The Knocking Ghost

Paying a silver tribute was an old custom in Wen'an County.

Other counties were much the same, unless they were so poor they simply couldn't afford it.

Ever since Great Liang was founded, every year during the Lantern Festival, the city's guilds, wealthy merchants, and gentry had always pooled together a tribute to thank the county magistrate for looking after them throughout the year.

The amount had been passed down unchanged for years and had become an established rule, known by everyone from top to bottom.

A county magistrate held the power of life and death, with the county's taxes, grain, criminal cases, and legal affairs in his hands. Calling him a local emperor was hardly an exaggeration.

But this year, Magistrate Chen Mingyuan had simply opened his mouth and demanded three times as much!

Everyone was secretly indignant, but they forced themselves to keep up appearances.

Aside from the head of the martial arts guild, whose temper was as fiery as a blaze, who had challenged him on the spot, the rest stayed silent, waiting for the magistrate to explain himself.

Chen Mingyuan leisurely sipped his tea before finally speaking. "I'm not asking for three extra portions of tribute this year out of greed. I have no choice."

He raised one finger. "There have been insect plagues in the north, and the Bone Ghosts have invaded our borders. The military levy has gone up by twenty percent, and the county treasury is already empty. This money has to come from somewhere."

He raised another finger. "Governor Yang of the province is celebrating his birthday after the New Year. If the gift is too meager, the governor will take offense, and I'll have a hard time of it. The many businesses you run in Wen'an may also run into plenty more obstacles."

He raised a third finger and lowered his voice. "The neighboring county of Wenwu has been plagued by the Knocking Ghost. Thousands have died. If that thing comes here, can our county escape? We have to set aside money to prepare for it."

He spread his hands, looking helpless. "One of these three sums goes to military expenses, one is for the birthday gift, and one is to ward off ghosts. To put it plainly, not a single coin goes into my own pocket."

Chen Mingyuan dusted off his sleeves, still unhurried.

"At worst, I can resign and go home, and still live as a wealthy gentleman. But what about all of you? Wen'an County is a juicy piece of meat, and plenty of people have their eyes on it. If a new official takes over, I doubt he'll be as considerate of you as I am. When that happens, he may well empty your purses."

By the time he finished, the stakes were crystal clear.

After a brief silence, Old Master Du, the head of the martial arts guild, raised his wine cup with a somber expression. "Magistrate Chen, I was rash just now. I'm a rough man. One thing led to another, and I lost my temper. I shouldn't have spoken to you that way."

Chen Mingyuan raised his cup with a smile. "You're too kind, Old Master Du. The most important thing right now is to find a way to fill this hole."

The magistrate had offered them a way to save face, and no one challenged him again.

The others exchanged glances. Some sighed, some shook their heads, but no one spoke up.

Their silence meant they accepted it.

The Lantern Tower, which had been full of festive cheer just moments earlier, now echoed with hushed discussions, quick calculations, and the occasional raised voice.

Zhou Lan sighed as he waved his fan. "Looks like every family will have to cough up another big sum."

Master's Wife furrowed her brows and sighed, too. "It seems we'll have to watch the hall's expenses more carefully from now on."

Lu Chen asked curiously, "What's the Knocking Ghost?"

"It's an extremely eerie monster that knocks on doors in the middle of the night. If you open the door, you're doomed."

"What if you don't?" Lu Chen pressed.

Master's Wife shook her head. "Sometimes it leaves; sometimes it breaks down the door. It's hard for an External Force martial artist to survive an encounter. Someone with Hidden Force might be able to hold it off."

Zheng Tie answered in a low voice, "I heard from my elders while traveling the martial world that even someone with Hidden Force can't kill that thing. If ordinary people run into it, they should hide and keep quiet. If martial artists encounter it, they should run. Don't even think about standing your ground."

Lu Chen asked, "Can you get away?"

"You can. That monster only wreaks havoc in villages and cities. In the wilderness, it doesn't kill much." Zheng Tie replied.

A trace of worry appeared in Zhou Lan's eyes. "The world's growing more and more unsettled."

"Yeah."

