Chapter 39: This Place Will Become a Purgatory

"Yang Xuan!"

Zhao Sanfu arrived, carrying several parcels wrapped in oiled paper, feigning concern as he came to visit Yang Xuan.

"This is my cousin," Yang Xuan said, gesturing to Yi-niang.

Yi-niang showed her face briefly before heading to the kitchen; soon, the sound of a chicken meeting its end drifted out.

"This is my mentor, Master Cao Ying," Yang Xuan continued.

Zhao Sanfu took one look at Cao Ying and immediately felt a liking for him. "Master Cao appears to be a man of upright bearing. I have matters to attend to today, but let's share a drink together sometime soon."

He lowered his voice to Yang Xuan, "Just now, I heard at the mirror stand that a student from the Imperial Academy was taken by Zhou Yan’s men from the Golden Guards."

Zhou Yan... Imperial Academy student.

"Who was it?" Yang Xuan narrowed his eyes.

"Bao Dong."

"Has he been tortured?" Images of Zhou Yan's sullen face surfaced in Yang Xuan's mind.

"Beaten, and they say it was severe. I heard those people told him to confess his accomplices or they'd kill him, but he only nodded and said he was willing to die."

"Ah! Yang Xuan!"

...

Yang Xuan mounted his horse and rode to the Imperial Academy, seeking an audience with Ning Yayun.

"The head scholar is not present."

The Dean, An Ziyu, was in.

Yang Xuan drew a deep breath, suppressing his agitation. "Dean, Bao Dong has been seized by the Golden Guard Deputy Zhou Yan, accused under the pretense of poisoning through medicine—"

An Ziyu stood up. "Did he really poison anyone?"

Yang Xuan shook his head. "I had the medicine checked by a physician—it strengthens the spleen, improves appetite, and even benefits the kidneys. Last time, Vice Commander Zhou tried to steal credit and failed; now he wants to force Bao Dong to implicate me."

"A worthless dog-slave!" The ruler spun between An Ziyu's fingers, fury burning in her eyes.

"Dean, I just need them to stop torturing Bao Dong, that's all, Dean, Dean..." Yang Xuan was dumbfounded.

Like a gust of wind, An Ziyu vanished, and soon a stern cry echoed from outside.

"I'll be back in a moment!"

Golden Guard headquarters.

"He still refuses to talk, Vice Commander Zhou. I'm afraid if we keep beating him, something might happen, and the Academy will never let this go."

Zhou Yan sneered coldly. "And so what?"

Crash!

A scream erupted outside.

In the next instant, a figure burst in.

Those outside heard chaos within, then that figure leaped out, landing on the roof opposite. One hand gripped a ruler in reverse, the other hand clasped behind her back.

Two figures rushed out right after, as the office behind them collapsed with a thunderous crash.

Zhou Yan looked up, somewhat disheveled, at the woman atop the roof across from him. "Who are you?"

The ruler spun between her fingers.

An Ziyu replied coolly, "Dean of the Imperial Academy, An Ziyu."

She stamped her foot, shattering roof tiles, then flew off into the distance.

"If anything happens to Bao Dong, the Imperial Academy will not rest until the Golden Guard is brought to account!"

A stunned silence fell over the scene. After a long while, someone asked, "Should we continue the interrogation?"

Crash!

Zhou Yan kicked a wooden pillar in half and strode away.

...

"Zhou Yan is only after merit," Yang Xuan said, back at the Imperial Academy, explaining the matter.

Ning Yayun had returned. Hearing this, she gently plucked her zither, a touch of anger coloring her jade-like face. "I shall seek an audience with His Majesty at once."

Crash!

The door was flung open, and An Ziyu stormed in like a whirlwind.

"How did it go?" Yang Xuan still asked, not noticing the wry smile on Ning Yayun's face.

"I demolished his office," An Ziyu said, seating herself. "This will cause complications."

Yang Xuan shook his head. "This is a matter of people, not of events. He wants me to yield and give him this credit. If that's his aim, I'll ruin the Southern Zhou spies' plot. If he still refuses to release Bao Dong, the consequences will fall on him."

