I Can Devour Spirits

Duan Rong packed his things, placing useful items into a light blue cloth bag. He cast a glance at the messy room and suddenly walked over to a carved wooden stake. With a surge of True Qi, he shattered it into wood chips with a single palm strike.

He then stood there, tying the small bag around his waist. Glancing up at the sun overhead, he estimated that it had just passed noon. He intended to go back to his room to sleep, to regain some energy, since the real action would take place at night.

These past eight or nine days, he hadn’t slept well, and after staying up the whole night, his Divine Soul was somewhat exhausted.

Duan Rong dragged his weary body, eyes bloodshot, back into the room, and collapsed into a deep sleep.

He had no idea how long he slept, but was suddenly awakened by a knock on the door. Duan Rong opened his eyes to find the room dimly lit; it was already dusk.

He got out of bed, sleepily opened the door, and saw Liu Shushan standing outside, looking a bit tense.

Upon seeing Duan Rong, Liu Shushan said, ”Brother Duan, just now, Yang Ji returned to the city.”

Duan Rong opened the door and walked over to the table, poured himself a cup of cold water, and drained it down his parched throat.

After drinking, he sat down and said calmly, ”Alright, I know.”

Liu Shushan was quite surprised by Duan Rong’s calm demeanor.

Governor Yang Ji had gone to Divine Cloud Prefecture for the approval documents related to Shen Yanliu’s case. His return certainly meant that he had brought back the documents.

This meant that tomorrow at noon would be the execution time for Shen Yanliu.

Duan Rong had promised Shen Mizi to save Shen Yanliu. With less than ten hours until Shen Yanliu’s execution, Liu Shushan had yet to see any part of Duan Rong’s plan.

He hadn’t expected Duan Rong to remain so composed, as if nothing was amiss.

Indeed, Duan Rong wasn’t worried. The timing of Yang Ji’s return was earlier than he’d expected, but it made no difference. In this world, executions were only held three-quarters past noon, believed to be when yang energy was at its peak in the day.

His original plan was to act just before dawn on the day of Shen Yanliu’s execution, significantly reducing the risk of exposure.

And at this moment, he had completed all the necessary preparations, only waiting for the right time. What was there to be nervous about?

He could even afford to rest for a few hours.

Duan Rong glanced at Liu Shushan, who was standing at the door dumbfounded, and said, ”Shushan, I’m a bit hungry. Please go to the tavern and get some food and drink.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Shushan was even more astonished. At this time, you still want food and drink?!

However, seeing Duan Rong’s unhurried demeanor, Liu Shushan finally sighed. Since Duan Rong asked, he couldn’t refuse to get the provisions.

Just as Liu Shushan was about to leave, Duan Rong suddenly called him back, saying, ”Where’s Kankan? Call him over; I need something from him.”

Liu Shushan agreed and left.

Not long after, Ximen Kankan walked in. Duan Rong whispered something in his ear.

Then Ximen Kankan left the courtyard, went to the carriage shop, got a horse-drawn carriage, and drove out of the East City Gate into the twilight.

Over the past ten days, the Shen Yanliu case had stirred quite a commotion in the Prefecture City, and security checks were stringent at several city gates. But since Ximen Kankan was driving an empty carriage, the constables guarding the gate let him pass after a check.

As Ximen Kankan drove out of the city, Duan Rong and Liu Shushan were already seated in the courtyard hall, facing a table full of sumptuous dishes. Duan Rong, already famished, immediately began to gobble everything up.

Liu Shushan asked, ”Where is Ximen Kankan?”

With his mouth full, Duan Rong mumbled, ”I sent him out of the city.”

Duan Rong wanted him to leave the city at dusk, lest the night brought stricter checks, or in the worst case, prohibited exits, which would affect the execution of his plan.

Liu Shushan’s expression flickered but he still said, ”Brother Duan, tomorrow should be the execution day.”

”I know.”

”But you don’t seem very anxious?” Liu Shushan looked at Duan Rong curiously.

Not only was Duan Rong not anxious, but he seemed quite leisurely.

He picked up a wine pot, poured wine for both Liu Shushan and himself, and smiled, ”It’s only just turned dark. You must be well-fed and in good spirits to handle things properly. Come, Shushan, have another drink with me!”

Liu Shushan had to raise his glass and clink it with Duan Rong’s. However, he still couldn’t help noticing the light blue cloth bag tied around Duan Rong’s waist, full of unknown contents.

After eating and drinking his fill, Duan Rong picked his teeth with a toothpick and chatted with Liu Shushan about trivial matters. Liu Shushan chatted absently, his mind wandering elsewhere.

After a while of talking, Duan Rong suddenly said, ”Shushan, you don’t need to take part in tonight’s action. You’ve been tired these days, have a good rest.”

As he spoke, Duan Rong stood up, patted Liu Shushan on the shoulder, and walked out of the hall.

Liu Shushan watched Duan Rong’s back, wanting to call out to him, but in the end, swallowed his words.

Duan Rong returned to his room, sitting cross-legged on the bed, closing his eyes to rest.

It was unclear how much time passed, but Duan Rong remained motionless in the pitch-black room, as if merging into the darkness itself.

Outside, the dim sound of the Night Watchman’s clappers drifted in, prompting Duan Rong to focus and listen carefully to the points timed by the clappers.

Suddenly, in the darkness, Duan Rong’s eyes snapped open.