Chapter 103: Journey to the Sun Family

Chapter 103

The first scene of the recent haunting case in Bao County was set in a temple outside the county seat. Logically, at this stage, a newly awakened vengeful spirit would be at its weakest, making it easier to discern the initial rules of its murderous methods—this was the insight Zhao Fusheng had gleaned from reviewing past Demon Suppression Department case files.

However, the temple was located more than ten miles beyond the county, and by now, night had fallen. Even if they prepared a carriage to travel, it would be too dark to see many details upon arrival.

Besides, there were numerous victims within the city as well, and it was still possible to reach them in time to gather some information.

Knowing the vengeful spirit would continue killing, Zhao Fusheng was mentally prepared to stay in Bao County for an extended period, so she did not rush to inspect the temple first.

After deciding on the route, Zheng He nodded in agreement.

“I will accompany you, Your Excellency.”

Vengeful spirits were not human; after bringing ruin to an entire family, they usually departed immediately. Until the rules governing these spirits were understood, the Sun family was theoretically still safe—though not absolutely so.

After all, many people had already been killed by these spirits, but since no one fully grasped their laws, caution and verification were necessary.

The Sun family was a prominent household and had been a supplier to Zheng He in the past.

Following the incident, merchants and gentry frequently came to plead, much to Zheng He's irritation. He had even visited the Sun family once but found nothing unusual.

“All right.”

Zhao Fusheng nodded.

“Please wait a moment, Your Excellency. I will change my clothes—” Zheng He had not finished when a commotion erupted outside.

Voices argued heatedly, and soon an old voice called out:

“Lord Zheng! Lord Zheng!”

Upon hearing this, Zheng He’s cold face twisted with anger.

“If anyone makes a fuss again, cut out their tongue.”

Zhao Fusheng frowned and asked,

“Who has come?”

Though she spoke casually, she already had an idea who it was.

Though situations differed in every county, fear of death was innate in all humans.

Whenever there was any disturbance in Wan’an County, the first to receive news and rush to investigate were the county magistrate and the local gentry and wealthy merchants.

Given how serious the haunting case in Bao County was, with even the affluent Sun family massacred by ghosts, other wealthy families surely would not sit idle—they must have come to inquire.

Sure enough, Zheng He said,

“They are local gentry and wealthy families from the county. With their petty wealth, they constantly make a racket, treating the Demon Suppression Department like their own household, coming and going as they please—”

Recently, he had been under pressure and was quite displeased with these people but had tolerated them because of their money.

Having just been defeated by Zhao Fusheng and fearing the imminent revival of the vengeful spirit she controlled, his eyes flashed red, and he clenched his fist.

“Your Excellency, I’ll be right back.”

Zhao Fusheng stopped him with a hand.

“Bring them inside. You change clothes and wait for me in the carriage.”

With this, she had effectively taken command.

Zheng He was momentarily stunned but soon realized he had lost control. As the acting magistrate of Bao County, he was now effectively powerless—or perhaps, he had become what his title suggested.

Previously known as “Deputy Magistrate Zheng,” he had earned this title because the court had promised to transfer him to a prefectural capital as deputy commander, hence the nickname.

Now that Zhao Fusheng had bested him and become the de facto head of Bao County, unless he found a way to transfer elsewhere, he would truly become the deputy, acting as Zhao Fusheng’s assistant.

The situation was stronger than the man.

He wasn’t a match for Zhao Fusheng, so if she wished to take charge, so be it.

Bitterly, he thought to himself that Bao County was already a mess, and if she took on the ghost calamity, she would also bear the pressure of the gentry. He didn’t want to deal with all that.

With that thought, he nodded.

“As you command, Your Excellency.”

He turned and left.

Following Zhao Fusheng’s signal, the other officers exited the county office hall. Soon, a large crowd surged in.

Bao County had long been a prosperous region, and with Zheng He’s reputation, many wealthy families had been drawn there.

Compared to the few gentry who showed up in Wan’an County during incidents, Bao County’s gentry and wealthy families were innumerable.

Hearing the noise, Zhao Fusheng turned to see the courtyard packed tightly with at least a hundred people, leaving scarcely any room.

The gate was wide open, and outside more people pressed forward, repeatedly calling “Lord Zheng!”

“There really are a lot of wealthy people in Bao County!”

Seeing the crowd, Zhao Fusheng almost heard the clinking of coins.

Wan’an County was poor, filled with emaciated, expressionless people with shifty eyes.

In contrast, these Bao County gentry were plump, dressed in fine silks and brocades, very refined.

