Chapter Twenty-Four: Redemption Through Deeds

Chapter Twenty-Four

Fan Bishou could hardly believe his ears.

Although, in name, the Demon Suppression Bureaus throughout the realm all fell under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Court, in reality, the bureaus in different regions were constantly at odds with one another. Unless the directors of these bureaus differed greatly in strength—so much so that the weaker had no choice but to listen to the stronger—minor disputes, such as secretly driving away malevolent spirits, were common enough. Yet to so openly deliver revived vengeful ghosts onto another’s territory, as Zhao Fusheng intended to do, was nothing short of provocation—an act bound to invite disaster.

“This... this can’t possibly be allowed...” Fan Bishou felt his scalp prickle.

Once these two corpses entered Magistrate Bao’s domain, any hope he and his brother Fan Wujiu had of seeking refuge with Deputy Commander Zheng would be dashed.

“What can’t be allowed?” Zhao Fusheng asked in feigned surprise. “Isn’t it only right for neighbors to help one another? When this is reported to the Imperial Court, won’t Deputy Commander Zheng be credited with a grand achievement?”

“But... but...” Though Fan Bishou was usually glib-tongued, now he found himself at a loss for words.

“But what?” Zhao Fusheng pressed, already knowing the answer.

“But this isn’t a blessing—it’s a calamity,” Fan Wujiu said bluntly. “Fusheng, your parents’ bodies have already revived once. They’re only temporarily suppressed now; who knows when they might awaken again? If a ghostly disaster erupts, Magistrate Bao will surely come looking for you.”

“Exactly!” Fan Bishou chimed in, “Deputy Commander Zheng commands ghosts—vengeful ones at that, above the fiendish rank. He’s governed Magistrate Bao’s district for a whole year, experienced and shrewd, which is how he earned his promotion. If he comes for you—”

“Then let him come.” Zhao Fusheng smiled, unconcerned. “Who’s to say I’ll even live that long?”

At first, when Zhao Fusheng mentioned sending her parents’ corpses to Magistrate Bao’s territory, Fan Bishou thought she was only joking. But now, seeing her resolve, he realized she was utterly serious, and a deep fear seized his heart.

“You two know the way to Magistrate Bao’s district. Lead the others, and take my parents’ bodies there at once,” Zhao Fusheng instructed. “Be careful on the road, and don’t let anyone see you. Of course, this is only a temporary measure. Once the Demon Suppression Bureau of Wan’an County grows in strength, I’ll find a way to solve this problem for Magistrate Bao myself.”

Fan Wujiu, trembling and pale, turned to his brother. “Brother...”

Fan Bishou, initially panicked and at a loss, found a wild thought taking root as he observed Zhao Fusheng’s composure: Zhao Fusheng was indeed a master of vengeance. She was tormenting the two of them as retribution for their past offenses against her.

She truly intended to take command of the Demon Suppression Bureau—this was no joke.

This woman was not to be judged by appearances: calm, intelligent, and already in control of a vengeful ghost. With her as Director, perhaps Wan’an County’s bureau might not decline so quickly after all.

At this thought, he suddenly spoke up. “Fusheng, I know my brother and I wronged you in the past. Your parents died because of us, and that’s our fault. If we obey you this time, let’s consider our old grudges settled and live peacefully from now on—what do you say?”

“Brother, you’re mad...” Fan Wujiu cried out in disbelief.

Fan Bishou ignored him, keeping his gaze fixed on Zhao Fusheng, awaiting her response.

“Agreed,” Zhao Fusheng nodded.

“If you truly lay my parents to rest in Magistrate Bao’s district, our past enmity is forgotten; from then on, we start anew.”

“Do you mean it?” Fan Bishou asked, his expression uncertain.

“Of course,” Zhao Fusheng replied with conviction.

“Good!” Fan Bishou hesitated only for a moment before nodding resolutely. “We’ll head to Magistrate Bao’s district.”

Having made up his mind, he allowed himself no further doubt. “Wan’an County borders Magistrate Bao’s district. If we hurry, we’ll arrive before dawn tomorrow.”

Fan Wujiu looked at him as if he were mad. From a logistical standpoint, Fan Bishou’s plan was feasible for merely reaching the county border. However, traveling by night increased the risk of encountering ghosts—and with two ‘slumbering’ vengeful corpses in tow, who could guarantee they wouldn’t awaken again and cause disaster?

If that happened, everyone would be doomed.

But Fan Bishou paid no heed to his brother’s concerns. “We can’t actually leave Wan’an County. We’ll stop at the border, and the rest of the bearers will carry the corpses into Magistrate Bao’s territory for burial.”

