Chapter Thirty: Night Witch Rong and Fairy Xian

In the bustling casino, a large round table was surrounded by a crowd, with Jiang Zhenyuan seated at the very center. He slapped down a pile of money, scratched his face, then jumped up in agitation. “My luck’s terrible tonight! Let me step outside to shake off this bad fortune. I’ll be back for another round, so don’t any of you run off.”

The people around the table grinned and replied, “We wouldn’t dare. We’ll definitely wait for Young Master Jiang to return.”

Fuming, Jiang Zhenyuan strode out of the casino, muttering curses under his breath to vent his ill luck. He turned to go back, but paused, frowning. No, if he kept losing, the money wasn’t the issue—his dignity would be in tatters.

He stroked his chin and pondered for a while. Right! Why not pay homage to the God of Wealth and seek some good luck? With resolve, he asked the owner of a nearby tavern, “Where’s the God of Wealth’s temple?”

The owner replied, “At this hour, only the one in the southern part of the city is still open, but it’s in a very remote area—you’ll have to pass through a graveyard.”

A chill ran down Jiang Zhenyuan’s spine. “A graveyard?”

“If you’re scared, best not go,” the owner said.

Jiang Zhenyuan’s cheeks flushed. “Who says I’m afraid? Superstitions about ghosts and spirits—I don’t believe any of it! Hmph!” He turned and marched boldly toward the southern city.

The tavern owner muttered to himself, “If he doesn’t believe in spirits, why bother praying to the God of Wealth?”

Dusk had fallen, and the sky darkened quickly. Though the city no longer enforced a curfew, ordinary folk were unaccustomed to venturing out at night, and the southern district was sparsely populated.

As Jiang Zhenyuan walked, he saw only four or five people, all seeming like dandies headed to the Emerald Smoke Hall. He looked at them with disdain.

“Good-for-nothings!”

As if his own midnight pilgrimage to the God of Wealth for gambling luck was a glorious endeavor.

Approaching the temple, he indeed saw the graveyard. In the pale moonlight, the protruding mounds of graves looked especially eerie.

Jiang Zhenyuan swallowed hard, feeling his neck grow cold. Shivering, he broke into a run.

“I must be crazy to come to this godforsaken place.”

Fortunately, there was candlelight in the temple, which calmed his pounding heart a little. Suddenly, a shadow flashed by, stirring the air.

Jiang Zhenyuan nearly jumped out of his skin. “...Who’s there?”

Only the wind answered.

He slapped his head. “Come on, you’re Jiang Zhenyuan—afraid of nothing! How did you turn into a coward?”

He drew a deep breath and looked up at the smiling statue of the God of Wealth. With reverence, he said, “Your humble servant Jiang Zhenyuan has suffered repeated losses at the casino today, and it’s terribly embarrassing. I pray that you bless me with victory every time, so I may become the undefeated champion of the casino.” He knocked his head on the floor.

“Ahem.”

A soft cough made Jiang Zhenyuan collapse in fright, instinctively scooting back as he glanced around nervously. He licked his lips and asked in a trembling voice, “Who’s there?”

Another voice spoke, “If I help you win, what will you give me in return?”

Jiang Zhenyuan’s eyes widened. He saw clearly—it was the God of Wealth speaking! Dear heavens, am I dreaming?

Jiang Zhenyuan collected himself, straightened up, and knelt. “I’m willing to give you all my money.”

“Very well. Pay first, then I’ll grant your wish. Place the money on the offering table and leave.”

“Yes, yes.” Jiang Zhenyuan took out all his money, placed it on the table, and bowed as he left. Yet the further he walked, the more uneasy he felt.

“Why does this deity demand payment up front? And that voice... sounded like a woman?” Suspicious, he crept back.

At the doorway, peals of laughter rang out, accompanied by a girl’s voice. “Hahaha, what a coward! So easy to fool—money’s so easy to earn! Hahaha, I can buy something tasty now!”

Jiang Zhenyuan hesitantly approached the statue, only to find a raggedly dressed girl in blue sitting on the floor, laughing uncontrollably, her eyes squinting with glee, clutching the money he’d placed on the offering table.

