“Would you mind taking a look at where we are right now before you start talking about saving people?” Gu Zhaoyan looked at him helplessly, his eyes filled with speechlessness.
Yan Wenqing looked around, his eyes greeted by a striking sea of red, and then looked down somewhat belatedly at himself, only to realize he was actually wearing wedding robes. Reflecting upon everything he had just experienced, he bowed deeply to Bailang, who was still stained with blood, and to Gu Zhaoyan. “Master, Brother White Wolf, thank you both for saving my life once again.” Afterward, he turned to the three people huddling close to him and said, “Have no fear, everyone. This master is an eminent expert. If not for the master coming to our rescue, I fear we would have long since become food in the bellies of evil spirits.”
By then, those three individuals had also recalled where they were prior to suddenly finding themselves here, and no longer harbored any doubts about Yan Wenqing’s words. They hurriedly raised their hands, bowing low toward Gu Zhaoyan and Bailang. “Many thanks to the master and Brother White Wolf for saving our lives.”
With the malevolent spirits dead, Gu Zhaoyan led the group out of Huangtu Slope. Once Yan Wenqing and the others opened their eyes, they found themselves back in the very valley where they had encountered the ghosts.
Gu Zhaoyan looked toward the three of them and asked, “The hour is late. Why not come to Zhou Village to rest for the night, and tomorrow you can have this official send people to escort you home safely?”
Naturally, the three of them had no reason to refuse. In the dead of night, deep in the desolate wilderness, none of them dared to walk about casually for fear of being abducted by demons and ghosts once more, knowing they might not be so lucky to be rescued a second time.
The party returned to the village chief’s home, where they received warm hospitality. The chief personally prepared lodgings for them late at night and had the villagers hosting them provide a hearty meal. Upon learning that the malevolent spirits had been eliminated, the village chief lay in bed and slept soundly with a joyful heart.
Having tossed and turned throughout the night, Gu Zhaoyan was exhausted as well. Not long after lying down in bed, he fell into a deep sleep. Bailang lay curled beside the bed, listening to Gu Zhaoyan’s light, steady breathing, and slowly raised its head. Looking at the pale-faced youth, Bailang felt a complicated mix of emotions. It had seen that cluster of red flames clearly; it was no ordinary object. Standing close by, it had naturally felt the terrifying power contained within those flames. A mere glance had filled its heart with dread, and it couldn’t fathom how he had ever obtained such an item or how he had managed to tame it. Yet it refrained from asking further questions. With this ace up his sleeve, Gu Zhaoyan’s self-preservation skills had just gained another layer, which could only benefit itself.
Early the next morning, after a simple breakfast, Yan Wenqing dispatched his guards to escort the three travelers home. Before they departed, Gu Zhaoyan tapped each of their brows. Once they returned home, they would gradually forget the events of the previous night and their lives would return to peace.
As the villagers of Zhou Village warmly escorted them to the edge of the village with lingering reluctance, Gu Zhaoyan smiled helplessly and said, “Everyone, please head back. Do not let this poor monk delay your daily affairs. Go back now, return home.”
The village chief and the villagers pressed their palms together, bowing deeply at the waist toward Gu Zhaoyan. “May the master be safe on your journey.”
Gu Zhaoyan smiled and nodded, then turned to leave Zhou Village alongside Bailang and Yan Wenqing’s party.
Learning that Gu Zhaoyan was heading to the capital to search for someone, Yan Wenqing volunteered, “As the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, I am quite familiar with the capital. May I ask who the master is searching for in the capital? Is there any way I can be of assistance?”
“It is merely an old acquaintance. Do not trouble yourself, Benefactor,” Gu Zhaoyan waved a hand, declining Yan Wenqing’s offer. He knew who he was looking for and had no need for outside help. His trip was purely to find someone, and he had no desire to entangle himself too deeply with figures from the capital.
Yan Wenqing did not press further, only adding, “If the master ever requires help, do not hesitate to speak.”
Hearing this, Gu Zhaoyan smiled and accepted the gesture with a nod, though he didn’t take it to heart, as he didn’t foresee any situation where he would need to trouble the official.
