The Ghost Mask Appears

Chen Hai led Chen Cuo to the woodshed.

The closer they had come, the heavier the atmosphere had felt. People had grown scarcer along the way, until there were no servants in sight, only guards.

"He was locked up inside," Chen Hai said, pointing to the room and lowering his voice. "As soon as I heard, I volunteered to inform you. After that, the old madam ordered everyone to keep the news quiet."

Chen Cuo praised him, then asked, "With this many guards, how did he get away?"

"I asked around just now," Chen Hai said, looking rather pleased with himself. "Security was tight, and someone was guarding him inside. But the guard said he somehow fell asleep, and when he woke up, the man was gone! The others sealed off the area and searched everywhere. I heard the old madam was so furious she even had them turn over the flower bed next door. They still found nothing!"

Chen Cuo's heart lurched. "The guard inside just fell asleep for no reason?"

"That's what he claims. The old madam thinks he's making excuses, though, and no one believes him," Chen Hai explained.

Chen Cuo took a deep breath. That sudden sleep was likely the Evil Ghost's doing. He quickened his pace and went straight into the room.

Inside, the atmosphere was even more oppressive.

He looked around and saw Chen Cuo's Mother standing in the middle of the room, supported by a maid. Several people knelt before her, each trying to explain and plead for mercy.

His gaze swept the room. The furnishings were undisturbed, with no signs of a struggle. The doors and windows were shut tight, and there were few marks around their edges.

Chen Cuo was no detective, but after his encounter with the Evil Ghost and Zhou Youzi's warning, he could not help viewing the scene in that light.

The room was sealed, with guards inside and out. How did he escape?

He remembered the man's torn, battered skin and how he had repented before Chen Cuo's Mother. He doubted the man was capable of such a feat.

This was strange from the start. The thief said he came back from the Teahouse in a daze, as though possessed. He woke from a sleep and discovered he'd become a thief. It sounded like an excuse at first, but if an Evil Ghost was involved, it made sense. He went to the Teahouse—he might have heard "The Painted Skin"!

The thought gave him a headache.

The pill was what Chen Cuo himself wanted. According to Daoist Half-Heart, his mind was linked to the evil ghost's. Wouldn't the ghost want what he wanted?

But if the Evil Ghost had abducted the man, where had it taken him? How could it make someone disappear into Emptiness? This method was terrifying and almost impossible to guard against.

And had "The Painted Skin" really become the source of all this trouble?

I'll have to ask the Daoist when he arrives.

Chen Cuo's Mother had been scolding the people before her. When she saw him, she frowned. "Where is Mr. Zhou?"

"He'll be here shortly," Chen Cuo replied.

She nodded, then seemed to remember something. "Mr. Zhou said your writing has caused quite a stir in the city?"

That gave Chen Cuo another headache. It isn't a stir. It's a danger. But he could not tell her, so he merely nodded.

"Mm. Well done." Chen Cuo's Mother nodded.

Chen Cuo was taken aback.

In his fragmented memories, Chen Fangqing had rarely received praise from his mother. At those two words, his body stirred with instinctive excitement.

Then Chen Cuo's Mother added, "Later, you will tell me everything Mr. Zhou said to you." Her tone brooked no argument. Without waiting for Chen Cuo's answer, she resumed scolding the people before her.

Chen Cuo nodded silently. She's still herself. The evil ghost hasn't taken control of her.

Before long, there was a commotion outside. Zhou Youzi had finally arrived.

Chen Cuo's Mother hurried over and explained the situation in detail. Her account largely matched Chen Hai's, with a few more particulars. She apologized repeatedly, then asked tactfully whether there was a spell that could find the thief.

Zhou Youzi did not refuse. "Please have someone prepare a basin of clean water in a copper basin, and bring me a rooster." He offered no further explanation.

Chen Cuo's Mother could not help asking why, but Zhou Youzi only shook his head. "It is not something I can explain to ordinary people."

She had no choice but to let it go.

Chen Cuo, worried about the evil ghost, asked, "Daoist, is there more to this?"

Chen Cuo's Mother was about to rebuke him. The Daoist had said he could not explain it, and even she had been unable to get an answer. Why ask again?

