Chapter 29: Chang’an Part 5

“Yes.” Xiao Kun turned a page. “He had a wife, three sons, two daughters. Married late, so only one son was of age, with a two-year-old grandson. Besides that, six concubines and many servants, totaling forty-three people in the household.”

Xiang Xian asked, “What made them seek the Exorcism Division?”

“One of the concubines, named Wan Xiang,” Xiao Kun read aloud, “suddenly went mad one night earlier this year, claiming she saw a man-eating monster that would devour all the people in Chang’an City.”

Xiang Xian: “Hmm.”

“Wang Chao Ying summoned famous doctors, but treatment failed, so they locked her in a side room in the back courtyard first.” Xiao Kun said, “On the twenty-second of the eleventh month, Wan Xiang was found hanged in her room. On the winter solstice night, the remaining forty-two in the Wang household were wiped out without warning, blood flowing everywhere, as if torn apart by wild beasts, with horrific deaths.”

“Let’s go take a look.” Xiang Xian said.

That day, Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian borrowed horses from the prefectural office and headed to the former prefect’s residence in the north of the city to investigate.

“We can’t linger too long in Chang’an,” Xiao Kun said. “Three days at most. Conclusion or not, we must head to Gaochang.”

Xiang Xian said, “I’m just afraid it’s demon-related. Won’t you worry if we don’t get to the bottom of it?”

Most monsters didn’t stay in fixed places, and many demonic territories didn’t overlap with human ones. They occasionally ventured out from the mountains, fleeing back once discovered, making them hard to track.

They arrived in the city during the day, and Chang’an City’s full panorama unfolded before them. Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun had both been to Chang’an before, so they weren’t surprised, but Chaosheng on the main avenue was shocked by the poverty.

“This is Chang’an?” Chaosheng couldn’t find bustling markets or the grandeur of the flourishing Tang. The dilapidated houses around were filled with ragged civilians, coughs rising everywhere as wind-chill illness spread through the city.

“After the An-Shi Rebellion, the Great Tang’s foundations shook,” Xiang Xian explained. “Emperor Suzong, Li Heng, borrowed Uyghur troops to enter the pass and defeat the rebels, but afterward the Uyghurs plundered everywhere. Then came the warlord fragmentation, and Chang’an lost its status as capital. After several wars, it gradually became like this.”

The millennial dream of Chang’an had vanished, leaving only desolation.

“But think on the bright side,” Xiao Kun said. “Kaifeng now inherits Chang’an’s prosperity.”

“Yes.” Chaosheng nodded.

“Go to the West Market,” Xiang Xian said. “It’s busier there, with markets from nearby villages and towns. The lamb soup is good.”

Chaosheng and Wu Yingzong rode together. Xiao Kun wondered if letting Chaosheng go with Wu Yingzong wouldn’t lead to another incident like last time, but after thinking it over, he didn’t voice it. After all, trusting Wu Yingzong would help him regain confidence.

“Come on, let’s head north.” Xiang Xian turned his horse and asked Xiao Kun, “What brought you to Chang’an last time?”

“Searching for the old site of the Great Tang Exorcism Department in Chang’an,” Xiao Kun said. “Maybe I could trace the Heart Lamp…”

Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian rode off into the distance.

Wu Yingzong took Chaosheng toward the West Market. Chaosheng asked, “Has only Chang’an become like this?”

“Most places are the same.” Wu Yingzong replied. “Only Chuan-Shu, Kaifeng, and Jiangnan are truly prosperous.”

After descending the mountain, Chaosheng had been carried by Xiao Kun’s Dragon Control to Chengdu in the heavenly realm, then to the carefree paradise of Guanjiangkou, and down the Three Gorges from Gongzhou. Even the poorer spots in Bashu weren’t unlivable. Then to Kaifeng, where he experienced the joys of the bustling world.

Who would have thought that upon reaching Chang’an, the streets were full of half-naked, sallow-faced people, the city a scene of misery, everything shrouded in dust.

“So many people are sick.” Chaosheng said.

“Shall we treat them?” Wu Yingzong asked.

“Yes.”

“Good, I’ll help.” Wu Yingzong led Chaosheng to the edge of the market, clapped his hands, and took out brush, ink, and white cloth from his Qiankun Bag. He made a simple Summoning Banner and sketched a gourd on it.

Immortal medicine far surpassed mortal arts, and Chaosheng charged no fees, so soon a long line formed at their stall.

“Prescribe him a diaphoretic decoction to dispel heat and cold.” Chaosheng said as he diagnosed.

Wu Yingzong grunted in acknowledgment and wrote the prescription nearby. He recognized all the herbs Chaosheng mentioned and understood the medical principles perfectly. His hands were beautiful, with distinct knuckles, and the characters he wrote were bold and vigorous, clearly from diligent practice.

When there were no patients, Wu Yingzong pulled Chaosheng’s hand into his embrace to warm it.

“You know so much!” Chaosheng was quite surprised that Wu Yingzong knew the herb names.

“Big Brother used to follow an alchemist and refined medicine for him.” Wu Yingzong said.

Chaosheng nodded in understanding, then saw Wu Yingzong still downcast. It must have been from the heavy blow of their capture by Mr. Qin last time. He had spoken less on this journey, though still dutiful, with worry etched between his brows.

Chaosheng tried to burrow into his embrace again, but Wu Yingzong blushed and said, “Sit properly, Chaosheng. More people are coming. It’s not like home here.”

Chaosheng just held his fingers and asked, “What happened to that alchemist later?”

“He wasn’t a good person,” Wu Yingzong said. “He refined pills from living people. It was Master and Master Shen who saved me.”