Chapter 5: Sinister Dark Shadow

Although Xiaoxi Town was small, its City God Temple was renowned far and wide. The City God was said to be miraculously efficacious, answering every prayer, so that within a hundred miles, there was no one who did not know of him.

Xu Sanjin, a prominent and wealthy man from Shanyin County in Yuezhou Prefecture, had traveled hundreds of miles with his family, drawn by the temple's reputation. But now, a murder had occurred within its walls, and the townsfolk were naturally shocked.

“I heard Xu Sanjin’s mother fell ill with a strange disease last month. They summoned all the famed doctors in the city but none could help. Later, a wandering Taoist told him to seek the City God's blessing here in Xiaoxi Town—he guaranteed their wishes would be fulfilled. So the whole family came, and to host a temple fair and make a vow, they spent over a thousand taels of silver. But now a murder has happened—an ominous sign, indeed!”

“That’s right. The peace in the land hasn’t come easy—who wants death and misfortune? And the Xu family came here to seek blessings, gave alms, did good deeds—how could such bad luck befall them?”

“Heh, it’s not our business. Just watch the drama unfold. We poor folk aren’t even worthy to carry their shoes, so why bother?”

Outside the temple gates, crowds had already gathered—men and women, young and old, many from distant counties and prefectures. Lu Tingfang squeezed into the throng with Lu Xin, discovering that the constables had sealed off the entire temple. No one was allowed in or out.

Thanks to its thriving incense offerings, the City God Temple was quite spacious. At that moment, not only the Xu family but nearly three hundred worshippers were inside. Even if the murderer was among them, finding the culprit in such chaos would be no easy task.

“Brother, where’s the dead body? I can’t see.”

“Children shouldn’t look—close your eyes.”

Lu Tingfang snorted softly, covering Lu Xin’s eyes. But following his gaze, in the center of the temple beneath the open courtyard, there stood a giant incense burner, half the height of a man. The corpse lay beside it, surrounded by a large pool of blood, already turned black.

Meanwhile, Xu Sanjin’s family was being questioned by officials under the City God statue, while the other worshippers were ordered to remain where they were at the time of the incident. Several constables and the county captain examined the corpse, but only a single young man in ornate Han attire, sword at his side, moved freely about the temple.

“How odd—dressed in such fine Han robes but without the cap of office, yet permitted to inspect the crime scene. Could he be the adjutant sent from the prefecture?”

Lu Tingfang, eager to go to Yuezhou Prefecture himself, paid special attention to these important visitors. His modern wisdom told him that to gain an opportunity to shine, one must first meet those with the power to grant it.

“Xiao Cao, where is Wang Bo? It’s been nearly half an hour—the corpse’s face is already stiffening. If he doesn’t come soon, you’ll go to the yamen yourself and hurry him!”

“Please, Captain, don’t be anxious. There have been so many murders lately, and Wang Bo is the only one who can examine the bodies. He’s overwhelmed. I’ve already sent someone to fetch him—he should arrive soon.”

“Don’t tell me not to be anxious! How many is this now? The magistrate ordered me to solve the case within half a month. If I can’t, we’ll all end up in prison!”

The county captain, a burly middle-aged man with a thick beard, strode about with a martial air, yet his haggard face betrayed his sleeplessness. The constable, cowed by his shouting, was about to return to the yamen when the young man in fine robes called him back.

“I’ve already examined the body. There’s a contusion on the head, suggesting he was struck from behind and fell, but the true cause of death is poison. Smell the blood—it reeks, is black and viscous. The tongue, from tip to root, is black-purple, indicating the poison has spread throughout the body—sudden death can be ruled out. I surmise he was poisoned and, after lingering for some time, came to the temple to pray for a cure.”

The young man spoke while gazing at the roof beams, his voice clear and loud, unconcerned who might overhear. The county captain immediately stepped forward, fawning and deferential.

“Sir Adjutant, your insight is unmatched—your humble servant is truly ignorant…”

“Enough with the flattery. The Xu family is innocent—you may release them. Also, you mentioned other recent murders—are they related to this case?”

The young man turned, his gaze sharp and unyielding. The burly captain shrank back instinctively under the intensity of his stare.

“Yes, sir, there have been several similar murders this month.”

“Hmph… And you haven’t reported such a grave matter to the prefecture? Your magistrate is Zhang Deguang, isn’t he? Where is he?”

