"I can't go, I really can't go." The man whom Zhao Fusheng was pulling utterly disbelieved her words. Hearing her insistence on heading to the south of the city, he was so scared that he collapsed to the ground, limp:
"If I go, I won't be able to return. Have mercy, Milady, have mercy—"
Upon hearing 'Beggar's Alley,' this person was so terrified he became incoherent. The few scattered people on the street, hearing the words 'Beggar's Alley,' also slipped away one after another. In an instant, the street was once again deserted.
Seeing this situation, Zhao Fusheng also felt a headache coming on. She thought for a moment, then simply said:
"Then take me to the county yamen. I'll ask the constables there to help guide the way."
The man was too scared to do anything but cry. Zhao Fusheng grabbed him and shook him a few times, repeating her words, before he sobered up and agreed.
The county yamen in Wan'an County was already dilapidated. Zhao Fusheng arrived at the yamen, released the person she had coerced into guiding her, and then entered the yamen itself.
It was broad daylight, yet the yamen was completely empty. A large drum sat by the entrance, covered in dust.
She composed herself, and after calling out twice with no response, she picked up a drumstick from beside it and forcefully struck the large drum, producing a deafening sound.
The drum's sound reverberated. After a long while, scattered figures began to appear on the street, but there was no movement within the yamen.
It wasn't until much later that someone hurriedly shouted:
"Stop drumming, stop drumming!"
An old man with a goatee and a shrewd, monkey-like face emerged from the inner chambers, clutching his long robe. He wore a scholar's gown, dressed like an aide, resembling a writing clerk. Upon seeing Zhao Fusheng, his worried expression froze.
"You—"
He saw that it was a young girl beating the drum and was about to get angry. Zhao Fusheng didn't wait for him to say more, immediately pulling out a box from her懷中 (chest/sleeve).
The box opened to reveal a jade tablet:
"I am from the Demon Exorcism Bureau. I need to investigate a case in Beggar's Alley. I request the yamen's cooperation. Please immediately prepare a mule cart to take me to the south of the city."
She was pressed for time and didn't want to waste more words. Fortunately, after learning about the importance of the Soul-Fate Tome, she had kept it with her. Now, she presented the decree to verify her identity.
The clerk's legs instantly went limp upon hearing the words 'Demon Exorcism Bureau,' and he nearly knelt to the ground.
The imperial court had already abandoned Wan'an County. Since Zhao Qiming arrived last year, no new personnel had come from the Demon Exorcism Bureau. Afterwards, incidents repeatedly plagued the Wan'an County Demon Exorcism Bureau, almost wiping them out.
Everyone in the county yamen knew that Wan'an County was doomed. County officials with connections had long since managed transfers, while those without them despairingly remained, awaiting death. In recent months, bizarre cases had gradually emerged within the county. Just when everyone thought they were certainly doomed, a new face like Zhao Fusheng suddenly appeared, claiming to be from the Demon Exorcism Bureau and here to handle a case.
As soon as these words were uttered, everyone was astonished.
"You..."
The clerk, after collapsing to his knees, quickly regained his senses and wanted to ask more, but then he saw the Soul-Fate Tome held in Zhao Fusheng's hands.
The Soul-Fate Tome was covered in ghost curses, emanating an ominous and eerie aura.
Such a ghostly artifact could not be forged. It was indeed the Soul-Fate Tome without a doubt. With this item in hand, Zhao Fusheng needed no further explanation; it naturally proved her identity.
"Hurry!"
Zhao Fusheng barked. The clerk, having come to his senses, repeatedly assented. He hurriedly scrambled to his feet. In her gaze, it was as if his legs had suddenly become much nimbler. He dashed into the inner quarters, shouting loudly:
"County Magistrate! Magistrate! The Demon Exorcism Bureau has someone here to handle a case! Wan'an County is saved—"
After this commotion, the entire yamen was alerted.
Before long, the magistrate of Wan'an County rushed over. This man was quite old, with graying hair. He was thin as a bean sprout, with a worried expression, clearly indicating he was not successful. Even his clothes were disheveled, his belt merely loosely tied. His gaze towards Zhao Fusheng was filled with surprise, speculation, and fear—but no joy at hearing about the Demon Exorcism Bureau handling a case.
Zhao Fusheng didn't waste words with him, stating her request. The magistrate nodded repeatedly and hurriedly ordered the clerk to prepare a sedan chair to send Zhao Fusheng to the south of the city.
"No grand sedan chair."
Zhao Fusheng frowned, refusing his good intentions:
"A carriage would be best, and find someone skilled at driving. I'm in a hurry and want to reach the south of the city as soon as possible."
Her words made the magistrate secretly glance at her. He quickly assented and sent the clerk to expedite the matter.
"Officer Zhao—" The magistrate cupped his hands in obeisance, timidly scrutinizing Zhao Fusheng for a long time with a frightened expression before finally mustering the courage to ask:
"The matter in Beggar's Alley has been troubling us for quite some time. A ghost domain has formed there, where one can enter but not leave. Are you perhaps meeting someone else on this trip?"
