In Her Wake

At this point, Yu Lü had drunk a few cups of wine. Egged on by his two good-for-nothing friends—one playing the pale-faced villain, the other the red-faced one—he said, "It's like this. My uncle's family has a cousin, Fang Xi, who is quite renowned for his talent, but he's a little... frivolous."

As Yu Lü said those two words, his face reddened. Clearly, he was unaccustomed to speaking ill of others behind their backs, but everyone at the table was a good-for-nothing friend, so he continued.

"Whenever he sees a pretty young lady, he always likes to trail after her."

"A week ago, he came across a carriage. The wind lifted the curtain, and he saw a young lady inside. She was so beautiful that his eyes were dazzled and his soul carried away, so he followed the carriage for several miles."

"The young lady was thin-skinned and, in anger, splashed him with water. It got into his eyes, and after he wiped them, he found the carriage had gone far away. He returned in regret and thought nothing of it. But not long afterward, his face swelled up. He invited several doctors that night, but none could do anything. The swelling never went down. He suspects it was the work of ghosts or gods. He can't even come to the County Academy now, for fear of losing face."

"Alas!" Yu Lü shook his head and sighed repeatedly. He was worried for the other man, yet also felt some exasperation that iron had failed to become steel.

After hearing this, Su Ziji and Zhang Sheng looked at each other. The customs of the Wei Dynasty were open, and Great Zheng's were even more so, but following a young lady for several miles was indeed far too much.

Zhang Sheng simply rolled his eyes. "Serves him right."

Yu Lü sighed again. He had to admit that what Fang Xi had done truly deserved it.

Hearing talk of ghosts and gods, Su Ziji did not particularly believe it. He merely consoled him, "Perhaps it'll get better in a few days. Or perhaps he should go worship the gods."

Yu Lü nodded in agreement. "We arranged earlier that, after the County Examination, we would go burn incense at Mount Tong Temple outside the city. It's a very efficacious Daoist temple, and its master, True Person Hui Dao, possesses considerable mystical skill. If you two worthy brothers are free this afternoon, why not come with us?"

Su Ziji had not intended to go, but upon hearing the words "Mount Tong Temple," he suddenly recalled that he had learned this name from the two thugs he had killed. He had already planned to investigate it when he found the time, and now he could follow them there and have a look.

"Sure, let's go together!" Suppressing the hostility in his eyes, Su Ziji answered with a smile.

Zhang Sheng loved excitement even more, so naturally he agreed.

Yu Lü had chosen this place for the meal partly because he was waiting for the ox cart to pick him up and take him straight out of the city. The three spent a little more time there before a servant from the Yu Family indeed arrived driving an ox cart.

The three climbed aboard. Mount Tong Temple was not far away, and the cart rattled onward. By the time they reached the temple gate, several people were already waiting ahead of them.

Mount Tong Temple

The scenery was quite good. Though the mountain was not high, merely a gentle slope of a little over fifty meters, it was thickly planted with bamboo groves. Even now, the bamboo was lush and emerald-green, seeming ready to drip with verdure. When the wind blew, the leaves swayed, while several people stood upon the stone steps.

Among them was a young man with eyes like dots of lacquer, plump and dashing in appearance, seemingly the center of the group. Another had a swollen face and was likely Yu Lü's cousin Fang Xi. Once Yu Lü got down from the cart, he went over to introduce them. "This is Brother Su, Su Ziji, a newly admitted Examination Student. This is my cousin, Fang Xi."

Fang Xi was squinting at the moment. His originally handsome face had been distorted by the swelling, and the smile he managed to force out was rather comical.

"This is Brother Zheng, Zheng Yingci. He has already passed the Prefectural Examination and placed third." Yu Lü beamed as he warmly introduced him to Su Ziji.

Su Ziji's eyes brightened. Yu Lü had mentioned that the Zheng Family on his aunt's maternal side had produced a Presented Scholar and was one of Linhua County's foremost official-gentry households. Zheng Yingci might not be from the direct line, but becoming a Cultivated Talent at such a young age naturally made him outstanding among his peers. Su Ziji greeted him, "Greetings, Brother Zheng."

"You are too polite, Brother Su," Zheng Yingci said mildly.

Su Ziji could clearly sense that Zheng Yingci and Fang Xi were slightly closer in their attitude toward Zhang Sheng than toward himself, but he was not bothered.

Although Zhang Sheng had not become an Examination Student, his family background was good, and his household had been friends with the Fang and Zheng families for generations. Su Ziji alone was a newcomer, so a certain distance was only natural.

