Futile Devices Scans

The moment the Puppet Path was mentioned, everyone’s floodgates opened.

Taking advantage of the midday hour, the three ordered a tableful of dishes in their room and chatted while eating and drinking.

Zhou Zhong Xin began, “Ever since the Puppet Path’s sect master, Mo Xiao Ran, married into the Heaven and Earth Mirror, most of his disciples have disappeared from the martial world. Only Tong Fang Yu remained active, unifying the martial world of the western frontier and establishing the City of Ten Thousand Beasts—a place where demons run rampant.”

Zhou Geng Geng agreed. “The Puppet Path’s methods are sinister and unorthodox. The martial world has always despised them. Back then, had the master of the Heaven and Earth Mirror not gone back on his word, Mo Xiao Ran and his disciples would have been captured in one sweep. Alas, the Heaven and Earth Mirror and the Immortal Treasury Palace were once the two great powers leading the orthodox martial world. Look at them now—one is ruled by a demon, while the other has become a den of heretics!”

Seeing the mood grow gloomy, Fu Xi Yan immediately raised his cup. “Come, come. It’s a fine day, so let’s not discuss unhappy matters. Drink, drink!”

Each of them drained a cup. Then they returned to the old subject and discussed who might be behind Zhang Da Shan.

Zhou Geng Geng insisted it was Chu Guang. According to him, Chu Guang wielded his duplicity even more skillfully than Yang Jian wielded his three-pointed, double-edged spear.

Elio’s Notes: Yang Jian, better known as Erlang Shen, is a Chinese deity famous for wielding a three-pointed, double-edged spear. The line plays on 两面三刀, an idiom meaning “two-faced and treacherous,” by comparing Chu Guang’s duplicity to Yang Jian’s mastery of his weapon.

Zhou Zhong Xin’s thoughts aligned with Fu Xi Yan’s earlier reasoning. “The Chu and Fu families are officials in the same court. Surely they would not resort to murder over a few minor grievances?”

Zhou Geng Geng stubbornly maintained his position. “The evil of wicked men is like the water of the Yellow Springs. Until you’ve seen it, no one can imagine what it looks like.”

Having never seen the waters of the Yellow Springs, Zhou Zhong Xin and Fu Xi Yan had no answer.

Fu Xi Yan sipped his wine and said slowly, “According to legend, Mo Xiao Ran’s puppetry could control all living things. Even an expert who had entered the Dao expert who fell into his trap would become his puppet. Zhang Da Shan carries pigeons with him, which means he can only control creatures raised and conditioned with medicine from an early age. He is still at the introductory level of the Puppet Path. Pigeons can gather intelligence but possess no combat ability, so he may not be the actual assassin. We must remain on guard against hidden attackers.”

Zhou Geng Geng looked surprised. “The young master knows a great deal about the Puppet Path?”

Fu Xi Yan said reservedly, “A little.”

He clearly did not wish to elaborate, so Zhou Geng Geng and Zhou Zhong Xin tactfully refrained from asking further questions. Instead, they shifted the subject to Willowwood Manor. Zhou Geng Geng opposed going there. Straightforwardly, he said, “Didn’t you say that opposing the villain means helping the good people?”

With an inscrutable expression, Fu Xi Yan said, “We cannot oppose him at every turn. Sometimes we must oppose him, and sometimes we must not. That way, he’ll find us unpredictable, inconsistent, and impossible to understand.”

Zhou Geng Geng was completely bewildered.

Zhou Zhong Xin said, “The young master is right. Willowwood Manor is renowned for its chivalry, so it presumably would not collude with Zhang Da Shan. Zhang Da Shan likely mentioned it merely to prevent the young master from leaving Peijie Town. Didn’t that fraud say Willowwood Manor has capable people? We might as well take a look. Perhaps they can cure the young master’s… condition.”

Ah. Put that way, Zhou Geng Geng understood.

He looked at the soft flesh covering Fu Xi Yan’s body and was immediately persuaded.

Fu Xi Yan held little hope, but he did not dampen their enthusiasm. Thus, the matter was settled.

Before going to Willowwood Manor, the three visited the courier station and mailed a stack of completely nonsensical letters—an acrostic spelling out Does Your Daddy’s Letter Look Good?, abstract scribbles that even Picasso could not decipher, basic English dialogues, and so forth.

The letters would be delivered to random locations across various prefectures.

Fu Xi Yan thought they should give Zhang Da Shan and whoever stood behind him plenty to study. Hopefully, it would keep them occupied for a while.

Willowwood Manor was one of Peijie Town’s landmarks and therefore extremely easy to find. However, the legendary “twenty-four-hour emergency station” had its gates tightly shut today, giving off the distinct air of false advertising.

Zhou Geng Geng stepped forward and knocked. After learning why they had come, the gatekeeper politely but firmly refused them on the grounds that “the master is occupied.” However, he did offer them traveling expenses.

