Chapter 37: Faith in Buddha

Only then did the group notice something unusual about Bai Xian.

Unable to contain himself, Yue Wenying stood up and changed seats, moving to sit beside her, catching the faint, delicate fragrance that lingered around her.

“Miss Bai Xian, I know you’re sharp-minded. You must have discovered something strange—don’t keep us in suspense. My heart is growing restless with worry.”

“Why should we be anxious? The ones who should be anxious are the Centipede Parasites.”

Bai Xian’s explanation only deepened the others’ confusion. The longer they delayed purging the Centipede Parasites, the stronger those creatures would become. Now that the parasites had all gone into hiding, Bai Xian insisted it was the enemy who ought to be worried.

Zhang Xuan rubbed his plump face. “Miss Bai Xian, just tell us plainly. I’m not clever—I can’t figure it out.”

The others nodded in agreement, and even He Shan, sitting in the corner, pricked up his ears.

“Have you forgotten how the Centipede Parasite grows stronger?”

“It eats people,” Zhang Xuan replied.

The group seemed to catch a glimmer of realization, yet could not quite grasp the heart of it.

“Now that all the Centipede Parasites are in hiding, they can indeed avoid our pursuit. But at the same time, they’ve lost Jiangjin County as their breeding ground. They may grow a little by devouring other parasites, but having glimpsed the vastness of the sea of stars, who would wish to remain in a mere pond or ditch?”

“If they wish to hide, let them hide. It’d be best if they stayed hidden for ten days or half a month. Once the great demon to the east is dealt with and the Demon Suppression Captains and Exorcists are freed up, any one of those experts could come and eliminate the crisis with ease.”

Though Bai Xian’s reasoning was sound, Yue Wenying still wore a worried expression. Never mind how long it would take to resolve the eastern demon; even once that was done, who could say how many Exorcists and Captains would be left to return?

“What if the Centipede Parasites, desperate, begin to devour one another to birth a Parasite King? What then?”

“That’s why I’ve already sent Cai Wei to investigate the movements of the possessed.” Bai Xian paused before continuing, “Did you not notice what all those possessed individuals have in common?”

The others shook their heads.

“They are all devotees of Buddhism.”

“Buddhists?” Cai Wei had said the first one captured, Old Lady Zhang, was known for her kind heart, often giving alms to beggars and burning incense at temples. The next two also had household shrines to the Bodhisattva. The last, an old man with white hair, wore the robes of a lay Buddhist disciple.

“One or two would be nothing, but now every single one we’ve captured shares this trait. That cannot be a coincidence.”

“There are two temples in Jiangjin County—one within the city, one outside its walls. By tracking the movements of these individuals, we can discern which temple is suspicious. The source of the parasites is likely hidden there. With that, the initiative will return to us.”

The eyes of those in the guardhouse shone with anticipation.

Though they had acted together, only Bai Xian had noticed so many subtle details over these days. By threading those clues together, she’d deduced the likely hiding place of their shadowy adversary. Such skill, the group realized, was more impressive than martial prowess.

Yue Wenying slapped his thigh. “For you not to join the Demon Suppression Tower, Miss Bai Xian, is truly our magistrate office’s loss!”

“Don’t praise me yet. We’ll know if my reasoning is correct only when Cai Wei returns. If I’m mistaken in the end, it will be a disgrace. Besides...” Bai Xian’s gaze flickered as she gently brushed the hilt of the ‘Dragon-Slaying Sword’ at her waist.

This sword, a talismanic weapon crafted by Master Tanyang, had been trembling since earlier, as if forewarning of imminent danger.

“You were just worrying we might not find the Centipede Parasites—but that’s not a concern either. If nothing unexpected happens, they’ll come looking for us tonight.”

Bai Xian’s words changed the looks on everyone’s faces. Several gazes turned toward He Shan in the corner.

“You mean...”

...

Night in this world was, as ever, devoid of interest.

As dusk descended, the streets emptied swiftly. The few constables still patrolling hurried their steps, as if every familiar alley and lane now harbored lurking threats.

Only the night watchman continued his rounds, striking his bronze drum.

Thud, thud, thud...

“Late autumn’s heat lingers—be wary of fire, keep water jars full, sweep the stove and storehouse clean!”

He wandered the deserted lanes, drum in hand, until at last he arrived at the guardhouse door.

His night’s work complete, he set down the drum and mallet, shedding his black uniform. Grinning widely, he strode toward the guards at the gate.

A steely ring—his long blade was drawn.

“This is a restricted area. Unauthorized persons must keep away!” the guards barked, voices tinged with anger.

Instead of the watchman’s fearful apologies, they were met by a gaping, blood-red maw and rows of fetid, jagged teeth.

The night deepened.

A cloud drifted in from nowhere, blotting out the hanging half-moon.

Cries of battle and slaughter erupted outside the guardhouse.

Soon, the thick scent of blood rose from all directions, enveloping the building.

Watching the black-robed figures emerge from the darkness, the gate guards, terror-stricken, abandoned the entrance and fled toward the holding cells.

With a thunderous crash, the main doors of the guardhouse collapsed. One black-robed figure after another strode over the threshold, wind trailing at their heels as they pursued the fleeing guards.

The night breeze stirred, the clouds above gradually parted, and moonlight returned to the earth.

Under the eaves, slips of yellow talisman paper fluttered gently in the breeze.

“Sir... sir, they’re inside! They’ve broken in!” A squad of guards burst through the main hall doors, tumbling in like dogs with broken backs.

Seated at the center of the hall, scarred-faced Cai Wei rose and hefted the long blade leaning against his chair. Around him stood the elite constables drawn from the three squads—over thirty men in all, including those who had accompanied him into the Blackwater Sink.

“Why panic? I’ve been waiting up all night for them to come knocking. Brothers, ready your weapons—follow me to fight the enemy!”

With that, Cai Wei strode out, blade in hand.

Stepping into the courtyard, he saw them: dozens of silhouettes cloaked in black, silently raising their heads to fix their gaze upon him.

Prepared as he was, Cai Wei still felt a chill race up his spine. His foot, which had crossed the threshold, retreated instinctively.

Inside, more than thirty constables watched expectantly as their captain stepped out, then stepped back.

Cai Wei flushed with embarrassment, drawing his blade across his palm and letting his blood stain the steel. Instantly, mysterious and arcane runes, inscribed for them by the plump Daoist Zhang Xuan, flickered along the blade—wards to suppress evil.

“Damn it all! Let’s see who dares set foot in this hall tonight!”

Despite his words, Cai Wei showed no intention of advancing. After all, his orders were to stall the Centipede Parasites’ advance, not to slay them—defending a narrow, secure place was the wiser course.

At that moment, a shadow hurtled in from the doorway. Cai Wei’s hand was quick; his blade flashed toward the attacker’s neck.

With a dull thud, a head soared skyward, yellow pus spraying across the floor with a hissing sizzle.

The other constables, emboldened by the sight, rushed to attack with raised blades.