After chatting briefly, the group followed the steps up to the Daoist temple. The temple stretched along the mountain in several courtyards, its surroundings tranquil and secluded, with a distinct elegance.

After passing through the front area, they arrived at the place where they had arranged to meet Hui Dao. A young Daoist acolyte happened to come over and hurriedly clasped his hands in greeting. After learning their purpose, he said in a childish voice, "Young masters, please wait a moment."

With that, he went to summon someone.

A moment later, footsteps sounded along the corridor, and a figure in blue soon appeared.

"True Person Hui Dao, please look at my face..." At the sight of the newcomer, Fang Xi hurried over. In that short while, his face seemed to have become even redder and more swollen, gleaming with oil.

Hui Dao looked to be around fifty. He was tall and lean, slightly thin, yet quite well-maintained. His brows and eyes carried an air of calm leisure, giving him an exceptional temperament. As he walked, he resembled an immortal crane.

He wore a blue Daoist robe and hemp sandals. There were no ornaments anywhere on him, yet he did not appear shabby. He simply gave people the impression of a master beyond the common world.

Fang Xi bowed again and again, pleading desperately. Hui Dao appeared to know him well and did not beat around the bush. After taking a look, he said with faint anger, "You libertine have always been frivolous and have accumulated who knows how many ill-fated ties. That is why you have received this small punishment. It will naturally fade in another half month. There is no need for me to treat it. Go back."

Fang Xi wore a miserable expression. How could he be willing to leave just like that? He pleaded bitterly, "Never mind missing the County Academy, but the Prefectural Examination is near, and there are many relatives to see. With my face swollen like this, I truly cannot face anyone. I beg you, True Person, save me!"

Aside from Su Ziji, the others also spoke up to plead for him.

Hui Dao swept his gaze over them and merely pondered. "This matter is of great importance. Allow me to think on it."

Zhang Sheng glanced at Yu Lü. Yu Lü pondered without objecting, so Zhang Sheng quietly moved closer, letting his sleeve brush against the Daoist's sleeve.

Hui Dao's expression improved. He continued to ponder, then said, "Young Master Zhang is sincere. Since that is the case, I will treat him."

As he spoke, he directly took a talisman paper from his robes. With a flick of his hand, it ignited without fire. Taking the bowl of water handed over by the young acolyte, he sprinkled the talisman ashes into it, shook it evenly, and handed it to Fang Xi.

This was the talisman water for which Mount Tong Temple was quite famous.

It was said to cure all illnesses, especially injuries caused by ghosts and lurking evils. Yet not everyone could obtain it; one needed sincerity.

Fang Xi looked at the bowl of gray, ashy talisman water with some hesitation. But thinking of his current state, he finally gritted his teeth and drained it in one gulp.

Su Ziji frowned slightly. He had already held a poor impression of Mount Tong Temple, and after seeing this, he felt even more strongly that this was nothing but a pack of swindlers.

Igniting without fire—had he sprinkled phosphorus on it?

Just as he thought this, Hui Dao turned back. Though he was fifty and already had wrinkles, his eyes were clear and pitch-black, like those of a young man. Fixing his gaze on Su Ziji, he asked, "Does this young master not believe?"

Su Ziji suspected Hui Dao was one of the masterminds behind the attempt on his life. Under that gaze, he became even more wary, though he smiled and said, "Last night, I was still reading the books of the sages. The Master did not speak of strange things, strength, disorder, or spirits."

Hui Dao smiled. "Reading the books of the sages is good. But have you heard another saying? Respect ghosts and gods, but keep them at a distance."

The hidden meaning was clear: if ghosts and gods did not exist, why respect them and keep one's distance?

Su Ziji was about to speak again when Fang Xi suddenly let out an "Ah!" The water bowl struck the ground with a crack, and Fang Xi clutched his face, screaming in pain.

Everyone who saw this was struck with indescribable terror.

Hui Dao himself was somewhat puzzled. That demonic aura is remarkably stubborn. Still, he soothed the group. "Do not panic. The evil demonic energy is being expelled!"

Yu Lü had a servant help hold down Fang Xi's hands as he tried to scratch at his face. "Cousin, please endure it!"

But when his gaze fell upon Fang Xi's face, he froze. "Th-this... what is this?"

"My face—what happened to my face?" Although Yu Lü had pulled Fang Xi's hands away from his face, Fang Xi's expression was filled with terror as he shrieked.

Even someone as steady as Yu Lü showed a trace of horror at the sudden sight. Needless to mention the others who had seen Fang Xi's face—they all instinctively stepped back half a pace.

Even Su Ziji hesitated and did not step forward.

There was no other reason. Fang Xi's appearance at that moment was simply too horrifying.