16 The Devouring House (Part Twelve)
Li Ji led the way ahead, while Haichao followed behind, nudging Cheng Hanlin with his elbow and whispering, “Are you alright? Do you want to wait here for us to return?”
Cheng Hanlin looked pleasantly surprised. “Thank you kindly for your concern, Sister Haichao! But there’s no need to worry—I have made every possible preparation.”
With that, he lifted his robe to reveal that the inside lining was densely covered with talismans.
Haichao raised an eyebrow. “...Alright then. Be careful; don’t let any spirits possess you again.”
Cheng Hanlin grinned broadly, flashing his white teeth. “Rest assured, it won’t happen again.”
Liang Ye glanced at the pair silently, then turned his head away without a word.
Flustered, Cheng Hanlin hurriedly tied his belt and called after them, “Zi Ming, Zi Ming, wait for me—”
After winding through the streets for about fifteen minutes, the group arrived at the small courtyard where Steward Li lived.
The courtyard was secluded, yet the buildings were neat and pristine. The whitewashed walls gleamed like fresh snow, the black tiles shone with oil, and the doors and window frames were freshly painted a jade-green that sparkled like emeralds under the sunlight. A faint scent of incense lingered in the air.
Amid the quiet, the sound of chanting echoed from within the courtyard.
Haichao recalled the newly painted window frames in the guest room and felt a strange unease. “This house looks so new, was it recently renovated?”
Li Ji scratched his head. “Nope. The master’s quarters still have several rooms unrenovated; there’s no way the servants’ rooms would be newer.”
He looked around and muttered, “Weird, it does seem a bit newer than yesterday…”
Just then, the courtyard gate opened, and Su Tingyuan stepped out. Seeing Haichao and the others, he hesitated momentarily, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face.
Li Ji quickly spoke up, “Master, the Taoist priest from the temple is missing, so I invited these immortal masters here.”
Su Tingyuan regained his courteous demeanor, bowed slightly, and apologized, “I disturbed the immortal masters late into the night last evening, and now this new trouble arises—I am truly ashamed.”
Liang Ye lifted his chin. “Exorcising spirits is our duty. Let’s first inspect the corpse.”
Su Tingyuan led them into the courtyard. Haichao then noticed that the small yard was already filled with people. Besides the Su family’s servants dressed in teal, several monks and Taoists stood about—some were striking wooden fish while chanting, others shaking bells to perform rituals. The courtyard was thick with incense smoke, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
To her surprise, the false monk who had accompanied them earlier was mingling among them.
The fake monk, upon seeing them, touched his bald head and gave an inscrutable smile. Haichao felt a wave of revulsion, as if a toad had crawled across her foot.
Su Tingyuan smiled wryly and whispered, “The servants can’t keep their tongues in check, and news spreads swiftly. These masters and Taoists came with good intentions, so I couldn’t refuse them entry.”
His simple words marked these people as charlatans and established a clear hierarchy of familiarity and status.
Though wary of him, Haichao couldn’t help but admit his words were quite pleasant to hear.
Su Tingyuan brought them to the door and gestured for a young servant to open it.
As the door swung open, the first thing that struck them was not the stench of blood but a faint smell of fresh paint.
Inside, the curtains hung low, allowing only a sliver of light to enter.
Against the base of the wall lay a pile of objects which at first glance looked like old clothes, but upon closer inspection revealed gray-white, yellowed, twig-like bones protruding from beneath the fabric.
Despite being mentally prepared, Haichao felt her scalp tingle. “This is...”
Su Tingyuan pinched the bridge of his nose. “In just one night, a perfectly fine man has become like this.”
As soon as Cheng Hanlin crossed the threshold, his expression changed dramatically. His eyes fixed on the blank wall, lips trembling slightly.
Haichao quietly observed him and whispered, “Are you alright?”
Cheng Hanlin snapped back to himself, looking down at the mat beneath his feet. “I’m fine,” he said, but did not dare take another step forward.
Lu Wanying also hesitated, unwilling to advance.
Haichao quietly breathed out and, together with Liang Ye, stepped forward.
The skeleton was covered by clothing, which Haichao recognized as the garments Steward Li had worn the previous night.
She used her peach-wood sword to lift the clothes and reveal the bones beneath.
The bones were remarkably clean, gleaming with a jade-like luster, without a trace of flesh—almost as if a pack of hungry beasts had meticulously licked every inch.
Yet no beast could have stripped a body so thoroughly, eroding even the joints between the bones.
Though she harbored no fondness for that cunning, deceitful old steward, seeing the shattered bones of someone she had met only hours before stirred a near absurd feeling deep within her.
Liang Ye turned to Su Tingyuan. “Is the medic lady of your household present?”
Su Tingyuan’s gaze flickered, then he shook his head. “She’s been missing since last night. Perhaps she fled after the incident.”
Liang Ye said, “May I borrow a soft measuring tape?”
Su Tingyuan immediately instructed a servant to fetch one.
