Only to witness Mo Yu swiftly grabbing the inkstone, ready to dash out of the house!
Zhang Liang stepped forward, shouted “Stop!” and reached his hand out to seize Mo Yu.
Mei Qing and others stood aside, thinking that with Zhang Liang’s intervention, Mo Yu would surely be subdued effortlessly.
This was not surprising, for Mo Yu was merely a child of about a dozen years old, looking frail and weak, and being a servant, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was too weak to tie up a chicken. On the other hand, Zhang Liang was broad-shouldered and strong, constantly strengthening his physique. If he failed to capture Mo Yu, he wouldn’t even dare to show his face in the capital city anymore.
However, what happened next shocked everyone present.
Mo Yu let out a strange cry, completely ignoring Zhang Liang’s hand grabbing his chest. He lowered his head and rushed forward, ramming headfirst into Zhang Liang’s chest, actually knocking the much taller Zhang Liang backward, crashing into a flowerpot outside with a “clash,” smashing two potted plants to the ground. Mo Yu didn’t care that his shirt was torn open at the chest; he lowered his head and charged straight out, screaming repeatedly, “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!”
The people in the room were startled. Zhang Liang on the ground swung his hand, flinging off the soil and broken leaves, then sprang up with a flip, roaring furiously before charging outside.
Everyone rushed out hurriedly, only to see Mo Yu still shouting, heavily throwing the inkstone on the ground, then fetching a brick from somewhere and raising it high, intending to smash the inkstone with it.
Zhang Liang shouted, “You little rascal!” and lunged forward, quickly grabbing Mo Yu’s arm holding the brick with both hands. Then, stepping forward with a bow stance, he twisted his leg around, exerting force with a “Heh!” Mo Yu cried out in pain as the brick flew out of his hand, and he fell sideways.
Zhang Liang rushed forward, attempting to seize Mo Yu. Unexpectedly, Mo Yu, nearly mad, pushed off the ground with both hands, flipped over, and rolled together with Zhang Liang into a fierce struggle. Mo Yu’s strange cries sounded like ghostly howls, terrifying and chilling.
In a swift motion, Moyu grabbed the inkstone and dashed towards the door!
Zhang Liang stepped forward, shouting “Stop!” and reached out to grab Moyu.
Mei Qing and the others, seeing Zhang Liang take action, thought to themselves that Moyu would surely be subdued effortlessly, captured in an instant.
This was not surprising. Moyu was just a teenager, somewhat frail, and a mere servant boy. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was as weak as a kitten. Zhang Liang, on the other hand, was burly and well-trained, having spent his days honing his strength. If he were to fail against Moyu, he might as well not show his face in the capital again.
But what happened next left everyone in shock.
With a strange cry, Moyu ignored Zhang Liang’s hand gripping his chest, lowered his head, and charged forward, crashing straight into Zhang Liang’s chest. The impact sent Zhang Liang, who was twice his size, stumbling backward, crashing into a flowerpot outside with a loud clatter, shattering two potted plants into pieces. Moyu, disregarding his torn shirt, continued to charge forward, screaming repeatedly, “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!”
The people in the room were startled. Zhang Liang, lying on the ground, brushed off the dirt and leaves that had fallen on him, sprang up with a carp leap, and roared as he charged out.
Everyone quickly followed, only to see Moyu, still screaming, hurl the inkstone to the ground with force. He then picked up a brick from somewhere, raised it high, and was about to smash it down on the inkstone.
Zhang Liang let out a strange cry, “You little brat!” and lunged forward, locking Moyu’s arm holding the brick with a scissor grip. He then stepped forward with a bow stance, twisted his leg, and with a forceful “Hah!”, Moyu let out a cry of pain, dropping the brick and falling to the side.
Zhang Liang pounced on him, intending to subdue him. But Moyu, now nearly insane, pushed himself up and rolled over, grappling with Zhang Liang in a fierce struggle. Moyu’s continuous strange cries were like the howls of a ghost, chilling and maddening, sending shivers down everyone’s spine.
Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Mei Qing and the others quickly stepped in. The shop assistant and Chi Ge joined in, and after much effort, they finally managed to pin Moyu down. His usually pale face was now flushed and twisted in a grotesque manner, his eyes bulging as if they were about to pop out, resembling a wounded beast. He continued to struggle and roar, even though he was firmly restrained. If not for the several people holding him down, he might have broken free.
“Damn it, this is really strange. This kid is like he’s possessed, with such strength!” Only when Moyu gradually stopped struggling did everyone breathe a sigh of relief. The shop assistant and Chi Ge also let go. But Zhang Liang, still cautious, kept a tight grip on Moyu, panting as he spoke.
Mei Qing and the others also found the situation quite bizarre, and their eyes involuntarily turned to the inkstone on the ground.
“This inkstone is unusual, but I wonder why?” For some reason, as Mei Qing’s eyes fell on the inkstone, a strange feeling suddenly arose in his heart. Although he was certain that this was the same inkstone from Liu’s box, something about it seemed different.
Mei Qing took a few steps forward, slowly bent down, and, under the fearful gazes of everyone, picked up the Seven-Star Inkstone. The inkstone had been thrown to the ground by Moyu, but fortunately, the courtyard was earthen, so although it had some dirt on it, it was not damaged.
Mei Qing slowly straightened up, feeling the cool touch of the inkstone in his hand, and an involuntary sense of tension crept into his heart. He slowly turned the inkstone over and, upon closer inspection, felt a sudden “boom” in his head.
On the back were still the seven stone eyes, arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper. But while the last time he saw it, all seven eyes were dead; now, the eyes at the positions of Tianji and Tianxuan were alive!
The upper eyes at these positions were round and green. The pupil in the Tianji eye was large, with a deep ring around it, giving it a piercing, lively look. The pupil in the Tianxuan eye was still somewhat blurry, as if obscured by a thin mist, making it appear hazy and lifeless, difficult to see clearly.
A chill ran up Mei Qing’s spine, and he shivered involuntarily. The two eyes seemed to be staring at him sideways, exuding an icy, malevolent aura that seeped directly into his mind through his eyes.
It felt as if a dark cloud had settled in his heart, and Mei Qing suddenly found himself in a shadowy space, as if he could neither hear nor see anything. In the distance, there were vague, flickering shapes, and a cold, seeping sensation in his heart suddenly burst into flames!
Mei Qing could hear his own heavy breathing, his heart filled with rage and madness, wanting only to roar and shatter the gray darkness before him. He tried to raise his hand but felt tightly bound.
Shadowy figures surrounded him, and strange laughter and curses echoed around, though he couldn’t make out what they were saying or laughing at. The cold, dark feeling in his heart continued to grow, driving him to want to destroy everything.
The world felt so narrow and oppressive, suffocating him, leaving him unable to breathe or struggle. He desperately wanted to break free, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t even let out the faintest moan.
