The Pan Household Changes Hands, Undercurrents Stir

After a bout of chaos, Wen Anguo ultimately did not throw Third Young Master Pan out after he barged into the rear compound. Instead, he led him to the hall, where host and guest took their seats.

Lifting the warm tea, Third Young Master Pan took a sip. His face was pale, still carrying the lingering shock of a soul barely returned to its body.

"Young Master Pan, I assume you know very well what committed the crime. It is beyond the reach of human strength. How am I supposed to help you?"

Wen Anguo wore a troubled expression. There had been no need for him to be so courteous, but Pan Yuanwai's unexpected death had changed things. Though Third Young Master Pan was young, he had become the Pan Household's only direct male descendant in Yuanning City. In other words, Third Young Master Pan was now the head of the Pan Household. Even a prefect had to be wary of that status.

"Uncle Wen." Third Young Master Pan set down his cup and shook his head. "You and my father were always close, so I will not beat around the bush. Disaster has struck the Pan Household. The pillar holding us up is gone, and the household is already in chaos. We should not have stirred up more trouble, but last night's calamity offended a certain force. If this is not handled properly, not only the Pan Household, but even all of Yuanning City will suffer!"

Wen Anguo frowned at this. "The whole of Yuanning Prefecture will be dragged down? What exactly happened? Whom did you offend?"

"The Upper Spirit Sect!" At the mention of that name, a flicker of panic showed in Third Young Master Pan's eyes. "Last night, an heir of the Upper Spirit Sect died in the Pan Household! The reason the Daoist masters of those four great temples were staying at my home was because of that Upper Spirit heir!"

"What did you say?" Wen Anguo sprang from his seat. "An heir of the Upper Spirit Sect? Could it have been Young Master Tang, who passed through some days ago? Was he not planning to head north out of Shu? Why was he staying at your residence?"

"Young Master Tang was delayed by certain matters and returned to the city. Since he did not wish to make a great spectacle of it, he did not notify you, sir." Seeing Wen Anguo's face darken, Third Young Master Pan immediately changed tack. "Your son knew about this as well. Just two days ago, he accompanied Young Master Tang around the city and its outskirts."

"Qinglong knew about this? He even accompanied Young Master Tang on an outing? Alas." Wen Anguo sighed.

Third Young Master Pan continued, "This is not Qinglong's fault. He said that an expert like Young Master Tang, though extraordinary in ability, should not have dealings with court officials. My father also said it would be best not to let you know, lest it put you in a difficult position."

Throughout the dynasties, officialdom and the Imperial Examinations had always been dominated by Confucianism. Confucians did not speak of strange forces or gods and ghosts; they spoke of governing the realm and bringing peace to all under heaven, relying on the mighty current of the age rather than Daoist arts and rituals. By the Great Rui dynasty, Buddhism and the Daoist Path had seized mountains and land without paying grain or taxes. The Confucian-centered officialdom had long been dissatisfied, gradually shunning those beyond the secular world. Associating with such people might become an interesting tale among commoners, but in the Scholar Forest and official circles, it was often met with disdain.

Yet the Upper Spirit Sect was powerful. If Wen Anguo knew Tang Yi was staying in the city and did not visit him, it would seem disrespectful. But if he paid his respects and word got out, it would harm his official career.

Having understood the reasons behind it all, Wen Anguo merely sighed. He knew his son and old friend had meant well, but now that Tang Yi was dead, that goodwill might bring trouble in its wake.

He could only think in the best possible direction. "This was, after all, an accident. The one who acted was no ordinary mortal. I imagine the Upper Spirit Immortal Sect will not take their anger out on us. Besides, your Pan Household has served as officials for generations, and I am the prefect of this region. We stand on the proper path of order and principle. The Upper Spirit Sect may be formidable, but their arts are still an Outer Dao. They would not dare oppose the imperial court."

"Better safe than sorry. Besides, this happened in the Pan Household. No matter what, the Pan Household cannot wash its hands of it." Third Young Master Pan shook his head and glanced at Wen Anguo. "Uncle Wen, this happened in Yuanning City, so..."

Wen Anguo also understood the gravity of the matter, and his expression changed repeatedly. "The one who acted was a demon, beyond human strength. And how could ordinary people provoke demons and monsters? Perhaps Tang Yi himself offended that demon, which is why he turned back halfway!"

"That is true, but I fear the Upper Spirit Sect will not be reasonable. I heard Tang Yi was the direct grandson of an old immortal from the Upper Spirit Sect. The implications are enormous." Seeing that he had said enough, Third Young Master Pan finally revealed the purpose of his visit. "There must be an explanation for this. In my view, we might as well offer some compensation, then make a gesture or two. At the very least, we must show our attitude."

"Oh?" Wen Anguo's heart stirred at those words. His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Third Young Master Pan. "What does my worthy nephew mean?"

Third Young Master Pan said bluntly, "The Pan Household will offer money as compensation, but that alone may not satisfy the Upper Spirit Sect. So we should find some people, pin crimes on them, and hand them over to the Upper Spirit Sect for punishment."

Hearing this, Wen Anguo instead became calm. He took a sip of tea and asked, "What crimes? Without cause or reason, even the authorities cannot arrest people at will."

"You need not act, Uncle Wen. So long as you can turn a blind eye, leave it to your nephew. Afterward, I will naturally come call on you properly." As he spoke, Third Young Master Pan brushed his hand across the table. When he lifted it again, a deed to a property had appeared on the tabletop.

"Hm? What are you saying? Our two households have been friends for generations. Since my worthy nephew already has a plan, I shall naturally cooperate with all my strength." Without changing expression, Wen Anguo swept his sleeve, and the deed vanished without a trace.

After the time it took for one incense stick to burn, Third Young Master Pan emerged from the rear gate of the prefectural yamen. The attendant who had been waiting there hurried forward.

"Young Master, how did it go?" The attendant looked to be in his thirties or forties. He had triangular eyes and a servile smile on his face.

"Your method truly worked. Wen Anguo has agreed." Third Young Master Pan nodded. "But can this really allow me to take complete control of the family estate?"

"Young Master, the master has passed away, while Second Master, Eldest Young Master, and Second Young Master are far away in the Imperial City. This estate should have been under your control from the start. What status do those illegitimate sons have? How dare they contend with you? They merely saw that you were young and wanted to fish in troubled waters. But now that you have the prefect's tacit approval, how can they compete with you? All it will take is one word from you. The household's experts and guards will act, and within two days, every one of their claws and fangs can be pulled out."

Third Young Master Pan nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Your idea is not bad, but do not forget that the Upper Spirit Sect is not easy to provoke. Choose more people to take the blame. Arrest everyone we can think of. Only then can we show our sincerity."

"Rest assured, I, Zheng Yan, always give my all when handling matters!" The triangular-eyed man hurriedly nodded. As he bent at the waist, delight flashed in his eyes. He knew he had won the trust of this new master of the Pan Household.

"Liu Yue, Liu Yue. A few days ago, you still lorded it over me and enjoyed the young master's trust. Who would have thought the wheel of fortune would turn? I, Zheng Yan, seized the opportunity instead. This time, the young master is borrowing the prefectural yamen's power, while I am borrowing the young master's power!"

Half an hour later, the Pan Household's main gates flew open. Several burly men mounted tall horses, cracked their whips, and rode away.