Сhарtеr 386: Тhе Bronzе Sparrow of Chang'аn Sings 40
Uрon wаking, Zhu Yan immеdiаtеlу detесtеd а strоng scеnt of Hundred Мinds Inсensе in the room. Unlikе the faint, sоothing fragrаnсе shе wаs асcustomеd tо, the inсеnsе herе was оvеrpowеringlу thick, сausing intense disсomfort, dizziness, аnd а nеar urgе to vomit aftеr рrоlongеd ехроsurе.
A sеriеs of еeriе chucklеs eсhоеd through thе аir. Fоllоwing the sound, Zhu Yan sрrang up and rushed forwаrd, only to bе struck down bу Lai Luоzhi. Dеspitе falling to the ground, she cried out desperately:
"Mother, Mother, wake up!"
Concubine Jin lay with her eyes tightly shut inside a large, square crystal coffin. The coffin was intricately carved with Fire Moth Patterns on all sides, illuminated brightly by surrounding candles. On the other side of the crystal coffin stood an altar, different from the one behind Ji Dafu’s gambling den. This altar had fluttering banners above and a bronze cauldron below. Instead of incense, the cauldron contained human hearts—preserved as Human Preserves. Around the cauldron, trenches were arranged according to the principles of the Five Elements, Eight Trigrams, and Four Symbols, their dried, dark-red bloodstains cracked into fissures.
The altar was surrounded by Fire Moth Marks, and directly in front stood a statue with a human body and a moth’s head.
No wonder she had detected the scent of blood masked by the Hundred Minds Incense upon waking—it originated here.
Realizing that Concubine Jin would not awaken anytime soon, Zhu Yan moved closer and was shocked to discover that the light refracted through the crystal coffin was actually honey.
The crystal coffin was filled to the brim with honey.
They were planning to turn Concubine Jin into a Human Preserve. Could she already be…?
"Lai Luozhi, did you kill my mother?!"
Lai Luozhi laughed maniacally. "How could I? Killing her before consumption would ruin her womb. How could it nurture another you?"
What?
Zhu Yan felt nauseated but was slightly relieved to know her mother was still alive. "Creating life must follow the laws of heaven and earth. You’re delusional."
"Silence!" Lai Luozhi raged, his pale, ghastly skin barely flushing with anger. "Why not? By offering your heart to the Fire Moth True God and consuming your mother’s heart, her womb can be nurtured, and you can be reborn."
This man had gone mad, transforming into a flesh-eating demon.
With a cold sneer, Zhu Yan deliberately provoked him. "You use Buddhist incense to mask the stench of death on you. Buddhism preaches compassion and the cycle of karma, yet you commit demonic acts in this sacred place. Is human flesh so delicious? If it’s so tasty, why not eat your own?"
Guessing her intent, Lai Luozhi picked up a sharp knife and pointed it at Concubine Jin, his laughter sinister. "From the moment I saw you, I knew your Qi fortune was extraordinary. I investigated your birth details, and indeed, you are the Chosen One I’ve been searching for. With you, my grand ambition will be fulfilled."
Worried for Concubine Jin, Zhu Yan pleaded, "If you’ve chosen me, then kill me instead. Spare my mother. I’ll take her place."
A tear slid down Concubine Jin’s cheek.
Reminded by her words, Lai Luozhi approached Zhu Yan with the knife. With her hands bound, Zhu Yan could only retreat until she reached the altar, with nowhere left to go.
Suddenly, the ground trembled violently. Rocks and debris rained from above as a loud crash echoed through the chamber. A gaping hole appeared in the western wall, revealing Shen Du’s towering figure.
Reacting swiftly, Lai Luozhi shoved Zhu Yan in front of him, pressing the knife against her throat. "No one will stop me! I must complete my ritual. Anyone who approaches, I’ll kill her!"As he spoke, he dragged Zhu Yan and pressed her against the bronze cauldron wall, thrusting a knife straight toward her heart. But when the blade tore through the fabric, it met an obstruction. Lai Luozhi was startled.
“What’s going on?”
In that fleeting moment, Xu Xiangren and Jing Lin infiltrated the area, pouncing from both sides and forcing Lai Luozhi to release Zhu Yan as they engaged him in combat.
Shen Du leaped up, scooped Zhu Yan into his arms, and carried her to the exit, setting her down at a distance. His heart pounded wildly as he urgently examined the area over her heart. There, through the torn clothing, a bronze whistle was revealed—none other than the one he had given her.
Overwhelmed with relief, he said, “Wait here and don’t run off.”
After instructing her, Shen Du turned and rejoined the fray. Working in tandem with Jing Lin and Xu Xiangren, they quickly subdued Lai Luozhi.
