Chapter 30: Zhang Xuan, the Plump Taoist

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Though Cai Wei claimed there wasn’t much to offer, soon enough the table in the private room upstairs was filled with a lavish spread, making Bai Xian’s mouth water in anticipation.

After days on the road, surviving on nothing but compressed biscuits and bread, the only hot meal she’d had was half a bowl of meat porridge in a crumbling temple. It had truly been a wretched few days.

On the other side of the table, the plump Taoist was already feasting, grease glistening on his lips, and only lamenting that he’d not been born with a second mouth.

Bai Xian couldn’t help but ask, “Daoist Zhang, what brought you down from the mountain?”

Zhang Xuan was momentarily stunned, then sheepishly wiped his greasy hands on his robe.

“It hasn’t rained in our area for a year. We’re suffering from famine, and the mountain can’t support so many Taoists. So, our master had us draw lots with chopsticks—whoever drew the red stick would have to descend the mountain. My luck was poor; I was the first to draw, and it was the red stick, so here I am.”

Saying this, the plump Taoist gave a bashful smile, seemingly regretting his fate.

Yet Bai Xian caught the underlying meaning. The first to draw the red stick? More likely, the lot was stacked with red sticks, meant specifically to send Zhang Xuan down the mountain.

But as this was the business of another’s sect, Bai Xian thought it best not to meddle. Besides, it was not a cheerful matter—better to let the plump Taoist remain in the dark.

As the host, Cai Wei noticed the shift in mood and promptly stood.

“I, Cai Wei, am indebted to you for saving my life at Blackwater Pit that day. Miss Bai, please, make yourself at home—this cup I drink to you!”

With that, Cai Wei drained his cup in a single motion.

Bai Xian was not much of a drinker, but she met the first toast with equal decisiveness. Tilting her head back, her fair, slender neck was exposed as the wine slipped past her red lips and disappeared.

Compared to the potent spirits of the modern era, the liquor of this world was milder, lacking the harsh burn, though it still set her cheeks aflame.

Even the plump Taoist beside her seemed entranced by the sight.

Cai Wei kept his eyes respectfully lowered and changed the subject. “Please, enjoy the food!”

Bai Xian picked up her chopsticks and began eating heartily.

Between bites and sips, the conversation naturally turned back to the case of cannibalism.

Once she had sated her hunger a bit, Bai Xian recounted to Cai Wei her encounter with the black-robed figure after entering the city, hoping to glean some information from him and see if it might be connected to the cannibal case.

“These past days, there hasn’t been any sign of black-robed figures, nor have there been any reports at the crime scenes. Could it be they came for you specifically?”

Among those entering the city at the time were guards from the Shunfeng Escort Agency and demon-catchers from the Demon Suppression Tower. It was plausible the black-robed fiend had been targeting Yue Wenying.

This explanation made sense, but Bai Xian shook her head.

“The black-robed figure wasn’t after Yue Wenying or Yang Xian, but He Shan in our group. After He Shan fled, the black-robed figure tried to pursue, but when blocked, only sought to escape himself.”

“He Shan?” Cai Wei frowned, the scar on his face drawing together. “I recall the name—just an ordinary guard. Why would the black-robed villain go to such lengths to kill him?”

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Bai Xian then recounted what had happened in the ruined temple.

“That does sound peculiar,” Cai Wei said thoughtfully. “Tomorrow I’ll send someone to keep watch at his home. We’ll bring him in for questioning and see what he has to say.”

Bai Xian could only agree. For now, He Shan was missing, there were no leads on the black-robed figure, and the cannibal case was as baffling as ever.

The Green Leather Book remained unclear—whether their true target was the black-robed figure or the cannibal, she still couldn’t say.

All they could do was wait for news from the search for He Shan, and see if Yue Wenying uncovered anything useful, then make their next move.

After several rounds of wine and a variety of dishes, Cai Wei arranged for Bai Xian and the plump Taoist to rest in the inn’s guest rooms before taking his leave.

As Bai Xian was taking off her Water Treading Boots, a knock came at the door.

Opening it, she found a young servant girl, struggling to carry a large bucket filled with steaming hot water.

“Miss, I’ve brought the hot water you asked for.”

