As the surrounding space shattered, the figure of the little novice slowly faded. Chai Shuxin’s voice drifted from nearby, "Mu Gesheng!"
Mu Gesheng lowered his head to tuck the Mountain Ghost Coin away, calling back, "Hey, hey, hey! Over here!"
With a sharp *shink*, a blade-scar tore through the air beside him. A hand reached through the rift, grabbing him firmly, and with a forceful pull, the illusion collapsed entirely.
The phantasmagoria vanished, revealing the room’s original appearance. It was a vast space permeated by a dense, heavy medicinal fragrance, its walls covered in a dense thicket of seal script characters. In the center of the room, a spiral staircase led downward.
The source of the fragrance was the ceiling. Beneath the caisson, countless silk threads intertwined like a web, suspending a box in the center. Its luster was restrained and deep; undoubtedly, it contained the Pan Geng Oracle Bones.
The two men locked eyes. Chai Shuxin lowered his blade. "Where did you go?"
"Weren't we in the illusion together?" Mu Gesheng played dumb. "I just saw the part where you entered the Ginkgo Study, and when I turned around, you were gone. I was looking everywhere for you, thinking you’d wandered off to some other part of the memory."
He began to spin a tall tale on the fly. "Not bad, Sanjiutian. I saw you fighting with Old Second back in the day. You actually fought him to a draw and even knocked out one of his teeth."
Chai Shuxin frowned slightly, watching him in silence.
After a moment of staring, Mu Gesheng thought to himself, *Damn it, this guy is getting harder and harder to fool.* While he scrambled to patch the holes in his lie, he mentally cursed the little novice’s ancestors for three generations. That old monk had dumped such a hot potato in his lap while he got to enjoy his peace.
Wait—the novice’s "ancestors for three generations" were his master and himself. His master didn't matter, but cursing them meant he was cursing himself too.
Mu Gesheng’s mind raced, sorting through the entire situation from start to finish. Finally, he scratched his head and thought, *Why bother?*
Regardless of whether the little novice spoke the truth—that the Yao family lineage was severed, the Seven Houses were in decline, and Chai Shuxin, as the Luoshazi, was the root of it all—there was really no need to keep it from him.
Chai Shuxin wasn't like the juniors in Anping; he didn't need Mu Gesheng to protect him with lies and trickery. Between the two of them, everything could be laid bare. Rather than sneaking around for the truth, it was easier to ask directly to avoid any major misunderstandings.
One thing Mu Gesheng was certain of: Chai Shuxin might withhold things, but he would never lie to him.
If there truly was some unavoidable knot between them, it was better to cut through it quickly. They were both "centenarians" now; who were they trying to exhaust with these games?
He sighed and found a place to sit, beckoning to Chai Shuxin. "Sit. Isn't it tiring to stand? My legs are going numb."
Chai Shuxin sat down beside him in silence. Mu Gesheng gathered his thoughts. "Alright, something did happen just now."
"I met someone in the illusion."
He recounted the entire encounter, leaving out nothing, and finally pulled out the Mountain Ghost Coin. "My grandmaster said this coin contains a memory of what happened after I died. I’m considering whether or not to look at it."
Chai Shuxin remained silent for a long time before asking, "...Do you want to?"
"Don't give me multiple-choice questions; I never guessed right on exams," Mu Gesheng waved him off. "You're the straight-A student, you choose. Either you tell me what happened back then, or you keep holding it in. If you're willing to talk, then whether I see the memory in this coin or not doesn't really matter."
"...Why are you willing to talk now?" Chai Shuxin looked at him. "You intended to hide it from me just a moment ago."
"I tell you the truth and you're still unhappy?" Mu Gesheng tossed the Mountain Ghost Coin into the air and caught it. "I thought about it and realized hiding it from you isn't worth it. If the decline of the Seven Houses really is related to you, then that's your sin. Why should I be the one suffering by keeping it bottled up?"
He spoke with righteous conviction. "I'm putting it plainly: if you're hiding something from me, I already know about it now. You can either spit out the truth or hurry up and come up with a better lie—at least one I can't see through."
He turned his head and wagged a finger. "In short, you're the one who should have the headache, not me."
Their eyes met, and Chai Shuxin suddenly gave a soft laugh. "Indeed."
"That is very much your style."
"Since you can still laugh," Mu Gesheng said, "it seems it's not that big of a deal."
Chai Shuxin tapped his forehead. "Then I suppose I must tell the truth."
