Chapter 15: The Temple of the God of War

At the end of the early morning hour, Su Yunqing was awakened by a series of snoring sounds by her ear. She lifted her head, preparing to rub her eyes, only to find her arm numb and unresponsive from being pressed under her. Before she could open her eyes, the cat on the table jumped down in a flash and slipped under the bed.

Autumn deepened, and the night grew longer. She squinted, peering out through the hole above her head; the sky remained pitch black. As the sensation slowly returned to her limbs, she noticed a maple-red women’s cloak draped over her. In this house, if it wasn’t from the Gou family, whose could it be? She shook her shoulders sharply, as if electrocuted, and the cloak fell to the floor.

She stood and glanced around but saw no sign of the young man, who must have left before she woke. Moving her limbs to regain strength, she felt no more weakness. Checking her belongings, the bamboo tube, dagger, and the fragrant sachet were all still there. She rose and headed toward the door, ready to leave.

“Miss...”

Startled, Su Yunqing turned sharply to find the young man silently standing behind her.

“Aren’t you leaving?”

Without explanation, the young man said on his own: “Obviously, someone saw you enter last night. Although those two weren’t killed by you, you definitely can’t avoid suspicion. Now, you either run or get taken by the authorities for interrogation.”

“Where were you hiding?” Su Yunqing craned her neck and looked around.

“If you want to escape, you need to change your clothes and shoes. In these, you'll be recognized quickly; besides, your shoe soles have blood on them.”

“Thanks for the warning. I have my plans; no need to trouble yourself. Goodbye.” She moved to open the door.

“Wait.” The young man grabbed her sleeve.

“Is there more?”

He turned and picked up some leftover ribs from last night’s dishes, handing them to her. “I heard dogs barking outside last night. Just in case, take this with you.”

Su Yunqing accepted the ribs, paused briefly, looked up, and thanked him before turning to leave.

Just before opening the door, she glanced back and asked, “You said last night to take you out with me—are you coming along?”

He shook his head. “No need. I’ve recovered. It’s easy for me to leave now. You be careful.”

She nodded. “Take care.”

---

Finding a rope among the flowers, she threw the hook and skillfully climbed up the courtyard wall, then leapt down.

“Ah... oof...” She forgot the ground outside was stone paving, not soft soil or flower beds.

Su Yunqing fell to the ground, rubbing her foot. Preparing to get up and leave, she noticed several dark shadows rushing toward her in the distance.

Tightening her grip on the dagger tied to her leg, she retreated to the base of a wall.

The shadows moved swiftly and stopped about a few feet away, panting heavily.

They were dogs.

She quickly held up a finger, shushing them, then pulled out the ribs and tossed them their way.

The dogs wagged their tails and scattered to eat. Taking the chance, Su Yunqing stood and headed toward the Guan Yu Temple in the western part of the city.

This temple housed a seated statue of Lord Guan. In Zejiang, it was a place of fervent worship, especially now, with turmoil outside, a negligent court, corrupt officials, and the common people placing their hopes on the gods. Every day, crowds came to pray and burn incense.

For seven days, Su Yunqing stayed beneath the seat of Lord Guan.

It was her first time killing someone. At first, the anger over losing her family and the thrill of avenging them dulled any discomfort.

But after disposing of the body alone, a wave of confusion and panic rose within her, accompanied by instinctive nausea and dizziness that left her disoriented.

She had thought killing was simple, and that avenging her family would bring only relief and excitement.

Yet she had forgotten she was just a sixteen-year-old girl, raised as a precious jewel by her entire family—a girl who once, on a trip, had insisted her family stop eating pork after seeing a farmer slaughter a pig.

Of course, she didn’t keep that up for long, tempted by cravings.

Alone, lost in the night, she came to the western Guan Yu Temple and asked Lord Guan if she had done wrong. She couldn’t understand why killing her enemy left her feeling so unsettled.

Lord Guan, naturally, did not reply.

Early one morning, before dawn, worshippers arrived, so she quietly slipped under the seat behind the statue. It was spacious, sheltered from wind and rain, and no one would suspect someone hiding there.

Her nausea and dizziness lasted three days. There, alongside Lord Guan, she endured the prayers of the faithful and slowly healed herself. By the fourth day, the pain subsided, and she resumed her plan for revenge.

But unexpectedly, someone else acted first and dealt with her enemy. She never asked who it was, but given Wu Renpin’s behavior, it was unsurprising that many enemies sought his life.

---

Besides, the other party wore a mask, clearly not wanting to reveal their true identity—no need for further questions.

She took some food from the altar and ate. After vomiting everything last night, even down to the last grain of rice, her stomach was growling.

Full, she returned under the statue, changed into clean clothes and shoes, and lay down, hoping to rest more, but she had already slept enough in the Gou family’s house.

With Wu Renpin dead and the news soon to explode in the city, she, having been missing for seven days, could not appear now. She needed to leave quickly.

Without waiting for the Cheng family to pick her up, she planned to take a boat south—maybe she’d even encounter a wedding procession on the way.

But before leaving, she had to say goodbye to her family and then visit the cemetery under cover of night.

As dawn approached, new worshippers arrived.

“Lord Guan, please bless my youngest daughter to soon escape her suffering, and may that cursed Wu Renpin receive his just punishment. Ever since he set his sights on her, he’s forced himself upon her without giving her status or allowing her to marry. He’s wealthy and powerful, and we ordinary folk have no way to fight back, so we come to you for help.”

Su Yunqing listened to the prayer and couldn’t help but cover her mouth to stifle a laugh.

You truly prayed to the right god.

Soon after, another came.

“Lord Guan, please judge for us commoners. Yesterday, the county magistrate beat a tenant farmer accused of stealing grain until his skin was raw and his fingers nearly broken. I only spoke the truth—that hunger drives people to steal—but I was charged with disrupting the court and fined two dan of rice and two taels of silver. It is truly unjust.”

“The rich can do as they please, while the poor can barely afford a bowl of porridge. Please, Lord Guan, remove the county magistrate Liu Qing so the people may live in peace.”

Su Yunqing thought: It’s only a matter of time; just wait for the news.

The person left within a short while, and footsteps approached again.

“Lord Guan, I am guilty. Please punish me. Back then, it was Secretary Su who saved our family’s lives, but since his death, I haven’t dared light even one incense stick for him, because I have a son who is a scholar destined for office. I had no choice.”

“Please bless the Su family’s third young lady to survive safely. I would sacrifice ten years of my life if only my son might pass the imperial exams this year.”

Ten years off your life? Not necessary!