Lin Yao was about to refuse: “I’m not that kind of person!”
Just then, he took off a string of beads from his neck and placed it on the table. The beads consisted of a single red cord with a pendant—a teardrop-shaped gem the size of a fingernail, entirely pink and crystal-clear. At the center of the “teardrop” was a vivid, blood-red hue.
Lin Yao took the beads: “What is this?”
“The Goddess Tear.”
Lin Yao’s eyes widened in shock: “This is what Master mentioned—the once-in-a-century Goddess Tear that can suppress Tao Tao’s aura?” She examined this rare treasure closely, her heart racing: After searching high and low, I’ve found it without any effort!
Yan Wuyou massaged his forehead, looking exasperated: “Junior Sister, even though you’ve lost Tao Tao’s Magical power, you still carry Tao Tao’s Demonic Energy! My two-tenths of True Energy can help you recover faster, but your current Magical power is at most equivalent to three Xiao Yuanzi. Let me be clear—this Goddess Tear is only lent to you temporarily. Return it as soon as you recover.”
Lin Yao nodded repeatedly and hung the beads around her own neck. Though she didn’t know where he had obtained such a precious treasure, she thought, why bother? Everyone has their secrets!
Perhaps still carrying Yan Wuyou’s body warmth, the Goddess Tear felt warm to the touch and emitted a faint, refreshing yet subtly mellow scent—the Moonscale Aroma.
Was this Moonscale Aroma from Yan Wuyou or the Goddess Tear? At this thought, Lin Yao’s face suddenly flushed. She quickly made an excuse: “Senior Brother, I’m feeling a bit tired and would like to sleep a little more.”
“Junior Sister, although the Goddess Tear can conceal Tao Tao’s aura, the Demon has already recognized you. It was injured last night, but it might have accomplices. It’s easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to avoid an arrow in the dark. If we can’t capture that Demon today, to prevent complications, we must stay together after sunset.”
Lin Yao nodded in agreement. With a fierce battle ahead in the afternoon, the two bathed separately and began meditating to restore their energy.
During the Weishi hour (1–3 PM), they arrived at the Autumn Moon Pavilion. Soon after, Wang Chuan also arrived.
Wang Chuan looked excited: “Following the clues Brother Yan provided, I investigated all around Qiu City for strange and bizarre incidents, focusing especially on matters related to the Lin family—and I actually found something!”
Seeing their attentive expressions, Wang Chuan didn’t keep them in suspense and continued:
“Ten years ago, a grain merchant family in the city—the Lin family—indeed experienced an unbelievable incident.
Old Master Lin Youchong of the Lin family, who had been perfectly healthy, suddenly contracted a rare and strange illness: overnight, his body rapidly deteriorated, aging like an old man. He couldn’t speak, and his limbs were immobile, only his eyes staring dryly.
They invited all the famous doctors in the city, who all exclaimed how bizarre it was: no internal or external injuries, and no signs of poisoning. In the end, they were all at a loss.
Everyone in the mansion speculated: Could the master be possessed by evil?
Just as the Lin family was thrown into chaos, a wandering Taoist priest passed by the Lin residence and noticed unusual phenomena above the house! The eldest daughter of the Lin family hurriedly invited him inside. The priest inspected the mansion back and forth and claimed there was an extremely Baleful energy location within the estate, leaking Baleful energy. Coinciding with Master Lin’s fate clashing with the Year Star, setting up a Magic Array at this Baleful energy location could dispel the evil energy and save Master Lin’s life.
After the priest performed rituals for three days, Master Lin could indeed speak again! However, his body could never return to its former state. Once an elegant man in his forties, he had been reduced to the appearance of a septuagenarian, which was truly lamentable. With his limbs atrophied, he had become completely incapacitated…
In this eventful autumn, troubles came one after another. The Lin family’s business encountered another mishap. To support the family, the eldest daughter, Lin Shiyu, decided to take in a son-in-law. Coincidentally, her distant cousin Luo Ziming, whose family had fallen into decline, came seeking refuge. As the saying goes, “fertile water should not flow to outsiders’ fields.” Coupled with Luo Ziming’s handsome appearance, he married into the Lin family and worked with Miss Lin to manage the business. Gradually, the Lin family’s fortunes improved.
