Chapter 86

Chapter 86

On the way back from Wenlu in the western part of the city, Yan Zhengchu was still mulling over how Xia Ximo’s ghost had come knocking at his door last night.

But with Ren Fengjue present, it was hardly something he could bring up, so he could only turn it over silently in his mind.

Ren Fengjue, too, had matters of his own to ponder.

Today’s visit to Wenlu to seek out Mu Zheng had been Xia Ximo’s suggestion.

At first, he had still been weighing whether to leave Mu Zheng a way to live once the matter was exposed.

After all, Mu Zheng was Xia Ximo’s own maternal uncle-her only blood relative left in this world.

Who would have thought that when facing Mu Zheng, Xia Ximo would show not the slightest trace of mercy? She had been even more decisive than he was.

A scholar’s pride lay in his pen, his brush serving as his blade.

But the hand pierced through by those shards would never again be able to hold a brush.

For Mu Zheng, that was far more painful than death.

Even though, with his Three Hun already incomplete and his body reduced to this ruined state, he did not have much time left regardless.

Ren Fengjue admired her from the bottom of his heart, and his esteem for her rose another notch.

Xia Ximo, meanwhile, kept her eyes closed the entire time to rest, though Wuyou’s nagging still drifted into her ears now and then.

“Last night, after you killed that faceless ghost thing, all the souls it had eaten escaped.”

“You need to hurry up and find Zhou Zigui and Zheng Daoyuan’s ghosts, then ferry them on their way as soon as possible.”

“I think investigating the monster at Fu Tower is far too dangerous. You may have gained another fifty percent of soul power, but in the end, you still have a mortal body…”

It was just getting into full flow.

Xia Ximo suddenly opened her eyes. “Taoist.”

“Huh?”

Yan Zhengchu snapped out of his daze as well, only to hear her ask, “Are there any talismans or spells that can seal a Yin Soul’s mouth?”

“…There are, yes, but is that really necessary?”

“It is.”

“…”

Wuyou immediately shut up like an obedient child.

Based on what it knew of this Soul Ferryman, she really would be willing to spend a gold ingot on a talisman just to seal its mouth.

Because she would not be the one paying…

Yan Zhengchu gave a light cough before saying, “My master does know the Sealing Mouth Spell, but, well… he refuses to teach it to me.”

He sounded exceedingly guilty when he said those last few words.

From the look of it, Master Tianji had probably used his Sealing Mouth Spell on him instead.

“Oh.”

Xia Ximo slanted a glance at him. She had only replied with a single word, yet it somehow felt as if she understood everything.

Then she looked at Ren Fengjue and actually took the initiative to ask, “How do you plan to investigate the Fu Tower Case?”

It was rare for her to ask about one of his cases of her own accord.

Ren Fengjue was somewhat surprised. After a brief pause, he said, “As for Manager Bai’s whereabouts, I have thought of one more person.”

On the way here, Xia Ximo had mentioned that Mu Zheng had gone to Fu Tower.

He had thought he might be able to pry something useful out of the man.

In the end, Mu Zheng had muddled through the whole thing and merely offered up a drop of his blood essence. As for Fu Tower and Manager Bai, he knew absolutely nothing.

If anything, it seemed he had been used by someone else.

Xia Ximo asked, “Who?”

“Du Yueming, son of Duke Du. I saw him at Fu Tower yesterday.”

Xia Ximo gave a slight nod.

Ren Fengjue continued, “Aside from that, I have also sent the Shadow Guard to keep an eye on movements at the Eastern Palace.”

“But the Crown Prince is the heir apparent, after all. The Eastern Palace is heavily guarded, so I fear it will be difficult to uncover anything in the short term.”

“I also intend to find a pretext over the next few days and personally make a trip to the Eastern Palace.”

Almost without thinking, Xia Ximo picked up where he left off. “Take me with you when you go.”

If anyone else had said those words, Lord Ren would certainly have had to consider it carefully.

But coming from her, they actually stirred a flicker of delight in his heart.

Yan Zhengchu, standing off to the side, could not help cutting in, “Shouldn’t you bring me too? What if that Crown Prince really isn’t human…”

“No need for you.”

