Chapter 47: Elder Zi
Night had descended upon Market Street, casting a solemn hush over its usual bustle. A winter rain had fallen earlier that day, and now the air in Jin Ling Prefecture carried a piercing chill. The wet stone pavement glistened under the dim streetlights, reflecting the quiet desolation of the hour.
A sleek automobile rolled to a stop before Falling Cloud Retreat. From the front passenger seat, a young woman in a fitted business suit stepped out with practiced grace. She opened an umbrella first, then moved to the rear door, pulling it open with deliberate care. Her fingers hovered above the door’s edge, shielding against the cold drizzle, her demeanor steeped in quiet reverence.
A figure emerged from within.
Her neck was slender like a swan’s, her posture refined. She wore a violet qipao, its tailored fabric hugging delicate curves, exuding elegance with each measured step. Her hair was styled into an impeccable bun, with not a single strand out of place.
A face of composed beauty, clean and unblemished, adorned with the barest touch of makeup. Resting upon the bridge of her nose was a pair of frameless glasses, their delicate craftsmanship lending an air of scholarly refinement to her already arresting presence.
She appeared to be in her early thirties. As she alighted from the car, her gaze lifted toward the wooden plaque above the shop’s entrance, where the words Falling Cloud Retreat were inscribed. A faint furrow formed between her brows.
“A lingering trace of calamity lingers still… Senior Brother, have you crossed paths with a formidable force?”
The woman in violet—Elder Zi—shook her head slightly, a sigh slipping from her lips.
Beside her, the young woman in the business suit lowered her voice. “Elder Zi, the wind is harsh out here. Would you prefer to wait in the car?”
“No rush. Bring my things.”
Her tone was soft yet carried the weight of authority. There was no sharpness in her words, yet defying them was simply unthinkable.
Without another word, the assistant retrieved a slender wooden box from the car’s interior. She carefully lifted the lid, revealing a White Jade Compass, which she then presented with both hands.
Elder Zi accepted the compass in her left hand, while her right formed an intricate gesture, fingers lightly tracing unseen patterns in the air. She took a step forward, then another, her path carrying her toward the shop’s left flank. Moving along the perimeter wall, she walked with unhurried intent.
The assistant followed closely, quickening her steps, holding the umbrella aloft to shield Elder Zi from the rain.
Moments later, Elder Zi halted at a corner of the wall. Her gaze swept downward.
“Remove the brick from this section.”
“Yes.”
The assistant hesitated, glancing at the umbrella she was holding. “Shall I escort you back to the car first? I’ll return to handle it.”
Elder Zi’s brows knitted together. “Since when did a Xuan Sect disciple become so delicate? Rain is rootless water, formed naturally by the heavens. Where did you pick up such affectations? Give me the umbrella.”
With that, she took the umbrella from the assistant’s grasp. Now bereft of its cover, the assistant obediently crouched down, retrieving a small blade from her pocket. With careful precision, she began prying the brick loose.
Elder Zi held the umbrella steady over the younger woman’s head, her voice measured and instructive. “Second brick from the left. Yes, this one. Good… now check beneath it.”
Within minutes, despite the umbrella, mist-like rain clung to Elder Zi’s hair, dampening the wisps at her temples. Yet she seemed unfazed, focused entirely on the task at hand.
At last, the assistant extracted a fragment of talisman paper, waterlogged and half-decayed. She held it up to Elder Zi with both hands.
“As expected.”
Elder Zi unfolded the fragile parchment with delicate fingers. Her eyes traced the faded runes inked upon it. She reached out, brushing her fingertips lightly over the remaining cinnabar markings.
“I don’t recognize this script… yet the craftsmanship is extraordinary. The materials, however, are disappointingly crude—ordinary talisman paper and common cinnabar. Likely purchased from a regular shop.”
She frowned, pondering. “A master who understands such esoteric talismanic arts… yet resorts to such inferior materials? How peculiar.”
