Chapter Forty-Eight: The Charlatan

After much searching in the Northern Courtyard, Sansi finally found the so-called Treasury Pavilion. However, the journey there was far too easy, which made Sansi suspicious; he didn’t dare go through the main entrance.

He walked to the side of the pavilion, where he found a window. Sansi climbed in through it. Inside, what met his eyes were many wooden platforms of varying sizes, upon which were placed all manner of magical artifacts and weapons.

Just as Lingshuang had said, the gourd was on the first floor. Indeed, after a quick glance around, Sansi effortlessly spotted the precious gourd. As he approached, he saw a book lying beneath it. Sansi thought to himself: This book must be the manual for using the gourd—truly, Heaven is helping me.

Without delay, Sansi put the gourd and the manual into his Jade Bracelet and, wasting no time, slipped out of the pavilion, quietly shutting the window behind him.

He swiftly yet cautiously vaulted over the courtyard wall and hurried to Taiyi’s side, calling out in a loud voice, “Uncle-Master, it’s almost time for martial training. Why don’t we return to our quarters and rest for a bit? The Second Elder will certainly inspect the training grounds this afternoon. If we have anything to discuss, we can tell him then; it won’t delay us by much.”

“Very well, let’s go back first,” Taiyi replied.

The two of them returned to their rooms. As soon as the door was closed, Taiyi couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked, “Brother Sansi, did you manage to steal the gourd?”

Sansi smiled, handed him the manual, and said, “This is different from my Five Evil Palms manual—this book is all text, and I can’t read it. Have a look and see if I can learn how to use the gourd from it.”

Taiyi flipped through the book. “Oh, the beginning is just about the origin of the gourd. The instructions are at the end. It shouldn’t take long to learn. Brother Sansi, I’ll start reading—listen carefully.”

Half an hour later…

Ye Sansi nodded slowly. “Alright, I understand the main points. I should be able to use the gourd now. By the way, could you recite for me the instructions for the ‘Heaven-Earth Lock’ that Lingshuang gave me?”

“Why rush to learn the Heaven-Earth Lock? There will be plenty of time later. We must set out immediately—if we wait until martial training starts and they come looking for us and discover we stole the gourd, we’ll be in trouble.”

“It’s fine, it’s still early. The instructions are only a few pages; it won’t take long. If we learn now, we’ll have a way to deal with any dangers on the road.”

“Alright, I’ll read it once—Brother Sansi, pay close attention.”

After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Taiyi finished reading, stood up, and said, “Brother Sansi, we must leave the city at once. If we stay any longer, escape will be difficult.”

“Good. Heaven-Earth Lock!”

Sansi performed the spell, and Taiyi was immediately immobilized, unable to speak a word.

Sansi approached him slowly, looked at Taiyi, and said softly, “Taiyi, forgive me for deceiving you again. This journey will be fraught with peril, so I can’t let you come with me. Stay in Lingzhou City and take good care of Lingshuang for me.”

“Oh, and tell Lingshuang and the others that I miss Uncle Shu, and I’m borrowing the gourd to visit Cloudstep Mountain. I’ll be back in half a month. If I don’t return, tell Lingshuang that I lied to her—that I never had any feelings for her, never liked her. She’d be better off living freely on the mountain than being with me. Taiyi, I’m counting on you—my thanks.”

Taiyi struggled with all his might but couldn’t move. Bloodshot with desperation, he wanted nothing more than to follow Sansi and look after him, but now he could only watch helplessly as his brother left the room and gently closed the door.

Sansi left the stronghold and reached the city gate. The guards stopped him, saying, “It’s dangerous outside. You may enter the city, but no one is allowed to leave.”

Ye Sansi smiled, hands clasped behind his back. “You’re of the Liu Family, you should recognize me. I am Ye Sansi of the Liu Family Army, leaving the city on urgent orders from the Second Elder. If you don’t believe me, you can ask at the Liu Stronghold, but if you delay me here…”

“I believe you, of course. I’ve seen you before—you’re the young lady’s friend. You may go, but please be careful.”

With a nod, Sansi left the city and noticed that fewer and fewer citizens were entering; it seemed that everywhere in Lingzhou except the city itself had fallen to the demon plague. The city’s fall was imminent, perhaps in less than three days, so Sansi pressed on with greater urgency.

After leaving the city, he found a secluded spot, set the gourd on the ground, and recited the incantation. As expected, the gourd floated into the air. With another spell, it grew to the size of a person.

Sansi climbed atop the gourd, which soared upwards and doubled in size once again. Seated upon it, he raised his fingers, guiding the gourd as it flew. Though he was still unfamiliar with controlling it and wobbled unsteadily, the speed was astonishing. Once the gourd steadied, Sansi leaned out to look below. He remembered the route well and had made a point of noting distinctive terrain near the Demonic Realm. In less than three hours, he was hovering above it…

After Sansi’s departure, Taiyi remained frozen in place for three hours. When Ling Shuang did not see Sansi or Taiyi at afternoon training, she thought they were just goofing off in the city and covered for them when others asked, so no suspicions were raised.

But when it came time for dinner and Ling Shuang still hadn’t seen them, she began to worry they might have run into trouble—after all, many outsiders had entered the city, and their safety couldn’t be guaranteed.

She went with Nian’er to look for them, knocking on their door but getting no response.

She pushed the door open to find Taiyi standing in the middle of the room, eyes open but body completely still. Ling Shuang approached, waving her hand in front of his face, but there was no reaction.

Ling Shuang muttered, “Taiyi, what’s wrong with you? Have you become as silly as Sansi after playing with him for so long?”

