The firelight flickered, taking the edge off the darkness with a faint warmth.

Ergou breathed a sigh of relief at first, but the moment he saw what lay ahead, his heart shot back into his throat. A chill crawled down his spine as his limbs turned weak.

Before him lay a small valley that led to a crumbling Mountain God temple, long abandoned and in ruins. Several burly beggars guarded the entrance, their bodies greasy and covered in festering sores. Around the temple were tents of all sizes. Bonfires burned everywhere, with large iron cauldrons set over them.

At least several hundred beggars had gathered. The elderly looked like they were merely skeletons. They had white hair and looked lifeless. They squatted around like corpses, eyes clouded and hollow.

The children, some only seven or eight, wore tattered clothes and had soot-blackened faces. Some were even crippled, yet still fanned the flames beneath the cauldrons with all their strength.

The beggars had their own way of cooking. All the food they obtained from begging, like steamed buns, stale cakes, and even leftover scraps from restaurants, were thrown into a single pot and boiled together. Much of it had already spoiled, and the stench was unimaginable. Even so, the beggars crouched nearby, swallowing in anticipation.

But what truly unnerved Ergou was what he saw on the other side. There was an open space where strong beggars gathered, each holding a dog-beating staff. They formed a large circle while rhythmically striking the ground.

In the center, a wild dog darted about frantically. These graveyard dogs fed on corpses. Their eyes glowed blood-red, their bodies as large as wolves. Their skulls were hardened from years of smashing into coffins. But this one was whimpering in terror.

The relentless pounding of the staves seemed to drive it insane. It was trapped in a ghostly loop, frantically running in circles. Around it, venomous snakes raised their heads, hissing, striking whenever they found an opening. Soon, the dog collapsed from poison, its body convulsing. Then the snakes swarmed it, slithering into its mouth and orifices.

Ergou had never seen such a grotesque sight. He stood frozen, cold to the bone, unable to move.

The old beggar leading him barked sharply, “Move! What are you waiting for?”

“Yes, yes.”

Ergou hurried after him, keeping his head down. Soon, they entered the ruined temple.

“Master, the guest has arrived.”

The old beggar bowed and stepped aside. Ergou swallowed nervously and glanced up. The original statue of the Mountain God had been removed. In its place, reclining atop the stone altar, lay a massive beggar. He was enormous and bare-chested, his belly layered with folds of fat and his bald head gleaming with grease. His body was covered in sores.

He was the leader of the western beggars, and they called him Mountain Lord.

A nauseating stench hit Ergou, nearly making him vomit, but he dared not show it. Instead, he bowed respectfully. “This humble one greets Mountain Lord!”

“Mm.” The beggar leader’s swollen eyelids barely opened into slits as he looked down lazily. “Iron Blade Gang, right? Your leader is that old monkey’s disciple, isn’t he? We keep to our own territory, why come here?”

Ergou quickly explained, “Our boss asks for your help in dealing with a few outsiders who don’t know the rules...”

After recounting everything, he produced several banknotes, smiling obsequiously. “This is a small token of respect. It’s just a trivial matter for you to take care of them, please help us.”

The notes totaled three hundred taels of silver. It was more than what they had squeezed from the Spring Breeze. But in their current situation, money wasn’t the issue. Zheng Heibei simply wanted this matter settled.

Mountain Lord glanced at the money, completely uninterested. “Take it back. Beggars don’t keep wealth, and we’re not hired thugs.”

“This...” Ergou grew anxious. He quickly spoke again. “We all make a living in Xianyang. Please lend a hand. Our Iron Blade Gang will remember this favor.”

Mountain Lord paused, then spoke. “Take your money. We don’t need that, but you will help me find someone.”

Ergou raised his eyebrows in confusion and asked, “You have eyes everywhere in Xianyang. Your information network is better than ours.”

Mountain Lord replied calmly, “We beggars aren’t like the rich clans. Our rules forbid entering homes. We wander doorways, never going inside. Some places drive us off before we even get close.”

Ergou understood. “Who are you looking for?”

Mountain Lord slowly sat up, scratching his greasy belly. “Months ago, a village outside the city called Gushui Village was wiped out by bandits. Do you know of it?”

“I do.” Ergou smirked. “That was an inside job. One of the concubines sold land and scammed the people of Xianyang before disappearing. She’s actually quite clever. What’s the matter? Are you looking for her? Actually, we are too. She’s quite the fat sheep.”

“Not her.” Mountain Lord’s voice turned cold. “We want the other concubine. If I’m not mistaken, she’s still hiding somewhere in Xianyang.”

***

Just as Wang Daoxuan had predicted, the rain stopped the next day. At dawn, the three men arrived at the Spring Breeze Troupe’s compound.

Wang Daoxuan was clad in a clean Daoist robe. His ritual tools were packed into a scholar’s-style basket, carried by Sha Lifei. When they arrived, the troupe members had already gathered.

After the Iron Blade Gang left the day before, all of them were finally able to sleep in peace. They had gotten one night of rest, but everyone knew the matter wasn’t over. No matter how innocent the troupe leader’s son was, the debt contracts were airtight. Even if the gang didn’t return, the authorities would still rule against them.

Anger and despair meant nothing, that was reality. They had only one option left: perform a ghost opera. Such performances were common. It was used to appease restless spirits when trouble arose but didn’t warrant formal Daoist rites. The payout would be generous, but the first step was to invite a powerful yin spirit to preside over their performance.

Looking at the determined troupe, Wang Daoxuan sighed to himself but spoke sternly. “Do you all understand the rules? I’ll repeat them once again.

“We depart at noon and reach the mass grave by night. Once we find a site, all of you must cleanse your hands. During my ritual, silently chant what I taught you. Remember, once on the mountain, do not call animals by their true names.

“A tiger is ‘Great Beast’; a bear is the ‘Old Master’. An eagle is ‘Honored Lord’; a hedgehog is ‘Second White Master’. A fox is ‘Third Grandfather’, and the spirits are ‘Lord Qingfeng’. I don’t know what will come, so show respect to everything. Some may already possess intelligence and come to interfere. During the ritual, not a single word may be spoken.

“When I say ‘It has come’, all of you must shout, ‘We receive it’, then immediately descend the mountain. No matter what you hear behind you, do not look back!”

His instructions were meticulous. Normally, such spirit-inviting rituals were common among troupes, and it was often symbolic. Animal signs were interpreted as omens. Sheep, dogs, cattle, or gentle spirits represented good fortune. Wild boars were especially auspicious. Rabbits or birds meant that they had constant travel ahead

However, the Spring Breeze’s situation was different. They needed a true spirit strong enough to protect them, and without causing deaths. There could be no mistakes.

While Wang Daoxuan explained, Sha Lifei pulled Li Yan to the side. “I heard something at the teahouse. That old monkey Zhou Pan won’t act himself, but several of his disciples who have reached the Dark Jin Realm, want to kill you to win favor.

“I also found out your father knew a constable named Guan Wanche. Maybe he can mediate.”

“Guan Wanche?” Li Yan frowned, then sneered. “My father never mentioned him. He’s never visited either. Even if they knew each other, they weren’t close. Whatever it is, I’ll handle this duel myself!”

“You’re doing it alone?!” Sha Lifei was exasperated, and snapped, “You’re barely at the peak of the Light Jin Realm! One strike from them can shatter your organs, you’ll die up there!”

Li Yan didn’t reply. He stared at his palm, then gently placed it on a nearby tree.

Taking a deep breath, he threw a single, compact strike.

Rustle!

Leaves cascaded down like rain...