Ren Fengjue had not even spoken before Xia Ximo made the decision for him.
Yan Zhengchu bristled, just about to say a few words in his own defense, when he heard her add, “You need to take a careful look inside Tongtian Pavilion at Fu Tower.”

“There must be quite a few wronged souls in there. Go ask them.”

At that, Yan Zhengchu’s expression eased slightly.

Ren Fengjue added, “That’s right. Daoist Master said before that the pool of blood was the key to the Yin-Yang Fiend.”

“Daoist Master is widely learned and highly skilled. You will surely be able to find the crucial clue to solve the case.”

The two of them rather seemed to be singing the same tune, but Daoist Yan found it quite pleasing to hear.

He pondered for a moment before saying, “In that case, I suppose I shall reluctantly go take a look.”

When the carriage reached the market street in the east of the city, Xia Ximo suddenly called for Axia to stop.

Ren Fengjue recognized that this place was not far from Zhou Zigui’s home, and immediately guessed what she intended to do.

After she got out of the carriage, he said, “If you need help with anything, come straight to me.”

Xia Ximo’s steps paused briefly, and she gave a faint murmur of acknowledgment.

She was just about to head toward the Zhou Residence when she seemed to think of something and turned back.

“Ren Fengjue.”

At the sound of her voice, Ren Fengjue lifted the carriage curtain again. Seeing her standing beneath the warm sun in a white cloak, her brows and eyes calm and clear, his heart stirred ever so slightly.

“What are your orders?”

He asked her in a tone so natural that even Axia, who usually looked like a wooden puppet, could not help raising his eyes.

Xia Ximo really did give him an order. “Mu Zheng sent someone to deliver something to the Marquis Mansion this morning. You’d best go back and ask about it.”

Ren Fengjue had not, in fact, overlooked that point, but he still nodded in response.

“All right.”

Only then did Xia Ximo turn and walk toward the Zhou Residence.

Ren Fengjue watched until her figure had receded into the distance before instructing Axia, “Take Daoist Yan to Fu Tower first.”

The front of the Zhou Residence was as deserted as ever.

As a figure entered, a cold wind swept through the overgrown weeds in the courtyard, making them rustle.

Xia Ximo pushed the door open and walked straight in.

The ghosts inside sensed the intruder and immediately shrank back.

“What are you hiding for? It’s not as if I’m here to eat you.”

At the sound of her voice, the souls in the corner slowly revealed themselves, though they still did not dare approach.

Looking at the neat little family of four, Xia Ximo said, “Now that your wish has been fulfilled, it’s time to be on your way.”

Zhou Zigui shielded his wife and children behind him. “We… We are already content to be reunited. We don’t want to leave.”

Xia Ximo narrowed her eyes. “You won’t leave? You’d willingly become wandering souls?”

“Yes!”

Zhou Zigui’s tone was firm.

Xia Ximo looked past him to Liu Shi and asked, “Is that what you want as well?”

Meeting her gaze, Liu Shi clearly flinched.

She did not dare answer.

“Fine.”

Xia Ximo said no more and turned to leave.

Unexpectedly, Liu Shi called after her, “Miss, please wait.”

Liu Shi looked deeply at her husband, then pushed her son and daughter in front of Xia Ximo. “My children… Could you send them…”

“No.”

Xia Ximo’s face was cold, and her refusal was absolute. “I am not here to perform acts of charity.”

Zhou Zigui looked at Liu Shi in confusion. “My wife, why must we send the children away? Even if we are ghosts, we can still be a family…”

Seeing him so naive, Lantern Spirit Wuyou could not help popping out and saying, “If you become wandering souls with no one to guide you across, you will have no chance at rebirth. Your children are still so young. You truly should not be so selfish!”

Hearing this, Zhou Zigui’s lips trembled, and he froze in place.

Beside him, Liu Shi covered her face and wept. “Husband, I truly should not have been so selfish… If not for that, you would not have died either.”

Zhou Zigui was shocked. “My wife, how could this be your fault?”

Seeing that the two ghosts were about to pour their hearts out to each other, Xia Ximo walked out with a look of impatience.