Chapter 116: Drifting, Ghost Opera

Fate is decreed by Heaven, but fortune is born of oneself.

When a child reaches the age of one month, their destiny is set, yet at the moment of the Zhou grab, many choices arise.

Toys and tools, brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, gold, silver, copper, and coins, wooden knives and wooden swords.

One becomes either a rascal, a scholar, a traveling merchant, a soldier, or a bandit.

Fate cannot be chosen, but fortune is born of oneself.

Xu Qing, who has just turned one month old a few years ago, now faces the choice of the Zhou grab.

After the Golden Armored Corpse, the Fu Shi realm is a fork in the road for zombie cultivation; at this moment, his choice already concerns the final result of his evolution.

The Hairy Corpse belongs to the mountains and forests; cultivating this path can lead to becoming a Hairy Hou.

The Fire Corpse is the master of fire's burning; cultivating it can lead to becoming a Hanba.

The Black Corpse is the master of water; cultivating it can lead to becoming a Shuib.

Xu Qing pondered for a moment and finally decided to take the path of the Shuib.

He dwells in the marketplace, not in the mountains and forests, so he cannot cultivate the Hairy Hou.

The Hanba needs to swallow fire essence, earth qi, and the spirits of all things; he similarly lacks such conditions.

After thinking it over, only the path of the Shuib is the most suitable.

Linhe is a place where waters and marshes flourish; he has also learned many water arts and holds a Water-Filtering Bowl in his hand to command.

Beyond that, there is the formless Black Water, a ready-made treasure for nurturing and refining, which can allow him to enter the Shuib branch.

Heaven's timing, Earth's advantage, and human harmony are all present; if he still insists on choosing another path, it would be no different than seeking fish in a tree, suffering needlessly.

Having determined the evolution path, Xu Qing felt much lighter throughout his entire being.

Everything is ready; only the timing is lacking.

Once the Golden Armored Corpse is successfully nurtured and refined, he will refine the formless Black Water, step by step becoming a Fu Shi, an Unchanging Bone, a Flying Corpse, and even the legendary Kui Ba; none of these will be vague and ethereal matters anymore. The only thing he needs to consider most is time and lifespan.

And the two things Xu Qing lacks least are precisely these.

On this day, thunder and rain raged heavily in Jinmen Prefecture.

The two Wu brothers arrived together outside the prefectural prison.

The jailers guarding the gate were on high alert, spouting vile words, and absolutely refused to let the two enter.

Only Wu Wencai, who was well-versed in human affairs, took out five taels of silver; the two jailers thought it was too little and said, "Five taels only allows one person to enter; if you two wish to enter together, it is not enough."

Wu Wencai, helpless, took out another five taels, and only then were the two able to enter the prefectural prison.

A jailer led the way ahead, and the two walked from the outer prison all the way to the inner prison before seeing Wu Yaoxing, who was imprisoned in the cell.

At this moment, Wu Yaoxing was barely clothed; the skin exposed to the air had multiple open wounds with flesh torn apart, obviously having endured inhuman torture beforehand.

Seeing the two sons of the Wu family arrive together to visit, Wu Yaoxing tried to rise several times, but could not stand due to the shackles on his feet and hands.

The jailer opened the cell door, and Wu Zhiyuan could no longer control the sorrow in his heart.

"Father, your son has come too late!"

Hearing this, the jailer said in a bad mood, "Crying like a funeral here? He isn't dead yet; what are you wailing about!"

"Speak quickly; a cup of tea's time is not much."

Wu Wencai bowed with clasped hands to the jailer, then quickly stepped forward and, together with Wu Zhiyuan, helped the unrecognizable Wu Yaoxing to his feet.

Sitting before a pile of wild grass, Wu Yaoxing wept with tears and snot streaming down his face.

"My sons, is it not a final glimmer of life before death that allows father to see you in a dream?"

Wu Zhiyuan shook his head, choking with emotion, and for a moment could not speak a word.

Wu Wencai knew time was tight and this was not the time for mutual complaining; he stepped forward and said, "Uncle, do not be distressed; this is not a dream. My elder brother and I intend to run about to plead your case. As long as we are upright, a superior official will surely overturn the case for you."

"How can you say that? They officials protect each other, and the new Prefect does not listen to good words; he has most likely accepted favors and bribes. How could the case be overturned so easily?"