Yet, suffering the ghost calamity had taken a toll—their faces showed dark circles as large as fish bladders, lips cracked and dry, and large boils dotted their noses and mouths, diminishing their sense of privilege.

“We Wan’an County weren’t weak two years ago either.”

Fan Bisi responded upon hearing this.

Then realizing his mistake, he quickly added,

“But with Your Excellency here, things will surely improve.”

Zhao Fusheng smiled.

“With so many people, I can’t deal with all of you. Choose a few representatives to speak with me.”

Their purpose was the ghost calamity. Zhao Fusheng had no time to appease each person individually; she would delegate that to her officers.

The officers went out to convey Zhao Fusheng’s message, causing excitement outside.

“Lord Zheng!”

“Fair Zheng!”

Calls echoed non-stop.

Fan Wujiu grumbled in frustration,

“The one handling the ghost case is Your Excellency, so why are they calling for Lord Zheng—?”

“Just a formality, a title,” Zhao Fusheng smiled and shook her head.

Fan Wujiu muttered,

“You really have a good temper, Your Excellency—”

The officer delivering the message said,

“There are too many of you. Your Excellency cannot meet all. Choose a few representatives and follow me into the office.”

The crowd was stunned but, fearing that the officer might grow impatient and leave, quickly agreed.

Three representatives of Bao County’s merchants and gentry were chosen, and together with the county magistrate, they entered the main hall.

“Lord Zheng—”

As they entered and called out, they were surprised not to see Zheng He.

The hall was elegant and quiet, with officers standing on either side.

At the center sat a woman, flanked by two tall, burly twin brothers.

“This—”

The gentry representatives froze.

“Where is Lord Zheng?”

They had come to see the ghost-handling magistrate but, after finally gaining entry as representatives, found no sign of Zheng He.

Had they been deceived?

Their hearts trembled, uneasy.

An officer of Bao County said,

“This is our Excellency’s honored guest—”

“I am the magistrate from Wan’an County, here to handle this case.”

Zhao Fusheng smiled and introduced herself.

“Wan’an County?”

Upon hearing her self-introduction, one of the representatives spoke first.

“But… but Lord Zhao?”

Zhao Fusheng was somewhat surprised and looked at him.

“You know me?”

The man was about seventy, dressed in blue brocade, slimmer than the others, with a goatee and scholarly features. Unfortunately, he had several scabs on his lips that bled when he spoke.

Seeing him, Zhao Fusheng immediately guessed his identity.

“You’re a friend of Yu Weide?”

“Exactly!”

Hearing ‘Yu Weide,’ the old man sighed in relief.

“Surely, you must be Lord Zhao from Wan’an County!”

He quickly straightened his collar and sleeves, then bowed deeply.

“I am Xu Yachen. I have long heard of Your Excellency’s miraculous handling of ghost cases. Yu spoke of you. Since you took over Wan’an County, you have swiftly resolved three ghost cases, suppressing chaos with thunderous force—”

“What three cases?”

Fan Bisi interrupted.

“Before Your Excellency departed, you handled another ghost case, making it four in total.”

“Four?”

Xu Yachen’s eyes widened in astonishment, saliva flying out.

The others whispered among themselves, disbelief evident.

Ghost handlers were judged not by age but by the yin energy they carried, which reflected the spirit’s ferocity.

Compared to Zheng He’s grim and eerie presence, Zhao Fusheng was young, smiling, with no trace of yin energy, as if untouched by spirits.

If this were not the Bao County Demon Suppression Department hall with many officers present, they might have doubted her identity.

The group was clearly skeptical, and Zhao Fusheng offered no further explanation.

They exchanged glances, signaling Xu Yachen to speak first.

Though ghost handlers were capricious and difficult, Xu Yachen was approachable due to his connection with Yu Weide.

“I heard from my old friend that you—”

“Enough with the small talk. I have important matters to attend to. Just tell me your demands,” Zhao Fusheng waved off any pleasantries.

Xu Yachen hesitated, glanced around for support, and, urged by the others, gathered courage.

“I wonder why Your Excellency left Wan’an County to come to Bao County?”

Seeing no reply, he added hesitantly,

“Do you know there is a case here in Bao County—”

Zhao Fusheng nodded and said plainly,

“Yes, I am here because of this ghost case.”

“What?”

Her words shocked them.

Ghost cases were usually avoided by magistrates, as Zheng He’s attitude had shown. Xu Yachen and others had not expected a magistrate from another county to take an interest, let alone volunteer to handle it.

“Your Excellency came just for this case?”

Xu Yachen could hardly believe his ears, fearing he had misheard, he looked around.

Zhao Fusheng nodded.

“Yes, for this case.”

“Is that true?”

