FI Ch15: The Second Client

Lin Su glanced sideways for a moment. “What do you mean, there’s someone else?”

Xue Zhibai shook his head. “Go in and see for yourself.”

Then he subtly gave a signal. “The one outside—do you need me to hold them off for you?”

“…”

Lin Su stared at him for a few seconds, sighed, and said, “I may still be the same young man I was, but you’ve already become a dirty adult.” He turned and called out to someone.

“Da… Jiacuo, let’s go.”

Xue Zhibai: ???

What Da Jiacuo? It’s obviously all your fault!

Qi Jiacuo smiled faintly and followed, politely inviting the stunned Xue Zhibai, “Senior, let’s go inside.”

They pushed the door open.

Inside, He Zhenling sat casually, leaning back in his chair with arms crossed. His long, muscular legs were elegantly crossed, and a Tang Dao rested to the side, reflecting a ray of sunlight, cold and sharp like snow-covered pine.

Hearing the noise, he lifted his eyes.

Lin Su: “…”

He froze, murmuring to himself, “…Xue Zhibai, you really can paint mirages, can’t you?”

Because now he, too, could see something that should only exist in the distance.

A cold voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Lin Su closed his eyes, then opened them again, speaking gently, “You misheard. I didn’t say anything.”

By this time, Xue Zhibai had also entered.

He recognized He Zhenling immediately. Quietly, he nudged Lin Su and gestured with his eyes: Why is the legendary, incorruptible head of the Survelliance Association here? Explain!

Lin Su wanted to know that, too.

He looked at He Zhenling. “Why are you here?”

He Zhenling stood up. “I came early to scout the area.”

Xue Zhibai pricked up his ears. Scout? Scout what? What does he take this place for?

“I already told you it’s very safe,” Lin Su said with a sigh, looking over at him with indulgence. “This inn, owned by a master of talismans, is absolutely impregnable.”

Xue Nima and He Zhenling both turned to look at him.

Meanwhile, Qi Jiacuo’s gaze brightened slightly.

Lin Su ignored the two pointed looks directed at him and glanced at Qi Jiacuo, curving his lips slightly.

Then he turned to Xue Zhibai. “By the way, this is Qi Jiacuo. I mentioned him to you last time—”

He then addressed Qi Jiacuo, “Show the master the talismans you drew.”

Qi Jiacuo’s eyes lit up even more. “Ah, okay.”

He handed a few talismans to Xue Zhibai.

Xue Zhibai flipped through them, his gaze growing more appreciative. “Not bad… Where did you learn this?”

Qi Jiacuo pressed his lips together lightly. “I’m self-taught.”

“Huh?” Xue Zhibai looked up sharply as if he were witnessing a crime against talent.

Lin Su took the opportunity to pull Xue Zhibai to sit down. Pouring himself a cup of tea, he began recounting the story of the Qi family’s life-swapping scheme. He didn’t forget to embellish the narrative with vivid descriptions, highlighting the hardships Qi Jiacuo had endured since childhood.

Xue Nima muttered softly: [Does Qi Jiacuo know he was studying by lamplight on stormy nights?]

Lin Su kept talking while replying in his mind: He knows now.

Xue Nima: […]

Clang! A teacup on the table jumped from the force of a slap.

Xue Zhibai, having heard the whole story, stood up in anger. “Vile! Absurd!”

Qi Jiacuo gently pushed the teacup back onto the table.

Xue Zhibai’s chest heaved a few times before he suddenly turned to Qi Jiacuo, placing a hand on his shoulder. His eyes were filled with sympathy. “Ah! Good child, you’ve suffered so much…”

Lin Su chimed in quietly, “Exactly. If he’d had a decent teacher, Jiacuo would already be highly accomplished.”

Xue Zhibai whipped his head around. “What do you mean if he’d had a decent teacher? Am I not one?” He slapped the table again, fired up. “Isn’t there one right here?”

Lin Su replied, “What’s the point of that? Jiacuo hasn’t even said he’s willing.”

Xue Zhibai: “…”

Qi Jiacuo’s usually calm face flushed slightly. He quickly said, “I’m willing.”

His eyes sparkled. “It would be my honor.”

Xue Zhibai immediately pulled him over, delighted. “Good! From now on, you’re my one and only personal disciple!”

…

Nearby, Lin Su said nothing, a smile of quiet accomplishment spreading across his face.

*

Preparations for the apprenticeship began.

Lin Su called He Zhenling to step outside with him.

