Volume Two: A Troubled Autumn, Full of Twists and Turns Chapter 122: The Debt of Karma — A Hero Saves a Beauty

Walking and pausing, the four of them strolled for more than an hour. Chen San and Yang Chengzi were laden with goods hanging from their bodies, and their hands were even fuller. As they passed by a brothel, a silk handkerchief floated down from the upper floor and, by chance or misfortune, stuck to Chen San’s face. He was so startled that he couldn’t free his hands to remove it himself. It was Chen Xin who noticed and, with a cheerful smile, took it off for him.

Continuing on, the group arrived at an open space surrounded by a crowd. This spot was near the end of the street; beyond it lay a stone bridge, and across that bridge was the road leading to the Hui Inn. Chang Yu and Chen Xin saw the lively gathering ahead and wanted to join in to see what was happening, but the throng was too dense to squeeze through. Noticing a nearby restaurant where they could watch from above, they eagerly went inside.

They ordered a large table of snacks and dishes, spending all their silver, leaving just a few copper coins. While enjoying the delicious food and watching the street performers below, the applause and cheers of the crowd swelled around them. In a moment of excitement, Chang Yu tossed the remaining coins down, not sparing even a penny for Chen San.

After satiating their hunger and thirst, the time was nearly right to leave. Laden with their bundles like refugees fleeing disaster, they exited the restaurant. Chen San, overly full, leaned against a pillar, motionless for a long moment. As he put it, apart from eating, all their silver had been spent.

The night passed peacefully, though the extra baggage was a slight burden. Still, it was time to head back. Yang Chengzi, feeling more exhausted than during the sleepless nights before, silently agreed.

On the stone bridge, Chang Yu looked up and saw the bright, jade-like moon shining in the dark sky—a beauty so captivating that she halted in her tracks. That pause nearly cost both her and Chen Xin their lives.

“Chun’er? Why are you dressed like this?” came a voice, both unfamiliar and yet strangely known, from the bridge.

The group turned to look. There were only the four of them on the bridge, no one else in sight. Yet the voice came close, as if whispered right next to their ears. Chen San’s eyes caught sight of a spectral figure dressed like a scholar, standing behind Yang Chengzi.

Chen Xin and Chang Yu, of course, couldn’t see the spirit, but Yang Chengzi sensed it and already suspected who it was. He was shocked—how could Luo Shiqiu be dead? The last time he left the Tianxiang Courtesan House, Luo Shiqiu had been fine. How had he died?

Yang Chengzi didn’t turn around but asked in surprise, “How did you die?”

Hearing this sudden question, Chang Yu and Chen Xin lost all interest in the moonlit night. They clutched each other’s hands tightly in the middle of the bridge, uneasy and frightened.

Luo Shiqiu’s ghostly aura intensified sharply at Yang Chengzi’s voice.

“You’re a man? You’re actually a man?”

Yang Chengzi frowned. “Yes, I’m a man. When I was at Tianxiang Courtesan House, I disguised myself as a courtesan only to slay that seductive demon.”

“Then... what about the passion we shared? We clearly...” the spirit faltered.

“That was just an illusion. To infiltrate Tianxiang Courtesan House, I enlisted the help of a wandering restless spirit. Those were all false, mere phantoms,” Yang Chengzi explained calmly.

“False? Illusions? I loved you so much, and you’re a man. Because of you, I pined away and died of sorrow. You tell me it was all an illusion? If I hadn’t met you here, wouldn’t my death be meaningless?” the spirit’s voice trembled with grief.

“I am a Taoist priest of Maoshan, sworn to slay demons and eradicate evil. Though this method was not my preference, the seductive demon had to be dealt with. As for your feelings for Chun’er, they were but a fleeting dream. Since you are dead, you should move on to reincarnation. Why come to me now?”

“Ha ha ha! Today is my seventh day after death. I didn’t even get to see my parents before returning. To see you like this—though separated by life and death—I know no matter how reluctant I am, we are worlds apart. But for a man, I died of sorrow? How do you expect me to let go of this resentment? Ha ha ha, a man… ha ha ha...” Luo Shiqiu’s laughter was bitter and disbelieving.

Before finishing, the spirit’s anger swelled, dark energy swirling around him.

