Chapter Fifty-Two: Yan Wang

This was a tile-roofed house, not quite dilapidated, but aged and mottled with time. Dust and fallen leaves lay scattered, untouched by any broom. Qingyuan led Gu Cang to the threshold, standing outside and calling out in a clear voice, “Master Yan, are you at home?”

There was no answer from within.

The light was fading, yet no candle was lit inside. Qingyuan knew there was someone within, but the darkness was intentional—a refusal to respond.

“I am Qingyuan, a junior, and I come to seek your help.”

Silence persisted.

Gu Cang made to enter, but Qingyuan stayed his hand, shaking his head.

After a long while, a voice emerged from within, aged and hoarse, with the weight of years and an undertone of exhaustion. “Come in…”

Relieved to have received permission, Qingyuan led Gu Cang inside.

Night had fallen, and the room was shrouded in shadow with no candlelight. Fortunately, Qingyuan was a cultivator, and Gu Cang’s vision was keen in the dark; neither was troubled by the gloom. Still, the atmosphere was oppressive, the darkness lending a sinister chill.

“What do you want this old man to do?” In the corner, the elder sat in a chair, leaning against a wooden table, his eyes vacant and lost.

Qingyuan caught the scent of wine, knowing he drank to drown his sorrows. He sighed inwardly and spoke, “I, Qingyuan, possess a map of the land, but it bears no names. I do not know its location. I have heard that Master Yan possesses a skill inherited from the Imperial Astronomers of the previous dynasty, and so I come to seek your guidance.”

Yan Wang took a sip of wine, speaking slowly, “And why should I help you?”

Qingyuan replied, “I am from—”

“I care not where you are from, nor who sent you.” Yan Wang interrupted, his tone weary, “I have lived here for many years, never displaying any talent. If you found your way here, someone must have guided you… For an old man with neither martial nor mystical arts, you show remarkable respect, waiting outside so courteously… I am not foolish. Whoever guided you, I suppose, is an old acquaintance.”

“Master Yan’s insight is admirable.” Qingyuan bowed. “I come from Shu, guided by Master Yun Jing, granted permission by Mingyuan Daoist Temple’s seal, and seek your assistance.”

“Mingyuan Daoist Temple?”

A rare spark flickered in Yan Wang’s eyes, then faded as he sighed, “Others I care little for, but Mingyuan Daoist Temple… there is some bond of incense and tradition. Pity you are late… Had you come earlier, I might have helped for the sake of that bond, but now…”

He let out a bitter laugh, self-mocking, then drank again. “Since you found your way here, you must know something of my story?”

Qingyuan nodded and sighed, “I have heard of the young girl’s misfortune.”

“So…” Yan Wang hiccupped, then spoke slowly, “I have no mood to help you. Not you, not even if the venerable Shuiyuan himself came… I know you have some skill, but if you wish to force the matter, you may try. Perhaps I will yield under suffering and help you then.”

Qingyuan sighed, “I dare not be discourteous.”

Yan Wang raised his head. “If you dare not, then why not leave?”

Gu Cang seemed restless, but Qingyuan held him back, whispering, “Let’s go.”

Gu Cang, unwilling, could only turn and depart.

“Young man, you are a cultivator, are you not?” Yan Wang’s voice suddenly called out.

Qingyuan paused, “I am.”

Yan Wang asked, “Do you possess any skill to bring the dead back to life?”

Qingyuan offered a bitter smile, “I do not.”

“Then it is merely bad luck for you—and for me.” Yan Wang suddenly laughed, clapping his hands. “If your luck were better, if you had come sooner, how much better it would be. Imagine, had you arrived then and possessed the skill to save my granddaughter, I would have spared no effort to aid you… How wonderful that would have been. But now… it is too late… how dreadful…”

“You are right, Master Yan.”

Qingyuan glanced back.

The elder who had sat in the chair now sat huddled on the floor, curled in the corner, shivering as he drank.

“The nights grow cold. Put on another garment.” Qingyuan sighed. “I heard the wolf went to the mountain ahead?”

Yan Wang was startled, suddenly setting down his wine jug. “What are you planning?”

Qingyuan replied, “To kill the wolf.”

Yan Wang showed some surprise. “It is said to be a demon capable of taking human form, possessing considerable power, beyond mortal strength. Do you have such skill?”

Qingyuan shook his head, “I do not know.”

“Hah, you dare risk your life without knowing?” Yan Wang scoffed.

Qingyuan answered calmly, “I may not die, and if I cannot win, at least I can escape.”

Yan Wang lifted his jug, “You are confident.”

“Confidence beyond one’s true ability is arrogance,” Qingyuan said. “I have always known my limits.”

“I hope you return alive.” Yan Wang raised his head, pouring wine into his mouth, then suddenly coughed violently. He patted his chest and said, “If you really do kill the wolf, could you bring my granddaughter back?”

Qingyuan pondered, “The girl is likely lost. Even if I kill the wolf, she will probably not be found.”

“Yes, you kill the wolf, but she will not return…” Yan Wang sneered, “So why do you believe that if you kill the wolf, I will help you?”

Qingyuan shook his head, “I have no such expectation.”

Yan Wang was taken aback. “Then why risk danger to kill the wolf?”

Qingyuan spoke slowly, “Having encountered it, I cannot simply let it ravage the world, harming the innocent.”

“Hah, saving the world?” Yan Wang muttered, suddenly hurling his wine jug at him. “Who are you? What right do you have to vanquish demons? What skill do you possess?”

Qingyuan caught the jug, tossed it lightly, and let it settle on the table.

Yan Wang raised his head, muttering bitterly, “You wish to vanquish demons… you can vanquish demons… Why did you not come sooner…”

He murmured to himself, eyes vacant.

Qingyuan gave no reply, but turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Gu Cang followed, glancing back, then looked to Qingyuan and asked, “If, when I did evil, the master had not led me onto the right path, would Elder Ge have ended up like him?”

Qingyuan nodded, “I fear it would have been the same.”

Gu Cang whispered, “Thankfully, we had the master.”

Qingyuan did not answer, only saying, “Sharpen your blade. You’ve slain dozens before; the blood aura has yet to dissipate. It will serve well against the demon.”

“Demon?” Gu Cang asked. “If it can take human form, should it not be a monster?”

“If it can refine its bones and speak, generally, it should be a monster,” Qingyuan replied. “But you are an exception; the parrot in the temple is another exception—why should this creature not be?”

Gu Cang was surprised, “Is there such a distinction?”

“Of course there is.”

Qingyuan mused, “As for its origins, I may know a thing or two.”