Thousand Dusts Ferry Me - Chapter 53

Cheng Suiyan asked, “Yun Qing, what have you discovered? Tell us quickly.”

“It seems that starting with the third-generation city lord,” Yun Qing pointed at the name in the family genealogy, “the Linglong City lords’ lifespans began to shorten.”

Typically, family genealogies were renovated every few decades to add detailed birth and death years for deceased family members, with brief biographies for important figures.

As Yun Qing quickly scanned through, she discovered that since the third-generation family head, for over two hundred years, not a single city lord had lived past sixty. Most died in their forties or fifties, with the shortest-lived being only twenty-five years old.

Yet Chu Xiangzhi, the first-generation lord of Linglong City, had lived to eighty-two.

Cheng Suiyan asked, “What does this indicate?”

Jiang Baiyu furrowed his brow in thought, unconsciously mimicking Yun Qing by scratching his chin. He said:

“It suggests that, if we’re dealing with body possession, then Chu Jing’an may have possessed more than one generation. It’s possible that every generation of city lords was possessed by him. The bodies couldn’t withstand his soul, leading to shortened lifespans.”

Cheng Suiyan suddenly felt a chill rising from the soles of his feet, giving him goosebumps.

So, every generation of city lords was the same person with different faces?

It was too eerie!

He felt this was truly inconceivable and, after thinking for a moment, said, “But if every generation was possessed, wouldn’t people familiar with these city lords notice something strange?”

Yun Qing responded, “No, you’re overlooking something. Each generation of city lords had a father-son relationship. The son, being groomed as heir, would frequently interact with his father.

When he possessed the first-generation city lord, he would have long observed the next generation, allowing him to perfectly imitate the next body he possessed.”

“That works?!”

Fu Xue suddenly changed expression. “Every generation of city lords? Could Chu Yanzhang also be…?”

Yun Qing’s face darkened as she remained silent.

The black cat Ci Li sat in its cage, idly licking its paws while listening to their discussion. It said:

“So Chu Yanzhang’s core has been replaced? No wonder he separated from Liaoliao. Timing-wise, they did separate after he succeeded as city lord.”

This observation seemed to confirm everyone’s suspicions. Liaoliao was a demon, sensitive to matters of cultivation. If she maintained prolonged contact with him, she might discover his secret.

So after possessing Chu Yanzhang, his first action was to sever ties with her completely.

“Senior Sister, what should we do now?”

“Simple. Just pull out his soul and examine it.”

Cheng Suiyan gave a thumbs up. “That’s brilliant, just like you.”

****

Late that night, in Chu Yanzhang’s courtyard.

Many lanterns hung throughout the yard, which was completely silent. The night servants had all fallen asleep—undoubtedly Yun Qing’s handiwork.

There was a large wutong tree in the courtyard. The wutong leaves that had covered the ground during the day had been swept clean, but by night, another layer had fallen.

Crack—

Someone’s foot stepped on the dry leaves, producing a crisp sound that was particularly noticeable in the silent night.

Fu Xue couldn’t help but swallow.

Yun Qing said, “You’ve been through plenty of situations. Are you still nervous?”

“No, it’s just that the sound makes me crave rice crust.”

“……”

A soft chuckle came from Yun Qing’s shoulder.

Looking closely, one would notice a small cat hanging on her shoulder.

Concerned that Ci Li might escape, Yun Qing had suggested bringing it along. Since Jiang Baiyu couldn’t conveniently carry a cage, he had used a charm to shrink it to palm size, immobilizing it in the process.

He had initially placed it on his shoulder, but it had fallen off once during their journey, cursing profusely when it hit the ground.

Yun Qing devised a solution by extending the cat’s retractable claws, which were curved with sharp tips—perfect for use as hooks.

Finding it amusing, she didn’t return it to Jiang Baiyu, but instead hung the hooked cat on her own shoulder.

Ci Li complained to Yun Qing. “So young, yet so devious.”

Yun Qing said, “Baiyu, next time turn it into a hairpin. It would be fun to wear it in my hair.”

Jiang Baiyu smiled, “Alright.”

Ci Li: “You’re all perverts!”

Crossing the courtyard, the group carried lanterns into Chu Yanzhang’s bedchamber.

No lights were lit inside. The gauze curtains around the bed had been drawn back. By the light of their lanterns, they saw Chu Yanzhang lying in bed facing outward, one hand pillowing his face, sleeping peacefully.

In his sleep, he didn’t wear the stern expression he maintained during the day. His features appeared softer and more relaxed, making him look several years younger.

Yun Qing’s method for verifying soul possession was simple.

Normally, a person’s soul matches their physical appearance.

When someone newly dies, their soul is clearest just after leaving the body, gradually fading with time until it becomes indistinct. Of course, most souls reincarnate before reaching this stage.

If a departed soul has unfinished business, it can remain clear for a long period, like Wei Sanniang.

Some living people also experience their souls leaving their bodies—these are living souls. Living souls are similar to dead souls, except they generally don’t fade like dead souls. Additionally, those with accumulated merit have brighter souls than ordinary people.

Regardless, these souls maintain consistency with their physical bodies before separation.

In other words, if a soul separated from its body looks different from the physical body, it can be identified as a case of possession.

Yun Qing certainly had methods to make Chu Yanzhang’s soul leave his body, but since Jiang Baiyu’s cultivation was higher and he had a magic treasure that continuously replenished spiritual energy, she was happy to let him do the work.

Jiang Baiyu lit a thin incense stick and began chanting to guide the smoke into Chu Yanzhang’s nostrils.