"I have suffered the beating of the rod and whip wounds; my body is broken and I cannot last much longer. You two should not waste your energy anymore. I only hope Zhiyuan can take good care of your mother, and Wencai can restrain his heart and mind, study hard, marry a good wife in the future, and bring honor to our Wu family. Beyond this, I have no other requests!"

Hearing these words, Wu Wencai could not help but shed tears as well.

"What kind of words are these, Uncle? With Zhiyuan appealing to the superior government office, it should not be difficult to extend your sentence by a season. In a few days, the Imperial Inspector will visit; I will go again to report the injustice and surely uncover the villain behind who framed you, Uncle!"

To reassure Wu Yaoxing, Wu Wencai took out the Soul-Calming Talisman and the Illness-Dispelling Talisman given by Xu Qing.

The former was kept close to the body, while the latter was swallowed with water.

While attending to Wu Yaoxing, helping him drink water and swallow the talisman, Wu Wencai also told the story of how Xu Qing had guided him through his confusion.

"When my elder brother and his sister-in-law were betrothed, my elder brother's sister and brother-in-law, Yang Hong, often obstructed them from the middle. This time, Uncle's suffering of being framed was most likely done by that Yang Hong. I have made up my mind; tomorrow I will set off for the post station to wait for the Imperial Inspector and present the petition."

Hearing these words, Wu Yaoxing was like a drowning person grabbing a floating log, or like someone falling off a cliff grabbing a straw of life; he could not help but sigh and say:

"Brother Xu is righteous; his kindness is truly hard to repay. You two must never forget Brother Xu's grace in the future."

While the group conversed, they did not know there were ears behind the wall and hidden bandits at their side.

As this subtle plot leaked out, the jailer at the door, after seeing off the two Wu brothers, immediately went to the Prefect's government office and found one of the constables.

After whispering to each other, the latter immediately found a fast horse and, without much time, rushed to the county seat of Bai Sha.

Zhang Yong's eldest son-in-law emerged from the side gate of the Zhang residence.

"What are you doing here? Are you here to ask me for silver again?"

Yang Hong looked at the constable Zhou Hang with a gloomy face and lowered his voice, saying, "If this leaks, neither of us will have a good ending!"

Hearing this, Zhou Hang immediately felt ashamed and angry, saying, "Do you think so little of me? I traveled all the way with good intentions to deliver a message to you, yet you speak such harsh words. In that case, I will leave right now! From now on, whoever in Baisha County wants to come, let them come!"

"Wait, just tell me what message you want to deliver."

In a quiet place of the Zhang residence, Zhou Hang told everything: the Wu brothers' desire to overturn the case and their plan to intercept the Imperial Inspector's appeal.

"What a persistent enemy with a lingering ghost!"

Yang Hong turned to look at Zhou Hang and said, "This matter still requires Brother Zhou's help."

As he spoke, Yang Hong extended his palm and made a chopping motion downwards.

Seeing this, Zhou Hang grew less hurried; he sat by the desk, putting on airs and saying, "Last time I called the Tongtian Heart Sect rebels and identified Wu Yaoxing in court, I already took a huge risk. Now you want me to eliminate those two brothers, as if all the risk falls on me."

"I cannot do this matter!"

Yang Hong and Zhou Hang had known each other for a long time; when the other lifted his rear end, Yang Hong knew what he was about to fart, so it was no exaggeration to say they knew each other inside out.

Right then, Yang Hong said nothing, turned directly to his residence, and fetched two silver notes.

He put two hundred-tael notes in his chest, taking out only one hundred taels to give to Zhou Hang.

"Only this much? Killing people is not as simple as buying a crime; this matter is likely difficult to handle."

Hearing this, Yang Hong snorted coldly: "Last time I let you take five hundred taels to forge as stolen money to frame Wu Yaoxing, yet you only put three hundred taels in. Do not think I do not know."

"Take this hundred taels for now as a deposit; once the matter is done, another hundred taels will be given."

"I will speak plainly beforehand: if you fail to handle it well, when the Wu brothers truly overturn the case, in the future neither of us will have a good ending!"

"Hey! What kind of talk is this? We are brothers; how could I ruin your great matter?" Zhou Hang took the silver notes, then mounted a horse and returned to Jinmen.

Early the next morning, before the sky had fully brightened, the Wu brothers had already set out and arrived at the Jinmen ferry crossing.

At this moment, before the two had even stepped onto the dock, they heard someone shouting from behind.

"Where are the two Young Masters heading?"

Wu Zhiyuan said, "To Jingcheng."

"This is truly a coincidence; right now there is a convenient boat to Jingcheng; not only is the voyage steady, but this boat is also quite fast."