Before leaving, he remembered something and said to Xue Zhibai, “Let’s schedule your Taoist debate for tomorrow.”

Meeting Xue Zhibai’s puzzled gaze, Lin Su added, “The Qi family plans to make their move against me today.”

A string of curses almost escaped Xue Zhibai’s lips. Qi Jiacuo paused and asked, “Then you didn’t—at the Qi family—”

Lin Su smiled but didn’t explain.

Beside him, He Zhenling suddenly glanced at him.

Lin Su turned and met his gaze, sensing something profound yet knowing. He pressed his lips together and looked away, as if unaffected: How much does He Zhenling know now?

…Was he really this perceptive?

Lin Su looked straight ahead and murmured, “Don’t keep staring at me. Everyone else is still here.”

He Zhenling: “…”

Xue Zhibai: “…”

Qi Jiacuo: “…”

Xue Zhibai pulled Qi Jiacuo back a step, thinking: So this is the real deal.

He Zhenling sneered coldly. “Heh.”

They exited the room, closing the door behind them.

Sunlight spilled onto the staircase, casting alternating light and shadow. In the clean courtyard, dust particles settled quietly.

Lin Su asked, “Is the inspector staying here tonight as well?”

“No,” He Zhenling replied indifferently, turning his face slightly. “I’ll leave after scouting.”

Lin Su glanced at him.

Leave after scouting?

Then why was he still here after finding him?

As if sensing something, He Zhenling’s gaze swept over him. “I’m here to confirm whether you’re really staying here.”

Lin Su: “…”

So he’s afraid I’m stirring up trouble elsewhere.

Xue Nima marveled: [I told you he’s got ulterior motives. He won’t rest until he sees you alive—or dead.]

“…”

The next moment, it was silenced.

Lin Su briefly considered the importance of enrolling Xue Nima in some lessons. Then he looked up to see He Zhenling about to leave. He nodded a farewell to him.

“Take care; no need to see me off.”

He Zhenling paused, lowered his eyes, and looked at him for a few seconds.

Lin Su: “…Is there something else?”

He Zhenling just looked at him, then suddenly curved his lips into a smile and said softly, “Everyone else is gone now, so I can look at you a bit longer.”

Lin Su: “……”

Then, under Lin Su’s startled gaze, he turned and left.

The door closed with a creak.

Lin Su came back to his senses after a long time, took a deep breath, and muttered, “Damn it, I should really stop teasing He Zhenling in public.”

“…Damn it?”

Ah, he had locked up the “damn it.”

…

Tomorrow was the Dao Discussion Gathering.

The announcement had already been sent out. After dinner, the three of them, along with the hired workers, began setting up the venue.

The inn bustled with activity.

After clumsily knocking over things three times, Xue Zhibai was politely invited to rest on the side by his newly accepted young apprentice, who smiled at him.

In the dim light of dusk, Xue Zhibai leaned against the railing and sighed. “Sigh… I feel like I haven’t been helpful at all.”

Lin Su comforted him from the side. “Don’t say that. You’ve at least been helpful in messing things up.”

“…” Xue Zhibai immediately looked even more dejected.

Lin Su glanced at the sky, stood up, and said, “The Qi family should be making their move now.”

“Hey, do I need to prepare anything for tomorrow?” Xue Zhibai asked, looking at Lin Su’s departing figure. Lin Su thought for a moment and replied wistfully, “Then prepare a grand scene for me and your young apprentice.”

*

The moonlight gradually rose above the treetops.

In the Qi family courtyard, shadows of trees swayed. The ritual altar was already set up, and offerings were placed all around.

Qi Zhuang stood in the courtyard. “Is the person still in the room?”

A servant replied, “Yes. When delivering food today, he said he wasn’t feeling well and hasn’t left the room all day.”

Qi Zhuang let out a cold chuckle. “Now that He Zhenling has left, he doesn’t dare wander around. But does he think he’s safe just by staying in his room?”

As he spoke, he turned his head. “Alright, let’s begin.”

Behind him, a sorcerer nodded. Holding a small coffin, the sorcerer began chanting incantations.

The ritual commenced, invoking heaven, earth, and ghostly spirits. Nine sticks of green incense, a pair of white candles, and offerings were arranged in specific positions. Seven steel needles soaked in snake blood were held in hand. As a gust of eerie wind swept through the trees, the needles were stabbed into the heart of a clay figure inside the coffin—

Thump!

At the same time, in the guest room.

