Although the twenty-four circuits of the Demon Suppression Monastery were not directly connected, Nan Zhi had happened to handle a major case involving human trafficking through evil sorcery. Moreover, since this case had far-reaching implications and involved this year's Zhongyuan Ghost Market, she did not need to find a place to stay on her own.
—This, to her, was a good thing.
“I’ve already sent a letter to Daoist Qinglong of the Northwest Circuit Demon Suppression Monastery, asking him to let you secretly investigate the Ghost Market case along with me. There are two hundred and seven towers in this monastery in total, every single one corresponding to the name of a heavenly star. I’ve already informed everyone, so you can rest assured and stay in Tianshu Tower for now.”
Xu Zi grinned as she introduced the monastery to Nan Zhi, her eyes darting over to the oil-paper umbrella in Nan Zhi's hand:
“However, as for what you’re carrying with you... you must keep a close eye on it. Atop that Demon Suppression Tower hangs a Demon Suppression Mirror engraved with a Xiezhi pattern. No demon, evil spirit, or ghost can hide from it.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Miss A-Zi. I understand.”
Nan Zhi understood clearly in her heart. The other party must have noticed Wanniang's presence long ago, though for some reason she hadn't called it out directly:
“However, there is still one thing I would like to ask—I’ve heard that before Kaifeng Prefecture stands a Drum of Grievances. Anyone in the world who suffers an injustice can beat the drum to voice their grievance. Is that true?”
“That is indeed true, but... since the founding of the Great Song, that Drum of Grievances has only ever been beaten once. That was when Empress Mingsu was regent. A top scholar falsely claimed he was unmarried, abandoned his wife, and remarried to become an imperial consort. Unexpectedly, he deceived the Empress Dowager and the Princess above, betrayed his devoted first wife below, and even instructed assassins to pursue and kill his wife and child across thousands of miles. Later, that woman came all the way to Bianjing to lodge her complaint, beating the Drum of Grievances and shocking the entire capital. It was Lord Bao of Kaifeng Prefecture who took the case, executed the unfaithful man, and restored justice to that woman. That case is extremely famous and has even been adapted into folk operas and ballads sung among the common people. But... why are you asking about this?”
Xu Zi’s eyes flickered, and a hint of curiosity immediately surfaced on her face:
“You left your hometown for no apparent reason, so there must be a cause. Others say you came to join the excitement of the Ghost Market, but I just don't believe it. Could it be that you also have a monumental grievance to voice? Must you go beat that Drum of Grievances? How is our Demon Suppression Division inferior to the Kaifeng Prefecture Yamen?”
Sensing a slight movement from the oil-paper umbrella, Nan Zhi patted it gently to comfort Wanniang before asking again:
“What if there were an old, cold case where the killer coveted his adoptive father's property and conspired with corrupt officials to murder the family, taking thirty-seven lives including the daughter’s? And due to his greed, dozens of other innocent lives were implicated as well. Afterward, the killer transformed his appearance, completely changing himself into a renowned, generous benefactor. Now, although the victim is dead, the killer’s soul has returned to the Underworld, and the truth of those former years can no longer be investigated through standard means. Yet the surviving relatives of the victims remain helpless and destitute, struggling bitterly to survive, while the killer's family still enjoys a fine reputation, praised by everyone, and his son has even passed the civil service exams with a boundless future ahead.”
The oil-paper umbrella trembled even more violently.
Reaching this point, Nan Zhi paused, observing Xu Zi's reaction:
“Is our Demon Suppression Division willing to take such a case?”
—Nan Zhi had intentionally omitted the fact that Wang Fugui had been killed by Wanniang. If Xu Zi showed even the slightest disapproval, she would immediately find an excuse to escape.
“There is actually such a thing in this world?”
Xu Zi was astonished at first, then clenched her fists tightly, clearly enraged to the extreme:
“Just out of greed in his heart, he harmed so many lives! A person like that deserves to be thrown into Avici Hell to suffer the ultimate punishments for tens of thousands of years! Such an ungrateful, heinous villain is even more hateful than evil ghosts and vile spirits! Letting him die like that—isn't that far too easy on him?!”
Saying this, Xu Zi looked back at the oil-paper umbrella, a trace of realization flashing in her beautiful eyes:
“So, the victim you speak of is the red-clothed vengeful ghost hidden inside this umbrella? Did you travel thousands of miles to Bianjing just to clear the name of a ghost?”
