84: Seduction of a Younger Wife

The feast was held in a tavern in the market town. They went by carriage, turning through a few bends before arriving, where several servants were already waiting outside. Seeing the steward, they came forward to speak with him, and then invited Yi Fan inside.

The tavern was not large, with two floors. The lower level was packed with tables and chairs, every seat taken and the room full of clamor. The upper level had private rooms and finer seats; the surroundings were better, but the price was higher, so ordinary folk rarely went upstairs.

Patriarch Zhou had booked a large private room. Two servants stood outside as well, and when they saw the two men, they opened the door. Inside, two people were already seated: one was an elderly man in brocade robes, the other a middle-aged Taoist.

"This must be Taoist Yi, passing through our Prosperity and Harmony Town, yes?" Patriarch Zhou rose and greeted him with a broad laugh.

Yi Fan returned the courtesy. After a round of formalities, they took their seats. Patriarch Zhou then introduced them: "This is Taoist He Buchen. It was Taoist He who wished to invite you to this banquet today."

"Oh?"

Yi Fan was surprised. He did not know this Taoist He at all, had never even met him, so why insist on inviting him to dine?

The middle-aged Taoist rose and cupped his hands. "I am He Buchen of Flying Cliff Mountain. Greetings, Junior Brother Yi."

"I am Yi Fan. Greetings, Senior Brother He."

Yi Fan returned the salute. After a few exchanged pleasantries, and with Patriarch Zhou urging them to drink, the three of them began drinking each with his own thoughts.

Suddenly, He Buchen lifted his cup and said, "Brother Yi is so young, yet already so accomplished in cultivation that even I cannot fathom your depths. May I ask which distinguished master has nurtured such a talent?"

So he has mistaken me for a disciple of some sect. Yi Fan understood at once, then laughed. "You misunderstand, Brother He. I am merely a lone cultivator, with no master and no school. I have long cultivated in Guobei County, several hundred li from here. This descent from the mountain was only for travel and experience."

No master or school?

He Buchen's expression did not change. He set down his cup, picked up his chopsticks, and said, "It is I who erred. I was mistaken. My apologies."

Then he added, "At such a young age, to possess such cultivation, and yet not be a disciple of any sect—this is truly surprising. I cannot help wondering what manner of expert your master must be."

Yi Fan laughed heartily and did not answer. Clearly, He Buchen still did not believe him and thought he was deliberately concealing the truth. But there was no need to explain; let him think what he would.

Seeing that Yi Fan was unwilling to speak, a trace of disappointment flashed in He Buchen's eyes. Then he said, "There is indeed one matter for which we have invited Brother Yi here, and we ask a favor of you."

Yi Fan paused. "Please go on, Brother He."

He Buchen smiled faintly and glanced at Patriarch Zhou beside him. Patriarch Zhou coughed once and said, "Allow this old man to explain. Taoist He has urgent matters and cannot remain here long. He will depart tomorrow morning. However, there are still some matters in our Prosperity and Harmony Town that have yet to be settled, and so we wish to ask Taoist Yi for assistance."

"Of course, the reward will not be lacking. Once the matter is done, you will receive one hundred taels of silver."

As soon as Patriarch Zhou finished, He Buchen took over. "Just so. This really does require Brother Yi's trouble. If you have any future matters, simply come to Flying Cliff Mountain to find me."

Yi Fan frowned. He had not even agreed, and they were already making promises they could not possibly fulfill. Were they trying to force him into consent? He glanced at the two men and saw their expressions were calm and composed, as though he would certainly agree. He could not help but smile and shake his head.

"I fear I must disappoint Brother He and Patriarch Zhou. I too have urgent matters and intend to leave tomorrow. I am afraid I cannot help with this business. My apologies."

He Buchen's expression darkened slightly. He looked at Yi Fan for a long moment, then turned to Patriarch Zhou and said, "Patriarch Zhou, please step outside for a moment. I have something to discuss with Brother Yi."

Patriarch Zhou hesitated, then nodded and withdrew.

