Chapter 117: Encountering a Sunny Day Chapter 96: Ghost and Spirit Matters, Must Not Be Leaked

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Shaowei

Liu Qi

Shaowei spoke with the messenger Wu Nu in the hall.

In the inner room separated from the hall by only a bamboo curtain, A Yan heard Zhu Zhi send someone to summon Hu Li, and her expression instantly turned uneasy; she subconsciously wanted to say "she cannot go," but the Spider Woman sitting beside her on the bed reached out and covered her mouth.

The Spider Woman shook her head at A Yan, signaling her not to speak.

Outside the bamboo curtain, in the hall, Shaowei casually picked up an object, without any hesitation, and left with that Wu Nu.

Hearing the footsteps fade away, the Spider Woman then released her hand.

A Yan immediately said: "We cannot let Hu Li go; that Zhu Zhi is like an evil ghost, what if..."

The Spider Woman interrupted her: "Hu Li has her own arrangements."

A Yan did not understand: "What arrangements?"

The Spider Woman only answered: "Hu Li is a person chosen by ghosts and spirits."

She did not explain anything in detail, only attributing it to the words of ghosts and spirits.

When Hu Li led her back, she said six words to her: Ghost and spirit matters, must not be leaked.

The Spider Woman's mind was still confused at this moment, not knowing how the path ahead would be, but she was originally someone who was going to die anyway, and she was willing to try believing.

Even if everything was just an illusion before approaching death, this was destined to be a secret belonging only to her and Hu Li.

A Yan saw her expression was unsettled and thought she was still trapped in the emotion of suicidal despair, thus placing all her hopes on ghosts and spirits; she tightly held one of her friend's hands, put her other arm around her shoulder, and comforted her with tears: "A Zhu, we will take it one step at a time; casually discarding one's life is the most foolish..."

"Good..." The Spider Woman nodded lightly, her eyes clearly fixed on the hanging bamboo curtain, but what flashed before her eyes was the enormous, cold, almost inhuman aura the white-clad, black-haired girl had revealed in that instant.

That strange aura had long been completely concealed by Shaowei; besides that, on the road following that Wu Nu to meet someone, she had already put on a deep green Wunu mask.

Since that day when her eyes were swollen from crying and she covered herself with a mask, Shaowei appeared before people with a mask every day; this mask never left her hand.

First, Shaowei found the effort-saving benefit of wearing a mask, no longer needing to expend great effort to feign expressions, largely achieving freedom of expression.

Second, it could block many probing gazes that seemed to be there and not; since Shaowei had an audience and left the palace, even though she still concealed her aura, her fame had spread, and many gazes of unknown intent soon appeared around her.

She now wore a ghost mask daily, using the excuse of preparing for the Shangsi Festival Grand Sacrifice—Yu Si Wu had no objection, and others were only curious and awed; it can be seen that after a person reveals their abilities, doing strange things will make people feel there is a reason for it.

Shaowei soon saw Zhu Zhi's guard in the front courtyard of the shrine.

This guard was not from the Fine Clothes Guard; Zhu Zhi had surrendered the Embroidered Uniform Command Token, and by order was to reflect on his mistakes and recover from his injuries, so he no longer had the qualification to dispatch Fine Clothes Guards. Even though there were still his confidants with roots in the Fine Clothes Guard, at least on the surface they could temporarily not run errands for him.

This guard was now a household slave of Zhu Zhi, so he had not participated in the previous battle at Yundang Mountain.

And on that day in Yundang Mountain, most of the Fine Clothes Guards who had seen Shaowei up close had already died under her blade on the spot; the mountain night was dark, and those who pursued her afterward could not clearly see her appearance; if there were any living people who clearly remembered her facial features, there was probably only Zhu Zhi.

Facing this guard at this moment, Shaowei asked without changing expression: "I do not know for what matter you have come to seek?"

The Wu Nu who led the way had already withdrawn; at this moment only the two of them stood facing each other.

The girl's voice, blocked by the mask, sounded somewhat muffled.