A figure collapsed to the ground with a thud. Black hair fell over the pale face, which was as white as paper, devoid of any sign of life.

“It’s done.”

In the courtyard, the sorcerer put away the small coffin.

Qi Zhuang felt reassured and gave a cold smile. “Very good. Inform them to prepare for the soul transfer immediately.”

…

The Qi family worked through the night until dawn.

As the morning light began to shine, in the bedroom, Jiang Yajian happily caressed the young man lying on the bed. “My precious son has finally been successfully transferred. Now we just need to reclaim the luck…”

She turned her head and added, “Don’t forget to have the sorcerer cast a spell to disperse Lin Su’s soul quickly, so it doesn’t linger and bother our Qi family.”

Qi Zhuang, looking exhausted, replied, “We’ll deal with that later. For now, let’s clean up and get ready for Master Xue’s Dao Discussion Gathering.”

Jiang Yajian got up, complaining, “Of all days, it had to be today… If only Jiayuan were awake, we could find a way to make introductions. If we could connect with a talisman master of that level—”

“Alright, alright, let’s go first and talk later.”

Qi Zhuang straightened his clothes. “With the Qi family’s reputation, at least we can request some spirit-expelling or calming talismans.”

Jiang Yajian’s expression shifted, showing a hint of pride. “That’s true.”

…

The faint morning light illuminated the small inn.

Guests had already started arriving at the venue, which, though hastily set up, was well-organized.

High-level talismans were always in high demand and short supply.

For a renowned talisman master like Xue Zhibai to host a Dao Discussion Gathering, not only locals from Li City but also feng shui practitioners from nearby cities had rushed overnight to attend.

The small courtyard was bustling with activity.

Xue Zhibai, dressed in plain clothes, stood among the crowd, exuding an otherworldly air.

When Qi Zhuang and his wife entered, they saw Xue Zhibai surrounded by guests. Qi Zhuang cleared his throat and stepped forward. “Master Xue…”

Before he could finish, he was squeezed out of the way.

“…” Qi Zhuang changed direction and tried again. “Master Xue—”

Xue Zhibai seemed oblivious, turning away. The shifting crowd soon pushed Qi Zhuang and Jiang Yajian aside again.

After several attempts, Qi Zhuang finally made it to the front.

By now, his smile was barely holding up. He cupped his hands and started, “Master Xue—” but was suddenly interrupted as Xue Zhibai picked up a nearby broom and swung it.

Smack! The broom landed squarely on Qi Zhuang’s smiling face.

Everyone around turned to look: “…”

Ignoring the stiff expressions, Xue Zhibai glanced around seriously. “Something dirty just passed by.”

He then called out to a worker, “Clean up over here.”

The worker immediately came over with a bucket of water. “Right away, sir!”

Splash! Water was poured onto the ground.

Qi Zhuang and Jiang Yajian were splashed on their feet. Qi Zhuang couldn’t help but curse inwardly: Damn it!

Xue Zhibai walked away as if nothing had happened.

The venue was crowded and lively.

After this scene, scattered murmurs and glances were directed at Qi Zhuang and his wife.

Qi Zhuang stood in a corner of the venue, his face dark.

Jiang Yajian wrung her wet skirt, suppressing her anger as she asked in a low voice, “What’s going on? That Master Xue… We’ve never met him before, so why would he target us?”

Qi Zhuang, trying to save face, said, “Don’t overthink it. It must have been a coincidence…”

As he spoke, a commotion suddenly arose in another direction.

They turned to see a figure stepping through the entrance—

Lin Su wore a dark green outer robe with snow-white inner garments fastened by tight knots. A crimson tassel hung from his shoulder, and his face was as refined as jade. As he entered, it was as if he broke through the hazy morning light.

All eyes in the room turned to him.

In the brief silence, a voice filled with disbelief shouted, “You—”

Lin Su raised his eyes and met the pale faces of Qi Zhuang and Jiang Yajian in the crowd.

Jiang Yajian blurted out, “Why are you here!?”

Lin Su replied matter-of-factly, “Of course, I’m here to attend the Dao Discussion Gathering.” He smiled and added,

“Oh, and I brought a friend along.”

As he finished, someone stepped out from behind him.

Qi Jiachuang appeared in everyone’s view, his long robe fluttering gracefully. He carried a demeanor somewhat resembling the head of the Qi family.

__

Author’s Note:

Lin Su: I’ll kill!

Xue Zhibai: I’ll strike!

Qi Jiacuo: I’ll just smile and say nothing.