Chapter Thirty-Four: Playing Tricks

At this moment, Wu Yu seemed to have understood something, his expression showing sudden realization.

It was clear he had gleaned some information from the conversation between the old woman and Cui Xiu. Unable to restrain himself, he glanced toward the short rod in Cui Xiu’s hand; this object now appeared to be even more extraordinary than he had imagined. Previously, he hadn't given it much thought—he knew it was precious, but because his own life was at stake, curiosity had been eclipsed by more pressing concerns. Now, however, he found himself growing increasingly intrigued.

From what he had seen, whether it was the wild spirit, Guan Yuan, or this old woman who had suddenly appeared, all of them seemed to be drawn to this item the moment they laid eyes upon it…

“This thing isn’t of much use to us,” Cui Xiu said, “and if times were ordinary, it wouldn’t matter if you took it. But the reason the two of us are here is that the local spirit demanded it—we were even threatened with Brother Wu’s life. Unless that spirit is dealt with by my friends, or unless it no longer craves the item, giving it to you would only put our lives at greater risk.”

“I hope you understand our predicament.”

Cui Xiu’s words explained their situation, appearing to show deference to the old woman’s threat—perhaps even a trace of compromise—but in truth, he was laying a trap for her.

The old woman’s reluctance to act directly betrayed her hesitation. Cui Xiu seized this opportunity to maneuver for his own benefit. The old woman dared not attack, relying instead on her skeletal minions to encircle them. If she simply stalled for time, regardless of what happened within the cave, no matter which side prevailed, her hopes of seizing the short rod would be dashed.

By contrast, Cui Xiu and Wu Yu were in no rush. At the very least, they could still hope that Guan Yuan and his companions might defeat the wild spirit.

But the old woman’s situation was different. No matter who emerged from the cave, it would bode ill for her. If she had no reservations, she would have acted by force. But since matters stood thus, Cui Xiu and Wu Yu, though seemingly trapped, actually held the upper hand.

Upon hearing Cui Xiu’s words, the old woman fell silent, evidently realizing the crux of the matter.

“You’re no ordinary man,” she finally said after a long, tense pause—so long that the mood weighed heavily and Wu Yu grew restless. “It seems I have underestimated you.”

After a while, when the air was nearly stifling and Wu Yu’s thoughts began to fray, the old woman finally spoke in a low, distant voice: “That spirit has a weakness—a hidden opening at the base of its tail. If wounded there, its power will be reduced to a tenth… That’s all I’ll say. For your sake, young master Cui, I’ll let this pass today. But next time, do not cross me again. I won’t be so forgiving twice…”

As her words faded, so too did her presence, vanishing into the mountain forest, along with the skeletal throng.

Moments later, Cui Xiu and Wu Yu realized that the ancestral shrine behind them had reappeared.

Although the sky remained gloomy, the chill had abated somewhat.

“What happened, Brother Cui?” Wu Yu asked. He was confused—the old woman had come with clear intent, and not a friendly one. Only moments ago, she had threatened them, and now, after a brief exchange, she had inexplicably withdrawn. It was hard not to find the whole episode strange.

Cui Xiu did not answer immediately. He pondered for a while before deducing the old woman’s intention.

He certainly did not believe her to be acting out of kindness—if she harbored any goodwill, she wouldn’t have hunted him so ruthlessly in the valley last time for the short rod.

With that reason ruled out, her abrupt withdrawal and the revelation of the wild spirit’s weakness could mean only one thing: Unable to seize the short rod, she instead offered information, hoping Cui Xiu’s side would deal with the wild spirit.

This could only mean that she, too, was at odds with the wild spirit—perhaps even bound by some past grievance.

Though the exact reason escaped him, recalling their respective relationships with Liu Family Village and the different accounts given by the villagers and the old woman, Cui Xiu was certain that their enmity was inextricably linked to the village.

“The information she gave is probably true,” Cui Xiu said at last, “but I can’t explain everything right now. The most urgent thing is to get this information to Captain Guan and the others, so they’ll have a better chance of dealing with the wild spirit. Everything else can wait.”

Wu Yu, who had been hoping for an explanation, understood at once. Indeed, as Cui Xiu said, the priority was to deal with the spirit, not to dwell on the old woman’s motives.

“You’re right, Brother Cui.”

Seeing that Wu Yu understood, Cui Xiu nodded and turned back toward the shrine.

Having just encountered the old woman, Wu Yu had no desire to remain outside alone. Though his youth and inexperience sometimes made him panic in a crisis, he did possess a scholar’s sense of responsibility.

In this, he was every bit the gentleman a learned man ought to be.

With the new information in hand, the two dared not delay. After entering the shrine, they hurried once more into the corridor.

There was considerable commotion from within, indicating that the struggle was not yet decided.

They didn’t dwell on it. After all, they had only been outside for a short time. Captain Guan and his two companions, as officials of the Office of the Sun, were hardly lacking in skill. As for the wild spirit—its very appearance spoke of its formidable nature, so it was unsurprising that the fight had not yet reached a conclusion.

Before long, the two of them reached the entrance to the stone chamber.

But before they could take in the scene, a bloodied, fleshy tentacle struck out with a loud crack, smashing into the stone wall before them and sending shards flying. The bits of stone stung as they struck their bodies, bringing a sharp, stinging pain.

Startled, they retreated several steps.

Yet this commotion spared them the need to call out for Guan Yuan. The tentacle had been aimed at him, but he had dodged just in time, so it struck the wall instead.

Thus, standing in the cave’s entrance, Guan Yuan immediately noticed Cui Xiu and Wu Yu.

He frowned.

“Why have you two come back?” Guan Yuan asked, clearly displeased. He had thought that, even if there were wild spirits in a remote village like Liu Family Village, they couldn’t possibly be all that formidable. Who could have guessed this one would be such a challenge?

No matter. He had dealt with things far more dangerous than this wild spirit in his years with the Office of the Sun. There were even stranger, deadlier situations.

But Cui Xiu and Wu Yu’s return truly baffled him. In his eyes, they were just helpless scholars. Even Cui Xiu, who seemed to have some martial skill, was of little use in this situation.

In short, to Guan Yuan, Cui Xiu and Wu Yu were nothing but burdens.

He’d hoped that, while the wild spirit was distracted, he could get the two of them to safety and then fight unencumbered with his brothers. Who would have expected them to return?

Cui Xiu, seeing that Guan Yuan was breathless and his expression dark, immediately understood what he was thinking. He spoke at once: “Captain, we did not return without cause. Something happened outside, but never mind that—we learned that the spirit’s weakness is at the base of its tail. Perhaps you can use this information.”

When Cui Xiu finished, Guan Yuan was momentarily stunned, apparently deep in thought.

“I understand,” he finally replied, his words brief as a blast of fierce wind swept by. Turning back, he rejoined the battle.

Only then did Cui Xiu witness the supernatural powers of this world for the first time, his eyes widening in awe.