He saw that Zhao Fusheng was unfamiliar, and wanted to subtly inquire about her origins. The magistrate of Wan'an County hoped that Zhao Fusheng was someone sent by the imperial court to clean up the mess. If her identity was confirmed, it would prove that the imperial court had not completely abandoned this place, and thus there would still be a glimmer of hope for the lives in Wan'an County.
"No."
Zhao Fusheng didn't give him false hope. She shook her head, watching as the old magistrate's body swayed heavily after hearing her response, as if he had been greatly struck.
Finally, he asked again:
"Then your current identity—"
"I am the newly appointed Commander of the Wan'an County Demon Exorcism Bureau," Zhao Fusheng replied: "Currently, the Demon Exorcism Bureau is short-staffed. The other two have already gone to handle another case."
The magistrate's face turned pale, and his hands trembled incessantly:
"There are other cases?"
Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Temporarily, no issues." She had ordered Fan Bisi and the other to divert the trouble. As long as these two didn't encounter ghosts along the way, they should be fine. Once the bodies of the Zhao couple were delivered to County Magistrate Bao's territory, any ghostly transformations would no longer be her concern.
The magistrate's face turned bitter, and a look of despair appeared in his eyes; he clearly didn't quite believe her words.
"The ghostly calamity in Beggar's Alley is severe. Can... can you guarantee to dispel it?" He thought for a moment. Perhaps due to the deep-seated prestige of the Demon Exorcism Bureau in the past, he ultimately didn't voice the rest of his question, instead sighing:
"I hope you have a smooth journey and return safely."
The Demon Exorcism Bureau's case handling carried a high casualty rate. Under normal circumstances, a Commander would be accompanied by two or more Envoys, and even the accompanying individuals could die. Now, with Zhao Fusheng traveling alone, the magistrate felt that she might not return from this trip.
However, the Demon Exorcism Bureau personnel held high status and had strange, fierce temperaments, so he didn't voice his concerns. Zhao Fusheng didn't mind his attitude and simply nodded:
"I also hope I can have a smooth journey and return safely."
"If you return, I will host a banquet for you then, to welcome you and cleanse you of travel dust."
"Good."
Zhao Fusheng did not refuse, but readily nodded in agreement.
As the two spoke, the county yamen quickly prepared a carriage. At the same time, the clerk, from somewhere, found a constable to accompany her. Although the yamen prepared a carriage, perhaps because Zhao Fusheng requested to go as quickly as possible, the stable was exceedingly rudimentary.
Zhao Fusheng didn't mind. She got into the carriage. The constable didn't dare to look at her. Once she was seated firmly, he immediately shook the reins. The thin horse slowly lifted its legs after a while, laboriously pulling the carriage forward.
As the carriage began to move, Zhao Fusheng looked back in the direction of the yamen, seeing the elderly magistrate and the clerk standing together, both looking worriedly in the direction she was leaving, as if her departure would decide the lives of many.
There weren't many onlookers on either side of the street. Her earlier drumming had alarmed this entire street, and many people had learned of her identity. Now, hearing that the Demon Exorcism Bureau was handling a case, many stared at her with blank expressions—some curious, some purely watching the spectacle—but they didn't seem to hold much hope for her ghost-dispelling efforts.
For some reason, Zhao Fusheng felt a little uncomfortable under their gazes. She frowned and spoke to the constable driving the carriage:
"Brother, what's your surname?"
Her calling him "Brother" almost made the man driving the carriage fall headfirst to the ground in fright.
"I wouldn't dare to be addressed as such by Milady. My name is Liu Huai, and I am the fifth child in my family. If you don't mind, just call me Liu Wu."
He was tall but not well-built, with a full beard and somewhat thinning hair. Zhao Fusheng was silent for a moment, then asked:
"Wan'an County currently—"
She originally wanted to ask about the current situation in Wan'an County, but having been in this world for a short time, she could already see the basic state of the county. The wealthy households in the county had almost all moved away, leaving behind only those unable to flee. Hope had been lost here; the living were like walking corpses, believing themselves doomed to die. There was no laughter in the county, no crying of children. The county yamen was like stagnant water, and the entire county town had lost its vitality.
What was there to ask?
When she lived in modern times, she was just an ordinary person. Now, after being reborn, she could barely protect herself, yet she bore pressure. Zhao Fusheng slowly exhaled a turbid breath, but always felt as if a large stone was pressing on her heart.
She no longer tried to inquire about the situation in Wan'an County, turning instead to ask about matters related to Beggar's Alley:
"Tell me about the situation at the Confucius Temple."
"...Yes."
Liu Wu breathed a sigh of relief when she asked about the Confucius Temple. The Confucius Temple was a legend in Wan'an County; everyone knew about it.
"The predecessor of this Confucius Temple was actually the Liu family's ancestral temple—" Liu Wu began, starting with the Liu family's ancestral temple. Although Zhao Fusheng had already learned some details of the case from the official reports and Paper Man Zhang, she didn't interrupt Liu Wu. Instead, she listened as he recounted the past splendor of the Liu family.