Lu Chen felt a weight settle in his chest.

His desire to grow stronger burned like a fire in his heart, growing more urgent by the second.

He'd thought he already understood this world, but now he knew that the dangers lurking in the dark ran deeper with every layer.

The next morning.

Lu Chen went to the rear courtyard of the inner residence.

Master's Wife was practicing martial arts in the courtyard. Her eldest daughter, Mei Dai, was there too. The two looked very alike, both tall, with long legs and slender waists.

Master's Wife had worked up a fine sheen of sweat, and her pale-moon training clothes clung to her figure.

Mei Dai stood to one side, already as tall as her mother, only thinner, with cool, aloof features.

When Lu Chen arrived, Master's Wife stopped.

"Master's Wife." Lu Chen saluted.

Master's Wife nodded slightly, then turned to Mei Dai and said warmly,

"Dai'er, that's enough practice for today. Go wake your younger sister. Don't let her sleep in."

Mei Dai nodded and left.

A maid brought over a silver-gray fox-fur cloak. Master's Wife took it and draped it loosely around her shoulders, concealing the striking figure she'd shown while practicing. She adjusted her hair and said to Lu Chen,

"Come with me."

Lu Chen followed silently to a secluded room deep inside the inner residence.

The room was simply furnished. Behind the altar stood row upon row of memorial tablets honoring the past masters of Plum Blossom Martial Hall.

Master's Wife walked up to the altar, lit three sticks of incense, and reverently placed them in the holder.

"Kneel," she said solemnly.

Lu Chen obeyed, kneeling on the cushion before the altar.

Master's Wife turned to face him, and the ancestors whose tablets filled the wall behind her.

In the morning light, her expression was more solemn than he had ever seen.

"Lu Chen, since you've joined Plum Blossom Martial Hall, I'll formally teach you the final two forms of Plum Blossom Fist today, here before our founding masters. Before that, you must remember the three rules of our Plum Blossom lineage."

Lu Chen straightened his back and listened intently.

"First, never abuse your strength to bully the weak or oppress the innocent."

"Second, never harm your fellow disciples or betray their trust."

"Third, the fist forms may be taught, but the essence of the cultivation method must not be taught to anyone who isn't a direct disciple or of upright character. If you break this rule, your martial arts will be stripped away at best, and you'll be cast out of the school. At worst... you'll be purged from the lineage."

"This disciple will remember your teachings."

"Good. Come learn the final two forms."

In the courtyard, Master's Wife demonstrated and explained the forms one by one. Lu Chen committed them all to memory.

At noon, Master's Wife again invited Lu Chen to stay for a meal.

This time, Master's Wife, Master Deng, and both young ladies were at the table.

Master's Wife spoke gently. "Now that Lu Chen has broken through to External Force and formally become a direct disciple, this meal can serve as a small celebration."

Master Deng, who had always looked down on Lu Chen, was all smiles today and more talkative than usual. He even personally placed a piece of food in Lu Chen's bowl.

Mei Dai remained as cool and aloof as ever, eating quietly without saying much.

Mei Ying was different.

Her big eyes swept over Lu Chen, and a sweet smile bloomed on her face again. "Senior Brother Lu, you're quite impressive. Does this mean you'll be able to come over for meals more often?"

"Perhaps," Lu Chen replied perfunctorily.

That father and daughter were cut from the same cloth: both were snobs who treated people according to their status.

Master's Wife reminded him gently, "Now that you're an External Force martial artist, you've truly entered the martial world. From now on, in addition to focusing on your training, you should also make plans for your livelihood. External Force martial artists have plenty of ways to earn money. You could serve as a retainer for a gang, guard a wealthy family's home, join an escort agency, or take a position at the county office. Whatever you do, don't let your skills go to waste."

Lu Chen nodded. "Thank you for the advice, Master's Wife. I'm currently running a small business with a friend, so there's no need to look for that kind of work just yet. If a suitable opportunity comes along, I'll keep it in mind."

Master's Wife nodded slightly, a trace of satisfaction in her eyes. "It's good that you have a plan. The martial world is a long road, and having a little more money in your pocket can never hurt."