Inner Demons

Chapter 46: Yin Pingzhi

Miss Yin, however, couldn't cry in the street, so she pursed her lips, stepped forward two paces, and handed the clothes to Li Yunxin: "Brother Xin, the undershirt you wanted is ready. Are you going to wear it... to the Prefectural Office?"

Li Yunxin took it and examined it carefully. Miss Yin was very attentive – it was exactly what he wanted. The gray scale-patterned satin glimmered faintly, and in the dim room, at a glance, it truly looked like scales.

Then he lifted his head and playfully said, "What? Is it the fluff, irritating your eyes?"

Miss Yin managed a "hmm": "Do you know, my uncle said... that they are going to take you to the Prefectural Office this afternoon."

She finally reached up to wipe the corner of her eyes: "But at least it's only for questioning..."

"Huh? Questioning... Is there another term for it?" In his impression, "questioning" usually meant taking someone to the yamen, slamming the table, shouting for them to kneel, then either having them confess and sign or torturing them until they did. But from Miss Yin's words, it seemed that the "questioning" here wasn't very dreadful.

"According to procedure, they first summon you for questioning. This time, they'll ask questions politely, without torture. But in reality, it's about putting you under surveillance. When you return, Yamen Runners will also be assigned to watch you, to prevent you from escaping."

"After twelve hours, they will summon you again – but then it won't be called 'questioning'; it's called 'detention,' and you might... might be put in jail..."

"Ah. So that's how it is." Miss Yin heard Li Yunxin say this softly. Then she noticed a look of relaxed surprise on the face of her young love interest – as if he was very happy to learn what "questioning" actually entailed.

But... they were still going to be detained.She couldn't quite understand Brother Xin's thoughts, only feeling that he was again trying to feign ease for her sake, which made her heart ache even more. She felt as if all the sorrow and grief in the world had converged upon her, even the sunlight seemed to carry a hint of bleakness.

Then she turned and looked into the shop.

A man in black walked out. Head Constables in the Great Qing Dynasty wore black, but the difference was that a Head Constable's official hat had a peacock feather inserted on the left side.

This was a Head Constable.

The newcomer's steps were swift, but it was a habitual swiftness. He had a handlebar mustache and a pale complexion. Neither fat nor thin, with slender limbs, he looked like a skilled person. The Head Constable stopped by Miss Yin, slightly squinting his eyes as he assessed Li Yunxin – he was nearsighted.

Miss Yin was about to introduce him to Li Yunxin, but the latter already smiled, bowed, and saluted: "Mr. Yin? I presume you are Mr. Yin. Miss Yin's... uncle? Hello."

A hint of surprise appeared in the Head Constable's eyes. When he first saw Li Yunxin, he felt that apart from being handsome and having a certain bearing, this youth had no outstanding qualities – he was a Head Constable of a prefecture, having seen far more people than his niece. But he hadn't expected the other party to remain so calm and composed even after knowing his identity.

Rare indeed.

This youth seemed to have a good mind too. The matter had dragged on for so many days; he surely knew what awaited him. Upon seeing him, he must be panicking inside – yet he didn't show it and adopted such an attitude... he was a youth capable of achieving great things.

As long as he was further refined and could overcome the upcoming hurdle.

As the most prominent and influential person in the Yin family of this generation, Yin Pingzhi actually cared deeply for his niece and was one of the few enlightened individuals of his time. He had no ambitions in his official career, understanding the principle that a tree standing out in the forest is always attacked by the wind. Therefore, he only wished for his own branch of the family to be prosperous and stable, and being a well-connected official in his city was enough for him.

Thus, having seen many profligate sons of rich families, he also had no intention of having his niece marry into a high-ranking family. He hoped her husband would be intelligent, sensible, and capable of doing things for the Yin family.

He knew that his niece had been infatuated with the young Taoist priest from that temple these past few days. Having heard his niece's various praises and understanding the inner workings of the case, he knew that both the youth and the old Taoist priest were innocent. And he always heard his niece praise him so much – his niece was high-minded and usually didn't praise people easily – so he became curious and decided to come and see for himself.

In his opinion, if a Taoist priest was intelligent and not bad-looking, and he could guide him and help him overcome this ordeal, then he would surely be grateful and repay the kindness.

