Chapter 4

Baozhu returned to her room, opened the window, and looked outside.

The sun was sinking in the west. The Many-Treasures Pagoda stood amid the brilliant evening clouds, its thousand bells swaying in the wind and reflecting the sunset. The entire tower shimmered with flowing gold and dazzling color, dreamlike and unreal.

With such a serious crime having occurred, the area must already have been placed under heavy guard. Ordinary pilgrims could forget about going near it. The bustling crowds at the Lotus Flower Temple, where the three of them had gone sightseeing two days earlier, still seemed to be before her eyes. Even then, Wei Xun had been weighed down by worries, staring unblinkingly at the Many-Treasures Pagoda outside the window. Looking back now, how could she not be suspicious?

What exactly had he been watching? The changing of the guards? Their patrol routes? Or had he simply been lost in thought?

Seeing her cold expression and distracted manner, so unlike her usual friendliness, Thirteenth Son felt uneasy. He dared not spout nonsense in front of her and merely commented on the news they had just heard. "They're only catching a thief. Why seal off the whole town? That Magistrate Wu is such a muddlehead!"

To his surprise, Baozhu shook her head and said slowly, "How can we take a farmer's words as reliable? When a heavily guarded treasury is robbed, nine times out of ten someone inside helped arrange it. Magistrate Wu immediately arrested those involved and sealed the town to prevent the thieves from escaping with the stolen goods. That counts as decisive action and firm handling. Torturing people, though-that wasn't particularly clever."

"What do you mean?" Thirteenth Son asked.

Baozhu said, "When a ruthless official interrogates suspects in a treason case, anyone under suspicion will confess beneath the lash. Treason is a fabricated charge that can be established merely by admitting rebellious intent. No physical evidence is needed; the official can hand in the confession and consider his work done. Theft is different. Even if torture forces someone to confess to stealing, a wrongly accused person cannot conjure the stolen goods out of thin air. Without those goods, the case cannot be solved. That's why torture is the wrong approach."

Her analysis fit together as neatly as threads in a weave, and Thirteenth Son found it very strange. Before, she had not known one millet from another, nor wheat from weeds. Walking down the street, she had been like a small child, needing someone to look after her at every turn.

What he did not know was that Princess Wanshou had been born deep within the palace and knew nothing of life in the streets. If sent out to buy a bite to eat herself, she might well have been cheated by a scale that weighed seven taels as ten. But the dirty business of court-the evasions and shirking, false accusations and malicious framing practiced by high officials and powerful nobles-had surrounded her since childhood. She could not have been more familiar with it.

"Then, Ninth Lady, do you mean the people they arrested were wrongly accused?"

Baozhu sighed. "I don't know the other details. How could I judge the case on empty words? I only mean that I'm probably going to be in trouble myself."

Thirteenth Son asked in alarm, "How so?"

Weighed down with worry, Baozhu said, "If torture still fails to recover Cui Keyong's property, the magistrate won't be able to shoulder the blame. He'll send his men to search and arrest people throughout the town. Why else make such a grand show of sealing it off? Even if he cannot find the treasures right away, he'll still have to arrest and torture a batch of people to show that he's spared no effort. When that happens, displaced people without travel papers will be the first to suffer. They'll be arrested as suspects and hauled before the county court. Even if they're innocent, a few dozen blows of the staff will leave them dead or crippled. Wouldn't that be dreadful luck?"

When Prince Shao had been a candidate for crown prince, he had received several years of instruction in hearing lawsuits. Whenever he returned to the palace from court, he would tell Baozhu about the interesting cases he had heard that day. The siblings had read the records of officials famed for judging cases, such as Xu Yougong and Su Wuming, as storybooks, turning their pages until they fell apart. As for how cruel or incompetent officials handled cases, there was no need to seek that out specially. They saw it every day.

Her prediction of the authorities' next move was also quite accurate. That afternoon, word spread through the streets that every constable had been dispatched to search for the thieves house by house, with a ferocity that threatened to overturn the whole town. They were not merely hunting thieves. Anyone in the streets whose identity seemed suspicious was to be questioned, from wandering monks to itinerant monkey trainers and snake performers, brothel and gambling-house workers, and even beggars asking for food by the roadside.

The neighborhood clerk hurried anxiously to the Sun Family Inn and told the innkeeper to prepare his guest register for inspection. The innkeeper then knocked on each room's door to warn his guests.

When Thirteenth Son heard the news and saw disaster approaching, he grew as frantic as an ant on a hot pan. Though he had scraped and struggled in the streets since childhood and understood the dealings of the world where three or five hundred coins were at stake, he had never faced a major case involving the powerful. He was young, after all, and with Wei Xun absent, he immediately lost his bearings.