The guard glanced at the mask on her face and did not find it strange; they rarely had the opportunity to see Wu practitioners in daily life, usually only at sacrificial occasions, and these Wu practitioners usually had this kind of illusory appearance that was neither human nor ghost.

Because they needed to play ghosts, because they needed to summon spirits, they had to try hard to make themselves look unlike humans.

Compared to this common ghost mask, the attitude of this Wu Nu before him was more worthy of attention; she had no panic or seriousness, appearing calm and peaceful as if ignorant of worldly affairs.

The guard cupped his hands, reported his identity, and stated his purpose directly: "My master has an injury; hearing that the Wu practitioner's abilities are extraordinary, he specially ordered me to come and invite you. If the Wu practitioner truly has extraordinary skills to deploy, my master will certainly treat you with courtesy and give generous thanks."

Shaowei: "I cannot go."

This refusal was too blunt; the guard immediately furrowed his brow: "Is the Wu practitioner unwilling to grace us with her presence?"

Shaowei: "I bear an imperial order; I must prepare for the Shangsi Festival Grand Sacrifice."

Hearing her bring up the imperial order, the guard could not directly force her, but still brought a few points of overbearingness, saying: "My master's residence is also in the city; going and coming takes only half a day; just ask the Wu practitioner to make a trip—how could it affect the Grand Sacrifice the next day?"

He narrowed his eyes again: "The Wu practitioner is new to the capital; perhaps she does not know that my master's patience is not very good."

"No, I know," Shaowei said: "I have heard that Former Commander of the Fine Clothes Guard, Lord Zhu, kills like hemp and has fierce methods; he is a person who absolutely cannot be offended."

Her tone was calm and objective, like a straightforward narration, without a bit of emotional color; the guard had furrowed his brow and had not yet spoken when he heard her say even more straightforwardly: "He invites me over, presumably to treat his severed arm."

This was originally a taboo that should not be spoken plainly; combined with that tone and that mask, it actually inexplicably gave people a feeling that she was devoted to ghosts and spirits and unworldly.

The guard cautiously watched the eyes under the mask: "Since the Wu practitioner knows this matter is urgent, why does she still decline?"

Shaowei: "Although I am skilled in healing bone injuries, this injury absolutely cannot be healed by ordinary methods; we must wait for the right timing."

"What timing?"

"The third day of the third month, the Shangsi Festival," Shaowei said slowly: "By then, if we can invite the spirits of ghosts and gods to descend, nothing will be impossible."

The girl's voice came out through the ghost mask, carrying a strange magic: "If Lord Zhu is willing to sincerely pray for the help of ghosts and gods, before that, he must still observe one thing."

The guard asked half-believing and half-doubting: "What thing?"

Shaowei's answer, after half an hour, was conveyed into Zhu Zhi's ears through this guard's mouth.

Seeing the guard return alone, failing to bring the person, Zhu Zhi's face first turned gloomy: "A mere lowly little Wu Nu actually makes it so I cannot even invite her; what a big face!"

He had merely had an audience in the palace once, and now he dared to bring out His Majesty's name in front of him and act arrogantly!

If it were the past, she naturally would not have been able to come and go as she pleased; but unfortunately, he had now been stripped of his position, and the title of Commander of the Fine Clothes Guard had a damned "Former" added before it... and His Majesty's attitude was unclear, so he could not cause a big commotion anymore; otherwise, once it reached the Son of Heaven's ears, his future path would probably be completely cut off.

Zhu Zhi retained the last trace of reason, but his emotions surged violently; he turned to look at his severed arm, and his mood became increasingly anxious.

All emotions were just within the gap of a few sentences; the guard hurriedly said: "Master, please calm your anger, this matter..."

Zhu Zhi looked up and swept his gaze, only to see the guard silently looking to the left and right.

Zhu Zhi immediately drove the others out of the room.

The guard bowed with clasped fists, then lowered his voice and said solemnly: "Master, that Wu Nu claimed she is not unwilling to help, but that your injury cannot be healed by ordinary medicine. She will summon spirits through dance on the third day of the third month, the Shangsi Festival; at that time, perhaps she can borrow the power of ghosts and gods to help Master be reborn and regrow his severed arm..."

