Chapter Twenty-Eight: Night Investigation

Suddenly, a madman sharpened his blade in the dead of night; the imperial star flickered, Mars shone high. From this moment, the heavens and earth would be overturned; what need was there to spare one’s hands when killing?

That night, the sun and moon were shrouded, autumn winds howled, and a chill foreboding pervaded the air.

Li Yang vaulted over the inner wall of the He residence, and from his sleeve slithered a centipede, nearly an inch long. Concealed by the darkness, the golden centipede forged ahead, clearing the way. Any patrolling soldiers it encountered died soundlessly, their corpses then devoured whole by the golden toad, leaving not the slightest trace behind.

Upon entering the rear courtyard, Li Yang noticed the patrols had grown denser. Crouching within a thicket, he scanned his surroundings.

“Hey, brother, don’t be so uptight. Come on, let’s head over there for a smoke. My treat.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. If Deputy Lin catches us, there’ll be hell to pay.”

Their muffled whispers reached Li Yang’s ears as he watched two soldiers draw near the bush where he hid.

“Don’t be silly. Look at the others—they’re only pretending to patrol. You really think anyone has the guts to try and assassinate the Marshal in this fortress, with its nets and snares everywhere? The officers are inside, drinking and carousing with their women, while we freeze outside. What’s wrong with catching a little sleep, enjoying a smoke? Come on, let’s not dawdle.”

“Well… alright, since you’re treating tonight. Next time we’re off duty, I’ll take you to the opium den, and we’ll have a good time, brother.”

“No need for courtesy among brothers!”

As the two drew closer, Li Yang’s thoughts commanded his companion. Suddenly, a sticky tongue shot from the thicket, lashing around both soldiers’ necks.

“Don’t speak. Make a sound, and you die,” Li Yang’s voice cut cold and emotionless from the shadows as he tightened his hold.

“Let’s talk this over, brother… don’t be rash, please don’t…” The lead soldier, feeling the clammy flesh constricting his throat, was seized by dread and pleaded, trembling.

“I ask, you answer. One word of nonsense and this will be your fate.” As he spoke, a toad’s face emerged from the thicket and swallowed the other soldier whole.

“I’ll talk! I’ll talk! Spare me, great demon!” Under the dim light, the sight of the monstrous toad left the lead soldier limp with terror, collapsing to the ground and wetting himself.

“Tell me, where is Marshal Chen’s room?” The stench of urine in the air made Li Yang frown as he questioned him icily.

“Over there… our Marshal’s room is in that direction, but I don’t know exactly where…” The soldier, quaking, pointed uncertainly, glancing fearfully at the toad.

“Then do you know where the former Lady He of the house has gone?” Noting the soldier’s sincerity, Li Yang’s eyes narrowed and his tone grew more forceful.

“I… I do. She was taken by the sorcerer. There’s a basement over there…” Sensing Li Yang’s displeasure, the soldier hurriedly nodded, pointing toward the rear of the courtyard.

“Sorcerer? Who is he?” Using his enhanced sight, Li Yang peered in that direction. He sensed a faint gathering of yin energy, though focusing on it made it seem as if it had only been his imagination.

Someone is working sorcery! Li Yang thought, gazing in that direction.

“I… I don’t know who the sorcerer is, only that the Marshal trusts him greatly.”

Having obtained the information he wanted, Li Yang gave a mental command. The golden toad opened its mouth wide, swallowing the soldier before he could even scream.

He had never intended to leave witnesses. Not just this soldier—once he rescued Lady He, Li Yang would ensure that not a single soul left the He residence alive that night.

Following the indicated path, Li Yang advanced. With the golden centipede clearing the way, progress was effortless, like a stroll in a garden. Cloaked by night, as long as he didn’t make a commotion, he was confident he could eliminate any sentries before they raised the alarm.

Li Yang was intimately familiar with the residence. Guided by the soldier’s directions, he quickly found the described dry well.

Detecting a faint ripple of magical energy, Li Yang steeled himself, carefully suppressing his presence as he crept closer.

“Heaven clear, earth bright—grant me divine sight, by this spell!” Li Yang formed seals with his hands. The golden toad in his arms glazed over, then leaped straight into the dry well.

Through the toad’s eyes, Li Yang saw a ghostly green mist filling the well’s vast interior. At its center stood a coffin, surrounded by ancient shamanic symbols that looked like scrawled talismans. Something about them seemed familiar, as if he had seen them before.

Lady He was bound within the coffin, clad in nothing but a thin undergarment, her mature, jade-like body exposed.

A gaunt old man stood nearby, holding a brass bowl and chanting, painting ink-green symbols across Lady He’s bare skin with a brush.

Seeing Lady He struggling but alive, Li Yang exhaled in relief. All along, he had feared she might already be dead; if so, he wasn’t sure what he might have done.

As his tension eased, the golden toad studied the ancient symbols on the ground. After a while, Li Yang realized they were part of a corpse-refining array from antiquity.

“Who’s there!” At that moment, the old man seemed to sense something. His eyes flashed a ghastly green as he barked out a command and struck toward the toad’s hiding place.

The golden toad sprang away, the blow barely missing it and corroding a patch of ground as if by acid.

With their cover blown, Li Yang acted. The toad croaked, sending out a gold-red purifying light that swept through the well, dispelling the accumulated yin energy and even affecting the old man.

Seizing the opportunity, the toad shot out its tongue, wrapped up Lady He from the coffin, and tried to escape.

“Wretched beast! Where do you think you’re going?” Seeing the toad’s target, the old man flew into a rage, forming seals as a ghastly green light erupted above his head, filling the well with a corrosive miasma.

Just then, a gigantic centipede head thrust into the well, gulping down the green vapor like a dragon drinking from a river.

“Who is the master that toys with this old man?” Realizing what was happening, the old sorcerer leapt out of the well.