The money was sincere enough that Fu Xi Yan could hardly shamelessly insist on staying. The three turned to leave, only to see several constables with long sabers at their waists hurrying toward them. The moment the gatekeeper saw the constables, he asked no questions and respectfully welcomed them inside.

The traveling money in Zhou Geng Geng’s hand suddenly lost its appeal.

Before entering, the leading constable deliberately looked back at them.

Fu Xi Yan hurriedly averted his eyes and pretended to brush dust from Zhou Geng Geng’s shoulder.

Zhou Geng Geng was overwhelmed by the unexpected attention. “My other shoulder is dirtier…”

Zhou Zhong Xin could not bear to look at his foolish younger brother. He lowered his voice and said to Fu Xi Yan, “It seems the gatekeeper wasn’t lying. Something truly has happened at Willowwood Manor.”

Fu Xi Yan nodded. However, this was not the place to speak, so he led the way toward the other end of the street. After the Zhou brothers followed him for some distance, Zhou Geng Geng could no longer hold back. “What should we do now?”

Fu Xi Yan pondered. “Could Zhang Da Shan have guessed correctly? Is the princess truly inside Willowwood Manor?”

Zhong Xin and Geng Geng exchanged glances. An imperial princess stranded in a small town might reveal her identity and secretly command the local constables. It was not impossible.

Zhou Geng Geng knew Fu Xi Yan desperately wanted to avoid the princess, so he suggested throwing the hot potato elsewhere. “Whether it’s true or not, let’s tell Zhang Da Shan and let him figure it out.”

Fu Xi Yan had considered that as well, but quickly dismissed it. “Zhang Da Shan still wants me dead. If he uses the princess against me, I’ll be placed in an even worse position.”

For example, what if the princess summoned him to her room in the middle of the night? Would he go?

If he refused, he would be disobeying an imperial command.

If he went and the princess demanded that he attend her in bed, would he comply?

If he refused, he would still be disobeying an imperial command.

If he complied, that would not necessarily be a problem. After all, he had prepared everything and lacked only a noble fiancée coming to break off their engagement. But if the princess suddenly screamed that he was assaulting her halfway through, then he truly would “deserve death.”

He pondered. “We should find a way into Willowwood Manor first and assess the situation.”

Zhou Geng Geng asked, “Then should we return tonight?”

Fu Xi Yan could not resist retorting, “Arrive after dark and leave before dawn—are we going to work a shift in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio?”

Elio’s Note: Since this is the second time this is mentioned, lemme add a note—Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio is a classic collection of Chinese supernatural stories featuring ghosts, spirits, and eerie nighttime encounters. Fu Xi Yan jokes that arriving after dark and leaving before dawn would make them seem like characters working a night shift in a ghost story.

Zhou Geng Geng did not understand. He looked toward his elder brother, but Zhou Zhong Xin did not understand either. Unlike him, however, Zhou Zhong Xin said nothing and maintained his usual composure. Unfortunately, their brotherly bond ran deep, and Zhou Geng Geng saw through him immediately. He scoffed, and the two brothers fell two steps behind Fu Xi Yan and began arguing quietly.

As they argued, their voices gradually grew louder.

Zhou Geng Geng said, “Give it up. I don’t believe you understood. Otherwise, tell me what the young master meant just now!”

Zhou Zhong Xin replied, “The young master means we should find Guo Ping.”

Zhou Geng Geng had not expected him to produce an actual answer and stared in astonishment.

Zhou Zhong Xin saw Fu Xi Yan casually push open a half-closed door and hurried inside after him.

Zhou Geng Geng focused his gaze. “…” He hadn’t understood anything. He had merely seen the address on the door!

Guo Ping was tidying things at home, carrying the medicinal herbs he usually dried in the courtyard indoors and sorting them by type.

Perhaps because Fu Xi Yan had visited twice without inflicting any actual harm, Guo Ping could now receive them calmly. He served tea and poured water as though welcoming friends and relatives.

Fu Xi Yan went straight to the point. “You said last time that you could cure my illness?”

Guo Ping said, “Not me. I know a guest retainer at Willowwood Manor who specializes in treating cold-type illnesses. I once mentioned your condition to him, although I did not reveal your identity. He said it might be caused by damp-cold entering the body and obstructing the meridians.”

Fu Xi Yan had heard this diagnosis many times before and said dismissively, “But I heard Willowwood Manor has closed its gates to visitors today. I’m afraid it may be inconvenient for him to come and go.”

Guo Ping looked surprised. “That happened?” In his understanding, Willowwood Manor always kept its gates wide open and welcomed visitors from every direction. “Then shall I go investigate first?”

He rose and prepared to leave, but Fu Xi Yan said, “We’ll go with you. My illness is no small matter. It would be best if I could stay at the manor and have the physician observe me day and night.”