"What are we going to do?" he asked urgently. "In a case this big, the slightest mistake could bring disaster down on a man's wife and children. No amount of bribery will get us through!"

The gates were already sealed. They were like turtles caught in a jar; human or ghost, none could escape even with wings. Baozhu's own worries were tangled in a hundred knots. "Xiagui County isn't large," she said forlornly, "but it still has fifty or sixty thousand registered inhabitants. Surely they won't reach us right away. We can only hope your senior brother returns soon. There might still be a way out. It's already been two days. Where on earth has that wretched boy gone?"

Thirteenth Son bit his lip and lowered his head without speaking.

Seeing that he dared conceal something even in such a serious matter, Baozhu was so angry she wanted to find a bamboo paddle and strike his palms. But this child was not her own younger brother, after all, so beating him was hardly something she could do as a matter of course. She could only restrain her temper and approach the matter indirectly. "Before your senior brother left, he asked you to bring him something. Tell me honestly-what did he want?"

Thirteenth Son thought that if he refused to let even a breath of information escape, there was no way they could survive this calamity. He could only stammer, "He asked me to bring some fine charcoal..."

Baozhu was puzzled. "If I were short of eyebrow pigment, I might occasionally use a piece. But in weather this hot, what does he want charcoal for?"

"..." Thirteenth Son once again became a mute gourd, bald-headed and without a mouth.

Suddenly, Baozhu remembered the time she had been in desperate straits and temporarily lodged at the Green Micro Temple in Chang'an, when Wei Xun had melted her jewelry into molten gold over a stove. Stolen goods had to be disposed of, and the best way to do that was to change their original shape.

After sunset, Wei Xun still had not returned. Instead, an unfamiliar old man arrived at the Sun Family Inn with four attendants.

He was over sixty, dressed in a plain short robe, small in stature and unremarkable in appearance. His eyes narrowed to two slits, giving him the look of someone whose aging sight had grown dim. His four attendants, however, had tiger backs and bear waists, their bodies covered in tattoos. One glance showed they were no decent men.

The moment the old man stepped inside, the innkeeper panicked and hurried forward in trembling deference, stammering incoherently, "What brings you here? My humble inn, my humble inn-please have some tea first!" Unable to bear it alone, he turned in fright and called for his wife. "Wife, come out quickly! Elder Liu is here!"

Rubbing his hands with extreme caution, he added, "We've already, already paid this month's tribute... I wonder what other instructions you might have..."

The old man waved him into silence and said in a strong, resonant voice, "Two days ago, a young man in a blue-green bamboo-cloth robe checked in here with a novice monk, a young woman, and a donkey. Go inform him that Liu Mao of Xiagui has come to visit, and ask him to honor me with a meeting. Remember-be respectful! Also, have the kitchen prepare a table of food and wine. The wine, especially, must be your very best."

The innkeeper dared not delay. Answering repeatedly, he told his wife to arrange the feast at once, then trotted upstairs to fetch the guests. He found it very strange. Clearly, a young lady of good family had checked in with a blue-green-robed servant. Why had Liu Mao reversed their positions? He was frightened, too. If those guests angered this white-haired old man and blood splashed across the floor of his inn, the Sun Family Inn might never be able to do business again.

Hearing the innkeeper's message, Baozhu was even more puzzled. With the town sealed and under martial law, this man had come storming into the inn and demanded to see Wei Xun by name. Was he an enemy or an acquaintance? Thirteenth Son sent the innkeeper away and quickly said, "I'll go downstairs and tell him Senior Brother isn't here."

Baozhu stopped him. "There's no hurry. Who knows when he'll return? I'll go down and meet this old man. Perhaps he knows something."

Thirteenth Son exclaimed, "He's the leader of the local underworld! Ninth Lady, you..."

Baozhu had spent two days shut up in her room, frightened and anxious, and her temper had long since soured. She sneered. "I'm a senior princess of the Great Tang who's already died once. I'm afraid of ghosts, not people-much less an old man with one foot in the grave. Besides, if he belongs to the underworld and truly means us harm, do you think he'll let the matter rest just because we hide and refuse to see him while that scoundrel of a senior brother of yours is away?"

Thirteenth Son sighed and admitted she was right. "He certainly won't. You're right, Ninth Lady."

Born into the Li imperial family of the Tang, Baozhu had loved activity rather than stillness from childhood, taking daily pleasure in riding, archery, polo, and ball striking. She had always possessed a measure of courage. When she first recovered from her grave illness, her body had been weak and her courage diminished, so trouble inevitably left her frightened and timid. Now, as her health gradually returned, her nerve was also recovering.

Banquets for court officials, receptions for foreign envoys-she had witnessed countless grand occasions alongside her parents and brothers since childhood. Though her status was gone, her courage remained. She smoothed her hair, straightened her clothes, and descended the stairs with measured grace, Thirteenth Son beside her.