"Oh?"
"Having a headache alone is too lonely," Chai Shuxin said with mock seriousness. "How could I let the Tiansuanzi remain blissfully uninvolved in such a great burden?"
"Sanjiutian, you've changed." Mu Gesheng felt a bad premonition; suddenly, he didn't want to know anymore. "Where is that sense of duty where you silently shoulder everything? The road is long and the burden is heavy—don't give up so easily!"
"I intended to bear it all alone, but halfway through, my heart grew restless."
"...Fine, I take it back," Mu Gesheng said. "If it can give you a headache, it must be something massive."
"It is indeed no small matter," Chai Shuxin agreed. "What if it can't be resolved?"
"Then it's even simpler. We're already dead; who cares if the floods rise to the heavens?" Mu Gesheng shrugged. "If we can't manage it, we won't. Once we finish up this business here, let's just go home and eat."
Chai Shuxin: "You always manage to make things very simple."
"You flatter me. Simplifying the complex is the basic skill of a lazy person."
"Alright." Chai Shuxin let out a soft breath. "Once we get out of here, I will tell you everything about what happened back then."
"Not now?"
"Yanyan is about to come up." Chai Shuxin turned toward the spiral staircase in the center of the room. "Your grandmaster was right about one thing: the Lingshuzi lineage has indeed been severed."
"The main Yao family is easy to handle, but we need to find a way to stall Chai Puti."
Before he could finish, a world-shaking cracking sound erupted from all around.
Below in the Mirage Pavilion, Anping was startled by the loud noise. "What's happening?"
Several mirrors shattered, clattering to the floor. The entire ground was vibrating. Wu Biyou, clearly never having seen such a display, jumped up. A commotion broke out among the crowd.
"It's just lack of maintenance!" Zhu Yinxiao shouted. "It's fine, don't panic!"
Wu Biyou leaned in and hissed, "Lack of maintenance my ass! What the hell is going on?"
"I don't know," Zhu Yinxiao whispered back. "But we have to keep these Yao people steady. We can't let them panic."
Zhu Yinxiao had watched Song Wentong renovate the Mirage Pavilion, so he understood some of its inner workings. He stepped into the entrance passage, adjusted the positions of several screens, and plucked a hair, transforming it into a brilliant vermilion feather which he placed at the entrance.
The vibrations gradually slowed down.
"This method only treats the symptoms, not the cause. We have to figure out what's actually happening," Zhu Yinxiao whispered to Wu Biyou. "Yanyan is about to reach the top floor. Nothing can go wrong now. Once my brother and the others come down, everything will be fine."
Before the water mirrors shattered, they had been watching the images within. Chai Yanyan was almost at the top, while Chai Puti was a full half-floor behind. If nothing went wrong, the title of Lingshuzi would belong to Chai Yanyan.
However, the people Chai Puti had brought didn't see it that way. They began whispering among themselves, clearly looking for an opportunity to cause trouble. Zhu Yinxiao frowned, but just as he was about to speak, the vermilion feather he had placed at the entrance suddenly went out.
A cool breeze drifted in. "I heard a disturbance. Is anyone injured?"
Anping blinked. Why was *he* here?
Clad in green robes and holding a fly-whisk, the newcomer was actually Lin Juansheng.
"This competition is to select the successor to the Lingshuzi. According to the traditions of the Seven Houses, all the Masters must be present," Zhu Yinxiao said, visibly relieved to see Lin Juansheng. "The Changshengzi and my brother don't get along—they're like two kings who can't meet. The Changshengzi has actually been here the whole time, just hidden by techniques. You simply couldn't perceive him."
Lin Juansheng was the most staunch defender of the Seven Houses' stability. With him there, the competition would surely proceed without error.
Sure enough, he looked toward the members of the Yao Group and spoke: "The Mirage Pavilion has suffered a disturbance, the cause of which is currently unknown. However, the competition will not be delayed because of it. From the current situation, the outcome is essentially decided."
Wu Biyou gave a soft snort. "That girl finally didn't embarrass herself."
The Yao Group erupted in an uproar. Someone stood up, bowed, and said, "Changshengzi, that may be true, but the water mirrors are shattered. None of us know what the situation is upstairs. Only the Tiansuanzi and the Luoshazi are on the top floor. If they were to interfere, how would we know?"
"That's right," someone else chimed in. "What if our Director Chai reached the top first, but the Luoshazi refuses to acknowledge it? Who could prove otherwise?"
