Chapter 28: Beast

Ye Sansi and his three companions stood at the entrance of the relay station, discussing the evil presence that plagued the place, when Wei Xikun’s men arrived, carrying the corpse of the station master.

The sight was ghastly—the man’s eyes had been gouged out, his chest hollowed, making for a truly horrific spectacle.

Lin Nian’er, upon seeing this, cried out and hastily hid behind her companions, covering her eyes with her hands. Though Liu Lingshuang was frightened as well, she did her utmost to comfort Nian’er, saying, “Nian’er, don’t be afraid. It’s only a corpse; there’s nothing to fear. Stay behind us—we’ll protect you.”

Wei Xikun approached with an air of gallantry and said, “Miss Lin, forgive the fright. My men are rather thoughtless, carrying a dead body right past young ladies. It’s inexcusable. Why not come rest in our caravan? There are more guards—it’s safer.”

Lin Nian’er replied, “Thank you, Young Master Wei, for your kind offer, but I would prefer to stay here. Your guards are busy searching for the monster already; if they have to look after me as well, that would not do.”

Wei Xikun smiled and said, “You are considerate and understanding, with the grace of a celestial maiden and the bearing of a lady of noble birth. May I be so bold as to ask, Miss Lin, to which family do you belong?”

Lin Nian’er made a polite bow and began, “In answer to Young Master Wei, I am from Qingyang—”

Liu Lingshuang nudged her, cutting her off. “She’s my cousin. We live in Qingyang City and are on our way to Jianzhou to visit relatives.”

Wei Xikun laughed. “What a coincidence! We, too, set out from Qingyang City and are headed to Jianzhou. Well, I must see how the search for the monster progresses. If you’ll excuse me.” With a bow, he departed.

“Lingshuang!” Lin Nian’er pouted at her. “You’re so naughty—you didn’t tell a single truth.”

Liu Lingshuang put her arm around Nian’er and whispered, “Didn’t Taiyi say? We mustn’t have too much to do with officials.”

Lin Nian’er stifled a laugh and replied, “You say not to get involved, but I am an official’s daughter myself, and you’re all helping rid Qingyang of monsters—”

“Nian’er, you’ve grown bolder, talking back to me like this. See if I don’t tickle you!”

“Haha, not again! Spare me!” The two girls fell into playful wrestling.

Li Taiyi, standing aside, leaned in to Ye Sansi and asked quietly, “Brother Sansi, with your discerning eye, what do you make of Wei Xikun?”

Ye Sansi shook his head. “Not much. In most people, kindness dominates their features—like Uncle Lin, my brother, or the fox fairy—righteousness shines in their brows. But Wei Xikun’s face is full of murderous energy; his gaze is menacing. However polite and reserved his words, I’m sure he’s not as simple as he appears.”

Li Taiyi nodded. “You see true. I feel the same. No ordinary man has such chilling eyes—only those steeped in bloodshed. Yet Wei Xikun hides it well; Lingshuang and Nian’er are none the wiser. We must be vigilant.”

Ye Sansi agreed, “Of course.”

Elsewhere, Wei Xikun approached one of his men and asked, “Have you seen the four traveling with me? Tonight, gather a few men. Drug the two girls and bring them to my room.”

His subordinate inquired, “And the two young men?”

“Kill them.”

“Yes.”

Meanwhile, Li Taiyi asked Ye Sansi, “Brother Sansi, you’re more insightful than I. What manner of monster do you believe this is?”

Ye Sansi frowned. “A demon born of evil thoughts.”

“Why say so, Brother Sansi?”

…

At noon, a station attendant summoned everyone for a meal. On the table, there was only plain flour and pickled vegetables. Wei Xikun complained, “Is this all a station of this size can offer?”

The attendant explained, “This young lady cooked all the ingredients this morning—there’s only flour left, so I made steamed buns and noodles. If your lordship wishes for meat, I can ride to Qingyang City to buy some.”

Wei Xikun waved him off. “No matter. The monster hasn’t been caught yet. This will do. You may go.”

Ye Sansi, Liu Lingshuang, Li Taiyi, and Lin Nian’er sat at one table; Wei Xikun at another, attended by his men. Ye Sansi mused, “I wonder what we’ll eat tonight? Surely not more plain flour.” He turned to Wei Xikun, “Young Master Wei, I’m craving something better. Why not send your men to Qingyang City for some delicacies? It won’t delay the hunt, and perhaps the monster won’t appear by day anyway. Let your men have a hearty meal tonight—it’ll give them strength for the task.”

“Very well. You, you, and you—ride to Qingyang City for food and drink. Make haste and return before nightfall.”

The three responded in unison, “Yes, sir,” and rode off.

Liu Lingshuang teased, “Sansi, you’re so greedy! We just ate, and now you’re making Young Master Wei spend more for us.”

Wei Xikun waved his hand. “No matter. I’m a bit tired and will rest now. Enjoy your meal.” With that, he left.

Not long after, Li Taiyi exchanged a look with Ye Sansi. Liu Lingshuang noticed, “What are you two doing, casting secret glances?” Lin Nian’er giggled behind her hand.

Li Taiyi explained, “Brother Sansi wishes to learn some martial arts from my family. He just asked me, and I said I’d teach him after lunch.” Rising, he said, “Brother Sansi, let’s practice somewhere farther off, so we don’t disturb Young Master Wei’s rest.”

“Good idea.”

When they had gone, Liu Lingshuang asked, “Nian’er, what do you think those two are really up to?”

“They said they’re practicing martial arts.”