"May I ask where the boat is?"

"Young Master need not trouble himself; I am the boatman."

At this, Wu Wencai spoke up: "I am only going to Shuyang; I do not know if this boat can give a ride."

"That might not be very convenient." The boatman feigned hesitation.

Before the boatman's words had finished falling, another person resembling a passenger nearby stepped forward to chat: "Shuyang is on the same route anyway; you would only need to detour four or five li of water; what harm is there in giving a ride?"

Having said this, that passenger stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, "Two brothers, I am Yuan Hu; going out in the world is nothing but doing a favor; if this boatman refuses to agree, I will not take his boat either; let us see what he can do!"

Had Xu Qing not been absent from this place, he would certainly have recognized the identities of this boatman and passenger; the ones who plotted for wealth and killed, killing Zheng Deli, were none other than these two before them.

The boatman gritted his teeth, as if truly conflicted for a moment.

"Very well, you two just come aboard."

Several people boarded the boat, only to discover there was already one person on board.

That person had a sword hanging at his waist, sat by a small table drinking wine, nodded to the two, and then spoke no more.

Yuan Hu laughed: "This one is also taking the boat; I heard he is an official envoy heading to Jingcheng on official business; speaking of which, this is a good thing; with an envoy present, even if we meet bandits on the road, there is some courage."

The three people on the boat had different expressions, not seeming to know each other.

Wu Zhiyuan and Wu Wencai suspected nothing; once they entered the cabin, the envoy then opened his mouth and asked:

"What are your names, where do you live, and do you carry official badges or travel permits?"

Zhou Hang was born in the prefectural government office, was used to being domineering in daily life, cultivated an official demeanor, and his speech carried authority without anger, possessing quite an imposing manner.

Wu Zhiyuan heard this and felt the other truly resembled an official officer.

The two stated their names and showed their badges; Zhou Hang asked them what business they had going to Jingcheng?

Wu Zhiyuan was about to answer, but Wu Wencai cast a glance at him; he immediately changed his words: "We two are going to Jingcheng to visit relatives, waiting for the autumn examination to take the test."

Zhou Hang smiled, then said:

"The river water is cold; two Young Masters might as well take a seat and drink a few cups of wine together to warm your bodies."

Before the Wu brothers could answer, Yuan Hu pulled the two down to sit.

"Since there is free wine and alcohol, how could one not drink?"

"Meeting is fate; two brothers need not be shy."

On the vast waters, the ferry swayed gently, heading toward Luojing.

Inside the boat, the few people were quite talkative; that Yuan Hu was also a witty person, speaking very pleasantly.

"Heh! The weather changes; just after a rain, today it has started again."

"Let us just dock and stay for half a day, waiting for the wind to stop and the rain to cease before departing."

The boat slowly approached the shore; Wu Zhiyuan glanced outside the cabin, seeing only that the shore was deserted, with only the omnipresent sounds of wind, rain, and thunder echoing everywhere.

On top of the cabin, raindrops like sifted beans struck the boat awning, making "pu, pu" sounds.

At this time and scene, it was exactly: black clouds overturning ink without covering the mountains, white rain jumping pearls chaotically entering the boat!

The Wu brothers were physically and mentally exhausted, plus they had drunk quite a bit of rough wine; not long after, they fell asleep in the cabin with their clothes on.

Under the dim dark sky, Yuan Hu and Zhou Hang exchanged a glance, while the boatman silently went to untie the ropes and pole the boat.

The ferry quietly steered toward the center of the river; Yuan Hu then took out ropes, and he and Zhou Hang each took one, binding Wu Zhiyuan and Wu Wencai tightly respectively.

In their drunken dreams, the Wu brothers felt the boat rocking and their bodies being bound painfully, so they successively woke up.

"What are you doing?"

Yuan Hu chuckled: "Taking people's money, eliminating people's disasters; if you must blame, blame yourselves for being ungrateful and offending someone you should not have offended."

"Say less; hurry and finish the matter!"

Zhou Hang hoisted Wu Wencai on his shoulder; Yuan Hu followed closely behind; when they reached the bow, the two flung the Wu brothers into the river.

This river's water flowed rapidly, connecting south to the Yu and Mian lakes, north to the canal water, with the Bai Sha River running through east and west; plus at this time the wind was urgent and the rain fierce; not to mention a person bound by ropes, even a skilled hand falling into the water would not necessarily survive.