Wu Biyou was furious. "Have you no shame?"
"Don't be impulsive," Anping pulled him back. "He said 'what if.' He probably knows how impossible that is himself."
Lin Juansheng remained unmoved, saying calmly, "The Luoshazi was once the head of the Yao family. The Yao family's conduct is upright, and the Luoshazi is the same. He will not be biased."
Zhu Yinxiao added lazily, "The Yao family's conduct is upright, but as for the branch that split off halfway, who knows what their 'conduct' is like."
The man turned red with embarrassment. After a long silence, he threw caution to the wind. "Regardless, the Yao Group will not accept this result. There must be a witness present!"
"My friend, why are you being so difficult?" Zhu Yinxiao laughed. He pointed to the elevator doors behind him. "How about you climb up the elevator shaft and see the result for yourself?"
Climbing the shaft wasn't hard, but no one dared to go up voluntarily. Chai Shuxin hadn't given the word; if they went up and provoked the Luoshazi, heaven only knew what the consequences would be.
Since the stalemate couldn't continue, Lin Juansheng thought for a moment and flicked his fly-whisk. The elevator doors groaned open, and white silk-linen fibers spread and intertwined, forming a long set of stairs.
"Follow me. I will take you up," Lin Juansheng commanded, turning to enter the elevator.
The crowd was stunned, but no one objected further. They followed him inside.
Mu Gesheng and Chai Shuxin sat where they were, waiting for the violent tremors to pass. "What exactly happened?"
Chai Shuxin thought for a moment and said hesitantly, "It might have been me."
"What did you do?"
"When I shattered the illusion just now, the blade-wind might have struck the surroundings and collapsed a few walls," Chai Shuxin said. "I was in a hurry to find you and didn't notice."
Both the Red-Licking Blade and the Mirage Pavilion were works of the Mohist House. It was a case of the sharpest blade hitting the strongest shield; eventually, one of them was bound to turn into a "shoddy construction project."
Good grief, one thing after another. Mu Gesheng didn't know what to say. He stood up. "Let's hope Old Second reinforced the main beams when he renovated the place." He pointed to the box on the ceiling. "That's the Pan Geng Oracle Bones, right? Take it down first."
Chai Shuxin leaped with his blade, severing the intricate silk threads beneath the caisson in a single stroke and catching the box.
He handed the box to Mu Gesheng. "Do you want it?"
"This is your Yao family's treasure. Why give it to me?" Mu Gesheng pushed the box back. After a moment, he said, "I heard from Grandmaster that the Lingshuzi lineage was severed because you did something 'wicked' and incurred a Heavenly Curse."
Chai Shuxin’s hand, holding the box, paused in mid-air. He gave a soft "mm."
"How about this: tell me what you did first. I need to know what kind of curse this is, otherwise, how am I supposed to find a cure?"
Chai Shuxin: "You plan to break it?"
"What else?"
"It will be very difficult."
It was rare for Mu Gesheng to hear such words from him. "Even a dead man like me could come back to life. What curse can't be broken?"
Chai Shuxin shook his head and pointed toward the center of the room.
Mu Gesheng turned and saw that Chai Yanyan was standing on the stairs, though he hadn't noticed when she arrived.
*Careless.* That was Mu Gesheng's first reaction. He had been so preoccupied with Sanjiutian's business that he hadn't noticed when she'd come up.
But this saved him some trouble. It was just as well that Chai Yanyan heard the truth; it meant he didn't have to spend energy tricking the kid.
Before Mu Gesheng could speak, Chai Yanyan cut him off. "Old Ancestor, I heard everything."
The girl paused, then added, "From the very beginning."
Mu Gesheng blinked, then looked at Chai Shuxin. "You knew Yanyan was here from the start?"
Chai Shuxin uncharacteristically played dumb and walked straight to Chai Yanyan. "So you know."
Chai Yanyan was still a bit intimidated by Chai Shuxin. She took a deep breath and knelt on the ground. "My father was adopted by Grandmother. My life belongs to the Yao family. No matter what, you are the previous Lingshuzi of the Yao family."
"If the Pan Geng Oracle Bone lineage is severed because of you, the entire Chai clan will have no objections."
Chai Shuxin said nothing but nodded. "Once we are out, I will hand my subordinates over to you to be integrated into the Yao family."
The Luoshazi possessed his own faction, known secretly as the "House of Rakshasa," whose strength was unfathomable. This was an open secret among the Seven Houses. By handing them over to Chai Yanyan, he was effectively recognizing her status as the Head of the Yao family.