“Very well. We’ll part ways there. I’ll await your return in Wan’an County,” Zhao Fusheng agreed.

Fan Bishou’s heart skipped a beat. He suspected Zhao Fusheng had another plan for sending the brothers to Magistrate Bao’s district, but hearing she would truly act separately sent a chill through him.

He shared Fan Wujiu’s worries—this journey was fraught with peril. Should disaster strike, and without anyone able to command ghosts among them, their cries for help would go unanswered.

Yet they had already offended Zhao Fusheng, and there was no turning back.

The Zhao family was dead, and the brothers had lost their protectors. Their era was over, and if they refused to make amends now, the future would be bleak indeed.

Recalling Zhao Fusheng’s decisive actions after commanding her ghost, Fan Bishou finally made up his mind. “All right!”

“Brother—” Fan Wujiu began anxiously, but Fan Bishou cut him off.

“We’ll handle this on our own,” he said, his eyes bloodshot as he looked to Zhao Fusheng. “But we need to travel light—these paper men, paper carriages, houses, incense, and offerings must all be discarded.”

“Agreed,” Zhao Fusheng replied.

She even found herself feeling a hint of admiration for Fan Bishou at that moment. He was cunning yet courageous, shrewd and adaptable. If the brothers succeeded in her task and returned safely, it would prove their sincerity, and perhaps their animosity could indeed be set aside.

Fan Bishou immediately ordered all extraneous items discarded, keeping only the mule cart.

The corpse bearers complained in silence, wishing to beg for mercy, but Fan Bishou’s dark expression and the bureau’s reputation for severity kept them quiet. Still, all believed they were marching to their doom, faces ashen with dread.

Zhao Fusheng looked at Fan Bishou intently. “Remember well where you bury the bodies. If I get the chance, I’ll come to Magistrate Bao’s district. I always keep my word.”

Her words carried a double meaning.

At this point, Fan Bishou could only trust her, and nodded coolly.

“Good.”

She nodded and halted her steps. “In that case, I won’t accompany you further. I have business elsewhere, so I’ll go on ahead.”

With that, she turned and swiftly retreated down the street from which she had come.

She was nothing if not decisive—leaving at once, abandoning even her parents’ corpses and all the trouble they represented.

As soon as she left, Fan Wujiu could no longer restrain himself. “Brother, how could you accept such a task?”

“We had no choice.”

Once Zhao Fusheng was gone, Fan Bishou let out a long breath, wiped the sweat from his brow, and said gravely, “Zhao Fusheng commands ghosts, and her days are numbered. She has no choice, and neither do we.”

“But...” Fan Wujiu tried to interject, but Fan Bishou, dismantling the carriage as he spoke, continued, “I don’t know what caused her transformation, but I suspect she isn’t joking about taking command and revitalizing the bureau.”

Fan Wujiu’s face was grim, silent.

“If Wan’an County’s bureau truly has hope, then discarding these two revived vengeful ghosts to trouble others is a wise move.”

“But brother, if we do this, how can we ever leave Wan’an County? If this comes to light, will Deputy Commander Zheng of Magistrate Bao’s district still accept us?”

“Leave? There’s no leaving for us.” Fan Bishou gave a grim laugh. “Fusheng made it clear—she won’t help us retrieve our life-essences. The only way to get them back is if she dies.”

“If we resort to desperate measures, and she survives, it’s our deaths that will follow.” He sighed softly. “I think she’s every bit as clever and bold as Brother Qiming, perhaps even more so.”

He paused, then added, “If she really can command the bureau, perhaps I should thank her for giving us a chance to atone for our sins.”

“What?” Fan Wujiu was incredulous.

Fan Bishou replied, “Do you know why Fusheng is sending us to deliver the corpses? Guess where she’s going?”

“What is she doing?” Fan Wujiu asked blankly.

“If I’m right, she’s heading for Beggar’s Alley.”

“What? She’s going there herself? Is she mad? Does she have a death wish?” Fan Wujiu cried out.

“We misjudged her,” Fan Bishou admitted bitterly. “She’s far more clever than we imagined.”

If all her previous behavior had been an act, then she was truly a deep and calculating woman, and the brothers may well have brought calamity upon themselves.

Fan Bishou paused in his work and said to his brother, “She drew out quite a bit of information from me. With her intelligence, she’s probably already guessed that the Demon Suppression Bureau, under imperial constraint, must solve three ghost cases each year. Otherwise, the curse of ghostly words will rebound, and Jia Yi’s vengeful ghost will come for us as its next servants.”

This made Zhao Fusheng all the more desperate to solve the case.