Chapter 63
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At mid-morning, Zuo Zhengyang had someone keep an eye on his horse and, holding the toad he had picked up, walked up the stone steps.
“The plaque is modest; the master of this residence should not be difficult to get along with.”
For a seasoned constable like Zuo Zhengyang, who spent years interrogating and investigating, it only took a glance to deduce the character of a household’s master from the appearance of the gate of their residence. However, today’s visit was about more than just observations—he had important questions for the scholar.
He knocked on the already ajar gate but did not enter uninvited. After a moment, the gatekeeper approached and, seeing him in his constable uniform, asked:
“What business brings this constable to the Zhou Manor?”
“There is a case that may be related to the master of this house. I’ve come to ask some questions,” Zuo Zhengyang said, slightly cupping his hands while holding the toad.
“Please wait here. I’ll notify the master.”
The gatekeeper glanced at the toad dangling from Zuo Zhengyang’s hand, then turned and walked inside with a slight stoop, muttering to himself: “Since when did people start giving toads as gifts?”
As a martial artist, Zuo Zhengyang couldn’t help but overhear the gatekeeper’s muttering. He chuckled to himself and glanced at the toad in his hand. Today’s visit was strictly official business; if it had been a social call, it would’ve been a different matter altogether.
The toad in his hand had its cheeks puffed up high, as if it were extremely angry, glaring at him with its bulging eyes.
“You have grown this big and still seem to have some spirit? No wonder Scholar Lu keeps you.”
Thinking about Lu Liangsheng’s background in cultivation, it made sense that he would raise unusual creatures. Who knew what they might be used for? Perhaps it had medicinal properties?
After a while, the gatekeeper returned, accompanied by a steward from the residence, who invited Zuo Zhengyang inside. In the living room, Zhou Zhen had already come over from his study. The two men met and exchanged formal greetings, but Zuo Zhengyang was the first to speak.
“Zuo Zhengyang, Chief Constable of He Valley Prefecture, greets Erudite Scholar Zhou!”
As someone who worked in the yamen, Zuo Zhengyang was somewhat familiar with the influential figures in the city. Take Zhou Zhen, for instance—he was once a prominent Erudite Scholar in the Ascending Dragon Pavilion of the Capital, but after offending some court officials, he was dismissed from his position. Disheartened, he returned to his hometown in He Valley Prefecture. Despite his fall from grace, his two sons, one a civil official and the other a military officer, still held important positions in the Ministry of Personnel and the military, respectively.
For a small and remote prefecture, such an elder carried significant weight.
“So, it’s Chief Constable Zuo. Please, have a seat!”
The elderly man gestured for the maid to serve tea and pastries, and invited the other party to sit down. He blew gently on the tea leaves floating atop his cup.
“You’ve come at this time, Chief Constable, to inquire about the matter between me and the Zhang family, I presume?”
Zuo Zhengyang nodded.
“Yesterday, the yamen apprehended the evil Daoist culprit. However, without further testimony, we still need to inquire with Erudite Scholar Zhou. Moreover, this individual is linked to a case from years ago in Fushui County, involving murders by sorcery. As the Erudite Scholar is well aware, there are many cultivators in the mortal world, and not all harbor good intentions.”
Zhou Zhen hummed thoughtfully and nodded. “The Chief Constable is correct.”
The elder was cooperative in answering the constable’s questions, though at times, his temper flared when discussing the events. Zuo Zhengyang, maintaining a solemn expression, listened as Zhou Zhen shared what he knew. Most of it matched what he already knew; he was merely verifying the details.
After about half an hour of discussion, with all pertinent topics covered, Zhou Zhen stood up, stroking his beard as he glanced at the toad in the other person’s hand.
“Chief Constable, I imagine you’re heading to see Lu Liangsheng next? Are you well acquainted with him?”
Zuo Zhengyang rose as well, shaking the toad in his hand. “I found this at the entrance when I arrived. I suppose you could say I know Lu Liangsheng—we’re from the same hometown.”
“Ah, well, please, do go ahead. He’s in the side courtyard, but be aware, it’s a bit chilly there. I hope you won’t find it too unsettling.”