The Liu clan used to be one of the top gentry and influential families in Wan'an County, once honored guests of the Demon Exorcism Bureau and the county yamen's important figures, extremely famous in Wan'an County.
"Wan'an County back then wasn't like it is now. After Old Master Liu retired from his official post and returned to his hometown, he managed the Liu family's affairs with great success. This Old Master Liu was benevolent and charitable, a famous philanthropist in the city—"
As Liu Wu spoke, he nervously glanced at Zhao Fusheng. Seeing that Zhao Fusheng did not scold him or tell him to get to the point, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. His courage gradually grew, and he spoke with less restraint than before.
Zhao Fusheng saw that the time was ripe and asked:
"I heard that a ghost incident also occurred during Old Master Liu's birthday celebration."
"Who said it didn't?" Liu Wu saw her 'kindness' and even dared to show a slight smile in his speech:
"It's a coincidence, but my grandfather also personally experienced that calamity back then. He said he almost lost his life."
At his words, Zhao Fusheng's spirits immediately lifted.
"Tell me."
"Okay." Liu Wu nodded vigorously, energized: "On the day of Old Master Liu's sixtieth birthday, his sons, out of filial piety, arranged a continuous feast, inviting the common people of Wan'an County. The intention was to gather the blessings of the populace and wish their elder infinite longevity."
"Many people went at that time. The authorities, fearing trouble, dispatched some constables. My grandfather was also on duty in the yamen's office then. Speaking of which, our family name, Liu, is the same as Old Master Liu's. According to my grandfather, we were distant relatives from early on, barely connected. Relying on this connection, my grandfather also secured this desirable assignment."
Those who served at the Liu family would receive special care from them. To ensure these people were more diligent during their shifts, besides the necessary food and drink arranged by the Liu family, the steward would also provide each person on duty a birthday red packet, containing some copper coins.
"The Liu family was generous. In addition, they invited an opera troupe. With the stage set, when the opera was performed, servants would also carry baskets filled with money to scatter."
This Liu Wu was quite eloquent. As he narrated, Zhao Fusheng could almost imagine the grand scene of Liu Huacheng's sixtieth birthday forty years ago.
"There was indeed a lot of money. My grandfather also managed to grab quite a bit. The opera troupe performed non-stop for twelve hours a day, one act after another, day and night without rest."
People scattering money would appear at any time, so those attending the birthday banquet were very excited. Everyone ate and took, while also enjoying the lively entertainment. It was extremely joyful.
"Everyone dared not close their eyes, fearing they'd miss out on money—" At this point, a look of longing and aspiration appeared in Liu Wu's eyes.
But quickly, the corner of his eye caught Zhao Fusheng frowning. He immediately became alert, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, and he instantly sobered up. He realized that Zhao Fusheng wanted to ask about the Confucius Temple, not Old Master Liu's birthday banquet from back then.
"And the change happened on the third night of the continuous feast." As he spoke of the past, a look of fright appeared on his face:
"It was said that at midnight that night, the opera reached its third act. As the performers were packing up and dispersing, the house servants took out copper coins to scatter. Two people started fighting over a single coin."
After he got to the main point, Zhao Fusheng's expression became serious. She straightened her body and leaned closer to Liu Wu.
"Such situations are common."
People die for wealth, birds die for food. It wasn't easy to earn money in this era. The original Zhao Fusheng's entire family's lives were bought for just five copper coins. When the Liu family carried baskets of money to scatter, how could there not be disputes? The reason no one died was probably because the Liu family was powerful, having hired people to guard their estate, and others were afraid of causing too much trouble and being kicked out by the Liu family, thus cutting off their access to food and money.
"Who says it wasn't?" Liu Wu nodded, fearfully saying: "At that time, both of them reached out simultaneously to pick up that large coin. Both claimed the money was theirs, and they argued endlessly."
Normally, with the Liu family holding a festive event and public constables stationed there, fighting parties would usually know better and stop themselves. One person would eventually back down. But that day, it was as if they were possessed. The more they argued, the angrier they became, and they actually started fighting.
"In the struggle, tables and chairs were knocked over. My grandfather, seeing someone causing trouble, was furious. He called a few constables, ready to throw those two unruly people out of the Liu family's residence."
He paused here, a look of terror appearing in his eyes: "Who knew that during their fight, these two actually bumped into a nearby table. Everyone else quickly dodged, but one person was a bit slow to avoid it and was swept in the head by an arm."
As Liu Wu spoke, his teeth clattered 'click-click,' and he was so frightened that his face lost all color, making it hard for him to continue.
Zhao Fusheng was exceptionally sharp. Seeing that he was greatly scared, she interjected:
"That truly is an unprovoked calamity. The person who was hit must have been angry and would surely fight back."
It would have been better if she hadn't said anything, but as soon as she spoke, Liu Wu immediately shook his head repeatedly. But after shaking twice, he hastily extended a hand to cover his neck:
"No, no, that person's head immediately fell to the ground."
"!!!"
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