The Tale of the Ghost Eyes Chapter 96 The Dark Daytime (8)

I pulled my eyes away from the water and looked at him. His face was a mask of concentration and something else, something I couldn't quite put my finger on. I stepped back, but let my eyes fall onto the water once more.

Behind us, Sima Jie finished murmuring over the unconscious man and then raised a hand. He brought it down with a clap on the man's chest. The unconscious fellow awoke with a shout and doubled over. A black, bloodlike fluid dribbled from his mouth onto the grass.

Master Liu strode to the man and wrenched his shoulder from the ground. Peering down into his confused eyes Master Liu demanded, "Who are you? How did you come here?"

The man gaped up at us, blackis blood staining his chin and cheek. He waivered for a moment then shook his head as if to clear it. After a moment of silence, broken only by his ragged breathing, he spoke in a gravely voice. "My name is Chu Yang. I am from the Order of the Nine Dragons. I came looking for something as ordered by my master. I got to the water though, and, and… I don't know what happened."

Chu Yang placed his hands on the ground and stood up with a groan.

Master Liu was unabashed, "What were you looking for?"

Chu Yang shook his head. "You two must be Taoists, surely you know each party has its secrets. I can't say, but I owe you one. Please, allow me to return the favor. What are your names?"

He reminded me of a martial arts master I'd seen on TV. I watched him bow respectfully as the two masters introduced themselves. I was surprised when he turned to me. "And you, young sir? What is your name?"

"He is my junior fellow apprentice, Xiao Yong." Master Liu answered for me. I smiled at the interesting man. He bowed to me as well, and then spoke.

"I am honored to meet the great Sima Jie and powerful Liu Chunan." His eyes sparkled as he gave another series of bows.

"Does everyone know Master Liu?" I wondered.

"Now that we're familiar with one another, can you tell me what exactly your master ordered you here for?" Master Liu asked.

Chu Yang cleared his throat uncomfortably. "If you must know, I suppose I have to tell you. You are Master Liu after all…" He fidgeted with his hands for a moment until Master Liu began to scowl. "All right. Have you ever heard the legend of the fallen dragon?"

We all three nodded as one.

"It's said that the dragon left this place after a short rest, but that's not true. The dragon died when it crashed here in this col. The villagers found it and warned the government. They came to remove its body, but found that two new dragons had come to take away the corpse!" His voice cleared and sped up as he got into the story. "The National Master in charge of the operation couldn't do his duty and inspect the dragon, so he resigned himself to live here. Right here inside the Falling Dragon Col!"

"What dynasty did this happen during?" Master Liu asked.

"The Tang dynasty, I believe. My master doesn't have any physical records from back then though.

Master Liu took a step towards the man. "You never said why you were sent here."

Chu Yang stepped back and raised his hands. "I came for the National Master's treasures. It's said that no one ever saw him alive again. He had no apprentices, so he must have died alone!" His voice was rising in pitch with his excitement. "All of his treasure has to be here!"

Master Liu let out a bellowing laugh. Through his chuckles he finally managed, "What book has yous your master been reading?"

Chu Yang wasn't fazed. He matched Master Liu's eyes and retorted, "An autobiography from the time! One of the government's advisers recorded the whole event. It's written that the National Master vanished after summoning a turtle from the fragrant pond!"

"This pond?" I said too quietly to be heard. I raised my voice, "Is this where the National Master lived?"

Chu Yang stopped and turned to me. The corner of his mouth rose in a smirk. "Perhaps."

"Frozen ghosts, falling dragons, Hou spirit temple, and now a National Master! No wonder Master Liu came to our village so much." I thought.

"It wasn't the National Master's duty to stand guard when the dragon's body was already removed. He could have just reported to the emperor! Tell me the truth, Chu Yang. Why would the National Master stay here?" Master Liu demanded.

Chu Yang's eyes dropped and he gave a nervous laugh. "You misunderstand. I really don't know what else you want me to say." He gave a shrug. "That's all there is."

Master Liu sighed and shook his head slowly. "Are you feeling better?"

Chu Yang nodded.

Master Liu spoke firmly then, "If there's nothing else, then go now. Leave this place. Tell your master that he shouldn't concern himself with the Falling Dragon Col any longer."

Chu Yang's eyes flashed in a hint of anger. "Master Liu…" He said, "That's a bad idea…"

Master Liu's voice rose in anger, "Bad idea? Do not overstep Chu Yang. You are not qualified to speak to me that way."

Chu Yang's head fell and he averted his gaze. With a mumbled nod he gathered his backpack and walked away, not looking back.

When he was gone I turned to Master Liu. "Why did you send him away? You're not usually one to yell."

Master Liu didn't respond. "The Nine Dragon order," Sima Jie said, "Isn't one of the good ones. They steal from Taoists and raid tombs. Your godfather has protected the innocent today."

Sima Jie and I were silent. Master Liu turned to ask Sima Jie, "What do you think?"

Sima Jie shook his head and said, "I don't know if he lied or not, but I am sure that this is not a spirit place. It's a human one. The pond and those characters," He pointed to the center of the water, "Were put there by human hands, probably this National Master."

Master Liu nodded, "The supernatural air is heavier here." He looked around, surveying the trees and water. "There must be a secret!"

Sima Jie nodded too.

I cleared my throat impatiently. "So, are we going to keep looking for the frozen spirit?"

"Of course we will." Sima Jie said, "There's a spirit in this pond though. If I'm right, it's the turtle spirit Chu Yang mentioned."

I thought about the silly turtle in Journey to the West and laughed.

After Sima Jie saw my smile and read my mind, but his expression hardened. "The spirit will appear as a human. This is not a laughing matter, Xiao Yong." He told me. "If it's a demon, it may have its own entity. Demon's are smart, boy. Be wary." He placed a hand on my shoulder and leaned in until our foreheads were almost touching. "Do not hurt it. They may not be the brightest, but demons have Taoist power. If you start something you can't finish, it could take things from you that we cannot replace."

"What do I do if it tries to hurt someone?" I asked, my voice betraying me.

"Then we will take care of it." Sima Jie said.

I nodded and opened my mouth when Master Liu barked, "You have so many questions!"

I snapped my mouth shut.

Master Liu turned to the green stone pond and said, "Those carvings are incantations."

He breathed deeply and whispered, "They're intact, too."

"Do you feel the trace of the turtle?" Sima Jie asked. Master Liu nodded. "It seems that Chu Yang lied to us. He must have seen it and passed out."

Master Liu swung his arm and withdrew a paper amulet from his sleeve. He murmured an incantation and lit the amulet, casting it into the soil beside the lake. As it hit the ground he raised his eyes to the sky and shouted, "Appear!"

I thought he was beckoning the turtle, but that isn't what appeared.

Chapter end