Guo Ping nodded in agreement, locked his door, and set out with them.

By then, evening was approaching. The aromas of rice and cooked dishes surged like waves, repeatedly washing over the street.

Fu Xi Yan’s stomach rumbled twice on cue. There happened to be a barbecue stall beside the road, and his feet immediately refused to move.

…

The four of them ate and ate and ate and ate at the barbecue stall until their mouths gleamed with oil. Only then did they continue on their way, thoroughly satisfied.

Zhou Geng Geng was somewhat worried. Avoiding Fu Xi Yan, he quietly asked Guo Ping, “The young master ate so much today. Will that make his illness even harder to cure?”

Guo Ping still resented them for trying to remove his trousers and maliciously replied, “Why didn’t you stop him?”

Zhou Geng Geng frowned. “You still haven’t said whether it matters. Why would I stop him if it doesn’t?”

Guo Ping was rendered speechless. He vaguely claimed he could not be certain. Zhou Geng Geng clicked his tongue twice, making his contempt abundantly clear.

Annoyed, Guo Ping quickened his pace and walked beside Fu Xi Yan, enthusiastically describing all manner of things about Willowwood Manor. Once Fu Xi Yan became absorbed in listening, Guo Ping smoothly changed the subject and casually began praising the Zhou brothers. While speaking, he secretly observed Fu Xi Yan’s expression. When he saw the other man sincerely agree, he lost interest, perfunctorily echoed a few remarks, and ended the subject.

The four reached a side entrance of Willowwood Manor. Guo Ping knocked and handed the gatekeeper a calling card. Before long, a tall, thin, middle-aged man with two small strips of moustache hurried outside.

The two whispered together for a while. Guo Ping handed him a money pouch, and only then did the moustached man reluctantly nod. He led them to a secluded courtyard close to the side entrance and settled them there.

Guo Ping escorted the retainer away and did not return for quite some time.

Fearing Zhang Da Shan might cause trouble, Zhong Xin and Geng Geng spread bedding on the floor of Fu Xi Yan’s room. When Guo Ping returned, his expression looked wrong—his face was faintly pale. He furtively closed the door and whispered to Fu Xi Yan, “I know what happened at Willowwood Manor.”

Gossip?

The Zhou brothers immediately pricked up their ears and leaned closer.

Guo Ping glanced at them, walked around to Fu Xi Yan’s other side, and said quietly, “Many people in the manor have disappeared!”

A horrifying story of a charitable organization secretly trafficking people immediately surfaced in Fu Xi Yan’s mind. “How did they disappear?”

Guo Ping swallowed. “No one knows. Several groups vanished for no apparent reason. First, it was an elderly purchasing clerk. Everyone assumed he had stolen the money and fled. Since he was old and the amount wasn’t large, the manor lord chose not to pursue it. But one day later, the manor lady’s wet nurse and her entire family of six also disappeared. The manor lord sent guards to investigate, but once those guards left, they never returned. Seven or eight trained martial artists—neither living people nor corpses were found. They vanished without sound or trace. After word spread, one guest retainer became frightened, left behind a letter, and secretly fled. The manor lord was worried and sent people to his home, only to learn that he had never returned. Altogether, more than a dozen people have simply vanished into thin air. Don’t you find that strange? The manor lord closed the gates because he feared involving outsiders.”

Fu Xi Yan: “…” It might be inauspicious to say it, but this plot truly resembled the opening act of a martial-arts novel’s clan massacre!

Zhou Geng Geng asked suspiciously, “So many people disappeared without making the slightest disturbance or showing any warning signs?” A lone person was one matter, but a family of six and seven or eight guards would attract attention wherever they went. How could no one have noticed them?

Guo Ping said, “That is precisely what makes it strange. The wet nurse’s neighbors personally saw her entire family leave early in the morning to attend a wedding banquet. Yet by the following day, when the wedding was already over, the groom’s parents insisted they had never arrived. The distance between the wet nurse’s home and the groom’s was less than two li. The flatbread and steamed-bun vendors along the route remembered seeing them, proving that they truly had set out for the wedding. But no one knows what happened afterward. The manor lord reported the matter and summoned constables, but they have found no leads so far.”

Fu Xi Yan asked, “What about the guards? All seven or eight knew martial arts. They should have caused an even greater disturbance, and more people should have seen them.”

Guo Ping said, “Exactly. They went to the groom’s home immediately. They even argued with the family while searching the residence. The time and events are perfectly clear, and the surrounding neighbors can all testify to them. It was only after the guards split up to search the surrounding area that every one of them disappeared.”

Zhou Geng Geng could not resist moving closer to Zhou Zhong Xin. He muttered, “This isn’t merely strange. This is the work of ghosts.”

Guo Ping agreed. “A gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall. Willowwood Manor is not a place where we should remain for long.”

Fu Xi Yan wholeheartedly agreed and immediately lifted his leg to leave.

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