Chapter 4

Ying Que knew medicine.

When he took my pulse, he remained silent for a long time. Then, after I turned away, he sighed heavily.

I had a feeling my sight would be difficult to restore.

After leaving Apricot Village, I’d spent my last savings on the best doctor in a neighboring town. Even then, he’d said a cure would be difficult.

Perhaps because I’d put it off for three whole years, there was no chance of seeing again now.

After a night’s thought, Ying Que decided to take me to Mount Ling.

He said there was a kind of firefly spirit there that could brighten the eyes if eaten. Perhaps it would help me.

The mountain deity was also an old friend of his. We might be able to ask her to heal me with her powers.

Mount Ling lay in Lingnan, nearly a thousand li from Yanhe Town.

After more than a fortnight’s journey, with frequent stops along the way, our carriage brought us to Xinyu Town at the mountain’s foot.

Lingnan was hot and damp, and it was summer.

When the wind blew, even the fine hairs on my face seemed to cling to my skin.

Supporting me, Ying Que looked around and murmured that something was odd.

I thought so too. It was much too quiet.

There was almost nothing to hear in the street but the wind.

Every shop and house had its doors shut tight.

After a long search, we found an inn that was open.

The proprietress welcomed us warmly as soon as we entered.

“Oh, you two must be from out of town! A meal, or a room?”

“Rooms.”

Ying Que placed a silver ingot on the counter. “Two of your best.”

“Two? Aren’t you married?”

Before Ying Que could answer, I interrupted. “Mistress, it isn’t dark yet. Why is there no one outside?”

She sighed. “It’s a long story. A while ago, a fire on Mount Ling burned all the trees. The mountain god was furious. Now he comes down at dusk to carry people off and eat them. So many have disappeared. That’s why everyone keeps their doors closed…”

“The mountain deity?”

Ying Que cut in. “Are you sure?”

“Of course. People have seen him! Word has reached the other towns, and nobody dares visit. It’s ruined my business…”

“Then why do you dare keep your doors open?” I asked.

“To earn money! If I can’t earn a living, how is that any better than being carried off? Fortune favors the bold. See? You two turned up today, didn’t you?”

She laughed. “Two rooms, then. Remember not to go out tonight. Boy—”

“One!”

I turned and caught Ying Que’s sleeve, wheedling, “Husband, I was wrong the other day. I shouldn’t have suspected you and your cousin. Please don’t be angry anymore. It’s so dangerous here. We should stay together.”

Ying Que paused, then quickly caught on. “As long as you’ve learned your lesson. One room.”

The proprietress smiled. “Very well. But the dog can’t go up. We’ll tether him in the back yard.”

Pea Pudding rubbed against my palm in protest and gave two aggrieved barks as the inn boy carried him away.

Once inside our room, I began pacing about.

I’d developed the habit whenever I entered an unfamiliar place.

I’d had an uneasy feeling downstairs, which was why I’d lied to make sure Ying Que and I shared a room.

I was about to tell him he could have the bed when he said, “Ah Fu, I need to go to Mount Ling. Will you stay here on your own?”

“Now?”

“The proprietress says the mountain deity is eating people. But the deity I know isn’t like that. A demon must be impersonating her. I want to investigate.”

“But… you have no powers now. Wouldn’t it be dangerous if you really encountered a demon?”

I thought for a moment. “Why don’t we wait until tonight and see who’s really taking people? Then we can ask the true mountain deity for help.”

Ying Que hesitated, then sat in the chair beside me.

The inn boy pushed open the door and brought in our meal.

“Your cook works quickly,” Ying Que remarked.

“Well, you’re our only guests today.”

The boy added a warning. “The mountain god will be taking people again tonight. They say he’s afraid of fire. Be sure to light your lamp before sleeping, just in case.”

After he left, I “looked” at Ying Que.

“The mountain deity is afraid of fire?”

“No.”

Ying Que said, “She’s afraid of people.”