Zuo Zhengyang, unfazed, didn’t take it to heart. Though he had never encountered sorcery firsthand, as a martial artist, his strong blood qi naturally kept fear at bay. Still, he was curious.
“This time of year, in the height of summer, why would the side courtyard in the Erudite Scholar’s home be cold?”
“Hmph! It’s all the work of that evil Daoist you captured. That area used to be where my youngest daughter lived, but for three months, that fiend continuously cast his dark arts there…”
Zhou Zhen flicked his robe sleeve and snorted. “In the end, it’s all Zhang Dongming’s fault. Fortunately, Liangsheng is staying there now, so the place hasn’t fallen into complete disrepair.”
Having said that, Zhou Zhen fell silent, motioning for a servant to lead the way. Zuo Zhengyang, following behind, grew increasingly curious about the side courtyard.
The central courtyard wasn’t very large, but it was filled with an abundance of flowers and trees, likely reflecting the elder’s personal tastes. Now that the dark atmosphere surrounding the residence had lifted, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the foliage, and butterflies and bees flitted among the flowers. When people passed by, the insects scattered but soon returned, lending a sense of life to the residence. Even the maids and servants moving about the grounds wore smiles on their faces.
“Daren, the side courtyard is just ahead.” The servant leading the way pointed toward the end of a narrow path. “The master has given strict orders that no one is to approach where Young Master Lu resides unless necessary, so I can only lead you this far.”
Zuo Zhengyang, respecting the household rules, didn’t press for more details. Carrying the toad, he strode toward the crescent-shaped gate. As he turned onto the gravel path, a cool breeze greeted him, brushing against his face. It wasn’t as eerie as the elder had made it seem.
“While it’s scorching outside, it’s pleasantly cool here. Lu Liangsheng must live comfortably.”
Ahead, a low table held a steaming cup of tea, and behind a propped-up painting frame sat Lu Liangsheng, brush in hand, delicately adding details to his work. Under the eaves, Sun Yingxian, bandaged from head to toe, leaned on his crutch, basking in the sunlight.
The scholar behind the painting frame set down his brush and closed the [Illustrated Records of the Mountains and Seas] beside him before standing to greet the newcomer.
“Chief Constable Zuo.”
The Daoist under the eaves twisted his neck to glance over, snorted, and then turned away to continue enjoying the sun.
The approaching constable glanced at the Daoist and chuckled: “Seems like someone still remembers a certain misunderstanding from three years ago.”
Misunderstanding?!
Sun Yingxian’s bandaged eyes bulged with indignation. “You call that a misunderstanding? You chased me across a whole mountain on horseback without tiring! Meanwhile, I was digging through the ground, exhausted and thirsty, dodging stones and tree roots. I barely made it out alive before being buried underground!”
“I see.”
Zuo Zhengyang suddenly cupped his hands toward him. “In that case, I owe you an apology here and now.”
This gesture made Sun Yingxian purse his lips, unable to say much more. After a moment, he waved his hand dismissively.
“Fine, fine. Let’s just say I didn’t check the almanac before going out that day…”
Zuo Zhengyang chuckled and lowered his hands, then placed the toad he had been holding onto the nearby low table.
“I found this on my way here. Took one look and knew it was your toad, so I brought it back to you.”
The Toad Daoist, now resting on the table, let out a long breath, its tongue hanging limply from its mouth. After being carried around for so long, it finally felt grounded again.
…Why did I even bother running off.
As the toad mused to itself, it heard its disciple speak above. Lu Liangsheng gestured politely: “Please, sit down, Chief Constable. I suspect you didn’t come all this way just to return my toad?”
“Um.”
Zuo Zhengyang sat down, glancing briefly at the painting of a snake-bodied, human-headed figure outlined in green ink on the canvas, but paid it no mind. After a moment of silence, his expression turned serious, and he spoke in a low voice.
“That Daoist Yangming died early this morning.”
A cool breeze passed through, brushing against everyone in the courtyard, and a sudden quiet settled over the scene.
Only the faint rustling of pine branches could be heard.
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