There is someone backing Forty.

Dong Zhanchu glanced behind him and said, “Father, you cannot see it. It’s an invisible ghost, one that has been following me all this time.”

“That’s impossible!” the Magistrate Dong replied. “No spirit or demon can enter the Dong residence without revealing itself!”

A strange voice cackled, “But here I am, trailing you day after day. What do you say to that?”

Dong Zhanchu, agitated and furious, shouted, “It was you, wretched ghost, who led me to seek out the Imprint Immortal, bringing disaster upon my father and me, nearly costing us our lives!”

The eerie voice let out a cold laugh. “Dong Zhanchu, when your own life was threatened, you abandoned Yin’er without hesitation.”

Dong Zhanchu retorted, “Abandoned or not, so long as I survive, I needn’t worry about having another son in the future.”

“You still hope for a son?” The strange voice burst into laughter. “Tell me, what child, blinded at birth, would dare reincarnate into such a cruel family, trading lives so callously?”

Dong Zhanchu trembled violently, gasping as he spun in circles, his clouded gaze searching the emptiness. In a hoarse voice, he demanded, “Who are you? Who are you really?”

Suddenly, the voice transformed, becoming a seductive woman’s tone: “Husband, after months apart, have you forgotten me?”

Dong Zhanchu froze in shock, and the Magistrate’s expression changed dramatically.

Dong Zhanchu’s voice was thick with terror. “Impossible. You are dead. Dead.”

“Yes, I am dead,” the voice replied. “You strangled me yourself in the wastelands, buried me beneath the earth. I am certainly dead. Without death, how could I become a vengeful ghost? Hehehe… Soon, you both will join me as spirits. If you fail to find Yin’er before midnight on the fifteenth of the seventh month, the demon tree will wither, and both of you must face judgment in the underworld. Your crimes, just the list of murdered infants, would fill countless pages. The officials who record sins in the underworld will have their work cut out for them.” The woman’s laughter rang out, sharp and piercing.

*

By the lotus pond, Qingyin looked at Yulan and asked, “Yulan, after spending these days with Dong Zhanchu, what do you think of him?”

Yulan played with Yin’er, who sat on her lap, and smiled shyly. “He’s a refined and elegant scholar.”

Qingyin asked, “Is he a refined scholar now, or was he one in the past?”

Yulan replied, puzzled, “A scholar is a scholar, past or future, what’s the difference?”

Qingyin said, “People change. Besides, even a scholar from a century ago is only your brief impression. Human nature is complex; to truly see someone’s real self is no easy task.”

Yulan blinked her watery eyes in confusion. “What are you talking about? I don’t understand… Oh, I forgot to tell you,” she curved her lips into a sweet smile, “I’ve reunited with the scholar.”

“Reunited?”

“Yes, I told him I was the magnolia tree from the small courtyard in Youdu a hundred years ago, the one that kept him company while he studied. He was both surprised and delighted, and said no wonder he always felt a sense of familiarity, as if we’d known each other in a past life.” At this, her cheeks flushed, unable to hide her joy.

Yet Qingyin felt a chill in her heart. Clearly, these two had revealed their feelings, pledging themselves to one another. She had just been preparing to warn Yulan, that Dong Zhanchu was actually a timid and selfish man, urging her to sever her affection for him. Now, she found it hard to speak.

Hard as it was, it had to be said. If she didn’t make Yulan break off her attachment now, she would suffer deeper pain later. Just as she was about to speak, Mo Tu returned.

Mo Tu said, “It’s clear now. The Magistrate Dong is controlled by a demon lord, possessing the demon tree, which feeds on the life blood of infants born at midnight on the fifteenth of the seventh month, producing strange fruit to offer its master. The tree’s evil miasma poisons the land for miles around. The rat spirits in the Dong residence are not true cultivators, but ordinary rats corrupted by the evil energy, thus lacking any spiritual nature and completely enslaved.