When Liu Mao heard that Wei Xun would not meet him and had sent a sixteen-year-old girl to deal with him instead, he was deeply displeased. Strangely, though the girl was young, she held her head high and her shoulders straight, her gaze unwavering. She possessed a natural air of authority and commanding courage. With only a novice monk beside her, she carried herself as though a great band of followers stood behind her. Despite his four attendants, he found himself overshadowed by a beautiful girl standing virtually alone.

If she were a wandering swordswoman, her skin and hair were too flawless. Her hands were also pale and delicate, not those of someone accustomed to wielding blades. If she were a woman from the pleasure quarters, her bearing could never have been so noble.

With decades of experience in the underworld and a pair of eyes seemingly blessed with divine insight, Liu Mao still could not fathom this girl's background. Secretly astonished, he rose involuntarily and clasped his hands in greeting, introducing himself. "This humble old man is Liu Mao, the den-master beneath the waters of Xiagui County."

Baozhu said coldly, "I am Ninth Lady of the Li family. I don't understand your underworld jargon. Please speak plainly, elder."

Liu Mao froze. Though he belonged to the shadowy underworld, he was a man of seniority and standing, and the local power besides. Anyone in their circles ought to show him some respect. Yet this girl dared speak to him so rudely.

There had always been a taboo in the underworld against provoking four kinds of people: first, monks and Daoist priests; second, women; third, children; and fourth, beggars.

Monks and priests stood outside worldly affairs, while women and children were vulnerable. None of these three groups ought to appear in the peril-ridden world of wandering fighters. If they dared roam alone, that meant they possessed either extraordinary skills sufficient to protect themselves or a powerful enough backing. This girl who called herself Ninth Lady had brought a novice monk with her; between the two of them, they embodied three of the great taboos. Though secretly angered, Liu Mao dared not take them lightly.

Recently, rumors had also spread through the underworld that the Green-Robed Wanderer, whose eyes were always above his head, had not set out willingly. Rather, a donkey-riding lady with even more extraordinary martial skills had captured him and forced him to serve as her slave. Liu Mao did not believe such nonsense. A young master was already a rarity in this world. How could there possibly be another peak above that peak?

Besides, he had come today to ask a favor. However arrogantly the other party behaved, he could only swallow it whole.

These thoughts flashed through his mind. Taking stock of the situation, Liu Mao invited Baozhu to sit and had an attendant fill both their cups. "Let me put it this way. Above the waters of Xiagui County, its ruler is Magistrate Wu Zhiyuan, the leader of the respectable official world. As for the trades beneath that respectable world, their leader is this humble old man."

"Oh," Baozhu said, showing neither respect nor fear.

"How did you know we were staying here?"

Liu Mao smiled faintly and pointed to the markings on the inn wall. Baozhu glanced over and saw the blue-green lynx tucked away in a corner. She had no idea when Wei Xun had drawn it, and her teeth itched with anger. On second thought, even without that drawing, if Unicorn-Head Whip Qiao Shi could find them, this old man naturally could too. A local snake would have eyes everywhere on his own territory.

Perhaps Wei Xun could easily disappear on his own, but with her, Thirteenth Son, and an ugly donkey added to the party, they made a far too conspicuous target.

She asked, "What business do you have with Master Wei?"

Liu Mao glanced around. The innkeeper had been perceptive enough to move the other guests far away already, leaving only Liu Mao's four attendants nearby. He therefore lowered his voice. "Ninth Lady, you ought to know why I've come to see him. This humble old man has no choice but to come begging for help. I beseech the Green-Robed Wanderer to raise his merciful hand and spare those in the same trade."

The more Baozhu heard, the more puzzled she became. Frowning, she said, "I don't know what he's done. Please explain clearly."

Thinking she was feigning ignorance, Liu Mao sighed deeply and could only throw open the skylight and speak plainly. "By the old rules of our world, we must not touch anything belonging to the court. Now the Green-Robed Wanderer has stolen the precious pearl from the pagoda at the Lotus Flower Temple, provoking an official search throughout the town. This humble old man's business beneath the waters can scarcely take a single step."

Startled, Baozhu immediately countered, "How can you be certain Wei Xun stole the pearl? Did you see it yourself?"

Liu Mao smiled faintly. "There's no need for this humble old man to have seen it personally. Everyone in town can see what the Many-Treasures Pagoda is like. Only the Green-Robed Wanderer has the skill to steal treasure from a place like that. Not to mention killing the highly skilled Lion Hound Luo Chengye with a single blow. Throughout the eight hundred li of Guanzhong, there is no other master like him. Luo Chengye's head was cut off and carried away. Like the blue-green lynx on that wall, it is the signature that made his name. 'Strike once to kill and take the head; miss, and drift away.' Surely you've heard that, Ninth Lady."

