Chapter Thirty-Nine: Escape

Zhou Hongxian followed Qian Niang through winding paths, eventually arriving outside a secluded wooden hut. From the windows, an eerie green light spilled outward. Zhou Hongxian instinctively halted, while Qian Niang looked back at her, saying, “Fox Lady, Cui Yu is inside this hut. Do you dare to enter with me?”

“There’s nothing I’m afraid of!” Zhou Hongxian stretched her neck, then quickly shrank back. “What’s with the light inside?”

“You’ll see once you’re in.” Qian Niang paid her little mind, pushing open the door and stepping inside.

Zhou Hongxian scratched her head for a moment, then followed. The moment she entered, her eyes widened in astonishment.

The hut measured only a few meters in length and width, comparable in size to a modern family’s living room. Yet the beams overhead were crowded with rows upon rows of lanterns. Each lantern shone with a different hue—some pale, some yellowed, but most glowed with a greenish light, reminiscent of ghostly flames Zhou Hongxian had seen before, blending into an unsettling emerald gloom.

“What are these lanterns for?”

Qian Niang’s voice echoed hollowly: “These are human skin lanterns, used by Old Ghost Songpo as cages to imprison ghost slaves. Fox Lady, would you like a closer look?”

Zhou Hongxian swallowed hard, her voice trembling: “Let’s leave these trivial things aside. I only want to know where Fourth Lady is!”

“Follow me.” Qian Niang stepped lightly to the center of the lanterns, stopping before one that emitted a milky white glow. Zhou Hongxian watched her warily, her guard up. Qian Niang removed the lampshade, reached into the lantern, and seemed to grasp the wick. Instantly, the lantern dimmed, and the white light seeped through her fingers.

Zhou Hongxian stared, mouth agape. Qian Niang approached, opened her palm, and Zhou Hongxian saw a thumb-sized little figure nestled there, eyes closed in sleep, radiating a gentle white light. Examining her features, Zhou Hongxian recognized her as Cui Yu.

Joy surged in Zhou Hongxian’s heart. She carefully took the tiny figure from Qian Niang, knowing this was Cui Yu’s soul, shrunken by enchantment. She gently blew on the figure, and it dissolved into a shaft of white light, floating in the air, reforming in moments into a life-sized shape. The white light faded, and Cui Yu’s outline became solid.

“Fourth Lady!” Seeing Cui Yu falter, Zhou Hongxian hurried forward to steady her.

Cui Yu opened her eyes, dazed. Upon seeing Zhou Hongxian, she exclaimed in surprise, “Sister Zhou?”

“Yes, it’s me!” Zhou Hongxian replied, her voice trembling with emotion.

Tears welled in Cui Yu’s eyes and she began to sob. “Sister Zhou, I’m already dead… that evil ghost said I died and wants to make me his concubine!”

Zhou Hongxian hugged her, comforting: “Fourth Lady, don’t scare yourself! You’re not dead. I came here to rescue you!”

“Big Sister!” Cui Yu looked up at Zhou Hongxian, crying as if her heart would break. The warmth of Zhou Hongxian comforted her, and she burrowed deeper into her embrace. Suddenly, she looked at Zhou Hongxian through tear-blurred eyes. “Wait, Sister, how are you here? This place is the den of those evil ghosts and monsters!”

Zhou Hongxian hesitated, struggling for a moment before saying, “Fourth Lady, there’s something I must tell you. Don’t be frightened. Actually, I am not human… I am a fox spirit.”

Seeing the disbelief on Cui Yu’s face, Zhou Hongxian reluctantly drew her red fox tail out from beneath her skirts and shook it, her head lowered in shame like a child caught in mischief. “Just look.”

Cui Yu stared at the vivid fox tail, her mouth agape.

Zhou Hongxian, fearing misunderstanding, added, “But don’t worry, Fourth Lady. I am nothing like those evil ghosts or rat demons!”

Cui Yu was stunned into silence. At this moment, Qian Niang walked behind her, gently stroking her back, her voice cold and clear: “Fourth Lady, so you never knew your sister was a monster?”

Cui Yu shook her head, still dazed. Zhou Hongxian, seeing Qian Niang’s gesture, was surprised. “Qian Niang, you—?”

Qian Niang smiled faintly at Zhou Hongxian. “Fox Lady, do you still suspect I am scheming against you?”

Now it was Zhou Hongxian’s turn to be speechless.

Qian Niang’s smile faded, her expression turning mournful. “Fox Lady, would you like to hear my story?”

Zhou Hongxian nodded silently. Qian Niang’s voice was ethereal. “My surname is Liu, given name Qian. I was the wife of Xie Qiao, a retainer to Magistrate Cui of Husui County. My husband and I were deeply in love. I thought I would spend my days in happiness. But six years ago, in spring, I went outside the city to admire peach blossoms, returning late. A sudden wind swept me from my carriage. When I awoke, I found myself in Pine Slope Forest, confronted by Old Ghost Songpo and Yu Erlang. Terrified, I was murdered and buried on the spot. Since then, Old Ghost Songpo controlled me, making me his ghost slave.”

