Volume Two: An Eventful Autumn, A Series of Twists and Turns. Chapter 120: The Bright Moon Overhead, A Midnight Nightmare

Chang Yu’s tone shifted abruptly. "Are you itching for a beating? It’s all your fault! If you weren't so stingy with your silver, we could have gone to the night market! Why don't you just hand over your banknotes?"

Upon hearing this, Chen San immediately clutched the banknotes hidden under his pillow. He was genuinely afraid that Chang Yu would snatch them away. He couldn't bring himself to strike a woman, but he had already decided the moment he received the money from Chen Xin that, if necessary, he would hide the banknotes in his crotch.

"No, no, no! Who's being stingy? Don't get worked up. Robbery is a crime that lands you in jail! It wasn't my choice not to go—ask your husband! Whether you're itching for a beating is his business too; why are you blaming me? Honestly!"

Seeing that Chen San had learned to play along, Chang Yu pouted and began plotting. Suddenly, she smiled with an embarrassed expression. "Husband? You haven't slept well for several nights; you must be exhausted. How about I come over, massage your shoulders and waist, and warm up your bedding?"

At the sound of Chang Yu’s seductive voice, Yang Chengzi, who had been resting with his eyes closed, snapped them open and furrowed his brows tightly.

"Don't—don't even think about it. I prefer sleeping alone. You stay on your own bed. If you need company, sleep with Chen Xin. I’m perfectly comfortable as I am, so don't you dare try anything."

"Husband, are you looking down on me? You're always refusing this and that. Am I not pretty enough? Or did I do something wrong to upset you?"

"You're overthinking it. I’m not refusing 'this and that.' There are only a few specific things I’m unwilling to do, as you well know."

"Hmph, you said it yourself—except for those few things, you're willing to do anything. Then accompany us to the night market tomorrow night!"

"I... fine, fine! Tomorrow night, then. I’m a bit tired today. I’ll take you out tomorrow, alright?"

"Good! You promised. Don't go making excuses again tomorrow night. Chen San? You won't have anything to keep you busy tomorrow night, will you?"

Chen San’s scalp went numb. Yang Chengzi had agreed after only a few words; if he didn't agree now, he probably wouldn't make it out of the inn alive. He swallowed hard and offered an awkward smile.

"Heh heh, no, not at all! What could I possibly have to do? Accompanying you two is the most important thing of all."

"Great! The moon is high, what a refreshing night. Sister, I’m going to sleep. Sweet dreams, everyone~"

Clutching the banknotes, Chen San felt a tightness in his chest and struggled to breathe. He feared his money was as good as gone—money he had earned with such hard work. Even though Sister Wan'er’s "ghost-blind" technique had kept him from doing much, he had still spent several nights huddled in the corner of the bed.

The more he thought about it, the more depressed he became. Recalling what Yang Chengzi had said about the things he was "unwilling" to do, he curiously asked, "Hey, Chang Yu, what exactly is your husband unwilling to do? Tell me about it~"

Chang Yu chuckled, about to speak, but Yang Chengzi cut her off. "Adult matters—why are you, a child, asking so many questions? Go to sleep! You’re just like the old woman at the village entrance, always trying to pry into things. Are you a busybody or what?"

Chang Yu chimed in, "Exactly! Why are you prying into our business? Such a busybody!"

Chen San curled his lip and muttered unhappily, "Fine, don't tell me then. You're the busybodies!"

After a few more grumbles, the room fell silent.

...

Dazed, Chen San fell asleep thinking about his banknotes, even starting to snore. Though his mind was on the money, his dreams had nothing to do with it.

"Monster! Since you have cultivated a demonic form, I cannot let you live. Release her! I shall send you to be reincarnated, or else I will scatter your soul into oblivion!"

Chen San watched the Taoist priest holding a ritual sword as if viewing a play, thinking to himself, "Where did this priest come from? He talks as if it’s all real—and if you’re going to talk, why are you staring at me?"

He scrutinized the strange priest: dressed in white and purple cloud-embroidered robes, wearing a black silver-inlaid crown, and holding a sword similar to Yang Chengzi’s. He looked much older than Yang Chengzi, and under the moonlight, his righteous expression was intimidating.

"I told you to let her go. Are you deaf?"

As Chen San observed the priest, the man’s eyes widened in fury.

Chen San was confused. *What’s going on? Do I know you?* Just as he was about to retort, he felt something in his arms.

He looked down, shocked. A woman, her face covered in blood, was unconscious in his arms. Her head hung over his arm, and he was holding her, using her as a shield.

Chen San’s mind raced, but he couldn't figure out why she was in his embrace.

*Could it be that I molested this girl and this priest caught me in the act, and now he wants to kill me? Oh, how unjust! Even if I did molest her, I don't remember it at all! If I get killed by this priest, how could I be any more wronged?*

He wanted to ask the priest what was happening, but his body began to move on its own. Chen San was startled. *Why am I moving?* He slowly laid the girl aside.

Amidst his shock, he noticed the woman was actually quite pretty, which gave him some small comfort. But before he could react, his vision blurred with a swirling mist, and something seemed to be erupting from his body.