strokinit Chapter 62: Night Talk in Qingzhou
Chapter 62: Night Talk in Qingzhou
At three quarters past 5 PM, the autumn rain in Qingzhou Prefecture finally stopped.
Rain dripped from the eaves of the three-courtyard house, pattering into the open gutter paved with blue bricks, the sound clear and melodious. As dusk settled, the courtyard seemed especially empty and quiet. Beneath the window of the west wing, Su Qingyao leaned against a worn rosewood armchair, the carvings on the back worn smooth. She wore a pale white satin jacket, the collar embroidered with a few sparse orchids, the stitches fine and dense, though the fabric was slightly fuzzy from washing, gleaming with a warm, aged sheen in the dim candlelight.
On the elmwood table in front of her lay seven or eight booklets. Among them were copies of maps of Qingzhou Prefecture, meticulously drawn with ink lines, depicting mountains, waterways, cities, and passes; several volumes of internal records of the Demon Suppression Bureau, their pages yellowed and curled; and on top of all, the book Lin Yan had just brought back from the armory, "Detailed Explanation of the Simple Arrangement of Five Elements Array Flags," its pages pristine and still fragrant with ink.
Lin Yan sat on the embroidered stool opposite her. This stool, which Aunt Zhou had found in the storeroom, had a somewhat loose rattan seat and was covered with a thick layer of coarse indigo cloth. He had changed into a clean indigo robe, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing taut lines in his forearms, wrapped with fine cotton bandages from yesterday, which shone brightly white in the candlelight. He held a rough earthenware teacup in his hand; the tea inside had cooled, with a few unfiltered tea leaves floating on the surface, but he seemed oblivious, his gaze calmly fixed on the spread-out files on the table.
"The nights in Qingzhou Prefecture are much quieter than in Blackstone Town," Su Qingyao suddenly spoke, her voice soft and gentle, as if afraid of disturbing the silence of the room. She raised her eyes, her gaze shifting from the map to Lin Yan's face, "But beneath this tranquility, the undercurrents are probably far more treacherous than the monsters of Canglang Mountain."
Lin Yan set down his teacup, the bottom tapping softly on the table. Following Su Qingyao's gaze, he looked out at the deep night, and slowly said, "The dangers of the world aren't limited to the mountains and wilderness. Human scheming is sometimes harder to guard against than the claws and fangs of demons." He paused, then turned his gaze back, "Qingyao, you said the other day that there are some of your father's old acquaintances in this branch of the Demon Suppression Division in Qingzhou Prefecture?"
Su Qingyao's fingertips unconsciously traced a mark on the map—the location of the Demon Suppression Division branch in Qingzhou Prefecture. Her movements were extremely light, as if afraid of breaking something, but a complex and indescribable emotion flashed in her eyes, like nostalgia, like melancholy, and like suppressing some kind of deep pain.
"Yes." She took a deep breath, suppressing her emotions, her voice regaining its usual coolness. "The branch leader, Lord Zhou Yan, was a close friend of my father. My father often said that Uncle Zhou was upright and honest, a rare breath of fresh air in this turbid world. When they were young, they studied together and joined the Demon Suppression Bureau together, vowing to sweep away the demonic influence and protect the people." Her voice gradually lowered, as if she were lost in a long-forgotten memory. "When I was little, Uncle Zhou often came to our house, always bringing me little trinkets, whether novel pastries or exquisite Luban locks. He always loved to pat my head and say, 'Yao'er, grow up quickly, like your father.'"
The candlelight flickered, clearly illuminating the faint glimmer of tears in her eyes. She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, her vision was clear.
"Zhou Shibo has served in the Demon Suppression Division of Qingzhou Prefecture for more than ten years. He rose from an ordinary steward to the head of a branch. He did not rely on scheming and currying favor, but on his solid achievements and unyielding character." Su Qingyao's tone became calm and cautious. "It is precisely because of this that he has always been hampered by Liu Xiong."
