Chapter 36: The Charming Trio

Yue Buhei’s sudden change in attitude, and his proposal to accompany Lu Xin to Chang’an, revealed through their conversation that he must be acquainted with Shi Dao’an. Since the fox spirit was clearly aware that it was Shi Dao’an who had sent Lu Xin to subdue him, why would he willingly submit to another’s control and leave Qingqiu Mountain? Lu Xin was certain that the matter was far from simple. At the very least, Yue Buhei and Shi Dao’an had known each other for some time. Moreover, one lived in a ruined temple, the other on Qingqiu Mountain, a mere sixty li apart.

“Fox, on the way to Chang’an, we’re bound to encounter many human onmyoji. With your appearance—well…”

“Hmph. You’re worried about this tail, aren’t you? Rest assured, I have cultivated for two full cycles of sixty years; the transformations I have mastered are more than enough to conceal my demonic aura. Ordinary onmyoji may sense that I am a demon, but they cannot pierce my disguise. Not everyone in this world possesses the powers of a Bodhisattva with the Marked Hand.”

“So you do have some history with him…”

“That’s enough pointless talk. It’s late; if we don’t hurry, we’ll miss our chance to leave the mountain.”

Clearly, Yue Buhei was unwilling to discuss his relationship with Shi Dao’an. With a raised brow, he made to leave. Seeing this, Lu Xin did not press further. After all, everyone has their secrets; to pry too much would only backfire. Turning downstream, he saw Tu Chengli, at last dressed, hurrying over.

“You damn demon, just you wait! Don’t run!”

Tu Chengli caught up with Yue Buhei, yelling for a one-on-one fight. The fox spirit, in no mood for games, suddenly turned, baring a mouthful of fangs, scaring the scholar so badly he ducked behind Lu Xin.

“Transform, transform—what the hell are you doing! If you’ve got the guts, arm-wrestle me! See who fears whom.”

“Enough, both of you. He’s agreed to travel with us. From now until we reach Chang’an, you are not to trouble each other.”

“You’ve subdued the fox spirit? Hmph. Well, for your sake, and because I am magnanimous, I’ll let him off—for now.”

Thus, after the battle in the valley, three youths of differing origins, identities, and temperaments found themselves traveling together. Though it happened by chance, it felt as if fate had long ordained it. Lu Xin did not know what would happen next, nor whether it was good or ill to have a scholar and a fox spirit as companions. Yet all along this journey, he strove only to keep his own heart upright: he would do no evil, but neither would he too readily show a Bodhisattva’s compassion. As for the future, he would not dwell on it, nor would he worry.

Qingqiu Mountain was not far from the stream in the valley. With Yue Buhei leading the way, they reached it in less than an hour. His dwelling was a cave at the edge of a cliff. Qingqiu Mountain soared to great heights; beyond the precipice lay a vast sea of clouds, where cranes sometimes flew by. It was spring, and the cave’s entrance was surrounded by wildflowers of every hue. The breeze carried their fragrance into the air.

Living in such a fairyland, even the scholar, who had worn a scowl the entire way, could not help but praise it.

“This damn fox reeks of mischief—trickery and deceit at every turn. Yet his home is as ethereal as a paradise! Why is heaven so blind?”

“What did you just say, you wretched scholar? I was raised on dew, bathe daily in flower petals, and my whole being is fragranced with rare scents. You, in your ragged garb, dare accuse me of smelling foul?”

“What’s wrong with my clothes? At least I am human, alive and whole. Look at yourself—not quite fox, not quite man—what’s the point of your existence?”

“Hmph! For a cowardly lecher like you to dream of topping the imperial exams—keep dreaming, you fool.”

“Damn you, want to try me?”

No sooner did the scholar and the fox meet than they started bickering, much to Lu Xin’s helplessness. Tu Chengli’s tongue was sharp, honed by years among street thugs, and his insults were venomous. Yue Buhei, despite being a centuries-old demon, was capricious and quick-tempered, like a four or five-year-old child—no less troublesome himself.

“Have you packed your things?”

Seeing Yue Buhei emerge from the cave with a small bundle, Lu Xin was surprised. So this was what the fox meant by “packing”—barely anything at all, the bundle even smaller than those carried by Lu Xin and Tu Chengli. The scholar immediately clamored to see inside the cave, but the fox spirit flatly refused.

Lu Xin was curious, too, about the home the fox had lived in for two cycles of sixty years, but fearing another fight between his two companions, he decided they should set out at once. Yue Buhei was well acquainted with the Xuanzhou region, and with him leading, they reached the outskirts of Xuanzhou city before nightfall.

At this hour, the setting sun had yet to dip behind the mountains, and the east gate of Xuanzhou teemed with travelers and merchants, most dressed in the southern style. A few in more unusual garb were likely local ethnic minorities. As the three entered the city, a crowd had gathered at the gate, seemingly reading notices pasted to the wall. The scholar, ever eager for excitement, elbowed his way into the throng.