“Ah—” When he had exhausted all his strength, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his arm and then cried out. Immediately, a blinding light filled his vision, forcing him to close his eyes. Only then did he realize he was lying on his back on the ground, with Zhang Liang’s bearded face almost pressed against his own. He could hear Zhang Liang panting heavily, his breath foul and blowing directly into Mei Qing’s nose.
Mei Qing squinted and turned his head, feeling as if his right arm was broken, unable to lift it. He pushed Zhang Liang with his left hand and said, “Zhang, what… what happened?”
Wang Shigu’s plump face, filled with shock, appeared behind Zhang Liang’s head. After a moment of scrutiny, he said, “Alright, alright, Brother Mei seems to be fine now. Zhang, help Brother Mei up.”
Zhang Liang grunted and got up from Mei Qing, then helped him to his feet. As Mei Qing stood up, he couldn’t help but let out another “Ah,” feeling pain all over his body, especially in his right arm, which burned as if it were on fire.
Wang Shigu stepped forward, his face still pale with shock, and after examining Mei Qing for a while, said, “Brother Mei, I don’t know what happened, but when I tried to take the inkstone from your hand to examine it, you suddenly looked very strange, making odd noises, your eyes wild… in short, something was very wrong. It was only when Zhang saw the danger and wrestled with you, knocking the inkstone from your hand, that you came to your senses.”
Hearing this, Mei Qing’s heart sank as he recalled the earlier sensation. He turned to thank Zhang Liang, who was also visibly shaken, merely nodding and looking at Mei Qing with a hint of wariness.
Mei Qing glanced at the inkstone, which had been tossed aside. The seven stars on it faced upward, and the two living eyes stared coldly at him, filled with disdain and mockery.
Mei Qing quickly turned away, his heart pounding, feeling that there was some great mystery behind this incident, something that concerned him deeply. But this feeling was baseless, and he couldn’t explain it, only feeling an overwhelming sense of panic.
At that moment, they heard a commotion outside, followed by the sound of someone clearing the way. It was the arrival of the Prefect of the Capital. Behind him was a crowd of local residents who had heard about the incident and come to watch the spectacle.
Zhang Liang quickly straightened his clothes and went out to greet him. Mei Qing and Wang Shigu, being scholars, were less concerned; Chi Ge had already knelt on the ground, and the shop assistant, unsure whether this was a blessing or a curse, was trembling as he knelt.
Moments later, the sedan chair arrived at the door, and a group of people, bustling and noisy, entered the small courtyard, quickly filling it to capacity.
Mei Qing had heard of this Prefect, Zhao Boxu, a native of Jinling, who had a reputation for integrity. However, the position of Prefect of the Capital, though prestigious, was notoriously difficult. In the capital, there were many officials of higher rank and greater influence. To avoid offending anyone and to serve a full term peacefully was no easy feat.
In the past two years, the position of Prefect of the Capital had changed hands five times, either due to offending powerful figures or being impeached. Zhao Boxu had been appointed in the latter half of the previous year and, despite not having any significant backing, had managed to hold the position for over half a year, which was beyond many people’s expectations.
In other places, if someone went mad in the streets and died, it might be handled by subordinates. But in the capital, under the Emperor’s watchful eye, especially with reports of strange occurrences, Zhao Boxu felt uneasy and dared not delay, rushing to the scene himself. He knew that his superiors were most wary of supernatural events; if rumors spread among the people and caused unrest, he would inevitably be accused of failing to investigate properly and allowing superstition to take hold. Therefore, he had to arrive promptly to establish a plan and avoid any mistakes or oversights.
Zhao Boxu was in his forties, of average height, with a dignified appearance, thick eyebrows, and a neatly groomed beard. Zhang Liang stepped forward to pay his respects and then quietly explained the situation, his voice lowering as he spoke, his eyes occasionally glancing at Mei Qing as he whispered in Zhao Boxu’s ear for a long time.
Zhao Boxu’s thick eyebrows furrowed tightly, and he glanced at Mei Qing before turning his gaze to the corner of the courtyard where Moyu was shackled. “Is that Li Mei’s servant boy?” he asked.
Zhang Liang nodded quickly. “Yes, yes. I’ll bring him over for your interrogation.” He strode forward, kicked the prone Moyu, and shouted, “Get up! The Prefect wants to question you.”
But Moyu lay motionless on the ground. Impatient, Zhang Liang bent down and lifted him up. As he turned him over, Zhang Liang let out a gasp. Everyone looked closely and saw that Moyu’s eyes were bulging, his mouth wide open, his head tilted to one side, and his face ashen. Zhang Liang, trembling, reached out to check Moyu’s breath and then felt his neck for a pulse. His face suddenly filled with shock, and he let go, Moyu’s body falling to the ground with a thud.
“Sir, he—he’s dead—” Zhang Liang said, his face pale and his voice trembling.
In a swift motion, Mo Yu grabbed the inkstone and made a dash for the door!
Zhang Liang stepped forward, shouting “Stop!” as he reached out to grab Mo Yu.
Mei Qing and the others, seeing Zhang Liang take action, thought to themselves that it would be a simple matter to subdue Mo Yu, as easy as catching a chicken.
This was not surprising. Mo Yu was just a teenager, somewhat frail, and a mere servant boy. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was as weak as a kitten. Zhang Liang, on the other hand, was broad-shouldered and well-built, having trained his body daily. If he were to fail against Mo Yu, he might as well not show his face in the capital again.
But what happened next left everyone in shock.
With a strange cry, Mo Yu ignored Zhang Liang’s hand gripping his chest, lowered his head, and charged forward, slamming straight into Zhang Liang’s chest. The impact sent Zhang Liang, who was a head taller, stumbling backward. He crashed into a flowerpot outside, shattering two potted plants into pieces. Mo Yu, his shirt torn open, continued his headlong rush, screaming, “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!”
The people in the room were startled. Zhang Liang, lying on the ground, brushed off the dirt and leaves that had fallen on him, sprang up with a roar, and charged out after Mo Yu.
Everyone hurriedly followed, only to see Mo Yu, still screaming, hurl the inkstone to the ground. He then picked up a brick from somewhere, raised it high, and was about to smash it down on the inkstone.
Zhang Liang let out a strange cry, “You little brat!” and lunged forward, grabbing Mo Yu’s arm that held the brick. With a swift motion, he twisted Mo Yu’s arm, and with a forceful push, the brick flew out of Mo Yu’s hand, and he tumbled to the side.
Zhang Liang pounced on Mo Yu, intending to subdue him. But Mo Yu, now almost crazed, flipped over and began wrestling fiercely with Zhang Liang. Mo Yu’s strange cries were like the howls of a wild beast, chilling and maddening to hear.
Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Mei Qing and the others stepped in. The servant and Chi Ge joined in, and after much effort, they finally managed to pin Mo Yu down. His usually pale face was now flushed and twisted with rage, his eyes bulging as if they might pop out. He struggled like a wounded animal, growling and thrashing. Even though he was firmly restrained, he continued to writhe, and it took several people to hold him down.
