Chapter 39: The City God Temple in Flames (Part One)

Suddenly, Yi Fan spoke coldly: “You say it, then—this scholar’s heart, is it the heart of Scholar Fang?”

Everyone was startled and turned to look. They saw Zhu Erdan’s face go pale, cold sweat streaming down as he trembled all over, stammering, “It should be, but I knew nothing of it. It was all the doing of that demon, it has nothing to do with me.”

Last autumn, before the rainy season, an old scholar in Hangzhou had mysteriously died, his heart cut out. The authorities had investigated for a long time but could not solve the case; in the end, it became a cold case.

No one expected this murder would be tied to the Judge Lu. The magistrate was furious. “So this is the great Judge Lu—a so-called righteous god, but really nothing more than an evil spirit.”

Zhu Erdan was so terrified he dropped to his knees. He wasn’t stupid; everyone in the city had heard of the old scholar’s heart being stolen before autumn last year. Clearly, Judge Lu had replaced his own heart with that very one.

But the matter was too bizarre, and since it involved him, he would never dare speak of it, much less denounce Judge Lu.

Master Deng nodded, his face dark as he guessed what was to come. “At least one mystery is resolved. Go on.”

Zhu Erdan, seeing there was no escape, decided to confess all.

...

One night, after drinking with his classmates, Zhu Erdan returned home late. He saw the lights blazing inside. Pushing open the door, he found his wife lying on the bed, and Judge Lu standing over her, hacking with a knife and ax.

“Brother Lu, what are you doing?” Zhu Erdan’s drunkenness vanished in an instant; he staggered back in terror.

Judge Lu said nothing, focusing on his butchery. After a moment, he stopped and said, “Not long ago, you came to me complaining your wife was ugly and wishing she were more beautiful. Am I not simply fulfilling your wish?”

With that, he stepped back and said, “Come and see—are you satisfied?”

Zhu Erdan crept closer and saw his wife’s severed head lying to one side, and in its place, a head as lovely as a flower was set upon her neck. For a moment, his heart fluttered; he swallowed and asked, “Brother Lu, whose head is this?”

Judge Lu chuckled. “As it happens, a young woman from a certain family recently died. I took her head and affixed it to your wife’s body. If you’re not satisfied, I can change it again.”

Zhu Erdan’s expression flickered with a complicated look, but he quickly composed himself, bowed deeply, and said, “I’m very satisfied. I am truly grateful for all you have done for me, brother.”

...

At this point, everyone could guess whose head had been replaced: it was Miss Deng.

The beautiful matron on the side had already fainted from crying and was being helped away by her maid. Master Deng’s face was livid as he smashed his teacup. “Utterly outrageous! Lawless!”

After this outburst, he turned to the magistrate and bowed. “Sir, such a demon must be destroyed. Please send soldiers to tear down that temple, lest it bring further harm to the people.”

The magistrate slammed his teacup down and nodded, rising to his feet. “Rest assured, Master Deng. I will see it done at once.”

He spoke a few words to the attendants, and once they departed, he turned to Yi Fan and the others. “You gentlemen possess great spiritual power. To prevent the demon’s escape, I ask you to accompany us.”

Yi Fan and his companions rose and bowed. “Of course.”

They left the Deng residence to find carriages already waiting and dozens of constables assembled. One reported, “Sir, I have already sent word to General Wang. He will arrive shortly.”

The magistrate nodded. “Has the governor been notified?”

As the chief official, the governor held great military and civil authority; the deployment of troops required his approval.

“I have already delivered your letter to him, sir,” the man replied.

Seeing all was in order, the magistrate conferred briefly with Master Deng, then boarded a carriage, the others following suit.

The City God Temple lay in the western part of town. The group, torches blazing, formed a long procession. After half an hour’s journey, the sound of horses’ hooves thundered ahead like rolling thunder.

Soon, a sea of torches appeared—it was a mass of soldiers. At their head rode a general in iron armor. He dismounted before the magistrate’s carriage and saluted. “Chen Xing greets the magistrate.”

The magistrate lifted the curtain. “Rise. Do you understand the situation?”

The general stood. “I have read your letter, sir. To destroy that evil temple and prevent unrest, I have brought a thousand men; more are on their way from the outer camp.”

“Since all is prepared, I leave the rest to you, General Chen.”

“Rest easy, sir. I will see the temple destroyed. Any rioters will be cut down without mercy.”

Their exchange done, the two groups joined as one, a mighty serpent of fire surging through the darkness toward the city’s west. Another half hour saw them arrive.

The City God Temple occupied a vast area, with a main hall and several side buildings. Tonight, it was deathly silent; the great doors shut tight, as if unaware of the army at its gates.

General Chen drew his sword and gestured fiercely. “Surround the temple! Not even a fly escapes!”

Squads of soldiers drew weapons and quickly encircled the temple. The clang of blades and the surge of killing intent shattered the night’s silence.

“Break down the gates! Arrest everyone inside!”

At his command, a dozen soldiers hefted a battering ram and smashed at the doors, which crashed down in moments.

Soldiers poured in; shouts of alarm sounded within. Soon, a dozen men in Daoist robes were dragged out—the temple’s priests and attendants. Seeing the soldiers, they collapsed in terror, heads pressed to the ground.

“Abetting evil is a crime that cannot be forgiven. Take them away!”

General Chen waved, and the Daoists were dragged off. But just then, shouts rose from nearby. Looking over, the crowd saw thousands of townsfolk surging forward, wielding hoes, sickles, and clubs, faces twisted with fanaticism.

“This is bad! The mob is rioting—protect the officials!”

With a shout, General Chen’s men formed ranks, blades and swords pointed outward.

Yi Fan and his companions exchanged glances, then turned to the Daoists. Clearly, they had been warned ahead of time and summoned their followers.

Yi Fan strode forward, pointing at the head priest. “How did you know we were coming?”

The Daoist paled, hesitating before replying, “A few hours ago, Lord Judge Lu issued a divine decree: evil forces were coming to destroy the temple. We were to summon all believers, stop them at any cost.”

Hearing this, General Chen said nothing, but spurred his horse forward a few paces and shouted angrily, “Are you rabble planning treason?”

The mob faltered, some even stopping in their tracks—rebellion was a crime that doomed entire families. Who would dare advance?

But someone in the crowd shouted, “Don’t listen to him! They’re here to destroy the temple, sent by demons! If we break in, the gods will protect us and bless us—we’ll never go cold or hungry again!”

Voices echoed, and the crowd’s hesitation turned to chaos as they surged forward again.

“Stubborn fools, bewitched by lies,” General Chen said coldly, pointing his sword. “Anyone who breaks the line will be slain without mercy!”

A thousand soldiers answered as one, swords and arrows ready.

Yi Fan sighed, knowing the situation was now beyond their control. “Let’s search inside for the demon’s true form.”

With that, he led the way into the temple. The others, faces grim, followed. No one could say how many would die tonight—this fiend truly deserved death.