Song You was at home, washing cauliflower.
Each floret needed to be cleaned thoroughly. Any with black spots or blemishes were carefully selected out, broken into smaller pieces, and placed in a sieve to drain for later use.
It was once again the season when cauliflowers were in bloom.
The last time Song You saw cauliflowers was in Southern Art County, where he had also tasted pickled cauliflower. He had only traveled for a year but had already been away from Southern Art County for two years. He wondered how the nuns from the nunnery were doing and what had become of Lord Li, who had once caused trouble in Southern Art County.
Time really flew by. As Song You cleaned, he couldn’t help but reflect wistfully.
Recently, he had been wanting to make some pickles, but the vegetables he usually used for pickling were not in season yet. He had to wait until summer or autumn.
Remembering the pickled cauliflower he had eaten in Southern Art County, which was quite good, he decided to buy some cauliflower from local farmers outside the city to try making it himself. He hoped his results would be as good as the nuns' handiwork.
He only hoped it wouldn't turn out bitter.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. “Knock, knock...”
Peeking outside, he saw a divine officer in official robes, accompanied by a civil officer and a military officer. They were both standing at the door and saluting him by cupping their hands.
“Please come in, all three of you,” Song You said, pausing his work. He picked up a cloth, wiped his hands, and went outside to greet them.
“Greetings, sir.”
“City God, and honored officials, you’re too kind.”
“Are you busy, sir?”
“Not at all, I’m quite free these days with no other pressing matters.” Song You said as he picked a cauliflower floret from his wrist and smiled. “I’m just preparing some pickled vegetables to eat with my meals.”
“Then, I apologize for disturbing you.” The City God quickly bowed deeply.
He felt that the immortal master from Hidden Dragon Temple had his reasons no matter what he was doing. Moreover, even if such an immortal master were to engage in trivial matters merely to please himself, he still should not be disturbed by others.
“Don’t worry, City God. You needn’t be so formal,” Song You replied with a smile.
He continued, “I’ve heard that recently you’ve been patrolling the streets all night, uncovering many demons and ghosts hiding in Changjing. In these past few days, even the elderly who have been bedridden have had to be helped to the City God Temple to offer a stick of incense. Seeing Your Excellency in person today, your true form appears much more solid than before, so it seems the rumors are not false.”
“Thanks to your guidance, I realized the situation I was in. Thanks to your help, I have gained such courage.”
“You’re too kind.” Song You preferred not to engage in further flattery and asked, “May I inquire why you’ve come today? I heard you used fire talismans a few days ago, which means you must have located the demon. Did you not manage to subdue it?”
“I was too incompetent!” City God bowed repeatedly. “A few days ago, we searched all night and found the demon through the clues. We set up a net and used the fire talismans you provided, but we only managed to heavily wound it. In the end, it managed to escape while barely holding on. Please forgive me.”
“Since it’s heavily wounded, it shouldn’t be able to run far, right?”
City God said, “That’s true. After being injured, the demon has been trapped in the city and its ability to hide has become less effective. My subordinate, Priest Wang, is skilled at tracking demons. He has been able to locate its hideout every night.
“However, every time we arrive, the demon suddenly vanishes. It has become much more cautious since being injured, making it harder for us to set traps to catch it. I urgently need to capture it and have no other choice but to shamelessly seek your help again.”
“I’m not particularly good at finding demons either,” Song You paused, “but I can take a look.”
“Thank you so much, sir. I truly feel ashamed...”
“I’m just doing a good deed to rid the people of harm; there’s no need for such modesty,” Song You said casually, “I just hope Changjing can return to peace soon and the curfew can be lifted.”
“The curfew...”
“What’s the matter?”
“Sir, you may not know, but the curfew in Changjing is not only due to the demons harming court officials. It’s also because though Changjing has been prosperous for many years, it has long harbored demons. The emperor wants to take this opportunity to thoroughly clean it out,” City God said respectfully.
He continued, “However, in recent times, many of the demons and ghosts that have caused trouble in Changjing have been rooted out. It’s likely that we are close to resolving the issue. If we can capture this demon and the officers and I put in more effort during our nighttime patrols, Changjing will surely return to peace soon, and the curfew will be lifted.”
“I am the City God of Changjing. I am here to seek the assistance of the immortal to eliminate a demon. You may continue your patrol!”
“...” The patrol troops exchanged glances, then bowed and withdrew.
“Sir, please go ahead!”
“Very well...”
After passing through several streets and alleys, the City God’s pace slowed. The military officials also landed on the ground.
“Sir, the demonic aura I sensed is in the courtyard ahead. I dared not approach further, as it would surely disappear,” Officer Wang said quietly.
“I have sensed it as well.”
“What should we do, sir...”
“Whose courtyard is it?”
“It is just a wealthy person’s residence in the Western District, not of any significant wealth or status. In recent days, the demon has often hidden in various courtyards, including those of high officials and foreign merchants,” the City God explained. “Our investigation has found nothing suspicious about these households; it is likely that the demon simply finds random hiding places. The owners themselves are unaware.”
“Let me try...” Song You turned to the military officials. “Please assist me, but be careful not to disturb the residents.”
“Understood!”
Song You made a casual gesture, and a surge of Jingzhe spiritual energy flew toward the courtyard. As it reached mid-air, it transformed into a mighty thunderbolt.
“Boom!”
The lightning split into countless forks. Even on a summer night with thunderstorms, it was one of the most earth-shaking lightning strikes, startling countless residents in the Western District from their peaceful dreams.
Even the nearby officials flinched slightly.
The military officials quickly flew over, either landing to check or taking to the rooftops to ensure the residents of the courtyard remained undisturbed.
Song You and the City God followed them over, where one of the military officials opened the courtyard gate for them.
With an apology for the intrusion, they entered.
The courtyard featured a bamboo forest and rock garden—a refined landscape. The recent thunderbolt had struck the bamboo forest directly, but rather than hitting just one spot, it had affected the entire area. Nearly all the bamboo had been destroyed. What remained were either charred, red-hot bamboo stalks or flaming debris; not a single upright bamboo was left.
“The demon has escaped,” Officer Wang commented, adding, “This demon is truly cunning!”
Song You, however, scanned the surroundings with a frown.
Although he had felt that the lightning had struck the demon in the courtyard, it had not killed it. The demon clearly lacked the ability to withstand a thunderbolt. Upon examining the scene, it seemed that the demon had used the bamboo forest as a shield, allowing the destruction of the bamboo to substitute for its own death.
The demon had evidently fled to a distant location. This method of escape was quite intriguing.
“Officer Wang.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Have the demons previously hidden in bamboo forests?”
“This...”
Officer Wang thought for a moment before responding, “The demons usually hide in the courtyards of wealthy families. Scholars and cultured individuals like to grow bamboo, and it is said that there is a saying, ‘Better to live without meat than without bamboo.’ Even merchants and common folk follow suit to appear cultured. Thus, these wealthy families’ courtyards always have some bamboo.”
“And where does this bamboo come from?”
“I haven’t investigated that yet, but it’s likely either purchased from outside or sourced from friends and family,” Officer Wang explained. “Bamboo is easy to grow. Once it takes root, it spreads quickly. Even if you dig up one stalk, it will soon grow into a large patch.”
As he spoke, Officer Wang seemed to sense something. “Could this bamboo be related to the demon’s escape?”