Night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.
The South Mountain Academy was located outside Yanjiao City, named after the southern mountain it was built on. Behind the academy, there was a small lake, secluded and serene, where young men and women often used to play during summer nights. However, in the recent period, no one dared to approach this area.
Because someone died here not long ago.
Yet, tonight, there were two scholars who arrived at this place.
As they approached the lake, a chilling wind seeped through their clothes, making them shiver uncontrollably.
"Brother Shao'an, why have you brought me to this place... Isn't this where Situ Yan committed suicide?" the frail scholar behind them muttered, fear making him reluctant to take another step forward.
The scholar in front, with a sturdy build and a deep voice, said, "To truly put an end to this matter, we can only come here."
The wind rustled through the surrounding trees, creating a sound as if someone was walking behind them. The frail scholar turned around in a panic, but after seeing no one, he sighed and said, "I don't know what there is to resolve. This matter has nothing to do with me. When you all bullied Situ Yan, I hardly participated... at most, I called her an ugly monster a couple of times... Now that she's dead, what else is there to do?"
The frail scholar continued to ramble on, seeming to use this method to alleviate his fear.
"Indeed, you didn't do anything..." The deep voice of the tall scholar was gloomy.
"Oh, stop beating around the bush!" The thin scholar urged anxiously.
"Well then..." The tall scholar turned his face, his half face under the moonlight was extremely stern. "Do you still recognize me?"
"Wu Shao'an!" The thin scholar seemed startled by his tone and became somewhat angry. "What do you want? If there's nothing important, I won't stay with you in this haunted place! I'd rather move my family out of Yanjiao City tomorrow, and save ourselves from fear."
"Zhang Cong, do you really not recognize me?" the tall scholar asked again, suddenly turning around to reveal his entire face.
His right half was a normal face, but the left half had suddenly appeared with a dense scar, as if it had endured a fierce burn, even the eye socket was deformed, extremely ghastly.
And... it somewhat resembled a woman!
"Ah!" The thin scholar, seeing this, was shocked, took a step back, but his legs went weak and he fell to the ground.
Then, the tall scholar's intact face also began to peel off, as if it were dry and cracked wall paint, pieces fell off to reveal a pale and bloodless face of a woman underneath.
"Situ Yan, spare me... spare me..." the thin scholar backed off with a murmur, then got up, broke free and ran towards the edge of the woods!
As he ran, he called out, "Help! Ghosts!"
He ran out of the little woods and felt out of breath and stopped. Looking back at the deep trees, it seemed that no one was following.
"Uh..."
Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, suddenly, his hands gripped his neck, and his pupils began to bulge. The left side of his face started to dry and peel off, revealing a dense burn scar...
"Spare me... please, spare me..."
"Please, spare me... Ah..."
...
"Why were we called to the haunted Nan Shan Academy?"
On the bustling streets of Yanjiao City, Chu Liang asked Lin Bei.
Lin Bei had hurriedly taken him to sign the mission earlier because he said the reward was very high, so Chu Liang didn't inquire much, only now did he start to understand the specifics of the situation.
This place was not far from Mount Shu, and disciples of the Shu Mountain sect were somewhat familiar with Yanjiao City, and usually, when strange cases emerged, they were handled by disciples of Shu Mountain sect.
But there were always exceptions.
For example, if there was a problem with the temple, it should be managed by Buddhist practitioners; if there was an issue at the academy, it should be handled by Confucian practitioners.
Unless there were special circumstances, practitioners of the three teachings did not trespass. It was not only a problem for their own sect, but also a provocation to others.
"Hehe..." Lin Bei smiled, "The matters in the academy naturally fall under the jurisdiction of the Confucian practitioners. Our responsibility is just to protect a student."
Speaking, he pointed to a large mansion guarded by a stone lion in front, with a plaque hanging high on it reading "Li Manor."
"Mr. Li is a well-known figure in Yanjiao City. His only son, Li Jue, is studying at the Nanshan Academy. Recently, the Nanshan Academy has been haunted, and two students have already died."
"He is worried that something might happen to his son, so he has asked our Shushan Sect to send someone to protect his son for a while. Once this perplexing case is resolved, our mission will be considered complete."
"Paying by the day."
Upon hearing the last sentence, Chuliang felt relieved.
Mr. Li provided the Shushan Sect with real money, while the Shushan Sect paid them in sword coins. This was the kind of high-paying job he needed to save money to buy a flying sword.
It's as good as money in the bank.
"Ah, the two young heroes from Shushan Sect, you've finally arrived," Mr. Li personally greeted them with his whole family, showing a great deal of respect.
This is one of the perks of being a cultivator - even the wealthy and influential people have to show some respect when they see you.
"No need for all this formality, we are just juniors from Shushan." Linbei also warmly said, "My name is Linbei, and this is my fellow disciple Chuliang. I see you are only a few years older than my dad, so I'll call you Uncle Li in an attempt to be friendly. Let's consider ourselves as brothers, just like your son and I."
Saying this, he turned to Chuliang and gestured, "No need to be too formal, feel at home here."
Chuliang smiled slightly.
With such a terror of a person in social skills around, he could save himself a lot of trouble in social interactions.
He noticed that behind Mr. Li was a silent young man, dressed in casual clothes, looking around sixteen or seventeen years old, fair-skinned but with dark circles under his eyes and a haggard appearance.
He must be Mr. Li's only son, Li Jue, looking troubled.
As they entered the main hall, Linbei was already chummily arm in arm with Mr. Li.
"Uncle Li, rest assured, my little brother has me watching over him, and I guarantee his safety. From today onwards, we will be by his side round the clock. You can ask around about me, Linbei..."
"Nephew, actually, there's another favor I'd like to ask..." Mr. Li smiled, his moustache trembling, "Although I asked you to protect my son, could you... not let others know about it?"
"Not let others know? What do you mean?" Linbei and Chuliang were both a little puzzled.
"I mean... tomorrow I will arrange for you to enroll in the school as well, to attend the Nanshan Academy. Then you can keep an eye on Li Jue at all times, come back to my house after school, and that's it. But in the meantime, don't let anyone realize that you are specifically protecting him, all right?" Mr. Li requested, rubbing his hands.
"Uncle Li, we will of course follow your request, but can we ask... why?" Linbei asked.
"It's a bit hard to explain." Mr. Li smiled, but remained evasive.
Hiring someone to protect him... and not wanting others to find out?
Chuliang glanced at the silent Li Jue, and at Mr. Li nervously rubbing his hands.
What were they so guilty about?