With that, he took his leave.

Behind him, Ning Yayun murmured softly, "Most of my students of the mystic arts are dull and awkward—there is no other as resourceful as this one."

An Ziyu nodded. "But the Southern Zhou spies are adept at hiding; the Golden Guard has many men, and Yang Xuan commands too few agents of his own... I worry the Golden Guard will seize the initiative..."

Ning Yayun raised her cup to her lips, sipping her tea calmly. "I am watching. If things go awry, let the people of Chang'an witness the full might of the Imperial Academy mobilized."

...

"Search!"

At Zhou Yan's command, the Golden Guard mobilized.

In every ward, Golden Guard soldiers questioned the locals.

"Have you seen any strangers lately?"

"Any information will be handsomely rewarded!"

Zhou Yan stood with several subordinates, who discussed every possible angle of the case.

"Vice Commander Zhou, our numbers are strong, and with our united planning, those few petty constables from Wannian County are of no concern."

Zhou Yan nodded, his eyes growing even darker. "After last time, the Grand General rebuked me. If I can't redeem myself, I won't be promoted for at least two years."

He looked at his men, a faint smile on his lips. "If I do well, you all benefit."

"Yes, sir!"

The Golden Guard’s morale soared.

In a certain house in Chang'an,

Several men sat around a table.

"The Golden Guard has mobilized, searching for news everywhere in Chang'an, even offering rewards."

"The more frantic they are, the greater our opportunity."

"Is everything ready?"

The leader nodded. "We'll wait two more days."

...

On the first day, Yang Xuan led his men to search all likely places in the city, crossing paths with the Golden Guard many times and enduring a day of their mockery.

"Be careful!"

Zhao Sanfu came again.

"Zhou Yan has powerful patrons. He was already in line for promotion last time, but failed at the last moment. This time he’s determined to succeed."

Yang Xuan nodded. "Have you eaten?"

Zhao Sanfu glanced at Cao Ying. "Master Cao and I hit it off at first sight."

So for supper, Yang Xuan dined with Yi-niang, while Zhao Sanfu and Cao Ying ate together.

After dinner, Yang Xuan paced the courtyard, pondering. Yi-niang followed him, laughing, "You missed it earlier, sir. Zhao Sanfu and Cao Ying were probing each other for information—truly hilarious."

In his ear, Vermilion Bird whispered, "Testing each other out."

After Yi-niang left, Yang Xuan asked, "Vermilion Bird, is this what you call ‘flirting’?"

The scroll in his arms flashed green.

That night, Yang Xuan sat on his bed.

"Play that film again."

He didn't sleep until late at night.

The next day, he went to Wannian County.

"Marshal Yang, the Golden Guard is more fired up than ever," Wen Xinshu said anxiously. "They've even caught a few petty criminals and are feeling triumphant."

Zhao Guolin clutched his horseman's spear as if it were his lifeline. "Just you wait!"

Yang Xuan sat down, eyes narrowed in thought.

He opened his eyes. "Their purpose in throwing out treasure must be to divert our attention. What would they do next? Wait until we've searched fruitlessly and given up, then make their move..."

Wen Xinshu said, "But where did those ten-odd chests of treasure come from? Are there multiple caches?"

"That's possible," Zhao Guolin nodded, reaching to scratch his head, then suddenly froze, thinking to himself, When did I pick up that habit?

Yang Xuan considered another possibility. "Have you noticed? Though the Golden Guard is searching the city, the gate soldiers seem rather indifferent."

Yang Xuan sprang to his feet. "They're spies—what are spies? The best criminals. And what do criminals do at times like this?"

"I need more men." Yang Xuan headed for the Imperial Academy.

In that moment, he deeply regretted his lack of manpower. If it were possible, he would conjure an army of thousands to carry out his orders.

"This is a chance for merit," he added.

Ning Yayun looked at him, lifting her cup to her lips, calm as ever. "The Academy never abandons its own, not a single one!"

Yang Xuan's lips quivered, but words of gratitude failed him in the face of such warmth.

Shortly afterward, dozens of professors and elite students assembled.

