Vindicated After a Wrongful Death - Chapter 42

The small phoenix hopped excitedly upon hearing this. “Young Lord, you clearly… ji!”

Yun Yanli, seemingly knowing what it was about to say, slapped the little bird down with a blank expression.

Xiang Zhongjing spat out his tea, having a fair idea that Yun Yanli was talking nonsense. “What was that person’s name?”

Yun Yanli frowned. “He is my twin. He was stolen and thrown into the Luochuan River only a few days after he was born, his fate unknown. A name hadn’t even been chosen for him yet.”

Xiang Zhongjing lowered his eyes and said nonchalantly, “Then why didn’t you look for him back then?”

“The Cloud State and the Nine States are separated by the Heavenly Way. Even my Father Lord cannot easily descend to the Nine States.” Seeing that Xiang Zhongjing still looked sickly, Yun Yanli assumed he was feeling unwell again. He pushed back the medicine Xiang Zhongjing had set aside and frowned. “Finish your medicine. Why is your face so…”

He trailed off, belatedly realizing he was fussing over him again, and immediately shut his mouth.

Xiang Zhongjing took the medicine, staring pensively into the pitch-black liquid.

Yun Yanli continued, “Back then, everyone said those who fall into the Luochuan have no chance of survival. He was just a child with no spiritual power to protect him; it was impossible for him to be alive. But my Father Lord refused to believe it. He has spent all these years trying to forcibly open the path through the Luochuan, only barely succeeding this year.”

Xiang Zhongjing froze, a tiny ripple spreading through the bowl of medicine in his hands.

Yun Yanli rubbed his nose, feeling an odd sense of awkwardness. “My brother, ahem… my younger brother’s name is Yun Yuzhou. Try your best to help me find him. If you actually find him, my Father Lord might be so happy he’ll let you stay in the Cloud State. It would save you all the trouble of cultivating and ascending.”

Xiang Zhongjing stared at the medicine for a good while before looking up with a laugh. “Alright then.”

Hearing his laughter, Yun Yanli felt it was strangely familiar. He stared intently at the man’s veil for a long time before saying, “Why do you never let me see your face?”

Xiang Zhongjing gave the same old answer: “I’m afraid you’d die of shame the moment you saw it.”

Yun Yanli: “…”

Yun Yanli had felt that Xiang Zhongjing gave off a very peculiar vibe and wanted to investigate further, but he was nearly driven mad by this sharp-tongued retort. He shot Xiang Zhongjing a glare and swept out of the room.

Only after he left did Gu Congxu emerge from the sea of consciousness, saying dryly, “From the way you two talk, I can say for certain you are indeed brothers.”

Both were equally venomous and detestable.

Xiang Zhongjing smiled but said nothing.

Gu Congxu asked again, “Why don’t you acknowledge him?”

Xiang Zhongjing casually untied his sash as he spoke. “His word alone isn’t enough for me to go back and claim my heritage. We’ll talk about it after the business in the Nine States is finished.”

Xiang Zhongjing was naturally a person of shallow emotions; it was no easy feat to make him feel familial affection or trust toward a stranger he’d only known for a few days.

Gu Congxu fell into deep thought.

Xiang Zhongjing didn’t care that Gu Congxu was still watching and proceeded to undress to change into a fresh red robe.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Gu Congxu: “…”

Gu Congxu struggled to tear his gaze away from Xiang Zhongjing’s waist, which was so slender it looked as though it could be encircled by two hands. He flushed, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

How is this person becoming more and more uninhibited in front of me?

Xiang Zhongjing tied his outer robe and picked up a red hair ribbon given to him by Man Qiuxia to tie his hair. As if he had eyes in the back of his head, he remarked casually, “Why is your face red again? I’m the one being seen, aren’t I?”

Gu Congxu: “…”

Gu Congxu’s skin was nowhere near as thick as Xiang Zhongjing’s. Seeing the man’s “I’m not embarrassed, so the embarrassment belongs to others” attitude, he turned his head away with a complicated expression, choosing not to respond to the flirtatious nonsense.

He asked muzzily, “Are you going out?”

