Volume II: An Eventful Autumn, A Series of Twists and Turns. Chapter 119: A Brilliant Stratagem, Prosperity Remains as Ever.

Chen Xin lowered her head, blushing, and let out a soft laugh. The solemn Daoist Yang before her seemed like a completely different person under the influence of Sister Chang Yu; he was no longer as dull or stiff as he once was.

Sister Chang Yu seemed to have given up on trying to maintain her composure as well. Chen Xin couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them.

"Bringing Qin Liujia to justice is all thanks to Chen Xin’s brilliant plan. If not for her idea, I’m afraid I wouldn't have been able to corner him so quickly."

"Couldn't you have just dealt with him directly? You knew he was the murderer all along, so why go through all that trouble and make me round up so many people?" Chen San asked, looking clearly dissatisfied.

"Dealing with him directly was out of the question. Even if I could have ended him with one stroke of my sword, the mortal realm has its own order. I don't mind helping, but I don't hold the power of life and death, nor can I stain myself with such karma for no reason. Otherwise, what kind of Dao am I cultivating? To rob the rich to help the poor and uphold justice—isn't that the ideal? Besides, isn't drumming up a crowd your specialty? Tell me, how exactly did you get those commoners to the yamen?"

"That’s simple! I just stood at the entrance and shouted that a Maoshan Daoist was going to solve a case using magic, and that seating was limited, so it was first come, first served! Just like that, a couple of shouts and everyone came running." Chen San pouted, looking at Yang Chengzi with a smug expression, waiting for a compliment.

Yang Chengzi was stunned. "Who told you to shout that? Because of you, the Maoshan Daoist and the act of slaying demons have been reduced to the level of a street performer."

As he spoke, Yang Chengzi raised his hands and bowed twice. "Ancestors, your disciple did not mean it that way. If you must blame someone, blame this loose-lipped fellow. I will keep him in check next time, please do not take offense." He then gave Chen San a light slap on the mouth.

Chang Yu burst into hysterical laughter. She had known Yang Chengzi for a long time, but she had never seen him so flustered. Seeing him act so deferential to the ancestors was both pleasing to the eye and hilarious.

Chen San rolled his eyes. "You didn't teach me what to say, so I had to improvise, didn't I? What else was I supposed to do if I couldn't get people to show up? Besides, I’m quite familiar with your ancestors; we’ve invited many of them along our journey, haven't we? Even if we aren't exactly brothers, we’re at least acquaintances, otherwise, they wouldn't have helped me slay demons!"

"You brat, are you trying to take advantage of me? 'Brothers,' you say? I think your skin is itching for a beating!"

Yang Chengzi stood up, ready to strike, but Chen San held out a hand.

"Hey! Your ancestors are watching! How can a Maoshan Daoist hit someone? Watch out, or they’ll come for you tonight."

Yang Chengzi frowned at Chen San, secretly thinking that he would find an excuse to teach him a lesson later; the boy was getting too cocky and needed to be reined in.

"For the sake of the ancestors, I won't beat you today. We have plenty of time."

"You’re just fond of making a fuss and never have a serious bone in your body. Why don't you learn some of Daoist Yang's formations? Look at Qin Liujia and Ruan Yuzhu—they didn't even realize they had been brought to the courtroom," Chen Xin said, tapping Chen San on the head.

Chen San shook his head. "No, no, the old man said that learning those would lead to the 'Five Imperfections and Three Deficiencies,' and I don't dare risk it. What if I learn them and never get to use them? What a waste that would be! Hey, tell me, how is that formation of yours so powerful that it kept them from noticing all of us standing right there?"

"The formation is naturally an Eight Trigrams Illusion Array. But it wasn't just the illusion; the array was only an aid. The main factor was Wan'er’s 'Ghost Blindfold'."

"Sister Wan'er can use the Ghost Blindfold in broad daylight? She’s that powerful? And you didn't even need to use those talismans?"

"That wouldn't work; the talismans were necessary. When I went with Wan'er to find Old Man Pan, I waited for him to turn around, placed the talisman, and Wan'er possessed him. After that, she went to find Ruan Yuzhu. Just as we expected, we gave her some silver, told her we wanted to discuss a raise in her monthly allowance, and set a meeting at the teahouse. Once she agreed to help plead our case, she went along with it, didn't she?"

"Then how did she come to the yamen so obediently? Was it the same Ghost Blindfold used at the Tianxiang House?" Chen Xin asked curiously.

"Yes. I gave the talisman to Wan'er, and while she was talking, she took the chance to cast the spell. Qin Liujia was brought here the same way. I had set up the illusion array at the yamen to better confuse them. With both the Ghost Blindfold and the illusion array, they wouldn't be able to tell the difference—not being practitioners themselves, it was enough to make the fake seem real."

"Weren't you afraid they wouldn't talk about Wen Liangsheng and Liu Qinghuai? What if they just sat there drinking tea?"