“And you believe that? They said not to disturb Young Master Wei—don’t you find that odd?”

“What’s odd? Wei Xikun is a righteous man, treating us well and paying for our food and lodging. We should be grateful. Perhaps they’ve been won over by his kindness. Stop overthinking, Lingshuang. Do you suspect Ye Sansi of mischief?”

Liu Lingshuang pouted. “Fine, let them practice. What shall we do?”

“Lingshuang, shall I teach you embroidery?” Liu Lingshuang waved her hands. “Embroidery? I’ve never learned—it must be hard.”

Lin Nian’er smiled. “It’s not hard. If I teach you, you’ll manage. Once you’ve learned, you can embroider a handkerchief for your beloved, isn’t that nice?”

Liu Lingshuang, won over, nodded with a smile. The two entered their room, and Nian’er fetched cloth and thread from her bundle. “You even carry these things with you?” Lingshuang asked.

Nian’er laughed. “It’s to pass the time on the road. Sit, I’ll teach you.”

“Alright.”

Two hours later, the three men sent for provisions returned, each carrying a bundle. Ye Sansi hurried to help, and with Li Taiyi’s assistance, soon an abundant spread was laid out.

One attendant announced, “His Highness is tired and asked for his meal in his room. Should you need anything, please summon me.” The station staff brought in the main dishes and withdrew.

Liu Lingshuang, bored by an afternoon of embroidery and pricked hands, was delighted to hear Ye Sansi call for dinner. She rushed to the table and, seeing all the delicacies, grabbed a bun and devoured it ravenously.

Ye Sansi laughed, “Lingshuang, you chided me, but your table manners are no better.”

“How can you blame me? I’ve eaten nothing but buns all day. Now there’s so much good food—I can’t help myself.”

Li Taiyi urged, “Nian’er, Brother Sansi, you eat too.”

“Alright.”

In no time, the dishes were nearly gone. Liu Lingshuang gently set down her chopsticks. “I’m so tired today. Eating is making me sleepy—” She hadn’t finished before she slumped onto the table and fell asleep.

Soon, Ye Sansi and Li Taiyi collapsed as well. Lin Nian’er, realizing something was wrong, tried to shake them awake. “What’s wrong? Why are you all asleep? Wake up! Don’t scare me!” She stood to seek help, but after only a step felt dizzy, and with another, collapsed to the floor.

The three men who had gone out for supplies entered the hall. The leader asked, “It’s done? Are all the station staff drugged, except these four?”

“All drugged. The dose for the station staff was strong—enough to keep them out until morning. As for the two girls, His Highness wanted them awake, so I used only a little, lest he find them too dull.”

“Well done. You two, bind the girls and take them to His Highness’s room. I’ll deal with the two young men.”

“Yes.”

In Wei Xikun’s chamber…

His subordinate knocked. “Your Highness, the ladies are here.”

“Bring them in.”

Liu Lingshuang and Lin Nian’er were dragged in and the door shut. Wei Xikun gazed at the two beautiful young women, smiling as he scooped up a ladle of cold water and splashed it on their faces. With the light dose of drug, they awoke at once.

Liu Lingshuang, finding herself tied, struggled and, seeing Wei Xikun, shouted, “You beast in a man’s skin, let us go! How vile—”

Lin Nian’er said, “I thought you a gentleman, always speaking for you. Never did I think you capable of such depravity. Had I listened to Ye Sansi, I’d never have spoken well of you. You’re a beast—a villain.”

Wei Xikun laughed contemptuously. “Enough of Ye Sansi. I’ve already ordered my men to deal with him.”

Lin Nian’er froze, then stammered, “Deal with? What do you mean?”

Wei Xikun sneered, “How naive—‘deal with’ means dead. My men have killed them.”

“You killed Sansi and Taiyi?” Liu Lingshuang fought her bonds, sobbing, “You fiend, you’ll die a wretched death! Sansi, I failed to protect you. I’m sorry…”

Lin Nian’er wept. “You are the heir of King Qingjianxi, born to privilege. Why stoop to such depravity and murder Ye Sansi and Li Taiyi? What do you gain from this?”

He sneered, “I was civil as a prince should be, but you gave me no respect. Commoners kneel at my approach, but you mocked me, never taking me seriously.”

Lin Nian’er, her eyes red with tears, choked out, “When did I mock you? I always spoke in your defense. I regret ever believing you were good. Ye Sansi saw through you at once—had I listened, none of this would have happened. It’s my fault they’re dead.”

Liu Lingshuang wept in silence, tears soaking her clothes, enduring her grief.

Wei Xikun laughed cruelly, “You played me for a fool, never spoke a word of truth. She claims you live in Qingyang, yet your surname is Lin. As I recall, the only Lin family in Qingyang is the magistrate’s. You must be that old man’s daughter. Did you not know my father and your father are enemies?”

Lin Nian’er steadied herself and replied, “Impossible. King Qingjianxi once saved my father.”

He scoffed, “How foolish you are. You know nothing of the ways of men. Your father was arrested, but not condemned. My father secured his release with a word—a small favor that won great praise. But your father has always opposed mine, cutting off our profits. He deserves death, but we failed. Now that I have you, I’ll take my revenge on him—by taking you first.”

Liu Lingshuang, her clothes soaked with tears, mustered her strength and spat, “Wei Xikun, you beast! Kill me if you must, but do not defile Nian’er’s honor!”

He sneered, “Why should I heed you? It’s not just her I want—you too.” With a leering smile, he advanced on Lin Nian’er, squatted beside her, and as she struggled against her bonds, he began to unfasten the buttons at her chest…