3: The Scholar’s Love for His Ghostly Bride

In this era, entertainment was scarce, and the nights seemed especially long and unbearable. Thus, the brothel became the grandest den of indulgence, where countless charming souls drifted in and out, weaving endless tales of sorrow and longing.

Before they even stepped inside, a dazzling woman approached.

“Well, isn’t this the young master of the Chen family? I was starting to miss you to death. If you’d taken any longer, I don’t know what I would’ve done!”

“Madam Wu, enough with the chatter. I want a private room, some good food and wine, and have Simeng come to me. You’ll be well rewarded.”

Fish-Eyes, well-seasoned in such matters, was immune to these flirtations. He tossed her a silver ingot and led Yi Fan inside.

“Young Master Chen, what poor timing! Simeng isn’t feeling well today. If you like, I can call for a few fresh and lovely girls. Satisfaction guaranteed.”

“Ten taels of silver.”

“It’s not a matter of money, sir, please don’t make it hard for me…”

“Twenty taels…”

Madam Wu’s expression changed immediately, breaking into a smile. “Oh, Young Master Chen, what do you take me for? Would I ever embarrass you for a bit of silver? Head upstairs, I’ll fetch Simeng right away.”

With a glance at Yi Fan, she asked, “And this Daoist?”

“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. Go about your business.”

Fish-Eyes cut her off impatiently, waving her away.

Upstairs, maids and servants brought wine and dishes. Fish-Eyes grabbed a cup and drank. “Why couldn’t you wear something ordinary? You just had to come in your Daoist robes. You’re making me look bad.”

Yi Fan’s eye twitched, but he couldn’t be bothered to argue. He was rather annoyed—he’d hardly any silver left, while this man’s meal cost him dozens of taels.

Suddenly, his chest grew hot. Yi Fan’s expression shifted as he looked toward the door.

The Lesser Exorcism Talisman was reacting. There was a monster present.

Of course, he kept this thought to himself. If Fish-Eyes knew, he’d be scared out of his wits and never set foot in a brothel again.

“What’s wrong with you? Stop staring and drink!”

No sooner had Fish-Eyes finished speaking than the door opened. Madam Wu led in a woman. “Young Master Chen, your reputation precedes you. As soon as Simeng heard you’d arrived, she couldn’t care less about her condition and came right away.”

Fish-Eyes beamed, thoroughly pleased by the words. “Who am I? Everyone in Guobei County knows my father’s close with the magistrate. Who would dare deny me face?”

How shameless those words sounded.

Madam Wu, a seasoned veteran of the trade, flattered Fish-Eyes with practiced ease. In the blink of an eye, she pocketed twenty taels. After a toast, she excused herself.

Alone, the three sat together. Fish-Eyes coughed, glanced at the grim-faced Yi Fan, and, suspecting nothing, raised his cup toward the woman. “Beauty, let’s drink! If you keep me happy, I’ll come looking for you often.”

Truly courting death, Yi Fan thought with a sigh.

From the moment the woman entered, Yi Fan sensed something was wrong. The talisman on his chest burned like fire. This woman was either a ghost or a demon. Even if she was human, she consorted regularly with dark forces.

To deal with such a person was to risk oblivion.

The woman ignored Fish-Eyes and looked at Yi Fan instead. “And this Daoist?”

“Drinking and eating, nothing else.”

Before Fish-Eyes could answer, Yi Fan spoke. The meaning was clear: I know what you are, but I’m not looking for trouble—so don’t make any for me.

The woman laughed lightly. “Daoist, how amusing. Then let me play a tune for you both.”

Her laughter made Fish-Eyes nearly swoon with desire.

The pipa’s gentle notes and the woman’s song were intoxicating. In this den of pleasure, her elegance stood out, pure as a lotus unsullied by the mud.

“Wonderful, truly wonderful! Miss Simeng, you are a rare talent. I’m not going home tonight,” Fish-Eyes cheered, applauding enthusiastically.

Yi Fan was speechless. This man had forgotten his brother for a woman, despite their agreement to rescue someone tonight. But faced with beauty, he wouldn’t budge.

Still, her pipa playing was indeed moving.

With little entertainment in this world, Yi Fan had learned to play instruments himself during his time on the mountain. The old Daoist was a master of the zither, and they would often study music together.

“What does the Daoist think of my playing?” After pouring Fish-Eyes several cups, the woman turned to Yi Fan. Though not a monster herself, she had practiced evil arts for so long that her senses were keen. She detected a vague threat from the young Daoist—yet she could not pinpoint its source. The Daoist sitting before her seemed utterly ordinary, without a trace of magic.

How strange, she thought, unable to figure him out.

“Miss, your pipa skills are excellent. It’s a shame I won’t be staying in this town, or I’d love to discuss music with you.” Yi Fan paused, then added, “Of course, if Miss Simeng insists on a contest, I won’t refuse. But don’t cry if you lose.”

Yi Fan was not made of clay. After several attempts to probe him, he was growing annoyed. He had been wanting to test the Exorcism Talisman, and if this woman would not let things rest, neither would he.

The woman laughed softly and turned her attention back to Fish-Eyes, flirting with him until they were nearly lost in each other.

Yi Fan was content to eat in peace, as long as she posed no threat. He cared little for what she did.

The morning passed in the Zihua Pavilion, with Fish-Eyes growing tipsy. Still, he remembered the more important task ahead and refrained from further drinking.

Back at their lodgings, Yi Fan said, “Old Chen, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Stay away from the Zihua Pavilion, or you’ll lose more than your money.”

“Little Daoist, you speak in riddles, just like that old Daoist. It’s really annoying.”

Fish-Eyes settled comfortably into a chair, brushing off Yi Fan’s warning with impatience.

Yi Fan said no more. He had given his advice—if Fish-Eyes refused to listen, that was his own affair. Whatever happened next, he would have only himself to blame.

Yet something still felt off. Yi Fan pondered in silence.

That night, before the city gates closed, the two slipped out and headed for the countryside. After walking five or six miles, they reached a small pond. Fish-Eyes hid behind a tree and pointed ahead. “My cousin’s been living here lately, never going home, always with that female ghost.”

Yi Fan frowned. The Exorcism Talisman on his chest remained still—no sign of anything supernatural.

“Tell me everything from the beginning. Don’t leave anything out.”

“It started about a month ago. My cousin is a scholar, already passed the county exams. My father says he might even make it as a provincial graduate, and then our family will have a real gentleman. My father’s been visiting the magistrate about it often.”

“Get to the point.”

Fish-Eyes swallowed and glanced fearfully ahead. “My cousin and I are close. He’s not a prude—doesn’t care for pleasure but isn’t uptight either. One night, I couldn’t get back into the city, so I came to stay at this villa. Guess what I saw?”

“What?”

“I saw my cousin and a woman… in the courtyard, making love. Who could resist watching? But then I saw the woman sucking his life essence—her tongue grew long and slid into his mouth. Luckily I was quick and ran away quietly.”

Yi Fan was speechless. “Did you warn him?”

Fish-Eyes scratched his head and sighed, “Of course I did! I stayed away after that, but I ran into him on the street once. You should see him now—he’s skin and bones. I told him everything, but he just cursed me for being a peeping Tom.”

So, he was deep in evil’s grasp. Whether it was a ghost or a demon remained to be seen.