Chapter 24: This Case Isn’t Simple
Shi Hao said, “I ran into that Yuan Jia last night. Since he’s from the Six Gates, he naturally has ways of finding out my identity based on my appearance.
“More importantly, they don’t know how much I know. They think that since I was able to track them to that location, I must be aware of their activities, so they’re trying to preemptively strike, making false accusations to protect themselves.”
Du Yuejiao said angrily, “Those despicable villains!”
Daoist Lan Ke stroked his beard, “That’s how the Six Gates operates. They have power and are used to abusing it. False accusations and framing innocent people are their specialties. It’s usually quite effective.”
Du Yuejiao said, worried, “If they can’t attack openly, they’ll resort to other methods.”
She looked at Daoist Lan Ke, “Uncle, why don’t you let Brother Shi stay at Ming Kun Monastery? Those Six Gates thugs wouldn’t dare cause trouble there.”
Daoist Lan Ke smiled, “It’s rare to see you so concerned about someone. Since I’ve already claimed him as my disciple, there’s no problem with him staying at the monastery.”
Shi Hao feigned hesitation, “Well…”
The best way to uncover the truth behind the “God-Sealing” experiment was to infiltrate Ming Kun Monastery.
As the saying went, “How can one enter the tiger’s lair and not capture its cub?” In that sense, the Six Gates’ actions had actually helped him.
But he had to pretend to be hesitant.
Du Yuejiao tugged at his sleeve and whispered, “Brother Shi, please listen to me. Stay at Ming Kun Monastery. Those people won’t dare touch you there.”
Shi Hao pretended to consider it, then nodded, “Alright, but I need to go to the Yuan Rong Merchant Guild and also retrieve some things from my residence.”
Du Yuejiao said cheerfully, “I’ll go with you.”
Daoist Lan Ke smiled, “Then I’ll leave you two alone. I’ll return to the monastery.” He flicked his whisk and left.
As they walked, Shi Hao said, “Thank you for your help at the courthouse, Miss Du… Yuejiao. But I’m worried about damaging your reputation. I’m truly sorry for any trouble this might cause you.”
Du Yuejiao lowered her head and whispered, “If it weren’t for you, Brother Shi, I would be dead. Reputation means nothing. You’re a righteous man. I was the one who acted rashly, causing this misunderstanding, damaging your reputation.”
Shi Hao smiled, “I’m a man. What do I have to lose? It’s you I’m worried about.”
They reached the Yuan Rong Merchant Guild’s headquarters. Deng Liang greeted them, “Brother Hao, I’m glad you’re alright.”
Shi Hao smiled, “You were the one who alerted the local merchants and gentry, weren’t you? That’s why there were so many people at the courthouse.”
Deng Liang grinned, “I was worried those Six Gates thugs might try something, so I spread the news.”
He pulled Shi Hao aside, glanced at Du Yuejiao, and chuckled, “You’re quite the charmer, Brother Hao. Even her… you’re amazing!”
Shi Hao, seeing his friend’s suggestive wink, remembered his earlier comments about Du Yuejiao:
—”Although she’s beautiful, she’s incredibly arrogant, like a celestial being, her words as sharp as needles.”
—”In my opinion, whoever marries that girl must have committed terrible sins in a past life.”
He shook his head, amused, and, pulling Deng Liang along, went to Du Yuejiao, “Yuejiao, this is my good friend, Deng Liang. He’s the young guild master here, and also the young master of the Jin Jin Yin Xiu Silk Emporium. They produce the finest silk in Jin Prefecture. You must have met before.”
Du Yuejiao, her hands clasped before her, curtsied gracefully, “Greetings, Brother Deng.”
Deng Liang, flustered by her unexpected politeness, stammered, “Greetings, Sister-in-Law! Greetings!”
Du Yuejiao blushed but said nothing.
After chatting with Deng Liang for a while, they left. Deng Liang escorted them to the entrance, where Du Yuejiao, surprisingly, curtsied again before leaving with Shi Hao. He couldn’t help but exclaim, “Amazing, Brother Hao! You’ve tamed even that shrew.”
Shi Hao returned to his residence to gather his belongings, then hired a carriage and went to Ming Kun Monastery with Du Yuejiao.
Inside the monastery, Du Yuejiao led him to a secluded courtyard filled with medicinal herbs, alchemy rooms, and the faint scent of incense.
In the distance stood a large, cylindrical, bronze hall with an octagonal roof, the sounds of clanging metal echoing from within.
Du Yuejiao said, “My uncle is one of the Chongxian Sect’s Twelve Perfected Ones. He’s a master craftsman and alchemist. Most of the divine crystals obtained by our temples are sent here for him to forge into magical weapons. And he also refines many elixirs and medicines.”
They entered an alchemy room, where Daoist Lan Ke was busy sorting and preparing herbs, carefully placing them into a steaming cauldron.
The heat emanating from the cauldron was intense, even Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao, standing by the entrance, felt uncomfortable. Daoist Lan Ke, however, seemed oblivious, working diligently amidst the steam.
Du Yuejiao called out, “Uncle! Brother Shi is here.”
Daoist Lan Ke, without turning around, said, “Good, good. Have him find an empty room in the courtyard.”
Du Yuejiao led Shi Hao away, “That’s how he is. He doesn’t usually handle the monastery’s affairs. He spends all his time on crafting, alchemy, and his… experiments.
“I heard he could have been promoted to a higher position within the sect, but he didn’t get along with the others, so he requested a transfer to this branch.”
She led Shi Hao to an empty room, explained the monastery’s meal times, and then left.
Shi Hao cleaned the dusty room, clearly unoccupied for a long time, lay down on the hard wooden bed, and began cultivating.
He heard steady footsteps outside, and then a man’s voice, “Senior Brother!”
