Chen Linyu

“Pay respects to the Dao Ancestor?”

Lin Guichen was taken aback.

He had previously heard from the young Daoist that only by severing the incense offerings that connected him to the Yin Gods would he be qualified to meet the Dao Ancestor.

Once a human opened their spiritual orifice and inherited the legacy of a Yin God, they were considered to have entered the path.

But what about the Yin Gods themselves?

“Would someone like Chen Muzhi be considered a Yin God who has entered the path?” Lin Guichen asked.

“Hmm… barely, I suppose,” the young Daoist replied with a yawn, speaking listlessly. “That day, only a handful of Yin Gods in the Furnace could truly be called initiates.”

Lin Guichen fell into thoughtful silence.

Perhaps, mastering esoteric arts was the standard for a Yin God to be considered as having entered the path?

Yet, he still had no idea how exactly to sever a Yin God’s incense offering; that would have to be investigated later.

“Severing the incense isn’t something that can be rushed. For now, there’s no way to pay respects to the Dao Ancestor…”

As he walked out, Lin Guichen began to plan in his heart: “First, I’ll take the Spiritual Awakening Pill to open my third spiritual orifice, then find a way to get another handgun.”

There were still many things he didn’t understand.

How should one increase their spiritual vitality?
What heavenly gods and earthly spirits belonged to the Solar Palace lineage?
What was the correct way to worship the gods?

But there was no need to worry too much.

After all, he was to meet Chen Linyu tonight. As the granddaughter of Elder Chen and daughter of Chen Muzhi, she couldn’t possibly be ignorant of these matters, could she?

Before long—

After leaving the desertified spirit-burial grounds, Lin Guichen saw Elder Chen and Su Zichu, who was supporting him, waiting at the fork where three paths converged.

“You’re out?” Elder Chen greeted him with a gentle smile. “My unfilial son didn’t give you too much trouble, I hope?”

“He did,” Lin Guichen replied. “He kept cursing you—I couldn’t even bear to listen. He called you an old scoundrel, an old beast, a mongrel, and even asked me to do him a favor.”

Elder Chen knew Lin Guichen was taking the opportunity to insult him, but he only smiled. “Oh? And what favor was that?”

“That’s a secret. I can’t tell you,” Lin Guichen shook his head.

“Let me guess,” Elder Chen said with calm amusement. “He probably thinks I’ll harm Yu’er, so he asked you to help stop me, is that right?”

“So easy to guess?” Lin Guichen was surprised.

“I raised the boy myself. How could I not know what’s on his mind?” Elder Chen shook his head, adding, “The only thing I don’t understand is what that Governor Li instilled in him after he joined the army. Everything else, I’ve never misjudged.”

“There’s no fooling you, Elder.” Lin Guichen sighed. “It’s a pity he doesn’t know about the agreement I made with you. Why would I ever commit suicide?”

“That’s the only path left to him… But would you?” Elder Chen asked with a low chuckle.

“I’m still counting on you to send my mother to Yihai,” Lin Guichen replied, shaking his head. “Besides, the later I die, the better.”

Elder Chen laughed. “You’re a clever child.”

He knew this was Lin Guichen’s leverage.

If he could send Lin’s mother to Yihai, he could also use her life to threaten Lin Guichen.

For someone destined to die anyway, why hasten the end?

Lin Guichen fell silent.

He was now certain that Elder Chen didn’t know he had opened his spiritual orifice.

That was why Elder Chen never guessed Chen Muzhi had given him two legacies. If it was confirmed that Elder Chen meant to harm Chen Linyu, Lin Guichen would act and kill him.

Of course, without enough certainty, he would take Chen Linyu and escape.

As for his mother, he’d have to figure out a plan after getting away.

The best outcome, naturally, would be to kill Elder Chen.

“If I can get my hands on Chen Muzhi’s esoteric art, my chances would be much better… First, I need to find a gun, open three spiritual orifices, and have twenty years of spiritual vitality… Twenty years?”

He still didn’t truly understand what “twenty years of spiritual vitality” meant.

But he could only take it one step at a time.

…

Soon after, Elder Chen led Lin Guichen to the last spirit-burial ground of the Chen ancestral home.

This was the so-called Spirit Tree planting ground.

The perimeter of the Spirit Tree was shrouded in dense fog. One couldn’t see anything without getting close; only the guttural roars from deep within the mist could be heard.

Elder Chen didn’t let Lin Guichen approach but went into the thick fog alone.

After quite some time, Elder Chen emerged, supported by Su Zichu.

