Chapter Twelve: Experimental Skills (Part Two)

There are, of course, no ghosts in this world, and if there were, it would simply be someone pretending to be one. Without question, the person responsible for this charade was none other than Xu Kang, who had just slipped into the backyard to test his skills. Judging from the terrified expressions of the two carpenters, he knew he had succeeded.

“Though stealth is a thief’s specialty, it would be a waste to become an actual thief. Not only is it difficult, but if discovered, one risks a beating. Far better to use it for conjuring a bit of supernatural mischief; even if I’m accidentally seen, I’ll give them a fright.”

With this thought, a bold idea took root in his mind. “Time to make some extra money!”

Having made up his mind, he ignored the two carpenters still shivering in terror, slipped out of the backyard, and made his way through the main gates onto the streets of Luoyang.

Night had fully fallen by now. Darkness blanketed the city, and aside from the receding footsteps of patrolling soldiers, the streets were utterly deserted. Clearly, with the Yellow Turban Rebellion raging, Luoyang was under strict curfew.

In such troubled times, ordinary folk shut themselves in early; only the mansions of the wealthy still hung lanterns at their gates, guiding late-returning masters home. This, in turn, greatly aided Xu Kang.

It took him nearly an hour to work his way from the city’s outskirts to the central district. At last, he found a residence boasting an abundance of lanterns, sprawling grounds, and soldiers stationed at the gate. Glancing up at the plaque above the entrance, which read “Grand General’s Mansion,” he nodded in satisfaction.

“Hm, aside from the imperial palace, this is likely the grandest estate for miles around. The stench of new money is overwhelming. If I’m not mistaken, this must be the residence of He Jin. His house it is, then!”

Target selected, Xu Kang, still shrouded in stealth, swaggered right up to the gates and rapped on them several times—“bang, bang, bang.”

The knock startled the two guards at once. Staring at the empty entryway, one of them, voice trembling, turned to his companion. “D-did you just hear someone knock?”

The other guard had heard it as well, but forced a stiff explanation to calm himself. “Don’t worry, it’s probably someone knocking from inside.”

This explanation was clearly flawed. After all, the gate could only be opened from within—if someone wanted out, they’d simply open the door. Who would bother knocking? More telling still, the sound had distinctly come from outside, but aside from the two of them, no one was there. Who, then, had knocked?

The more they thought about it, the more frightened they became. As they hesitated, the “creeeak” of the gate opening interrupted their thoughts.

A servant in a blue robe stepped out and questioned them, “Who was knocking just now?”

The two guards exchanged glances but remained silent.

Seeing this, the servant frowned, annoyance flickering across his face. “Do you realize the trouble you’re causing here—ah!”

He hadn’t finished when he suddenly felt a shove at his side. Caught off guard, he toppled to the ground with a thud. Before he could recover, the vermilion gate slammed shut behind him with a bang.

The servant was dumbstruck, and the two guards wasted no more time—they threw their weapons to the ground and fled, shouting at the top of their lungs.

“Ah! A ghost!”

“It’s haunted! The Grand General’s Mansion is haunted!”

The curfewed night was silent, so their cries rang out all the more clearly, reaching every servant and maid in the outer courtyards. In an instant, the noise of falling basins, shattering objects, and women’s shrieks merged into chaos, leaving Xu Kang, the architect of it all, genuinely impressed.

“What a reaction! Like a ladle of water into a cauldron of boiling oil—remarkable!”

Though he marveled aloud, pride and satisfaction welled within him at the thought that all this was his handiwork.

“I’ve barely done anything, yet caused such an uproar. It seems I really am one of a kind!”

Despite his delight, he kept his wits about him. The hurried footfalls and clanking armor told him a squad of guards was on their way.

Xu Kang knew he couldn’t risk overplaying his hand. If he was careless, his trickery could well lead to true disaster.

Maintaining his stealth, he carefully slipped through the outer courtyard, shadowing a panic-stricken maid through three arched gates until he reached the inner court.

Within the inner court, all was ablaze with light. Accompanied by a dozen musicians, a troupe of graceful young women danced and sang in silken splendor. At the other end, the corpulent Grand General He Jin, surrounded by concubines, feasted on meat and wine, the very picture of indulgence.

When he saw the flustered maid hurrying toward him, He Jin’s brow knitted in displeasure. With a heavy thud, he slammed his wine cup onto the table.

“Why the panic? Speak—what’s happened?”

Frightened, the maid dropped to her knees with a thud. “Spare me, my lord! I meant no offense—only, in the front court… the front court…”

Her stammering only further enraged He Jin. He leapt to his feet, drawing his sword with a ringing sound, and barked again.

“Speak! If you don’t, I’ll kill you!”

“Ah!”

Seeing the drawn sword, the maid grew even more terrified, kowtowing desperately.

“Spare me, my lord! I dare not deceive you—the front court… the front court is haunted!”

“Haunted? You claim the Grand General’s Mansion is haunted?”

He Jin was stunned at first, then his expression darkened. Sword in hand, he strode slowly toward the kneeling maid.

“How could my mansion be haunted? You wretched girl, to spread such lies—if I don’t kill you today, I’ll become the laughingstock of the realm!”

He paid no heed to the maid, now bleeding from her desperate kowtows, but slowly raised his sword.

Just as he was about to strike her down, a hoarse voice suddenly echoed behind him.

“That’s right, how could the Grand General’s Mansion be haunted? To think a celestial like me would be mistaken for a ghost—if word got out, I’d be a joke in the immortal realm! This maid does indeed deserve death. Not just her, but everyone in this mansion should die, don’t you agree, He Jin? Heh heh heh heh heh…”

He Jin: “(ºДº*)”