Daoist Lan Ke’s voice followed, “Junior Brother Song Cui, what brings you here in such a hurry?”
The man said, “I heard you took on an outer disciple without authorization and are letting him stay at Ming Kun Monastery.”
Daoist Lan Ke said, “That’s right.”
The man said, his tone laced with displeasure, “Senior Brother, accepting a disciple and teaching him our techniques without informing the sect is forbidden. And I’m the abbot here. You didn’t even consult me.”
Daoist Lan Ke chuckled, “I just happened to find a cultivation manual and a sword technique. I saw this young man, noticed his talent, and gave them to him. If you have a problem with him staying here, Junior Brother, I’ll take him and leave. I won’t be back for a few years.”
The man hesitated, then said angrily, “What do you mean? You can’t just leave now, with everything that’s happening…”
Daoist Lan Ke said, “You call this a mess? I’m just a researcher. You were the one who wanted to take all the credit and didn’t report the God-Sealing Stones to the sect. And you were the one who let that thief steal the information. I didn’t say anything. I’m willing to share the blame.
“And now you’re giving me trouble for taking on a disciple and letting him stay here for a few days? Really, Junior Brother… I mean, Abbot?”
The man paused, his voice now subdued, “Since he’s your disciple, Senior Brother, I won’t interfere. But as the abbot, I have a duty to inquire about new disciples, especially those brought here without prior notice.
“Since he’s your disciple, I’ll register him and report it to the sect.”
Daoist Lan Ke said, “Good! Good! Thank you, Abbot.”
The footsteps faded away.
Shi Hao got up and went outside. Daoist Lan Ke was sorting herbs, tossing them in a large winnowing basket.
Shi Hao said, “I apologize for the trouble, Senior.”
Daoist Lan Ke chuckled, “It’s no trouble at all. That Yuejiao girl, she’s always been so proud and aloof. I was worried she wouldn’t be able to survive in the jianghu. Having you look after her puts my mind at ease. You’re the one I should be thanking.”
Shi Hao said, “You’re too kind, Senior. I heard you’re a master craftsman and alchemist. Would you be willing to teach me?”
Daoist Lan Ke put down the basket, stroked his beard, and smiled, “I would be delighted to. Come, come, let’s start with the basics.” He handed Shi Hao the basket, showed him how to sort the herbs, and then went back to his work.
Shi Hao felt like he had become an unpaid laborer.
Of course, learning alchemy was beneficial.
Although the Holy Jade Immortal had given him the recipe for the seventh-rank elixir, without alchemy skills, he would have to rely on others, which could be troublesome.
He spent the afternoon assisting Daoist Lan Ke, asking questions, which the old Daoist, despite his constant demands and instructions, answered patiently and thoroughly.
As evening approached, a young acolyte arrived, “Are you Brother Shi Hao? We have a guest. Please come to the Wei Xiang Pavilion.”
A guest? Shi Hao wondered.
After asking for directions, he went to the Wei Xiang Pavilion.
That morning, most of the Daoists had been attending their morning lessons, so the monastery had seemed relatively empty. Now, however, many people were coming and going.
The Chongxian Sect, claiming to be the orthodox leader of the Daoist sects, even this branch temple was grand and opulent, its grounds extensive, filled with pavilions and courtyards.
In a large training ground, young men in light green tunics practiced swordsmanship under the guidance of a Daoist priest. These disciples, trained en masse, weren’t direct disciples of the Perfected Ones or Recluses, their status far lower than inner disciples like Du Yuejiao.
They weren’t taught the orthodox Daoist internal energy cultivation techniques but other martial arts collected by the Chongxian Sect. Most would only reach the ninth rank, perhaps a few the eighth, if they were lucky.
However, a large number of ninth-rank martial artists, although not considered elite, still formed a considerable force, the foundation of the Chongxian Sect’s power.
And for many children from poor families, even becoming a small part of this foundation was a significant step up in life.
He reached the Wei Xiang Pavilion, a beautiful and elegant building surrounded by flowers and trees, its entrance flanked by incense burners. The sound of girls’ voices came from within.
“Brother Shi, you’re here,” Du Yuejiao greeted him, “Please come in.”
Shi Hao entered and saw not only Du Yuejiao but also Yue Ya’er and County Mistress Li Tong.
Yue Ya’er, wearing a flower garland and a colorful dress, looked like a flower herself. The smallest of the three, her attire made her appear even more youthful and charming.
County Mistress Li Tong, in a more subdued green and red dress with a butterfly pattern, seemed quieter and more reserved.
Du Yuejiao wore her usual Daoist robe, but this one was a light green, embroidered with the yin-yang symbol of the Daoist sects, along with pink flower petals and cloud patterns.
The robe, although brightly colored, still had an ethereal, otherworldly quality.
“Brother Shi, please have a seat,” Du Yuejiao said softly, gesturing towards a chair.
Li Tong and Yue Ya’er looked at Du Yuejiao, their expressions a mixture of surprise and confusion, as if they didn’t recognize her.
Shi Hao wondered what their impression of Du Yuejiao had been before.
He sat down, and Du Yuejiao, looking at him, said, “Sister Yue Ya’er heard about the incident this morning and came to find out what happened. I’ve already told her everything.”
Yue Ya’er, hands on her hips, said, her voice filled with indignation, “So, the Six Gates are involved in this child trafficking ring? No wonder they couldn’t find anything. If I hadn’t come here, I would have been wasting my time in Jin Prefecture.”
County Mistress Li Tong said softly, “Wasting your time would be the best-case scenario. More likely, they would have just arrested some random people, forced a confession, and closed the case.
“Although I’m familiar with the Six Gates’ corruption and incompetence, I still can’t believe they would be directly involved in something like this.”
Shi Hao shook his head, “This case isn’t that simple.”
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