Zhu Zhi's eyes shifted slightly.

He had never believed in the notion of summoning spirits, but this little witch had accurately foretold the collapse of Changling—something even Chi Yang could not accomplish. From any angle, it defied common explanation and could only be attributed to something extraordinary.

Moreover, the Emperor had summoned this little witch; though the Emperor harbored rejection toward witches, she had left the palace unharmed, proving she indeed possessed some true ability…

Added to that, he had heard she was skilled in treating bone injuries, and seeing that the quacks at the Taiyi Shu were hopeless, he could not help but think of inviting her to his door.

For all these reasons, coupled with his intense desire to regain power, Zhu Zhi asked: "What else did she say?"

Guard: "She said, if the Head of Household sincerely seeks help from ghosts and spirits, he must follow the Way of Ghosts and Spirits."

Zhu Zhi's suspicion stirred, but immediately he heard the guard say: "She said the Head of Household carries too heavy a killing aura; to avoid offending the spirits of ghosts and gods, he must, before the Shangsi Festival, offer incense to Heaven and Earth every day, calm his mind and spirit, and not touch any blood qi or killing sin… otherwise, the killing aura will not leave his body, and ghosts and gods will not save him."

This so-called Way of Ghosts and Spirits was not strict at all, even common.

As Zhu Zhi pondered, the guard finally conveyed: "She also said, matters of ghosts and spirits must not be leaked; one must sincerely revere them to earn divine favor."

This was even more unremarkable. Though Zhu Zhi did not necessarily believe in ghosts and spirits, he understood well the principle that success comes through secrecy; once many things become widely known, they invite obstacles and variables, let alone with so many enemies of his.

Zhu Zhi, half-believing and half-doubting: "Does she have any other 'instructions'?"

"Replying to the Head of Household, there is nothing more."

Zhu Zhi: "Then does she want some reward?"

The guard truthfully relayed: "This person's way is, after the matter is accomplished, she wishes to ask the Head of Household to help her kill an enemy."

This was the final exchange condition the witch whispered to him in a low voice.

Zhu Zhi raised his eyebrow; all the requests were unremarkable, and she was also asking for a return… it all seemed quite normal.

After a moment, Zhu Zhi suddenly asked: "What does she look like?"

"Sixteen or seventeen years old, her appearance could not be seen, for she wears a witch ghost mask." The guard said: "Before your subordinate left the Shen Ci, I secretly asked several people, all said she wears a mask daily, claiming it is to conceal her human appearance in order to communicate with ghosts and spirits."

Zhu Zhi then asked: "Anything else unusual?"

"Your subordinate paid close attention; this person's aura is ordinary, her temperament utterly plain, not like someone with martial skill."

Zhu Zhi had just nodded when the severed arm area once again sent piercing pain; he gritted his teeth and endured, asking: "How long until the Shangsi Festival?"

He was tormented day and night by this agonizing pain and a resentment and unease a hundred times worse than the pain, to the point of not knowing what day it was.

"Replying to the Head of Household, only half a month remains."

Zhu Zhi was indeed extremely anxious, but it was only half a month, and not something he could not wait for.

When the possible outcome of a matter is sufficiently tempting, even with only a fraction of belief in one's heart, it is very hard to refuse to try once.

Zhu Zhi had truly been tormented for too long, almost driven mad.

During this period he had also tried many other absurd methods, drinking dozens of bowls of that nauseating talisman water.

"If she cannot do it…" Zhu Zhi coldly whispered: "After the Shangsi Festival sacrifice, once she completes the imperial decree entrusted to her, I can still have someone assassinate a person for her; killing her also counts as killing a person."

Having spoken, he raised his eyes and asked: "How long until that bastard is brought here?"

This bastard was not simple; midway he almost escaped, unwilling to return to see his father.

"Sir, rest assured, at most within seven or eight days he will surely reach the capital."

