Yin Qi Corrosion (Please Vote with Monthly Tickets)

Zhang Laifu sprinted out of the house, planning to go first to the Lin Family residence and find Lin Shaocong.

He was looking after the house for the Lin Family. A dangerous man had turned up there, and he had to tell them. That much was his duty.

Besides, he needed Lin Shaocong to send someone to get his hat back. That was how he earned his living...

Zhang Laifu suddenly shivered, cutting off the thought.

He Shengjun had sent him to watch the house, and trouble had struck on the very first night. Wasn't that a little too convenient?

Could He Shengjun have known all along that something would happen there and sent me to watch the house on purpose?

I know a few things about Lin Shaocong. Are they trying to silence me?

No. I can't go to the Lin Family.

Then where can I go?

Straight out of Heishakou!

I have money now, so a boat ticket won't be a problem. I'll leave from another dock. Surely I won't run into anyone from Hunlong Stronghold again.

Zhang Laifu ran all the way into town, then shivered again.

Just leave like that?

The Old Helmsman said something terrible would happen if I didn't go back tonight. Did he put some kind of spell on me?

Maybe he was only trying to scare me?

Even if he was, am I really going to leave like this?

My Bowl is still with him!

I survived Hunlong Stronghold by the skin of my teeth and got that one Bowl for it. Why should I let him take it?

Besides, I still haven't paid Li Yunsheng back the Silver Dollar I owe him!

After a moment's thought, Zhang Laifu ran to Pearl Street.

What if I run into Old Zheng on Pearl Street again?

It can't be that much of a coincidence!

I ran into him the day before yesterday. It shouldn't happen again today. Old Zheng can't spend every day lurking on Pearl Street.

Li Yunsheng had just set up his stall by the street when, to his surprise, Zhang Laifu appeared.

"Friend, you didn't leave?" Li Yunsheng had thought Zhang Laifu had taken a boat out yesterday.

Zhang Laifu took out a Silver Dollar first. "This is what I owe you."

Li Yunsheng looked him up and down. His clothes were new, and he had washed the grime from his face. It looked as though his luck had turned.

He accepted the Silver Dollar without ceremony. Zhang Laifu took out another one. "This is to make up for the trouble I caused you."

Li Yunsheng waved it away. "I won't take that. We settled this before. It's in the past."

Zhang Laifu produced a third Silver Dollar. "This is for yesterday's lesson."

"I certainly can't take that. We're friends having a chat. What tuition would I charge?"

Zhang Laifu took out yet another Silver Dollar. "I'd like to learn a little more today."

Li Yunsheng pushed the Silver Dollars back to him. "Brother Laifu, ask whatever you like. I'll tell you everything I can."

Zhang Laifu gathered his thoughts. "I met someone last night."

"Who?"

"A man who could change his face. Is face-changing one of the three hundred and sixty trades?"

Li Yunsheng smiled. That was an easy question to answer. "Yes! Food, clothing, shelter, travel, and entertainment; farming, crafts, teaching, medicine, and miscellaneous trades. Face-changing falls under entertainment. It's part of opera. Did you meet a Craftsman?"

"I'm certain he was a Craftsman." Zhang Laifu described how the Old Helmsman's face had changed. "His face was white at first, then color came into it. His eyes were black, then they turned white. He had lots of veins showing on his face, and then they all vanished..."

Li Yunsheng interrupted him. "That's not the kind of face-changing I meant. Where did you meet this man?"

"At the Lin Family's old house."

"Which Old House?"

"The one on the barren hill, more than twenty li west of town."

Li Yunsheng frowned slightly. "That's the Old House at Whitegrass Marsh. What were you doing there?"

"Trying to earn a living. I took a job watching the house. I can't get out of Heishakou right now, so I can only work for the Lin Family for the time being."

Li Yunsheng did not ask how he had come by the job. He only wanted to tell Zhang Laifu what he was facing. "Friend, you're in serious trouble. That Old House of the Lin Family is haunted. What you met wasn't human at all."

Zhang Laifu was not too surprised. He had already guessed as much. "Brother Li, you're good at catching ghosts. Can you help me?"

