Chapter Eighteen: Crisis

“So…!” Fang You gazed at his uncle before him, sensing that something momentous was about to be announced.

“One of the seven elders of the Gu Sect, Old Ghost, also heard that He Bi’an had inexplicably returned to Miaojiang. Because of this, the other elders of the Miaojiang Gu Sect convened a gathering, summoning all the elders back to strategize together.”

“On his way back, Old Ghost was ambushed and gravely wounded. He barely managed to return to the Gu Sect, but having suffered a fatal blow, his days are numbered.”

“Old Ghost and I are bound by life and death. Years ago, I mistakenly wandered into a Gu formation, surrounded by countless poisonous insects. If Old Ghost hadn’t risked his life to command his own Gu to save me, I wouldn’t be alive today. I just received word that Old Ghost is dying. I have resolved to go to the Gu Sect, to see him one last time, and offer them my help.”

Righteousness lingered in his uncle’s words. At that moment, his uncle seemed the very image of a true Maoshan disciple, speaking with the unwavering resolve to risk his life for justice.

“But if you leave, what will happen to the paper effigy shop?” Fang You asked from the side.

“During my absence, you will look after the shop.” As he spoke, his uncle retrieved a yellowed book from his pocket and, with great earnestness, continued, “This ‘Miscellaneous Arts of Paper Effigy’ contains all I have learned in my life. I now pass it to you. If I do not return, you will be the master of this shop.”

“What?” Fang You was startled by these words. “Uncle, what do you mean?”

“Sigh, I am already half a man in the grave. Life and death mean little to me now. I go with no certainty of return. Solitude has been my fate all my life. I entrust everything to you so that I may leave unburdened.”

From his uncle’s tone, it was clear he cared little for his own fate—he was ready to wager all he had on this one attempt.

Fang You accepted the book, knelt, and knocked his head three times on the floor. In that moment, his uncle was not only his kin but also his master, passing down his skills. These three bows were well deserved.

“There’s no need for such formality between us,” his uncle said. “I must set out at once. From now on, take good care of yourself.”

Fang You watched his uncle. Though their time together had been short, Fang You knew his uncle had treated him with genuine affection, accepting him wholeheartedly as family.

His uncle returned to his room, packed a few belongings, glanced at the overcast sky, and let out a bitter laugh. “Life is fate, the world is unpredictable. I’m off.”

Watching his uncle’s aged figure step out the door, Fang You could not hold back his tears. After all, this was his only relative, one who had shown him care and warmth. Now, at such an age, his uncle was still staking his life—how could Fang You not feel a pang of sorrow?

What Fang You did not know was that this departure would be a final farewell. But that is a story yet to come.

After his uncle left, Fang You was alone in the paper effigy shop. He took out the book his uncle had left behind, ‘Miscellaneous Arts of Paper Effigy,’ and began to study it. The book detailed various taboos and techniques related to paper effigies.

Much like the ‘Strange Gates and Hidden Paths’ given to him by the head of the Maoshan Sect—a compendium of esoteric arts—this volume was devoted solely to paper effigy techniques, whereas ‘Strange Gates and Hidden Paths’ encompassed the arts of numerous sects, including the Gu Sect.

As Fang You studied the book, his phone suddenly rang. The caller ID read: “Officer Zhou Shen.”

Fang You answered hastily, and an urgent voice spoke on the other end, “Is this the young Taoist? There’s been a murder at 21 Qingshui Street—the same as last time. The victim was bitten to death by insects. Please come quickly!”

“Understood, I’ll be there right away!” Fang You hung up, hurried out, and hailed a cab to Qingshui Street.

Qingshui Street was where Lin Xue rented her home. Previously, due to the spirit contract, Lin Xue had become weak and was hospitalized. Now, another incident had occurred there.

Soon, Fang You arrived at the scene. Outside 21 Qingshui Street, a crowd had already gathered to watch.

Pushing through the throng, Fang You saw, beyond the police cordon, the body of a woman. Her body was riddled with wounds, her flesh mangled by countless insects—a gruesome and chilling sight.

“You’re here, young Taoist!” Zhang Shengnan, who had been waiting anxiously, hurried over. “What took you so long? Please, help us!”

Veteran detective Zhou Shen nodded in greeting when he saw Fang You.

Examining the corpse, Fang You noted the woman’s death was especially cruel—bitten alive by insects, the brutality beyond imagination.

“According to our investigation, the deceased was the landlady of number 21. The previous victim was the landlord. We suspect a tenant skilled in some sinister art quarreled with the landlords and used some special method to kill them both.”

“But we checked the tenant records for the past two months—nothing unusual. Everyone seemed to get along; there was no sign of any dispute.”

Zhou Shen explained all this at Fang You’s side.

Fang You examined the body again and noticed a faint, sweet scent—like maltose. This was described in ‘Strange Gates and Hidden Paths’: novice Gu masters often need to use aroma to attract insects, commanding them with food because they cannot yet fully control their Gu. Only with scent and bait can they direct their insects to attack.

Realizing this, Fang You stood up, confidence in his voice. “If I keep watch here tonight, I am certain I can catch the killer.”

“So confident?” Zhang Shengnan asked.

“Absolutely,” Fang You replied without hesitation.

It wasn’t just confidence—because a novice Gu master, lacking skill, can only control insects within a limited range.

So, Fang You concluded, the killer must still be hiding nearby. Furthermore, as a beginner, after using their technique, they would need time to gather up their insects, unable to control them completely. Both releasing and retrieving the insects would take time.

“Then we must trouble you to keep watch with us tonight,” Zhou Shen said, patting Fang You’s shoulder. “We’re counting on you, young Taoist!”

Fang You replied with unwavering resolve, “A Taoist leaves the mountain to punish evil and uphold good. I would never shirk such a task!”

His enthusiasm was not without reason. Earlier, his uncle’s friend—the Miaojiang master, one of the Gu Sect’s six elders, known as Old Ghost—had asked him to track down a renegade Gu master. Now, it seemed, this novice killer was undoubtedly that very disciple.

“Very well. Tonight, we’ll prepare to apprehend the criminal.”