Chapter 56: Cyan Wolf Part 5

Mu Qingshan said, “We had ties in our previous life too. Later, my clan was wiped out, and the Cyan Wolf took me to Shiwei. She saved my life, true, and promised to avenge me, but then she asked when we’d marry. I didn’t want to marry… so I left, just like that.”

Chaosheng nodded. “You went to chase the Black-Winged Great Peng and left Shiwei.”

Mu Qingshan said, “Right. Agreeing to join the Exorcism Division was also to avoid her, but I didn’t expect her to be so persistent and follow me to Kaifeng.”

Hulü Guang said, “If I hadn’t acted last night, Qingshan would’ve been dragged off by her for a forced marriage—how tragic? Right, Chaosheng?”

Wu Yingzong really didn’t want to go in circles with their nonsense, but the mess they made had to be cleaned up.

“I still have money; I’ll pay,” Chaosheng said. “But it’s a bit short.”

He took out the gold gifted by Bila Ge, but much had been spent on relief efforts recently. He rummaged through the money drawer.

Whenever they were short on cash, everyone would check the drawer under the bird perch to see what generous provisions the Master had left.

“What are you doing?” A Huang, who had been sleeping, woke up and eyed them. “Everyone’s short on money lately, huh.”

Chaosheng: “Nothing, just looking. You sleep, be good.”

Wu Yingzong signaled A Huang not to stir trouble now and quickly gave it some bamboo rice to eat and go back to sleep.

“There’s money here,” Chaosheng pulled open the drawer. “Look, this paper says ‘one thousand taels,’ and there are several.”

“That’s from the Kuaiji family home, saved for the Master’s betrothal gifts,” Wu Yingzong said. “How much loose silver is left?”

“‘Betrothal’ what?” Chaosheng asked curiously.

“Marrying a wife requires three matchmakers and six betrothals, bride price,” A Huang explained from the side. “Giving money to the one you like, same as building a nest to court.”

“No problem then,” Chaosheng decided. “Brother Kun won’t mind. Maybe he’ll even need to prepare bride price for him—who knows who’s the ‘wife.’”

Mu Qingshan said, “Borrow it first to pay, and I’ll find a way to replace it later.”

Hulü Guang pulled out a steel claw. “Or pawn this thing?”

A Huang: “?”

Wu Yingzong: “…”

Mu Qingshan: “That’s Cangqiong Cleave! When did you steal it?”

“Last night during the fight, I yanked it off when she wasn’t paying attention,” Hulü Guang said. “How much will it sell for?”

Wu Yingzong: “You all… sigh. Mu Qingshan, stay in the Division—you’re not going anywhere! Chaosheng, go sleep; this doesn’t concern you, don’t worry… Hulü Guang! Come with me!”

Wu Yingzong counted out the silver, then dragged Hulü Guang along to apologize and compensate at Ting Hua Lou. It wasn’t until near dusk that he sorted out the mess, bought dinner, and headed home. At the deep alley mouth of the Exorcism Division under Yuwang Platform, he spotted the tall, wild-beauty Baoyin.

Baoyin leaned against the high wall at the alley’s entrance, arms crossed, dozing off.

Wu Yingzong took a deep breath.

Hulü Guang said, “She should pay at least half—why are we footing it all?”

Wu Yingzong signaled silence. Baoyin opened her eyes and said, “Oh, you’re here. You’re their boss?”

Wu Yingzong knew her identity; both were of the Yao Clan, so he kept some courtesy in his words. “Wolf God, if there’s no urgent matter, please leave. The Deer God doesn’t want to see you now.”

At the same time, he thought: Those two Stone Lions didn’t make a peep for once—rare. Baoyin flicked a finger at one Stone Lion, which clearly feared the Cyan Wolf and trembled, not daring to speak.

“I can’t go inside,” Baoyin laughed. “Is this alley part of your Exorcism Division too?”

“No,” Wu Yingzong answered.

Baoyin: “Then I can stay, right? Call the officials to drive me out if you want—mortals can’t budge me.”

Wu Yingzong had no mood to tangle with her. “Then do as you please. We have urgent matters; excuse us.”

Wu Yingzong took Hulü Guang inside. The Exorcism Division’s barrier had been set by Zhao Kuangyin at the founding, with the Grand Demon-Exorcist and many experts joining forces, reinforced multiple times by successive heads. Even the Heavenly Demon might not force its way in.

Xiang Xian hadn’t taken the Wisdom Sword when he left; with the divine weapon guarding, the barrier was as steady as Mount Tai.

Baoyin weighed her options and gave up the idea of suddenly charging after Wu Yingzong. After all, the Wisdom Sword and Heart Lamp were inside—ten Cyan Wolves wouldn’t be enough to fill the gap. She sat back down, leaning against the high wall, her lovely face lost in thought.

“Little thief!” Baoyin called out loudly from outside the Exorcism Division. “Return my Cangqiong Cleave!”

Hulü Guang held the steel claw. “Promise not to harass Qingshan anymore, and I’ll give it back.”

The two conversed across the gate. Baoyin replied, “No deal. Keep it if you dare, Granny doesn’t want it.”

Wu Yingzong entered the Division, where A Huang was sleeping again.

“Wake up, don’t sleep,” Wu Yingzong said.

A Huang mumbled blankly, “Wha? Wha?”

“Don’t mimic the parrot,” Wu Yingzong said. “Quickly call your friend and send a message south to the Master in Jiangnan urgently.”

A Huang: “He’s in mourning—sure about that?”

Wu Yingzong thought for a moment. “Then send it to Lord Xiao.”

A Huang flew out and summoned a White Falcon, chattering with it. Wu Yingzong knelt at the desk writing the letter and added, “Also need you to send birds to track someone called ‘Mr. Yelu.’”

A Huang: “I saw him, with two strands of Demonic Qi. At dawn, he flew south.”

Wu Yingzong breathed a sigh of relief, knowing “Mr. Yelu” hadn’t hidden his path—at least Kaifeng was safe for now.

Wu Yingzong finished the urgent letter, tied it to the White Falcon’s leg. Chaosheng ran over. “What’s for dinner? Let’s eat at the night market! Is it open today?”

Wu Yingzong: “Chaosheng, let me rest a bit… I haven’t slept all night; my head’s about to explode.”

Right now, this housekeeper felt that Xiang Xian, as Demon-Exorcising Envoy, could casually chat and resolve that inexplicable tangle of messes with a wave of his hand—truly admirable.