Chapter Four: Meeting Again

After the two of them sat down in the noodle shop, the earlier temper of Ghostbane had vanished. He devoured a bowl of noodles and tofu with gusto, then slapped his belly. “You’re a straightforward fellow! I’m determined to be your friend. Tomorrow, noodles are on me.”

“Alright, you’ll be treating then,” replied Bu Jingxian.

The two sat resting, sipping tea.

“So, where are you planning to go?” Ghostbane asked.

Bu Jingxian watched the people coming and going in the street, momentarily stumped by the question. Over the past days, he had pondered his future, but the vast world before him seemed boundless and uncertain. Though this was still within Zheng territory, this leper town had recently endured the ravages of war—and it wouldn’t be long before the Black Wolf Army attacked again. This was already a land torn by strife, far from the capital and not of strategic importance, so there was little need to rush away.

“No matter where I go, I’ll need money. Can’t travel on an empty stomach. I’ll try to earn something here first and see how things go.”

Ghostbane scoffed. “So much for being a hero! If I had your martial skills and that sword of yours, I’d be out robbing the roads already—who would be foolish enough to lug cargo for a living? How much can you make in a day? Even enlisting as a soldier would be better than being a porter. The town chief doesn’t dare say a word! Now that’s living...”

Bu Jingxian interrupted with a laugh, “So you’re after the town chief’s concubine?”

Ghostbane smacked his lips and grinned darkly, “Who wouldn’t be? You haven’t seen her—the chief’s concubine was once a noble lady! If not for her misfortune, would that old man have gotten so lucky?” He continued daydreaming, then sighed wistfully.

“Such lofty ambitions you have,” Bu Jingxian teased.

Ghostbane nodded vigorously. “I know it’s just a fantasy, no need to rub it in...” Then, seeing the look on Bu Jingxian’s face, he realized he was being mocked and snapped, “What other ambitions could I have? Become a general? Best to focus on what’s right in front of me!”

After paying the bill, Ghostbane called out as they left, “Come with me, I’ll take you to a place where you can sleep safely without spending a coin!”

For days, Bu Jingxian had been saving every penny, never daring to imagine staying at an inn—he made do with wherever he could find to sleep, yet even so, his meager savings wouldn’t get him far on the road.

Ghostbane led him straight toward the grand estate before the city tower, glancing back several times with a smug look, slightly disappointed that Bu Jingxian showed no sign of surprise.

Finally, they climbed over the estate wall as if it were their own home and slipped into the back courtyard, ducking into a room.

“How about it?” Ghostbane flopped onto a bed with quilts, legs propped up, gazing at Bu Jingxian in triumph.

“Impressive,” Bu Jingxian sincerely praised with a raised thumb.

“Of course!”

“Quite the spot…” Bu Jingxian lay back as well, laughing meaningfully, “And if you fancy the chief’s concubine at night, you can sneak over and listen outside her window…”

“Get lost!” Ghostbane’s face flushed red, clearly guilty of exactly that.

It was then that Ghostbane explained how this estate once belonged to the town chief, but after Commander Ling arrived, he took up residence here. The chief had seven concubines, all of whom had been defiled by Ling. Later, Ling became enamored with the fifth concubine and stopped coming to the back courtyard altogether. The chief, enduring humiliation, managed to secure some small favors—Ling promised not to let his soldiers run rampant, so the back courtyard was off-limits to them. There were many guest rooms left empty for days on end, and the servants didn’t tidy up daily; even if they found evidence of someone staying, they simply assumed it was another clandestine affair and paid no mind. Ghostbane had treated this place as his own home for over two months.

They stayed, but neither dared light a lamp. After some quiet conversation, drowsiness crept in and they prepared to sleep, when suddenly footsteps echoed messily in the corridor outside.

Ghostbane, terrified, dove under the bed in a cold sweat.

Bu Jingxian, meanwhile, picked up his heavy sword wrapped in cloth and moved to stand by the door, listening as those outside entered the adjoining guest room.

Inside, a man’s voice spoke: “It’s been hard on the girls from the Evening Glow Sect to stay here these days.”

Three sisters of the Evening Glow Sect were crowded into one room, despite there being many empty guest rooms—something Bu Jingxian found odd. The man’s tone was falsely polite.

Sure enough, the woman from the deep pool encounter spoke, her voice seething with anger: “How shameful that the renowned Hero Li of the Flying Immortal Sect should act so dishonorably! You promised to let our sect leader go if we surrendered the Evening Glow Sword, yet now you’ve taken the sword and still hold us for ransom!”

“Hmph! A wise man submits to circumstance. If not for your sect’s reputation, I’d hand you over to Commander Ling right now! If he wants you, don’t blame me for breaking my word. I’ve pleaded on your behalf to spare you, but if you won’t pay up, how am I to appease the general’s displeasure? Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness!”

With that, Hero Li threatened coldly, “Write the letter quickly, or I’ll send you straight to Commander Ling. He’s already set his sights on you, and his men are eager for your junior sisters!”

“Despicable scoundrel!”

A sharp slap rang out—clearly, the woman had been struck.

“Will you write or not?”

Her two junior sisters, frightened, begged, “Elder sister, just write it. Our sect isn’t short on money. So long as we survive, there’s hope for the future.”

After a while, Li’s satisfied voice sounded again: “That’s better! A wise woman knows when to yield. Once the money comes, the general will let you go, and you’ll be able to return with your sect leader…”

By now, Ghostbane had crawled out from under the bed and was crouched beside Bu Jingxian, ear pressed to the wall.

Bu Jingxian listened, unable to fathom it all—but that a disciple of the prestigious Flying Immortal Sect would stoop to such deeds shocked him deeply. Especially someone called a hero, who should be famed for righteous acts—how could he do such things?

“Take it, then. I hope you keep your word,” the woman said coolly, her contempt thinly veiled.

“Rest assured, miss,” said Hero Li, then left and closed the door. Bu Jingxian considered whether he ought to intervene; he felt certain this Li could not be trusted.

As he wavered, Li’s footsteps returned, this time accompanied by another man.

When the door next opened, a woman’s outraged voice cried: “You vile, shameless cur! You go back on your word!”

Her two junior sisters burst into frightened sobs.

“Ha! Commander Ling, see how foolish some women are! Enjoy yourself, General. I’ll send the letter to the Evening Glow Sect at once.”

“Hurry up!” came Commander Ling’s gruff reply.

After Li hurried away, the three young women in the next room were left to weep, rage, and shout in despair.

The situation was now clear—Hero Li had colluded with Commander Ling to extort the Evening Glow Sect.

Bu Jingxian could wait no longer. Grabbing his heavy sword, he moved to act, but Ghostbane seized him and whispered urgently, “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to save them!”

“Are you mad? Cross Commander Ling and you’ll die! He commands five thousand troops!”

Bu Jingxian shook him off with force, coldly retorting, “You always claim to be a real man—this is what real men do?”

Stunned by Bu Jingxian’s resolve, Ghostbane cursed, “Lunatic!” and scrambled off to escape.

Bu Jingxian stopped outside the neighboring guest room and raised his hand, knocking—slowly at first, then faster and heavier.

Sure enough, Commander Ling’s impatient voice bellowed from inside, “Who the hell is out there? Get lost! I’m busy…”