Chai Yanyan sniffled and kowtowed forcefully.
"Wait!" A voice suddenly cut in. "Luoshazi, isn't acting so arbitrarily a bit too dismissive of others?"
Chai Shuxin turned. White silk-linen fibers wound upward, forming a second set of stairs beside the first, and the people who had been downstairs all stepped up. Zhu Yinxiao followed beside them, frantically signaling Mu Gesheng with his eyes.
One look at the situation and Mu Gesheng knew things were going to be difficult. These stairs weren't soundproof; they had likely heard most of the conversation.
Chai Puti walked at the front. She had been brought up by others, her hair disheveled, yet she didn't look particularly pathetic. Instead, she maintained her aura. She looked at Chai Shuxin. "I just heard that the Pan Geng lineage has been severed. Is this true?"
Chai Shuxin ignored her. His gaze fell on another person. He said slowly, "It's you."
Lin Juansheng bowed slightly. "Luoshazi."
"This is Yao family ground. You actually have the nerve to trespass." Chai Shuxin ignored the crowd entirely. He handed the box to Mu Gesheng, gripped the Red-Licking Blade, and walked to the center of the room, severing the white silk stairs with a single strike.
"I have business today and no time to kill you." Chai Shuxin didn't even look at Lin Juansheng, his blade pointing toward the stairs. "Get out!"
The atmosphere in the room nearly froze. Chai Puti had arrived aggressively, but she didn't dare open her mouth again. Anping was completely stunned; he knew Chai Shuxin and Lin Juansheng didn't get along and had a vague idea why, but he never imagined they were at such a point of mutual hostility.
No one dared to move. The two sides were locked in a stalemate. Wu Biyou was the most affected by Chai Shuxin’s killing intent and was nearly crouching on the floor. Zhu Yinxiao cast a pleading look at Mu Gesheng.
Mu Gesheng sighed.
He walked over and placed a Mountain Ghost Coin on the edge of Chai Shuxin’s raised blade, then bowed to Lin Juansheng.
It was the formal greeting of the Tiansuan lineage—when fellow disciples meet, they inquire after each other's well-being.
Lin Juansheng sighed softly. "Junior Brother, the Lingshuzi lineage concerns the survival of the Seven Houses. It is no small matter."
"I know," Mu Gesheng said. "But the extent of the situation cannot be easily determined yet. Please, Senior Brother, give me a little time."
Lin Juansheng was silent for a moment. "Fine. I can temporarily refrain from pursuing the matter, but I must see the Pan Geng Oracle Bones."
Mu Gesheng understood his senior brother's character; he was someone who would sacrifice small personal principles for the greater good. Lin Juansheng’s primary concern was the inheritance of the Seven Houses. For him to relent now was already a significant concession.
He looked back at Chai Shuxin, who held his blade in silence.
The relationship between these two was one of the few things that could give Mu Gesheng a headache. He sighed inwardly and nodded. "Thank you for your understanding, Senior Brother." He then held the box flat in his palm and pressed the bronze latch.
The moment the box opened, Mu Gesheng smelled a distant, ancient fragrance. His vision went black, and he lost consciousness completely.
When he came to and saw his surroundings, he immediately understood what had happened.
He couldn't help but curse in his heart.
*Damn it. That little novice only told me half the story—the Mountain Ghost Coin holds the memories of the past, but who knew the key to waking them was the Pan Geng Oracle Bones?*
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
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盘庚甲骨 | Pan Geng Oracle Bones | The sacred heirloom of the Yao family (Lingshuzi lineage).
舐红刀 | Red-Licking Blade | Chai Shuxin's signature weapon.
天咒 | Heavenly Curse | A divine punishment or karmic backlash mentioned as the reason for the lineage's end.
罗刹家 | House of Rakshasa | Chai Shuxin's private faction/power base.
柴菩提 | Chai Puti | A member of the Yao Group/branch family, an antagonist to Chai Yanyan.
藻井 | Caisson | An ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling, often found in traditional Chinese architecture.
不肖孽徒 | Wicked disciple / Rebellious brat | A derogatory but sometimes familiar term used by a master for a disciple.
人生不相见，动如参与商 | Life is such that we do not meet, moving like the stars Shen and Shang | A line from Du Fu's poem "To My Retired Friend Wei," referring to people who are separated like the constellations Orion and Scorpius.