"I was a bit worried about that, but after hearing what they said last night, I was certain they would bring it up. That’s why I told Old Man Pan last night that the matter of the midnight opera had been resolved. As long as they touched upon that topic, they would naturally continue the conversation."

"Oh my, that’s incredible! So you knew what to do last night?"

"Of course not. If I had known, why would I have consulted with you? Was I just bored?"

"Then why did you tell Old Man Pan about it last night?"

"It just slipped out. Why are you being so pedantic?"

"I just don't like seeing you show off like that."

"I don't have time for this chatter. I just remembered there’s one more thing I haven't done."

"What is it? Isn't everything resolved?"

"Wen Liangsheng and Liu Qinghuai! I haven't guided their spirits yet. Their wishes have been fulfilled; it’s time for me to help them move on to their next life."

As soon as he finished speaking, the two spirits appeared behind Yang Chengzi.

"Thank you, Daoist, for fulfilling our wishes. We can never repay this kindness. In our next lives, we are willing to serve as beasts of burden to repay you," Liu Qinghuai said, her eyes brimming with tears.

"I, Wen Liangsheng, have spent my life thinking for others. To have a Daoist personally guide my wandering soul at the end is a blessing I’ve cultivated over three lifetimes. Words cannot express my gratitude."

Yang Chengzi turned around and performed a calculation on his fingers to check the time.

"Our parting here is final. I do not need your repayment; just live your next lives well as human beings. The Hour of the Monkey is suitable for sacrificial rites. I shall go buy some spirit money and candles. Eat your fill before you depart."

Hearing that they were going to the street, Chang Yu grabbed Chen Xin and ran out. Yang Chengzi stood up and brushed off his clothes, noticing that Chen San showed no sign of moving.

"Aren't you coming?"

Chen San replied with a silly grin, "You all go ahead. I, uh, have a headache. I’m going to take a nap. You go on and have fun!"

"Suit yourself. Give me some silver so they can shop. They’ve been cooped up in the inn and will go stir-crazy."

"Don't you have your own silver? If they want to shop, let them shop. Why do you need my money? Honestly!"

"Didn't I give all my money to Fang Hua? Are you going to give it to me or not? If you don't, I’ll call them back in, and if they start spending recklessly, don't blame me for not stopping them."

"Fine, fine, take it! It’s all in that ingot I gave you—take it, take it... Wait, no, I have to go with you. If the money isn't in my hands, I won't be able to sleep well. If I don't go, there won't be a single copper left! Let's go, let's go!"

"Hurry up! Are you coming or not?" Chang Yu shouted from outside the inn.

Chen San knew Chang Yu better than anyone. If he hadn't tagged along, she really wouldn't have left a single copper behind!

After guiding Liu Qinghuai and Wen Liangsheng, the group enjoyed a fine meal. They claimed it was to see the spirits off, but in reality, they were just hungry.

Yang Chengzi remained the same; no matter how many delicacies were served, he only ate the vegetarian dishes, his Daoist heart as constant as it had always been.

Night fell, and the streets outside the inn remained noisy, the bustling lanes as prosperous as ever.

The cold moonlight mingled with the colorful lanterns below, creating a unique atmosphere. With nothing else to do, the group lay down early and began to chat.

With such a pleasant atmosphere, the two young women naturally wanted to visit the night market, but Yang Chengzi forbade it, fearing for their safety late at night.

Chang Yu had wanted to ask Yang Chengzi to accompany them, but he hadn't rested well in days, and since Chen San was being stingy and siding with Yang Chengzi, neither man would budge. Being unfamiliar with the town, the two women had no choice but to give up.

They had been in town for several days, yet they had never been out at night. The two women were naturally a bit dissatisfied. Chen Xin was fine—she wasn't used to spending money lavishly and didn't mind staying in; she was just curious. Chang Yu, however, had a bellyful of frustration with nowhere to vent.

"Hmph, you two terrible men! One won't accompany his lady, and the other won't spend a single copper. Hmph, how boring! So boring!"

Chang Yu lay in bed, but she still had to vent her frustration about not being able to visit the night market, otherwise, she wouldn't be able to sleep.

Chen San closed his eyes and teased with a grin, "Who’s the terrible man not accompanying his lady or spending money? Didn't I spend the whole afternoon with you? You bought so many things, and you've already forgotten?"

"Pfft, what was there to see at noon? Many of the stalls weren't even out. Besides, the atmosphere is completely different at night—you can see the glowing lanterns! Do you have those in the middle of the day?"

"That’s simple. I’ll buy you two tomorrow and hang them by your bed. Sleep soundly tonight, and you can look at them all you want tomorrow night!"

"Hehehe..." A crisp laugh rang out. Chen Xin covered her mouth, unable to hold it back. She wasn't laughing at what Chen San said, but rather at the fact that he was about to get a beating.