“What the hell! This kid’s possessed or something, he’s got so much strength!” The servant and Chi Ge finally let go as Mo Yu gradually stopped struggling. But Zhang Liang, still cautious, kept a tight grip on Mo Yu, panting as he spoke.
Mei Qing and the others also found the situation bizarre, and their eyes naturally turned to the inkstone on the ground.
“This inkstone is strange, but I don’t know why,” Mei Qing thought to himself. As he looked at the inkstone, a strange feeling welled up inside him. Although he was sure it was the same inkstone from Scar Liu’s box, something about it seemed different.
Mei Qing took a few steps forward, slowly bent down, and, under the fearful gazes of the others, picked up the Seven Stars Inkstone. Mo Yu had thrown it to the ground, but fortunately, the courtyard was dirt, and the inkstone, though smeared with mud, was undamaged.
Mei Qing slowly straightened up, feeling the cool touch of the inkstone in his hand, and a sense of tension crept over him. He turned the inkstone over and, upon closer inspection, felt a jolt in his mind.
On the back were still the seven stone eyes, arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper. But while the last time he saw them, all seven eyes were lifeless; now, the eyes in the positions of Tianji and Tianxuan were alive!
The eyes in these positions were round and green. The pupil in the Tianji eye was large, surrounded by a deep ring, and the eye itself was bright and piercing. The pupil in the Tianxuan eye was still somewhat blurry, as if veiled by a thin mist, making it appear unfocused and unclear.
A chill ran up Mei Qing’s spine, and he shivered. The two eyes seemed to be staring at him with a cold, sinister gaze, as if a freezing aura was seeping into his mind through his own eyes.
It felt as if a dark cloud had settled in his heart, and Mei Qing suddenly found himself in a shadowy space, unable to hear or see anything clearly. In the distance, shadowy figures seemed to be moving, and a cold, burning sensation suddenly flared up inside him.
Mei Qing could hear his own heavy breathing, his heart filled with rage and madness. He wanted to roar, to smash the gray darkness before him. He tried to raise his hand but felt tightly bound.
Shadowy figures surrounded him, and strange laughter and curses filled the air, though he couldn’t make out what they were saying. The cold, dark feeling inside him continued to grow, driving him to want to destroy everything.
The world felt so narrow, so oppressive that he couldn’t breathe or struggle. He tried with all his might to break free, but he couldn’t even let out the faintest moan.
“Ah—” When he had exhausted all his strength, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his arm and let out a cry. Then, a blinding light filled his vision, forcing him to close his eyes. He realized he was lying on his back, with Zhang Liang’s bearded face almost pressed against his own. He could hear Zhang Liang’s heavy breathing and smell the foul breath coming from his mouth.
Mei Qing squinted and turned his head, feeling as if his right arm was broken and unable to move. He pushed Zhang Liang with his left hand and asked, “Zhang, what… what happened?”
Wang Shigu’s plump face, filled with shock, appeared behind Zhang Liang’s head. After a moment, he said, “Alright, alright, Brother Mei seems to be fine now. Zhang, help Brother Mei up.”
Zhang Liang grunted and got up from Mei Qing, then helped him to his feet. As Mei Qing stood up, he couldn’t help but let out another cry of pain. His entire body ached, and the pain in his right arm was searing, as if it had been burned to the bone.
Wang Shigu stepped forward, his face still pale with shock, and after examining Mei Qing for a while, said, “Brother Mei, I don’t know what happened, but when I tried to take the inkstone from your hand, you suddenly acted very strange, making weird noises and looking wild… it was very odd. Zhang saw that something was wrong and wrestled with you, knocking the inkstone out of your hand, and that’s when you came to your senses.”
Mei Qing listened, and as he recalled the earlier sensations, his heart sank. He turned to thank Zhang Liang, who was also visibly shaken, merely nodding and looking at Mei Qing with a hint of wariness.
Mei Qing glanced at the inkstone, which had been tossed aside. The seven stars on it faced upward, and the two living eyes stared coldly at him, filled with disdain and mockery.
Mei Qing quickly looked away, his heart pounding. He had a vague feeling that there was some great, sinister secret behind this, something that concerned him. But the feeling was baseless, and he couldn’t explain it, only that he felt an overwhelming sense of panic.
At that moment, they heard a commotion outside, followed by the sound of people clearing the way. The Prefect of the Capital had arrived, followed by a crowd of onlookers who had come to see the spectacle.
Zhang Liang quickly straightened his clothes and went out to greet him. Mei Qing and Wang Shigu, being scholars, were less concerned, but Chi Ge immediately knelt on the ground, and the servant, unsure whether this was a blessing or a curse, knelt trembling.
Soon, the sedan chair arrived at the door, and a group of people, bustling and noisy, entered the small courtyard, quickly filling it to capacity.
Mei Qing had heard of this Prefect, Zhao Boxu, a man from Jinling with a reputation for integrity. However, the position of Prefect of the Capital, though prestigious, was notoriously difficult. In the capital, there were many officials of higher rank and greater influence. To avoid offending anyone and to serve out a full term without incident was no easy feat.
In the past two years, the position of Prefect of the Capital had changed hands five times, either because the incumbent had offended some powerful figure or had been impeached. Zhao Boxu had been appointed in the latter half of the previous year, and it was said he had no significant backing. That he had managed to hold the position for this long was already a surprise to many.
In other places, if someone went mad and died in the streets, it might be handled by subordinates. But in the capital, under the Emperor’s very nose, especially when the incident was reported as strange, Zhao Boxu felt uneasy and dared not delay. He hurried to the scene himself, knowing that his superiors were most wary of supernatural events. If rumors spread among the people, leading to unrest, he would inevitably be accused of failing to investigate properly and allowing such tales to circulate. Thus, he had to arrive as soon as possible to establish a clear course of action and avoid any missteps.
Zhao Boxu was in his forties, of average height, with a dignified appearance, thick eyebrows, and a neatly trimmed beard. Zhang Liang approached and bowed, then quietly explained the situation, including their visit to Li Mei’s residence. As he spoke, his voice lowered, and he glanced at Mei Qing, whispering in Zhao Boxu’s ear for a long time.
Zhao Boxu’s thick eyebrows furrowed as he glanced at Mei Qing, then turned his attention to the shackled Mo Yu in the corner of the courtyard. “Is that Li Mei’s servant boy?” he asked.
Zhang Liang nodded. “Yes, yes. I’ll bring him over for your interrogation.” He quickly stepped forward and kicked the prone Mo Yu, shouting, “Get up! The Prefect wants to question you.”
But Mo Yu lay motionless on the ground. Impatient, Zhang Liang bent down and pulled him up. As he turned Mo Yu over, Zhang Liang let out a gasp. Everyone looked and saw Mo Yu’s eyes bulging, his mouth wide open, his head tilted to one side, and his face a deathly gray. Zhang Liang, trembling, checked Mo Yu’s nose and then his neck. His face suddenly filled with horror, and he let go. Mo Yu fell to the ground with a thud.