"Have someone take him directly to the Zhuangzi in Chengdong." Zhu Zhi said through gritted teeth from enduring the pain: "Prepare everything; I will also go to welcome him… going there, father and son can reunite at the first moment."

"Yes, Sir, on what day do you plan to set out?"

"Tomorrow." Zhu Zhi instructed: "Take those doctors and the two witch doctors from the Taiyi Shu along as well!"

He could not place all his hope on unseen ghosts and spirits; at least those quacks could help him reduce some of the pain.

The guard withdrew and had someone prepare the incense for worshipping Heaven and Earth; this incense, called Heaven and Earth Incense, is a kind of worship incense often burned by the wealthy and powerful nowadays, said to have a fragrance that ascends to Heaven and descends to Earth, hence the name.

Inside the house, Zhu Zhi struggled to suppress the killing intent and ferocious qi that ran rampant in his chest at every moment.

He closed his eyes; the red color before his eyes faded, leaving only endless chaos.

The chaotic night curtain covered the sky, with only a few dim stars faintly visible.

Ghosts wept and the earth wailed at the chaotic graveyard; in the small courtyard not far away, Shaowei had just stepped into the Tang Wu.

Xiao Yu quickly stepped forward, first taking the food basket Shaowei was carrying, then hurriedly bringing a soft cushion and spreading it on the mat where Shaowei would sit; finally she knelt beside Shaowei, lifted the teapot with both hands to pour tea, and then held the tea bowl with both hands to offer it to Shaowei: "Benefactor, drink tea!"

Shaowei took the tea bowl and sternly corrected her: "Don't call me Benefactor anymore; I don't like it."

Whenever she heard herself addressed that way, Shaowei always felt as if she had returned to the brink of death, as if she would die in the next moment, buried in a hole dug by this child.

Xiao Yu nodded obediently: "Alright, Master!"

Shaowei was surprised: "That's not good either!"

Calling Master was quite common, but this child, after being washed clean, had eyes that grew brighter and brighter, truly like a cute little dog; the title Master thus became inappropriate, making Shaowei feel very guilty about playing with the child.

Xiao Yu felt somewhat dejected: "Then what should I call you?"

The house slave walked in and sat down, casually suggesting: "Call her Young Master, like Mo Li."

Mo Li opposite had already impatiently opened the food basket and was carrying out the food item by item.

"Young Master!" Xiao Yu called out a sentence, then thought for a moment and asked: "Then who is the Head of Household?"

Though young, she could clearly distinguish everyone's status; that Zhao Shu had no aura of the Head of Household at all, giving the feeling of half uncle, half servant.

Shaowei fell silent for a moment, then said: "The Head of Household is out for now; he will come back."

She did not want to mention this further, only ordering Xiao Yu: "You and Mo Li go outside to eat."

Mo Li immediately moved the food that had just been arranged back into the basket item by item, then carried the basket out; Xiao Yu followed happily, not forgetting to close the Hall Gate.

The two went to the Stove House to share the food; though Mo Li guarded his food, he listened well to the Young Master; he divided every food item into two portions very orderly, even tearing a chicken leg into two halves, diligently dividing without the slightest difference.

He had considered everything, only not thinking that Xiao Yu was only six or seven years old.

Looking at the two piles of exactly the same amount of food before her, Xiao Yu's expression was confused; she felt the other seemed nitpicky, but was actually generous to the point of being unreasonable.

The two ate heartily in the Stove House; the house slave got not a bit, only receiving a bamboo slip covered with writing handed to him by Shaowei, and a task assigned by Shaowei:

"Zhao Shu, help me buy the things listed above; don't let anyone notice."

Seeing that most were medicinal herbs and the quantity was not small, the house slave nodded: "Alright, I will copy them down one by one and buy them separately; I will certainly not let anyone notice."

"Very well," he only asked then, "Who is it to be used on?"

?? (What follows is a major Plot, because it will involve many characters; See You Everyone may Accumulate chapters for a few days as appropriate, reading it will be more coherent and not rushed.)

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