Chapter 33: Crimson Eyes in the Dark Night

Dong Zhanchu spun around in panic, again and again, but the voice always lingered behind him—unseen, untouchable, as if a ghost perpetually stood at his back.

The strange voice said, “Stop wasting your energy. I told you, you cannot see me.”

“What are you?” Cold sweat broke across his forehead as he lowered his voice, speaking into the empty air. “The magistrate's office is sealed with wards inside and out; no demon or ghost can enter. How did you slip in without a trace?”

The voice replied, “That is not your concern. All you need to know is that I am here to save your child. The Immortal of Seals I told you to seek has arrived—she is right now at the gates. Only she can save your child, Yin’er.”

Yin’er. Dong Zhanchu felt a stab of pain in his heart.

In this long life, as if cursed, he had never had children. The first time he did, he discovered this child had fallen into an even more cruel curse.

He wanted to protect this child. Without Yin’er, immortality meant nothing.

Steadying his mind, he ceased spinning like a top. As long as Yin’er could be saved, it did not matter whether the one behind him was demon or ghost. He straightened his robe and strode out toward the gates.

Qing Yin stood before the magistrate’s doors, saying to the guard, “Excuse me, could you announce me? I wish to see Young Master Dong Zhanchu.”

The guard eyed this peculiar girl, with a black cat perched on her shoulder, in surprise. “Do you think you can see the young master just because you ask?”

Inside the gates, a man hurried forth, pausing as he heard their conversation, then quickly coming out to greet her.

“Immortal of Seals, what an honor! Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner.”

Qing Yin looked closely—it was Dong Zhanchu. She had just arrived, and he came out to greet her as if he knew she was coming. Was it really such a coincidence? Suspicion flickered in her heart at this. But now she needed to maintain an air of inscrutable wisdom, so she kept her composure, smiling and nodding.

Dong Zhanchu respectfully invited her inside, leading her to a flower hall in the rear courtyard and offering fragrant tea.

Qing Yin sipped the tea, glancing at the anxious Dong Zhanchu beside her, then spoke slowly, “Tell me about the trouble you’re facing.”

Dong Zhanchu replied, “Yes. It’s my son, Yin’er… Yin’er…” He stammered, unsure where to begin.

“What about Yin’er?” Qing Yin prompted.

His anxiety surged, eyes reddening. “I beg you, Immortal, please save Yin’er’s life!”

“Is he ill?”

“No.”

“Then how could his life be in danger?”

“It’s because of his birth date…”

“Birth date?” Qing Yin repeated in puzzlement.

“His birth date is most unfortunate—he is destined for a fatal calamity.” As he spoke, Dong Zhanchu was so tense he stood up, his face pale as death.

Qing Yin took another sip of tea, recalling the tea house rumors she’d overheard earlier. Her mind turned, and she slowly said, “Could it be that the young master was born at midnight on the fifteenth day of the seventh month?”

At her words, Dong Zhanchu’s knees began to tremble, almost dropping to kneel before her. Qing Yin quickly reached out to steady his arm, signaling him to calm down. He forced himself back into his chair, raising the tea bowl to steady his nerves, but his hand shook so much that tea spilled over his robe.

Qing Yin had already visited Yin’er. The year-old baby was cradled by a plump woman. The infant’s cheeks were rosy and fair, sleeping soundly and looking perfectly healthy, as if the dreadful rumors of sacrificial rites were a world away. Gazing at the child’s tender, adorable face, Qing Yin was momentarily distracted, as if she saw Yunié from long ago.

Dong Zhanchu explained that the woman holding the child was the wet nurse; the baby’s mother had died of illness two months prior.

Qing Yin felt a pang in her heart. This child had lost his mother so early, and now had an ominous birth date, leaving his fate uncertain—how unlucky could one be?

Leaving Yin’er’s room, Dong Zhanchu asked urgently, “Today is already the tenth day of the seventh month. In five days, it will be the fifteenth. Immortal, do you have a way for Yin’er to survive this calamity?”

Qing Yin looked up at the sky and asked calmly, “First, tell me—who sent you all the way to the capital to seek me?”

Dong Zhanchu was startled, then answered vaguely, “The Immortal of Seals is famed far and wide; I came admiring your reputation.”

The flattery rang loud, and though Qing Yin was pleased, she was not entirely fooled. She kept her wits and judged that he was lying. She was but a minor immortal, with little renown, and had hardly caught any proper demons. Jiaozhou was hundreds of miles from the capital; her fame could not possibly be so great.

She gave a cold smile but said nothing.

Dong Zhanchu glanced left, then right, then over his shoulder, beads of nervous sweat forming on his brow.

Qing Yin noticed his odd demeanor and asked, “What are you looking at?”

He jumped in fright and hurriedly replied, “Nothing. The Immortal must be tired from the long journey—better to rest in the guest room first.”

