A month prior, at this very tea stall, a woman holding an infant lured a group of lecherous men, following them to a dilapidated temple. The lechers thought they had found a willing wench, unaware they had stumbled upon a life-taking fiend.
Later, officials from Xiling Prefecture arrived. Once the news spread, everyone learned that the woman in coarse cloth, cradling an infant that day, was none other than the life-claiming demoness of the Ghost Fiend Gate—Mei Sha!
Out of more than ten people, only one scholar survived.
Initially, people gossiped that the scholar, who usually appeared as a rigid, pedantic bookworm, was also a lecher. He had saved his life simply because he had a relatively clean-looking face.
Later, it was revealed by members of the Ghost Fiend Gate that Mei Sha spared the scholar’s life because he was pedantic and foolish. In other words, it was because the scholar hadn't gone to the temple with lustful intentions to share in the spoils, but rather felt that a true man knew what to do and what not to do. Seeing someone attempting to bully a woman in broad daylight, he couldn't just ignore it.
Therefore, he lived.
However, those who knew the scholar well said that living like this was worse than dying.
Although men did not value their reputation as highly as women, being forced by a woman was, after all, a great humiliation. Moreover, before that, he had witnessed a scene like a living hell. Now that he had met such a fate, one could not help but wonder if he would make the same choice if time could be turned back.
Upon hearing this, Luan Wencheng decided to find the scholar after entering the city. As it neared noon, he rose and headed into the city.
Xiling was not as prosperous as the capital. Although it was situated by mountains and water, making it a rare place of beauty, it was near the Ghost Fiend Gate. The sect's influence subtly overshadowed the government. Every month, during the middle of the month, the Ghost Fiend Gate would send people into the city to collect ‘monthly dues’ from the vendors, under the guise of protection fees.
The merchants suffered immensely but were powerless to resist. It wasn't just ordinary people; even the government, intimidated by the Ghost Fiend Gate’s power, dared not speak out. Once, a county magistrate had merely cursed the Ghost Fiend Gate for violating the law with martial arts, calling them scoundrels. That very day, he fell from a bridge, his head bashed open by an approaching boat. Since then, officials assigned here turned a blind eye to the Ghost Fiend Gate's actions.
The scholar lived on East Street. He had lost his husband early in life and was raised by his mother. Now, before even achieving fame, he had suffered a great misfortune. His mother wept daily and, falling ill some time ago, had also passed away. Now, only the scholar remained alone.
Luan Wencheng knocked on the door, but no one answered. Seeing the door unlocked, he pushed it open and entered.
The willow tree by the courtyard had withered. The bench beneath it had a broken leg and was covered in a layer of dust. The water缸 holding clear water had a large hole and was being used as a makeshift shelter by rats. The smell of fermented and rotten food wafted out with the wind, making one cover their nose and mouth.
Beside the water缸, a bare foot was visible.
Luan Wencheng strode in, his subordinates following closely. After the last person stepped into the courtyard, he turned and closed the door.
Luan Wencheng walked around to the back of the water缸, lowering his head slightly. "Scholar Yuan Chenghao?"
The scholar did not look up.
Luan Wencheng crouched down, looking at the disheveled scholar before him. The scholar hung his head, a low chuckle escaping his lips.
"All dead, all dead!"
"All dead, all dead!"
He first murmured, then screamed towards the sky with wild abandon. Suddenly, he looked at Luan Wencheng, his smile stretched so wide it almost split his ears. His wide eyes were filled with madness and terror. His exaggerated expression contorted his features, making him resemble a beast whose claws were bound and neck choked, its teeth shattered, able to do nothing but roar and wail.
Luan Wencheng grabbed the scholar by the neck and lifted him from the ground. The scholar, who had been acting maniacally, suddenly quieted.
"Do you want revenge?"
Luan Wencheng’s voice was low, casual as if discussing the weather. Something flickered in the scholar's lowered eyes, but he remained silent, allowing Luan Wencheng to tighten his grip, treating him as prey.
As Luan Wencheng’s fingers tightened, he noticed the scholar’s increasingly purplish face. With his other hand, he grabbed the scholar's hair, forcing the scholar to lift his head.
"I'll give you a chance. Starting today, within the next five days, if you come to your senses, lie outside the door with a bowl. No matter the time, I will come to fetch you."
"Remember, only five days."
As Luan Wencheng finished speaking, he tossed the man to the ground, flicking his hand with disdain, wishing he could scrub his palms thoroughly with soap immediately.
Leaving the scholar’s residence, Luan Wencheng and his men found an inn to stay.
"Boss, I don't understand. What's the point of you talking so much to a madman?" Luan Wencheng's subordinate was genuinely puzzled. He had expected his boss to inquire about Mei Sha's affairs with Yuan Chenghao. To his surprise, not only did his boss ask nothing, but he also said those words to the madman. What could a madman understand? Wasn't this like playing the lute to a cow!
Luan Wencheng washed his hands twice. Hearing the question, he turned and said, "He's not mad!"
"Not mad?"
"He put on a good act, but he's not quite there yet."
The first time Luan Wencheng saw Yuan Chenghao, he knew he wasn't mad. But why was he pretending to be? Popular rumor had it that he had gone mad after being unable to bear the blow of his mother's death. So, could it be assumed that his mother's death was not an accident?
Luan Wencheng couldn't figure it out. Yuan Chenghao had fallen to such a state; who would want to trouble this pitiful person? But it was inevitably related to the Ghost Fiend Gate. Since it couldn't be separated, it could be considered a path to take.
The Regent hadn't said much, but his investigation had indeed confirmed the King’s words: the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Feng Quan, had been captured by the Ghost Fiend Gate.
The Ghost Fiend Gate was located on the summit of Chongshan, a place with treacherous terrain and easily defended. A frontal assault was impossible. To ascend, an inside informant was needed. This Yuan Chenghao, having narrowly escaped death and having some connection to Mei Sha, could potentially become a sharp weapon inserted into the enemy's heart if utilized properly.
Luan Wencheng did not wish to elaborate. He simply instructed, "From now on, for the next five days, you will guard Yuan Chenghao's house. If you see him acting as I instructed, report to me."
"Yes!"
...
Before the memorial concerning the outbreak of war on the border reached Ji Hong's dragon desk, Ji Jinmo had already received the news. Ever since he led the Demon Hunting Army to slaughter the Great Li Imperial Army at Changming Slope, the peaceful years of the past decade were likely at an end.
'Women in power bring ruin to the nation and calamity to the people.'
'Marriage to a foreign land harms the national destiny!'
Nan Shiying repeatedly recited these sixteen characters, letting out a cold laugh: "My lord, Your Majesty, our Prime Minister truly has eyes and ears everywhere!"