To her surprise, Zhou Youzi said, "I cannot be certain yet. Once I have investigated, I will tell you."

Chen Cuo nodded.

The rebuke stuck in his mother's throat. She looked between them, puzzled.

Zhou Youzi turned toward Chen Cuo's Mother. Coming to her senses, she ordered someone to fetch the items.

Before long, the copper basin of clean water and a large rooster were brought to the Daoist.

After inspecting them, Zhou Youzi said, "Old Madam, my lord, please step outside so I can perform the spell."

Chen Cuo's Mother asked whether anyone should stay to assist him. When he declined, she said, "Sorry for the trouble, Daoist." Anxiety filled her face, but she complied, leading everyone outside to wait.

Zhou Youzi shut the room's doors and windows.

Curious, Chen Cuo took two steps closer. A look from Chen Cuo's Mother stopped him, so he stood where he was and watched.

The room remained quiet. Nothing stirred.

Just as he thought he would see nothing unusual, a hum sounded in his mind. Whispers brushed past his ears, as though someone were shrieking and shouting.

His heart tightened, and he strained to listen, but Chen Cuo's Mother's voice interrupted him—

"What did you and Mr. Zhou talk about?"

The sounds vanished. Chen Cuo sighed inwardly. Remembering Zhou Youzi's warning, he gave a vague answer. "Nothing much..." Then his eyes shifted. "It had to do with the Ink Crane. The Daoist said that since the pill was destroyed, the Ink Crane..."

"Let's not discuss that now." As Chen Cuo had expected, Chen Cuo's Mother waved her hand and ended the conversation herself.

Chen Cuo had managed to get through it as he wished, but he still felt uneasy. After all, the favoritism was so blatant that she did not even bother to disguise it!

Ding, ding, ding!

At last, a sound came from the room, drawing everyone's attention. It stopped as abruptly as it had begun, and silence returned.

Then the door creaked open. Zhou Youzi stepped out and, before Chen Cuo's Mother could ask, said, "The man has fled far away. I cannot find him anytime soon. I'm afraid there is nothing I can do."

Chen Cuo's Mother froze and pressed him for details, but Zhou Youzi shook his head.

“Spellcraft has its limits, and not everything in this world can be made right. Old Madam, some things cannot be forced.”

With a sigh, Chen Cuo's Mother gave up, but how could her anger fade? She waved someone over and said fiercely, "That wicked servant stole from his master's Household, then dared to flee to escape punishment! He's a registered servant, yet he betrayed his master and abandoned his duty—he cannot be tolerated! Chen He, go to the authorities at once and have him listed as a fugitive servant. Tell them to issue a warrant and bring him to justice!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Chen He turned at once to give the orders.

Zhou Youzi looked as though he wanted to speak, but in the end, he only shook his head.

Chen Cuo noticed. Is there more to this? He glanced into the room. The rooster was still hopping about on the Emptiness, but the basin of clear water had turned bloodred.

What kind of spell was that? Did he bleed the rooster? Then why is it still hopping around?

While Chen Cuo puzzled over it, Zhou Youzi excused himself, saying he needed to rest for a while.

Seeing the Daoist's pale face, Chen Cuo's Mother assumed the spell had exhausted him. She immediately had someone escort him back and ordered food and fruit prepared.

Chen Cuo wanted to question Zhou Youzi, but there were too many people around. He held back, figuring he could visit him later.

After Chen Cuo's Mother finished scolding the others, she still refused to let Chen Cuo leave. She told him to wait in the rear courtyard; she had questions for him.

Helpless, Chen Cuo obeyed.

Once he sat down, drowsiness washed over him. His encounter with the evil ghost had sent his emotions soaring and plunging, leaving him drained. Now that he had a moment's peace, he could barely resist sleep.

Chen Cuo did not resist; he meant to nap for a while.

After all, a shattered pill was waiting for him to examine in the Dream Marsh.

Half asleep, his mind entered the boundless Dream Marsh.

As soon as Chen Cuo appeared, he set off in search of the pill. Two steps later, he stopped short and stared ahead in astonishment—

A painted mask floated in midair, blue and purple in color.

There'll be another update tonight. Please recommend the story! If you're passing by, add it to your favorites!