It was said that Luo Ziming was originally a scholar. After taking over the Lin family’s enterprises, unlike typical merchants, he consistently funded schools and supported impoverished students. During festivals, he would set up porridge kitchens to aid the poor—truly a benevolent man.
However, perhaps the Lin family’s luck was simply poor, for Miss Lin and Luo Ziming had yet to bear any children since their marriage.”
After finishing his account, Wang Chuan picked up his teacup and drained it in one gulp.
Yan Wuyou twirled his teacup with one hand while lightly tapping the table with the other. “The Lin family is not simple.”
“Exactly. Everything is far too coincidental,” Lin Yao agreed. “Lin Youchong suddenly falls gravely ill, and a wandering Taoist just happens to pass by the Lin residence. This Taoist then conveniently identifies the source of the misfortune. When Lin Shiyu needs a son-in-law, her cousin Luo Ziming just happens to arrive in Yongcheng seeking refuge?”
“And the most crucial point,” Yan Wuyou curled his lips slightly, “the aura emanating from the severed tongue of that ‘Demon Face’ in the inn—I sensed it at the Lin family’s grain shop.”
Wang Chuan’s face lit up with sudden understanding. “So that’s how it is.”
Lin Yao pondered thoughtfully, “That wandering Taoist must be suspicious too. Who knows what kind of dark magic the Magic Array he set up in the Lin residence really is.”
“Regardless, since the Demon has revealed itself, we cannot let it go. The Lin family must be investigated.”
Yan Wuyou glanced at Lin Yao and frowned slightly. “I originally intended to have Brother Wang take you away first, but I’m not at ease. It has recognized you and won’t give up easily. Moreover, there’s that black-clad figure lurking in the shadows—we must remain vigilant. Therefore, I can only keep you within my sight.”
He looked seriously at Wang Chuan and said, “Brother Wang, demon hunting is fraught with danger. You are not from a demon-hunting sect and don’t understand its intricacies. It would be better for you to stay away from us.”
Wang Chuan looked at Yan Wuyou. Such a handsome face speaking such harsh words. Recalling their time together these past days, he felt a pang of sorrow. He couldn’t deny that Yan Wuyou was right—he knew nothing and would only be a burden and hindrance if he followed them.
But he simply couldn’t bring himself to walk away just like that.
Quietly suppressing his dejection, he offered them a faint smile. “I know my own limitations and won’t recklessly push myself. I’ll stay honestly in the inn. Who knows—there might be ways I can be useful, like gathering information, for instance.”
Seeing Wang Chuan’s determination to stay, Yan Wuyou neither approved nor objected, merely casting him a fleeting glance. He glanced out the window and suddenly changed his mind. He motioned for the two to lean in and whispered his plan in detail.
After hearing it, Wang Chuan was overjoyed. “Don’t worry, I’m quite clever.”
Without delay, the three returned to the inn, disguised themselves, and headed straight for the Lin residence.
Knock knock knock—
The gatekeeper peered out and asked, “What brings you two here?”
Wang Chuan cleared his throat. “I am Yan Wuyou. My sister and I are passing through, and she isn’t feeling well. May we come in and rest for a while?”
The gatekeeper, seeing the two visitors dressed in luxurious attire with noble bearings, dared not neglect them. “Please wait a moment, allow me to announce your arrival.”
“Thank you, young man.”
Shortly after, the gatekeeper returned and ushered them inside. Passing through gardens and corridors, they arrived at the flower hall where Luo Ziming was seated drinking tea. This son-in-law of the Lin family appeared to be only around thirty, devoid of any merchant’s vulgarity, instead exuding the refined demeanor of a scholar, looking every bit an elegant academic.