“All right, since you’re Yu’er’s husband, the ancestral spirit who protected Chen Zhonghai will no longer hold a grudge,” Elder Chen smiled. “Thankfully, that ancestor only protected Chen Zhonghai at Chen Yuanfang’s request and didn’t care much otherwise—otherwise, things would have been troublesome.”

“Thank you, Elder.” Lin Guichen thanked him sincerely, thinking to himself that when the time came to kill him, he’d make it quick.

“A small matter,” Elder Chen replied with a smile. “Yu’er’s grave isn’t far from here. Go offer incense to her, and tonight you can take her memorial tablet home.”

“All right.” Lin Guichen nodded.

…

In these times, among great families that practiced spiritual burials, those who had opened their orifices and inherited the legacy of a Yin God mostly hoped to become Yin Gods after death.

The ancestral graveyard, then, became the resting place for those who never opened their orifices—people of little standing within the family.

One look at the Chen family’s ancestral grave made it clear how little regard they paid it; many tombs were overgrown with weeds and left untended.

Chen Linyu’s grave was at a relatively remote spot near the edge.

The epitaph read, “Here lies the illustrious granddaughter of the Chen family, Chen Linyu,” inscribed in bold characters.

Below, the dates of birth and death:

Born: Year 28, April 20th of the Dongmin era
Died: Year 48, January 11th of the Dongmin era
Aged: 20 years

“Twenty years old…”

Lin Guichen looked at the inscription and thought, “She’s four years older than me. Even in my previous life, I’d have been a year younger than her. I wonder what this ‘big sister’ looks like…”

“Guichen,” Elder Chen said, “In front of Yu’er’s grave, offer her three sticks of incense.”

As he spoke, Su Zichu handed him three rolled pieces of yellow paper.

“Is this incense?” Lin Guichen asked, puzzled.

“This is called the Bridge to the Netherworld,” Elder Chen explained. “Yu’er’s soul hasn’t dispersed; her Yin energy is strong. This method is especially suitable. Use this bridge to connect the worlds of Yin and Yang, and you can communicate with her. Then burn the marriage contract, and the betrothal will be sealed.”

Lin Guichen nodded and lit the three yellow paper rolls, placing them before Chen Linyu’s grave.

The yellow paper burned down inch by inch.

After a long moment, a bone-chilling wind suddenly arose.

The paper began to burn much faster.

“Hurry, use the fire from the incense to burn the marriage contract,” Elder Chen urged behind him.

At that moment, Su Zichu handed him the marriage contract written on a stiff board.

Lin Guichen didn’t have time to inspect it—he glanced at it briefly and set it alight.

Strangely, the faint flame of the yellow paper, upon touching the contract, suddenly set the whole board ablaze.

Lin Guichen instinctively let go and watched as the contract rapidly turned to ash.

A gust of cold wind swept by.

He vaguely heard an icy, disdainful woman’s voice: “Get out!”

Lin Guichen raised an eyebrow.

Soon, the contract was reduced to ashes, and the three sticks of yellow incense were spent.

“It’s done,” Elder Chen said with a smile.

Lin Guichen turned to him. “Your granddaughter told me to get lost. She must really hate me.”

“She hates men…” Elder Chen sighed. “No matter. Now that the contract is sealed, even if she dislikes you, she will still protect you.”

Lin Guichen recalled the details he’d glimpsed on the marriage contract and felt a surge of anger.

Elder Chen hadn’t given him the contract earlier, probably fearing he’d back out if he saw the contents. That’s why he waited until the last moment.

But after inheriting Chen Muzhi’s two skills, Lin Guichen’s eyesight had improved tremendously.

Both marksmanship and sleight-of-hand required keen observation, and with just a glance he’d seen the gist.

In short, the contract placed everything under Chen Linyu’s control.

At any time, she could draw upon his Yang energy and owed him no obedience. Wherever he went, she could follow, attached to his body.

In summary, he had no restrictions over her, but she could do as she pleased with him.

As for protecting him? Not a word was mentioned.

Perhaps, for the sake of his Yang energy, Chen Linyu would keep him safe.

“Elder, I noticed a clause in the marriage contract. Chen Linyu can take my Yang energy at any time?” Lin Guichen asked.

Elder Chen looked at him with surprise, then answered, “Don’t worry. Yu’er despises men, and taking Yang energy requires intimacy. When she’s herself, she won’t touch you. Only if her Yin energy grows too strong and she loses control might she take some to stabilize her soul.”