“Wanniang is my close friend, and she has suffered monumental injustice and grievance. I once promised to overturn the case and seek justice for her Qu family, so how could I break my word? Miss A-Zi, you are intelligent. Although we have only spent half a day together, I can tell that you are not someone held back by prejudice.”
Nan Zhi guessed that she had played this card correctly, so she patted the oil-paper umbrella at her waist, signaling Wanniang to reveal herself:
“This is my close friend, Wanniang, also a native of Dingyuan, and the victim I spoke of. Wanniang of the Qu family, before you stands Officer Xu Zi of the Demon Suppression Monastery. Why don't you reveal yourself and state your grievances one by one?”
The oil-paper umbrella opened with a snap. Eyes filled with tears, Wanniang curtsied deeply to Xu Zi:
“Qu Wan greets Officer Xu.”
Having listened for so long, Wanniang was already unable to contain herself. Without waiting for Xu Zi to respond, she recounted Wang Fugui's evil deeds in complete detail.
Every single detail—whether it was framing the Qu family with poisoned wine or sinking Wanniang's bones into a wine vat—was appalling and sent a chill through one's heart.
“How utterly despicable! A person like this—forget pigs, dogs, or beasts—even if he were reincarnated in his next life as a giant turtle or a mud loach, it would still be far too merciful!”
Xu Zi had clearly never heard of such insane, atrociously wicked deeds. For a time, her eyes were filled with deep sympathy. Taking Wanniang’s hand repeatedly, she swore with utmost conviction:
“Rest assured. Nan Zhi belongs to our Demon Suppression Division, so her affairs are my affairs, and her close friend is my close friend. Leave this case to me—
Mm... let me think for a moment.
Avenging you is easy. All I need to do is bring a few demon suppressors and smash that Wang Family Distillery to bits.
But if you want to formally overturn the case... a cold case from over thirty years ago... setting aside how officials have been promoted and transferred over the years, just considering that Wang Fugui is dead, wouldn't there be no witness or defendant left to testify?”
One had to realize that having strong fists couldn't solve every problem.
The Great Song had never handled a case where both the victim and the culprit were already dead.
—A case ends with the death of the parties. Wang Fugui’s soul had already gone to the Underworld, so how could he serve as the defendant?
However, if Wanniang merely wanted her enemy dead and the Wang family to pay with their lives, back then, not to mention the young master and Manager Wang, not a single person in the Wang household—servants or maidservants—could have escaped.
It was common for vengeful ghosts to seek revenge, leaving no peace in a residence and resulting in the deaths of an entire household. Cases like that were not unheard of.
Not to mention the things Wang Fugui had done; if she were Qu Wanniang, she certainly wouldn't have stopped after killing just one person.
Xu Zi stole a glance at Nan Zhi, knowing in her heart that Nan Zhi must have been involved in this.
Otherwise, how could a house full of people have survived at the hands of a red-clothed vengeful ghost who had lost her mind to killing?
If not for Wanniang seeking true justice.
If not for Nan Zhi stopping Wanniang that night, she feared Dingyuan would have seen another bloodbath.
That was why Nan Zhi had braved countless hardships to bring two burdens across thousands of miles to Bianjing.
First, to clear the Qu family's name, and second, to prove to the Demon Suppression Division that Wanniang was not an evil ghost burdened with heavy killing karma.
Just for a promise worth a thousand gold, the person before her had actually gone to such lengths for Wanniang.
Thinking up to this point, Xu Zi suddenly came to a realization.
No wonder she always felt Nan Zhi bore a striking resemblance to Lord Bao of Kaifeng Prefecture.
It turned out to be the aura about her—that calm, composed confidence that true justice existed in the world and that the truth would eventually come to light. Wasn't that exactly the same as Lord Bao?
Xu Zi blinked and instantly made up her mind:
“This case is indeed something the Demon Suppression Division cannot resolve; we cannot give you the natural justice you seek. So, how do you want me to help?”
“Is that true?”
Seeing a glimmer of hope, Nan Zhi quickly spoke:
“A-Zi, are you acquainted with any officers in the Bureau of Judicial Commissioners in the capital? Can you check the old case files of the Qu family, or find out who was in charge of the case back then?”
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