Radiant Blade of the Wilderness

Chapter 229: Spirit Channeling

He wants me to channel a spirit? Ding Songyan had an inkling why and agreed.

As a guard of the prince’s estate, it was part of his duty.

They could hardly expect Steward Peng to call in someone from the Martial Prohibition Bureau, or a martial artist under its control.

In the estate’s eyes, the Brightnight Sect was a partner, not truly one of their own. Still, its disciples were closer than outsiders, and the sect’s excellent reputation made them trustworthy.

Ding Songyan followed Peng Jushan through the winding estate to a secluded courtyard.

A man stood in the courtyard, wearing the guards’ dark-red uniform trimmed with cyan. Sturdily built but a little heavy, he bore red markings across his face, neck, and hands. The ends of his brows turned up, his nose was broad, and his mouth protruded slightly.

”Commander Han, this is Ding Songyan of the Brightnight Sect.” Peng Jushan bowed to the man in the courtyard.

Commander Han? His appearance told Ding Songyan at once who he was.

Han Shun, commander of Prince Kang Hong Jingyuan’s guards and one of his four closest confidants. He cultivated the Impregnable Fortress Divine Art, which rendered him impervious to blades, spears, and even lightning.

The Grandmasters trained within the estate generally took one of three paths: the Impregnable Fortress Divine Art, which emphasized individual strength; the military’s Accumulating Waters Divine Art; or the martial arts passed down in the Hong clan. Han Shun had joined Hong Jingyuan soon after he received the title of Prince Kang. Over fourteen years, he had risen step by step from the perfected Initial Realm to the perfected Dharma Realm.

After Ding Songyan greeted him, Han Shun nodded slightly.

”Sorry to trouble you, Songyan.”

He was remarkably courteous.

As commander of the guards, he knew the Brightnight Sect well. Ding Songyan was close to Miss Zheng Zhuxi, and they might well marry. Her father was the former Senior Councillor Zheng Ziming—His Highness’s own maternal uncle!

One day, Songyan might become family to the prince. It would be wise to show him respect.

But Songyan is a born flirt who chases women. He has barely arrived at the estate, and already he’s already mingling openly with Twelfth Madam Luo from the back street. The Miss Zheng I know is cheerful, warmhearted, eager to help others, and proper in her conduct. What could she see in a man like him? Unable to make sense of it, Han Shun led Ding Songyan into the courtyard’s west wing and said with a slight smile, ”Songyan, ask only the questions I give you. And afterward, tell no one what happens today unless the estate permits it. Can you do that?”

”The Brightnight Sect has always kept its word. You can rest assured, Commander Han.” Ding Songyan nodded his agreement.

It was clear now that the questions he would ask the spirit concerned a secret. That was why the estate had not called in anyone from outside.

Without the Brightnight Sect’s sterling reputation, Commander Han might have found another way.

A body lay beneath a white cloth in the west wing. Having opened his yin eyes, Ding Songyan saw a ghost wandering beside it.

The ghost had also cultivated the Impregnable Fortress Divine Art. His features had once been handsome, but pain now twisted his face. Ghastly red fissures and coarse black stitches marked his head and neck.

Ding Songyan did not know the man. He guessed the estate had used him for its dirty work, including assassinations.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Ding Songyan described what he saw. Han Shun nodded.

”That’s him.

”First ask him, ’Were you the one who leaked word of this mission?’”

Under Banishing Demons and Warding Off Evil, the ghost trembled all over, more frightened than pained. It had clearly never reached the Dharma Realm.

Ding Songyan moved the hazy ”seed” to his throat and spoke in a cold, spectral voice.

The ghost nodded rapidly.

”Yes.”

So he really was a traitor. I wonder what mission he ruined... Wait. Could the head of the Fire-Wielding School have died because of this? The two events came one after the other. Unless it’s a coincidence, they may be part of the same affair... Ding Songyan turned to look at Han Shun.

Han Shun showed no anger at the ghost’s answer. After a little thought, he said, ”Ask him, ’Which faction did you tell?’”

Ding Songyan relayed the question word for word.

Already much fainter, the ghost answered fearfully, ”The Yellow Heaven Way.”

The Yellow Heaven Way? One of the Upper Nine among the Twenty-One Heretical Ways... The Flame Capital really is gathering every hero—no, every devil... Just thinking of what Emperor Jianwu and Prince Kang faced made Ding Songyan’s scalp prickle.

The Yellow Heaven Way traced its lineage to Chiyou: lord of war, pinnacle of ferocity, master of metal, first in courage and resolve, rebel against heaven and earth.

Two of the Upper Nine among the Twenty-One Heretical Ways inherited Chiyou’s arts. That alone spoke to the terror of this ancient dread god.

Han Shun frowned despite himself.

”Why did you betray the estate and render services to the Yellow Heaven Way?”

The Yellow Heaven Way was full of born rebels.

Ding Songyan played the interpreter dutifully, passing Commander Han’s question to the ghost.

The ghost spoke between shudders, ”Four months ago, I made a stupid mistake and botched an assignment. The Yellow Heaven Way found out and used it to blackmail me into passing them information. In return, they helped me put things right and earn merit.

”This time I meant to string them along and give them only the barest details. Somehow I blurted out everything, whether I should have said it or not.”

