Volume One: The Journey of the Useless, Fiery Demon-Slaying Chapter Forty: A Frightening Yet Harmless Encounter, Town on the Horizon Again

Yang Chengzi was extremely weak, barely able to walk, leaning on Chang Yu for support and gasping for breath. When they were nearly at the inn, he rested against the wall for quite some time.

At this moment, it was still Chen Wan’er inhabiting Chang Yu’s body. Seeing Yang Chengzi in such a state, she asked, “Didn’t you say you wanted their souls utterly destroyed? Why waste your own blood and spiritual strength to restore them? These men abducted innocent women, defied the law, and deserve nothing but death. They’re not worthy of your pity.”

Yang Chengzi glanced at Chang Yu and replied, “They acted under orders; their crimes do not warrant death. I am not the King of the Underworld and have no authority to judge life and death. Even if I let them die, I cannot annihilate their souls. If their souls are scattered, I’d be in great trouble myself—it would be like inviting disaster. Bringing her back is enough.”

Chen Wan’er was outraged. “Then why not cut off their hands and feet so they can never harm anyone again? If you spare them, who knows how many more women will suffer?”

Yang Chengzi shook his head with a bitter smile. “I am a Taoist priest, concerned only with matters of the living and the dead. Right and wrong in this world are not mine to judge. The Shangqing Sword was passed down from my grandmaster; it must not be stained with impure blood.”

Chen Wan’er sighed and said nothing more. Once Yang Chengzi had rested enough, Chang Yu helped him to their room in the inn.

After sitting down, Yang Chengzi looked at the cold-faced Chang Yu and said, “Thank you, Wan’er. Had you not saved Chang Yu this time, her purity would have been ruined.”

“You care about her purity?”

“It has nothing to do with me personally—I am a Taoist and cannot marry. But she came to seek me out, and I must return her safe and sound. If she loses her honor because of me, I might as well give up being a Taoist. How could I explain myself to her father?”

“So what now? She shows no sign of waking. Should we send her back to her own room?”

Yang Chengzi stood up and said, “Let her sleep here. I’ll sit by the bed and meditate. Someone in town is watching us; we mustn’t let our guard down.”

Chen Wan’er nodded coldly, moved to Yang Chengzi’s bedside, lay down, and said no more. She withdrew from Chang Yu’s body and walked out toward the door.

Yang Chengzi sensed Chen Wan’er leaving and called, “Wan’er.”

She stopped.

“You can’t go.”

“Why not? With you guarding her, it’s fine. I’m going to the rooftop for some air.”

Yang Chengzi spoke anxiously, “No, if you go out now, when Chen San and the others wake tomorrow and see Chang Yu on my bed, how will I explain it?”

Chen Wan’er turned her head and continued toward the door, saying, “Then I’ll explain for you. If it’s really an issue, just marry her.”

Yang Chengzi felt her presence grow distant. He lowered his raised hand, sighed helplessly, and closed his eyes to begin meditating.

Dawn approached quickly. Chen San and the others had inhaled the sleeping smoke and would not wake for some time. After half the night’s meditation, Yang Chengzi’s soul was calm and steady again. He rose, sat at the table, poured himself a cup of water, and drank.

Looking at Chang Yu asleep on the bed, Yang Chengzi murmured, “Why must a noble lady endure such hardship? I truly don’t understand what love is in this world.”

Chen Wan’er entered the room just then, hearing his words, and asked, “Though you’re a Taoist, among the countless women in the world, has none ever stirred your heart differently?”

Yang Chengzi smiled. “To me, they hold no distinction of beauty or ugliness. Perhaps growing up in the temple, always surrounded by men, I feel nothing special toward women.”

Chen Wan’er said regretfully, “What a shame. Heaven gave you a handsome face, yet you’ve never been moved by a woman. If you weren’t a Taoist, you’d likely become a monk.”

“A monk’s life isn’t bad—pure and free of desire, without worries. People suffer because they’re tangled by their troubles.”

“If someday a woman appears who captivates you, will she become your burden?”

“Even if such a woman appears, fate may not bring us together. How could she become my burden?”

“So it is. Fate is decided by heaven. There are many who fall in love at first sight but remain destined never to be together.”

“And you, have you ever had someone who lingers in your heart?”

Chen Wan’er thought for a while, gazed softly at Yang Chengzi, and answered, “I don’t know if he’s someone I should hold onto.”

Yang Chengzi didn’t quite understand and was about to ask further.

Just then, the inn attendant arrived with water and knocked. Yang Chengzi got up, opened the door, took the water, and sent the attendant away. Turning back, he saw Chen San still unconscious and glanced at the bucket in his hand.

He suppressed the urge to splash water on Chen San’s face, poured it into the basin, washed his own face, and recalled Chen Wan’er’s words, wanting to ask again, but sensed she had already returned to Chen San’s consciousness.

Time passed slowly, and Chen San and the others showed no sign of waking.

Yang Chengzi, seeing the sun rising, patted Chen San’s face—no reaction. He pinched Chen San’s thigh, and Chen San shot up as if stabbed by a sword, howling.

