Chapter 259: Not Like Light Fluff Drifting Past the Curtain

~21 min read 4,070 words

Brocade knots, moon between the brows.

Snowy cheeks, night of untying pouches.

Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xinghan held her breath, focused expression, jade fingers untangling knots, slender hands parting silk.

Black hair cascaded down, unaware of the sudden window breeze; silver light spilled across the desk—who noticed how deep the night had grown?

The thread pulled free, blue silk slid open, the secret within the brocade pouch finally laid bare—

Uh...

Inside was a slip of paper and a—

Tiny brocade pouch!

Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xinghan stared blankly, picked up the slip, and read it by moonlight:

"A single word is a pact—why wait for four horses to chase?"

Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xinghan's fingertip trembled; the slip nearly slipped from her grasp.

Oh no!

I've been caught!

Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xinghan's cheeks burned instantly, as if Wang Yang stood right before her, smirking at her for breaking her promise and opening the pouch. In panic, she shoved the slip back inside without care, then buried her face like an ostrich...

Huh?

There's no one here—who knows I opened the pouch?!

Keep going!

Trembling, Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xinghan unsealed the second pouch, heart pounding—the secret was finally about to be revealed—

(⊙o⊙)

Inside was another slip of paper—and another tiny brocade pouch!

The slip still held only one line:

"Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know. A true gentleman guards his solitude, never deceiving even in darkness."

Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xinghan froze for a moment, then slapped the slip onto the desk:

"Guard your solitude? I'm a woman—not a gentleman!"

Rustling, Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xinghan opened the third pouch, determined—come on, try hiding another—

There really is another!

The slip again held one line: "Trust is not bound by gender; once a promise is given, what does attire matter?"

This guy is terrifying!

Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xinghan shuddered, hastily shoved all the scattered slips and pouches back inside, then slumped back onto the bed, eyes shut, burying her face deep in the soft quilt.

The next second, her eyes flew open!

Wait—didn't he write all these slips in advance? That means he was certain I'd break my promise and open the pouches!

But what if I hadn't opened them?

Wouldn't that mean he wronged me?!

Think about it—if I'd waited patiently until after his five-day mission to open them, and then found these slips, how heartbroken and wronged I'd feel!

At that moment, I'd have kept my word like a loyal man clinging to a pillar, yet been accused of betrayal! Wronged so cruelly! Wasn't this trust seen as suspicion, loyalty turned to slander? Winter thunder, summer snow! I'd cry to heaven, and frost would fall in May!!

The more Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xinghan thought, the more she immersed herself—she felt like Bian He weeping blood over jade, like the Lushan jade buried in dust; like the East Sea bearing false grievance, white banners stained with blood, crying out to heaven! Under this "great injustice," she summoned fearless courage—she flung back the quilt and charged straight for the pouches!

"Guan guan the turtledoves, on the river's isle. Elegant brocade pouches—Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xiao seeks them!"

Fourth pouch—no hesitation, yank out the slip!

"Unsealing pouches is easy; keeping promises is hard. Xie Xie Niangzi, think thrice."

Without pause, she opened the next!

"Three thoughts aren't enough—think again."

Think again? A hundred times—I'll still open it!

"A hundred thoughts still aren't late—stop now, and your resolve will shine!"

Rip it open!

"Xie Xie Niangzi won't open it, because Xie Xie Niangzi is honest and faithful!"

Rip it open in anger!

"Xie Xie Niangzi, control yourself."

Rip it open in fury!

"Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xinghan, stop!"

Rip it open wildly!!

"What I desire to open, even if opened nine times, I'll never regret!"

I open, I open, I'll keep opening!

Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xinghan's inner universe blazed—her hands flew, opening pouch after pouch until the last one, now as slender as an almond. She pried it open with her hairpin—inside, nothing but a tightly rolled paper scroll.

Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xinghan pulled out the scroll, turned the pouch upside down, shook it a few times, confirmed it was empty, then sighed in relief, a victorious smile curling her lips:

"Heaven's secret can't be revealed? Ha! Today I'll expose your heaven's secret!"

She carefully unrolled the scroll, leaned close—and saw a line of tiny, ant-foot script:

"Dew hangs low, returns again and again—not like light fluff drifting past the curtain."

???

?????

She flipped the slip over and over, held it to the moonlight—yet beyond these thirteen characters, not a single stroke remained!

The heaven's secret made no sense,

Little Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie wanted to cry...

At noon, in a private room at Ruyi Pavilion, the table's dishes were mostly devoured. Seated behind the table was a pale-faced white-robed Daoist priest, his black hair tied back, a wooden hairpin slanted in place, faint talisman patterns embroidered on his robes—every gesture exuded an ethereal detachment from mortal affairs. Yet beside him lay a bag made of fine silk, dark blue with subtle patterns, shiny and new—utterly incongruous with his immortal aura.