Now that he truly met the youth, he realized that his niece's judgment was indeed good.

He had made up his mind, but still maintained the dignified demeanor of a high-ranking official and elder. He merely nodded slightly in return for the bow. Looking at Li Yunxin without expression, he walked forward and said, "Sir is too kind. Come along, let's talk as we walk."

Li Yunxin glanced at Miss Yin, saw her winking at him, and understood what was going on.

This girl... Sigh. She was truly infatuated with him, and had urged her uncle to "guide" him.

So he smiled faintly at Miss Yin and followed.

Falling behind by half a step.

Yin Pingzhi smiled inwardly, putting his hands behind his back: "I have already sent someone to invite Old Daoist Liu. Lord Prefectural Governor is not in a good mood today, so he plans to hold the questioning today. Do you know why the Lord is in a bad mood?"

Li Yunxin thought for a moment: "Because Meng'e won't budge?"

"Xueruo wasn't wrong. You are a clever child." Yin Pingzhi allowed a faint smile to appear on his face – expressing both his goodwill and approval, yet without causing the other party to lose their respect for him.

"Because of that child Xueruo, I'm here to give you a few pointers."

"This matter, you and I understand, no need for more words. But to live in this world, one must know how to go with the flow and take advantage of circumstances. You are still young, and you may not understand what I'm saying now. But remember it, it will benefit you. Specifically for this time, no matter what you think, things are as they are. Perhaps you feel wronged, but this is it; you must learn to go with the flow."

He finished speaking and looked at Li Yunxin. He noticed that the youth was following him closely, his expression still neutral, which slightly disappointed him.

This youth... didn't understand?

Never mind. He was still just a child after all.

Then he continued, "You know that if Meng'e doesn't budge, Lord Li will have a difficult time. But no matter how difficult, he is still the Lord Prefectural Governor; he surely has a solution, the only difference is whether it looks good or not. Since that girl Xueruo has a liking for you and asked me to come, I'll show you a way. When you're in court, just admit your guilt and blame the old Taoist. Just say you were coerced."

"You are still a youth. If this is handled well, the Lord will understand your intention. With my mediation, you can also be spared from punishment. If you have no place to go in the future, come and work under me. What good is a fine young man learning deceptive tricks from an old Taoist priest?"

He looked at Li Yunxin again, finding that the other's face showed a slight "I see" expression. He exhaled inwardly – saying this to him was also for the sake of Lord Li. If he brought this matter to a close, and only let a youth off, who would care?

Seeing that the youth was sensible, he felt a bit better and said, "In the future, when you work under me, remember today's matter. Go with the flow, take advantage of the situation. Since Xueruo favors you, and I see you as a promising talent, in the future, I will at least ensure you live a prosperous life with plenty of food and clothing. But you must remember Xueruo's kindness and not let her down, otherwise, if I find out, I have ways to—"

At this point, he was interrupted by Li Yunxin.

"Mr. Yin." He was just about to say that he didn't need to be called "sir" as he was merely a martial artist, when he heard the youth say again, "Mr. Yin, your logic is flawed. Frankly, if I could shift the blame to that old man, my character would definitely not be good. And if my character isn't good—how can you guarantee that I won't let Miss Yin down in the future?"

The two had already walked some distance, and ahead, the flying eaves of the Prefectural Office were faintly visible against the blue sky.

As they neared the Prefectural Office, the pedestrians nearby grew sparse, so Li Yunxin stopped and walked to a large weeping willow.

Yin Pingzhi was surprised by the completely opposite attitude Li Yunxin was currently displaying compared to what he had always expected, so he instinctively stopped with him.

He then saw Li Yunxin beginning to unbutton his outer robe. As he unbuttoned, he said, "Mr. Yin, no matter what, I must thank you. Whether you are truly acting from Miss Yin's perspective, for her sake, or if you genuinely believe I am a talent, or even, if you are siding with Prefect Li, wanting to save him some trouble and gain some credit for yourself."

"I understand everything you've told me. Well, if it were an ordinary person, they would probably follow your path."

He took off his outer robe, hung it on a willow branch, and began to unbutton his undershirt.

