Chapter 453: Chapter 417: Departure
Zhang Junyao becoming a Yin Walker was something she didn’t tell anyone about. She continued her daily activities, running between various shops in the city, still accompanied by trusted martial masters for protection.
The only difference was that the Zhang family noticed their lady had recently become obsessed with embroidery. She carried her embroidery hoop and needle everywhere, except when eating or sleeping. Even during family discussions and shop audits, the hoop never left her hand.
Moreover, while typical daughters embroidered birds and landscapes, Zhang Junyao focused on terrifying Evil Ghost Illusion Pictures, so vivid that even without eyes the ghosts seemed ready to soar out and terrify onlookers.
On the day her elder brother’s trade caravan returned to the city, Sang Que, seeing Zhang Junyao, reminded her again to remember she was Zhang Junyao, not Ning Fang, and not to become too absorbed in embroidery.
Only then did Zhang Junyao slightly relax, embroidering only during her rest time. Her wrist was adorned with a bracelet given by her grandmother, the Zhang family’s most doting member, who also granted her the "Yao" in her name, signifying beautiful jade.
Zhang Junyao’s elder brother stayed home for just three days before departing with the caravan, intending to deliver goods to Shengjing by mid-December.
At Sang Que’s request, Zhang Junyao asked her brother to take a box to Shengjing, its contents filled with premium brocades that Sang Que procured from the modern world. Even someone like Zhang Junming, who didn’t understand brocade fabric, praised their quality.
Zhang Junyao explained that the brocade was a gift for the palace nobility. Once in Shengjing, her close friend there would help present it. If well received, the Zhang family might relocate to Beijing for business in the future.
Understanding its importance, Zhang Junming assured her that even if he were to be lost, the contents of the box would not be.
Before departure, Zhang Junyao gifted Sang Que a handkerchief she embroidered, which depicted a ghost picture without the eyes dotted in.
"It may not help you much, but it carries my intentions."
Upon receiving the handkerchief, Sang Que immediately sensed it had become a yin object.
Zhang Junyao continued, "To use it, just dot its eyes with blood. I’ve never tested its full potential, but this is my best work so far."
Ning Fang’s ability lies in crafting embroidered yin objects, but it requires soaking the embroidery thread in Zhang Junyao’s blood, either entirely or partially, which affects the power of the embroidered image.
The piece Zhang Junyao gave Sang Que had threads fully soaked, a cost of wielding evil spirit abilities.
Grateful, Sang Que accepted the handkerchief. After discussing with Zhang Junyao, she left the Mountain Ghost Seal on her.
This way, if Zhang Junyao approached Ghost Level in her absence, the seal would offer some protection, lowering the risk.
So far, Sang Que had only left the Mountain Ghost Seal on two people: Liu Tianyou and Zhang Junyao.
The caravan set off slowly, with Sang Que instructing Hua Qianmian, Yao Zhen, and Cheng Ge to stay temporarily in the painting, while she and Jia Liang returned to the modern world. There, another group awaited selection to become Yin Walkers, strengthening the institute’s task force.
Zhang Junming’s caravan traveled leisurely, taking at least two months to reach Shengjing.
While in the modern world, every few days, Sang Que would enter the painting, bringing snacks and games for Hua Qianmian, Yao Zhen, and Cheng Ge, like mahjong.
Hua Qianmian, Yao Zhen, Cheng Ge, and Chu Mo Wei formed a full table for mahjong. Despite Chu Mo Wei being half-dead as a Corpse Slave, when Sang Que ordered him to play, he retained basic judgment and intelligence.
Having seen Chu Mo Wei’s true appearance, Hua Qianmian was intrigued by his ragged face, repeatedly telling Sang Que to save it for her if he ever became obsolete.
The three couldn’t see outside the painting and were unaware they were in the modern world.
Yao Zhen often meditated alone by the lakeside in the painting’s Taoyuan, desiring to visit the modern world. Although tempted to ask Sang Que, she refrained, not wanting to cause her trouble.
Sang Que understood Yao Zhen’s thoughts and had already discussed it with the institute.
Yet, the institute didn’t know enough about the entire Deceit Dynasty. Someone like Xia Chan, whose mind was only on food, would be easier to handle.
Allowing a powerful and sane individual into the modern world made even the military nervous, still meeting to analyze the situation without giving Sang Que a firm answer.
...
Shengjing, Prime Minister’s Mansion study.
Zuo Jinye sat, weary and shrouded in a bloody aura, sipping tea in the study.
He Buning took a deep breath outside, expressionless, pushed the door, and entered.
"Did you go seek out Mo Yan Shu?" Zuo Jinye asked without looking up.
He Buning didn’t deny it, standing by the door, solemnly stating, "Yes, I wanted him to help you."
Zuo Jinye chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I didn’t capture him to help me; I spared his life only for your mother’s sake. Without the storyteller’s incense burner, he’s nothing."
He Buning remained expressionless, silent.
Zuo Jinye put down the teacup and approached He Buning, "My blood curse can’t be delayed any longer; it needs solving promptly. Therefore, I’m planning a trip to Tibet. Keep this matter confidential, and manage the Prime Minister’s Mansion while I’m away."
"Also, in my absence, Nine Songs might try to infiltrate Shengjing. I hope you won’t intervene; Qiu Wanjun will handle it. Once I’ve resolved my blood curse, come with me to Qingzhou, to cleanse Qingzhou of ghosts."
"In Qingzhou, are you truly not stirring things up behind the scenes?" He Buning suddenly asked, staring intently at Zuo Jinye.
Detecting doubt in his son, Zuo Jinye merely smiled and patted He Buning’s shoulder.
Zuo Jinye left the study, leaving He Buning standing alone for a while before departing.
Xiao Liu and Qin Ze were still waiting outside. Xiao Liu, now steady and restrained, said nothing as he exited. Instead, Qin Ze anxiously queried, "Colonel, when can we leave? This Shengjing city is suffocating. Everything we do feels restricted, scared that any action might offend the nobility."
Feeling restless and uneasy, Qin Ze appeared tired and listless.
They had all been summoned back to Shengjing for a supposed reward, yet the edict never arrived, leaving them obliged to stay within Shengjing City, unable to leave.
He Buning pondered whether this was his father’s orders or Empress Dowager Yu’s wishes.
He even volunteered to quell bandits in Jinzhou, only to be rejected.
"Xiao Liu, any news of her?" He Buning inquired.
Xiao Liu shook his head, "I’ve explored all possible channels."
He Buning recollected his visit to Mo Yan Shu, his last hearing of Sang Que, where Mo Yan Shu confidently stated she wouldn’t be in harm’s way.
Perhaps, while plotting against his father in his stories, Mo Yan Shu had indeed safeguarded Sang Que.
"Colonel, what shall we do next?" Xiao Liu asked.
Thinking briefly, He Buning responded, "Xiao Liu, have our people monitor those entering the city these days and watch General Qiu’s movements carefully, without drawing attention. Qin Ze, visit the city gates daily, do whatever pleases you, just ensure you’re visible to everyone."
"Understood!"