Because of the demon tree, each year in Jiaozhou, an infant born at that fated hour is set aside for its use. Dong Zhanchu’s longevity is sustained by stealing the life span of these early-dying infants. Now, retribution has come, and his own son has been chosen.”

Qingyin was shaken. “Such a wicked demon must not go unchallenged.”

Mo Tu said, “It’s simple to end this. While the demon tree is weak from injury, destroy it; Dong father and son will die instantly, and no one will threaten Yin’er again. The mist has cleared; I cannot use my powers, but you can. Just shoot an arrow at the tree, and all will be resolved.”

Yulan cried out in alarm, “Don’t!”

Qingyin turned stern. “Yulan, you heard what Mo Tu just said. Dong Zhanchu is not the scholar you imagine; he survives by killing infants and stealing their life force. Such a vile creature—how can you still bear to let go?”

Yulan shook her head vehemently. “I don’t believe he’s that kind of person. Besides, he loves Yin’er deeply and has always tried to save him—I saw it myself. He would never harm Yin’er.”

Mo Tu sneered, “He won’t harm Yin’er, only so long as it doesn’t threaten his own life. Now that this coward fears he’ll die if he doesn’t abandon Yin’er, watch what he’ll choose.”

Her beloved criticized so harshly, Yulan was furious. “Just watch! See what he does!”

Mo Tu bristled his whiskers, about to step forward and teach this foolish little tree spirit a lesson. Yulan, casting aside her usual fear of him, raised her foot as if to kick him. Qingyin hurriedly scooped up the black cat, holding him in her arms, and soothed both sides, “Don’t fight, don’t fight…”

It took much effort to calm them.

Qingyin stroked the black cat’s neck to comfort him. “Yulan is blinded by affection right now; such a harsh solution is hard for her to accept. Only by letting her witness Dong Zhanchu’s true nature will she wake up.”

Mo Tu, soothed, let out a few grumbles. “There is another way. If they fail to find Yin’er before midnight on the fifteenth, the demon tree will perish, and the matter will be resolved. Tomorrow is the fifteenth.”

Qingyin asked, “How do you know?”

“A person no one can see told me.”

Qingyin grew anxious. “Then we must take Yin’er and leave at once, hide him somewhere safe.”

Yulan, unwilling, hugged the child tightly. “You all go. I won’t.”

Mo Tu said, “The Dong father and son can command rat spirits; their numbers are vast and they get in everywhere. Who can say where is truly safe? Right now, the most dangerous place is the safest.”

Qingyin pondered. “You mean…”

“Stay right here,” Mo Tu turned to Yulan. “Yulan, transform yourself into a tree beside the pavilion, and hide Yin’er within your trunk. Until this is resolved, do not reveal yourself, and keep Yin’er hidden. We’ll stay in the pavilion to guard him.”

Yulan was confused. “Why?”

“No need to ask. When the time comes, someone will explain. While no one’s around, hurry and transform,” said Mo Tu.

Yulan hesitated but carried Yin’er to the pavilion’s edge. Her figure shimmered like a reflection on water, then became a robust magnolia tree. Yin’er vanished, presumably hidden within the trunk.

From inside the tree came faint cries; Yin’er was likely frightened by the sudden darkness. Qingyin hurried to the altar in the pavilion and fetched some fruit and pastries, offering them at the tree’s base. A hollow opened in the trunk, and she tossed the food inside.

All fell quiet.

Mo Tu spoke to the tree, “Once he’s fed, cast a spell to make him sleep. Whatever happens, do not reveal yourself.”

The leaves quivered in response.

With everything settled, Qingyin, weary from a sleepless night, sat on a cushion in the pavilion and reached for the black cat. “Mo Tu, show your true form, grow bigger and softer, let me rest on you for a while…”

“In broad daylight? It would expose our presence,” the black cat replied, but then stretched and transformed into human shape. He bent down, scooped her up, sat against the incense table, and settled her on his lap, cradling her.

