Chapter Forty: A Secret Meeting

Looking across the history of ancient Chinese novels, from the myths of the pre-Qin era, to the supernatural tales of the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties, then to the Tang chuanqi and Song storytellers’ scripts, the refinement of centuries eventually led to the artistic heights of Ming and Qing fiction.

If the “Songs of Chu” represented the culmination of pre-Qin mythology, then the “Records of Searching for the Supernatural” during the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties was the archetype of supernatural tales.

Any literature divorced from its era is rootless, like water without a source. The “Records of Searching for the Supernatural” wrote of men and spirits, reality and illusion, retribution and passion. Though it brimmed with imagination transcending its time, its essence was still grounded in the social politics, prevailing thoughts, and folk customs of its day. Thus, the widespread dissemination of its supernatural stories was, above all, due to the enthusiastic embrace by the masses.

Compared to the loftiness of poetry and the elegance of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, these tales—simple in reasoning, dramatic in plot, and filled with strange supernatural events—were easily passed by word of mouth, quickly sparking a nationwide craze.

Of course, “quickly” still meant at least several years!

Xu You did not have years to wait, nor could he afford to waste so much time on such a matter. Therefore, what he needed to do was merely to improve the method and manner of dissemination.

“Spirits and gods?”

“Exactly! To deal with Du Jingzhi, that charlatan, we must create another one to oppose him…”

The three had finished their discussion. He Ru and Zuo Wen were about to leave when Xu You suddenly said, “Qi Yi, why do I feel that Bao Xi’s reputation does not match his abilities?”

He Ru paused, saying nothing.

“As Dongyang’s trusted aide sent to assist Gu Yun, he should be exemplary in wisdom and strategy. Yet, from what I saw in Zhibin Pavilion, he was timid and hesitant, lacking any adaptability or decisive response. It truly raises doubts!”

He Ru replied calmly, “Bao Xi is not someone we need to trouble ourselves with. He is not an obstacle.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am certain!”

Xu You smiled slightly. “That’s good, then. Go on, you’ve all had a long day—get some rest early.”

Zuo Wen bowed and left. After He Ru stepped out, he returned and sat opposite Xu You. Xu You maintained his earlier posture, unmoved by He Ru’s return. He lowered his head, gently caressing the jade cup in his hand, saying nothing.

“I knew Bao Xi from our days at the Inspector's Office of Jiangzhou…”

Xu You looked up, placed the jade cup on the table, and smiled. “Bao Xi is not our obstacle, is he?”

“No, I guarantee it.”

“That settles it. As for your past with him, I imagine it’s a secret in your heart. You need not tell me, nor do I wish to know. Qi Yi, what matters between us is understanding; with understanding comes trust, and with trust, there is no suspicion. Without suspicion, chaos does not arise. This is the path to longevity and success.”

He Ru set aside his usual pride, replying respectfully, “As you wish!”

By midnight, the moon was bright outside, and Qiantang City had fallen into complete silence. Xu You had just drifted into sleep when he suddenly awoke. As he strained to listen for any sound, Zuo Wen burst through the door, sword in hand, standing guard beside him.

“What happened?”

“I’m not sure yet… It seems someone broke in, and after being discovered, a fight broke out!”

Xu You threw on his robe and walked to the window. He could see two figures standing apart in the courtyard. One was Li Yifeng, the Spirit-Exorcising Officer, and the other, to his surprise, was the old servant who guarded the gate.

The two seemed to exchange words in the courtyard. Li Yifeng retreated, reached the wall, pressed his toes to the ground, and leapt over, disappearing outside. The old servant coughed a few times, hunched over, and slowly returned to the gatehouse.

“This courtyard truly hides dragons and crouching tigers; even a decrepit servant can drive off the Spirit-Exorcising Officer of the Daoist Celestial Masters in Yangzhou. No wonder Madame Zhan is so confident in our safety.” Xu You watched the old servant leave with interest. “Fenghu, go and rest. With such formidable guardians at the gate, nothing will happen.”

