A warning

Before long, all four drinking dishes had arrived: salted crispy peanuts, braised pig's head, eggs stir-fried with scallions, and grilled lamb liver, accompanied by a small jar of the fashionable lychee wine and two bowls of Ten-Spice Noodles.

Ding Songyan clinked bowls with Ren Youyang and gulped down a mouthful, then picked up a richly seasoned piece of braised pig's head amid the sweet fragrance of lychees and the spreading scent of wine, and chewed it slowly.

His current body was no stranger to alcohol.

As they chatted, Ding Songyan neither asked about the True Spirit Sect nor inquired why Ren Youyang had come to Dingjiang Prefecture in Ning Prefecture. He simply used martial-world lore and wandering heroes' anecdotes he had heard as conversation fodder, flattering the other man now and then.

Their acquaintance was still too shallow for deep conversation.

As Ren Youyang ate and drank, his tipsiness grew, and he began tutting over the "Jade Tree Martial Arts Rankings":

"Of those who make the rankings, perhaps not all, but seven or eight in ten have either been enhanced by their cultivation techniques or eaten something that does the same. Su Yunzhang of the Celestial Maiden Sect, Yu Chongyuan of the Five Saints Sect, Gu Yi of the Luanfeng Sect, Qi Yangbing of the Tianmi Sect, Li Linquan of Leiyin Gate, and Chu Hanyuan and Zhao Zichang of the Six Dragons Sect-every last one of them might not receive such adulation on their original looks alone."

While deliberately nodding along in agreement, Ding Songyan swiftly analyzed the useful information concealed in those words:

The Five Saints Sect has the Phoenix inheritance, where all the world's colors gather. That fits... The Luanfeng Sect clearly comes from the luan bird, which is also described as "gathering colors" in the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas... The Six Dragons Sect originates from the Winged Dragon, the forefather of dragons, just as the Phoenix is the progenitor of its kind. That makes sense too... But which Heavenly God or Strange Beast corresponds to the Tianmi Sect and the Celestial Maiden Sect?

The Nine-Tailed Fox is described as "bewitching all under heaven." With that kind of inheritance, it would be absolutely impossible for the men not to enter the Jade Tree Martial Arts Rankings or the women the Peerless Beauties Scroll. Does the Nine-Tailed Fox correspond to the Tianmi Sect or the Celestial Maiden Sect?

And what's the story with the one from Leiyin Gate? Although I haven't finished reading the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas, and have carefully memorized even less, none of the thunder-related entries mention improving appearance or charm...

"Which one ate a divine substance?" Ding Songyan asked, already harboring a guess.

Ren Youyang chuckled:

"Li Linquan of Leiyin Gate. By a stroke of fortune, he obtained a stalk of Fu Grass when he was young." (Note: pronounced yao.)

"Fu Grass?" Ding Songyan did not try to recall the contents of the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas, because he could tell Ren Youyang would explain it himself.

"That's right." Ren Youyang wore a wistful look and a mischievous smile. "Fu Grass came from Yaoji, daughter of the Celestial Emperor-the Goddess of Wushan-after her death. Eating it makes one enchanting to others. Even I would find him lovable, let alone those heroines and demonesses."

What would a fierce, brutally forceful disciple of Leiyin Gate look like after eating Fu Grass that made him "enchanting to others"? Ding Songyan found himself rather curious.

"People adore him and want to give him the best of everything. Truly enviable." Ren Youyang joked, "If I'd eaten Fu Grass, I wouldn't have been thrown out of Cuiliu Tower today or failed to meet Headliner Li."

"But then your own natural grace and eloquence wouldn't get their chance to shine, Brother Youyang." Compared with Ren Youyang, who was only twenty-four and had roamed the martial world for just a few years, Ding Songyan's "mastery" of casual conversation was clearly much deeper. He repeatedly brought smiles to the other man's face, making him feel as though he were basking in a spring breeze.

What interested Ding Songyan more was another matter:

"Doesn't eating Fu Grass conflict with the techniques you practice?"

