Chapter Seven: Is There Any Land That Does Not Bury the Dead?

Su Jian cast only a casual glance before withdrawing his gaze. The young slave had an air of scholarly refinement, yet his face was haggard, his robes unwashed for who knew how long. The character for “slave” was branded into his scalp, surrounded by lash marks that, though scabbed over, remained a shocking and grotesque sight. Su Jian could only attribute this to Su Henli’s peculiar tastes.

In the next moment, the middle-aged man dropped wordlessly to his knees before Su Henli, his weathered face devoid of expression. Su Henli let out a scornful laugh, then raised her right foot and pressed it against the branded mark on his forehead, grinding it back and forth. Beneath her heel, the man’s face contorted in pain as the scabs on his scalp tore open, his features flushing red with strain.

Su Henli’s face was full of derision as she glanced at Zhao Qianxue, her tone sweet and mocking. “Master’s wife, my little slave isn’t bad, is he? He’s always obedient and uncomplaining, takes punishment without protest, and he’s even the esteemed lord of this city. Does Master’s wife wish for me to find you one as well?”

Zhao Qianxue was momentarily stunned, then forced a smile. “That won’t be necessary. I prefer peace and quiet. Just arrange a secluded place for us.”

Su Henli smiled faintly, then kicked Gao Zhengde aside. “Little slave, did you hear my master’s wife’s request?”

Gao Zhengde nodded repeatedly. “I’ll see to it right away. I promise Madam will be satisfied.”

Su Henli then pointed coldly at the corpse of the young maid nearby. “Also, drag this insolent girl away. In the future, if anyone dares enter my rooms without permission, let this serve as a warning.”

Su Jian and Zhao Qianxue followed behind Gao Zhengde, who carried the maid’s corpse in his arms. He paid no mind to the blood staining his clothes. The three walked in silence.

Su Jian’s brow was furrowed. He had gained nothing of value from the maid before her death. Su Henli’s whereabouts had always been uncertain; for years, she seemed to have kept Gao Zhengde firmly under her command. He had once thought the maid’s hatred for Su Henli ran too deep to trust her judgment, but now he realized she had vastly underestimated Su Henli. The woman was far more dangerous than he had imagined.

In their brief encounter, Su Henli appeared courteous and respectful, but was in truth aggressive and menacing, her words thick with hidden threats. This was nothing less than killing the chicken to warn the monkeys. Invisible pressure was the most effective way to destroy someone’s mental defenses.

The lodging Gao Zhengde arranged was not far from Su Henli’s own residence. After some thought, Su Jian spoke up, “The dampness has been heavy in my body lately; it’s not suitable to stay near water. Could you trouble yourself to find us a different place? Preferably two rooms side by side—we have no high demands, just somewhere to stay.”

Though this excuse would have sounded feeble to a cultivator, the city lord was an ordinary man with no cultivation, easy enough to deceive. It was, after all, just a pretext. Su Henli’s cultivation had reached the Nascent Soul stage; her divine sense, though not unlimited, would easily reach their current quarters. Living under her very nose was as good as standing naked before her.

Before long, Gao Zhengde led them to another residence, this one near the main gate. Su Jian was far more satisfied—at least here, idle chatter wouldn’t be overheard.

Expressionless, Gao Zhengde announced, “This is the best place in the front courtyard, honored immortals.”

Su Jian nodded slightly, then winked at Zhao Qianxue. Glancing at the maid’s corpse, he said, “Master’s wife, you go in first. I’ll lend a hand here.”

Zhao Qianxue understood at once, though she felt a hollow unease in her heart. Still, she knew the matter at hand took precedence. “Go, but come back quickly.”

A hint of surprise flickered across Gao Zhengde’s features, but he said nothing. He carried the maid’s corpse to the flower bed in the front courtyard, set it down, and picked up a shovel, ignoring Su Jian as he began to dig.

Su Jian asked offhandedly, “Why not bury her outside?”

Gao Zhengde gave a bitter smile. “Isn’t all earth the same in the end?”

Su Jian replied coolly, “You’re the lord of this city, yet you’re willing to live like this?”

“There’s no need to test me, honored immortal. My loyalty to my mistress is witnessed by heaven and earth, sun and moon alike. I have not the slightest disloyalty.”

Su Jian pressed no further. Who knew how deep the man’s slavish obedience ran? If he repeated this conversation to Su Henli, things would become troublesome. It was not yet time to burn bridges.

Since he could not ask sensitive questions, Su Jian decided to take another path. “I’m new here and know little of how I might be of use to my senior, nor her preferences or usual haunts. Could you offer some advice? If I gain her favor, I won’t forget your help today.”

Gao Zhengde fell silent, then answered, “Mistress often visits the Temple of Karmic Reflection on Floating Cloud Mountain, beyond the city. That’s all I should know.”

Su Jian was startled. “A Buddhist temple?”

He did not believe for a moment that Su Henli went there to pray. But it was a valuable clue. Still, what was Gao Zhengde’s motive in sharing this?

Su Jian left without further questioning; anything more would only arouse suspicion.

At that same moment, in a lakeside pavilion, Su Henli’s face was dark and grim. She looked down at the man clinging to her legs, his cheek pressed to her trouser hem. Her voice was cold. “Xi Wang, what do you think of this?”

Xi Wang looked up, his tone unhurried. “The item is certainly on them, there’s no doubt. They’ve been wary of you from the start.”

Su Henli spoke slowly, “Then I might as well just kill them. The item won’t be hard to find.”

Xi Wang shook his head. “That would be unwise. They’re already at your mercy, but we can’t be sure if they carry the item with them. If you force a confrontation, there may be no winners.”

Su Henli raised an eyebrow. “We’ll do as you say, but our time is short. The righteous alliance won’t give us much leeway.”

“It won’t be long,” Xi Wang replied.

After a long silence, Su Henli spoke, her voice thick with resentment. “Letting Chen Luo die so simply this time was far too easy for him. Now that his wife and disciple are in my hands, I’ll collect some overdue interest from them.”