“Mhm.” Xiang Zhongjing tilted his head to look at Gu Congxu, the Netherfire on his earring flickering. “Normally, Song Youqiu would come running to me to claim credit if he found even the tiniest detail. It’s been a day and a night and there’s no sign of him. Perhaps something happened.”

Gu Congxu: “Is it about the investigation into Master?”

Xiang Zhongjing nodded, put on his earring, and crooked a finger at him with a smile. “Let’s go, let’s head out and see.”

Seeing him walk out without hesitation, Gu Congxu followed.

The Qu Yi Sect was still searching for the missing old Sect Master. Qu Weixian had only rested for half a day at Xiang Zhongjing’s quarters yesterday before hurrying back.

Xiang Zhongjing first checked Qu Weixian’s residence, but sure enough, the man wasn’t there.

Gu Congxu asked, “Do you know where to find that coffin seller?”

Xiang Zhongjing watered the orchids in Qu Weixian’s courtyard, which were nearly withered, then closed the door. “There’s a branch of the Funerary Pavilion in the small town at the foot of the mountain. He’s most likely there.”

Branches of the Funerary Pavilion were scattered almost everywhere in the Nine States. It was a mystery where Song Youqiu got so many spirit stones, as even the branches in the most remote corners were built no differently from the main headquarters.

Though the town below was small, it was bustling with activity because it served the Qu Yi Sect, one of the three major sects.

Xiang Zhongjing and Gu Congxu walked side-by-side down the long street, looking at the shops on either side. Xiang Zhongjing arched an eyebrow and said, “Sixty years ago, this was just a tiny village. There weren’t nearly this many people.”

Gu Congxu’s eyes glowed as he watched the cultivators passing by. He snorted, “You call this many people? It’s not even enough for me to swallow in one gulp.”

Xiang Zhongjing smiled and glanced at him. “No wonder they call you an evil dragon.”

Usually, when others called Gu Congxu an evil dragon, he would react violently, wanting to slaughter whoever said it regardless of who they were.

But strangely, when the words “evil dragon” came from Xiang Zhongjing’s mouth—tasting like the scent of strong wine and brushed by a wind carrying flames—it caused a sudden, inexplicable tingling in Gu Congxu’s ears.

Gu Congxu touched his ear and, rare for him, remained silent.

Xiang Zhongjing waited for him to flare up, but the evil dragon seemed to have been struck dumb, offering no rebuttal at all.

Xiang Zhongjing looked at him in surprise. Noticing Gu Congxu’s slightly reddened face, he froze for a moment before letting out a long, knowing “Oh.”

This evil dragon actually seemed quite satisfied with the title.

In no time, the two arrived at the Funerary Pavilion.

The Funerary Pavilion was supposed to be a shop for burials, but it was decorated as if for a wedding, festooned with lanterns and streamers in a riot of red. Even Xiang Zhongjing, who loved the color red, was nearly blinded by the incoming brilliance.

Xiang Zhongjing squinted as he walked in. Just as he was about to ask an attendant for Song Youqiu, he caught a glimpse of someone covered in tiny coffins trying to sneak toward the back courtyard.

Xiang Zhongjing: “…”

Xiang Zhongjing arched an eyebrow. Brushing aside the attendant who was trying to stop him, he stepped forward and hoisted up the cowering Song Youqiu by his collar.

“Manager Song, where do you think you’re going?”

Caught with no way to escape, Song Youqiu turned back awkwardly and offered a fawning smile. “Sword Venerable, good morning. Have you eaten?”

“It is already afternoon.” Xiang Zhongjing released his grip on the collar and said faintly, “Why are you hiding from me? I won’t eat you.”

Beside them, Gu Congxu, who was standing with his arms crossed, chimed in, “Can I eat him?”

Song Youqiu: “…”

Song Youqiu wailed piteously, “Sword Venerable, spare me! If I’m eaten, no one will find information for you.”

Xiang Zhongjing laughed. “You have to tell me why you’re hiding first.”

Gu Congxu bared his tiny fangs and looked at him grimly.

Song Youqiu: “…”

Xiang Zhongjing noticed and tilted his head. “Don’t scare him.”

Only then did Gu Congxu retract his teeth, though his gaze remained predatory.