"Divine fruits, trees, and medicinal herbs, along with strange creatures whose sole ability is curing illnesses, won't affect your practice of any technique." Ren Youyang did not conceal this information.

It was common knowledge in the martial world.

He picked up a peanut, chewed it a few times, then cautioned Ding Songyan:

"Don't spread what I said today about the Jade Tree Martial Arts Rankings, especially the part about Li Linquan eating Fu Grass. I'm not afraid of them, but we're bound to meet someday, and it would be awkward then. Li Linquan has a violent temper-the words 'thunderclap and lightning' suit him perfectly.

"Uh, I am afraid of Yu Chongyuan, though. He became a Martial Grandmaster at twenty-six and broke into the Celestial-Human Realm at thirty-three. He's only thirty-four now, with the Spirit Platform within his future reach. I really can't beat him."

"Rest assured, Brother Youyang. I've always been tight-lipped." Ding Songyan raised his wine bowl and clinked it against Ren Youyang's again.

Ren Youyang was just about to speak when someone suddenly approached from beside a Carved-Lacquer Pillar.

Ding Songyan stared in surprise. The newcomer seemed to have been standing nearby all along, yet he had never noticed him.

This was one of Ren Youyang's guards whom Ding Songyan had previously seen at the Zhen Estate-the one whose movements were elusive as a ghost.

The man did not actually possess the ability to turn invisible, nor had he used any deceptive art or hidden in a blind spot beyond Ding Songyan's sight. Rather, he seemed to have blended into his surroundings, becoming part of the environment—standing beside the Carved-Lacquer Pillar, he had naturally assumed the pillar's "state."

The guard leaned close to Ren Youyang's ear and spoke a few nearly inaudible words.

Ren Youyang's dog ears twitched slightly as he listened. He looked at Ding Songyan with both puzzlement and curiosity, leaving Ding Songyan utterly baffled and able only to wait patiently.

While waiting, Ding Songyan carefully studied the guard and discovered that he, too, had physical abnormalities. They were mostly concealed beneath his clothes, however, and difficult to notice without approaching and examining him closely:

His hands were tucked inside his sleeves, with only faint glimpses of sharp claws showing clear signs of beastlike transformation.

After the guard returned to his original position, Ren Youyang smiled faintly and beckoned to Ding Songyan, signaling for him to move to the side of the square table and sit closer.

Full of questions, Ding Songyan moved over.

"My young friend, aren't you the storyteller outside Dangkang Temple? Why are two separate parties following you?" Ren Youyang leaned close to Ding Songyan's ear and lowered his voice.

His words struck like a rock-shattering thunderbolt, giving Ding Songyan a fright.

Someone's following me? Two separate parties, at that? I didn't notice a thing! Ding Songyan was both startled and puzzled.

Maintaining his posture, Ren Youyang continued quietly:

"One is Yu Wanxiong, the Zhen Estate's Attendant."

Yu Wanxiong... Mr. Yu? That name doesn't really fit his manner or bearing. Still, when his parents had him, they couldn't have foreseen his future personality or the path he would take... Why is Mr. Yu following me? Isn't the real supplier of the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas already dead? Even tracing things further back, those involved shouldn't have had any dealings with this body's former owner... Wait, because I told stories to that 'honored guest' this afternoon, does Mr. Yu want to see whether I've been secretly influenced? Is he keeping that 'honored guest' under strict guard? Ding Songyan instinctively frowned.

If that really was the case, his going to Beili Ward to wait and watch would seem rather strange to Mr. Yu!

Will the Zhen Estate seize me and torture me later? Should I go straight to the County Yamen for shelter?

"The other is that man." Ren Youyang discreetly pointed.

Several tables away, beside a window, a man was drinking alone.

He looked ordinary and wore a common Futou, with two dishes and a pot of wine before him.

Ding Songyan glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. He did not know the man, but seemed to have occasionally encountered him in the street over the past few days.

In the vast sea of people, no one would pay attention to an ordinary person they happened to cross paths with now and then. But after Ren Youyang's warning, the more Ding Songyan thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed:

Who is this man?