Lin Guichen sneered inwardly but replied as if nothing were amiss: “That’s good.”

“But I should warn you,” Elder Chen continued. “Yu’er’s dislike of men may make her treat you poorly. Don’t use Furnace Ash on her—she’s not afraid of it, but it will only anger her.”

“She’s not afraid?” Lin Guichen was puzzled.

“She was born with Yin inside and Yang outside, and by chance, inherited a Yin God’s legacy from the Solar Palace lineage. How could she fear the Yang flames within the Furnace Ash?” Elder Chen shook his head.

Lin Guichen’s brow twitched.

Yang outside, Yin within?

A chill ran through him.

The Spirit Talisman only worked on Yin souls who couldn’t roam in daylight. Could Chen Linyu appear in daylight?

He probed, “Why hasn’t Chen Linyu come to see me? Does she only appear at night?”

“Of course,” Elder Chen replied. “With the sun so bright, how could a Yin soul emerge? Not until dusk.”

Lin Guichen breathed a sigh of relief.

So long as she couldn’t appear by day.

“In any case, if she’s rude to you, just be patient and don’t provoke her,” Elder Chen advised. “Don’t even think of having improper thoughts about her, and don’t mention those old customs in front of her. Who knows what she learned from those foreigners? She was always preaching about women’s liberation, equality, independence.”

So she’s a feminist… Lin Guichen’s mouth twitched.

It made sense. As society progressed and shed its feudal past, equality of the sexes would be promoted—it was just a product of the times.

“You’ll have to handle everything else as you see fit,” Elder Chen added, with a hint of warning. “She’s my only granddaughter, and I visit her every day. You’d best behave yourself.”

Lin Guichen understood.

Compared to this granddaughter, he, an outsider, would never be trusted more by Elder Chen.

So-called protection was, in truth, a way to keep him under surveillance.

It seemed this old fox still harbored suspicions about his private talk with Chen Muzhi.

…

After returning to the Chen ancestral home, Lin Guichen took three sticks of incense from Elder Chen, lit them, and brought Chen Linyu’s memorial tablet to his own room.

Thus, Chen Linyu’s soul would follow the trail of incense and return to her tablet.

Back in his room, though there was much to do, Lin Guichen did nothing.

Whether or not Chen Linyu’s spirit was watching, he dared not act carelessly.

Besides, Chen Muzhi’s legacy was still transforming his body.

He could feel his body—especially his hands—becoming ever more sensitive and dexterous, his control growing more precise.

All essential qualities for a gunman and master thief.

The sun slanted westward.

Evening soon arrived.

After dinner, Lin Guichen returned to his room to await sleep.

Chen Linyu’s memorial tablet stood in the bedroom, but not a ghostly shadow appeared.

He declined Xiao Cui’s offer to help him change and sent her off to bed, then prepared to undress for sleep.

If Chen Linyu wouldn’t appear, there was nothing he could do about it.

Just as he was about to take off his trousers, a cold wind swept through the room.

“Put your clothes back on.”

A crisp yet icy female voice suddenly sounded.

Lin Guichen turned at the sound, his eyes lighting up.

A young woman, about twenty, sat at the table, regarding him with a chilly gaze.

She wore Western dress, covered by a fitted black overcoat with lapels, a dress underneath, a silk scarf at her neck, her long hair coiled at the back and topped by a beret.

Her face, though wreathed in coldness, was unexpectedly beautiful, nothing like the rough looks of Chen Muzhi. There was a hint of spirit in her eyes.

“So you’re Chen Linyu?”

Lin Guichen smiled, sizing her up. “Quite pretty. Even as a ghost, you dress fashionably. Vain, aren’t you?”

“…”

Chen Linyu seemed surprised at his unabashed gaze. Her already frosty face grew even colder as she said icily, “If you want to lose your eyes, just say so.”

“Can’t I give you a compliment? Such a temper.”

Lin Guichen crossed his arms, supporting his chin as he appraised her. “Your outfit’s got a killer vibe, but the dress underneath is just average. Wouldn’t a qipao show off your figure better?”

“I don’t need your opinion, nor am I dressing for you,” Chen Linyu replied coldly.

“But I’m the only one who can see you now.”

Lin Guichen said airily, “When I saw your father, I thought you must be too ugly to marry. Now I’m relieved.”

His words seemed to hit a nerve. Chen Linyu’s expression shifted, icy fury welling in her eyes, the room’s temperature dropping by several degrees.

“Do you have a death wish?”