Now, the Daoist's eyes were half-closed, fingers hovering midair, rapidly calculating.

Le Peng stared intently, throat bobbing, beads of sweat forming on his brow.

The Daoist's fingers suddenly froze; his brow twitched, his eyeballs rolled beneath his lids—as if glimpsing some profound mystery—his expression turned grave.

Le Xiao Pao asked nervously: "What's the verdict?"

The Daoist slowly opened his eyes, fixed Le Xiao Pao with a stare, but said nothing—only frowned deeply.

Le Xiao Pao cried: "Just tell me, Master Daoist!"

The Daoist remained silent, studying Le Peng left and right, his face heavy with worry—until Le Xiao Pao, unnerved, slammed his fist on the table. Only then did the Daoist speak slowly: "Do you wish to hear the truth?"

"Of course! Speak quickly!"

"If I speak plainly, I fear I may offend you, sir."

Le Xiao Pao waved his hand: "No problem—just tell me straight!"

The Daoist's face grew solemn: "Your Tian Gang channel is pierced, the Ghost Lord calls your soul—your malevolent aura is so heavy, your two souls have nearly left your body. Extreme peril."

Le Xiao Pao's face turned pale: "How did you know? When you summoned the characters, you only said 'bad'—now it's extreme peril?!"

"The character-summoning revealed earthly karmic causes; what I just calculated is your underworld fate."

The Daoist formed the Zi-Wu seal with his left hand, arranged the Three Transmissions with his right, and spoke gravely:

"The day's stem-branch is Shen and You—metal strong. The three transmissions form a Wood assembly of Yin, Mao, and Chen—normally signifying spring's growth. Yet Shen and You, ridden by the Bai Hu, unleash metal blades that cut wood—life's vitality is suppressed—"

Suddenly his fingers paused; he gasped sharply:

"Worse—the final transmission, Chen earth, falls into emptiness; the curtain's noble one arrives at the grave; Tian Gang points to yin."

The Daoist shifted to the Fu Yin seal, his four fingers rapidly calculating, face icy:

"This divination's transmissions reverse—ghost lines activate, descendants absent from the chart. Yin meets Tai Chang draped in mourning. This is no ordinary karmic sign—it is a summons from the netherworld."

Le Xiao Pao understood not a word—but his body turned icy cold. The Daoist's words might be fabricated, but the power to turn talismans into characters—he'd seen it with his own eyes! As he panicked, the Daoist suddenly produced a white bowl, placed it on the table, and said solemnly:

"This is the Yin-Yang Demon-Identifying Bowl, passed down by my sect—it reveals malevolent energies. Ordinary people pour water into it—it behaves like any ordinary vessel..." He took his own water flask, poured water into the bowl, and pushed it toward Le Xiao Pao—clearly, nothing unusual.

"... but if a person is haunted by yin malevolence, the water will show signs."

The Daoist lifted the bowl, swiftly flung its contents backward, wiped it dry with a cloth, placed it before Le Xiao Pao again, and handed him the flask: "You may try."

Le Xiao Pao picked up the flask, trembling, poured water into the bowl—yet the clear liquid instantly turned crimson blood!

The Daoist sighed, shook his head: "Blood reflects malevolence; corpse-garments cling to you—this is dire beyond words..."

Le Xiao Pao's legs trembled, voice cracking with tears: "Immortal, save me!!"

The Daoist's brow furrowed deeply, his face weighed down as if bearing a thousand catties: "This is no simple matter. The Heavenly Gate of Xu and Hai opens; yin malevolence descends riding the Bai Hu—even my master here would need three years' cultivation to counter it..."

Le Xiao Pao pulled out all his money, trembling, shoved it toward the Daoist: "Save me! I'll pay anything!"

The Daoist's brow creased faintly, shook his head: "Wealth is external—what use is it to one beyond the world?"

As he spoke, he slipped the money pouch into his robe, face unreadable, as if muttering to himself: "Yet the method to dispel it is perilous—it requires a 'substitute talisman' to lure away the clinging yin malevolence. Best if it's a jade pendant you carry daily..."

"Yes yes yes!" Le Peng hastily unfastened his jade pendant and offered it up.

The Daoist took the jade pendant and let out a long sigh:

"Enough! We cultivators, having encountered demonic corruption, cannot stand idly by! I shall use my own body as bait and confront this malevolent force!" With that, he placed the jade pendant into his robe with solemn resolve.

Yue Pang's eyes instantly reddened as he gazed at the Daoist, filled with deep reverence.