"Does Liu Xiong really have such abilities?" Lin Yan frowned slightly.
"Liu Xiong is the head of the Demon Suppression Division in Qingzhou Prefecture. On the surface, he's Zhou Shibo's deputy, but in reality..." Su Qingyao sneered, the smile not reaching her eyes but only hovering on her lips, carrying a hint of mockery, "This man is from the Imperial Preceptor's faction, and has been operating in Qingzhou Prefecture for many years, deeply entrenched. He's adept at scheming, smooth in his methods, and skilled at understanding the intentions of those above him, making him very popular with certain people. Although Zhou Shibo holds a position of authority, much of the real power is controlled by Liu Xiong, making it difficult to implement his orders. What's even more hateful is that Liu Xiong has secretly cultivated a group of opportunists, forming a considerable force within the branch, constantly opposing Zhou Shibo."
She picked up the slightly cooled teacup in front of her and took a small sip. The tea was bitter, but it calmed her mind.
"Zhou Shibo is resolutely loyal to the court and to the current emperor, Yinmingzong." Su Qingyao put down her teacup, her gaze intense. "He once said that the Demon Suppression Division is a powerful tool of the nation, and should prioritize the safety of the people and the stability of the country. It must never become a tool for some people to fight for power and form cliques. It is precisely because of this insistence that he has always been at odds with the Imperial Preceptor's faction."
"The Imperial Preceptor's Residence?" Lin Yan caught this key point.
Su Qingyao's expression turned solemn, as if she wanted to engrave this heavy name, along with the huge shadow behind it, into Lin Yan's heart word by word: "In the Dayin Dynasty, on the surface, His Majesty the Emperor rules over all directions, but in reality, there is an extremely powerful force in the court—the lineage of the Imperial Preceptor 'Xuanqiong Zhenren,' a behemoth that has existed for three hundred years and whose foundation is unfathomable."
She stood up, walked to the window, and pushed it open halfway. The night wind, carrying the damp chill of the rain, rushed in, causing the candlelight to flicker violently and casting dappled shadows on her face, much like the bizarre and fantastical secret she was about to recount.
"Master Xuanqiong," Su Qingyao's voice sounded both clear and ethereal in the night wind, "He is the first national advisor of the founding of the nation, a living legend. More than three hundred years ago, it is said that he was already an unparalleled expert at the peak of the Integration Realm, the undisputed number one in the world. It was he who assisted Emperor Taizu of Dayin in conquering the south and the north, expanding the territory, and thus establishing this glorious dynasty."
She paused, letting that ancient, suffocating pressure sink into the hearts of the listeners.
"Now, three hundred years have passed," her voice lowered, carrying an almost reverent solemnity, "No one knows what has become of that reclusive and rarely seen Imperial Preceptor. Some say he has ascended to immortality, others say he is in seclusion... But in the small circle of people who truly know the inside story, everyone tacitly understands—Master Xuanqiong is still alive and well. He may be deep within that misty Imperial Preceptor's mansion, quietly and indifferently... watching over this world."
The candlelight flickered and danced, illuminating Su Qingyao's profile.
"After three hundred years of operation, the power of the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion has long since penetrated every bone and muscle of the dynasty. Since the founding of the Great Yin Dynasty, it has long since transformed from an auxiliary institution into a behemoth that dominates the court and even, in some aspects, subtly surpasses the court. Its disciples and former officials are everywhere in the court and the countryside. The Demon Suppression Bureau, the Imperial Observatory, the Six Ministries... where are they not? On the surface, these people receive salaries from the court, but in secret, they follow the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion's lead."
She turned away from the candlelight, her face hidden in the shadows, only her eyes shining brightly, burning with vigilance and defiance against this vast shadow.
"When my father was alive, he secretly investigated many times and suspected that Liu Xiong and many high-ranking officials in the court were pawns planted by the Imperial Preceptor's faction. Under the guise of 'suppressing demons' and 'protecting the country,' they were actually forming cliques, accumulating wealth, and cultivating power. In fact... my father suspected that they might have some unclear connections with certain demons, and their schemes were probably far beyond what ordinary people could imagine."