Qingyin was startled and instinctively tried to sit up, but he pressed her head back down. “Didn’t you say you wanted to rest?”

Her face was pressed to his chest, and she murmured, “I meant I wanted to lie on the big cat…”

“But that’s still me, isn’t it?” he said impatiently.

He was right. Qingyin relaxed, settling comfortably in his embrace. It was very pleasant. Mo Tu picked a fruit from the table and handed it to her.

“Mm, thank you.” Qingyin wiped the fruit on his sleeve and prepared to bite it.

Overhead came an order, “Feed me.”

Feeding the cat was her duty, so she offered the fruit, bite by bite, to the greedy mouth…

The two drowsed together in the pavilion. At noon, a figure approached along the path, light-footed and clad in flowing robes. Peering closely, it was Dong Zhanchu, restored to his youthful appearance.

“He’s young again,” Qingyin whispered.

Mo Tu replied, “Perhaps the demon tree has poured its power into Dong Zhanchu, letting him regain vitality temporarily.”

Both stood up as he drew near.

Dong Zhanchu saw the unfamiliar man and looked surprised and suspicious. “Who is this?”

Qingyin replied, “He’s my black cat.”

Dong Zhanchu recalled his father mentioning this black cat as a celestial beast, and became timid, stepping back and avoiding Mo Tu’s gaze. Turning to Qingyin, he bowed. “Imprint Immortal, have you seen Yulan?”

Qingyin said, “No, I haven’t.”

He glanced at her face, clearly unconvinced. “Yulan left with Yin’er, and I don’t know where they’ve gone. I’m very worried. If you know their whereabouts, please tell me.”

Qingyin replied, “Then I’ll be frank. Today is the fifteenth day of the first month. As you requested, to keep Yin’er safe, I had Yulan hide him somewhere secure. I am here performing rituals to break curses. Once tonight passes, your lively son will be returned to you.”

“Oh?” His eyes flickered. “Where is he hidden?”

Qingyin said, “To prevent eavesdroppers, I’ll keep it secret for now.”

He hesitated, his eyes betraying uncertainty. “Very well. I leave everything to you, Imprint Immortal.”

With that, he turned to go.

Mo Tu suddenly called out, “Wait.”

Dong Zhanchu paused, head lowered, not daring to meet Mo Tu’s eyes.

Mo Tu stepped forward, circling him twice, his sharp gaze scrutinizing Dong Zhanchu. “Young Master Dong, you bear heavy misfortune—an evil spirit clings to you.”

Dong Zhanchu trembled, face filled with terror. “Yes! Please, Immortal, drive it away for me!”

Mo Tu asked, “Do you know who the spirit is?”

Dong Zhanchu hesitated, then shook his head. “No, I don’t know how I attracted such a wandering ghost.”

Mo Tu’s eyes held a cold smile. “Are you sure you don’t know?”

“I truly don’t.” Though he said so, his guilty demeanor betrayed him.

Mo Tu moved behind him, his expression darkening. “Then let this ghost tell you herself who she is!”

“What?!” Dong Zhanchu was startled. There was a tearing sound, a chill on his back, as Mo Tu slit his clothing.

Dong Zhanchu was facing away from the pavilion; Qingyin, standing inside, saw what was revealed and cried out in alarm.

Dong Zhanchu, panicked, tried to look at his own back but could not; he spun in place, voice trembling, “What? What is it? Is there something?”

Mo Tu quickly returned to Qingyin, holding her close and soothing her gently. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

She buried her head in his chest, clutching his collar tightly, gradually regaining composure. Forcing herself to look again at Dong Zhanchu’s back, she still felt horrified, goosebumps rising all over.

From the torn hole in Dong Zhanchu’s clothes emerged a face—a woman’s face, grown into his back, fused with his skin and muscles.

A woman’s face.

Author’s Note:
Did it scare you? Did it? Did it? Did it? w(?Д?)w
Half-Immortal Imprint 40—Back Has Someone—update complete!