so as a ghost.

"This old man has lived long enough. My life is cheaper than grass, and my death is nothing to pity. But my poor Cui Cui had not even married before she was violated and murdered alive!"

"Doctor Yu, Little Zhou, this old man is useless. I can only beg you to... seek an explanation for that child!"

Tears streamed down his aged face. As he spoke, he dropped to his knees and kowtowed heavily.

Zhou Sheng wanted to help him up, but Yu Zhensheng pressed down on his arm.

"If you accept this bow, he will be able to leave without worry."

Hearing his Master's transmitted voice, Zhou Sheng's heart trembled slightly. He seemed to understand something. He no longer tried to stop him and silently accepted the kowtow of this elderly man.

After that bow, Old Xu's lingering soul seemed to have finally swallowed its last breath and began showing signs of dissipating.

Looking at the fading figure, Zhou Sheng suddenly felt a knot in his chest.

From beginning to end, Uncle Xu had never cried injustice for himself. He seemed to truly believe his life was cheap and his death not worth pitying. He only grieved for Cui Cui, whom he had raised since childhood.

Yet Zhou Sheng clearly remembered that Uncle Xu had been a very good man. Back when he trained Zhou Sheng's voice, they had agreed on ten coins a day for one hour of vocal practice, but he always went overtime, only so Zhou Sheng's voice could reach its best state.

He would even often come over on their agreed rest days, insisting on training Zhou Sheng's voice for free, simply because he loved Zhou Sheng's fine voice and feared it would be delayed.

Such an elder, broad-minded toward others and simple, honest, and kind, should not have died like this.

"Uncle Xu, I'll take on your matter."

As Old Xu's ghostly soul gradually dissipated, Zhou Sheng suddenly spoke. His voice was firm, his gaze cold and sharp.

"Not only for Cui Cui, who died innocent and wronged, but for you as well."

"In this world, there is only one kind of person whose life is cheap: those who commit treachery and evil. It is absolutely not you."

A man who lived by his own skill and labor, a man who selflessly raised an abandoned infant into adulthood—such a life was worth more than gold.

"Uncle Xu, give me something, and hire me to perform a Yin Opera."

Zhou Sheng forced out a smile.

"There are rules in our line of work. Once we take something from someone, we must finish the opera. Anything will do."

Old Xu froze. Looking at the young man's clear eyes and resolute face, he found Zhou Sheng seemingly no different from the boy of twelve years ago.

"Little Zhou, I have nothing to leave behind. Let me train your voice one more time."

"Alright."

Yu Zhensheng took out the huqin from the Household and handed it to Old Xu.

"What a fine instrument!"

Old Xu had played the huqin his entire life. With just a light touch, he praised it endlessly. The bloody tears in his eyes vanished, replaced by an almost devout concentration.

The bow hair rested lightly against the outer string, while his ring finger hovered in the air and trembled faintly.

"Bang... bang... bang..."

Three muffled notes rang out like the night watchman's clapper.

Then his middle finger pressed the string and rubbed out a mournful sound, like weeping and yearning, like grievance and complaint.

That familiar melody told Zhou Sheng at once which opera it was.

"Before I can speak, my eyes brim with tears. Honored sir, please listen closely."

"My home is Taiping Village in Nanyang. My surname is Liu, my given name An, my courtesy name Shichang..."

The Tale of the Black Basin.

Zhou Sheng opened his voice. His singing was not loud, yet it was rich and resonant, like clouds veiling the moon, like water bearing ripples.

Old Xu immediately played with greater vigor. His eyes were half narrowed, seemingly closed yet not quite, his head swaying gently as his whole being immersed itself in the music.

"Selling silks, I turned toward home. Husband and wife Zhao plotted for wealth and murdered us, master and servant alike lost our lives. I beg you, honored sir, to up-hold-justice—ahhh!"

On the final line, Zhou Sheng brought his turns and sustained notes to their fullest extent, blending perfectly with Old Xu's graceful, clear huqin melody as naturally as water flowing into its channel.

At that moment, a soaring brilliance appeared in Old Xu's eyes. It was as though he had wholly sunk into another world, forgetting every worry and pain of reality.

He smiled without realizing it.

Then, in that state of mind, the music abruptly stopped.

Smack!

The precious huqin fell to the ground, its bowstrings trembling.

Zhou Sheng also stopped singing. His gaze lowered, and he said nothing.

Although the Luo Book in his mind now bloomed with radiant light and had accumulated much more energy, he felt not the slightest joy.

After a long while, he finally spoke.

"Ten coins for one vocal practice session. Uncle Xu, I have no money to give you this time, so I'll perform a Yin Opera for you instead."

"I hope you'll like it when the time comes."

Yu Zhensheng sat in his chair and had not interfered from beginning to end. Watching every word and action of his disciple, a ripple passed through his eyes.

He did not know whether he felt gratified or conflicted.

This child was far too much like him.

He only hoped Zhou Sheng would not walk his old road in the future.

"Danshan, what do you plan to do?"

He spoke up to ask.

"Master, I plan to make another trip to the Zhu residence. First, I need to uncover the full course of this matter, and I also need to probe the Zhu residence's foundations again."

Hearing this, Yu Zhensheng nodded slightly.

"Not bad. You've made some progress."

"Then tell me. How do you plan to enter the Zhu residence?"

Zhou Sheng thought for a moment before saying, "Aren't you treating the magistrate's wife? As your disciple, it would be perfectly natural for me to accompany you to the Zhu residence for another consultation."

"What about the Chang Soldier? How will you deal with it?"

Yu Zhensheng said calmly, "Let's make this clear first. Since you were the one who agreed to perform the Yin Opera, you will handle this matter yourself. I will not step in to stop the Chang Soldier for you."

Jade must be carved before it can become a vessel.

His disciple was extremely gifted, no less so than Yu Zhensheng himself had been in his youth. The only thing Zhou Sheng lacked was experience.

Thus, after Zhou Sheng had successfully cultivated Dao cultivation these past years, Yu Zhensheng had deliberately begun letting him handle certain matters alone, so he could temper himself.

Only then would he have a better chance of surviving the coming Ghost Opera of the Ghost Festival and completing his apprenticeship.

Zhou Sheng raised his head and looked at the rising morning sun beyond the window. A glint flashed through his eyes.

"Master, you said that those of us who perform Yin Opera must also know how to borrow the right time, terrain, and human harmony. That Chang Soldier may be fierce, but when noon comes and yang energy is at its strongest, it still will not dare go outside."

"That will be the best time to investigate the Zhu residence!"

At this, Yu Zhensheng finally revealed a faint, satisfied smile. Yet he did not praise him, merely saying in an even tone,

"Once the plan is set, then act."

He stretched lazily, then walked over to the water vat in the corner and reached out a finger to tease the goldfish within.

"Shallow water cannot raise a sea flood dragon; a bird in a cage cannot become an eagle among the clouds."

"Danshan, go ahead and do it."

"If something really happens, don't be afraid. Your Master..."

"Will help collect your corpse."

Zhou Sheng: "..."