Xu Yachen asked again, not out of doubt but because Zheng He had delayed for half a month.

With the case unresolved and the spirit’s threat looming, the neighbor’s magistrate’s offer to help seemed almost a ploy to placate them.

“Here’s the deal.”

Zhao Fusheng did not explain further.

“You were chosen as representatives. You will accompany me to the Sun family’s residence to inspect the scene.”

Her words startled them. As they began to refuse, she continued,

“This time, you four will not leave. Stay by my side and watch how I handle the case.”

“Wan’an County needs talent now. See my capability. Once this case is closed, you might as well come back with me.”

…

The Fan brothers twitched at her forcing the gentry to move.

The representatives’ faces turned pale as they replied,

“We don’t want to trouble Your Excellency.”

Handling ghost cases was extremely dangerous.

They frequently dealt with the Demon Suppression Department and knew magistrates usually brought several officers when investigating.

This was a job with a ninety percent fatality rate.

They feared Zhao Fusheng wanted to use them as cannon fodder.

“That’s impossible.”

“I am old and useless—”

Another official in formal robes was also frightened and begged,

“Your Excellency, spare me. I oversee Bao County’s affairs and cannot spare the time.”

“Then what do you want?”

Zhao Fusheng’s previously smiling face darkened instantly.

“I said I’m handling the ghost case, yet you don’t believe me. I invited you to join, but you all make excuses. Are you trying to mock me?”

“No, no.”

They repeatedly gestured their innocence.

Xu Yachen had an idea and quickly said,

“I may be old and unable to assist directly, afraid of holding you back, but since Your Excellency has come all this way, regardless of the case outcome, we are grateful. I am willing to offer a thousand gold taels—”

Seeing Zhao Fusheng frown, he hastily spread his fingers wide,

“Five thousand taels, as a welcome gift!”

With his lead, the others brightened and soon offered another fifteen thousand taels combined.

Hearing their donations, Zhao Fusheng clapped her hands and smiled.

“Well said. Those with means contribute gold; those with strength contribute power.”

She turned to Fan Bisi.

“Brother Fan, note their names. Have them sign a receipt. Once the case is over, collect the money.”

Fan Bisi nodded.

Zhao Fusheng had not expected this trip to Bao County to be so fruitful. Besides obtaining a special life-saving token, she had unexpectedly secured twenty thousand gold taels—a substantial sum.

She waved her hand.

“If there is nothing else, disperse. Before darkness falls, I will depart.”

With that, she rose and left the hall, escorted by Bao County officers through a side rear gate.

After she left, the remaining gentry representatives and magistrate exchanged glances and smiled bitterly.

“Brother Xu, is she really the magistrate of Wan’an County?”

“My older brother wrote that the new magistrate is a woman, but magistrates are bound by the soul life register and can’t easily leave their jurisdiction.”

Xu Yachen forced a smile.

Another sighed,

“Looks like the money was wasted.”

…

They fell silent, all anxious.

As representatives of gentry and wealthy families, their financial and social standing was top tier in Bao County.

Five thousand taels was not insignificant, but they could afford it.

What scared them was that as long as the ghost case remained unresolved and the spirit lingered, their lives were in danger.

If their entire families were wiped out, what use was great wealth?

The representatives wore worried expressions.

Zhao Fusheng paid no mind to their thoughts and exited the Demon Suppression Department’s side gate.

Outside, she found Zheng He sitting in a carriage, freshly dressed, accompanied by Gu Jiansheng, who was sent by Bao County as an envoy to Wan’an County.

Zheng He bringing Gu Jiansheng along was both to curry favor with Zhao Fusheng and to seize the opportunity to ask about Wan’an County’s recent experiences.

Zhao Fusheng pretended ignorance and climbed into the carriage.

Bao County was affluent; Zheng He’s carriage was far larger and more comfortable than those in Wan’an County, with enough space for more than ten people and soft cushions.

Once seated, she asked,

“Gu Jiansheng said the first haunting occurred at a temple outside the city. The first person to report the case lived in Changgui Lane?”

Zheng He had already inquired about the journey from Gu Jiansheng and knew Zhao Fusheng was indeed here to handle the ghost case.

Though puzzled, he answered,

“Yes.”

Since the ghost case was unavoidable and Zhao Fusheng’s involvement ultimately benefited him, he was relieved.

The local gentry had been pressuring him heavily. Some had even tried to send word to the capital, causing him headaches. He was glad Zhao Fusheng was willing to help.

Though he feared the ghost, he had diligently investigated the clues and said,

“The temple is called Kongyun Temple. Originally a wild temple with only a few elderly monks. Five or six years ago, some homeless refugees shaved their heads and entered the temple, gradually attracting some devotees.”

