A Ghostly Encounter

The next day, at the hour of the Dragon.

Xiang Yuan arrived at Xiao Residence on Willow Creek Street, a saber at his side and a document bearing County Lieutenant Qin's official seal tucked into his robes.

Starting today, he would be moving into Xiao Residence. He no longer needed to report to the County Yamen. His only duty was to keep Xiao He safe—or, to put it another way, he'd become Xiao He's playmate in shirking his studies.

His silver and pills from the County Yamen would continue as usual, and his benefits would remain unchanged. He could keep whatever Xiao Residence gave him. One job, two paychecks.

Xiang Yuan didn't mind. The Third Squad Dormitory at the County Yamen wasn't a good place to train, what with all the people and prying eyes. He'd been thinking of moving out for a while.

And Xiao He...

How to put it? If he closed his eyes and didn't think about it, Xiao He was actually pretty great.

Xiao He was undoubtedly a clown, but he'd been raised well. Despite his noble birth, he wasn't an arrogant young master. He called Xiang Yuan "Brother Yuan" and addressed Old Liu as "Constable." As he himself had said, everyone walked on two legs in this world; there was no distinction between high and low.

He joked around with the lowly laborers, even acting shamelessly at times, and never put on airs. Yet with the haughty County Lieutenant Qin, he flaunted the arrogance of a prince's heir. He was so irreverent and unconcerned with class conventions that it was hard to dislike him.

Xiang Yuan's dislike of Xiao He mainly came from the gap between his expectations and reality. He'd been looking forward to sharing an umbrella with a white snake, and he still felt a little indignant about it.

So much for the thousand-year-old snake demon!

Of course, Xiao He was a good guy, but he talked too much, buzzing like a swarm of flies. If only he'd shut his mouth, Xiang Yuan would have called him perfect.

Xiao Residence was a sprawling compound behind vermilion gates, situated in the eastern part of Fengxian County, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold. Willow Creek Street was neither too close to nor too far from East Street. It had stone bridges, graceful willows, and winding streams—an elegant, tranquil neighborhood. In Xiang Yuan's words, it was the villa district of Fengxian County, a prime property development.

Aside from Xiao He, Xiao Residence had only a few elderly servants. There was no shrewd, capable steward, much less any lovely maids. Xiang Yuan didn't know whether King Zhao had arranged things that way to toughen his son, or whether Xiao He simply wasn't popular and had been cast off to Fengxian County to fend for himself.

King Zhao, Xiao Yan, had ninety-nine children. Even setting aside his many adopted children, he had at least twenty biological sons. Xiao He wasn't a legitimate heir, nor did he have any particularly outstanding qualities, so the second possibility seemed more likely.

For one reason or another, Xiao Residence was sparsely staffed and lacked the grand scale and proper layout of a prince's mansion.

Xiang Yuan knocked on the door. An old man came out and stared at the constable's uniform in confusion. It took him a moment to catch on, and then he welcomed Xiang Yuan into the residence.

"The young master said Constable Xiang would come by this morning and stay at the residence from now on, to keep the courtyard peaceful and quiet..."

The old servant spoke slowly. He was getting on in years and a little muddled.

He led Xiang Yuan to a side courtyard, handed him several keys, and explained how the residence was laid out. Then he went to tend to the horses in the stable at the back.

The courtyard had one main room and two side rooms. Two peach trees grew there, and a large water vat sat in the center. From today on, this would be Xiang Yuan's home.

With the keys in hand, Xiang Yuan checked each of the three rooms. There was a quiet room for cultivation, a side room for guests, and a clean, tidy master bedroom. Several new outfits had also been tailored to measure, fitting his height and build perfectly.

When he opened the cabinet and drawers, he found a handful of silver pieces inside.

Xiang Yuan's eyelid twitched. He could understand the silver. When Xiao He went out, Xiang Yuan would be responsible for paying the bills. Since Xiao He was a clown with his head in the clouds, he'd prepared only the money and no ledger for tracking expenses.

The new clothes, though, were ridiculous. They'd been tailored in advance, as if Xiao He had plotted this long ago and wouldn't rest until he got his way.

"Could he and County Lieutenant Qin really have been putting on an act?"

Xiang Yuan still didn't believe it. He stubbornly clung to his opinion, further cementing Xiao He's image as a clown in his mind.

Yesterday had just been a coincidence. Given Xiao He's status, even without County Lieutenant Qin, all he'd have to do was name a junior constable he wanted as a playmate, and the county magistrate and assistant magistrate would happily do him the favor.

Xiang Yuan tidied up quickly, changed into his new blue-green outfit, and hung his saber at his lower back.

Just then, the old servant brought breakfast: congee, pickles, and pastries. It was light, refreshing, and not greasy—good for the appetite and health.

Xiang Yuan had already eaten breakfast at the yamen, but he didn't refuse. He swept up every last bite in no time.

For one thing, he was still growing. For another, cultivating the Formless Seal Method took a lot of energy, especially Candle Yin Casting God, which required plenty of extra nourishment to strengthen him.

Right now, he was a bottomless pit. No matter how much food there was, he could eat it all.

After breakfast, Xiang Yuan asked where Xiao He was. It was about time for the academy to open.

The old servant smiled and explained that the young master had stayed up late studying poetry and books, and still hadn't gotten up. That was normal; everyone was used to it.

Xiang Yuan didn't believe him. He only knew that Xiao He had drunk too much the night before and was probably still sleeping off a hangover.