A stupid mistake? Somehow blurted it out... Ding Songyan’s alarm flared. He turned to Han Shun and chose his words carefully.

”Commander Han, that answer sounds familiar. May I ask him, ’Did you ever think of seeking help or trying to put things right, only to keep forgetting something crucial?’”

Could a Celestial Heart imprint have made him betray the estate?

Unfortunately, the man is dead. The Candle-Star Pupils can’t reveal a Celestial Heart imprint on a ghost...

Han Shun thought for a few breaths, then said, ”Ask him.”

Ding Songyan put the question to the ghost at once.

The ghost shook his head vigorously.

”No.”

No... So not a Celestial Heart imprint? Hmm. There’s another way he could have been made to act foolishly... Ding Songyan said to Han Shun, ”Foolish mistakes often point to Sage-Severing and Wisdom Abandonment. I’d like to ask him about that.”

Han Shun had reached much the same conclusion. He glanced at Ding Songyan approvingly.

”Go ahead. Ask whatever you need.”

Despite his flirtatious nature, Songyan handled himself well. He was sharp, perceptive, and easy to deal with.

Ding Songyan considered his wording for a moment.

”When you met with members of the Yellow Heaven Way, was anyone else there? Anyone you found unusual?”

The ghost kept fading, growing so thin he might break apart at any moment.

”Yes. There was a woman in a black gauze veil hat. She only listened. She never spoke.”

A woman in a black gauze veil hat... Could it be the woman who pretended to be my mother? Does she cultivate the Scripture of Sage-Severing and Wisdom Abandonment? The thought flashed through Ding Songyan’s mind. He asked in a low voice, ”When you made that mistake and botched your assignment, did you see someone like her?”

The ghost searched his memory for some time before answering, ”Yes. I did!”

Unspeakable terror filled his voice.

”The Sage-Severing Way may be working with the Yellow Heaven Way,” Ding Songyan told Han Shun gravely.

Is the Yellow Heaven Way connected to the Accumulated Evil Way and the Returning Abyss Order too? Did Demoness Ji hide her identity when she killed because she feared the Yellow Heaven Way would misunderstand?

The Sage-Severing Way’s reputation was hardly better than the Accumulated Evil Way’s. It really could not afford to do anything its allies might misread.

Han Shun’s expression had grown far graver.

He was about to speak when the ghost gave a terrible scream, then fell silent.

Ding Songyan looked apologetic.

”Commander Han, my spirit channeling harms ghosts. This one couldn’t endure it any longer. He’s dissolved completely.”

”It’s all right. The Martial Prohibition Bureau told me about that beforehand.” Han Shun let out a slow breath. He neither blamed Ding Songyan nor showed any regret.

He paced a couple of steps, then said, ”The Yellow Heaven Way and the Sage-Severing Way appear to be working together. I must report this to His Highness at once. Songyan, your spirit channeling was invaluable. I’ll see that His Highness knows what you did. Go back and rest for now.”

Ding Songyan asked nothing further. He left the west wing and followed Peng Jushan back toward the part of the estate he knew.

After parting from Steward Peng, he walked on, thinking over what had just happened.

Commander Han took pains to keep me from learning what the compromised mission was...

That’s understandable. It involves the estate’s secrets. Even a partner as reputable as the Brightnight Sect can’t be told everything...

Damn it, the Yellow Heaven Way and the Sage-Severing Way might already know. What is there that we can’t be allowed to learn?

If all else fails, I could ask my dear little sister. But she never loses sight of the larger stakes or shows favoritism. So far, she’s been the one drawing information out of me, while telling me only things that hardly matter to her... Wait. Has Sage-Severing and Wisdom Abandonment affected me?

Commander Han never asked exactly what information leaked. That’s crucial. It should have been among his first three questions, and he knew my spirit channeling would eventually destroy the ghost...

Did he know the dead man had only part of the information, none of the most important secrets, and so felt no urgency to ask?

What is the estate doing in secret? Could it have something to do with His Majesty’s hidden purpose for the consort selection?

These waters run deep. Good thing I arrived months ahead of time...

Wait. The head of the Fire-Wielding School could steal kindled flames and command a hundred fires. If his death is connected to this, does some crucial part of the plan involve fire?

Fire... The Hong clan cultivates Zhurong’s Fire God Scripture and an art called Mars. The former concerns fire too...

Could they be connected?

After passing a rock garden and two ponds, Ding Songyan suddenly understood something.

Commander Han may have chosen me to channel the spirit precisely because I would destroy the ghost in the process—and can’t control when it happens!

He wanted to silence the witness, even after death!

No wonder he showed no regret when the ghost was destroyed. He looked relieved.

Having worked out the likely reason, Ding Songyan clasped his hands behind his back and strolled along, admiring the scenery.

Now that Ding Songyan had noticed the clues, Han Shun had no hope of keeping the secret. He had neither a special art nor a higher cultivation realm to protect his thoughts.

Whether in a dream or by listening to his thoughts, Ding Songyan would find a way to have an honest conversation with Commander Han.

There was no hurry. Han Shun would be most vigilant now and might notice something amiss. Once some time had passed and he believed there would be no more complications, Ding Songyan could approach him.