“Master Luo, renowned for your generosity, I’m afraid we’re imposing,” Yan Wuyou said courteously.
“You’re too kind, Master Yan. When traveling, one inevitably encounters inconveniences. This is but a small gesture.” Luo Ziming glanced at Lin Yao. “Speaking of which, fate seems to have brought us together. We briefly crossed paths at the porridge shed that day. My steward acted rashly – please accept my apologies.”
“You exaggerate, Master Luo. It was merely a minor misunderstanding. Though we didn’t see you there that day.”
“My wife and I had already boarded the carriage and were about to depart when we heard the commotion at the porridge shed. You left in such haste that by the time I alighted, you had already disappeared into the distance.” Luo Ziming looked toward the entrance. “I recall there was another young gentleman with you. Has he not accompanied you today?”
Wang Chuan replied solemnly: “Brother Wang happened to meet us by chance and accompanied us partway because he developed particular affection for my sister. Today I informed him she’s already betrothed, so he took his leave.”
Luo Ziming imperceptibly relaxed at this news and signaled to the steward nearby, who withdrew.
That day at the porridge shed, Yan Wuyou had detected a strange aura identical to the Demon Face’s energy from the inn. Yet this Luo Ziming carried not a trace of Demonic Energy – it seemed they would need to investigate the Lin family’s young mistress. Lin Yao exchanged a meaningful glance with Wang Chuan, who immediately understood: “The heat outside was quite intense earlier. My sister may have suffered sunstroke and feels slightly dizzy. Might she rest awhile in the inner courtyard?”
“Of course.” Luo Ziming instructed a maid to escort her to the inner quarters, adding, “Bi Luo, inform the mistress to take good care of Miss Yan.”
“Yes, master.”
As Bi Luo guided Lin Yao toward the inner courtyard, a withered head suddenly emerged from a side room’s window, wailing at them like a mournful sob. Both women jumped at the unexpected sight! The face appeared dark red with uneven, pitted skin, as terrifying as wind-dried cured meat. Clouded, lifeless eyes stared out from beneath sparse hair clinging to the scalp.
Recovering herself, Bi Luo quickly explained: “Honored guest, don’t be alarmed. This is the family’s elderly master.”
“Oh? I heard Elder Master Lin had regained his speech?”
“He’s elderly and suffered a stroke.” The responding woman possessed a voluptuous figure and exquisite beauty, her narrow eyes carrying a certain charm. The steward stood beside her, pushing Elder Lin out of the room as the maid hurriedly bowed and addressed her as mistress.
This was the Lin family’s young lady, Lin Shiyu.
Lin Shiyu signaled to the steward, who wheeled the old master away. She then instructed Bi Luo: “Steward Li has already informed me. You may go.”
“Yes, mistress.” Bi Luo responded respectfully and withdrew.
Lin Shiyu smiled. “I hope he didn’t frighten you, Miss Yan?”
Lin Yao shook her head, but noticed Lin Shiyu staring fixedly at her chest. Hmph, she must think that with Yan Wuyou absent, I’m no match for her alone – that’s why she’s being so blatant.
She feigned fear: “Madam wouldn’t know, but yesterday at the inn I encountered a Demon – now that was truly terrifying!”
Lin Shiyu pretended to be surprised: “Oh? What kind of Demon was it?”
“Probably just some furry beast.”
The corner of Lin Shiyu’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly: “How unusual. Qiu City has always been peaceful, yet Miss Yan encounters a Demon right after her arrival. Should we call this fortune or misfortune?” Without waiting for Lin Yao’s response, she walked ahead, “Miss Yan, follow me.”
The two proceeded deeper down the corridor. Lin Shiyu smiled and said: “Miss Yan claims to have encountered a Demon, but how did someone as delicate as you manage to escape? Could it have been just a dream?”
“Perhaps it was.” Lin Yao glanced sideways at the corner where a black robe was concealed in the shadows, curling her lips in a subtle smile. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind? Let’s see who the real oriole is!