Chapter 38: Before Life and Death, All Are Equal
Wu Qianhuan thought it over carefully and could not help but admire the method. The coded-letter technique was ingenious; its only flaw was the need to pair it with a copy of Yiwen Zhi, which might leave a clue.
But the positional shift compensated for that shortcoming, she nodded at once. "Alright, I understand. Then what? If I write the coded letter, how do I get it to you?"
"Hmm… the oil and grain shop." Chu Qing replied. "Behind Chen's Oil and Grain on North City Street. After you write the letter, place a stone on top. I have someone check there every midnight; your letter won't be missed."
Wu Qianhuan noted it down carefully, glanced at Chu Qing once more, then said, "Very well. My business here is done; I'll take my leave."
"Miss Wu, wait." Chu Qing suddenly called. Wu Qianhuan paused and turned to him. Chu Qing smiled. "By the way, my knowledge of Ten Thousand Night Valley is limited. I need you to do me a favor—give me some intelligence."
"That's easy." Wu Qianhuan seemed prepared and produced an envelope from her bosom, tossing it to Chu Qing. "This contains information on Ten Thousand Night Valley's various experts. Learn them well."
"Good, good. I'll remember. After I mark prices, Miss Wu, don't forget to prepare the silver." Chu Qing said with a grin.
"…You won't be shorted." Wu Qianhuan's face darkened slightly before she leapt away.
Only after she had completely disappeared from sight did Chu Qing look thoughtfully at the Xuanyou sword in his hand.
"Ten Thousand Night Valley will be active in Tianwu City after the New Year. This sword was obtained before the year's end… Its name is Xuanyou, not Qingye. Could there be something hidden in the hilt?"
He examined it closely. The sword appeared crafted by a master; the hilt was forged as a seamless whole with no joints. Chu Qing searched but found nothing and smiled wryly.
"That's right. I told Wu Qianhuan about that earlier—she'd have no reason to ignore the sword and would have inspected it carefully. If anything were hidden, it would already be taken. Still, if there really is something in the hilt, what could it be?"
For some reason he recalled Xin Youhen's dying words: "The lost secret of Ten Thousand Night Valley? But how to explain 'tian tian tian'? It's more likely the word was repeated three times because the man was near death and breathless. What starts with 'tian' then?"
He thought it through but found no leads and shook his head. Unsolved riddles could wait; he was a killer—no need to waste his mind on such matters. Mental work belonged to Chu Tian and the others.
He glanced toward Ergou, still sitting by the old Earth Temple, his face complex. If left unattended, Ergou would soon be dead.
Chu Qing exhaled softly and tossed the wooden box. The sudden noise startled Ergou. He looked up instinctively and saw a masked man in black sitting on the roof watching him.
"It's you?" Ergou recognized the mask and immediately knew Chu Qing's identity; a rush of blood enlivened him.
"This contains Tang Xi's head." Chu Qing said quietly.
Ergou trembled, then drew a deep breath and reached to open the box.
A pale, lifeless head appeared before him.
Ergou stared silently, eyes blazing with fury, yet tears streamed uncontrollably down his face.
At first, his weeping was silent, but soon it grew into heart-wrenching sobs.
Only after he had cried himself dry did he kneel before Chu Qing, pressing his forehead to the ground.
"Thank you, benefactor… for avenging my wife's death!"
"Benefactor?"
Chu Qing's voice was cold and distant. "You call me benefactor? Have you forgotten our agreement that day?"
Ergou shook his head repeatedly. "I dare not forget. From this day forward, my life belongs to you."
"In that case, there is no debt between us. You owe me nothing."
Chu Qing's voice softened, yet his words cut deep. "Your life in exchange for Tang Xi's life—fair trade."
Ergou froze. "My worthless life cannot compare to someone like Tang Xi."
"There is no difference in worth between lives."
Chu Qing's words struck like thunder. Before Ergou could react, Chu Qing, who had been on the roof a moment ago, was suddenly beside him.
He placed one hand firmly on Ergou's shoulder, his tone low and cold. "No matter if you are a peerless hero or an emperor among men, death claims all the same.
"Before life and death, everyone is equal.
"Ergou, remember this—your life now belongs to me. From this moment, without my permission, even death is not your right."
Ergou nodded instinctively, feeling Chu Qing's words were both right and wrong, though he could not explain why.
Lowering his head, he hesitated, unsure of what to say.
Then he heard Chu Qing ask, "Do you have any family left?"
"…None," Ergou replied bitterly. "I'm the only one left."
Chu Qing nodded, then suddenly seized Ergou's wrist. A flash of violet light burst from his fingertips, sinking into Ergou's body.
Before Ergou could comprehend what was happening, Chu Qing flung his arm aside.
Ergou's body spun from the force as Chu Qing's fingers struck his chest and back like falling raindrops, tapping dozens of acupoints in swift succession.
With every strike, a faint purple gleam flared beneath the skin.
After more than thirty strikes, Chu Qing flipped both palms and pressed them firmly against Ergou's back.
Agonizing pain surged through Ergou's body, forcing a scream from his throat.
"Hold it in. Don't make a sound."
Chu Qing's voice echoed by his ear.
Though confused as to why Chu Qing was tormenting him, Ergou recalled their pact and gritted his teeth in silence.
He was resilient, having endured countless tortures under Tang Xi's hand.
Even now, with searing pain wracking his body and sweat beading across his forehead, he refused to utter a cry.
The time it takes for an incense stick to burn passed quickly. Thin wisps of white vapor rose from Chu Qing's head.
Suddenly, he pushed lightly, sending Ergou stumbling forward.
Ergou steadied himself, turning to see Chu Qing slowly lowering his hands, the violet light fading from his eyes.
A sense of unease gripped him. He wanted to ask, but couldn't find the words.
Chu Qing, reading his thoughts, said calmly, "Tang Xi planted a demonic seed within you to feed on your hatred and cultivate his power.
"He may be dead, but the seed remains.
"Now that you are under my command, your life and death are mine to decide—you will not die by another's hand."
(End of Chapter)
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