Indeed, several notices were posted on the wall—two were court-issued wanted posters for major fugitives, each stamped with the Ministry of Justice’s seal. The third was an advertisement: a sect named “Shangxuan Heavenly Sect” was recruiting disciples. Strangely, this notice bore neither the seal of any of the six ministries nor of the Xuanzhou governor’s office.

“Shangxuan Heavenly Sect? What sort of sect is that, brazen enough to plaster notices on the city wall of a prefectural seat? And those gate guards act as if they see nothing.”

Lu Xin was bewildered; such a thing would never happen in Yuezhou. The court maintained strict order and dignity, never allowing commoners to scrawl on city walls. Unlike the modern day, where posting ads on city walls or lampposts may only earn you a fine, in a feudal society, such an act could cost your head.

When Yue Buhei read the words “Shangxuan Heavenly Sect,” his expression changed, and he signaled for Lu Xin and the scholar to leave at once. As they searched for an inn, the three spoke quietly about the notice.

“Damn fox, didn’t the court establish the Onmyoji Office and the Divine Temple precisely to suppress rogue sects? Who on earth is this Shangxuan Heavenly Sect, to dare post notices openly in Xuanzhou? Are they rebelling? Or is the Xuanzhou governor’s office in on it?”

“Rebel? With that brain, you hope to pass the capital exams? If I were the Emperor of Tang, I’d have your head.”

“Go ahead, you dead demon! Emperor of Tang—pah, why aren’t you the Jade Emperor instead!”

“All right, enough. There are too many people here. Fox, you looked unsettled just now—who exactly is this Shangxuan Heavenly Sect?”

“Among the five greatest sects of your people’s cultivation world, the Shangxuan Heavenly Sect is one. During the Wude era, this sect aided the Tang in quelling the Central Plains rebellion, earning immense merit. In all the land, only Shangxuan Heavenly Sect is officially recognized by the court as an onmyoji school. That notice may seem to break all rules, but in truth, it’s tacitly permitted by the authorities…”

Yue Buhei’s explanation was clear: though technically a private sect, the Shangxuan Heavenly Sect answered to imperial command and was, in effect, a regional vassal. Its disciples practiced not martial arts but magic. From the very first Tang emperor, the sect had enjoyed the court’s favor. Ostensibly, they did not interfere in politics, but for years had aided the court in suppressing rebellions, wielding enormous influence in the Central Plains.

“That sect is rife with experts and backed by the court. They’ve always acted overbearingly. If I were to encounter a high-ranking disciple of Shangxuan, my disguise might be seen through, and trouble would surely follow.”

That was why Yue Buhei was so anxious to leave—encountering men from a court-sanctioned sect was as good as provoking the authorities themselves. Should conflict arise, he would be at a severe disadvantage.

“You speak of five great sects in the human cultivation world. The world is vast, with countless sects—how is their strength measured? Must they all fight to decide?”

“Of course not. Among your people is a mysterious force called the Onmyoji Marshal’s Office. This group has no mountain seat, nor does it accept disciples, but every Onmyoji officer possesses great power. They travel among the sects, assess their strength, and record their findings. I learned of this from a book called the Onmyoji Chronicles.”

“The Onmyoji Marshal’s Office… Chronicles?”

According to Yue Buhei, to be counted among the greatest sects a school must have one or more experts of the Divine Realm, and possess magical scriptures and techniques of the Five Elements. Those who reach the Divine Realm have unlocked all their bodily channels, draw nourishment from sun and moon, and wield powers capable of moving mountains and filling seas. This is the third and, in modern times, the highest realm of onmyoji cultivation.

The five greatest sects, as chosen by the Onmyoji Marshal’s Office, are: the Shangxuan Heavenly Sect of the Central Plains; the Lingjun Daoist Sect of the Eastern Sea; the Wujin Buddhist Mountain of the Southern Sea; the Great Wilderness Divine Sect of the Western Regions; and the Netherworld Daoist Sect of the northern grasslands.

“Besides these, your people have established dozens of other onmyoji sects—some with lineages dating back to the Jin dynasties, others only twenty years old.”

“Well, well, for a dead fox living deep in the mountains, you seem to know quite a lot.”

“Hmph! For a mere mortal, I have no patience to argue with you.”

As they quarreled, Tu Chengli and Yue Buhei were at it again. Lu Xin, exasperated, was about to intervene when the sudden clatter of hooves echoed down the street, forcing all passersby to step aside.

A cavalry troop thundered into view, some twenty or thirty strong. Judging by their uniforms, they were soldiers from the Xuanzhou governor’s office. Among them were seven men in pale yellow robes, hair bound with ceremonial crowns, and swords on their backs. If one looked closely, one would see the words “Shangxuan Heavenly Sect” embroidered on their collars.

“Whoa—”

Just as Lu Xin thought they would simply pass by, the leader of the seven abruptly reined in his horse and turned to look their way.