"And the governor of Qingzhou Prefecture, that high-ranking official," Su Qingyao's voice carried undisguised contempt and a hint of helplessness, "is related to Liu Xiong by marriage. He's an overly shrewd, yet cowardly opportunist. He dares not offend the powerful Imperial Preceptor's Mansion, nor dares to openly defy the laws of the court, and he's even more afraid of causing a major disturbance within his jurisdiction, ruining his promising future. So he can only turn a blind eye and let Liu Xiong wield absolute power within the Demon Suppression Division. As long as things keep appearances straight and he doesn't make any earth-shattering mistakes, he's happy to play dumb, carefully maintaining that ridiculous balance between the two powerful forces."
A brief silence fell over the room. Only the crackling of the candlelight and the intermittent dripping of water from the eaves outside the window seemed to serve as a desolate footnote to this revelation.
After a long while, Su Qingyao slowly walked back to the table and sat down again.
"Brother Lin," she raised her eyes and looked directly at Lin Yan, her voice so soft it was almost a whisper, yet it carried an uncontrollable tremor, a tremor mixed with deep-seated hatred and icy despair, "I even suspect... that the mastermind behind the massacre of the Su family that night, the one who released the demon into the city and slaughtered the Su family, might be Liu Xiong, or even... had the tacit approval of the town's guards."
Upon hearing this, the air in the room seemed to freeze instantly, and even the candlelight seemed to stop flickering.
Lin Yan's hand, gripping the teacup, tightened almost imperceptibly. He gazed at Su Qingyao's pale face, which was devoid of tears, yet held a chilling, bone-deep hatred and pain, forcibly suppressed beneath a calm exterior, making it all the more chilling.
"Why do you make such a guess?" His voice remained steady, but it was deeper than before, like a pebble thrown into an ancient well.
Su Qingyao closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, all she could see was a frozen lake, beneath which surging lava powerful enough to incinerate everything.
"The Su family ancestral home is located in the most bustling market town in the eastern part of Qingzhou Prefecture, surrounded by government offices and heavily guarded. It was originally the safest place in the inner city, the least likely to be attacked by a large number of demons." She spoke slowly and deliberately, as if each word was being squeezed out from between her teeth, carrying the heat of blood and fire. "But that night, not only did the demons come, but there were also many of them, including several powerful demons at the Tongxuan Realm! How did they manage to silently break through the city wall formations and heavy guards, accurately find the Su family, and wreak havoc for a full hour right under the noses of the government office and the Demon Suppression Bureau, until almost the entire Su family was wiped out...? Only then did the city defense army and the reinforcements from the Demon Suppression Bureau 'lately arrive' and 'repel' them?"
She sneered, a laugh devoid of any warmth, only chilling coldness and mockery: "Afterwards, the explanations from the government and the Demon Suppression Bureau were all the same—'The demon was cunning, launching a surprise attack at night, leaving no time for defense.' But Brother Lin, do you believe that? The inner city walls are high and the moat deep, the array is always active, and the guards are on strict rotation. How could an ordinary demon break through so easily? Moreover, the city defense team commander on duty that night, and the leader of the Demon Suppression Bureau squad responsible for patrolling the eastern district, were both trusted confidants promoted by Liu Xiong!"
"And that garrison commander of Qingzhou Prefecture," Su Qingyao's fingertips dug deeply into her palm, leaving several pale crescent-shaped marks, which she seemed oblivious to, "only appeared on the third day after the incident, 'upon hearing the news,' putting on a show of 'deep sorrow,' uttering a few bland words of consolation, and bestowing a paltry sum of compensation... Then, he lightly brushed aside this shocking case that killed seventy-three people, forbidding anyone to mention it again!"
She raised her eyes, her gaze filled with naked, undisguised hatred and accusation:
"What coincidence could there be in this world? What incompetent city defenses? What 'timely' rescue? And what... such a nonchalant ending!"