Li Yunsheng looked at Zhang Laifu and said nothing for a long while.

Zhang Laifu took out all his remaining Silver Dollars. "You're a Craftsman and a businessman. Let's make a deal. If this isn't enough, I'll find a way to add more. If you don't want the job, that's all right too..."

As he spoke, Zhang Laifu shivered again.

Li Yunsheng studied him for a moment. "Brother Laifu, you're ill."

"Ill?" Zhang Laifu felt his own forehead. It did not seem hot.

That proved nothing. Even if he had a fever, he might not be able to tell by touching it himself. But he did feel cold. Today he had put on padded clothes, yet he was colder than he had been yesterday in a single long gown.

"Brother Li, can we make this deal?" Zhang Laifu wanted to get his Bowl back.

Li Yunsheng picked up a Talisman Paper. "Don't worry about that yet. Let's treat your illness first."

Zhang Laifu took the Talisman Paper. "That old man caused this, didn't he?"

Li Yunsheng nodded. "It's Yin Qi Corrosion. The Yin Qi is still moving over your skin. Before long, it'll reach your flesh. Once it gets into your organs, there'll be no saving your life."

Zhang Laifu thought for a moment, then asked, "I'd guess the yin qi will reach my organs by nightfall."

Li Yunsheng assessed his condition and made a quick calculation. "That's about right. Do you know medicine too?"

"I've had a higher education. I know a little." Zhang Laifu cursed the Old Helmsman inwardly. No wonder that old ghost had let him come into town. He had prepared a way to keep him in line.

He told me I had to be back before dark because he knew the Yin Qi would kill me after nightfall!

That old bastard hasn't killed me because he needs someone to run errands for him.

"How do I use the Talisman Paper?" Zhang Laifu shivered again.

Li Yunsheng asked, "Where do you feel unwell?"

"Nowhere, really..." Zhang Laifu just felt cold.

Li Yunsheng thought for a moment. "Clench the Talisman Paper in your right hand. Hold on to it tight!"

Zhang Laifu gripped the Talisman Paper tightly. Li Yunsheng took out another piece of Talisman Paper and laid it on the table.

He lit incense and candles around it.

Once everything was ready, Li Yunsheng tightened his clothes, picked up an axe in his right hand, and waved it before Zhang Laifu.

Zhang Laifu ventured a question. "Your trade doesn't usually involve surgery, does it?"

"Brother Laifu, this is no time for jokes!" Li Yunsheng raised the axe and warned him again. "Keep that Talisman Paper clenched tight. We're fighting for our lives now!"

Zhang Laifu was not joking. He really was a little frightened. "Aren't you a doctor? Why are you holding an axe that big and telling me we're fighting for our lives?"

"This Yin Qi is no ordinary thing!" Li Yunsheng's voice suddenly rose. "Brother Laifu, brace yourself. We're going to war!"

As the words left his mouth, Li Yunsheng raised his right hand and brought the axe down on the table. He chanted:

"Ghosts and fiends, cease your wicked ways,

The innocent and good have suffered bitter days.

To slay evil and save all living souls,

I summon eight hundred thousand soldiers to my cause!

Tell me your name and who you are!

What village is your home, what courtyard yours?

My blade will strike no nameless ghost,

Declare your home and meet me here in battle!

That evil cannot triumph over good is heaven's law,

And heaven's law shall turn forevermore!

The Three Realms shine bright upon heaven and earth,

The sun and moon bear witness to their judgment!

The Azure Lantern lights the night, its flame undying,

The Iron Talisman stills souls, its divine might rising.

One true word shatters demons and sprites,

Nine Heavens Thunderfire burns wicked illusions away!"

The axe swept across and chopped down in Li Yunsheng's hands, whistling through the air. Incense ash and paper ash flew up from the table.

Every hair on Zhang Laifu's body stood on end. Faintly, he heard the rumble of drums and the neighing of warhorses.

The eight hundred thousand heavenly soldiers seemed to have truly arrived.

P.S. Dear readers, today is a good day. Let's share in Laifu's good fortune! Two more chapters are coming tomorrow morning. Give all your monthly votes to Shala!