“Sir, he—he’s dead—” Zhang Liang said, his face pale and his voice shaking.
Mei Qing and others also felt the situation was very strange, their gazes involuntarily turning to the inkstone on the ground.
“This inkstone seems unusual, but I don’t know why?” For some reason, as his eyes fixed on the inkstone, Mei Qing suddenly felt a strange sensation. Though he was certain this was the same inkstone from Ba’er Liu’s trunk, something about it seemed different now.
Mei Qing stepped forward slowly, bent down cautiously, and picked up the Seven-star Inkstone under the fearful gaze of others. The inkstone had been thrown to the ground, but since the courtyard was originally earthen, although it had picked up some dirt, it wasn’t damaged.
In a swift motion, Mo Yu grabbed the inkstone and made a dash for the door!
Zhang Liang stepped forward, shouting “Stop!” and reached out to grab Mo Yu.
Mei Qing and the others, seeing Zhang Liang intervene, thought to themselves that Mo Yu would be easily subdued, as if it were a done deal.
This was not surprising. Mo Yu was just a teenager, somewhat frail, and a mere servant boy. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he lacked the strength to even hold a chicken. Zhang Liang, on the other hand, was burly and well-trained, having spent his days honing his physical strength. If he were to fail against Mo Yu, he might as well not show his face in the capital again.
But what happened next left everyone in shock.
With a strange cry, Mo Yu ignored Zhang Liang’s hand gripping his chest, lowered his head, and charged forward, slamming straight into Zhang Liang’s chest. The impact sent Zhang Liang, who was a head taller, staggering backward. He crashed into a flowerpot outside, shattering two potted plants into pieces. Mo Yu, unfazed by his torn shirt, continued his headlong rush, screaming repeatedly, “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!”
The people in the room were startled. Zhang Liang, lying on the ground, brushed off the dirt and leaves that had fallen on him, sprang up with a kip-up, and roared as he charged outside.
Everyone hurriedly followed, only to see Mo Yu, still screaming, hurl the inkstone to the ground with force. He then pulled out a brick from somewhere, raised it high, and was about to smash it down on the inkstone.
Zhang Liang let out a strange cry, “You little rascal!” and lunged forward, locking Mo Yu’s arm holding the brick with a scissor grip. He then stepped forward with a lunge, exerting force with a shout. Mo Yu let out a cry, and the brick flew out of his hand, sending him tumbling to the side.
Zhang Liang pounced on him, intending to subdue him. But Mo Yu, almost crazed, pushed himself up and rolled over, grappling with Zhang Liang in a fierce struggle. Mo Yu’s strange cries were like the howls of a ghost, eerie and frantic, sending chills down everyone’s spines.
Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Mei Qing and the others rushed forward. The shop assistant and Chi Ge joined in, and after much effort, they managed to pin Mo Yu down. His usually pale face was now flushed and twisted, his eyes bulging as if they might pop out, like a wounded beast. He continued to growl and struggle, even though he was firmly restrained. It took several people to finally subdue him.
“Damn it, this is really weird. This kid’s like he’s possessed, with such strength!” Only when Mo Yu gradually stopped struggling did everyone breathe a sigh of relief. The shop assistant and Chi Ge let go, but Zhang Liang, still cautious, kept a tight grip on Mo Yu, panting as he spoke.
Mei Qing and the others also found the situation bizarre, and their eyes couldn’t help but drift to the inkstone on the ground.
“This inkstone is strange, but I don’t know why,” Mei Qing thought to himself. For some reason, as he looked at the inkstone, a strange feeling welled up inside him. Although he was certain it was the same inkstone from Scar Liu’s box, something about it seemed different.
Mei Qing took a few steps forward, slowly bent down, and, under the fearful gazes of the others, picked up the Seven Stars Inkstone. Mo Yu had thrown it to the ground, but fortunately, the courtyard was earthen, and though the inkstone was smeared with dirt, it was undamaged.
Mei Qing slowly straightened up, feeling the cool touch of the inkstone in his hand, and an involuntary tension rose within him. He turned the inkstone over and, upon closer inspection, felt a “boom” in his head.
On the back were still the seven stone eyes, arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper. But while the last time he saw it, all seven eyes were lifeless; now, the eyes in the positions of Tianji and Tianxuan were alive!
The two eyes were round and greenish. The pupil in the Tianji position was large, with a deep ring around it, giving it a piercing, lively look. The pupil in the Tianxuan position was slightly blurred, as if obscured by a thin mist, making it appear somewhat unfocused and unclear.
A chill ran up Mei Qing’s spine, and he shivered. The two eyes seemed to be staring at him with a cold, almost malevolent gaze, as if a sinister force was seeping into his mind through his eyes.
It felt as if a dark cloud had settled in his heart, and Mei Qing suddenly found himself in a shadowy space, unable to hear or see anything clearly. In the distance, vague shapes seemed to be moving, but a cold, creeping sensation in his heart suddenly burst into a fierce flame!
Mei Qing could hear his own heavy breathing, his heart filled with rage and agitation. He wanted to roar, to smash the gray, oppressive world before him. He tried to raise his hand, but felt tightly bound.
Shadowy figures surrounded him, and strange laughter and curses filled the air, though he couldn’t make out what they were saying. The cold, dark feeling in his heart continued to grow, driving him to want to destroy everything.
The world felt so narrow, so suffocating that he couldn’t breathe, couldn’t struggle. He tried desperately to break free, but even with all his strength, he couldn’t let out the faintest moan.
“Ah—” When he had exhausted all his strength, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his arm and let out a cry. Then, a blinding light filled his vision, forcing him to close his eyes. When he opened them, he found himself lying on his back, with Zhang Liang’s bearded face almost pressed against his own. He could hear Zhang Liang panting heavily, his breath foul and hot against Mei Qing’s nose.
Mei Qing squinted and turned his head, feeling as if his right arm was broken, the pain unbearable. He used his left hand to push Zhang Liang away, saying, “Zhang, what… what happened?”
Wang Shigu’s plump face, filled with shock, appeared behind Zhang Liang’s head. After a moment, he said, “Alright, alright, Brother Mei seems fine now. Zhang, help Brother Mei up.”
Zhang Liang grunted, then got up from Mei Qing and helped him to his feet. As soon as Mei Qing stood, he couldn’t help but let out another cry of pain, feeling sore all over, with his right arm burning as if it were on fire.
Wang Shigu stepped forward, his face still pale, and examined Mei Qing for a while before saying, “Brother Mei, I don’t know what happened, but when I tried to take the inkstone from your hand to examine it, you suddenly looked very strange, making odd noises, your eyes wild… it was all very unsettling. Zhang saw something was wrong and wrestled with you, knocking the inkstone out of your hand, and only then did you come to your senses.”
Hearing this, Mei Qing’s heart sank as he recalled the earlier sensation. He turned to thank Zhang Liang, who was also visibly shaken, merely nodding and looking at Mei Qing with a hint of wariness.