The young man’s tone was stern as he fired off three questions. The captain hung his head, unable to answer. Just then, Master Xu stepped forward with his family from beneath the statue.

“Thank you, dear nephew, for clearing my name. When we return to the prefecture, I will call personally to express my gratitude.”

Xu Sanjin was a slightly plump man of about five feet five, with small but bright eyes. His attire was the most luxurious in the crowd—a man of wealth, unmistakably. Behind him were two beautiful women, a little girl of seven or eight, a dozen servants, and four sturdy house guards.

The young man greeted Xu Sanjin with a bow. “Uncle Xu, there’s no need for such formality—we are family friends. Besides, I’m merely upholding the law. Since this case has nothing to do with you, you’re free to go. Captain He, please have your men escort the Xu family safely out.”

“At once, sir! But, Adjutant, what about the others…”

“Hmph, the others? The case isn’t solved yet—must I tell you what to do?”

“Understood!”

The captain began arranging an escort for the Xu family. The rest of the worshippers erupted in protest, demanding to leave as well. The officials, however, soon restored order by seizing a few troublemakers and beating them soundly.

“Good people, the prefecture’s adjutant is handling the case. Once the culprit is caught, you’ll all be free to go. But if anyone causes trouble, don’t blame me for what happens next!”

He drew his sword and glared fiercely, cowing many into silence. Lu Tingfang watched coldly, his gaze settling on the Xu family as they prepared to leave.

Just as the Xu family reached within three yards of the gate, a black shadow burst forth from the temple’s southwest corner, rushing into their midst with inhuman speed. In the span of two blinks, the four burly house guards all fell dead.

A wave of panic swept the temple. So close to the carnage, Lu Tingfang turned deathly pale, the sickly stench of blood assaulting his nose.

“Who goes there!”

The young adjutant reacted swiftly, drawing his sword a heartbeat after the killings. The black figure, still at the threshold, let out a ghastly cackle. Enshrouded in a dark robe, not a scrap of flesh was visible, and around him swirled strange, faintly purple-red vapors.

“Little adjutant, you’re in no place to meddle in the affairs of the Nine Venoms Sect. Life and death are fated—don’t throw your own away.”

The figure’s voice was hoarse and chilling. As he spoke, he reached out toward the door. Lu Tingfang felt an immense force seize him from the very air, his feet leaving the ground. Before he knew it, he landed inside the temple. The heavy doors slammed shut with a thunderous crash.

“No one here will leave alive today—ha ha ha ha ha…”

The mad laughter echoed. The Xu family cowered, paralyzed with terror. Only the young adjutant kept his composure; the captain and his constables were clearly frightened. The black figure’s power was unspeakably dreadful.

“What is this—martial arts? Sorcery? Am I to die here, just after arriving in the Tang Dynasty? Did I underestimate the dangers of the past?”

Though the black figure did not attack further, Lu Tingfang was left stunned and blank with terror—a feeling of utter helplessness, his very life held in another’s hands. For a modern man like him, all his pride and sense of superiority vanished in an instant.

“Ow, brother, what’s happening—how did we end up in here?”

Lu Xin’s sudden cry drew every eye in the temple, even the black figure glancing briefly at the child. Seeing this, Lu Tingfang hurriedly clapped his cousin’s mouth shut and inched them toward a corner, the black figure paying them no further mind, as if all present were already within his grasp.

“I don’t care what sect of occultists you are. The world now belongs to the Tang, under Emperor Taizong—all monsters and demons must withdraw. The court has established the Temple of Yin and Yang, and Wei Tun Yun himself was appointed Chief of the Imperial Shrine. If anyone here dies today, the army will come for you. Whether you’re Nine Venoms or Ten Venoms, your sect will be wiped out in an instant!”

The young adjutant was not so easily cowed. Sword raised, he spoke with unyielding spirit. The black figure listened, then broke out in another eerie laugh.

“Wei Tun Yun? Ha! In your court, with his cultivation at the fifth stage of the Subtle Realm, he is someone; but in the Nine Venoms Sect, he’s not fit to carry our master’s shoes. Don't bother threatening me with the Tang. I’m here for your so-called emperor. Li Shimin, who slew his brothers and coerced his father—a traitor and a parricide—does he deserve the throne?”

“Insolent villain! Prepare to die!”