Masterlist of posts and character list

Chapter Two (continued)

“Mr. Fan, spare his life!”

The call resonated, the words meant to be discussed, but the tone was certainly one of command. A man with his hands clasped behind his back in a military posture strode in from the other end of the courtyard with two attendants at his side.

Seeing him, Zhen Mei was thrilled at this turn of events. He hurried to bow deeply in salute and said, fawningly, “Mr. Wu Yan, what has brought you here?”

Wu Yan spoke in intimidating seriousness. “Mr. Fan sent a message. He said he’d prepared a ‘gift’ for Emperor Xiang. Naturally, I have come on behalf of his majesty to fetch it.”

After Fan Ying greeting him, he handed the scroll to Wu Yan. “For the past eight years, Chongwu Camp has killed nearly 700 people at the hands of a cat demon. The list of names and evidence are all here. Please look them over, General.”

Wu Yan accepted the scroll. He didn’t even look at it before he stepped to the soldier near him and touched the scroll to the burning arrow head. In an instant, the scroll disappeared in a tongue of flame.

Fan Ying spoke not a word nor moved an inch. General Wu and Zhen Mei were both Emperor Xiang’s men; their rank far exceeded his. There was nothing he could say. But this was important evidence, so naturally he had copies, and what had just burned was a copy. The originals had been entrusted to a messenger who left in secret this morning, riding away on horseback at top speed to deliver them to the prime minister. Presumably the prime minister had already read them and formulated a plan, waiting for the right moment to turn this blade on Emperor Xiang’s power.

Wu Yan continued, “I’ll accept this ‘gift’ for his majesty. Emperor Xiang already knows Demon Hunting Bureau’s determination to restore, and he’s already agreed to let you replace Chongwu Camp in the investigation of the water ghost murdering brides.” He paused, darting a look at Demon Hunting Bureau’s people. “But we’d best lay out the ugly truths up front. Since the case is going to be handed over to you, if it goes wrong or causes a disaster, it will not be Chongwu Camp’s concern. Let’s be clear about duties and authority. You stay out our business, and we’ll stay out of yours. Any trouble you cause will not be our responsibility. Agreed, Mr. Fan?”

“Of course,” Fan Ying replied.

“Verbal statements are no guarantee. Let’s have a pledge.” With that, Wu Yan turned as a person behind him handed him a scroll. He unrolled it and read aloud: “The Demon Hunting Bureau hereby petitions Emperor Xiang to make a thorough investigation of the water ghost homicide case. They cannot harm the common people, and there must be no negligence or delay. The Demon Hunting Bureau will spare no effort in solving this case.”

Finished, he handed the scroll back to the person behind him and two more stepped forward. One held the scroll and the other red ink paste. They climbed the steps toward Zhuo Yichen, stopping respectfully on the step below him, and raised the scroll.

“Everyone make your mark as proof of your commitment,” Wu Yan said. “I will deliver this personally to Emperor Xiang.”

Zhao Yuanzhou claimed his identity as a demon made the contract invalid and refused to sign. Wu Yan didn’t argue with him. His target was the Demon Hunting Bureau, not Zhao Yuanzhou. All the humans didn’t decline. As his attendants held the scroll and ink, he reminded everyone in a low voice to place their stamps at the end.

Wu Yan turned his eyes to Pei Sijing, who hadn’t moved.

Zhen Mei stepped forward. “I heard her just now,” he explained. “She refused to join the Demon Hunting Bureau, so she doesn’t need to sign. Turns out the Demon Hunting Bureau really is good for nothing. Even Chongwu Camp’s rejects turn their nose up at it.”

At these rude words, every Bureau person’s expression darkened.

Pei Sijing unexpectedly walked forward and abruptly stamped her fingerprint on the scroll with the others. She turned to Wen Xiao behind her. “Did you hear that? There’s a dog barking. It’s so noisy.”

Wen Xiao had been watching her in dumbfounded silence, but seeing the annoyed look on Pei Sijing’s face, she couldn’t help but laugh.

Zhen Mei drew his impressive blade, ready to attack, but Wu Yan stopped him.

Wu Yan raised a hand, a signal to his soldiers to withdraw. Then, with large strides, he exited the Bureau, leaving behind a single sentence: “Now we’ll wait for your good news.”

The troops had arrived quickly and left just as quickly, and silence fell in the courtyard again.

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Idioms that appear in this section:

喜出望外(xǐchūwàngwài) – to be pleased beyond one’s expectations; overjoyed at the turn of events

不动声色 (bùdòng-shēngsè) – maintain one’s composure; stay calm and collected; not turn a hair; not bad an eyelid

快马加鞭 (kuàimǎ-jiābiān) – spur on the flying horse—at top speed; posthaste; ride whip and spur

井水不犯河水 (jǐngshuǐ bù fàn héshuǐ) – well water does not mix well with river water; I’ll mind my own business and you mind yours; keep out of each other’s affairs

口说无凭 (kǒushuō-wúpíng) – verbal statements are no guarantee

全力以赴 (quánlìyǐfù) – go all out; spare no effort