Chapter 58
After confirming he was neither a fox spirit in disguise nor possessed by a mad fox, Xie Chang’an no longer entertained his nonsensical pleas to become his disciple.
Leisurely finishing the chicken soup and gourd chicken, she asked, “Is this the thing you said you needed to fetch from home?”
“Of course not,” Li Chengying replied, producing an invitation card.
“You’ve been announcing your origin from the Plum Blossom Pool of Ten Thousand Trees to everyone these past few days. I guess you’re either searching for someone or waiting for someone. Tomorrow, the uncle of Prince Yue Li Xi is hosting a banquet attended by most of the capital’s elite. Perhaps the person you’re looking for will be there.”
Xie Chang’an reached out to take the invitation, but Li Chengying suddenly pressed down on the other edge.
She looked up.
Li Chengying said, “I’m going with Master.”
Xie Chang’an: ?
Who’s whose master?
This person surely has no connection to Zhu Xuanguang.
After all, even Zhu Xuanguang wouldn’t have such audacity.
Li Chengying smiled gently and explained kindly, “Look, that cat demon definitely has someone backing it. It covets me, wants to eat me. If I act as bait, it will attract more fish. And with so many nobles gathered, if Master wants to find someone, maybe I know them and can introduce them for you. Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone?”
Xie Chang’an: “I don’t take disciples.”
Li Chengying: “What’s your enemy’s name? Otherwise, when you curse me later, you could just call out their name—it might feel better.”
Xie Chang’an: “...I don’t have such a twisted hobby.”
Li Chengying earnestly said, “Master, it’s not good to hold it in.”
Xie Chang’an tersely replied, “Get lost.”
A Jin, anxious and fearful, fell asleep only as dawn broke. No one woke her, so she slept until the sun was high. Hastily washing and eating, she went out to the courtyard just in time to see Li Chengying returning with a smile.
Since Li Chengying recovered from his illness, A Jin had often seen him smile, but never with such radiant joy.
If she had to describe it, it wasn’t the distant, inscrutable smile of before, but a genuine, heartfelt happiness.
But after encountering such a terrifying demon yesterday, what could make him so joyful?
Still puzzled, A Jin accepted two talismans Li Chengying handed her.
“One goes on the door, the other you fold and carry yourself.”
“Did Master Zhu write these?” A Jin asked curiously.
Li Chengying didn’t answer but said, “The capital hasn’t been peaceful lately. Be careful.”
His words reminded A Jin of that human skin, and she shivered, quickly folding the talismans and placing them carefully in her sachet.
“That demon last night... aren’t you afraid, sir?”
Li Chengying: “Of course I’m afraid; otherwise, why would I seek talismans from a master at Cien Temple?”
A Jin thought that made sense but remained puzzled.
Having just endured such a terrifying ordeal and even coughed up blood, how could her lord remain so composed?
Unable to hold back, she voiced her doubt: “Sir, did something happy happen to you?”
“Indeed,” he answered, “I saw a very beautiful star.”
A Jin looked up—what star could be seen in broad daylight?
Li Chengying seemed to perceive her thoughts: “A truly brilliant star can be seen both day and night.”
A Jin: “Really...?”
Seeing her half-understanding, he said no more and waved off, strolling toward the main hall.
That day, Minister Li happened to be resting at home. Upon seeing him, his first words were:
“You look cheerful. Did Master Zhu say something to you?”
“Is it that obvious?” Li Chengying touched his cheek and chuckled. “Nothing much. I sincerely sought talismans, and the master gave them to me. Out of kindness, he also wrote epidemic-warding and health-preserving talismans for your parents.”
Minister Li took the talismans.
“I saw Master Zhu was solemn, didn’t ask for extra money, and wasn’t easy to talk to. I thought he’d be difficult, but he’s much easier to deal with than those immortals in the palace.”
Li Chengying said, “Father, I plan to apprentice under Master Zhu and follow him into the Dao.”
He didn’t specify which master.
Minister Li was surprised: “Did the master want to take you as a disciple?”
“I arrived at Cien Temple last night just as the cat demon followed. Luckily, the master intervened, and the demon fled. I want to learn some skills. The master hasn’t agreed yet, but sincerity can move even metal and stone.”