Zhou Hongxian listened, dumbfounded. “So you’ve known Fourth Lady all along?”

“Yes, I’ve long known Fourth Lady. Madame Lu was kind to me because of Xie Lang, often inviting me to her home. At the time, Fourth Lady was a seven- or eight-year-old girl, quite different from now. Yet her current appearance resembles her third sister, Cui Hao, so when Old Ghost Songpo captured her, I recognized her at once.”

Cui Yu spoke up, “I do indeed look much like my third sister. When I was taken by the evil ghost yesterday, I didn’t recognize Sister Qian Niang at first. It was she who told me everything, and I realized she was Brother Ziping’s wife. I owe much to her care; otherwise, I don’t know how much more terror I’d have endured!”

Zhou Hongxian sighed at the unpredictability of fate, feeling a deep sympathy for Qian Niang. “Qian Niang, from what you say, it seems Old Ghost Songpo plotted your death?”

Qian Niang’s smile was bitter. “You’re right, Fox Lady. Old Ghost Songpo was an outsider, a sorcerer who used illusions to defile innocent girls and commit murder for profit. The people of Husui County caught and reported him, and Magistrate Cui and Xie Lang sentenced him to death. Since they were officials and carried strong spiritual energy, Old Ghost Songpo could not approach them easily. So he killed me to retaliate against Xie Lang. Luckily he didn’t know Fourth Lady was Magistrate Cui’s daughter, or he would have never waited until now to act against her!”

Zhou Hongxian’s expression darkened. Qian Niang continued, “Fox Lady, taking Fourth Lady away won’t be easy, but I can help you—if you promise me one thing.”

“Tell me.”

Tears streamed down Qian Niang’s face. “Once you save Fourth Lady, please find Xie Lang. He likely doesn’t know I died in Pine Slope Forest. Tell him my fate and ask him to come before noon to exhume my remains. I’ve been defiled by Old Ghost Songpo and dare not hope to enter the Xie ancestral tomb. I only ask to be reburied elsewhere, so I may escape Old Ghost Songpo’s control.”

“Sister Qian Niang, your suffering is too much!” Cui Yu clung to Qian Niang’s sleeve, weeping.

Zhou Hongxian looked at Qian Niang’s pale and cold face, feeling sorrow. “Qian Niang, rest assured. I will deliver your message! If your husband refuses, I’ll do it myself.”

Qian Niang wiped her tears. “Then I thank you, Fox Lady. Next, let us discuss how to deal with Old Ghost Songpo.”

In the loft, Qian Niang returned holding Zhou Hongxian’s hand.

Old Ghost Songpo laughed, “You ladies were gone for a while. How is it you’ve become so close?”

Qian Niang smiled mildly. “Ah Lang, this is how women are. I had a delightful conversation with Fox Lady—now we feel like sisters.”

Yu Erlang clapped and chuckled, “The two ladies together are wonderful. What’s that saying? Like two twin—twin—” He tugged at his beard, perplexed.

“Lotus blossoms,” someone whispered.

“Yes, twin lotuses!” Yu Erlang’s beard quivered with delight.

Qian Niang gave Zhou Hongxian a subtle signal and returned to Old Ghost Songpo’s side. As she sat, he immediately pulled her into his arms, his hands growing restless.

Qian Niang glanced at Zhou Hongxian, shame flickering in her eyes though she smiled and poured Old Ghost Songpo a full cup of wine. “Ah Lang, let me serve you this cup.”

Old Ghost Songpo laughed heartily. “Good!” He drank the wine Qian Niang offered him.

Zhou Hongxian returned to her seat, watching the shame and forbearance in Qian Niang’s eyes, feeling pity. A woman’s soft sobbing sounded from her embrace: “Sister, I can’t bear this. Sister Qian Niang is suffering too much humiliation!”

Zhou Hongxian whispered, “Fourth Lady, don’t make a sound. Be careful not to give us away!”

“Fox Lady, who are you talking to?” Yu Erlang’s face suddenly appeared, startling Zhou Hongxian. Cui Yu, nestled in Zhou Hongxian’s arms, immediately fell silent.

“I’m talking to myself,” Zhou Hongxian replied, her palm damp with sweat.

“I didn’t know you had such a habit!” Yu Erlang smiled, then glanced at Zhou Hongxian’s wine cup, pushing it closer. “Lady, your cup is still full. Shall I toast you?”

To mask her nervousness, Zhou Hongxian raised her cup. She meant to use her trick of concealing the wine, but caught Yu Erlang watching her with a peculiar smile. She suddenly remembered her cup was empty before she left.

“Ah, Erlang, your cup is dirty!” Zhou Hongxian exclaimed.

“Where?”