The candle flame suddenly burst open into a huge flower, the flame leaping upwards and twisting the shadows of the two people on the wall.
Lin Yan remained silent for a long time. He got up and walked to the window, gazing at the deep night outside. Although the rain had stopped, the clouds hadn't dispersed, and a few rays of moonlight struggled to leak through the gaps, shining on the old locust tree in the courtyard. Most of the locust leaves had fallen, and the bare branches swayed gently in the night wind, casting mottled and fragmented shadows, like ghostly claws.
"If that's the case," he said slowly, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet night, "this Qingzhou Prefecture is a den of dragons and tigers. Liu Xiong's request for us to go to Black Wind Ravine is probably more than just making things difficult for us or using us as a tool to kill someone."
He turned abruptly, his eyes flashing with cold light in the dim candlelight: "The danger of Black Wind Ravine lies in its deep ravines, its fierce bandits and demonic creatures, and the fact that all who have fallen have perished—this is a mountain of knives laid bare in the open. And in the shadows," he lowered his voice abruptly, like a blade gliding across ice, "Liu Xiong's manipulative skills have likely already laid deadly nooses along our path. Perhaps... those 'bandits' entrenched in the ravine are actually his own kind."
He paused, each word dripping with chilling intent:
"What he wants is for us, along with our secrets, to be buried forever in that dark, windy place where the sun never shines."
"After all, only the dead are the least likely to mention the words 'blood crystal stone,' and no one will bother to uncover their bloody crimes."
Su Qingyao's face paled, but she stubbornly straightened her back: "Therefore, we cannot sit idly by and wait for our doom. Uncle Zhou is the only person I can think of who might be trustworthy and has the power to stand up to Liu Xiong."
"But we can't rush to see him now." Lin Yan walked back to the table, sat down again, and pointed to the location of Black Wind Ravine on the map. "First, we don't have any solid evidence against Liu Xiong. Second, Chief Zhou is at the center of the storm. If we make contact with him now, it may not only cause him trouble, but it will also completely expose your identity and alert him."
He raised his eyes, meeting Su Qingyao's gaze: "What I mean is, after the Black Wind Ravine mission is completed, I'll find a suitable opportunity to meet with Steward Zhou alone. I'll test his attitude and confirm whether he's truly as trustworthy as you say. If he's reliable, then we can discuss introducing you to him. That would be much safer."
Su Qingyao paused, a struggle flashing in her eyes. She knew Lin Yan's considerations were more thorough, but with her enemy so close and the secret within reach, the urgency gnawed at her heart like a venomous snake. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately only let out a soft sigh.
"Brother Lin is very thoughtful; I...was too hasty." She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting deep shadows beneath them. "However, the trip to Black Wind Ravine...since Liu Xiong has already laid a trap, it will undoubtedly be extremely dangerous. You..."
"Of course there are dangers," Lin Yan interrupted her, his tone calm and unwavering, as if he were talking about something unrelated to him. "But things in this world can't always go as planned. Some risks are simply unavoidable."
He paused, a strange, almost fervent light flashing in his eyes: "Moreover, my Soul-Devouring Body needs to be honed in battle, to break through in the face of life and death. While cultivation in comfort is certainly safe, it's difficult to make any progress. This Black Wind Ravine is both a crisis and an opportunity."
Su Qingyao was slightly moved. She recalled the scene in the Bone-Rotting Swamp where Lin Yan devoured the Spider Queen's demon core and broke through his cultivation level in the face of battle. That kind of bravery, that kind of ruthlessness in fighting for survival in a desperate situation, was indeed beyond the reach of ordinary people.
"As for the Blackrock Iron Guards," Lin Yan's lips curled into a faint yet confident smile, "they are no longer the brutes of Blackrock Town who only knew how to fight with brute force. Their training these past few days has honed their formation coordination, and their mutual trust far surpasses that of ordinary teams. What they need is a tough battle, a true test of fire, to temper their sharpness and forge their fighting spirit. Flowers in a greenhouse can never withstand the storm."