Chen San was almost scared out of his wits. Yang Chengzi was even more alarmed. From his senses, the malevolent energy and vengeful spirit began gathering around Luo Shiqiu with each laugh.

Chen San watched as the scholar’s aura faded. The once white garment began to darken with black and crimson hues, creeping upward from his feet.

The clothing started to tear apart slowly. The once handsome face turned mottled with black and purple, while black ghostly energy seeped from his mouth and eyes.

Yang Chengzi, both incredulous and thoughtful, wondered how someone who had died only days ago could have transformed so grotesquely.

The ghostly energy and vengeful spirit’s power rivaled those meticulously crafted demons and evil spirits of sorcerers—but those creatures had been dead for untold years. What was truly the matter with Luo Shiqiu?

His seventh day after death—the so-called “head seven”—coincided with a fully yin birth hour. No wonder he was short-lived. With so many people nearby, this was a dire problem.

As Yang Chengzi pondered the reason for Luo Shiqiu’s transformation, he signaled Chen San with a glance, urging him to quickly lead Chen Xin and Chang Yu down the bridge to safety. Chen San saw the signal but didn’t immediately understand, standing dumbfounded and even hoping Yang Chengzi would repeat the gesture.

Seeing Chen San’s cluelessness, Yang Chengzi longed to kick him down himself—but there were two young ladies present, so he restrained himself.

Luo Shiqiu, noticing Chen San’s puzzled expression, seemed to understand somewhat and sneered coldly.

“Trying to leave? None of you will get away!”

With that, the gathered vengeful energy erupted from the ghost’s form, blotting out the sky like a black cloud pressing down on the city. The bright moonlight vanished in an instant, swallowed by the malevolent mist. Chen Xin and Chang Yu, caught in the darkness, were blinded and lost their sense of direction.

Yang Chengzi dropped all his belongings on the ground, scattering a handful of yellow talismans from his bosom. Holding a finger upright, he chanted incantations. The talismans exploded with a series of booms, releasing a wave of flames that dispersed much of the oppressive fog.

Yet the flickering moonlight was still unreliable, and the group dared not move rashly. Nearby, the crowd watching the spectacle fled in terror. Luckily, the neon lanterns hanging nearby prevented total chaos in the darkness.

Though the people scattered, Yang Chengzi had no time to attend to them. Luo Shiqiu had come for him, and in this state, they were all in danger. Better to get off the bridge first. Just as he prepared to step forward, a splash sounded.

“Who fell in?” Yang Chengzi cried out.

“It was Sister Chang Yu. Something pushed her in, and I couldn’t catch her...” Chen Xin exclaimed anxiously, her words cut off by another splash—she had fallen in too.

Chen San and Yang Chengzi were frantic.

“Chen San, pull them out!” Yang Chengzi ordered. He couldn’t afford to enter the water if he was to deal with Luo Shiqiu, so he relied on Chen San, who was equally panicked and stammering.

“I—I—I can’t swim! I—I—” Chen San said, then plunged in with a splash.

Yang Chengzi assumed Chen San was rescuing them and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

“If you have become a vengeful ghost harming the living, then don’t blame me for being merciless.”

He extended his right hand, releasing a cold sword intent that pierced Luo Shiqiu’s form. The Sword of Supreme Clarity appeared in Yang Chengzi’s grasp; his finger bled onto the blade, which glowed with righteous energy, surging forth to dispel the lingering malevolence.

Under the moonlight, the water churned violently. Someone flailed beneath the surface, seemingly about to sink, but Yang Chengzi couldn’t spare attention. Sweat beaded his brow as he thought, he must end this quickly and then save the others.

As the malevolent energy dissipated, Luo Shiqiu appeared luminous in Yang Chengzi’s perception. He thrust the sword forward, expecting the ghost to evade, but at the moment the ghostly energy steamed along the blade, Yang Chengzi was puzzled—Luo Shiqiu did not move.

The Sword of Supreme Clarity was a spiritual weapon, enhanced by Yang Chengzi’s blood. The instant it struck, Luo Shiqiu’s soul was shattered, and all ghostly energy vanished.

With the obstruction gone, Yang Chengzi turned to leap down to the water. Before taking more than a few steps, a graceful figure passed by like falling petals, landing heavily on the water’s surface. The figure seized a struggling form from the water and pulled it ashore.