She had never heard any of it!

Utterly shocked, Baozhu turned to Thirteenth Son. The novice monk kept his head lowered, neither contradicting the claim nor daring to look at her. He was tacitly admitting it.

She had seen Wei Xun use his dagger to deal with rabbit heads and fish heads, and his work was certainly swift and deft. He peeled fruit and removed its cores cleanly, too. But human heads? Wasn't he a tomb robber? If that mischievous wretch who loved teasing people really possessed such abilities, what weapon did he use to cut off heads? The very dagger he used as a table knife?

Remembering all the food he had prepared for her along the journey, Baozhu felt her insides churn. She no longer wanted to touch a single morsel on the table.

Seeing her hesitant expression, Liu Mao believed he had struck home. He rose with his wine cup in hand. "Those under this humble old man are merely people in disreputable trades-prostitutes, gambling dealers, performers, night-soil collectors, runners, matchmakers, and the like. Yet several thousand people depend on them for food and clothing. With the authorities searching, every trade has ground to a halt, and many innocent subordinates have been arrested and tortured. We truly cannot endure the harassment. I beg you, Ninth Lady, to convey my request: please ask the Green-Robed Wanderer to return the authorities' precious pearl. This humble old man will offer a generous gift in thanks.

"As for Luo Chengye, this humble old man had a bitter feud with him. Last year, under the pretext of official business, he killed my nephew Ma San. Since he was the authorities' constabulary chief, it was inconvenient for us to seek revenge. Now someone has settled that blood debt, and that makes him my benefactor. Whatever my benefactor asks, so long as this humble old man can accomplish it, I shall spare no effort."

Having delivered those words with a force that rang like metal striking the ground, Liu Mao tipped back his head and drained his cup. An attendant immediately stepped forward to refill it, and he drank again. After downing three large cups in succession, he took a gold ingot from inside his robe and placed it on the table, then clasped his hands in farewell and departed.

Baozhu sat beside the table, her mind teeming with thoughts.

Looking up to see Thirteenth Son standing cautiously beside her, she gave a cold laugh. "Go on, eat. They've all left. What a waste to leave so much food."

Thirteenth Son did not dare touch his chopsticks. He shook his head like a pellet drum. "I'm not hungry yet." Then he added, "That old man makes himself sound pitiful, but he actually controls all the gambling houses and brothels in town. He also has plenty of thieves, robbers, bodyguards, and hired thugs under him. He's no good man."

Baozhu snorted and said coldly, "And your senior brother is a good man for robbing my tomb and cutting off people's heads?"

Thirteenth Son froze, not daring to answer.

Baozhu said, "Since that old man is certain the stolen object was a pearl... a pearl, and even knows Luo Chengye was killed with a single blow, he must have eyes inside the county office to know so many details. He certainly isn't some honest businessman who follows the rules."

Still thinking, she stood and slowly headed upstairs toward her room. The innkeeper, who had been cowering at a distance, hurriedly called, "Please wait, young lady! You've left your gold behind."

Baozhu looked back. "That was Liu Mao's payment for your feast. It isn't mine."

The innkeeper dared not accept it. Smiling apologetically, he said, "When Master Liu has a meal and drinks in this town, when does he ever need to spend a single coin? Even with eight hundred times the courage, I wouldn't dare take it. Naturally, it's money for your rouge and powder, young lady." Holding the gold ingot in both hands, he followed her step for step. When Baozhu would not take it, he thrust it upon Thirteenth Son instead.

He thought that even a ruthless, all-powerful boss like Liu Mao had only dared stand and offer her a toast. Who knew what sort of great personage she was? Filled with trepidation, he said, "This humble fellow had eyes but failed to see. I've neglected you these past few days, young lady. If you need anything in future, please just say the word. If it's inconvenient, tell my wife."

Baozhu had no patience to deal with him. She gave a perfunctory nod and returned to her room.

"Did your senior brother have an old grudge against that constabulary chief, Luo Chengye?"

Caught off guard by Baozhu's sudden question, Thirteenth Son answered, "I don't know. Lion Hound used to be a bandit. He wasn't really in the same line of work as us."

Baozhu thought, Could they have clashed when he was running with the outlaws? But Luo Chengye had gone straight years ago. How old could Wei Xun have been then? Besides, we only passed through Xiagui because we were traveling, not because we deliberately came here. If this was a revenge killing, the coincidence is too great.

Officials could not judge a case without four things: evidence, traces, stolen goods, and confessions. People of the underworld instead looked to an individual's skills and methods of killing. It was hard to say which approach was superior; it only made Wei Xun look all the more suspicious.