People with strong willpower have extremely stable souls, so some stimulation was necessary.

After inhaling the smoke in his sleep, Chu Yanzhang began to struggle and gradually mumble in his dreams. He turned onto his back, and a wisp of soul slowly rose from his body.

As the soul took form, it sat on the bed staring blankly at them.

His face, his physique, the clothes he wore—all matched exactly with the Chu Yanzhang lying on the bed.

Moreover, his soul appeared brighter than an ordinary living soul, indicating he was a person with accumulated merit.

Fu Xue was stunned. “Ah, he hasn’t been possessed?”

The other three also looked surprised.

Ci Li on Yun Qing’s shoulder suddenly sneered mockingly, “You spent all that time analyzing seriously, and this is it? I almost believed you.”

Cheng Suiyan said, “If previous city lords were all possessed, there’s no reason Chu Jing’an would spare Chu Yanzhang.

Now that we see Chu Yanzhang is fine, does it mean no one was possessed? Was our previous line of reasoning wrong?”

Jiang Baiyu asked, “If it wasn’t possession, what caused the collective shortened lifespans of the previous city lords?”

Fu Xue suggested, “Could it be they simply died early from exhaustion? Look at the current City Lord Chu—he’s often staying up late reviewing documents.”

Ci Li interjected, “Only a fool like you would think reviewing documents could exhaust someone to early death.”

Fu Xue grabbed it by the scruff of its neck and shook it vigorously while scolding, “Shut up, you dog!”

Ci Li felt its brain was about to be rattled loose. It cursed back, “Stop it, you idiot!”

Cheng Suiyan found their quarreling had a poetic quality, showing impressive talent. While Fu Xue was distracted shaking Ci Li, he secretly stroked its tail.

Unfortunately, its body was now too small and his palm too large, creating some awkward effects.

“Why are you touching my butt!”

Cheng Suiyan: “……”

Jiang Baiyu asked Yun Qing, “What do you think, Yun Qing?”

Yun Qing shook her head silently, carrying her lantern as she made a circuit of the bedchamber.

A wooden rack stood against the wall, displaying various treasures arranged at different heights.

She picked up a deep blue glass bottle. The bottle was crystal clear, with small bubbles inside that resembled stars in the night sky under the lantern light—breathtakingly beautiful.

After setting down the glass bottle, she picked up a rhinoceros horn carving. The horn had been carved into a small boat based on its natural shape. On the boat were a low table and cups, with two scholars in robes and headdresses kneeling at the table drinking together, their postures lifelike.

Setting down the rhinoceros horn carving, she walked to a table by the window and saw writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, along with a book and a stack of official documents.

The book was a travelogue of mountains and waters. The documents, already approved, concerned coordinating with the imperial court to help the garrison at Linglong City collect grain and fodder. They were neatly arranged.

Not far from the documents, a small lute-shaped lacquer box, just over an inch long and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, sat atop a pile of papers like a paperweight.

Yun Qing picked up the lacquer box. Its black lacquer surface was uniformly glossy, with two butterflies inlaid in white mother-of-pearl that shimmered with iridescent light under the lantern.

Opening the box revealed a dark red paste that emitted a delicate, rich floral fragrance.

Fu Xue came to her side, glanced at the small, exquisite lacquer box in her hand, and asked, “Senior Sister, what is this?”

“It’s a rouge box.”

“Huh? Why would he have a rouge box in his room? Is it a gift for a girl?”

“I don’t think so. This rouge has been used.”

“Oh, then perhaps some maid left it in this room.”

Ci Li interjected, “Be precise—it could also be for his own use.”

“Eww…” Fu Xue dragged out the sound. She couldn’t imagine what the solemn and resolute Chu Yanzhang would look like wearing rouge.

Yun Qing put down the lacquer box and said, “Let’s go back first.”

The group carefully returned Chu Yanzhang’s soul to his body and quietly left the room.

On the bed, Chu Yanzhang turned over and resumed his peaceful sleep.

Outside the window, clouds gradually crawled across the sky, obscuring the moon.

****

Inside the golden cage, Le Chenzi was playing chess with that person. He played white; his opponent played black.

The tube of chess pieces had been pushed into the birdcage. When it was Le Chenzi’s turn, he hugged a pristine white piece from the tube as if embracing a small stone mill, then tossed it onto the chessboard outside the cage.

The white piece landed precisely where he intended.

After thinking for a moment, his opponent placed a black piece.

Le Chenzi looked at where his opponent had placed the piece and said, “That’s a terrible move, yet you’re quite confident. I almost feel bad about winning.”

The other person didn’t get angry but instead said, “That great disciple of yours somewhat resembles me in my youth.”

“Is that so? If you like her, you could take her as your disciple. I’m a magnanimous person—I wouldn’t mind.

But let’s be clear about precedence and propriety. I came first, you came second. You should call me Senior Brother.”

His opponent finally couldn’t resist and struck him with lightning.

Le Chenzi burst into laughter. He felt he was caught in a strange predicament. Though he was in a passive position, he experienced a subtle sense of victory whenever he irritated his opponent.

So even knowing he would be struck by lightning, he couldn’t resist annoying the other person.

As his hair emitted a burnt-feather smell, Le Chenzi wondered amid the scorched odor if this could be considered self-deception.

After releasing the lightning, that person suddenly smiled and said, “There’s another reason I’m not killing your good disciples.”

“Oh?”

“Even if I don’t kill them, they will die anyway.”