Corpse Dissection

Chapter 35: Corpse Dissection

Dandan Hall is where the Daoist priests of Yujing Temple practice and refine elixirs; tourists are not permitted to enter. Yujing Temple can be considered the largest Daoist temple in the Great Gan Dynasty. It sits at the foot of Yulong Mountain, over ten miles outside Yujing City. Looking out, one sees pavilions, towers, and grand halls with red walls, layer upon layer, too many for the eyes to take in. In the quiet hall, only Lady Zhao remained, her expression shifting between light and shadow: "Truly a bane, exactly like that slut."

This is the most famous physician from Huichun Hall in Yujing City. At this moment, mingling among the tourists was an unusual middle-aged man. He wore brocade robes and had graying temples, possessing the aura of a great scholar, yet his lustrous skin and eyes as deep as the starry sky revealed his extraordinary nature. This man was none other than the pillar of the Great Gan Dynasty, a Cabinet Minister, Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and Marquis Wuwen, Hong Xuanji. However, he should have been in the Imperial Palace's cabinet handling state affairs at this time.

A shrill, miserable scream erupted from the white cat's throat. The little white cat leaped violently, jumping out of Lady Zhao's embrace, and cowered in a corner, looking at its mistress with terrified eyes.

At Marquis Wuwen's Mansion, Lady Zhao still held the snow-white cat in her arms, with two maidservants standing nearby. However, she was not idling or resting with her eyes closed as usual; instead, she leaned forward, questioning the physician who had been checking Nanny Zeng's pulse.

"My Lady, forgive my bluntness." The old man stood up: "Nanny Zeng has not suffered a stroke, but has lost her soul. Her body is now merely a shell, her mind empty. In a few days, her life force will completely sever, her blood and spirit will dissipate, and she will die. Such symptoms are caused by extreme terror; even an immortal would find it hard to save her. Forgive this old man for being powerless."

"What is going on? Doctor, is there really no saving Nanny Zeng? Can she not be brought back to consciousness?"

In the Great Gan Dynasty, there are three Daoist sects enfeoffed by the Emperor. Fangxian Dao is favored by princes and nobles for its alchemy and elixir refinement, while Zhengyi Dao is supported by the imperial court for preaching precepts and stabilizing the hearts of the people. Taishang Dao is mysterious and reclusive, hiding in the mountains to practice the path of "forgetting emotions." There are those who leave the mountains to practice, but they are few and far between. Yet, they are still enfeoffed by the court.

"Even an immortal cannot save her?" Lady Zhao stroked the white cat and waved her hand. "Xiao Tong, take the doctor to the accounting office to collect two taels of silver for the consultation fee. Xiao Hui, settle Nanny Zeng; have her moved to the manor outside the city first. She must be moved before she breathes her last, otherwise, it will be very inauspicious when Consort Yuan comes to visit in a few days. Also, allocate one thousand taels of silver for her funeral arrangements and hold a forty-nine-day water and land ritual; make it grand and magnificent."

"Hmph." Hong Xuanji let out a cold snort, ignoring the two young acolytes as he walked straight up.

"Hmm? Twenty years have passed; is Yunmeng going to stir up trouble again?" Lady Zhao closed her eyes once more.

On Lady Zhao's hand, there was a clump of snow-white cat fur.

The maidservant agreed and went out. After the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, she returned and said: "Steward Wu says that the Master was summoned to the palace yesterday by the Empress Dowager to pay respects to Consort Yuan. Afterward, he went to the Cabinet Hall with several ministers to discuss military action against Yunmeng. He may only be able to return when Consort Yuan comes for her home visit."

The terrain of Yulong Mountain resembles a jade dragon, embracing Yujing City from afar. With its clear waters and lush mountains, it is a top-tier geomantic treasure land.

As he spoke, he shouldered his medicine chest and prepared to leave.

Outside Yujing City.

However, at this moment, on the mountain road leading to the main hall, two young acolytes dressed in black silk Daoist robes and holding horsetail whisks were already there to welcome guests.