Mei Qing glanced at the inkstone, now lying on the ground, its seven stars facing upward. The two living eyes seemed to be staring coldly at him, filled with disdain and mockery.
Mei Qing quickly looked away, his heart pounding. He had a vague feeling that there was some great, sinister secret behind this, something connected to him. But the feeling was baseless, and he couldn’t explain it, only feeling an overwhelming sense of unease.
Just then, they heard a commotion outside, followed by the sound of people clearing the way. It was the arrival of the Prefect of the Capital. Behind him was a crowd of local residents, drawn by the commotion and eager to see what was happening.
Zhang Liang quickly straightened his clothes and went out to greet him. Mei Qing and Wang Shigu, being scholars, didn’t pay much attention, but Chi Ge immediately knelt on the ground, trembling. The shop assistant, unsure whether this was a blessing or a curse, also knelt, shaking uncontrollably.
Moments later, the sedan chair arrived at the door, and a group of people, bustling and noisy, entered the small courtyard, quickly filling it to capacity.
Mei Qing had heard of this Prefect, Zhao Boxu, a man from Jinling with a reputation for integrity. However, the position of Prefect of the Capital, though prestigious, was notoriously difficult. In the capital, there were many officials of higher rank and greater influence. To avoid offending anyone and to serve a full term without incident was no easy feat.
In the past two years, the position had changed hands five times, either due to offending powerful figures or being impeached. Zhao Boxu had been appointed in the latter half of the previous year, and though he had no significant backing, he had managed to hold the position for over half a year, much to everyone’s surprise.
In other regions, if someone went mad and died in the streets, it might be handled by subordinates. But in the capital, under the emperor’s nose, especially with reports of strange occurrences, Zhao Boxu felt uneasy and didn’t dare to delay. He hurried to the scene himself. He knew that his superiors were most concerned about avoiding rumors of supernatural events. If such stories spread among the people, causing unrest, he would inevitably be blamed for failing to investigate properly. Thus, he had to arrive promptly to establish a clear course of action and avoid any mishaps.
Zhao Boxu was in his forties, of average height, with a dignified appearance, thick eyebrows, and a neatly trimmed beard. Zhang Liang approached, bowed, and quietly explained their presence at Li Mei’s residence. As he spoke, his voice grew softer, and he glanced at Mei Qing, whispering in Zhao Boxu’s ear for a long time.
Zhao Boxu’s thick eyebrows furrowed tightly. He glanced at Mei Qing, then turned his gaze to the corner of the courtyard where Mo Yu was shackled, and asked, “Is that Li Mei’s servant boy?”
Zhang Liang nodded, “Yes, yes. I’ll bring him over for your interrogation.” He quickly stepped forward, kicked Mo Yu, who was lying on the ground, and shouted, “Get up! The Prefect wants to question you.”
But Mo Yu remained motionless. Impatient, Zhang Liang bent down and pulled him up. As he turned Mo Yu over, Zhang Liang let out a cry. Everyone looked and saw Mo Yu’s eyes bulging, his mouth wide open, his head tilted to one side, his face ashen. Zhang Liang, trembling, checked Mo Yu’s nose and then his neck. His face suddenly filled with shock, and he let go, letting Mo Yu fall to the ground with a thud.
“Sir, he—he’s dead—” Zhang Liang said, his face pale and his voice trembling.
On the back were still seven “stone eyes,” arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper. However, the last time he saw it, all seven “stone eyes” were dead; now, the eyes of Tian Ji and Tian Xuan had become living eyes!
Both of these eyes were round, with a greenish hue. Tian Ji’s eye had a large pupil, surrounded by a dark ring, looking bright and alert; Tian Xuan’s eye had a slightly blurred pupil, as if covered by a thin veil, appearing hazy and unfocused.
A chill shot up his spine, and Mei Qing shivered involuntarily. Those two eyes seemed to be looking at him sideways, as if a chilling aura was seeping directly into his mind through his eyes.
It felt as if a dark cloud had settled in his heart. Mei Qing felt as though he had suddenly entered a dark space, unable to hear or see anything. In the distance, vague shadows kept moving, and a chilling feeling within him suddenly flared up violently.
Mei Qing seemed to hear his own heavy breathing. His heart was filled with anger and agitation, only wanting to roar and destroy this gray, gloomy world. He tried to lift his hand, but felt tightly bound.
Ghostly shadows flickered around him, strange laughter and curses continuously coming from all sides, yet he couldn’t make out what they were laughing or scolding about. Mei Qing felt that chilling feeling within him continuously expanding, driving him to destroy everything.
The world seemed so narrow, suffocatingly oppressive, leaving him unable to breathe or struggle. He desperately tried to break free but found himself unable to utter even the faintest groan despite using all his strength.
“Ahh—” When he used all his strength, suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his arm, then cried out. Immediately, bright light pierced his eyes, dazzling him. He realized he was lying flat on the ground, with Zhang Liang’s bushy beard almost pressing on his face. He could smell the man’s foul breath continuously wafting toward his nose.
Mei Qing squinted and turned his head sideways. His right arm felt as if it were broken, aching unbearably. He could only push Zhang Liang away with his left hand, asking, “Zhang, what… what’s going on?”
Wang Sigu’s chubby face appeared behind Zhang Liang, his expression showing shock. After a while, he said, “Alright, alright, looks like Mei is okay now. Zhang, quickly help Mei up.”
Zhang Liang grunted, then stood up from Mei Qing and reached out to help him up. As Mei Qing got up, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Ouch!” feeling pain all over his body, especially a burning pain deep in his right arm.
Wang Sigu came forward, his face still showing shock, supporting Mei Qing’s shoulders and examining him for a while before saying, “I don’t know why, but just now when I tried to take the inkstone from you, you looked very different, making strange noises and glaring wildly… in short, something was definitely wrong. It was only when Zhang saw the situation deteriorating and wrestled with you, knocking the inkstone from your hand, that you came to your senses.”
After hearing this, Mei Qing recalled the previous sensation and felt his heart sink. He turned to thank Zhang Liang, but Zhang was also frightened, merely grunting a couple of times, his gaze toward Mei Qing still carrying a hint of suspicion.
Mei Qing looked again at the inkstone thrown aside, its seven stars facing the sky, the two living eyes coldly and mockingly glancing at him, as if filled with disdain and ridicule.
Mei Qing quickly turned his head away, his heart pounding rapidly. He vaguely felt that there was a great mystery behind this incident, one that involved him directly. However, this feeling was unfounded and inexplicable, leaving him feeling extremely uneasy.
At that moment, loud voices and the sound of people clearing the way were heard from outside. It turned out that the Prefect of the Capital had arrived, followed by a crowd of local citizens who had heard of the commotion and come to see the spectacle.
In a swift motion, Mo Yu grabbed the inkstone and made a dash for the door!
Zhang Liang stepped forward, shouting “Stop!” and reached out to grab Mo Yu.
Mei Qing and the others, seeing Zhang Liang act, thought to themselves that it would be a simple matter to subdue Mo Yu, as easy as catching a chicken.
