Chapter Eleven: The Envoy of Tranquility

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In the early morning, the cold wind swept through the city. Coupled with the curfew, the streets were utterly deserted, with not a soul in sight—only a few stray dogs wandered aimlessly. Near the Clear River, the dampness was heavier, and in some places where the water flowed smoothly, a thin layer of frost had formed.

The woman in black whom Zhou Bai had once seen stood atop the city wall of Hangdu, more than ten meters high, surveying the entire town from her vantage point. This time, there were more people at her side: two men, also clad in black, one old and one young.

The older man appeared to be around seventy, his face etched with wrinkles, his body stooped, bearing a smile both humble and dignified. He lowered his gaze, inspecting a feng shui compass in his hands. The younger man, perhaps thirty, towered over two meters, his body packed with muscle, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted—a physique to match a tiger. His face was honest enough, yet in his eyes, a fleeting sharpness occasionally flashed.

The rest, a dozen or so, were clearly dressed in the attire of government officials. At their head was the prefect of Hangdu, accompanied by a number of yamen runners.

"Lord Wang, is there any way to handle the situation around Willow Shore?"

The prefect, surnamed Zhao, pressed his hefty frame—over two hundred jin—low, adopting a deferential posture before the woman in black. The surrounding yamen runners dared not utter a sound; most had never witnessed such an imposing scene in their lives, which in itself indicated that something extraordinary was afoot in Hangdu.

Wang Zhen was the newly appointed Guardian of the Nether from the Directorate of Nether Rites, holding a fourth-rank official post, equal to the prefect, but according to the law, whether civil or military, all must yield half a rank to the Directorate of Nether Rites.

"Wen Meng."

"At your service." The old man put away the compass and responded with respectful fists clasped.

Wang Zhen raised her chin slightly, carrying a composure far beyond her years. "So far, there is no trace of that evil spirit. The earthbound souls beneath the river are those who died horribly; their resentment runs deep."

"Indeed. I will investigate further. Judging by the lingering yin energy, the evil spirit has been lingering near Willow Shore for some time, seemingly searching for something."

Wen Meng shook his head. Only upon arriving in Hangdu had he realized the difficulties here. Evil spirits rarely restrain their urge to kill; yet this one was the exact opposite.

Wang Zhen's expression was unruffled as she turned her gaze toward Prefect Zhao and the yamen runners.

"Have there been any unusual occurrences in recent days? Speak, one by one."

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Prefect Zhao stepped aside without a word. The original county magistrate had already claimed illness and returned home because of the evil spirit; Zhao himself had only just arrived and knew little of the situation.

The remaining yamen runners exchanged uncertain glances, none daring to step forward and report. Seeing this, Head Constable Sun gritted his teeth and came forth.

"My lords, I am responsible for patrolling Hangdu, and indeed, there have been several odd happenings of late."

"Oh? Speak." Wang Zhen's expression was blank, her indifferent gaze making others uneasy.

"Before the Zhang family's massacre, a mysterious fire broke out in the grain storehouse on the outskirts of Hangdu. Though there were no casualties, all the old grain stored over the years was reduced to ash.

"Another day, the dogs in the city barked ceaselessly, but the moment the sun set, the barking stopped."

Head Constable Sun went on to recount several incidents that seemed suspicious. As he finished, Zhou Bai's image flashed through his mind, and he hesitated over whether to mention it.

At that moment, Wang Zhen cast her eyes downward, and Head Constable Sun felt unable to suppress his thoughts any longer, so he blurted out, "There's another oddity in the west of the city—a man whose eyes suddenly bled tears, then collapsed in the marketplace."

"You know this man?"

"A butcher at a meat shop in the west of the city. His name is Zhou Bai."

Wang Zhen nodded, as if she had received the information she wanted, and addressed Prefect Zhao, "That will do. The three of us will remain at Willow Shore for a while longer. You may depart ahead."

Prefect Zhao looked troubled. Hangdu was perilous, and he had hurried back, naturally hoping his influence might hasten the town's return to normalcy.

"Lord Wang, you know the situation in Hangdu. If the Clear River remains blocked to boats for even a day, the water merchants here cannot operate, and the surrounding territories of Jingzhou will suffer."

"Understood," Wang Zhen replied coolly, turning away.

Prefect Zhao's face darkened, his lips parted but he found nothing to say. With a sweep of his sleeve, he led the yamen runners away.

Wen Meng's eyes showed a hint of admiration. "That prefect is a good official—why must you rebuke him?"

"Being a good official doesn't guarantee a long life. He knew the Directorate of Nether Rites was coming to Hangdu and feared trouble, so he rushed here."

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The burly man scoffed, and Wang Zhen was visibly displeased. "Lin Danian, you know well enough what sort of people make up the Directorate of Nether Rites. It's natural that he should be wary."

Wen Meng chuckled. "Danian, you always know how to strike a nerve."

Lin Danian scratched his head. Ever since joining the Directorate of Nether Rites, he hadn’t taken off his black uniform, distinguishing himself from ordinary folk.

Wang Zhen then said, "Lin Danian, you go find Zhou Bai. Wen Meng and I will investigate Willow Shore."

"What’s Zhou Bai’s situation?" Lin Danian asked, curious.

"He can see the true form of ghosts with both eyes—tentatively classified as Yin-Yang Eyes. On first awakening, he could already perceive the ghosts at the bottom of the Clear River."

Her words left even the elder Wen Meng astonished. Usually, when Yin-Yang Eyes first awaken, one can only see the most ordinary lingering souls.

"His potential nearly rivals yours, my lord. Though it's a pity his talent lies in eye techniques—were it another supernatural ability, ordinary monsters and spirits might not even approach him," Wen Meng said regretfully.

The supernatural abilities within the Directorate of Nether Rites are varied and uneven, none as extraordinary as the systematic potential Zhou Bai possessed.

Wang Zhen had noticed Zhou Bai's Yin-Yang Eyes the moment she first saw him, yet had not hurried to invite him then.

"The seven apertures are the least likely to lose control. Lin Danian, go invite him to join the Directorate of Nether Rites. With this evil spirit’s whereabouts still unknown in Hangdu, those eyes could be of great help."

"Leave it to me. I’ll go see Zhou Bai soon."

Lin Danian was brimming with confidence. For most commoners, joining the Directorate meant starting as a seventh-rank official—almost equal to a county magistrate—a matter of great honor for one's family.

Wang Zhen glanced at him, worried he might mishandle things, and reminded, "Zhou Bai carries a trace of yin energy—he must have encountered some trouble lately. When you find him, don’t act hastily. Let him owe you a favor."

"No problem, my lord. Just wait for my good news."

Given the chance to undertake a mission alone, Lin Danian was eager and vanished in a flash.