When Madam Fu saw Zhang Nu in that state, she shyly averted her gaze, as if sheâd caught sight of something inappropriate. Zhang Nu, however, remained unaware.
He continued practicing his martial arts in the courtyard, but his sharp instincts told him someone was quietly approaching. He immediately stopped, turned aroundâand saw Madam Fu, her cheeks flushed red.
Realizing his current attire might not be appropriate, Zhang Nu quickly said, âMy apologies, Madam Fu. I didnât know you would come by so early. Allow me to change clothes first.â
He made to leave, but Madam Fu called out to stop him.
âThereâs no need for that, Master Zhang,â she said. âI only came to speak with you briefly. Once Iâve said my piece, Iâll be on my way.â
Zhang Nu frowned slightly, unsure what she wanted to talk about. Could she have found out? Had their plan to hunt the YaoGuai been exposed?
âI wonder what urgent matter prompted you to seek me out so early this morning, Madam Fu.â
She leaned in mysteriously. âMaster Zhang⊠are you currently investigating a YaoGuai?â
His eyes widened in shock. Aside from Lord Fu, no one else had been informedâhow did she know? Even if she had overheard their conversation yesterday, why confront him about it today?
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âHow exactly did you come by this information?â he asked, his tone guarded. âAs far as I know, I never told anyone else.â
Madam Fu, hearing the suspicion in his voice, knew he wasnât ready to trust her outright. But she had her reasons for coming forward.
âTo tell you the truth, Master, Iâve lived through this myself. Thatâs why I dared to come find you,â she said. âI wanted to speak to you earlier, when you first arrived⊠but I wasnât sure if you and your people were trustworthy.â
âIt was only after overhearing your conversation with my husband yesterday that I felt certain.â
Zhang Nuâs expression grew serious.
âMadam Fu, are you certain the things youâre telling me are true?â he asked. âYouâre an ordinary personâhow would you know about a YaoGuai? What did you experience?â
She sighed, expecting this reaction. If Zhang Nu had believed her too easily, she wouldâve doubted him in return.
âTo be honest, my father was killed by a YaoGuai,â she said. âHis body was unrecognizable. All of his internal organs were gone. Thatâs how I know for certain that something monstrous is haunting this town.â
As she spoke, sorrow clouded her eyes, and her voice trembled with fear. Zhang Nu wasnât sure whether to believe her. She seemed sincere, butâŠ
âI canât say for sure if youâre telling the truth,â he said slowly. âBut Iâm willing to believe you.â
âIâm very sorry about your father. We came here only because we heard rumors of a YaoGuaiâs presence. But, we donât know whether itâs a benevolent one or a malicious one. Thatâs why weâve hesitated to act.â
Madam Fuâs eyes reddened. She couldnât understand why he was still hesitating.
âMaster Zhang, what is there to hesitate about? Thereâs no such thing as a good YaoGuai! My father died because of one. I know better than anyone!â
Zhang Nu could see the grief had taken a heavy toll on her. Still, he couldnât let her personal tragedy become the sole basis for judgment.
âI understand your pain, Madam Fu. I know what youâre afraid of,â he said gently. âBut the YaoGuai that harmed your father may not be the same one haunting this place.â
âThat said, I promise youâI will do everything I can to avenge him.â
She could only nod in response, her gaze drifting into the distance, as though something terrible lay waiting just beyond the horizon.
âThen donât go back on your word,â she whispered. âMy father never did anything evil. He lived in poverty, but he taught me how to survive with dignity, and how to stand tall with pride.â
âHe didnât deserve to die such a terrible death at the hands of a monster.â