Song Youqiu knew this ancestor was a real evil dragon who might actually swallow him whole. He said hurriedly, “Sword Venerable, it’s not that I can’t find clues, it’s just.”

He looked left and right, then grabbed Xiang Zhongjing’s wrist and pulled him toward the back courtyard as if afraid of being overheard.

Once they reached the deserted back courtyard, Song Youqiu whispered conspiratorially, “Sword Venerable, the person you want to investigate is a criminal whom everyone in the Three Realms has silently agreed upon for a thousand years. I only know that he tried to destroy the spiritual pulse of the land back then, but was backlashed by the pulse and died a miserable death. Because of this, if anyone tries to investigate him, the Spirit of the Land Pulse will surely be enraged and hand down a punishment.”

Xiang Zhongjing frowned slightly.

For a man as fearless as Song Youqiu to be scared into such a state, the punishment must be something an ordinary person could not endure.

“It’s really not that I don’t want to investigate,” Song Youqiu said timidly. “Sword Venerable, my life is precious!”

Xiang Zhongjing recognized his genuine terror and nodded. “Fine, we won’t investigate. I won’t have you getting dragged into this because of me.”

It was already a great kindness for Song Youqiu to tell him this much.

Seeing that Xiang Zhongjing didn’t press the matter at all, Song Youqiu felt a bit embarrassed. After all, he had greedily accepted the job a few days ago, and now saying he couldn’t do it was a blatant blow to his own shop’s reputation.

Xiang Zhongjing exchanged a few more pleasantries with Song Youqiu and then turned to look at Gu Congxu.

Gu Congxu was standing with his back to Xiang Zhongjing, surreptitiously baring his teeth to scare Song Youqiu. The moment Xiang Zhongjing turned around, he went expressionless, looking for all the world like he’d done nothing.

Xiang Zhongjing didn’t notice and prepared to leave the Funerary Pavilion with him.

However, after he had only walked a few steps, a hesitant Song Youqiu caught up to him again, looking as if he wanted to say something.

Seeing him like this, Xiang Zhongjing said knowingly, “Oh, the spirit stones will still be paid as agreed. You can have as many as you want.”

The struggling Song Youqiu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Sword Venerable, just how much of a money-grubber do you think I am?”

“Hmm? It’s not about that?”

“No.” Song Youqiu cleared his throat and decided it was better to tell the truth. “All living beings in the Three Realms and the Nine States absorb the spiritual energy of the land pulse and are restricted by its spirit. But one person is an exception.”

Knowing there was a turning point, Xiang Zhongjing walked back. “Who?”

“Tie Haitang.”

Xiang Zhongjing had never heard the name. “Who is that?”

Song Youqiu dropped another bombshell. “She is a ghost cultivator. She survives on yin energy and isn’t restricted by the land pulse.”

Xiang Zhongjing was astonished. “A ghost cultivator?”

The Three Realms only had Daoist and Demon cultivators. Ghost and demonic cultivators were almost legendary. Even when Xiang Zhongjing’s soul was incomplete sixty years ago, the malicious ghosts he saw were merely soul fragments without spiritual power; they couldn’t cultivate the Dao at all.

Song Youqiu nodded. “Yes. Ten miles to the south, by the Xiaoyin Stream, there is a massive scholar tree. She is there. As long as you pay her price, you can get any information, including things from a thousand years ago.”

Seeing that Song Youqiu had hesitated for so long before speaking, Xiang Zhongjing knew this Tie Haitang must be a very difficult character to deal with.

Sure enough, Song Youqiu added with a troubled look, “There’s just one thing. That Tie Haitang… she hates men.”

Xiang Zhongjing: “…”

Xiang Zhongjing asked tentatively, “Hates men? To what extent?”

“Supposedly, in her life, she was deceived and tortured to death by a man. After death, her soul was nearly scattered when her yin energy was drained.” Song Youqiu rubbed his arms, the fear still fresh. “If any man approaches that scholar tree, she can summon ten thousand malicious ghosts to swallow them whole, no matter who they are.”

Xiang Zhongjing: “…”

Well, that makes things a bit complicated.