Zuo Wen hesitated. “Perhaps I should stay inside… Since Li Yifeng came to assassinate you, he may not give up so easily…”

The reputation of the Celestial Masters was not built on soothing children. If they set their sights on someone, few in the world could sleep easy.

Xu You’s profile looked gentle in the moonlight. He spoke softly, “Don’t worry. Li Yifeng did come to find me, but he’s not here to cause trouble.”

Zuo Wen was puzzled. “Not to cause trouble? Is he here to reminisce with you?”

Xu You laughed. “You’ve guessed right.”

There came a knock at the door. Zuo Wen glanced at Xu You, saw him nod, and opened it. Madame Zhan stood outside, followed by Qianqin and Wanqi. She cupped her hands. “The intruder has retreated. Sorry for disturbing you, Master Xu.”

Xu You shrugged with unusual elegance. “You’re the first to call the Spirit-Exorcising Officer a thief, Madame!”

“He entered without permission—a thief, regardless of his title! Even a Spirit-Exorcising Officer is nothing more than a thief.”

Her words were bold, but boldness needs confidence. With an old servant of such skill guarding the gate, Madame Zhan certainly had confidence. “If you’re not sleepy, may I come in for a chat?”

Late at night—even with others present—it was improper, especially since Madame Zhan had been widowed for a year and was still in mourning. If word got out, it would tarnish her reputation.

Perhaps Madame Zhan did not mind, and Xu You himself cared little, but he could not ignore whether Guo Mian was so magnanimous.

“If you wish to ask about the plan after the appearance of the White Serpent and the person, I can only say that fate cannot be divulged. In two days, you will know.”

Madame Zhan understood Xu You’s polite refusal. She was not offended, smiled, raised her bold brows, and said with a breezy charm, “Then I won’t disturb your rest. Wanqi will guard here tonight; if anything happens, just instruct her.”

With that, she left with Qianqin. Wanqi did not look at Xu You but stood at the doorway, like a beautiful statue of ice, making the air around her seem to freeze.

Seeing this, Zuo Wen could hardly rest; he took up position at the other side of the door. The two stood left and right, like guardian deities—not fierce, but one an uncle, the other a maiden, oddly well matched.

Xu You tried to persuade them, but neither listened. Helpless, he went to sleep. In his dreams, he seemed to see a woman in red robes, with green hair, both distant and near.

At dawn, Xu You called for Fenghu. Zuo Wen entered, having not slept all night, but was full of energy, showing no fatigue—a testament to his strong constitution.

“Where’s Wanqi?” Xu You looked around, not seeing her. “Did she slip away in the night? Madame Zhan won’t like that, her servants never seem obedient.”

Zuo Wen laughed. “Did you forget? Madame Zhan ordered her to guard only at night. When dawn broke, she left.”

Xu You shook his head, amused. “So she’s too obedient…”

As they joked, Qiufen entered to help Xu You dress. He led everyone downstairs, where breakfast was already laid out. Madame Zhan did not appear; Baihua was in charge of hospitality.

“Qi Yi, you and Qiufen have breakfast first. Fenghu and I are going out.”

He Ru nodded, knowing well what Xu You intended. Baihua smiled. “Master Xu, my mistress instructed you not to go out if possible.”

“No worries, I’ll just stroll nearby. I’ll be back in half an hour.”

Xu You and Zuo Wen left the Zhan residence, wandering the streets. Qiantang was the county seat and a center of commerce, with markets not strictly separated as in the capital; unlike the metropolis of Jinling, markets here opened before noon. Already, merchants and travelers bustled about, and some eateries catered to early risers.

“Li’s Soup Noodles—let’s try it.” Xu You and Zuo Wen entered and found the place thriving, all tables full, and waited before finding a spot near the back. It reminded him of queuing at famous restaurants in later times.

Zuo Wen ordered two bowls of soup noodles. Before they were served, a gaunt man sat opposite them.

Li Yifeng, the Spirit-Exorcising Officer!

Zuo Wen instinctively moved to act, but Xu You stopped him, smiling at Li Yifeng. “Daoist Li, after all these years, why are you still so thin? Is the Celestial Masters’ cuisine really so hard to stomach?”