“Kongyun Temple is not far from the county. Some poor scholars awaiting next year’s exams stayed at the temple.”

Zheng He described the first ghost case in much more detail than Gu Jiansheng.

“The first to incense and pray were the Hu family from Changgui Lane. Hu Sheng’s mother was seriously ill earlier this year. He and his wife heard Kongyun Temple’s Bodhisattva was powerful, so they went to pray. His mother slowly recovered, so they returned to offer thanks with incense and paper money.”

Upon arriving, the entire temple was slaughtered, scaring Hu’s mother so badly she fainted.

Afterwards, Hu Sheng, nearly insane with fear, rushed to the Demon Suppression Department, shouting about ghosts. He was promptly seized and beaten.

“Not sure if he lived or died.”

Zheng He said this, and Zhao Fusheng frowned.

Seeing her displeasure, Zheng He and Gu Jiansheng quickly added,

“Though Hu Sheng could not speak and his mother was ill, his wife is still alive. If you wish to question her, we can bring her to the department.”

Zhao Fusheng nodded.

“Have you been to Kongyun Temple’s site?”

Hearing this, Zheng He’s expression stiffened briefly.

Still affected deeply by the vengeful spirit, his face was rigid and unreadable.

“I have visited the Sun family’s residence.”

Zhao Fusheng sneered.

“How is the Sun family’s situation?”

“Everyone in the Sun household was brutally slaughtered, gutted, and their intestines pulled out…”

“Everyone?”

Though Fan Bisi was eighteen or nineteen, hearing about the Sun family’s deaths still made his hair stand on end.

“From the elderly of seventy to infants, all died the same way.”

Such a massacre overnight could only be the work of a vengeful spirit.

When Zheng He arrived, the Sun family’s blood odor nearly agitated his spirit, stirring violent rage. It took great effort to calm the ghost again.

“Besides the deaths, nothing was stolen. Many broken items were damaged by people fleeing.”

Zheng He’s investigation yielded little information.

“Midnight appearances, killing by gutting. Each night, entire families slaughtered. The spirit kills by ‘family units,’” Zhao Fusheng summarized.

She then asked,

“The Sun family is large, with so many dying overnight. Even if a spirit kills, there should be order—those dying first would scream, neighbors would hear. Did anyone hear shouting?”

“Eighty-six people in total!” Zheng He’s knowledge of the Sun family exceeded that of Kongyun Temple.

“The neighbors heard nothing, sleeping until dawn. In the morning, the servants smelled blood and followed it to find the Sun family’s blood spilling out the door, discovering the incident.”

“Could a normal spirit domain do that?” Zhao Fusheng asked.

Though she had some power and had handled several ghost cases, her experience with vengeful spirits was limited, mostly from past Demon Suppression Department records.

Her understanding was far less than Zheng He’s.

He hesitated, then shook his head.

“No.”

He explained,

“The Sun residence is large.” The Sun family was prominent in Bao County.

The late patriarch had been an official at court, accumulating great wealth over generations.

Their estate was said to have been remodeled from a prince’s old mansion centuries ago, covering a vast area.

“For a spirit domain to cover the entire Sun estate and block all sound and odor, this spirit must be at least at the ‘baneful’ level.”

This was Zheng He’s conservative estimate.

“Killing so many quickly, with such heavy baneful energy, it could ascend further,” he added.

Zhao Fusheng looked at him.

From Zheng He’s words, though cowardly and ruthless, he was cautious, sly, and pragmatic, acknowledging defeat and acting thoughtfully. He knew enough about vengeful spirits to be competent, explaining why Bao County’s situation remained relatively stable despite the calamity.

“If you were to judge, how high do you think this spirit’s level is?”

Zheng He’s usually pale, sallow face showed rare hesitation. He did not understand Zhao Fusheng’s intent but dared not refuse to answer.

After much thought, he said,

“My judgment is that it has reached the ‘calamity’ level.” Then hastily added, “But this is just my personal opinion. Whether it is accurate depends on Your Excellency.”

He was truly slippery.

His words were flawless, neither seeking credit nor shirking blame.

Zhao Fusheng pondered, then said,

“If that’s your view, I think you’re mistaken.”

Vengeful spirits ascend by killing; using their powers excessively may allow leveling up.

But if all spirits ascended so swiftly and powerfully, humans would have no place left.

She shook her head.

“The spirit has indeed ascended, but I believe only to the ‘baneful’ level.”

This chapter serves as a transitional segment. Today’s installment is a large, combined update with 6,500 characters.

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