That was fine. The work wasn't demanding, and he'd have plenty of free time to cultivate.

He drew his saber and practiced the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber in the courtyard. Its sixty-four forms grew fresh with every repetition. He blended in Liu Jingsheng's saber-drawing intent and momentum, layers of saber light pouring out like pear blossoms on a tree—captivating and beautiful.

After cultivating the Formless Seal Method, Xiang Yuan's Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber had grown even more powerful. And as his spirit grew stronger, he noticed that the sixty-four forms were a little too complicated; three or five moves seemed unnecessary.

Knowing how to simplify things meant he'd just begun to grasp the Martial Path. His progress was truly astonishing!

About an hour later, Xiao He wandered over, yawning. When he spotted Xiang Yuan, his eyes lit up. "Brother Yuan, I left the umbrella in your room. Did you see it?"

"Just call me Xiang Yuan, Young Master Xiao. I'm not worthy of being called Brother Yuan."

Xiang Yuan had grown up under the red flag and didn't understand the ways of being someone's servant. But now he was working for Xiao He as his bodyguard and playmate, and he'd received plenty of favors from him. It was only natural that his tone softened a little.

He was someone who repaid kindness. That was a matter of principle; he didn't feel aggrieved at heart.

"What does it matter? You don't have to call me Young Master. It's too formal, and no fun. Just call me Big Brother."

"Sure, Young Master Xiao."

After going back and forth a few times, Xiao He called Xiang Yuan "Brother Yuan," while Xiang Yuan called Xiao He "Forty" or "Brother Forty."

By family ranking, counting his adopted brothers, Xiao He was the fortieth son of King Zhao, Xiao Yan.

The servants prepared a carriage. Xiang Yuan brought his saber and went with Xiao He to Yulin Academy.

On the way, Xiao He explained why he'd come to Fengxian County to study. According to him, King Zhao, Xiao Yan, thought highly of him. After taking up the post of Guanshan Circuit Grand Secretariat, King Zhao had specifically chosen a worthy teacher for him: Wang Wenxu, the instructor of Fengxian County.

Wang Wenxu had met Xiao Yan in Shendu. Unable to stomach the ways of officialdom, he'd refused to serve as an official. In his old age, he'd bid farewell to Xiao Yan and returned to his hometown of Fengxian County. Xiao Yan had praised him for his integrity as a scholar and sent his most promising son, Xiao He, to study under him.

Of course, that was Xiao He's version of events. It was best to take it with a grain of salt.

"That old man—cough, I mean, my esteemed teacher—really does have some tricks up his sleeve. Even I'm a little afraid of him. Don't provoke him at the academy, or I'll be the one who suffers." Xiao He sighed. Wang Wenxu had weathered plenty of storms and wouldn't fall for Xiao He's usual tricks. That made things difficult.

Xiang Yuan only listened, saying nothing. He felt he'd found Xiao He's natural enemy, and figured that if Xiao He kept rambling, he could use Wang Wenxu to scare him.

A little intimidation wouldn't hurt.

When they reached the academy, Xiao He was an hour late. He told Xiang Yuan to look around and pass the time, then hunched over and slipped in through the back door of the lecture hall, taking a seat in the last row.

Xiang Yuan peeked through a window. The old man holding a ruler was Wang Wenxu. He had a wealth of learning and the bearing of a man of letters—an exceptionally handsome, scholarly elder.

The students included both boys and girls, and came in all ages. Some were young adults of around twenty, like Xiao He; others were boys about Xiang Yuan's age, with even younger students among them. They all wore the academy's blue-and-white uniforms.

He didn't wander around. Instead, he sat cross-legged beneath the window and listened to Wang Wenxu teach.

Old Daoist Quexin had told him to read more and put what he learned into practice. Xiang Yuan wholeheartedly agreed and wasn't about to miss this chance to learn.

A corridor ran beneath the window, and a row of shelves stood outside the classroom door, holding the students' belongings. There were lunch boxes and umbrellas, all arranged neatly.

Xiang Yuan's sharp eyes were drawn to a long sword.

Its scabbard was made of sandalwood, dark in color and sturdy. Beautiful patterns were carved into its surface, perhaps flowering vines or phoenixes in flight, making it clear that the sword had cost a fortune. The hilt was wrapped in fine leather, with a red tassel hanging below. Judging by its design, its owner was probably a woman.

Xiang Yuan gazed enviously at the sword. Though it remained sheathed, its contained sword energy made it seem formidable—far better than the standard-issue saber in his hands.

I'll have one of those someday, too!

Xiang Yuan set his thoughts aside and listened quietly.

Just then, a figure slipped out through the back door. Xiao He had returned, his face beaming with joy.

Before Xiang Yuan could say a word, Xiao He pulled him away.

"Come on, back to the county seat."

"Huh?"

He was already cutting class?

Xiang Yuan stared in disbelief. He knew Xiao He didn't apply himself, but this was too much. He could at least pretend to make an effort!

"Something good happened!"

Xiao He's eyebrows danced as he said excitedly, "Brother Xu got sick leave after encountering a ghost last night. I heard he's completely bedridden. He's my closest friend, my brother in all but blood. If I just kept studying and didn't go see the excitement, how would I be any better than a beast?"

Don't insult the beasts!

Xiang Yuan was speechless. What kind of person was this?

He knew ghosts existed, but he'd never seen one. Curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help wanting to see what the fuss was about, either.