Seeing Yang Chengzi standing nearby, he complained, “Why aren’t you sleeping? Why pinch me? Since when did Taoists become so crude, learning to pinch people’s thighs?”

Chen San rubbed his thigh, appeared ready to lie back down, but Yang Chengzi pulled him up again.

“Don’t sleep. Last night, we were knocked out. If not for Wan’er, Chang Yu would have been abducted.”

Chen San turned, surprised, and said, “You’re really wasting your talent not writing stories. If you don’t want me to sleep, just say so. Making up tales no one would believe, and besides, she’s your wife, not mine.”

He tried to lie down again, but Yang Chengzi dragged him up once more.

“I’m not making things up. Chang Yu is still asleep on my bed. See for yourself.”

Half believing, half doubting, Chen San got up and said, “I say, Master Yang, you’re something else. For someone so solemn, you move fast.”

Before he finished, he saw Chang Yu sleeping soundly on Yang Chengzi’s bed.

Yang Chengzi shook his head. “Ask Wan’er. You won’t believe me anyway.”

Indeed, Chen San didn’t believe him. He glanced sidelong at Yang Chengzi and then asked, “Sister Wan’er, this beast in Taoist’s clothing claims we were knocked out. Is it true?”

Chen Wan’er replied, “It’s true. Look, the sun is already high and even the master hasn’t woken. Last night, Chang Yu was indeed abducted. I possessed her body and, with Yang Chengzi, rescued her.”

Chen San was shocked. “Sister Wan’er, why didn’t you wake me? Heroically saving the damsel—that’s exactly my kind of affair.”

Chen Wan’er said helplessly, “I tried, but you wouldn’t wake up.”

Chen San slapped his thigh in frustration, shaking his head, “Ah, so who abducted Chang Yu?”

“We can’t be sure, but it’s most likely that rogue from yesterday who harassed Chang Yu. He probably hired people to kidnap her.”

Furious, Chen San cursed, “That scoundrel! I should have slaughtered him in the street. He only dares it because he has numbers. I’ve never feared a fight.”

Yang Chengzi saw Chen San’s anger and patted him on the shoulder. “Let it go, you’re always the toughest. Go wash your face and I’ll wake Chang Yu. We’ll set off soon. Whether the master wakes or not isn’t important—awake, he’ll just lie around anyway. He’d be better off resting. Later, check on those four young fellows and wake them up.”

He walked over to Chang Yu, while Chen San splashed water from the basin and grumbled as he went to find the four young men.

Yang Chengzi looked at Chang Yu, feeling awkward. Pinching Chen San was easy, but how to wake Chang Yu? He thought of countless ways, none appropriate.

Chen Wan’er saw his dilemma. “Let me.”

Gathering spiritual energy, she channeled it toward Chang Yu on the bed. Soon, frost formed on Chang Yu’s brows, her limbs began to tremble, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Seeing Yang Chengzi, she said, “Cold, so cold.” She quickly hugged the blanket beside her, retreating to the corner of the bed.

“You—what are you doing in my room? Even if I’m willing, you should wait until we’re married!” She blushed and lowered her head.

Yang Chengzi replied coldly, “You climbed into my bed yourself last night. I did nothing.”

Chang Yu lifted her head, both angry and aggrieved. “Are you made of wood? I climbed in myself—how could you do nothing? You…” She threw aside the blanket and left the room in a sulk.

At the door, she bumped into Chen San, who was about to tease her. Chang Yu’s aggrieved shout of “Get out!” echoed throughout.

Chen San, startled, didn’t get his words out, and like a scolded dog, huddled by the door, casting a plaintive look at Yang Chengzi. Before Chang Yu closed her door, he didn’t dare utter a sound.

Chang Yu went to her private room and shut the door. Only then did Chen San timidly enter and complain, “Look at you. I was gone for just a moment and you managed to make her so angry. You’ll be a lifelong bachelor, even dogs won’t have you.”

Yang Chengzi calmly asked, “Are the four young fellows all right?”

“They’re fine, just knocked out for a while. I went in and slapped them a few times and they woke up.” Chen San replied, pouring himself a cup of tea.

“I’ll go ask Chang Yu to change. We’ll have lunch and set out. Prepare some provisions for the master. As for Chang Yu, I haven’t told her the truth—you pretend ignorance, too.”

Yang Chengzi took the Shangqing Sword and went to Chang Yu’s room, saying, “Chang Yu, change your clothes. We’ll go downstairs for a meal and then continue on our journey.”

Chen San expected Chang Yu to be difficult, still aggrieved, and thought Yang Chengzi would get a cold shoulder. Instead, Chang Yu replied playfully, “Alright, you go ahead. I’ll be down after I’ve changed.”

Hearing this, Chen San was so frustrated he nearly bent his nose out of shape. All her anger was vented on him, and he pitifully bumped his head against a pillar a few times with no one stopping him, rubbing his head angrily as he went downstairs.

Downstairs in the tavern, the four lads were already at a table. Though it was early, many people were already seated. Yang Chengzi sat alone at a table, and Chen San quickly joined him.

“What’s for lunch?”

Yang Chengzi glanced at Chen San. “Eat what you like—I eat vegetarian. If you want, join me; it keeps your temper in check and prevents you from overheating.”