Nian’er chimed in, “Ling Shuang, did Young Master Li fall victim to the Heaven-Earth Lock? He looks like he’s been frozen for a long time.”

“It does look like that, but why can’t he speak or blink? It must be Sansi—he must have immobilized Taiyi and gone off to have fun by himself. When he gets back, I’ll give him a piece of my mind for Taiyi’s sake. Nian’er, hurry and undo the spell—let Taiyi rest. He must be exhausted from standing so long; I’ll go look for Sansi in the city.”

“Release!” Nian’er cast a spell, but Taiyi remained motionless. She tried again, still to no avail. “The Heaven-Earth Lock won’t budge—let’s go ask Second Elder for help.”

“Alright, Nian’er, Second Grandfather should be in the East Hall’s dining room. You go find him; I’ll search for Sansi. It’s nearly nightfall—it would be dangerous if I ran into trouble.”

“Alright.”

They split up. Ling Shuang left the Liu Stronghold and asked the guards at the gate, “Have you seen a young man leave—taller than me, sturdy, carrying a glowing sword?”

“Yes, Miss. A few hours ago, a young man left in a hurry.”

“How many hours exactly?”

“About three.”

At this, Ling Shuang hurried into the city, calling for Ye Sansi as she went. She thought, That wild boy! Off playing by himself for three hours—if he runs into trouble, it’ll be terrible.

Lingzhou City was large and crowded with shops and taverns; searching every one would take half a day. Exhausted from walking and calling, Ling Shuang sat down on a step to rest, anxiety gnawing at her.

Sansi, you’re so infuriating. You promised to teach me the sixty-fourth sword form. Not only did you refuse, you snuck out and left me worried.

“Well, well, where did this lovely girl come from? Care to have a drink with your big brother?” A drunken man approached her.

“I’ve no interest in that. I’m in a hurry—get lost!” Ling Shuang stood to leave.

“Oho, fiery, aren’t you? I like that.” The drunk motioned, and five more ruffians appeared, each with a weapon at their waist. They blocked her path.

Ling Shuang sneered, “So you’re just a bunch of villains. Good—I’ll help my father rid Lingzhou of scum like you.”

She drew her sword and tossed aside the scabbard. The five thugs, seeing her armed, drew their own weapons and attacked.

Ling Shuang darted and weaved, wielding the Liu Family’s Seventy-Two Sword Techniques. After a few exchanges, she realized these men had no training, but their strength was formidable. Her sword, striking their weapons, not only failed to injure them but rebounded with greater force, making her stumble back, her hands trembling from the impact.

The five kept their distance, careful not to harm her—after all, their leader wanted her alive. They surrounded her, grinning. “Hey, girl, you’re not our match. Why resist? It’s just a drink with our boss. With such delicate skin, it’d be a shame if you got hurt.”

“Despicable! Bullying me with numbers…”

The drunken leader swaggered closer, laughing. “That’s right—I’m bullying you with numbers. What can you do? Have a drink with me, stay the night, and I’ll buy you fine jewelry. That hairpin’s a cheap trinket—I’ll get you something better.”

“Such arrogance. This hairpin is unique—the thing I cherish most. Nothing could replace it.” Ling Shuang gripped her sword, thinking, If I can’t hold out, I’ll use the Heaven-Earth Lock on a few of them and run back to the stronghold for help.

“What’s going on here?” More than ten Liu Family disciples came running, shouting.

Seeing who it was, Ling Shuang stood on tiptoe and called, “Hey! It’s me—come help!”

When they recognized her, they ran even faster, shouting, “It’s the young lady—hurry!” In a flash, three of them shielded her, while the others subdued the thugs and held swords to their necks. One bowed and asked, “Miss, are you alright?”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“What should we do with these men?”

“In these times, demons plague the land and men still commit evil, disturbing the peace. Better to execute such villains than let them sow more chaos.”

“But, Miss, we can’t do that. If the master blames us…”

“Execute them!” came a voice from above. It was Liu Mu, descending slowly and ordering the guards to act. With the Second Elder’s authority, they raised their blades and, in a heartbeat, six heads rolled.

“Shuang’er, how could you come out alone? It’s so dangerous.”

“Second Grandfather, I was looking for Sansi. He snuck out.”

“I know. Nian’er told me. Did any of you see Young Master Sansi?” Liu Mu asked the guards.

One stepped forward. “We just got back from the gate. Three hours ago, we saw Young Master Sansi leave, saying he was on urgent orders from you. We didn’t want to delay important business, so we let him go.”

“Fools!” Liu Mu thundered. “No matter how urgent, I’d never send a junior out alone into danger.”

The guards dropped to their knees, begging forgiveness.

Liu Mu waved them off. “Enough. Clean up these bodies and return to rest.”

Ling Shuang stamped her foot and quietly asked, “Which gate?”

“The east gate.”

Upon hearing this, Ling Shuang walked step by step toward the east gate. Liu Mu hurried after her. “Shuang’er, it’s nearly night. It’s too dangerous outside—don’t do anything foolish.”

Ling Shuang’s composure finally shattered. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she choked out, “Second Grandfather, you know how dangerous it is outside, but Sansi is out there all alone. How can I not worry? He promised to protect me forever, but now he’s gone without a word. That liar, that terrible liar…”

With that, she was overcome by grief and fainted to the ground, her tears flowing unabated.

Seeing her so heartbroken, Liu Mu was deeply pained yet helpless. Shaking his head, he stooped and gently picked her up, carrying her back to the Liu Stronghold, where Nian’er tended to her.