After a brief silence, Elder Zi shook her head. “This is but one of the markers they left behind. The others have long since dissipated their power. There is no need to search further. Let’s return to the car.”
The assistant took back the umbrella, carefully holding it over Elder Zi as they made their way back. Once inside the vehicle, Elder Zi sat in composed stillness. Within moments, a faint ripple of energy flowed around her, evaporating every last trace of rain from her garments and hair.
Up front, the assistant was tidying their belongings when she noticed a vehicle approaching in the distance. She turned and murmured, “Elder Zi, Uncle Qing has arrived.”
“Mm.”
Elder Zi opened the door once more, stepping beneath the eaves of the shop.
The approaching vehicle slowed to a stop. A man emerged—Uncle Qing, clad in a dark overcoat, a newsboy cap pulled low over his face. His expression was grim, but the moment his eyes landed on Elder Zi, he quickened his pace.
“Junior Sister, why are you here so early?”
Elder Zi’s gaze remained serene. “I’m only ten minutes ahead of schedule.”
Uncle Qing seemed ready to say more, but Elder Zi cut him off with a slight shake of her head. “I’ve already examined the area. Let’s speak elsewhere.”
“Huh? Already? Are you sure you don’t want to check the courtyard as well?”
“No need. I understand the situation. We should leave—I have matters to discuss with you.”
Uncle Qing hesitated, unease flickering across his face, but seeing Elder Zi’s calm demeanor, he swallowed his protest.
The two of them returned to their vehicles. One after another, the cars departed Market Street, slipping into the quiet night. Soon, they turned onto a secluded alleyway, stopping before a modest courtyard.
The setting was that of a tea house, simple yet well-kept. A handful of flowering plants decorated the small yard, but there were no excessive adornments.
Inside, the main hall was compact, centered around a tea table carved from ancient tree roots, surrounded by four wooden chairs of deep crimson hue.
Uncle Qing gestured for Elder Zi to sit, reaching for the teapot with the intent to prepare a brew himself. But a flicker of impatience crossed Elder Zi’s face. She turned to her assistant instead.
“Fetch me a cup of water.”
“Hey, you’re already in my tea house. Why drink plain water? I was about to make you a fine brew—some of the best Golden Stallion Eyebrows tea my friend sent me. Junior Sister, you should at least try…”
“Water can cleanse the heart.” The woman in violet robes spoke coldly. “But you, Senior Brother—luxurious tea, a grand residence, every item in this teahouse exudes extravagance. I dare not drink your tea.
Tea should dispel impurities, yet each sip here reeks of indulgence.”
Uncle Qing froze, his words faltering. “Junior Sister…”
The woman sighed. “It is not my intention to reprimand you the moment we meet. But tell me, is this how a cultivator ought to live?”
Uncle Qing shook his head with a bitter smile. “With you in our sect, mastering the arcane arts, what use is there for me to struggle? As your Senior Brother, I might as well take it easy…”
Then, his face turned crestfallen. “This time, I’ve fallen into a treacherous trap. Someone deceived me thoroughly. I’ve been waiting for you to return, hoping you would aid me in undoing this misfortune. Yet the moment you arrive, you neither inspect my shop nor sip my tea—you only scold me.”
“Enough with the self-pity, Senior Brother,” she said, her expression detached. “I’ve already examined your shop and understand the situation. Indeed, a masterful hand has worked against you, laying talismans within your domain.”
With that, she placed a yellowed paper talisman on the tea table, retrieved earlier from the crevice in the wall.
Uncle Qing carefully picked it up, scrutinizing it with knitted brows.
“No need to look—it has already lost its power.” The woman in violet robes frowned slightly, rubbing her temple. “The craftsmanship of this rune is exceptional, beyond anything I’ve encountered before. Still, I can deduce its purpose. It is a sigil that gathers Yin energy.”
Seeing the puzzled look on Uncle Qing’s face, she felt a twinge of disappointment but remained patient.
