Shen, the Martial Nephew

Inside the temple, Hui Dao had just received fifteen taels in Incense Offerings, yet showed no joy. He glanced toward the entrance, took out the small bronze mirror again, and lightly brushed its surface with his palm. A grayish-yellow flash of light streaked past.

The young Daoist boy was a proper disciple taken into the sect, and he was startled at once. "Is that an evil spirit?"

"Yes." Hui Dao put away the mirror and sighed.

"Master, when you said you would be traveling in the coming days, was it to avoid this evil spirit?" The young Daoist boy did not mind losing face and asked directly. Hui Dao did not answer. Instead, he slowly walked to the temple gate, clasped his hands behind his back, and looked out at the drizzling sky.

"This city is likely to see more trouble."

After saying this, Hui Dao called to a large Pillar not far behind him. "Martial Nephew Shen, since you are here, why not come out and meet me?"

"Wasn't I considering Martial Uncle's dignity?" With a laugh, a middle-aged man in Daoist robes stepped out from behind the pillar. He too had a Daoist boy with him, several years older than Hui Dao's disciple and nearing adulthood.

Yet upon closer inspection, one could sense that this teenage Daoist boy was silent and breathless even as he walked.

This was the difference between the two branches of Mount Tong Temple.

Hui Dao's branch forbade marriage and children, required the observance of many precepts, and had masters name their disciples generation after generation, abandoning their secular names.

The other branch was different. Though they wore Daoist robes and generally did not marry or have children, they observed no precepts and did not abandon their secular names. The middle-aged Daoist standing before Hui Dao still used his secular name: Shen Cheng.

Hui Dao bore Shen Cheng no ill will, but on their first meeting, he had sensed a faint resentment tangled around him. This was no small matter. Daoists naturally had ways to resolve such things, but if they could not resolve them, then the problem was grave.

For this reason, Hui Dao had kept his own Daoist boy away from Shen Cheng.

Now that Shen Cheng had come, Hui Dao merely shone the mirror upon him. The Daoist boy immediately revealed a paper effigy's face, with talismans pasted upon it. Hui Dao smiled faintly. "So you truly were using Paper Technique to spy on us just now."

Paper Technique could transform paper into people or cranes. Neither was alive, and neither possessed any breath, making them exceptionally suited to concealing themselves and eavesdropping on others' conversations and deeds without being easily noticed.

"If not for that, I would never have known that Martial Uncle had nearly tarnished Mount Tong Temple's reputation." Shen Cheng had an ordinary appearance, but his eyes were exceptionally bright. When he looked over, there was three parts mockery in his gaze.

The words were deeply discourteous. The young Daoist boy's face darkened with anger, but Hui Dao waved a hand and calmly said to Shen Cheng, "Martial Nephew Shen, do you know why I failed?"

"If I knew, why would I need to ask Martial Uncle?" Shen Cheng thought for a moment, then said, "Still, I can make a guess. Could it be that an evil spirit has appeared in this area?"

Hui Dao glanced at him and already understood Shen Cheng's intentions. He advised, "The baleful aura from that evil spirit's slight punishment required the power left behind by Grandmaster to disperse. This is absolutely not something you can handle alone."

"So it truly is an evil spirit!" Shen Cheng was instead delighted. Then he sneered. "There is no need for Martial Uncle to worry. I will not fail again and again like you."

With that, he turned and left, while the Daoist boy silently turned and followed him.

"Master, you are the temple master!" The young Daoist boy was indignant. "Will you simply let him disrespect you?"

"Do not be fooled by your martial uncle's demon-slaying and devil-subduing. He is merely a pitiful man. Let him go." Hui Dao smiled and stroked the young Daoist boy's head. "But speaking of which, we cannot remain here for now. Come with your master."

"But if something happens..."

Hui Dao considered it. "You have reminded your master."

He then returned to the main hall, took out paper and brush, and swept the brush across the page. After folding the letter, he said to the young Daoist boy, "Let us go. Once we leave the temple, find someone to deliver this letter to Cao Yiyan. He once cultivated at Mount Tong Temple. Though he has since left Mount Tong Temple, there is still affection between them. Surely, if Martial Nephew Shen falls into trouble, he will come to his rescue."

Thinking of the unusual movements in Shen Cheng's branch over the past few years, Hui Dao knew clearly that Cao Yiyan's hand must be behind them. He had even guessed some of what they were plotting.

But this could easily bring a monstrous calamity. Hui Dao had no wish to be swept into it. Of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing was the best.

Three-Autumn Ferry

It was now the largest town in Linhua County. When the group's ox cart reached town, Su Ziji saw that night was truly about to fall. Cooking smoke rose everywhere. The Zheng and Fang households were not far apart, and Zheng Yingci parted from them on the street. Fang Xi was an arrow returning to its bow. When the ox cart stopped before Fang Estate, he hurriedly jumped down and nearly fell to the ground.

"Young Master, be careful." A servant hurriedly supported him.

"Mother, I'm back!" Fang Xi brushed the man aside, lifted his robes, and jogged inside as he called out happily.

As soon as he reached the inner courtyard, someone had already informed Madam Fang, Zheng-shi. Hearing that her son's face had greatly improved, Zheng-shi repeatedly murmured her approval and went out to greet him. Just then, she saw her son running in.

"Really, how old are you already, yet you are still so rash. If your father finds out, he will surely scold you again!" Though Fang Zhengshi said this, she took Fang Xi by the hand and looked him over from head to toe. "As expected of the Daoist master of Mount Tong Temple. He truly cured your face. Did you give them Incense Offerings?"

"Mother, I did. Ten taels!" Fang Xi quickly explained, then pointed outside. "My cousin, Zhang Sheng, and Brother Su also accompanied me to Mount Tong Temple. It is getting late, so I invited them to stay at our house for the night."

"Quickly invite them in." Yu Lü was family, and Fang Zhengshi was somewhat delighted. She hurriedly received them in the small hall. Before long, she saw the three arrive. Yu Lü and Zhang Sheng were one thing, but the new acquaintance was young, dressed in a blue robe that had faded from washing but was exceptionally clean. His brows and eyes were elegant and handsome, his face filled with scholarly refinement, and she immediately took a liking to him.

Fang Zhengshi asked a few questions. Upon learning that he had newly passed as an Examination Student, she nodded repeatedly and immediately ordered someone to bring them changes of clothes.

The three went to change out of their damp clothing, while Fang Xi gestured and spoke at once, recounting their experience at Mount Tong Temple to Fang Zhengshi.

"My son, you have suffered." Hearing that her son had endured hardship, Fang Zhengshi sighed repeatedly.

"Mother, my cousin helped me tremendously. His classmates were good too. When they heard there was an exorcism, they all crowded around..." Fang Xi described how the pain had vanished when the people gathered around him.

Fang Zhengshi's heart stirred. Could it be that blessed people brought good fortune? She said, "From what you described, the situation was chaotic. Your cousin acted decisively and did not let you hurt yourself. He truly deserves thanks."

"And Su Ziji is only fifteen, yet he has already passed as an Examination Student. He is someone worth associating with. It is even better that he wishes to study. If only you had such ambition."

"While there is still time, go meet the guests. I will prepare a few small dishes and arrange a feast. And Xiaofu, see whether Master has returned from his banquet." Fang Zhengshi pursed her lips as she gave the orders, while Fang Xi happily left.

As it happened, Fang Wenshao returned just then, carrying the scent of wine. Fang Zhengshi went up to meet him and complained, "Why have you drunk so much again? The physician warned you last time to drink less. You are no longer thirty."