Chapter 150 The Fox and the Weasel (1/2)

I had thought that my companions and I were the only ones who were aware of the weasels' escape from captivity. So we were beyond shocked when the young hireling confessed that he too knew about what happened. Rather, he even knew who it was who had helped them.

”So who was that?” I pressed immediately. I could feel the sinews on my neck taut anxiously. He looked at me, his eyes steady and firm, saying grimly, ”My teacher!”

I lighted a cigarette for myself and took a puff. ”Do you mean to say that your teacher has communicated with you via dreams again?” ”No,” he answered to our amazement. ”Then how could you be sure that it was your teacher who had helped the weasels?” I asked again, the hint of apprehension clear as day in my voice.

The man revealed that he came here with the weasels from Yizhou City in search of a suitable hideaway here. But the name of Yizhou City did ring a bell; Zhang Zhigui and his companions were all natives of Yizhou City themselves.

He was tasked to scout for a suitable site between Yizhou City and Qinhuangdao City, as bidden by his teacher through a dream. He was instructed to search somewhere between both cities, but he was not told specifically where, and the weasels have been moving with him. When they passed by Wu Zhong, some of the weasels were caught trying to steal chickens. Being a beast known to be notoriously vain and spiteful, the weasels returned that night, littering the fields of the farmer with tiles and bricks, and thinking that it would give him much trouble. But being beasts, they lacked the intelligence to pit wits against Chongxi and was tricked. The weasels would not have returned. But it was this young man who had tipped them off to Chongxi's ruse. That paved the way for what happened later.

Never had the weasels suffered such reprisals and humiliation. They were more than angry when they realized that they had been hoodwinked. But the boy was nothing but a half-witted and incompetent hireling. Hence he had to, again and again, look for outside help to deal with us.

Finally, he confessed that he knew nothing about the weasels' escape, although he was aware of me using evil spirits to maintain Ghost Barriers around their lair to prevent them from leaving. But he was adamantly certain that it could only be the work of his teacher when I told him about the weasels' flight to freedom.

The interrogation continued with a few more questions, but the young man could not give any concrete information, leaving me confused and distraught as we watched him being returned to his cell. We could not tell if he was feigning ignorance, or he was simply a fool in the greater scheme of things.

We dragged dejected selves out the police station in the end, utterly devastated by the lack of information gleaned from the young hireling. The time was already five in the evening. But he and his confederates would be detained until the end of the New Year season, Zheng Shuang pointed out, hence there was no need for us to worry about them disturbing us during the festive seasons. But there's no need for that, I said to Zheng Shuang. There was no bad blood between us and I did not believe that he would have the nerve ever again, after our last showdown against him.

Edelweiss had been watching the Center in our stead during the time we were at the station. But she realized the forlorn and grim looks when we returned. I told her a summary of what happened and was met only by a blank look from her. But she knew better than to prod further. She looked at her watch and saw that it was almost time for dinner. Trying to raise our spirits, she suggested, ”Let's have something to drink tonight! Come on, let's frown no more!” With no objections from any of us, we immediately went out, heading straight to the barbeque hawker stalls.

Most of the shops in Wu Zhong were closed for the cold season as the New Year approached, never mind barbeque restaurants or hawkers, especially those outside. Then again, even I would refrain from eating open air in such chilly weather. That left only one option: the barbeque restaurant we usually frequented. Not only because it was near my home, but the proprietor, having known us for quite some time, have always been friendly to put up with our brouhaha and loitering.

We stepped into the restaurant to find it completely empty. The proprietor was on the verge of falling asleep if not for our timely entry. He sprang to his feet when he heard the doors swung open and rubbed his eyes before he could clearly see it was us. Without even taking any orders from us, he barked with brimming fervor, ”There're fewer people today! It'll be quick, just right up!” After coming for so many times, he already knew our usual orders without showing us the menu.