But strangely enough, after the Wu brothers fell into the water, they not only did not sink, nor did they drift eastward with the sea current; instead, they went upstream, straight toward the direction of Jingcheng.

"Strange matter!"

Zhou Hang ordered the boatman to pole the boat to chase; when they arrived close, he drew a fish spear and thrust it at the two.

Just at this moment, a faint light suddenly flashed; the fish spear in Zhou Hang's hand seemed to have hit an oily, slippery loach; two consecutive thrusts failed to pierce the bodies.

"Let me!" Yuan Hu took the fish spear, his heart turning fierce, but before he could make a move, a huge wave suddenly swept over the bow.

The ferry suddenly rolled like a leaf caught in the wind, nearly overturned by the wave.

When the wave passed, Yuan Hu stared again—but there was no trace of the Wu brothers in the water.

Zhou Hang exhaled in relief and laughed: "Such a massive wave—even if he were a god descended to earth, he couldn't possibly survive."

"Now that this matter is settled, Master Zhou, what do you say?"

Zhou Hang pulled out a silver ingot and said: "Ten taels as deposit, ten taels as final payment—twenty altogether. I won't shortchange you."

Meanwhile, upon the river's surge, the Wu brothers were scattered by the wave—one swept straight toward the Jing River, the other carried upstream toward Yuzhou.

Along the way, turbulent undercurrents swept at him, and submerged rocks and floating debris blocked his path; Wu Zhiyuan had thought death inevitable, yet somehow he survived, unscathed despite the dangers.

But during the drift, he struck some strange object in the water—though it harmed no part of his body, the crane-bone flute at his waist was shattered into two pieces.

After half a day of drifting, Wu Zhiyuan felt warmth in his belly and heard faint murmurs beside his ear. He forced his eyes open and saw before him an elderly couple, boiling ginger soup and carefully feeding it to him.

At the same time, outside Yuzhou City.

Wu Wencai drifted along until the current calmed, revealing before him a scene of southern splendor.

As painted pleasure boats glided past, he struggled to swim while shouting toward the dazed woman on board: "Miss, save me! Please, save this humble man!"

Jinmen, Linhe Lane.

Xu Qing stepped slowly along the rain-darkened cobblestone path, returning to his villa.

These past days, he had gathered nearly fifty corpses; as per custom, tonight he would plant them in his villa, awaiting the day they bore new Changbing fruits.

Not long after, the iconic arched stone bridge of Shuimen Bridge came into view.

A thin mist hung in the air; the night's dampness mingled with the gentle murmur of water beneath the bridge, lending an eerie serenity.

As he drew nearer, a mournful, melodic opera verse arose without warning.

"My love rejoices, while I am heartbroken; my sorrow is known only to the moon. Meeting is hard, parting is easy—now the abandoned wife regrets too late."

Do you recall when we were phoenixes dancing together? Do you remember how you broke vows and wandered to another branch? Do you know your old love now has no place to rest? Do you think of the orphan with a mother but no father?

My beloved! Do you know I've grown ill with consumption? Soon I'll die of grief for you!"

The haunting, sorrowful opera lines came and went—like the singing woman appearing at the bridge's end, then its start, sometimes right before his eyes.

Combined with the surroundings, Xu Qing instinctively turned toward the bridge's head.

Through the misty railings, a figure seemed to dance upon the bridge—white water sleeves stirred the fog, moving in trembling, flicking, brushing, and flinging motions to the mournful melody.

The candle flame within his lantern flickered wildly in response.

When the water sleeve flung far toward him, the swaying flame suddenly spat a wisp of white smoke—and all around plunged into utter darkness.

The night's darkness now felt far thicker than before; the dampness heavier.

Xu Qing raised an eyebrow and snapped his fingers sharply.

The orange flame leapt back to life. He narrowed his eyes, lifted the lantern again, and gazed toward the bridge.

The bridge's head now held not a single figure—as if the woman he'd seen had been an illusion.

Xu Qing clicked his tongue and turned his gaze away.

For at his nape, a chilling, icy aura was exhaling toward his ear.

Xu Qing turned his head and saw a white-robed female ghost leaning forward, pressed against his face—her delicate features bloomed like peach and plum, yet froze like ice.

"My dear husband, I am so lonely… won't you come down and keep me company?"

The ghost tugged his sleeve, cooing with a plaintive, sorrowful tone, while an odd fragrance blew onto his face.

"Stop that stench! And who told you to sneak out at night without guarding the gate?"

Xu Qing yanked his sleeve away irritably.

(End of Chapter)