Li Chengying spoke gently and succinctly about the reason; Minister Li sensed the danger and was fearful.
“Since the cat demon isn’t dead, might it return for revenge?”
“Father, keep the talismans with you and restrain the family from going out too much. After this period, it should be safe.”
He paused, then said, “The rebellion just ended, but factions in court have begun to clash again. Even foreign tribes see the court’s weakness. There will be no peace ahead. You don’t like fighting, but being at the center, you can’t avoid it. If possible, it’s better to retire early.”
Minister Li was stunned: “Where did you hear all this?”
Li Chengying: “After recovering, I walked through the city. Everywhere was bleak and in ruins, but the nobles still feasted. When a country is on the brink of chaos, monsters arise. The murders and the cat demon prove it. Father, heed my advice.”
Minister Li was silent for a moment, then sighed: “With your talent, if you hadn’t been ill for so many years, maybe you could have gone further than your elder brother.”
Li Chengying: “Everyone has their ambition. Mine lies elsewhere. If Master Zhu accepts me, I might leave home and go far away.”
At that moment, Minister Li truly realized how much the second son had changed.
The illness gone, his mind clear, a new light dawned.
“Very well, you know your limits. Follow your heart.”
...
At the Sun family’s night banquet,
Sun Ping looked over the crowd, self-satisfied.
As the uncle of Prince Yue and brother of the prince’s mother, he hadn’t enjoyed the glory his sister brought but had certainly shared in the wealth and honor his nephew brought.
Prince Yue was not the crown prince, but the emperor was weak, and the crown prince clashed with Empress Zhang, who had no children. She wished to support Prince Yue’s ascension. Having once been commander of all military forces and still holding some power, Prince Yue might rival the crown prince. If Prince Yue succeeded in the throne struggle, Sun Ping would no longer be the prince’s uncle but the emperor’s uncle.
Guests arrived in ceaseless procession from morning till night. At the evening banquet, Sun Ping invited only the capital’s most prominent nobles and ministers, holding the event in his garden and separating other officials and retainers—clearly distinguishing rank.
Li Chengying rarely attended such banquets and began coughing as soon as he entered, overwhelmed by the heavy scent of perfume and powder.
Walking beside him was the recently renowned Master Zhu.
Originally, under the name Zhu Huan, he wouldn’t have been admitted to such events. But with Li Chengying’s invitation and Princess Xinping’s recommendation, people grew curious about this master said to have effective talismans and divine arts.
Xie Chang’an initially followed them inside but used a concealment spell so that only Li Chengying and Zhu Huan could see her.
After all, it was one thing for Li Chengying to bring Zhu Huan; adding a strikingly beautiful, unfamiliar woman would surely invite questions and unwanted attention.
But once inside, Li Chengying noticed Xie Chang’an was missing.
“Where’s Sister Xie?”
Zhu Huan replied, “There might be cultivators present tonight. Her concealment works on ordinary people but not on cultivators.”
So Xie Chang’an had wisely kept her distance.
Li Chengying felt regretful and scanned the crowd, trying to spot her.
Zhu Huan suddenly said, “I heard you want to apprentice under her.”
Li Chengying candidly confirmed, “Yes.”
Zhu Huan said, “She won’t accept you.”
Li Chengying smiled: “How does the master know?”
Zhu Huan: “I’ve shared life and death with her; I know her better than you do.”
Li Chengying remained composed: “Even those as close as father and son, brothers, or spouses cannot fully understand each other.”
Zhu Huan coldly said, “She won’t take as a disciple someone who looks exactly like her enemy.”
Li Chengying: “But when she mentioned that enemy, she wasn’t overly emotional. It shows her feelings are complex—neither pure hatred nor pure affection. She saved me and spoke kindly to me. Such a beautiful, powerful, and determined person is bound to inspire admiration—”
He paused, his eyes scanning Zhu Huan’s face, then slowly added, “So, about apprenticing?”
Zhu Huan suspected he’d gone mad: “That bruise on your neck was from her, wasn’t it?”
After all that, and she’s still kind and gentle?
Li Chengying kept a straight face: “That was just her testing in a dream whether I’m connected to her enemy. Later, she even gave me protective talismans. Does the master have any?”
Zhu Huan showed no expression.