Chen San was so stung by Yang Chengzi’s serious tone that he nearly fainted, complaining, “I won’t argue with you two. You’re just jealous of my good looks. I’ll eat my own food—I want a big fat duck to vent my anger.” He ordered a duck from the attendant.

Yang Chengzi stuck to his vegetarian dishes and had the attendant prepare two packets of provisions.

After the attendant left, Yang Chengzi smiled, “Look at you, quarreling with a young girl.”

Chen San stared at Yang Chengzi incredulously, almost spraying his tea. “You two act like you’re not together, but you’re cut from the same cloth—two sanctimonious fellows, even your words are the same: ‘Look at you.’”

Yang Chengzi smiled and shook his head, sipping his tea and ignoring Chen San. Soon, a man with a hairband like Yang Chengzi’s came to sit down.

Chen San looked up, startled. “Didn’t you see someone was sitting here?”

Before he could finish, he changed tune, “Hey, little girl, these clothes fit so well—I almost didn’t recognize you. Quite pretty, too, my purchase was spot-on.”

Chang Yu pursed her lips. “If you were any stingier, you’d buy two sacks for me to wear. Look at these clothes you bought—they’re as rough as tree bark. If not for the layers underneath, I wouldn’t wear them.”

She tugged at her sleeve to show Chen San, who pulled a face and pretended not to hear.

The attendant brought the food. Chang Yu ordered a fish. While eating, she asked about the master. Chen San glanced at Yang Chengzi, who excused the master’s absence by claiming he wasn’t well.

Chang Yu didn’t dwell on it, continued eating her fish, though she missed her family meals. After a few days away, nothing tasted quite right. She glanced at Yang Chengzi, her face blushing shyly as she lowered her head.

Her bashful manner disgusted Chen San, who grumbled, “Oh, come on, eat your meal without acting like a maiden ready for marriage—it’s ruining my appetite for duck.”

Chang Yu retorted, “Eat, eat, eat—your face is covered in oil, ruining my appetite. Don’t talk until I finish.”

Chen San, tongue-tied, wanted to argue but couldn’t best Chang Yu, nearly bursting with frustration. Seeing Yang Chengzi’s detached demeanor, he angrily shoveled food into his mouth.

After eating, Chen San carried the sleeping monk to a reclining chair. Chang Yu, seeing the master still unconscious, was worried, but with Yang Chengzi and Chen San unconcerned, she relaxed. She took the provisions, hung them on the chair, and everyone prepared to leave town.

On the way out, they encountered the rich young man who had harassed Chang Yu. Upon seeing them, the young man turned and fled. Chen San rolled up his sleeves to give chase, but Yang Chengzi stopped him. After a few complaints, he let it go.

Leaving Wu City, it was a two-day journey to the next village, Jingyao. Although there were many towns along the way to accommodate Chang Yu, the drawback was that there was no place to stay between Wu City and Jingyao—it was a stretch of two days.

Yang Chengzi considered that as long as it didn’t rain, camping outside by the fire for a night wouldn’t be a problem. Besides, out in the open, any danger could be met together.

The monk awoke not long after they set out. He wanted to ask about things, but seeing Chen San’s “shhh” gesture, he understood and lay down to rest.

With so many people, progress was slower—young and strong as some were, carrying people for hours was exhausting. Every half hour or so, they had to rest.

The weather was hot, and after walking a while, the sun made them dizzy.

Near dusk, they reached a fork in the road. The village chief had told them to keep east, and after two days, they’d reach Jingyao village. It should have been straightforward, but to the south, not far away, a town appeared.

They were stunned. Chen San was the first to speak. “Hey, this isn’t right. Did we take the wrong path? The chief said head east to Jingyao, two days’ walk, yet after only half a day, there’s a town to the south. It doesn’t look far—should we stay there tonight?”

Yang Chengzi frowned at the southern town. “The path can’t be wrong—from Wu City, this is the first fork. But there really is a town to the south. The chief should know about it.”

Chen San stroked his chin. “The town looks big, and it’s not far from Fu village. How could they not know about such a place? Building a town isn’t done in a day or two—it would take plenty of labor from the village. The villagers would know. We must have taken the wrong road.”

Yang Chengzi thought it over. No matter what was being built—even a pavilion—news would spread to nearby villages. How could the chief not know about a new town here? But the road from Wu City was clear—no chance for a mistake. So what was this town ahead?

Chang Yu spoke up, “Why argue over right or wrong? It’s close, why not check it out? Whether we’re right or not, at least tonight we’ll have a place to stay.”

The master agreed, “Since we’re here, we might as well settle. If we don’t go, we’ll never know whether we took the right path. One visit and we’ll know.”

Yang Chengzi, hearing everyone agree, said, “Let’s go take a look. This place seems odd. If the chief knew, he wouldn’t have said nothing. Be cautious.”

So they headed toward the southern town. As the sky darkened, their vision shortened. Though the town remained visible ahead, they walked for ages without reaching it.

They could see it, but couldn’t arrive—just as Chen San had experienced before, as if they’d entered a soul-trapping array set by a Taoist.