Who sent him to follow me?

Eager to try his hand, Ren Youyang whispered again:

"My young friend, go home as usual later. I'll secretly keep an eye on this man for you and find a way to ferret out whoever is directing him.

"As for the other side, I don't know why Yu Wanxiong is following you either. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to intervene in your Zhen Estate's internal disputes, lest I spoil what comes afterward.

"If you're truly worried about it, go to the County Yamen and seek out the Xiaoming Sect, especially Zheng Zhuxi. Though she's rather young and not particularly strong, her father is a high-ranking Imperial Court official, and her mother is the Xiaoming Sect's leader, a figure of note even among Martial Grandmasters. She's also public-spirited and righteous, willing to stand up for someone without status like you."

Ding Songyan nodded slightly and agreed.

The Zhen Estate's affairs could wait. For now, he had to resolve the problem before him.

Once he had eaten and drunk his fill, he waved farewell to Ren Youyang, left the restaurant, and headed toward Chengyu Lane.

The evening breeze carried a touch of coolness from the great river. As it blew over him, Ding Songyan's head cleared considerably, and he calmed down again, pondering several details he had overlooked:

What dealings are coming up between Ren Youyang and the Zhen Estate-or rather, between the True Spirit Sect and the Zhen Estate?

Why was it Ren Youyang's guard who discovered the people following me, rather than Ren Youyang himself?

He only realized it after his guard alerted him...

When a white dragon dresses as a fish, does he really treat himself like an ordinary mortal, not even watching all six directions and listening on all eight sides? Isn't he getting a little too absorbed in the role?

Or does his guard practice a special technique that makes him better at this sort of thing?

Ding Songyan walked and paused, pretending to "admire" the prefectural city's bustling nighttime sights.

Lantern after lantern hung high in varied colors, illuminating a splendid earthly scene of a bountiful year.

Taking the opportunity to crouch down and admire a painting, Ding Songyan naturally glanced behind him.

This was his fifth attempt at counter-surveillance; the previous ones had yielded nothing.

His gaze swept swiftly across the crowd, and he saw the man who had been drinking alone in the restaurant.

So it's true... Ding Songyan withdrew his gaze and examined the paintings and calligraphy on the street stall.

In this way, he slowly made his way back to Chengyu Lane, leaving Ren Youyang ample "time to act."

Just as he reached the well at the entrance to the lane, a dark figure suddenly sprang out from the side.

Ding Songyan was almost frightened out of his wits and nearly swung the folding fan in his hand.

"Second Brother Ding!" Xu Chang'an's voice rang out.

Ding Songyan stopped his hand and looked closely by the light of the moon and stars. It really was Xu Chang'an, with his somewhat shifty, rat-eyed air.

"Are you pretending to be a ghost?" Ding Songyan snapped irritably.

Xu Chang'an smiled sheepishly:

"Why did you get back so late today? I've been waiting for you."

Wait, what are you waiting for me for? Ding Songyan glanced down Chengyu Lane, where few households wasted money hanging lanterns.

Xu Chang'an produced a silver ingot:

"Second Brother Ding, yesterday's affair was all thanks to you. I went to Master's house early this morning and stole twenty-five taels first, then divided the rest equally with my senior brothers. They don't know how much private savings Master had anyway.

"These... these twenty-five taels are my thanks. Please don't refuse them. Five taels of this are for Eldest Brother Ding, too."

You're quite a decent fellow... But why use such an ugly word as 'stole'? First come, first served... Ding Songyan gave a dry cough:

"Since you've put it that way, wouldn't refusing make me seem like I don't know how to behave?"

After speaking, he sighed and accepted the heavy silver ingot.

Xu Chang'an's expression relaxed, and he headed home with a heartfelt smile.

Ding Songyan strolled another two steps forward and saw Ren Youyang emerge from the shadows behind him to one side.

The True Spirit Sect disciple shook his head with a grave expression and said in a low voice:

"I didn't catch him."