I anxiously waited for Liu Xuanyi’s response, unaware that someone had approached.
The visitor was Mr. Gu. His face was pale, and he gasped for breath after just a few steps, one hand clutching his chest. He looked unwell.
He walked over and respectfully presented a contract: “Fifth Master Chang, this is the contract my grandfather made with you back then. Now that the old master has returned to his roots, the Gu family is deeply grateful.”
Liu Xuanyi accepted the contract and said, “I should have returned Old Master Gu’s body a hundred years ago, but unforeseen complications arose. The Gu family must have faced many troubles over the years, haven’t you?”
Mr. Gu replied bitterly, “Starting from my grandfather’s generation, every descendant of the Gu family has suffered from a strange illness without exception. Our lineage has dwindled severely. To be honest, I’m afraid my own health won’t hold out much longer.”
Mr. Gu unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his chest. The area was pitch black, covered in yellow and white fur, emitting a foul odor.
I only caught a glimpse before Liu Xuanyi covered my eyes.
After Mr. Gu buttoned his shirt back up, he said, “Our ancestors made their fortune in the fur trade and offended a great immortal cultivating in the mountains. This retribution is well-deserved. But even though the Gu family has long since changed professions, the curse persists. Must the Gu family truly be wiped out before it ends?”
Liu Xuanyi shook his head. “Every grievance has its source, and every debt its debtor. What the other party wanted was your old master’s life. It has nothing to do with the strange illness.”
“Really?” Mr. Gu’s eyes suddenly lit up. “So, Fifth Master Chang, do you have a way to save the Gu family from this crisis once more?”
Liu Xuanyi nodded. “The Gu family’s strange illness stems from Old Master Gu’s corpse transformation. His body cannot remain. It’s best to cremate it before burying it in the ancestral tomb.”
He took out a paper talisman from his robe and handed it to Mr. Gu. “Burn this talisman, mix the ashes with water, gather your family to add drops of their blood into it, and feed it to Old Master Gu. Back then, he died far from home, his heart burdened with worry for his descendants. Once his wish is fulfilled, he will rest in peace.”
Mr. Gu took the talisman and left eagerly to carry out the instructions.
·
It was nearly dawn by the time we returned to the courtyard.
Chang Di, having made a mistake, went to receive his punishment on his own.
After washing up, Shen Li brought us a meal. Once we finished eating, Liu Xuanyi accompanied me to bed to rest.
Wrapped in the blanket, I still asked uncertainly, “After Old Master Gu is cremated, they’ll return the Five Emperors copper coin, right?”
Liu Xuanyi nodded.
Only then did I feel at ease enough to sleep.
But my sleep was restless, filled with nightmares. One moment I dreamed of the corpse-stiff, the next of that White Fox. Finally, I woke up in fright.
Shen Li opened the door and came in, asking with concern, “Did you have a nightmare, Miss?”
I nodded, glanced around, and asked, “Has Liu Xuanyi left?”
“Fifth Master is in the front courtyard. Someone from the Feng family of Baxia has come and they’ve been talking for half an hour.”
“The Feng family of Baxia? What are they here for?”
Could it be that they’ve discovered I wasn’t killed by them and have come to capture me?
Shen Li shook her head. I quickly dressed and had just stepped out of the main hall door when Chang Di came limping toward me.
He walked with a limp, one hand clutching his buttocks. It seemed he had been beaten quite severely.
“Miss Huai, you’re up. Perfect timing—Fifth Brother asked me to come and ask you: the Feng family is in trouble and has come seeking help. Should we help or not?”
“The Feng family is in trouble? What kind of trouble?”
Chang Di stammered, unable to explain clearly. I immediately headed toward the front courtyard.
In the front courtyard’s reception hall, Liu Xuanyi and an elder from the Feng family sat side by side. Tea cups were placed on the table, the tea already cold, but no one had taken a sip.
The Feng family elder was not surprised to see me; he even smiled at me and said politely, “Huai Yan is here too.”
I ignored him directly, walked over to Liu Xuanyi, and said to him, “Just now, you had Chang Di ask me something. I’ll give you the answer in person: I won’t help!”
Liu Xuanyi’s lips curved slightly. “You won’t even ask what Feng Lao is seeking before saying you won’t help?”
I said resolutely, “I won’t help!”