A few passersby noticed the youth stripping in the street and cast curious glances. But Yin Pingzhi sternly glared at them, and those people quickly hurried away.

Yin Pingzhi already felt something was amiss. He felt his "goodwill" earlier seemed to have been betrayed. This youth...

He was not what he thought.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his face grim. "What do you mean by all this?"

"No other meaning, just clarifying my thoughts to avoid awkwardness. I have no other intentions towards Miss Yin. It's her business if she likes me; it doesn't mean that because she likes me, I'll necessarily become a live-in son-in-law or anything – your approach, in fact, would also make a girl feel awkward."

"Another point, you see, I was living quite comfortably in that temple. Suddenly, someone comes and tells me I have to move out, or they'll kill me, because they want the temple. I'm not happy about that. For others, even if they have a way to solve this, they'd probably first accept your goodwill from earlier, saying 'yes, yes, yes,' and then continue to do their own thing."

"But as for me, I have a rather peculiar temper. I'm tsundere." Li Yunxin had already taken off his undershirt, leaving only a short garment. He then put on the newly made grayish-green scale-patterned undershirt and buttoned it up. "If I encounter some great demon, and I have no way out, I'll immediately chicken out and play the subservient role to save my life. But for other matters that I think I might be able to solve, pretending to be subservient makes me uncomfortable. For example, today, right now, if I nod and say 'okay,' I'll feel bad inside. So, I don't want to do that."

He put on his outer robe under Yin Pingzhi's increasingly gloomy gaze and looked at him: "So, Mr. Yin, I'm not willing to do that. Old Daoist Liu is a good person, and he didn't collude with any bandits. That's all I can say."

Yin Pingzhi stared at him for a moment, then suddenly scoffed, "Do you think I don't know who you are? 'Might be able to solve'?"

"You, Li Yunxin, originally named Li Xiao, from Ye Kingdom, orphaned. You've been a Taoist and painting apprentice since you were seven, and know a few small tricks – I had you investigated long ago. Do you think that with your small tricks, you can 'possibly solve' this matter?" Yin Pingzhi snorted, "Are you unclear about the situation? The masters of Daoist Orthodoxy and Sword Sect have already set up a restriction in the Prefectural Office. Not to mention you, even your former crooked masters, once they enter the Prefectural Office, won't be able to use a single trick!"

"I've said all the good words, but you wouldn't listen... Heh. Xueruo? Do you really think I would want her to marry you? Hmph, I'd like to see what methods you, this ungrateful brat, possess!"

Li Yunxin was stunned.

Li Xiao?

Ye Kingdom?

What the hell?

He could understand being investigated. But to uncover such a result, and for the official to be so certain... what was going on?

But his moment of stupefaction, in Yin Pingzhi's eyes, became the stupefaction of "being exposed."

He scoffed again: "Playing tricks. Are these clothes made by Xueruo for you? I don't know what you're up to, but once you enter the Prefectural Office, don't even think about coming out again – keep this undershirt for your burial! Let's go!"

Li Yunxin said nothing – he walked in front of him, as if being escorted.

At the moment, he had no mind for other matters, only thinking – what was with that "background story"?

Someone... was helping him?

Who?

But after a moment of thought, he temporarily put that notion aside.

In any case, first, sort out what's next.

A quarter of an hour later, they turned onto the long street of the Prefectural Office. In broad daylight, the sun shone brightly. The Faceless Ghosts were somewhat listless, but still present. He walked among them... with no reaction. As if he didn't exist.

Li Yunxin wasn't sure if it was because his Spiritual Soul was special. Young Master Nine had described his fate as "interesting" that night, and Bai Yunxin had called him "fragrant." Probably... it was due to his unique identity.

But he did feel the restriction. A restriction laid by disciples of Daoist Orthodoxy and Sword Sect, almost costing Prefect Li his entire fortune. The restriction within his own body was like a small sampan compared to an aircraft carrier when stacked against this one.

Yin Pingzhi was an outsider and didn't understand. He only heard that the masters had cast a spell, so evil spirits couldn't use magic to cause trouble – which was actually correct.

However, he wasn't here to show off any magic today.

He was here to show his skills.