This was not surprising. Mo Yu was just a teenager, somewhat frail, and a mere servant boy. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he lacked the strength to even tie a chicken. Zhang Liang, on the other hand, was broad-shouldered and well-built, having trained his body daily. If he were to fail against Mo Yu, he might as well not show his face in the capital again.
But what happened next left everyone in shock.
With a strange cry, Mo Yu ignored Zhang Liang’s hand gripping his chest, lowered his head, and charged forward, crashing straight into Zhang Liang’s chest. The impact sent Zhang Liang flying backward, crashing into a flowerpot outside with a loud clatter, shattering two potted plants. Mo Yu, not caring that his clothes were torn, continued his charge, screaming repeatedly, “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!”
The people in the room were startled. Zhang Liang, lying on the ground, brushed off the dirt and leaves that had fallen on him, sprang up with a kip-up, and roared as he charged outside.
Everyone quickly followed, only to see Mo Yu, still screaming, hurl the inkstone to the ground. He then picked up a brick from somewhere, raised it high, and was about to smash it down on the inkstone.
Zhang Liang let out a strange cry, “You little brat!” and lunged forward, twisting Mo Yu’s arm that held the brick. With a swift motion, he pinned Mo Yu’s arm and, with a forceful push, sent the brick flying out of Mo Yu’s hand. Mo Yu himself tumbled to the side.
Zhang Liang followed up, intending to subdue Mo Yu. But Mo Yu, now nearly insane, flipped over and began wrestling fiercely with Zhang Liang. Mo Yu’s strange cries were like the howls of a ghost, chilling and maddening, sending shivers down everyone’s spine.
Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Mei Qing and the others stepped in. The servant and Chi Ge joined in, and after much effort, they finally managed to pin Mo Yu down. His usually pale face was now flushed and twisted, his eyes bulging as if they might pop out, like a wounded beast. He continued to struggle and growl, even though he was firmly restrained. It took several people to finally subdue him.
“Damn it, this is really strange. This kid is like he’s possessed, with so much strength!” As Mo Yu gradually stopped struggling, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The servant and Chi Ge let go, but Zhang Liang, still cautious, kept a firm grip on Mo Yu, panting as he spoke.
Mei Qing and the others also found the situation bizarre, and their eyes naturally turned to the inkstone on the ground.
“This inkstone is strange, but I don’t know why,” Mei Qing thought to himself. As he looked at the inkstone, a strange feeling suddenly rose in his heart. Although he was certain it was the same inkstone from Liu’s box, something about it seemed different.
Mei Qing took a few steps forward, slowly bent down, and, under the fearful gazes of everyone, picked up the Seven-Star Inkstone. The inkstone had been thrown to the ground by Mo Yu, but fortunately, the courtyard was made of dirt, so although it had gotten some mud on it, it was not damaged.
Mei Qing slowly straightened up, feeling the cool touch of the inkstone in his hand. An inexplicable tension filled his heart. He slowly turned the inkstone over and, upon seeing it, felt a “boom” in his head.
On the back were still the seven stone eyes, arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper. But while the last time he saw it, all seven eyes were lifeless; now, the eyes at the positions of Tianji and Tianxuan were alive!
The two eyes were round and green. The pupil in the Tianji eye was large, with a deep ring around it, giving it a piercing, intense look. The pupil in the Tianxuan eye was still somewhat blurry, as if covered by a thin mist, making it appear unfocused and unclear.
A chill ran up Mei Qing’s spine, and he shivered. The two eyes seemed to be staring at him with a cold, sinister aura that seeped into his mind through his eyes.
It felt as if a dark cloud had settled in his heart, and Mei Qing suddenly felt as if he had entered a dark, confined space where he could neither hear nor see anything. In the distance, shadowy figures seemed to be moving, and a cold, burning sensation suddenly flared up in his heart!
Mei Qing could hear his own heavy breathing. His heart was filled with rage and madness, and he wanted to roar, to smash the gray, oppressive world before him. He tried to raise his hand but felt tightly bound.
Shadowy figures surrounded him, and strange laughter and curses filled the air, though he couldn’t make out what they were saying or laughing about. The cold, dark feeling in his heart continued to grow, driving him to want to destroy everything.
The world felt so narrow, so suffocating that he couldn’t breathe or struggle. He tried desperately to break free, but even with all his strength, he couldn’t let out the faintest moan.
“Ah—” When he had exhausted all his strength, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his arm and let out a cry. Then, a bright light suddenly pierced his eyes, forcing them shut. When he opened them, he found himself lying on his back on the ground, with Zhang Liang’s bearded face almost pressed against his. He could hear Zhang Liang panting heavily, his breath foul and unpleasant.
Mei Qing squinted and turned his head, feeling as if his right arm was broken and too painful to lift. He used his left hand to push Zhang Liang away and asked, “Zhang, what… what happened?”
Wang Shigu’s plump face, filled with shock, appeared behind Zhang Liang’s head. After a moment, he said, “Alright, alright, Brother Mei seems to be fine now. Zhang, help Brother Mei up.”
Zhang Liang grunted and got up from Mei Qing, then helped him to his feet. As Mei Qing stood, he couldn’t help but let out another “Ah,” feeling pain all over his body, especially in his right arm, which burned as if it were on fire.
Wang Shigu stepped forward, his face still pale, and after examining Mei Qing for a while, said, “Brother Mei, I don’t know what happened, but when I tried to take the inkstone from your hand to examine it, you suddenly acted strangely, making strange noises, your eyes wild… it was all very odd. It was only when Zhang stepped in and wrestled with you, knocking the inkstone out of your hand, that you came to your senses.”
Mei Qing listened, and as he recalled the earlier sensations, his heart sank. He turned to thank Zhang Liang, who was also visibly shaken, merely nodding and looking at Mei Qing with a hint of wariness.
Mei Qing glanced at the inkstone, which had been tossed aside. The seven stars on it faced upward, and the two living eyes stared coldly at him, filled with disdain and mockery.
Mei Qing quickly looked away, his heart pounding. He had a vague feeling that there was some great, sinister secret behind this, something that concerned him. But the feeling was baseless, and he couldn’t explain it, only that he felt an overwhelming sense of panic.
At that moment, they heard a commotion outside, followed by the sound of people clearing the way. The Prefect of the Capital had arrived, followed by a crowd of curious onlookers who had come to see what was happening.
Zhang Liang quickly straightened his clothes and went out to greet him. Mei Qing and Wang Shigu, being scholars, were less concerned, but Chi Ge immediately knelt on the ground, and the servant, unsure whether this was a blessing or a curse, knelt trembling.
Moments later, the sedan chair arrived at the door, and a group of people crowded into the small courtyard, filling it to the brim.
Mei Qing had heard of this Prefect, Zhao Boxu, a man from Jinling with a reputation for integrity. However, the position of Prefect of the Capital, though prestigious, was notoriously difficult. In the capital, there were many officials of higher rank and greater influence. To avoid offending anyone and to serve a full term without incident was no easy feat.