His gaze swept across the courtyard outside the window. Although it was late at night, a few lights could still be faintly seen on in the west wing—Lu Ling, Wang Dashan, and others were still wiping their armor and checking their equipment. Occasionally, very low voices could be heard, conveying a calm yet eager atmosphere.
Following his gaze, Su Qingyao felt a strange calming of her anxiety. Yes, they were no longer the wounded and uncertain team they had been when they first left Blackstone Town. They now possessed cultivation techniques, elixirs, talismans, and, more importantly, the tacit understanding and fighting spirit honed through days of arduous training.
"Brother Lin is right." She nodded slightly, sat up straight again, and her face regained its usual calm and rationality. "In that case, we need to make our preparations even more thorough. I need to carefully review the information about Black Wind Ravine that we obtained from the document room. We also need to simulate the possible locations and methods of Liu Xiong's ambush and prepare countermeasures in advance."
She reached out and pulled the book "Detailed Explanation of the Simple Five Elements Formation" on the table in front of her, opened one of the pages, and saw a simple formation called "Small Five Elements Maze Formation".
"We've basically gathered all the materials needed for this formation. Although it's a simplified version with limited power, it's incredibly effective for early warning, delaying, and disrupting the enemy." Su Qingyao's fingertips traced the formation diagram as she spoke faster. "We can set up this formation around the camp, and combine it with the 'Shocking God Talisman' and 'Earth-Trapping Talisman' that I've been working on these past few days. Even if the enemy launches a night attack, we can still buy ourselves reaction time."
She picked up another booklet, "The Eight Trigrams Footwork of the Soaring Dragon": "This footwork is best suited for maneuvering and dodging in complex terrain. If it can be combined with Lu Ling's hunter's footwork and Wang Dashan's fierce swordsmanship, it can complement each other in advance and retreat. I will begin teaching it tomorrow morning."
Lin Yan listened quietly, nodding occasionally. In the candlelight, the two sat facing each other, one offering calm guidance, the other meticulously planning; their long shadows cast against the wall created a strange harmony. The night outside the window grew deeper, the gong had already struck past the fourth watch, and the faint barking of dogs in the distance only served to emphasize the warmth of the lamplight and the meticulous planning within the small courtyard.
Suddenly, Su Qingyao remembered something, took out a small brocade pouch from her bosom, opened it, and poured out several pills the size of longan fruits, with a bright green color. The pills had smooth surfaces, with faint cloud patterns, and emitted a faint, refreshing scent of herbs and trees.
"This is the 'Clearing Miasma and Dispelling Poison Pill.' I've been using the Seven-Leaf Silver Thread Grass as the main ingredient, along with a few other auxiliary materials, to refine it over the past few days." She pushed the pill in front of Lin Yan. "Since Black Wind Ravine is perpetually shrouded in black winds, it's likely infested with miasma. While this pill can't cure all poisons, it's quite effective in preventing common miasma and resisting cold, evil toxins. Take this with you and distribute it to everyone. Take it before you set off, and you'll be safe."
Lin Yan took the pill; it was warm to the touch, and its refreshing medicinal fragrance was invigorating. He gave Su Qingyao a deep look and said softly, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."
By candlelight, the two talked back and forth, meticulously planning and detailing all the potential dangers they might encounter and the corresponding countermeasures. From marching formations and scout arrangements to changes in formations in case of an attack, escape routes, and even the treatment of the wounded and the selection of those covering the rear, everything was considered in great detail.
Before we knew it, a faint bluish-green hue, like that of crab shells, had appeared through the window paper. It was the fifth watch of the night.
The thick candle on the candlestick had burned down to a short stub, and the wax dripped onto the base, congealing into strange shapes. The flame struggled and leaped a few times before finally going out with a "poof".
The last wisp of smoke rose and dissipated in the gradually brightening morning light.