Yi Fan remained expressionless, sipping his wine alone. Seeing that He Buchen did not speak, he said nothing either.

After quite a while, He Buchen finally said, "Brother Yi, are you refusing to show me face?"

Your face?

Yi Fan laughed, glanced at him once, then lowered his eyes again.

"Good. Very good."

He Buchen's smile did not reach his eyes. "Flying Cliff Mountain may not be one of the great orthodox sects, but it is not weak either. Fellow Daoist Yi, are you certain you do not wish to reconsider?"

Yi Fan raised his head. "Fellow Daoist He, there is no need to speak of this further. Since you are unwilling to handle it, why should I? Let us not play riddles. You and I both know that the greedy ghost is not the true murderer of these past years; it is the Ghost King who sent the little imps."

He was not unwilling to act, only unwilling to be coerced and threatened. And even if he were to act, it would not be under such circumstances.

There are things one ought to do, and things one ought not.

No matter what sect you come from, if this poor Taoist is displeased, I will not spare your face.

He Buchen was startled. He had not expected Yi Fan to know so much. "So you already know. Not bad. That greedy ghost is indeed not the true culprit. The Zhou family's younger son was not killed by it either; he was beaten to death personally by Patriarch Zhou and dumped in the wilderness, merely to find a scapegoat."

"Beaten to death personally?"

Yi Fan was truly astonished this time. Even tigers do not devour their cubs; a father beating his own son to death was no common thing.

He Buchen gave a disdainful laugh. "That Patriarch Zhou was carrying on with his younger son's wife. When the younger son discovered it, Zhou killed him to preserve his reputation, then deliberately spread rumors that he had been slain by a malignant spirit. But such lies can only fool the ignorant. If it were truly a ghost that killed him, why bother dumping the body in the wilderness?"

He had an affair with his younger son's wife? And even to protect his own reputation, he beat his biological son to death? Such a man was lower than a beast.

Yi Fan's face turned cold. "And yet you helped him commit evil and concealed the truth?"

"He who takes another's money must dispel another's disaster. He preserved his reputation, I took my payment, and everyone was pleased. Why should I not?" He Buchen said with a smile.

Yi Fan gave a cold snort. "Since this is such a vile affair, why did you invite me here?"

He Buchen smiled, neither warm nor cold. "Whether you are truly a disciple of some sect or merely a lone cultivator, I neither know nor care. I will depart tomorrow morning. Whatever remains will then be your affair."

"You are so certain I will interfere?"

"Whether you interfere or not is your concern. Whether you can be kept here is Patriarch Zhou's concern. What has that to do with me? As for inviting you here, it was merely to shift the responsibility onto you, so that if rumors spread later, and fellow Daoists come to know of it, they will not damage the reputation of my Flying Cliff Mountain."

So bluntly spoken, it seemed He Buchen truly felt secure in himself.

Yi Fan was somewhat angered. Just as he was about to speak, He Buchen rose, cupped his hands, and said, "Farewell, Fellow Daoist Yi."

With that, he turned and left. Opening the door, he saw Patriarch Zhou not far away, apparently about to come forward and speak. He merely swept his sleeve and strode out with a laugh.

Patriarch Zhou froze. He wanted to pursue him but dared not. After hesitating for a moment, he entered the room. Just as he was about to speak, Yi Fan stood and said, "Thank you for your hospitality today. I have some matters to attend to and cannot keep you company any longer."

As soon as he finished speaking, he was already gone, leaving Patriarch Zhou standing there in stunned silence. His face turned black, then green, and finally twisted into a savage grimace. "Very well, you Taoist. You refuse a toast and insist on a forfeit. Let us see how I deal with you."

The steward beside him stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Master?"

Patriarch Zhou gave a cold snort. "That Taoist He is a disciple of Flying Cliff Mountain. I dare not touch him. But this Taoist, I just heard, is a lone cultivator with no backing. Didn't he say he will leave tomorrow as well? Then make your arrangements: send men with blades and axes to wait outside the town, and when you see him, kill him for me."