The underground palace showed signs of imminent collapse. The group carried Concubine Jin on their backs and escorted Lai Luozhi out just as the structure crumbled. However, from the shadows emerged numerous individuals wearing clothing marked with the Fire Moth emblem, each donning a Half-Face Ghost Mask as they charged forward.
Shen Du snorted coldly, shielding Zhu Yan behind him, and blew a whistle.
The hidden guards swiftly arrived upon hearing the signal, clashing with the Fire Moth Sect Members.
For centuries, this had been a sacred Buddhist site, yet now it echoed with the clamor of battle, the clash of weapons, and the spread of blood—a stark irony.
Lai Luozhi shouted, “I will appeal to the emperor! Don’t think you’re the only ones who can! This is a frame-up, a conspiracy! I demand to see His Majesty! I demand to see the Empress!”
Still furious that Lai Luozhi had nearly stabbed Zhu Yan in the heart, Shen Du grew irritated by his incessant noise. He punched Lai Luozhi in the abdomen, forcing out the filth from his stomach, then landed several more blows in succession, venting some of his rage.
“Take him away.”
Jing Lin promptly removed Lai Luozhi’s shoes and socks, stuffing the socks into his mouth to silence him instantly, bringing peace to the surroundings.
Shen Du walked up to Zhu Yan, hesitated for a moment, then cautiously reached out to take her hand. But Zhu Yan’s sharp glare pinned him in place, leaving him no choice but to awkwardly rub his nose and say softly:
“Let’s mount up. I’ll take you back and have the imperial physician examine you.”
Zhu Yan shot him an icy glance, turned, and walked away. She snatched the horsewhip and reins from Jing Lin, leaped onto the horse, and galloped off.
Jing Lin stared at his empty hands, utterly bewildered.
Shen Du’s eyes turned cold and rigid as he mounted his own horse. Seeing Shen Du about to leave, Jing Lin hurried over. “Commander, I have no horse. Could we share a ride?”
“Hyah!”
Shen Du ignored him entirely and rode off after Zhu Yan.
Jing Lin wore a crestfallen expression. What had he done to deserve this?
Fortunately, Xu Xiangren kindly offered Jing Lin a ride. Along the way, Jing Lin vented his frustrations, annoying Xu Xiangren to no end. However, he learned that Zhu Yan was angry with Shen Du, largely due to the matter of their separation.
“But the separation was just for show. I think Madam finds the Commander’s current appearance too ugly and dislikes him for it.”
Then, glancing at Xu Xiangren’s present state, he added, “Could it be that Madam has taken a liking to you?”
Xu Xiangren, now handsome after shaving his beard: …What did this have to do with him? He had already been through three separations—would Zhu Yan really fancy him?
“Shut up!”
“Are you feeling guilty?”
“Shut up.”
—
The next day, Lai Luozhi was executed, with the public permitted to witness the event. Before the execution, Tang Zheng, the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, read aloud the list of his crimes.
Framing loyal officials, abducting common women, embezzling public funds, treating the imperial court as his personal treasury, obsessing over dark arts and disregarding human life, plotting rebellion—along with a litany of other offenses.Lai Luozhi had long been resented among the common people, and this time, public outrage was ignited. Not only did they shout curses at him, but they even refused to let the executioner carry out the sentence. Instead, they beat Lai Luozhi half to death with their fists. Then, someone brought the large jar he always carried when traveling and threw him into it. A fire was lit beneath the jar, filled with tung oil and set ablaze.
"You ignorant fools, you should be arresting Shen Du—he is the real criminal!"
"Take me to see the Empress, I must see the Empress!"
The people paid no heed to his cries. Hand in hand, they sang songs to bid farewell to Lai Luozhi.
"With the Black Yama King dead, the people shall live."
As the flames roared, Lai Luozhi let out desperate screams.
"A moth flying into the fire—Brother Xu, you are truly benevolent, helping Lai Luozhi fulfill his wish." Zhu Yan's eyes sparkled as she watched the agitated crowd in the distance, among whom were many Unrighteous Agents, shouting for Lai Luozhi to be burned to death.
Xu Xiangren chuckled softly. "It wasn't me—it was Shen Du. Knowing you wanted to witness Lai Luozhi's execution, he specifically had someone bring the 'Inviting the Lord into the Jar' torture device so you could enjoy the spectacle."
Inviting the Lord into the Jar.
How fitting the name of this torture device was.
"A moth flying into the fire is but a fleeting dream."
After Lai Luozhi's death, the people, still unsatisfied, carved his charred corpse into bones and threw them into the fire, reducing them to ashes.
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