Chapter 311: Grand Magistrate Song (1/2)
When we ran to investigate the situation, we were greeted by Zhang Jiulin and Pockmark Li who carried a big plastic bag and a handmade xun. The music had obviously originated from the man. As it turned out, Pockmark Li had left the compound to purchase some materials, and afraid he would lose his way, Jiu-ge went out to meet him.
”I'm sorry if I scared you,” laughed Pockmark Li. “I was just testing if this thing works.”
”Pockmark Li, are you looking to die?!” Xiaotao rebuked, eyebrows arched. “There are a bunch of snipers lying in wait in the watchtowers. You were this close to losing your life to a single shot, got that?”
Pockmark Li turned ashen with fear despite Xiaotao’s obvious bluff. In truth, the SWAT team wasn’t in place yet.
Zhang Jiulin had purchased an odd combination of materials meant for setting up an array in the compound. This time, he swore he wouldn’t let the murderer slip through his fingers. He requested the snipers hold off until the critical moment.
They immediately got down to business, setting up an array that I couldn't comprehend with the number of xuns all around the periphery.
”Put this on!” ordered Zhang Jiulin as he threw me a bag.
I removed the contents from the bag–a purple Southern Song Dynasty official’s uniform. ”Are you kidding?” I retorted. “I'm not an traditional costume lover.”
”Do I look like I'm joking?” said Zhang Jiulin. “I’m asking you to dress up as Magistrate Song Ci to lure the evil spirit from the Heartbroken Xun. This is tantamount to dealing with the fundamental problem so the power of the Yin object will be greatly reduced.”
”Do I really have to?” I prevaricated.
”This is the most effective option,” he explained. “If you’re not willing to cooperate, then there’s no hope of subduing the Heartbroken Xun.”
”Will Song Yang's life be in danger?” asked Xiaotao.
”If it were someone else, I wouldn’t be able to guarantee his safety. But Song Yang will definitely be alright,” Zhang Jiulin replied with great certainty. “He has an extraordinary Yang constitution and has inherited Song Ci’s bloodline, thus, bearing an imposing spirit of righteousness! Ordinary evil spirits wouldn’t dare touch him. More importantly, he’s still a virgin.”
Turning red like an overripe tomato, I felt the urge to swear. Xiaotao covered her mouth and chuckled, ”Song Yang, please cooperate. I would like to see how you look in an ancient costume.”
”Stop laughing!” I said.
When I came out decked from head to toe, Xiaotao exclaimed, ”God, you’re handsome!”
”Don't tease me!” I blushed.
“This little thing is really fun,” Xiaotao giggled, playing with the wing-like flaps on the futou.
”What impudence, insolent troublemaker!” I roared.
”Not bad! Your performance is pretty lifelike,” she chuckled. “If we get the chance, we have to do an ancient costume cosplay.”
”My wife works at a film and television company,” Zhang Jiulin chimed in. “If you’re interested in trying on an Emperor’s robes, I can pull some strings.”
Xiaotao asked what the little wings on my futou were and whether they were a symbol of rank. Seeing that Zhang Jiulin was still preparing for our showdown with the murderer, I taught Xiaotao a little more about our history. Back when Zhao Kuangyin first became Emperor, his civil and military officials were buddies he had fought side-by-side in the war. They were rooted in their casual manners, even whispering amongst themselves and speaking impolitely in court. Angered by the fact, Zhao Kuangyin wanted to retaliate so he added a pair of little wings to the officials’ futou. Thus, anyone who turned his head would clearly be noticed so no one dared to whisper in the court thereafter.
”You know so much,” praised Xiaotao.