Before Yu Erlang could check, Zhou Hongxian took his cup, pointing randomly. “Here! The rim has some dust. Let me wipe it for you.” She circled the rim with her finger, Yu Erlang watching her fair hand, dazzled by the motion.

“There, all clean! Come, Erlang, let’s toast!” Zhou Hongxian’s smile was sweet.

“Lady, you’re so attentive!” Yu Erlang, slightly intoxicated, downed his wine and toasted her again and again. Finally, he asked with concern, “Lady, you’ve drunk several cups now. Do you feel alright?”

“No trouble at all. But you seem to be drinking rather quickly!”

Yu Erlang felt uneasy, found an excuse to approach Old Ghost Songpo, and spoke openly, “Brother, why is your corpse oil ineffective? Fox Lady isn’t complying.”

Qian Niang’s gaze flickered, glancing at Zhou Hongxian, who replied with a slight smile.

Old Ghost Songpo dismissed him, “Fox Lady is not like ghost slaves. She’s a spirit, with cultivation. It won’t affect her so quickly.”

Yu Erlang grew anxious, “Brother, when will it work?”

“Soon, brother. Look at you, your face is as red as a monkey’s behind!” Old Ghost Songpo joked, drinking the wine Qian Niang poured him. Suddenly, something felt off. He asked, “Brother, did you drink that cup yourself?”

“What are you saying? I don’t quite understand. But I do feel feverish and restless.”

“Look at your face!” Old Ghost Songpo pondered, then turned to Zhou Hongxian. Seeing her unchanged, he flew into a rage. “Well played, Fox Lady! How did you trick my brother?”

Zhou Hongxian feigned ignorance. “Old Ghost, why are you angry?”

“Fox Lady, I really underestimated you! Foxes are always cunning. You didn’t come here for friendship, did you? Tell me, what is your true purpose?” At that moment, Old Ghost Songpo’s once handsome face was marred with countless dark lines, becoming hideously contorted.

Zhou Hongxian was frightened but refused to give herself away. “Old Ghost, are you mistaken?”

Old Ghost Songpo’s face darkened, his expression as cold as a corpse. He grinned cruelly. “Mistaken? I’d rather be wrong than let any suspicious person escape!”

“Old Ghost, please calm yourself! This is all a misunderstanding!” Zhou Hongxian made her last effort, but suddenly Cui Yu cried out in her arms, startled by Old Ghost Songpo’s half-human, half-ghost appearance.

The scream changed everything. Old Ghost Songpo paused, then sneered, “You do have other motives!” He crushed his wine cup in his hand. Instantly, the loft plunged into darkness, the lights extinguished, and the gilded room turned grim. Tables, chairs, cups, plates, and all manner of objects whirled in a sudden tornado, clattering loudly.

Zhou Hongxian was terrified, meaning to flee, but found herself trapped within the whirlwind, unable to escape. She looked to Qian Niang, who stood behind Old Ghost Songpo, her face pale with fear.

“Old Ghost, let’s talk! There’s no need for violence!”

But Old Ghost Songpo ignored her, letting out a piercing shriek.

Just as Zhou Hongxian feared disaster, another strange event occurred. The tornado abruptly stopped, objects fell, and Old Ghost Songpo’s towering figure stood motionless in the center of the loft.

“Fox Lady, remember what I told you? If not now, when?” Qian Niang suddenly shouted.

Zhou Hongxian was startled, recalling the strategy Qian Niang had discussed: “Fox Lady, Yu Erlang is not to be feared—he’s cowardly, and always thinks of escape first. Old Ghost Songpo’s powers are greater, but his greatest weakness is his head, which is not his original. Occasionally, his body and head reject each other, making his face stiff and rendering him powerless for a short time. Drinking too much makes it worse. Seize his head then, and he’ll be no more than a headless fly. That’s your chance to escape!”

Prompted by Qian Niang’s reminder, Zhou Hongxian hesitated no longer. She flashed to Old Ghost Songpo, jumped onto his shoulders, and yanked his head upward. With a crack like breaking dead wood, she tore his head clean off.

Landing, she glanced at the grotesque head and, disgusted, kicked it like a ball out the window.

Headless, Old Ghost Songpo’s body lurched back to life, but as Qian Niang said, he staggered blindly like a headless fly.

Zhou Hongxian found the many serving girls gone, even Yu Erlang had vanished, leaving only Qian Niang.

“Qian Niang, how can we destroy Old Ghost Songpo?”

Qian Niang shook her head sadly. “Fox Lady, there’s nothing you can do. Unless his bones are destroyed, he can never truly be eliminated, and Yu Erlang has hidden them somewhere unknown.”

“Does that mean he’ll keep wreaking havoc?”

“What else can be done? Fox Lady, midnight is fast approaching. Hurry and take Fourth Lady’s soul back to her body! And do not forget what you promised me—remember, remember!” Qian Niang’s words were sorrowful, her form fading.

Zhou Hongxian glanced back at Old Ghost Songpo’s loft in the darkness, then transformed into a breeze, speeding toward Husui County.