Without delay, Liang Ye began to pick up the bones one by one, arranging them on the floor to reconstruct the human form.
Su Tingyuan watched from the side and remarked casually, “Didn’t expect an immortal master to know such things.”
Liang Ye replied calmly, “Learning the skeletal meridians is the first lesson in my sect. Nothing surprising.”
Whether Su Tingyuan believed this or not was uncertain, but Haichao knew the truth.
When had he learned these skills? The question deepened her puzzlement.
Once Liang Ye finished assembling the skeleton, and the servant returned with the tape, Liang Ye measured the length of the bones, then separately measured the shinbone and thighbone, examined the ribs, and estimated, “The person was about five feet four inches tall, male, and around sixty years old.”
Lu Wanying, who had remained near the door hesitant to approach, now stood beside Haichao, watching Liang Ye’s measurements with curiosity and finally asked, “How do you determine the age?”
Liang Ye pointed to the junction where the ribs meet the sternum. “In youth, the ends of the ribs are smooth and round. As one ages, they become uneven and jagged at the edges.”
“I see,” Lu Wanying nodded.
Liang Ye put away the tape and returned it to Li Ji, then asked Su Tingyuan, “Did Steward Li ever break his right arm?”
“About six years ago, back in Jianye, Master had an accident and broke his right arm,” Li Ji eagerly volunteered. “I heard him mention it before...”
He looked toward Su Tingyuan, expecting praise, but the master’s face turned icy, and he shot Li Ji a fierce glare. “Too talkative! Is this the place for you to speak? Guard the door outside!”
Li Ji froze, tears welling in his eyes, his lips trembling.
Haichao felt uneasy. She couldn’t understand why Su Tingyuan, who had been so refined and gentle until now, would snap at a young servant who had just lost his foster father.
She looked thoughtfully at Liang Ye, who was watching her intently. Their eyes met, and she knew he, too, had noticed the oddity.
“He’s just a half-grown boy and has lost a parent. Why be so harsh to him?” she said to Su Tingyuan.
Su Tingyuan’s face stiffened but quickly replied, “Little immortal master, you are right. It’s just that the household has been unsettled lately, and I can’t help but be irritable.”
He called Li Ji back and softened his tone. “Go to the accounting office and collect five strings of coins. You don’t have to work this month—rest well. When the matter here is settled, you’ll have a role in Steward Li’s funeral.”
At the mention of reward, joy flickered in Li Ji’s eyes, but seeing the steward’s bones on the floor, sorrow returned. Torn between tears and smiles, he wiped his nose, thanked them, and left.
Su Tingyuan turned to Liang Ye. “Now that the identity of the remains has been confirmed as Steward Li’s...”
Before he could finish, a commotion arose outside.
Su Tingyuan furrowed his brow. “Sounds like the officials have arrived.”
No sooner had he spoken than a group of five or six government officers burst in. Leading them was a man around thirty, dressed in deep teal official robes, wearing a jade belt. Though not burly, his sharp, angular face radiated vigor, and his hawk-like eyes suggested he was skilled in martial arts.
The newcomers glanced at the group with undisguised disdain.
Su Tingyuan hurried forward to bow. “I humbly greet Deputy Magistrate Yu.”
The official gave a perfunctory bow and eyed Liang Ye. “I’ve lived thirty years and this is the first time I’ve seen a Taoist called to examine a corpse.”
Turning to a middle-aged man resembling a coroner carrying a box, he said, “Feng Fourteen, looks like someone’s done your job for you. Why bother showing up?”
The coroner gave a dry laugh.
Liang Ye appeared unfazed, showing not the slightest fear or respect.
Su Tingyuan quickly smoothed things over. “Deputy Magistrate, these are Taoist priests from Qingyun Temple in the capital, invited by me to pray for my wife’s blessing. We happened upon this unfortunate event... I was desperate and sought their help.”
He then introduced Liang Ye, “This is Deputy Magistrate Yu from Yu County.”
Liang Ye merely nodded slightly and stood with his arms folded, offering no formal greeting.
Haichao, who disliked officials, noticed Yu’s haughty demeanor and crossed her arms in silent defiance.
Su Tingyuan, looking helpless, turned to them. “The deputy magistrate wishes to inspect the corpse. Please enjoy some tea in the side room while you wait.”
Liang Ye nodded and gestured goodbye to Haichao.
The two stepped outside, joining Lu Wanying and Cheng Hanlin as they headed toward the side room.
Haichao, disregarding those inside, loudly asked Cheng Hanlin, “Senior Brother Cheng, how high-ranking is the county magistrate? Is he above a Chamberlain?”
Cheng Hanlin answered readily, “Wucheng is prosperous. The county magistrate here is eighth rank, while the Chamberlain is third rank. Little junior sister, I doubt there’s anyone worth comparing.”
“So just an eighth-rank official,” Haichao scoffed. “Small official, big attitude!”