After dispelling the curse, Yue Le Yue Xiao Pang felt utterly light, racing straight to Wang Yang's home to deliver the invitation and the "travel aids" prepared by Xie Xie Niangzi Yue—a cart piled high with boxes, each brimming with practical travel items: over a dozen types of medicine alone, plus cloaks, water flasks, dried rations, mosquito nets, and more; even the carriage cushions were prepared—woven bamboo mats at the bottom, layered with reed fluff, cattail down, and ramie cloth, then topped with soft padding and silk fabric to guard against long-distance jolts—thorough to the extreme.

Wang Yang had planned to stay indoors and hone his newly learned "skills," but Yue's hospitality was too overwhelming to refuse; he agreed at once to attend Yue's farewell banquet that evening. Yue Le Yue Xiao Pang, seized by sudden impulse, proposed accompanying Wang Yang on the mission for a proper adventure. Wang Yang quickly dissuaded him.

First, he did not wish to drag his friend into danger and intrigue; second, though Yue's family was close to him, Yue Zhan was nonetheless the Assistant Governor of Jingzhou, a high-ranking official in the bureaucracy, whose considerations were naturally complex. Last time, Wang Yang had leveraged Yue Zhan against Liu Yin because Liu Yin had broken the law first, the net was already closed, everything was in place—Yue Zhan merely added the final spark, bearing no risk.

Second, Liu Yin was the head of the prefectural officials, while Yue Zhan was the head of the provincial officials; conflict between prefecture and province was inherent. Thus, using one against the other suited Wang Yang's strategy—and suited Yue Zhan's interests as well.

But this time was different: a mission under attack—how grave was this? Yu Yi, a man out of office, had spoken with another in private, yet still dared not voice the matter outright; how much less could Yue Zhan be trusted? Even setting aside whether he would dare send agents secretly into the affair, could he guarantee silence—could he ensure he would not report it? That was uncertain.

This was a matter of immense consequence, potentially risking one's entire political future. Wang Yang had no confidence he could draw Yue Zhan into his scheme; despite his deep ties to the Yue family, despite needing another layer of security, he still made no use of the Yue family's aid in his planning and preparations.

True friends are not always fit for shared schemes; deep affection does not always justify entrusting matters. Like a sturdy tree, strong yet unfit for a boat; a swift steed, fast yet unsuited for plowing.

The wise, when faced with crisis, are like a lone angler on a cold river—the colder, the steadier; like a man walking slowly along a sheer cliff—the more perilous, the more cautious.

Assess one's position, weigh the situation, gauge one's ability, measure one's responsibility—never let affection blind wisdom, nor burden yourself or mislead others.

As Wang Yang spoke with Le Yue Xiao Pang, Xiao Little Little Awu arrived to report that Huang Ruan Xian had arrived; Wang Yang told Little Little Awu to bring Huang Ruan Xian in. When Yue Le Yue Xiao Pang met Huang Ruan Xian, both froze in shock.

Yue Le Yue Xiao Pang's legs went weak; his lips trembled: "Immortal! How have you come here? Has my curse not been fully purged?"

Huang Ruan Xian looked embarrassed, stealing a glance at Wang Yang.

Wang Yang needed no explanation—he knew exactly what had happened. He introduced Huang Ruan Xian: "This is my close friend."

Huang Ruan Xian quickly pulled out a money pouch and jade pendant, pressing them into Yue Pang's hands, bowing repeatedly:

"This humble disciple is to blame! This humble disciple is to blame! I had no idea you were so close to my master—forgive me, forgive me!"

Yue Le Yue Xiao Pang stared, dumbfounded: My... my master???

Wang Yang was speechless: "Don't go calling me that—who's your master?"

Huang Ruan Xian bowed in full disciple's posture, respectfully replying: "Since you have guided me, how could I not treat you as my master?"

"But you taught me too—so you're saying I should be your master as well?"

Huang Ruan Xian immediately showered him with flattery: "Dare I? I merely demonstrated trivial tricks; your mastery of the Three Forms is divine and profound—you are the true Dao!"

"Stop. Let's get to the point—did you finish the robes?"

"Finished, finished." Huang Ruan Xian bowed and presented the silk-wrapped bundle with both hands.

"Won't they leak?"

"No, no—they'll hold six or seven pouches easily. But you'll need to practice the positioning and motions a bit; that'll make it faster. Try them out—any dissatisfaction, just tell this humble disciple!"

Seeing the Immortal bowing and fawning before Wang Yang, Yue Le Yue Xiao Pang felt his worldview shatter, his Dao-heart collapse.

—————

These past few days have been busy with other matters; if I find spare time, I'll update on the 25th, otherwise the 26th—but this is exceptional. Normally, I can still maintain one update every two days. If I miss an update, the next day's will come as usual—no further notices will be given...

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End of Chapter

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