In the past two years, the position of Prefect of the Capital had changed hands five times, either because the incumbents had offended powerful figures or had been impeached. Zhao Boxu had been appointed in the latter half of the previous year, and though he had no major backing, he had managed to hold the position for over half a year, which was already beyond many people’s expectations.
In other places, if someone went mad in the streets and died, it might be handled by subordinates. But in the capital, under the Emperor’s nose, especially when the incident was reported as strange, Zhao Boxu felt uneasy and didn’t dare to delay. He hurried to the scene himself, knowing that his superiors were most concerned about avoiding rumors of supernatural events. If such stories spread among the people, it could lead to unrest, and he would be blamed for failing to investigate properly. Thus, he had to arrive quickly to establish a clear course of action and avoid any mistakes.
Zhao Boxu was in his forties, of average height, with a dignified appearance, thick eyebrows, and a neatly trimmed beard. Zhang Liang stepped forward to pay his respects and quietly explained the situation, including their visit to Li Mei’s residence. As he spoke, his voice grew softer, and he glanced at Mei Qing, whispering in Zhao Boxu’s ear for a long time.
Zhao Boxu’s thick eyebrows furrowed as he glanced at Mei Qing, then turned his attention to Mo Yu, who was handcuffed in the corner of the courtyard. “Is that Li Mei’s servant boy?” he asked.
Zhang Liang nodded. “Yes, yes. I’ll bring him over for your interrogation.” He quickly stepped forward and kicked Mo Yu, who was lying on the ground, shouting, “Get up! The Prefect wants to question you.”
But Mo Yu remained motionless. Impatient, Zhang Liang bent down and pulled him up. As he turned Mo Yu over, Zhang Liang let out a gasp. Everyone looked and saw that Mo Yu’s eyes were bulging, his mouth wide open, his head tilted to one side, and his face ashen. Zhang Liang, trembling, checked Mo Yu’s nose and then his neck. His face suddenly filled with horror, and he let go, letting Mo Yu fall to the ground with a thud.
“Sir, he—he’s dead—” Zhang Liang said, pale and trembling.
Soon, the sedan chair arrived at the gate, and a group of people surged into the small courtyard, instantly filling it to the brim.
Mei Qing had heard of this Prefect before; his name was Zhao Boxu, a native of Jinling, who had long enjoyed a reputation for integrity. However, the position of Prefect of the Capital, though sounding prestigious, was actually very difficult. In the imperial capital, there were countless officials of higher rank and greater power than the Prefect. To hold this position without offending anyone and to complete a term peacefully was no easy task.
In the past two years alone, the position of Prefect of the Capital had changed hands five times, with some officials falling out of favor with the powerful, while others were impeached.
Zhao Boxu had only been appointed last year and reportedly had no significant backing. The fact that he had managed to hold the position steadily for over half a year already surprised many people.
In other regions, if someone went mad in the street and caused a death, it might simply be investigated by subordinates. However, the capital was the emperor’s domain, and with reports of strange occurrences, Zhao Boxu was deeply concerned and dared not be negligent, rushing to the scene immediately. He understood well that his superiors were most wary of any supernatural or ghostly incidents. If rumors spread among the people or any unusual events occurred, he might be accused of inciting unrest or failing in his duties. Therefore, he had to arrive promptly to quickly establish a plan and avoid any mistakes or oversights.
Zhao Boxu was about forty years old, of modest height, with a dignified appearance, thick eyebrows, and a neatly combed beard of three strands under his chin. After Zhang Liang paid his respects, he quietly explained to Zhao Boxu the reason for their visit to Li Mei’s residence. Toward the end, his voice grew lower, and he glanced secretly at Mei Qing while whispering into Zhao Boxu’s ear for a long time.
Zhao Boxu’s thick eyebrows furrowed tightly. He cast a glance at Mei Qing before withdrawing his gaze and gesturing toward Mo Yu, who was shackled in the corner of the courtyard, asking, “Is that Li Mei’s servant boy?”
In a sudden motion, Moyu grabbed the inkstone and made a dash for the door!
Zhang Liang stepped forward, shouting “Stop!” and reached out to grab Moyu.
Mei Qing and the others, seeing Zhang Liang take action, thought to themselves that Moyu would surely be subdued effortlessly, caught in an instant.
This was no surprise. Moyu was just a teenager, somewhat frail, and a mere servant boy. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was as weak as a kitten. Zhang Liang, on the other hand, was broad-shouldered and well-built, having spent his days honing his strength. If he were to fail against Moyu, he might as well never show his face in the capital again.
But what happened next left everyone utterly shocked.
With a strange cry, Moyu ignored Zhang Liang’s hand gripping his chest, lowered his head, and charged forward, slamming straight into Zhang Liang’s chest. The impact sent Zhang Liang, who was a head taller, staggering backward. He crashed into a flowerpot outside, shattering two potted plants into pieces. Moyu, paying no heed to his torn shirt, continued his mad dash, screaming repeatedly, “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!”
The people in the room were startled. Zhang Liang, lying on the ground, brushed off the dirt and leaves that had fallen on him, then sprang up with a roar and charged after Moyu.
Everyone quickly followed, only to see Moyu, still screaming, hurl the inkstone to the ground with great force. He then picked up a brick from somewhere, raised it high, and was about to smash it down on the inkstone.
Zhang Liang let out a strange cry, “You little rascal!” and lunged forward, grabbing Moyu’s arm that held the brick. With a swift motion, he twisted Moyu’s arm and, with a forceful shout, sent the brick flying from Moyu’s hand. Moyu himself was thrown to the side.
Zhang Liang pounced on Moyu, intending to subdue him. But Moyu, now nearly insane, pushed himself up and rolled over, grappling with Zhang Liang in a fierce struggle. Moyu’s strange cries were like the howls of a wounded beast, wild and terrifying, sending chills down everyone’s spine.
Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Mei Qing and the others quickly stepped in. The servant and Chi Ge joined in, and after much effort, they finally managed to pin Moyu down. His usually pale face was now flushed and twisted, his eyes bulging as if they might pop out. He struggled like a wounded animal, growling and thrashing. Even though he was firmly restrained, he continued to writhe, and it took several people to hold him down.
“What the hell! This kid’s possessed or something, he’s got incredible strength!” As Moyu gradually stopped struggling, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The servant and Chi Ge let go, but Zhang Liang, still cautious, kept a tight grip on Moyu, panting as he spoke.
Mei Qing and the others also found the situation highly unusual, and their eyes couldn’t help but drift toward the inkstone on the ground.
“There’s something strange about this inkstone, but I can’t quite put my finger on it,” Mei Qing thought. For some reason, as he looked at the inkstone, a peculiar feeling welled up inside him. Although he was certain it was the same inkstone from Scar Liu’s box, something about it seemed different.