Having lost their horses, Yan Wenqing’s party had to proceed on foot. Fortunately, they weren’t far from the capital and could reach it within two or three days, so there was no particular rush. When they first arrived, with the heavy burden of the case weighing on his mind, his heart had felt exceptionally heavy. Now that the case was investigated and resolved, he had the leisure to chat with Gu Zhaoyan along the way. He thoroughly enjoyed conversing with Gu Zhaoyan; that gentle, pleasant voice brought a refreshing spring breeze to the heart and was a delight to listen to endlessly.
After traveling for two or three days, the group finally arrived near the capital around midday.
A gust of wind swept past, scattering flakes of golden paper. Gu Zhaoyan reached out and caught one, only to realize they were funerary paper money. Looking up, he saw a mourning procession stationed outside the nearby city gates. There were both men and women, all in the prime of their youth, with neither the elderly nor the small children present. Those at the front scattered paper money, a pitch-black coffin was carried by men walking in the middle, and a young man wearing a white mourning band clutched a spirit tablet while weeping so hard his face was scrunched up, soft wails drifting over from time to time. Accompanied by the mournful tunes of suonas, the scene was truly heartrending to anyone who heard it.
Watching the guards at the city gates intercept the group and conduct a meticulous inspection, Gu Zhaoyan furrowed his brows. “What has happened in the capital? Why are the checks for entering and leaving so strict?”
Yan Wenqing shook his head. When he left the capital, everything had been completely normal, so he had no idea what could have occurred. He glanced sideways at his guard, who caught the signal, nodded, walked up to the city gate, and pulled an item from his tunic. The sight of it instantly caused the expression of the gate guard who had originally intended to drive him away to change, turning deferential instead.
Seeing this, Gu Zhaoyan couldn’t help marveling inwardly: No matter where you go, a higher official always holds absolute sway over those below.
Before long, the guard trotted back, looking rather grim. “Milord, word has it that the little prince of Prince Jing’s estate has gone missing, so the entire capital is currently locked down with entry permitted but exit denied.”
“What?” Yan Wenqing’s expression changed instantly. “The little prince is Prince Jing’s most cherished son. How could he possibly go missing?”
Hearing this, Gu Zhaoyan knitted his brows. Missing? A prince’s son possessed noble status, and whenever he went out, his retinue surely wouldn’t be small. For someone to vanish under such circumstances made it hard not to suspect whether it was the work of Prince Jing’s enemies.
He lifted his gaze toward the city gates, noticing that the gate guards had already pried open the coffin lid, only to instantly pinch their noses the next moment and wave the mourners through in disgust. Taking back his gaze shortly after, Gu Zhaoyan followed Yan Wenqing toward the city gates.
By then, the group carrying the coffin had slowly approached. Whether finding it inauspicious or wishing to show respect to the dead, the people nearby cleared a path for them, and Gu Zhaoyan naturally followed suit.
As the coffin passed right beside him, Gu Zhaoyan tightened his frown, a strange look flashing in his eyes.
Bailang gave a subtle nudge to the back of Gu Zhaoyan’s hand with the top of its head, transmitting its voice: “There is breathing inside the coffin.” Packing a living person instead of a dead body inside a coffin, there was definitely something fishy going on.
Gu Zhaoyan gave Bailang’s head a reassuring stroke and transmitted back: “There’s no rush. Let’s not alert the enemy.” He looked toward Yan Wenqing and said, “Apologies, this poor monk just recalled an urgent matter that needs attention. Benefactor Yan, please proceed on your own.”
With a nod of farewell to Yan Wenqing, Gu Zhaoyan turned and departed with Bailang. Yan Wenqing watched him go with a puzzled frown: Why did the master suddenly remember an urgent matter? He didn’t think of it earlier, and he didn’t think of it later, but had to remember it right now. Pondering it for a long while without figuring out what was going on, he had no choice but to push the doubt aside and lead his men into the city. He figured a mere mortal like himself shouldn’t go getting in the way and causing trouble for an eminent master.
Gu Zhaoyan led Bailang along behind the mourning group, keeping a respectful distance without trailing too close, making sure only to keep them in sight so they wouldn’t lose the trail.