The ghost man looked back at the person behind him.
The man wore black combat attire, with a short blade at his waist and a hideous scar across his face, from the tail of his left eye, across the bridge of his nose, to the corner of his right mouth.
His eyes were narrow and long, not phoenix eyes, but rather slanting eyes. His pupils were small and tinged with a faint, ethereal blue, making the whites of his eyes appear greenish. His hair was combed back from his hairline, tied at the top of his head with a black ribbon.
The entire person exuded a villainous aura, like a ferocious deity who had crawled out of a sea of blood and corpses.
The ghost man's pupils suddenly contracted. His tense nerves switched in the next moment, and he lay back down on the lounge chair, pulling the slipped blanket up. He clicked his tongue lazily and with displeasure, "What Medicine Venerable? Who is Medicine Venerable? Are you perhaps mistaking me for someone else? If you're here to buy medicine, help yourself. If not, then don't disturb this old man's sweet dream here."
"Why must Medicine Venerable deceive yourself? You left Medicine King Valley in anger because you discovered the previous Valley Master used people as medicine. After rescuing the few remaining medicine children, you defected and eventually came to the capital, rooting yourself in this chaotic underground black market. Of those children back then, only one survives now… Medicine Venerable, do you want me to continue?" The man pulled over a chair and sat behind the ghost man, speaking slowly about the secrets of the past.
The ghost man’s hand, gripping the blanket, showed bulging veins on the back of his hand. His slightly trembling eyelids revealed his unrestrained emotions at this moment, yet he remained silent, as if he had already fallen asleep.
"Feng Quan, formerly of the Ministry of Justice's Directorate of Scrutiny, now Vice Minister of Justice."
"Residing on Xiangyun Street. Every first, second, fifth, and seventh day, at the hour of Mao, he heads to the Ministry of Justice. While passing Yunlan Street, he most enjoys the large stuffed wontons sold on the street. Today…"
"Enough!"
The ghost man, unable to bear it any longer, interrupted the man's voice.
"What do you want to say?" he asked.
The man smiled, the scar on his face twitching like a dancing centipede with the movement of his muscles. "My master asked me to bring you a message."
"My master asks: Zhuyue, do you wish to know the whereabouts of Sui Qing?"
With a "swish," the ghost man threw off the blanket covering him and abruptly stood up from the lounge chair. He turned around, his eyes, which were usually half-closed and drowsy, were now like unsheathed sharp swords. Just looking at him made one feel as if their soul were about to be split apart.
He looked at the man before him, his voice, which flowed out, seemed to be tinged with frost, each sound like a knife, "Who is your master?"
Zhuyue… After so many years, he heard his name called again. For an instant, it felt like a lifetime had passed. But what concerned the ghost man even more was Sui Qing, mentioned by the man.
His name was Zhuyue. Sui Qing was his junior sister.
The man instinctively placed his hand on the short blade at his waist, his entire body tensing instantly. He pulled at the corners of his mouth, his smile no longer as natural and wild as before. However, he did not show any sign of fear. He merely tilted his head slightly, looking at the old man who, just a moment ago, seemed like decaying wood, but now appeared like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath.
He took out a letter from his embrace and handed it to the ghost man. "My master says, if you handle this matter, he will tell you Sui Qing's whereabouts."
The ghost man took the letter, but the next moment, he tore it into pieces. "I don't care who your master is, nor what he wants to do. None of this concerns me. I am not Medicine Venerable, nor have I ever heard of Zhuyue or Sui Qing. I repeat, if you are here to buy medicine, please feel free. If you are looking for someone, turn right at the door."
The man looked at the ghost man for a full second, then, shaking his head, he clapped his hands in admiration and laughed heartily, "As expected of the Medicine Venerable who defected from Medicine King Valley for a few medicine children. I am truly impressed. Truly impressed."
"However, Medicine Venerable, I hope that in the near future, you will not regret your choice today." Saying this, the man stood up and left the pharmacy without looking back.
The ghost man watched the man's retreating back, his expression as dark and grim as if water could drip from it.
…
The Capital, outskirts.
The Ministry of War's border defense map was stolen. The Ministry of Justice, the Grand Court of Revision, the Ministry of War, and the City Patrol Battalion were all mobilized. For a time, the capital was in turmoil, and even the common folk on the streets could feel the oppressive atmosphere.
The City Patrol Battalion, in coordination with the Ministry of War, sealed all entry and exit points of the capital. Feng Quan received news that at the hour of Mao today, one person had left the capital. This person had arrived in the capital five days prior and had been staying at the Xiangyun Inn alone, with a tiger-shaped jade pendant at his waist. Although dressed in Lin Yuan attire, his appearance was that of someone from the Liao Frontier.
He led his thirteen Directorate of Scrutiny officials in pursuit.
At a fork in the road a thousand meters ahead, they split into two teams. One team headed northwest, and the other followed northeast.
If the person were from Liao Yuan, taking the northwest route would involve detouring through Fengyuan, Qinling, and then circling back via Changli Mountain to reach the upper reaches of the Yu River. If they took the northeast route, they would pass through Xiling, Luanyang, and then enter the Liao Yuan border directly via the Luanyang waterways.
Both routes led to Liao Yuan. Since the person had left early, the horse tracks on the ground were insufficient to determine which path they had taken. Therefore, despite being only thirteen people, Feng Quan ordered them to split up.
He led his men towards the northeast, while the others headed northwest.
Traveling at full speed, at dusk, Feng Quan discovered a bay red steed in front of a dilapidated temple in the distance. The steed was identical to the one described by the city gate soldiers.
Feng Quan raised his hand, ordering his men to halt and remain still.
They reined in their horses, slowly bringing them to a stop, and then dismounted.
Feng Quan waved to them. The men, understanding his intent, led their horses into the woods. After settling the horses, they reassembled beside Feng Quan, awaiting orders.
"You three will go around the back. You two will lie in ambush. Sang Ji and I will go scout ahead."
Feng Quan quickly made his deployment. Then, he took off his brocade robe and put it on inside out. The Directorate of Scrutiny officials could also wear their robes inside out.
"Yes!"
The men received their orders and did not take off their brocade robes.
If any of them were exposed, Feng Quan and Sang Ji, who were not wearing their brocade robes, could distance themselves.