“You dare trick me?” Jiang Zhenyuan glared furiously.

The girl looked at him without fear. “Who tricked you?”

“Where did this money come from?”

“The God of Wealth gave it to me,” she said, hugging the cash and giggling.

“Despicable! How dare you swindle me? I’ll teach you a lesson!” Jiang Zhenyuan lunged to grab her, but the girl dodged nimbly.

She flashed a sly smile and pointed at the altar, shouting, “Rise!”

The altar flew straight at Jiang Zhenyuan, who cried out, “Monster!” Dodging in the nick of time, the altar smashed against the door.

“You’re the monster. I am Rong Xian’er, Night Witch of the Kingdom of Qi Liang.” Rong Xian’er spread her arms, standing atop the God of Wealth’s head, her ink-black hair billowing.

“Qi Liang?” Jiang Zhenyuan recalled the illusion performance he’d seen days ago.

He mustered his courage. “I don’t care if you’re a White Witch or Night Witch. You tricked me—you’re a fraud!”

“How did I trick you? You gave me the money willingly,” Rong Xian’er said, blinking.

A monk rushed in through the back door. Seeing the altar on the floor, he exclaimed, “What a sin, what a sin!”

He glared at the pair. “You, and you! Why are you standing up there? Get down this instant! You’re desecrating the deity—a terrible offense!” The monk’s face was flushed as he shooed them away, kneeling to atone before the gods.

Rong Xian’er scratched her head and hopped down, a touch embarrassed, then ran out of the temple. Jiang Zhenyuan followed close behind.

At the temple gate, Rong Xian’er stuffed the money into a cloth bag. Jiang Zhenyuan tried to snatch it, and they scuffled again.

Whenever Rong Xian’er pointed at something, it flew, but Jiang Zhenyuan’s martial skills allowed him to dodge. He got close and seized her shoulder.

He glared at her, but suddenly an odd sound broke the tension.

Jiang Zhenyuan frowned. “What was that?”

Rong Xian’er looked down. “Oh, that was my stomach.”

“How long has it been since you ate?”

“Two days, I suppose. I was about to steal some offerings when you showed up,” Rong Xian’er rubbed her stomach.

“Since you’re so skilled, why not bring food from the street right to you?”

“Our Grand Sorcerer forbids us from using magic at will. If I’m caught, I’ll be dragged back.”

“But just now?”

Rong Xian’er beckoned him close. “That’s a secret. Come closer, I’ll whisper.”

Jiang Zhenyuan rolled his eyes, then leaned in.

Rong Xian’er whispered, “I discovered the aura of the gods can mask our sorcery, so the Grand Sorcerer can’t detect it.” She raised a tiny fist in triumph. “Yes! I’m so clever—where else could you find such a smart Night Witch?”

“Nonsense—I don’t believe any of it,” Jiang Zhenyuan sized her up, “What Night Witch? Dressed like a beggar. I don’t want the money anymore—use it to buy yourself some food.”

Without another glance, Jiang Zhenyuan strode away with flair.

Rong Xian’er hesitated, then broke into a smile and hurried after him. “Hey!” She ran ahead, blocking his path.

“Want another fight?”

“No, since I took your money, I’m willing to help you.”

“Really think you’re the God of Wealth?”

“Believe me, I won’t trick you this time,” Rong Xian’er said earnestly.

Inn.

Jiang Zhenyuan stared in shock at Rong Xian’er, who was wolfing down noodles. She’d already finished three bowls.

“Delicious!” Rong Xian’er slurped happily.

“Slow down. No one’s going to steal your food,” Jiang Zhenyuan sighed. He’d never seen anyone so famished, and these were just ordinary noodles—were they really that tasty?

Rong Xian’er set her bowl down with satisfaction. “Wow, it’s really delicious.” She wiped her mouth with her hand.

“You care less about appearances than I do,” Jiang Zhenyuan scoffed.

“Well! You gave me money and treated me to such wonderful noodles. I must help you.”

“Let’s go! To the casino!” exclaimed Rong Xian’er.