Dong Zhanchu led them toward the guest rooms. Passing a side chamber, Motu discreetly scratched Qing Yin’s arm. She paused and looked toward that room.

Dong Zhanchu, who walked ahead, urged, “Immortal, the guest rooms are this way.”

Qing Yin gazed at the side room’s door and asked, “Did you have a guest here yesterday?”

“Guest?” Dong Zhanchu hesitated, then understood. The white-robed woman who had barged in yesterday was now sleeping in that room. This Immortal truly was extraordinary! He quickly answered, “Yes, there was one.”

“Mm. Treat her kindly,” Qing Yin said.

“Yes. Eh?” Dong Zhanchu replied by habit, then showed confusion.

Qing Yin said nothing more and let him lead her to the guest room. The black cat on her shoulder, however, quietly dug its claws into her flesh.

Once Dong Zhanchu had left, she yowled, pulling the offending creature off her shoulder and holding him before her face, furious. “Why are you scratching me? Why?!”

Motu replied, “Just now you told Dong Zhanchu to treat her well? Our main purpose here is to take the tree demon back—you’re acting like a matchmaker!”

Qing Yin sighed, “The tree demon braved everything to see him, her devotion is moving—don’t you want to bring about a rare romance?”

Motu scoffed, “Romance? I’ve seen plenty of human-demon romances, all ending in tragic shattering and sorrow.”

Qing Yin protested, “What nonsense! Yulan isn’t so dangerous. She’d never harm the one she loves.”

Motu sneered, “Did I say the one shattered would be Dong Zhanchu?”

Qing Yin hesitated, shaking her head. “Yulan has some cultivation; mortals shouldn’t be able to harm her.”

Motu said, “Foolish woman. The most terrifying creatures in this world are precisely those powerless mortals.”

Qing Yin was even more bewildered, her mind full of questions. At that moment, a servant brought in food; Motu, seeing the meal, forgot everything else and devoted himself entirely to the bowl…

By the time the leftovers were cleared away, night had fully fallen. Another servant brought a bucket of water for bathing. Qing Yin ordered Motu to wait outside while she washed. The black cat, however, sprawled out on the bed. “This household is complicated. I can’t let you out of my sight. You bathe; I won’t look.”

Qing Yin broke out in cold sweat. “You’re male! You can’t stay—go outside!”

Motu replied lazily, “I’m a cat.”

“You’re a tomcat!” Qing Yin marched to the bed, grabbed him by the scruff, opened the window, and tossed him out… at last, peace.

She relaxed, undressed, and slipped into the large wooden tub. Steam rose, soothing away the fatigue of the journey; her limbs loosened, skin softened, and her spirit refreshed. She closed her eyes in enjoyment.

Suddenly, her skin prickled with goosebumps—a strange sensation crept over her. She snapped her eyes open, shrinking down to hide her shoulders beneath the water, scanning the room warily.

Nothing.

Yet she had distinctly felt herself being watched. Her gaze swept the chamber, then she looked up. From a gap in the roof, two crimson points gleamed—a pair of bloodshot eyes! She shrieked in terror. The door crashed open, and a black shadow rushed in—it was Motu, who, at the bath’s side, shifted into human form, grabbing her shoulders and lifting her from the water. In a whirl, he shed his outer robe, wrapped her in it, and tossed her onto the bed behind the curtains. He himself leapt up, launching straight toward the red eyes on the roof.

The tiles shattered beneath his assault. He stood atop the roof, scanning the surroundings, catching glimpses of several dark shadows fleeing swiftly, vanishing into the garden. Within moments, they were gone. Remembering Qing Yin inside, he dared not pursue, and returned through the broken roof, approaching the bed and lifting the draped curtain.

Qing Yin was struggling to free herself from the robe wrapped tightly around her. When the curtain suddenly lifted, she jumped, hastily trying to cover herself. “Go out first—let me get dressed before you come in!”

Motu did not retreat. Instead, he stepped forward, closing in at the bedside, bending over her, staring at the hands covering her chest, his brow furrowing. “Move your hands.”

She was shocked, clutching herself even tighter, stammering, “Wh-what? Motu, let me teach you a bit of human etiquette—men, or, well, tomcats, should not look at a woman’s body. It’s improper, terribly rude. Even though my figure is fantastic and my skin flawless, you can’t just look whenever you want, you must—”

“Enough nonsense.” He impatiently knelt on the bed, adopting a ferocious beast’s posture, grabbed her hands, and pulled them apart, exposing her damp, bare shoulder.

Qing Yin never imagined her longtime companion would suddenly succumb to animal lust, completely losing her composure, about to scream. To prevent her from making a scene, Motu gripped her wrists in one hand and covered her mouth with the other.

Author’s note: Animal instincts unleashed~~

Half-Immortal Seal 33_Complete free reading_33 Crimson Eyes of the Night update finished!