"Brother Xuanji, I invited you here today because I heard that Consort Yuan has already recognized you as a benefactor?" Xiao Anran ignored Hong Xuanji's cold snort and said with a smile.

"Go and ask Steward Wu if the Marquis did not return yesterday because there was some major military matter to handle?" Lady Zhao called for another maidservant.

Xiao Anran also responded with a cold sneer.

Wah! Along the way, one could only smell the heavy scent of medicine, mixed with the smell of sulfur, saltpeter, and other gunpowder ingredients.

Yujing Temple is the foundation of Fangxian Dao. The priests of Fangxian Dao, aside from cultivation, focus on refining elixirs and gold. They do not emphasize the strict precepts of Zhengyi Dao, nor the "forgetting emotions and self" of Taishang Dao.

Hong Xuanji walked slowly. Though he appeared casual, his steps naturally possessed the charm of one wandering among the clouds. He arrived at Dandan Hall, where there were few tourists on the mountain.

"Hmph, Brother Xuanji, you are a master of Neo-Confucianism who prides yourself on being a man of letters. There is no need to be so ruthless toward our Daoist sect just to drive us out. I have heard that Brother Shenji of Taishang Dao has already formed his body after three corpse dissections and is now preparing to emerge into the world again. Given how you treated his sister back then, he will naturally come to settle the score with you. We shall see how you withstand his fury when the time comes!"

Yujing Temple.

After arranging all this, Lady Zhao waved her hand: "You may all leave; let me have some peace and quiet."

The physician who checked Nanny Zeng's pulse and diagnosed her was an old man over sixty with a three-strand long beard. His medicine chest sat to the side, and he exuded a refined, ethereal air.

"That is only natural. My Fangxian Dao enters and exits the Imperial Palace to refine elixirs, gold, and medicine for the royal family; we are privy to such information." Xiao Anran looked at Hong Xuanji.

"Xiao Anran, what kind of mystery are you playing at?"

It is unknown what it was carved from, but this massive statue of the Daoist Ancestor was so lifelike it seemed as if it might come alive at any moment.

After the New Year, the first month had passed, and the weather was gradually turning warm. Yujing Temple was bustling with tourists and pilgrims, showing a flourishing incense trade.

There was no mistake; it was a feeling of "conveying the spirit." Once seen, it was imprinted in the mind, unforgettable as if carved by a blade, vivid and realistic.

"Presumptuous!" Hong Xuanji shouted: "Since ancient times, the decline of imperial courts has always been caused by monks and Daoists like you who play at gods and ghosts to bewitch the sovereign. I will eventually report this to the Emperor and have you Daoists driven out of the imperial court one by one."

There were several manors belonging to Marquis Wuwen's Mansion outside the city. Since Nanny Zeng could not be saved, she was naturally moved out to prepare for her funeral.

As soon as Hong Xuanji walked into the courtyard of the main hall of Dandan Hall, he saw a Daoist with a pale golden-purple complexion, no beard, and eyes closed, sitting under a massive pine tree in the courtyard.

The main hall enshrined a giant statue of the Daoist Ancestor, draped in a robe of starlight and clouds, holding a jade ruyi. Above his head was a green aura, which rose and evolved into the sun, moon, and thunder.

When Hong Xuanji saw the Daoist sitting under the pine tree, he recognized him as the leader of Fangxian Dao, Xiao Anran.

Looking at this statue of the Daoist Ancestor, one's heart would naturally produce a feeling of creation and the evolution of all things—a sense of "conveying the spirit."

The maidservants retreated tactfully.

Nanny Zeng sat on a bench, supported by two maidservants, her eyes staring forward like a dead fish.

It was the fur she had just ripped out in her terror.

"Your information is quite well-informed." Hong Xuanji said coldly.

The maidservants on the side all nodded secretly, feeling that Lady Zhao had handled the matter appropriately. Nanny Zeng naturally could not die in the mansion. Allocating one thousand taels of silver for her at the manor and holding a water and land ritual was a grand burial, fulfilling the duty between master and servant.