Chapter 36: Transference

A heavy stench of corpses hung in the air. The girl’s eyes rolled back in terror as she doubled over, retching violently until at last her sobs became incoherent and her entire body trembled. “You... you killed someone... What you’ve done is a crime!”

“The emperor sits far away, and who here would care if I kill? This village is cut off from the world; no one comes or goes. Now, if you behave and cooperate, you might live. But let me be clear—if you won’t, then death is your only fate.”

Qian Hao shot the girl a fierce glare, then turned away, ignoring her. In his hand he carried a cloth bag, from which he drew out a number of triangular flags. He walked around the corpses, arranging them into a circle, and planted the flags firmly into each lifeless chest. There were twelve bodies in all, each with a flag jutting from where the heart should be. Because the corpses were long dried, no blood seeped forth.

When all was done, he lifted his gaze to the sky. The full moon had climbed to its zenith, and a thread of silvery light, barely perceptible, bathed the earth.

He strode to the girl’s side and snapped the rope binding her. Even freed, she was so petrified she forgot to move.

“Come, tell me your name,” Qian Hao said, his tone now gentle. The savagery in his eyes faded, and a faint smile even appeared.

“I… my name is Chuchu,” she whispered between ragged sobs, her throat trembling.

“Good, Chuchu. Do you believe in immortality? I can make you like me—able to live forever, and possess extraordinary strength. See this stone? Isn’t it hard?”

He picked up a stone, the size of a fist, and handed it to her. She squeezed it; it was solid as iron. She nodded mutely, her terror now numbed into resignation. Whatever Qian Hao said, she obeyed, her spirit battered by despair. As long as she might live, she would submit.

“Look closely,” he said.

Qian Hao grinned, gripped the stone with his fingers, and squeezed. A sharp crack rang out—when he opened his palm, the stone had shattered into countless fragments. Chuchu’s vacant eyes widened in shock. How could any ordinary person crush such a stone with their bare hands?

“Remarkable, isn’t it? Once you become like me, you’ll have the same power. Truth be told, I’m just too lonely and want a companion—nothing more. So don’t worry. When you’re like me, I’ll take care of you. Of course, if you refuse, then I’ll have no choice but to drain your blood. Turning you is dangerous for me, after all,” Qian Hao said, seating himself before her with a helpless sigh, as though this act were against his better judgment.

After a moment’s thought, Chuchu pressed her lips together and spoke softly, “All right, I agree. I want your power, too.”

Such strength was invaluable, especially in a remote place like this, where hunting and farming were necessary for survival. Without it, she would be a burden to her family and could never marry well.

Qian Hao’s eyes narrowed to slits as he gently cupped her head, bringing his mouth to her pale neck. Suddenly, his lips parted, revealing two sharp fangs tinged with a faint purple light. He bit into her neck. Chuchu screamed, but soon her cries faded into laughter—strange, blissful laughter.

Her pupils were nearly vacant and she grinned foolishly, oblivious to the blood staining her neck. Qian Hao tore open her clothing, exposing her white skin, but she took no notice. He carefully laid her on the ground and stripped himself as well. Now he seemed transformed—his body more powerful, muscles rippling beneath his skin. Naked, he pressed himself atop her, but this time he did not drink her blood; instead, he placed his forehead gently against hers.

More and more silver moonlight poured down, flooding Qian Hao’s body in a ghostly radiance. The little flags planted in the corpses began to whistle in the night wind as the cold air thickened. On Qian Hao’s brow, the corpse-commanding talisman glowed ever brighter, its red hue growing more vivid and wild. He shook violently, as though suppressing excruciating pain, while the talisman’s markings seeped from his brow into Chuchu’s own. She gasped, her mouth opening to reveal two new fangs of her own.

...

At two in the morning, Zhang Shouzheng arrived in Gourd Village. The whole village was brightly lit, firecrackers crackled, and the noise came directly from Er Niu’s house.

Zhang Shouzheng quickened his pace, soon reaching the house, where he heard Er Niu’s sobs within.

“Shouzheng, you’re back! Thank goodness, you’re safe!” Aunt Li’s shrill voice greeted him as soon as he stepped into the yard. She hurried over, examining him from head to toe. Other villagers gathered round, fussing and offering words of comfort. Er Niu appeared as well, the wound on his brow now scabbed but still alarming.

“Shouzheng, where’s Tingting?”

“Is Xiao Wuqiu all right? Back then, Qingya possessed Tingting’s body and threatened me with Wuqiu’s life, so I had to put away my talisman and let her take control. In the end, she went to her own grave to heal herself with the yin energy. My senior brother saved me. Qingya has probably escaped by now…” Zhang Shouzheng’s heart ached with guilt, uncertain of Tingting’s fate.

“Wuqiu is fine. I’ll settle the score with Qingya, and won’t rest until Tingting is returned. Shouzheng, you should get some rest first,” Er Niu said, patting the fourteen-year-old on the shoulder with a sigh before heading inside to deal with the aftermath.

Zhang Shouzheng returned to his room and saw little Wuqiu sleeping soundly. Relieved, he let out a long breath. Aunt Li entered quietly. “Shouzheng, the Liu family’s enemies are formidable, and now that Elder Guo is dead, I fear hard times await them…”

“It’s all right. Qingya is badly injured—she won’t be able to cause trouble for years, and she has more pressing matters than revenge,” Zhang Shouzheng replied, frowning. Since his senior brother refused to help, he would save Tingting himself once his own cultivation was strong enough.

“Shouzheng, you look pale. You saved my husband, and I have nothing to repay you with but some chicken soup to restore your strength,” Aunt Li said, rubbing her hands before hurrying out without waiting for his answer.

Zhang Shouzheng remained in the room, but many people had come to help the Liu family. Some women came to look after Wuqiu. Zhang Shouzheng rose and made his way to the main hall—he wanted to see Granny Guo, and in the coming days he would stay here, waiting for her soul to return.