The girl looked to be about ten, lively and quick-witted, with two little braids, slightly out of breath from lugging the bucket.

Bai Xian quickly took the water and thanked her.

As the girl turned to leave, Bai Xian fished two milk candies from her small treasury and handed them over.

“What are these?”

“Candy.”

The girl had never seen milk candy before and was captivated by the white wrapper adorned with a plump white rabbit, clutching it like a treasure.

Bai Xian unwrapped one and placed the sweet in the girl’s mouth.

One taste, and the girl’s eyes squinted with delight, her face lit with disbelief and happiness.

Bai Xian couldn’t resist ruffling her hair.

“What’s your name? How old are you?”

“I’m Ma Er Ya, nine this year…”

“Er Ya, what are you doing up there? Come down and wash the dishes!”

Hearing the call from downstairs, Er Ya remembered her chores and dashed off in a hurry.

Just as she reached the staircase, she remembered her manners, turned back, and called out a sweet thank you to Bai Xian before running downstairs—almost slipping and tumbling in her haste.

“Careful, you silly girl, always so scatterbrained…”

“Er Ya is not silly!”

Listening to their banter below, Bai Xian smiled and closed the door.

She poured the boiling water into the bath barrel, mixing it with the cool water already prepared.

Once the temperature was just right, Bai Xian undressed and slid into the bath, letting the warm water envelop every inch of her skin.

A soft, involuntary moan escaped her lips—a sound of comfort, tinged with pain.

…

The night passed in peace.

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The next morning.

After spending the night at the yamen, Yue Wenying strode into the inn, fully armed with his iron bow slung over his shoulder and a long saber at his waist. His hawk-like eyes swept the room before he sat at a table.

“A bowl of noodles—the large one, and extra chili.”

“Right away, sir—please wait a moment!”

Across the table, a girl in a grey dress looked up from her bowl, her cheeks flushed from the heat.

“You’re awfully fiery for so early in the morning. Did you learn anything useful last night?”

“That scar-faced fellow was right—the yamen is full of useless good-for-nothings. Ask them anything besides eating, drinking, gambling, or whoring, and they’re at a loss.”

Had Bai Xian not asked, Yue Wenying might have kept his peace, but at her question, his eyebrows shot up in anger, drawing curious glances from the other patrons.

The previous night, Yue Wenying had attended the banquet, and after the meal, had County Magistrate Zeng Zhichang summon the constable in charge of the cannibal case.

He had hoped to glean some useful information, but the supposedly efficient head constable had never even been to the crime scene.

Everything he knew about the case came secondhand from his subordinates. When Yue Wenying pressed for details, the man’s lies unraveled, and Yue Wenying lost his temper, beating him up on the spot.

They’d hoped to start the investigation yesterday, but were delayed by endless nonsense all night—no wonder Yue Wenying was furious.

If the chief scribe hadn’t run fast enough, he’d have caught a few slaps as well.

“Don’t worry—Cai Wei has already sent people to search for He Shan. Jinjiang County isn’t that big; we’ll have news soon,” Bai Xian reassured him. “Once we’ve had breakfast, let’s visit the jail and see the cannibal they captured.”

With his credentials as a demon-catcher, Yue Wenying had no trouble gaining access to the county jail.

Soon, a steaming bowl of noodles was set before him, and Yue Wenying polished it off in a few quick bites.

He wiped his mouth. “Where’s Zhang Xuan?”

“Here I am!”

At the staircase, the plump Taoist Zhang Xuan hurried down, his flesh jiggling with every step, resembling a bouncing ball.

“Are you coming with us?”

The Taoist might look comical, but his spiritual skills were formidable.

“Slaying demons and evil is the sacred duty of my order—of course I’ll go,” he declared with righteous fervor. “But let me eat something first—boss, a bowl of noodles, please…”

Just then, Cai Wei burst into the inn, breathless and visibly flustered.

Seeing everyone gathered, he hurried over and lowered his voice.

“News just came—the county jail is on fire.”

“What?!”

Bai Xian leapt to her feet.

Cai Wei and Yue Wenying each seized one of Zhang Xuan’s arms—despite his protests about missing breakfast—and the four of them rushed toward the jail.