“Strategically placing a few of these in key locations would siphon the surrounding Yin energy, concentrating it within your premises. Creatures that thrive in darkness—snakes, insects, rats, and scorpions—are drawn to such places.
Luckily for you, your shop is located on Market Street, where the crowd keeps such pests at bay. But several restaurants line the street, which means plenty of rats. The moment the talisman activated, it lured them straight into your shop.”
Uncle Qing, now intrigued, turned the talisman over and over in his hands.
His Junior Sister shook her head. “I told you, it’s pointless to keep looking. Even I cannot decipher this script fully.”
Uncle Qing flushed and set the talisman down. “Then… can you find out who did this?”
“And what would you do if I did?” she asked, a faint smirk playing on her lips.
“Obviously, I would strike back! Junior Sister, you don’t understand—I’ve suffered immense losses this time! I built up Falling Cloud Retreat with great effort, only for its reputation to crumble overnight. Now, everyone in the trade whispers that my shop is tainted with misfortune. Who would dare seek my services anymore?
I have poured vast sums into this business! Just the annual rent alone exceeds a million! And now, I can’t even open my doors. If I don’t act fast, I may never recover. How could I possibly swallow this insult?!”
“And what do you propose?”
“I called you back for one reason—find out who did this and make them pay!” Uncle Qing’s eyes burned with fury.
His Junior Sister regarded him for a long moment, then sighed. “Senior Brother… do you think I am invincible? That I can vanquish all foes with ease?”
“Uh…”
“Master once tasked me with watching over you, but the world is vast, filled with countless experts. Do you truly believe that by relying on me, you can walk unchallenged?”
Her gaze turned colder. “How many times has this happened? Senior Brother, I have warned you before—your actions will bring disaster upon you. The mystic arts are shrouded in secrecy, but if you use them to exploit others, one day you will meet your match and be crushed beyond salvation!”
Uncle Qing scowled. “Junior Sister! I summoned you here for help! I’ve already suffered enough… Look at me! I was beaten just days ago—the bruises on my face haven’t even faded yet! My shop is ruined, my business crippled, and—”
“Fate is cyclical; karma is inevitable.” Her tone was glacial. “Even you have studied the arts. The very first lesson in our sect’s scriptures is inscribed with these eight words—Cycles of Fate, Karmic Retribution. Have you forgotten them?”
With that, she slowly rose to her feet. “If you remain blind to reason, I can do nothing for you. I will take my leave.”
Seeing her rise, Uncle Qing panicked. His face shifted from green to red as he hurriedly stepped forward to block her path. His voice turned almost pleading. “Junior Sister! Don’t leave, don’t leave! Ah… how did we end up arguing like this?
Fine, fine, I won’t argue. Sit back down. If you wish to reprimand me, I’ll listen. Scold me as much as you like—I promise not to talk back.
You are the only Junior Sister I have. If you don’t help me, no one else in the sect will…”
She cast him a long look, then shook her head. “Let me make it clear, Senior Brother—your enemy this time is no ordinary foe. Their talismanic arts far surpass my understanding. I cannot gauge the depths of their cultivation.
And yet, you have somehow provoked such a formidable adversary… Think about it carefully.
If they could inscribe a talisman that merely gathers Yin energy and attracts rodents, do you believe they lack the skill to create something far worse?
Perhaps they went easy on you this time.
What if, instead of drawing ordinary Yin energy, they had set talismans that summoned a Bloodshade Curse?
Had that been the case, do you think you would still be standing here, complaining to me?”
A shudder ran through Uncle Qing’s body. For the first time, he felt genuine fear.
“Junior Sister… you’re not trying to scare me, are you? The enemy… are they truly that terrifying?”
“This is no mere trick. Their runes are beyond anything I’ve encountered. They used the simplest of materials—ordinary talisman paper and cinnabar—yet the result was astonishing. I, for one, lack the skill to accomplish such a feat.”
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation