Si Teng (Rattan) – CH 021

Chapter 21

Yan Furui called Qin Fang and said that, except for Chen Yindeng, the group had already settled in Qingcheng and was anticipating tomorrow’s “feast.” However, before that, he wanted to come and see Wafang. Another professor, Bai Jin, also wanted to pay a visit to Miss Si Teng in advance.

Si Teng, reading under the eaves, didn’t even raise her eyelids when she heard this and said, “Will he die tomorrow?”

Professor Bai Jin was fine, but Qin Fang argued for Yan Furui: “Master Yan raised Wafang from childhood and treated him like his own son. It’s natural that he’s worried after not seeing him for so many days.”

“Then worrying for even one more day won’t kill him.”

Although it was infuriating, it was indeed Si Teng’s logic. Qin Fang felt he had gotten used to it. As he was about to leave, he accidentally noticed the title of the book on the spine of her hand: ‘A Deadly Secret.’

Compared to ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’ and ‘The Return of the Condor Heroes,’ ‘A Deadly Secret’ was probably one of Jin Yong’s lesser-known works. But thinking back, it seemed like Si Teng had been reading this book over and over again for the past few days. Qin Fang couldn’t help but take a closer look. Si Teng noticed this tiny movement and raised the cover towards him, asking, “Have you read it?”

“I have.”

“Did you like it?”

Did he like it? Qin Fang thought carefully, then shook his head. “It was average.”

“Why?”

“The protagonist seems to be from a farming family…” Qin Fang had only read the book once, so he couldn’t remember much of it. “When it comes to Jin Yong’s books, I still prefer the ones about heroes from aristocratic families, the various sects, and the swordfighting at Huashan Mountain.”

He remembered that Jin Yong himself had mentioned that ‘A Deadly Secret’ was based on the story of a disabled farmhand in his hometown of Haining. In the world of martial arts, it wouldn’t be interesting if the protagonist didn’t have a distinguished and unusual family background. Unlike Yang Guo, whose father was a young prince of the Jin Kingdom, whose mother was a chivalrous woman, whose master was the Western venom, Ouyang Feng, and whose lover was Xiao Longnu from the Ancient Tomb School… And the first chapter of ‘A Deadly Secret’ was titled ‘A Country Bumpkin Comes to the City.’ How cheesy…

But he still couldn’t recall the specifics. He asked Si Teng, “What’s the main story behind this book?”

“It’s about a disciple killing his master, a father killing his daughter, brothers turning against each other to seize treasure, and people framing others to seize power. In short, it’s about the world’s evil people, the unrewarding good, the heartless world, and the tragic life. Realistic.”

Wasn’t this bullying? Hadn’t he read it before? Qin Fang was furious. “Why do I remember it ending well? How can that be called realistic? You’re too pessimistic. Haven’t you heard there’s true love in the world?”

Si Teng sneered and stood up. “There’s true love in the world? Yes, Qin Fang, you have a lot of true love.”

She reached out and brushed Qin Fang’s head. Qin Fang felt his scalp tingle. He subconsciously took two steps back and looked at her warily. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing. You’ve got too much true love on your head. Let me help you dust it off.” Si Teng smiled at Qin Fang. “Of course I’m not as optimistic as you. You shared the same bed with your fiancée, unaware she had a secret love affair. She murdered and killed you. And you still tell me there’s true love in the world. You won’t need to eat anymore. True love will fill you up… Oh, and your fiancée, have you found out anything?”

Qin Fang stared at her coldly, then gritted his teeth for a moment before uttering two words: “No!”

***

Actually, there was.

The waiter at the Golden Horse Hotel called him back and said that the guest staying in room 188 during those two days, a man named Zhao Jianglong, had been taken away in an ambulance in the middle of the night. His companions said it was food poisoning.

He gave this tip to Shan Zhigang, who almost jumped up and said, “This Zhao Jianglong is incredibly famous in Li County. Everyone knows him! It’s said that at the height of his success, he had three mistresses at once!”

After this, they both fell silent for a long time: Wasn’t An Man’s hometown in Li County?

With this tip, Shan Zhigang made a breakthrough very quickly. The next day, he sent him two photos, one of which was a photocopy of the ID card of the person named An Xiaoting. The second photo was of Zhao Jianglong and An Man, seemingly taken at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at some grand hotel, probably several years ago. An Man still looked a bit childish, but she was wearing an extremely expensive cashmere coat, an LV bag, and a heavy gold necklace with a jade pendant.

Was this the simple An Man? Something in Qin Fang’s heart suddenly collapsed. Shan Zhigang told him that Zhao Jianglong’s business had run into trouble a few years ago, and the local police had opened an investigation. Several mistresses had absconded with the money, including An Xiaoting. At the crucial moment, it was his wife who returned to her hometown in Qinghai, sold all her family’s real estate and land, and used the money to bail him out of prison and help him make a comeback. However, he had been unlucky a while ago; Shan Zhigang heard he was robbed and stabbed, and now he was back in Li County to recuperate.

Honestly, Shan Zhigang really didn’t want to investigate further. He’d already confirmed An Man’s identity with a note, feeling like his brother had been tricked. Fortunately, Heaven had noticed something before the marriage, but he still had to ask Qin Fang’s thoughts. Should he continue investigating?

Qin Fang’s thoughts were in turmoil. He said, “Let me think about it.”

He still had to investigate. It wasn’t about feelings. An Man’s life or death was a matter of life and death. It would be unfair for her to lie to him again. She was the one he had chosen as his fiancée. However, Zhao Jianglong’s men had been so ruthless as to kill him that night. Shan Zhigang knew nothing about the situation and couldn’t let him get into danger.

***

Si Teng’s Hongmen Banquet arrived as planned. The upscale club with a waterfront terrace came standard with a large round carved wood table that seated fifteen. A magnificent bronze hollow-carved mirror hung on the wall. In the center of the tabletop was a painting depicting the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea. The immortals each held a treasure, and beneath their feet lay the surging ocean.

Seeing that the time was almost up, Qin Fang led Wafang to the clubhouse entrance to wait. When Yan Furui and the others appeared, Wafang burst into tears, his tears smearing Yan Furui’s clothes. Qin Fang calmly greeted everyone amidst the background sounds of Wafang’s wailing and sobbing.

It was actually quite easy to recognize them. The oldest was Abbot Cang Hong of Baiyun Temple on Wudang Mountain. A well-chosen title, it gave him the impression of being as graceful as a startled swan. Master Zhang Shaohua of Qingcheng Mountain was slender and elegant, reminiscent of an ancient legal advisor and scholar. Taoist Priest Ma Qiuyang of Longhu Mountain was white and plump, with a radiant round face. Mr. Liu Hexiang of Qiyun Mountain was the only one of the four sects not wearing a Taoist robe, dressed like a prim village committee official. Liu Jinding of Kongtong Cave was a stout, bald man, and Pan Qinian of Taoyuan Cave was short, barely reaching the shoulders of an average person. Ding Dacheng spoke with a Tianjin accent. Professor Bai Jin wore glasses, looking like a university professor. As for Wang Qiankun, he’d met him before.

The only one missing was Chen Yindeng from Magu Cave.

Qin Fang politely led everyone to the private room. Along the way, those serving dishes, sweeping the floor, and dining all looked at him sideways. The club’s proprietress became nervous and, while no one was paying attention, pulled Qin Fang aside and questioned him, “Didn’t you say you were treating people to a meal? What the hell are you doing? A cult?”

Qin Fang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “They are all orthodox Taoists; don’t talk nonsense.”

The proprietress couldn’t get around it: “What are Taoist priests doing here when they’re not at home chanting?”

“Don’t Taoist priests eat?”

The proprietress was skeptical and repeatedly asked him to confirm before leaving: “Are you sure? You’re just having a meal. I’m timid, so please don’t scare me.”

Qin Fang was amused—a few Taoist priests scared her so much! If she knew there was a demon sitting in the VIP lounge next door…

***

With so many Taoist masters gathered together, it felt like a battle on Huashan Mountain. Qin Fang was inexplicably excited. After inviting everyone to their seats, he went to the next room to invite Si Teng. Si Teng sat as still as a mountain and said, “Let them wait.”

She was truly patient, gently applying gold powder with an eyeshadow brush and slowly putting on her makeup. Qin Fang was helpless: “Si Teng, they’re already waiting. It’s your dinner party, so it wouldn’t be nice to be late.”

Si Teng leaned over to the dressing mirror and brushed her brows with her fingertips: “Are they all here?”

“One person named Chen Yindeng isn’t here.”

Si Teng paused for a moment, and Qin Fang thought she was about to get angry, but she thought for a moment and said nonchalantly, “The people from Magu Cave haven’t always been very capable, so I don’t think they can help me.”

Qin Fang couldn’t stand her arrogant attitude. He said sullenly, “Even a broken boat has three pounds of nails. Since Magu Cave has a place among the seven caves, it must have some unique qualities. You’re so careless and underestimate them. You might end up capsizing in the Magu Cave ditch one day.”

Si Teng didn’t look at him. She casually picked up her eyebrow brush and said meaningfully, “Qin Fang, haven’t I been too polite to you lately?”

Sure enough, he’d said something wrong, and it had touched the old lady’s sore spot. However, after spending so many days together, Qin Fang had become quite adept at handling the situation. “You want revenge, don’t you? I just occasionally play the role of the bitter gall, reminding you to be cautious and steady.”

Si Teng thought about it and actually nodded. “Where there is a will, there is a way. Burn the boats and cross the river. A hundred and twenty Qin passes will soon belong to Chu. Heaven rewards those who work hard. Sleep on straw and taste bitter bile. Three thousand Yue troops can conquer Wu. It’s a good omen, like me, realistic.”

She was incredibly quick to react, and suddenly, she was all smiles. She stood up, her hand on her temple, and took one last look at her makeup in the mirror. “Let’s go; don’t keep our distinguished guest waiting.”

***

Except for the Abbot Cang Hong, no one had actually seen Si Teng. They’d all pictured her in their minds, mostly imagining her as sallow-faced, fang-toothed, and unsightly. They’d never imagined her as bright and beautiful. But the strange thing was, upon actually seeing her, everyone thought to themselves, “Yes, she’s a monster. That’s what monsters are supposed to look like.”

Abbot Cang Hong of Baiyun Temple watched Si Teng arrive gracefully and take her seat, his heart racing. Her looks were accurate, but her age wasn’t right. The Si Teng he’d seen was clearly a middle-aged woman. Could this monster have some kind of anti-aging technique that could reverse aging?

The table was full, the aroma filling the air, but no one touched their chopsticks. Si Teng said, “Don’t be polite, everyone. Is the food not to your liking?”

She took a chopstick and savored the food carefully.

Who really came to eat? Everyone felt uneasy and looked at Abbot Cang Hong. Cang Hong knew that he was the one who should make the final decision, so he sat up straight and coughed twice, “Miss Si Teng.”

Si Teng’s eyes drifted over: “Hmm?”

Qin Fang had already described each person to her. This old man, buried up to his neck in dirt, must be Cang Hong.

Their eyes met, and Cang Hong’s blood rushed to his head with anxiety, fearing her expression would suddenly darken and she’d say, “I’ve seen you before.” After a few seconds of silence, seeing she didn’t react, he felt a little relieved. “Miss Si Teng, are you going to collect your debt from the Taoist sects this time?”

Si Teng smiled, dabbed her lips with a napkin, and placed her chopsticks on the porcelain table. “No grudges, no hatred? How can you say that?”

No grudges, no hatred? The Cang Hong Abbey Master was genuinely worried she was being sarcastic: “But our previous generation…”

“The old abbot also said it was the previous generation. It’s been so many years, so let bygones be bygones. I’m a very magnanimous and sensible person. I won’t let the sons bring disaster to their descendants.”

The moment these words were spoken, everyone in the audience felt a sense of relief. Only Qin Fang, who was sipping his tea, choked at the words “magnanimous and sensible.” Si Teng’s gaze swept over him, and Qin Fang felt the temperature around him drop. Coughing, he sat up straight, looked at everyone with concern, and said, “The tea is too hot. Everyone, wait a minute.”

Taoist Master Ma Qiuyang couldn’t help himself. “Then why did you poison us?”

Si Teng asked curiously, “Why would you come to this meal if I didn’t poison you? If I didn’t poison you, how would you have done what I asked you to do? Master Ma, are you only three years old? Don’t you know this common sense?”

Master Cang Hong knew that she was being polite but condescending, so he quickly stopped Ma Qiuyang with a look: “So, what does Miss Si Teng want us to do?”

Si Teng didn’t answer directly. Instead, she changed the subject and asked, “Have you heard of, captured, or seen any other monsters in all these years?”