Chapter Sixty-Nine: I'm Going to Do Righteous Deeds
Hearing her daughter-in-law's fearful warning, Aunt Shi couldn't help but shudder. "Oh... what a tragedy! If this continues, who knows how many more people will suffer. When will this ever end..."
After saying this, Aunt Shi seemed to realize she had said too much. She stopped talking to Bai Yu and silently lowered her head, vigorously scrubbing the vegetables in the basin. Only the crackling of the stove, the clatter of the spatula, and suppressed breathing filled the kitchen.
Bai Yu stopped asking questions and focused on preparing the ingredients. She moved quickly, chopping, stir-frying, and seasoning in one fluid motion. Even the most ordinary ingredients seemed to come alive under her hands. Ordinary shredded potatoes were stir-fried into a tangy and spicy dish with a fragrant aroma of vinegar; cabbage and tofu were made into a light and delicious soup; dried shiitake mushrooms were soaked, finely chopped, and steamed with eggs to create a smooth and tender mushroom and egg custard; she even quickly made several thin pancakes with the little flour she had left, golden and crispy. She also made sure to set aside a small portion of each dish in an empty bowl.
Half an hour later, all the dishes were ready. Although the ingredients were extremely simple, Bai Yu had put a lot of thought into making them look presentable. She arranged them on plates and carved decorations (using a small flower carved from a radish as a garnish). Although simple, she had tried her best. What was finally presented to Jiu Ya was three dishes, a soup, and a staple food. The taste was acceptable, and the presentation was also passable.
"Miss, Miss Rong, the food is ready. Please enjoy your meal." Bai Yu said respectfully as she placed the food on the slightly worn wooden table in the room. The dishes weren't the rough porcelain bowls found at the inn, but rather glass goblets that Bai Yu had obtained from Li Yue, which they had brought back from the Demon Realm. Comrade Li Yue was a walking warehouse manager, responsible for storing various daily necessities. The translucent, sparkling glass goblets complemented the simple yet exquisite dishes on the plates, making the humble room seem less shabby.
"I'll wait outside the door. Just call me if you need anything." Bai Yu set out the bowls and chopsticks and stood by her side with her hands at her sides.
Jiuya looked at the dishes on the table, then at the expensive glass cup, and felt that this inn was not large enough to produce such dishes. In the end, she picked up her chopsticks and tasted a bite of shredded potatoes, and it tasted familiar.
"It's actually Bai Yu's cooking! As good as ever!" Jiu Ya praised without reservation, her appetite seemingly improving as well. Although it couldn't compare to the imperial cuisine of the Demon Palace, it was already the best under these circumstances.
Rong Jiang also picked up her chopsticks and ate some steamed egg custard and pancakes with elegant movements. She nodded slightly and said, "Ajiu's maid is indeed extraordinary. She is clever and skillful."
"Yes! Bai Yu's cooking is delicious! I never thought that eggplant and bitter melon could taste so good!" Jiu Ya was never stingy with praise. As someone who hated bitter melon more than anything, she was amazed to find that Bai Yu could make it sweet and refreshing, which completely changed her perception. "You should go and eat too, don't bother."
Rong Jiang smiled slightly and said, "Every ingredient has its own characteristics. It all depends on how it's prepared. Controlling the heat and seasoning are both important skills. I imagine Miss Bai Yu has both skillful hands and a very clever mind." Her praise was always just right, making people feel like they were basking in a spring breeze.
"Miss and Miss Rong are too kind." Bai Yu showed just the right amount of shyness on her face. "Then this servant will take her leave first."
After Bai Yu left the room and carefully closed the door, Jiu Ya and Rong Jiang had a simple meal. Although Bai Yu had tried her best, the limited ingredients meant the taste was only passable. Jiu Ya ate until she was about 70-80% full before putting down her chopsticks, and Rong Jiang barely touched her food.
Not long after, Bai Yu and Li Yue returned to the room. Bai Yu recounted in detail the information he had obtained from Aunt Shi, including the details of the skinning and heart-ripping, the frequency of the incidents, and the fear of the people in the city.
After listening, Jiu Ya asked, "You mean that because of the horrific things that happen from time to time, such as people being killed and skinned alive, the city has become so fearful that people are even afraid to receive outsiders?" Although she had guessed that something had happened, she did not expect it to be such a bizarre and cruel thing.
“That’s exactly what Aunt Shi meant, and according to her, it’s been exactly one month since the last incident,” Bai Yu nodded and added, her expression becoming serious. Although she was a demon, she was also somewhat uncomfortable with such cruel methods.
Li Yue stepped forward and echoed in a deep voice, "Miss, I've also spoken with the innkeeper and several other guests who seemed relatively calm, and they confirmed this. The city is in a state of panic; no one dares to go out after dark, fearing they'll be the next target. The government is helpless, and there are even rumors that it's the work of demons and ghosts." His findings were more direct; some guests even openly regretted staying at this inn that dared to accommodate outsiders and planned to leave immediately at dawn.
Jiu Ya frowned in thought. For the past three months, someone had been murdered every half month or month. There must have been no fewer than ten people who had died unjustly. With so many people dying violently, how could the local land deity, city god, and even the ghost messengers not notice? Why hadn't it been reported? Or had it been reported but failed to resolve the issue? She then looked at Rong Jiang and noticed that the latter's expression was also somewhat unpleasant. Her usually calm and unwavering eyes now seemed to be covered with a layer of frost.