She glanced at Liang Ye. “We have a Chamberlain as a son-in-law, you know.”
Liang Ye frowned slightly, lips tightening, but said nothing.
Haichao laughed quietly at herself. Power was indeed a marvelous thing—even she borrowed the prestige of the Chamberlain to intimidate others from afar.
The four entered the side room, where servants served tea.
After two bowls, Su Tingyuan dismissed the officials in a hurry and rushed over to apologize profusely.
“What did the officers say?” Liang Ye asked.
Su Tingyuan smiled bitterly. “Master Steward Li’s bones have been seen by Immortal Master Liang. Deputy Magistrate Yu is sharp, but he’s just an ordinary man—not capable of handling such a case. Still, since a death occurred, the authorities must go through the motions.”
He paused, then asked Liang Ye, “Can you start the ritual soon to subdue the malicious spirit?”
“No rush,” Liang Ye said, glancing toward the courtyard. “Monsters hide by day and emerge by night. Performing rituals now would be futile.”
Su Tingyuan replied, “Then please rest well until nightfall.”
Liang Ye said, “Although I cannot perform rituals yet, preparations must be made for the necessary implements. I thank you, Master Su, for arranging carriage and horses to take us into the city.”
Su Tingyuan’s expression shifted slightly. “My humble abode has incense, talisman paper, and other items you may need. You’re welcome to use them. If anything is missing, just have a servant fetch it—you need not go yourself.”
Haichao said, “We haven’t explored Wuzhou City yet. It’s a good chance to see something new.”
Saying this so straightforwardly, Su Tingyuan had no grounds to object and ordered the servants to prepare the carriages.
Haichao added, “That young servant, Li Ji—the steward’s godson—he seems idle. Have him accompany us.”
Su Tingyuan started to protest, but Haichao cut him off, continuing, “Besides, we don’t charge for exorcisms. Those ritual implements are expensive. We can’t just lose money. And when traveling, we need at least some tea and meals...”
Su Tingyuan gave in helplessly. “Of course, of course.”
He summoned a servant and ordered funds to be drawn from the accounting office.
“Little immortal master, do you have any other instructions?” Su Tingyuan asked Haichao, his tone half teasing.
Haichao was oblivious. “Nothing else for now. I’ll let you know if I think of anything.”
Once outside the steward’s small courtyard, Cheng Hanlin exhaled deeply.
Haichao asked, “What did you see just now? You looked pale as death.”
Cheng Hanlin smiled bitterly. “I didn’t see anything this time. But as soon as I neared the house, a chill rose from the ground, and I faintly heard strange noises inside the walls.”
“What kind of noise?” Haichao inquired.
Cheng Hanlin shook his head. “I can’t describe it... I’m afraid of repeating past mistakes, so I didn’t approach any closer. Perhaps I was merely distracted and misheard.”
...
Before long, the carriages and funds were ready. As the four reached the gate, they saw Deputy Magistrate Yu and his party preparing to leave.
Yu’s face fell upon seeing them. He turned sharply, stomped on the mounting stone, and was about to mount his horse.
Liang Ye stepped forward. “Deputy Magistrate Yu, please wait.”
Yu glanced at him, eyes sharpening.
He sneered coldly, “What does the Taoist priest want?”
Liang Ye seemed oblivious to the sarcasm. “I seek to cooperate with the deputy magistrate.”
Yu laughed as if hearing a joke. To his men he said, “Did you hear that? This Taoist wants to cooperate with me!”
The men laughed uproariously.
Yu raised his hand, silencing them abruptly.
“I do not need any rituals or incantations.”
Liang Ye remained composed. “Then, Deputy Magistrate, you already have leads on the Su household case?”
Yu’s mocking smile faltered, lips twisting slightly.
“Matters involving supernatural forces are not beyond my use,” Liang Ye said earnestly, stepping back.
“So, you have leads?” Yu asked.
Liang Ye nodded.
Yu studied his face for a long moment before asking, “How do you propose we cooperate?”
“I will, within five days, uncover the origins and details of this case for you,” Liang Ye said. “In return, I ask that you help me find two missing persons.”
Yu pondered briefly, then tossed his head. “Who?”
“One is the Su household’s medic, surnamed Qin, who disappeared last night without a trace.”
“And the other?”
“A Taoist priest from Dongxuan Temple in Jianye.”
Yu chuckled. “That’s a good deal for me.”
He paused. “There’s no need to search for that Taoist priest anymore. Early this morning, a hunter found a male corpse in the mountains outside the city, bearing identifying marks—it’s the Dongxuan Temple priest.”
“What was the cause of death?”
“Likely while traveling at night, he encountered thieves who killed him for his possessions,” Yu said. “Such incidents are common.”
Liang Ye nodded.
“Five days, it’s a deal,” Yu said.
“Very well. Thank you for your efforts, Deputy Magistrate.”
Yu swung onto his horse. “I’ll turn Wucheng upside down if I have to, but I’ll find that Qin medic for you.”