"Where do you think they'll leave the city if they try?" An Ziyu asked, intrigued by Yang Xuan's analysis.

"South is the obvious shortcut, but I believe they'll go north."

"Why?"

"Because they'll do the opposite of what we expect," Yang Xuan replied.

In his ear, Vermilion Bird said, "A spy is the most skilled criminal."

Later, at Guanghua Gate, Yang Xuan crouched inside the city gate, looking no more than a youth seeking shade from the sun.

Nearby was the Immortal’s Lane, lined with more than ten stalls selling snacks and travel supplies.

Vendors called out loudly; people browsed and haggled.

...

"What is Yang Xuan up to?" Zhou Yan asked.

Huang Li replied respectfully, "Each day he visits the Academy, then Wannian County, after which he disappears."

"Has he given up, unable to find a way forward?" Zhou Yan narrowed his eyes. "Giving up so easily—just like the Academy, after all."

Laughter erupted around him.

Amid the laughter, Zhou Yan clasped his hands behind his back and addressed his men, "Do your duty well."

Then he went to see his patron.

The old man’s face was cold. "The palace is increasingly open to favoritism and corruption; the four great families are ever more brazen in seeking office, and positions grow scarcer by the day. If you want to advance, you must show your worth."

"Yes, sir." The vicious and ruthless Deputy Zhou now appeared meek and obedient. "I know the He family bears a grudge against Yang Xuan; if this move succeeds, I trust they will lend their support."

The old man nodded, approving. "The He family may be no more than a dog to the Yangs, but it’s a powerful dog. Win their favor and your career will benefit."

"Yes, sir."

Zhou Yan withdrew.

"Wait," the old man called after him. "Are you confident about the Southern Zhou spy case?"

Zhou Yan smiled. "The Golden Guard has mobilized almost everyone. If those people find the treasure, it will be a huge haul. Where could they possibly hide it?"

The old man nodded. "People can hide, but treasure is hard to conceal. Go now, and I will find someone to speak on your behalf."

...

Guanghua Gate.

A gaunt man crouched next to Yang Xuan, his eyes sunken and drifting, looking like a half-witted middle-aged fellow.

Occasionally, large carts appeared.

Yang Xuan leaned against the wall, arms folded, enjoying the shade.

The gaunt man’s lips barely moved, but his voice reached Yang Xuan.

"Marshal Yang, that one on the left—the cart seems to be loaded with dried fish, but the frame has been altered, sagging downward, and the wheels are weighed down... Something’s off."

Yang Xuan had already noticed. Resting his head on his arms, he asked, "Any others?"

"No. Marshal Yang, you promised to let me go if I reported something."

"You’re a seasoned old thief, just out of prison—where would you even go? Help me watch a while longer; there must be more to come."

Yang Xuan lifted his head, stretching his neck in feigned confusion.

For a brief moment, the stall owners, their helpers, and the customers all relaxed.

Across the way, more than a dozen men watched the cart leave the city, also relaxing slightly.

One man looked back and nodded.

The convoy appeared.

The smell of salted fish was overwhelming. Even before the convoy reached the gate, the guards were pinching their noses and shouting, "Get lost!"

The carts picked up speed.

The middle-aged man’s eyes grew unfocused, his whole person slipping into a trance.

"What does he look like?" Yang Xuan described the scene.

Vermilion Bird said, "A sage in his moment of clarity."

Yang Xuan narrowed his eyes, inner energy surging within him.

"Marshal Yang, here they come!"

The convoy drew near.

Nothing seemed amiss at the gate or in its vicinity.

The first cart made it through the gate, followed by others in quick succession.

One of the carters glanced over to see a man inside the gate stand and give him a wide grin.

Then he stuck his fingers in his mouth.

A shrill whistle pierced the air.

In an instant, dozens of people surged out from both sides, each carrying a large vat, which they hurled with all their might.

Oil splashed over the convoy like water from a dragon's mouth.

Somehow, a tinderbox had appeared in Yang Xuan's hand; the gaunt man beside him, who had just handed him the tinderbox, looked at him in shock. "Marshal Yang, this place will become a living hell!"

The tinderbox spun through the air...

Boom!