Mei Qing took a few steps forward, slowly bent down, and, under the fearful gazes of the others, picked up the Seven Stars Inkstone. The inkstone had been thrown to the ground by Moyu, but fortunately, the courtyard was earthen, so while it had gathered some dirt, it wasn’t damaged.
As Mei Qing straightened up, he felt the cool touch of the inkstone in his hand, and an involuntary sense of tension crept over him. He slowly turned the inkstone over and, upon seeing it, felt a sudden “boom” in his head.
On the back were still the seven stone eyes, arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper. But while the last time he had seen them, all seven eyes were lifeless, now the eyes in the positions of Tianji and Tianxuan were alive!
The eyes in these two positions were round and green. The pupil in the Tianji eye was large, surrounded by a deep ring, giving it a piercing, intense gaze. The pupil in the Tianxuan eye, however, was still somewhat blurry, as if veiled by a thin mist, making it appear hazy and unfocused.
A chill ran up Mei Qing’s spine, and he shivered involuntarily. The two eyes seemed to be staring at him with a cold, almost malevolent gaze, as if a sinister force was seeping into his mind through his eyes.
It felt as if a dark cloud had settled in his heart, and Mei Qing suddenly found himself in a shadowy space, unable to hear or see anything clearly. In the distance, vague shapes seemed to be moving, and a cold, creeping sensation in his heart suddenly burst into a fierce flame!
Mei Qing could hear his own heavy breathing. His heart was filled with rage and madness, and all he wanted to do was roar and shatter the gray, oppressive world before him. He tried to raise his hand, but felt as if he were tightly bound.
Shadowy figures surrounded him, and strange laughter and curses filled the air, though he couldn’t make out what they were saying. The cold, dark feeling in his heart continued to grow, driving him to want to destroy everything.
The world felt so narrow and suffocating, making it hard to breathe or struggle. He tried desperately to break free, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t even let out the faintest moan.
“Ah—” Just as he was about to exhaust all his strength, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his arm and let out a cry. Then, a blinding light filled his vision, forcing him to close his eyes. When he opened them again, he found himself lying on his back on the ground, with Zhang Liang’s bearded face almost pressed against his own. Zhang Liang was panting heavily, his breath foul and hot against Mei Qing’s nose.
Mei Qing squinted and turned his head, feeling as if his right arm were broken, the pain unbearable. He pushed Zhang Liang away with his left hand and asked, “Zhang, what… what happened?”
Wang Shigu’s plump face, filled with shock, appeared behind Zhang Liang’s head. After a moment of scrutiny, he said, “Alright, alright, Brother Mei seems to be fine now. Zhang, help him up.”
Zhang Liang grunted and got up from Mei Qing, then helped him to his feet. As soon as Mei Qing stood up, he let out another “Ouch,” feeling pain all over his body, especially in his right arm, which burned as if it were on fire.
Wang Shigu stepped forward, his face still pale, and examined Mei Qing for a while before saying, “Brother Mei, I don’t know what happened, but when I tried to take the inkstone from your hand, you suddenly looked very strange, making weird noises and showing a wild look in your eyes… It was all very odd. Zhang noticed something was wrong and wrestled with you, knocking the inkstone out of your hand, and that’s when you came to your senses.”
Hearing this, Mei Qing’s heart sank as he recalled the earlier sensation. He turned to thank Zhang Liang, who was also visibly shaken, merely nodding and looking at Mei Qing with a hint of wariness.
Mei Qing glanced at the inkstone, which had been tossed aside. The seven stars faced upward, and the two living eyes stared coldly at him, filled with disdain and mockery.
Mei Qing quickly turned away, his heart pounding. He had a vague feeling that there was some great, sinister secret behind this incident, something connected to him. But the feeling was baseless, and he couldn’t explain it, only that it filled him with unease.
At that moment, the sound of voices and the commotion of people clearing the way reached their ears. The Prefect of the Capital had arrived, followed by a crowd of onlookers who had come to witness the spectacle.
Zhang Liang quickly straightened his clothes and went out to greet him. Mei Qing and Wang Shigu, being scholars, were less concerned, but Chi Ge immediately knelt on the ground, trembling. The servant, unsure whether this was a blessing or a curse, also knelt, shaking uncontrollably.
Soon, the sedan chair arrived at the door, and a group of people crowded into the small courtyard, filling it to the brim.
Mei Qing had heard of this Prefect, Zhao Boxu, a man from Jinling with a reputation for integrity. However, the position of Prefect of the Capital, though prestigious, was notoriously difficult. In the capital, there were countless officials of higher rank and greater influence. To avoid offending anyone and serve a full term without incident was no easy feat.
In the past two years, the position of Prefect of the Capital had changed hands five times, either because the incumbents had offended powerful figures or been impeached. Zhao Boxu had been appointed in the latter half of the previous year, and though he had no significant backing, he had managed to hold the position for over half a year, which was more than many had expected.
In other places, if someone went mad and died in the streets, it might be handled by subordinates. But in the capital, under the emperor’s watchful eye, especially with reports of strange occurrences, Zhao Boxu dared not be negligent. He hurried to the scene himself, knowing that his superiors were most wary of supernatural rumors. If such stories spread among the people, causing unrest, he would surely be accused of failing to maintain order. Thus, he had to arrive promptly to establish control and prevent any mishaps.
Zhao Boxu was in his forties, of average height, with a dignified appearance, thick eyebrows, and a neatly trimmed beard. After Zhang Liang paid his respects, he quietly explained the situation, his voice lowering as he glanced at Mei Qing and whispered in Zhao Boxu’s ear for a long time.
Zhao Boxu’s thick eyebrows furrowed tightly. He glanced at Mei Qing before turning his attention to Moyu, who was shackled in the corner of the courtyard. “Is that Li Mei’s servant boy?” he asked.
Zhang Liang nodded. “Yes, yes. I’ll bring him over for your interrogation.” He quickly stepped forward and kicked Moyu, who was lying on the ground. “Get up! The Prefect wants to question you.”
But Moyu remained motionless. Impatient, Zhang Liang bent down and pulled him up. As he turned Moyu over, Zhang Liang let out a gasp. Everyone looked and saw that Moyu’s eyes were bulging, his mouth wide open, his head tilted to one side, and his face ashen. Zhang Liang, trembling, checked Moyu’s nose and then his neck. His face suddenly filled with horror, and he let go. Moyu fell to the ground with a thud.
“Sir, he—he’s dead,” Zhang Liang said, his face pale and his voice trembling.
Unexpectedly, Mo Yu remained motionless on the ground. Losing patience, Zhang Liang bent down and lifted him up. As he turned him over, Zhang Liang let out a startled “Ah!” Everyone looked closely and saw Mo Yu’s eyes bulging out, his mouth wide open, his head tilted to one side, his face gray and lifeless. Zhang Liang, trembling, felt under Mo Yu’s nose, then checked his neck for a while. Suddenly, his face filled with horror. He let go, and Mo Yu “plopped” to the ground.
“Sir, he—he’s dead—” Zhang Liang said in a trembling voice, his face pale.
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