Rong Jiang's slender, pale fingers tapped rhythmically on the table. Her brow furrowed slightly. Strangely, despite the intense fear permeating the city, so many people had died violently, yet there was no palpable sense of overwhelming resentment. How could this be? After death, the soul leaves the body, especially those who died violently. Their hearts are filled with resentment, hatred, and fear; these emotions transform into resentment that lingers at the place of death or clings to the murderer. To be skinned and have one's heart ripped out—how agonizing and gruesome their death! Their resentment should be incredibly profound. How could there be no trace of it? It was as if the souls, along with their resentment, had vanished into thin air.
This is highly unusual! The vengeful ghosts in Linzi City harming people were the result of accumulated resentment erupting, yet this place is eerily "clean," which is even more unsettling. There is a difference in the flow of time between the underworld and the human world; if something happens on the human world, the ghost messengers in the underworld may not be able to arrive in time to notice. So, shouldn't we find a way to resolve this matter? Rong Jiang vaguely had a plan in mind. Whether it was because of her duty or because the strange situation touched upon some of her doubts, she couldn't ignore it.
"A murderer? A skinning monster?" Rong Jiang Qingling's gentle voice carried a chilling undertone. "Since today is the so-called half-month period, or even the one-month period, let's go and meet this so-called monster! Let's see what kind of being it is and how much trouble it can cause in this city."
Upon hearing this, Jiu Ya's eyes lit up, and she immediately forgot her earlier discomfort. A sense of novelty and excitement welled up in her heart, and she felt like one of those chivalrous heroes in a storybook, fighting evil and protecting the righteous. A surge of heroic spirit rose in her heart. "Great! It's a good time to stretch my muscles!" She rubbed her hands together, eager to try.
By now, the sky outside the window was completely black, and all was silent except for the occasional whistling sound of the wind brushing against the eaves. It was precisely the time when the legendary monster was said to be causing trouble.
Jiuya was a little impatient, "Then let's go now!"
"Bai Yu, why don't you and Li Yue stay at the inn?" Jiu Ya turned to Bai Yu and spoke. She felt that fighting monsters didn't require a large group. Besides, she mainly wanted to experience the feeling of "righteous chivalry." If Bai Yu and Li Yue were there, Jiu Ya was worried that before she could even make a move, these two loyal subordinates would eagerly rush to the front to eliminate the danger. That wouldn't be good. Can you call it righteous chivalry if you don't do it yourself? That's just watching your subordinates do the work.
"Miss! How can this be?" Bai Yu objected vehemently. Although she didn't believe anything in the mortal realm could threaten His Majesty, the duty of a maid/guard was to protect their master! How could they allow His Majesty to personally face danger while they stayed at the inn enjoying leisure? This was dereliction of duty! Moreover, there was that seemingly frail Miss Rong, "Miss is of noble birth. How can we not accompany and protect her when she goes out? If anything were to happen, we would be guilty beyond measure!"
"It's nothing! We're just going out to investigate. You don't need to do anything. I think Ranran and I are enough!" Jiu Ya tried to persuade her, pointing to Rong Jiang beside her. Rong Jiang just smiled faintly and didn't interrupt.
Upon hearing this, Bai Yu felt even more distressed and anxious. If she really wasn't needed anymore, wouldn't she seem superfluous? She wouldn't be far from losing her job! "Miss—although you are very powerful, as your subordinates, Li Yue and I naturally have to protect you! Besides, you've brought Miss Rong with you," she said quickly, using Rong Jiang as an excuse, "In case... in case something unexpected happens, and you're busy dealing with that monster and can't take care of Miss Rong, Li Yue and I can provide support and protect her!" She felt her reason was very valid.
“Miss Bai Yu is also very loyal and worried about your safety, A-Jiu.” Rong Jiang finally spoke, adjusting her sleeves and saying slowly, “Since she insists so much, A-Jiu, why don’t you let Miss Bai Yu and Young Master Li Yue go with her? More people means more protection. Who knows… that monster might be very vicious and cunning?” Her words seemed to be to help Bai Yu out of a predicament, but they also seemed to have a deeper meaning.
Jiu Ya took Rong Jiang's words as the highest order, so she had no choice but to nod in agreement, "Alright then, let's all go together!" She paused, then remembered another question, "By the way, Li Yue, is the inn closed now? How do we get out?" She didn't want to wake up that terrified innkeeper to open the door.
That's right, by this time, the inn had already closed its doors, bolted tight. It was full, and given the turbulent times, closing early was the only option. Almost all the guests were in their rooms, refusing to come out. Many probably hadn't slept well, planning to leave the city as soon as the gates opened at dawn. Who wanted to stay in such a strange place, where death was a constant threat? They were here to do business, not to risk their lives.
"Yes, Miss, the innkeeper closed the door as soon as it got dark, and repeatedly told all the guests not to go out at night and not to come out if they heard any noise," Li Yue replied, having already confirmed this when he went downstairs.
Jiuya glanced at the slightly worn wooden window in the room. "Huh? Shall we just go through the window? This window looks pretty sturdy." Besides being spacious, the upper room also had a large window, easily accommodating two people passing by at the same time. Moreover, the window overlooked the back alley of the inn, which was relatively secluded and unlikely to be noticed.
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