[Peel it before eating]

The two black lacquered wooden doors slammed shut with a “bang.”

Bai Zhun wasn’t one to go soft, either in words or actions. What was a box of cake from Huo Zhenye? Even if he ate a few more, he’d still toss the man out the door without hesitation.

He hadn’t expected Liu Da to be obedient anyway. The most irritating thing about people was how they never cried until they saw the coffin.

Bai Zhun circled into the inner room. All four walls were lined with bamboo and paper racks, and in the center of the brick floor stood a paper effigy of Black Impermanence ^[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heibai_Wuchang .

He placed the black hat he’d been holding onto the figure’s head.

Dressed in black, with a bluish face, a pointed hat atop his head, and a soul-reaping chain in hand—if you didn’t look closely, you’d think it was a shrine statue.

Only the eyes hadn’t yet been dotted with ink.

Bai Zhun’s surname was Bai, and he held command over the Seventh Branch. All disciples of the Wu Hua Sect respectfully called him “Seventh Master Bai.”

Some who disliked his temperament and ways secretly called him “Living Impermanence”—a jab at the folk reverence for White Impermanence, who was respectfully addressed as Seventh Master Bai. 

As the saying goes—there’s always some truth in a nickname. No one earns a moniker for nothing.

Bai Zhun had earned this one for his mysterious behavior, fickle moods, and the unease he inspired in even his own followers. Unless absolutely necessary, it was best not to see him.

Time was short. He only had time to craft a single effigy, but with even one Impermanence present, no ghost—however fierce—could avoid being captured.

He prepared a spirit-offering altar with fresh fruit and flowers. Though Impermanence was a ghost of the underworld, he was still a divine emissary and had to be honored accordingly.

Once night fell, he would light the incense and invite the spirit—to seize Jin Dangui.

After everything was prepared, Bai Zhun felt drained, as if the effigy had sucked away most of his strength and spirit. He didn’t even want to make the effort to walk back to his room. Closing his eyes, he allowed the two paper servants to carry him inside.

As he rested with his eyes closed, he silently hoped that Jin Dangui would appear tonight—so Impermanence could seize her soul with the reaping chain and drag her away without delay.

—-

Huo Zhenye was thrown out the door. Once he recovered from the shock, he burst out laughing. Paper shackles could turn into real ones, paper figures into living people.

This was even more interesting than he’d imagined.

Standing in front of Bai Zhun’s residence, he let out a couple of amused chuckles, then knocked again on the black lacquered door. Through the door, he called out, “I’ll bring you some Italian ice cream tomorrow!”

A few residents of Yuqing Alley poked their heads out, spotting a well-dressed young man laughing and talking to himself outside the Bai residence. So handsome, so refined—is he a lunatic?

Huo Zhenye patted the dust off his clothes, strolled leisurely out of the long alley, and got into his car. To the driver, he said, “To the police bureau.”

It was about time Da Tou got a confession.

And he did. A Chinese constable like Da Tou, with no connections, had no other path to promotion in the International Settlement except by working hard. Now that he had Huo Zhenye backing him, he was going all out.

Soon, they tracked down the hotel staff who had taken bribes in exchange for giving out room numbers. The waiter turned pale with fright. He hadn’t just sold Huo Zhenye’s room number—he’d sold several others too. For bigger bribes, he’d even open the door for the buyer.

“This kind of thing ain’t rare. When fat meat walks through the door, who wouldn’t want a bite?”

He’d happily pocketed the money, and when the murder happened the next day, he was summoned for questioning. He kept his mouth shut and was so scared he took three days off to hide at home.

Thinking the coast was clear, he returned to work—only to find himself exposed anyway.

No one should’ve known he sold the room numbers. Could it have been… a ghost who spilled the secret?

Besides the waiter, Da Tou also questioned Su Manli’s maid and housekeeper. Apparently, they had always looked down on Jin Dangui. Later, when Jin’s votes started rising and threatened Su Manli’s ranking, she became the thorn in their side.

Da Tou asked, “Young Master Huo, is this useful?”

“It is. Have the footprint and fingerprint results come back? What about the coroner’s report?”

“Report’s not ready yet. Fingerprints and footprints are still being collected.” This was the International Settlement—both the British and Americans had their own systems. Samples had to be tested against both. Chief Song had been pushing hard, saying results should be ready tomorrow.

“Young Master Huo, even if we collect everything, where do we compare it against?”

Su Manli wasn’t like Jin Dangui—Jin Dangui was greedy for money and looks, while Su Manli only cared about money. She would never get involved with someone young and handsome but poor.

As for the few wealthy regulars who supported her—Da Tou didn’t even need to compare anything. He knew the answer. It definitely wasn’t them. They were all pot-bellied, thick-waisted types—there was no way they could’ve climbed onto a rooftop.

Huo Zhenye suddenly asked Da Tou, “Hey, do you think these Daoists have to do their ghost-catching rituals at night?”

Da Tou was stunned. “Huh? That should be at night, right? Ghosts don’t come out during the day… No, wait—that’s not right. There’s no such thing as ghosts!”

After saying that, he curiously asked, “Young Master Huo, why are you asking that? Does it have something to do with the case?”

Huo Zhenye patted Da Tou’s shoulder. “Nothing to do with it, just asking.” Then he handed him some money. “Since there’s nowhere else to run off to before the reports come back, take this and treat the guys to dinner.”

Da Tou refused the money, but Huo Zhenye insisted. “Just consider it me treating them through you. I’ve got things to do tonight, won’t be joining you all.”

With that, he headed out. As dusk approached, he returned and knocked on the Bai residence’s door again.

Ah Xiu didn’t open the door, but Huo Zhenye wasn’t in a rush. He looked at his watch and knocked once every five minutes, each time saying cheerfully, “Master Bai, I brought you a gift.”

Every knock came with a wider grin, slowly chipping away at Bai Zhun’s peace and quiet.

Bai Zhun rolled his wheelchair out to the front room, eyes scanning the paper figures lining the walls. He contemplated picking one of the sturdier ones to go out and beat Huo Zhenye up.

“Master Bai? Open the door, please.” Huo Zhenye’s voice was polite, but his posture was relaxed, leaning against the door as he reached for his cigarette case.

*Bang!* The door burst open. Huo Zhenye jumped back just in time—nearly got smacked in the face. He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Master Bai opening the door personally—what an honor.”

“Get in here!” Bai Zhun said coldly, already turning his chair back around. Huo Zhenye strolled in, carrying package after package.

First, he delivered the promised Italian ice cream. Then he brought in a big gramophone with a loudspeaker.

“This is the ice cream—softer than popsicles, firmer than regular ice cream. Try it.”

When the box opened, a cool, creamy scent wafted into Bai Zhun’s nose.

Since ice cream melts easily, Huo Zhenye had even brought a bucket of ice, wrapped the box in oilcloth—creating a makeshift fridge.

He also brought a full set of Western dessert utensils, cutting a neat slice for Bai Zhun and placing it on a gold-rimmed porcelain saucer, with a tiny golden spoon on the side. “Please, Master Bai.”

Bai Zhun gave him a side-eye and snorted through his nose. If it tasted bad, he’d toss this guy right out.

“Should I slice a piece for the lady over there too?”

Bai Zhun narrowed his eyes, savoring the rich, creamy flavor that coated his tongue, then waved a hand dismissively. “She doesn’t need it.”

Huo Zhenye then set up the gramophone. “This works with electricity. ‘The River Runs Red (满江红),’ ‘The Gate of Heaven Array (天门阵)’—you can play any scene you want.”

He’d already seen the two paper figures of Yue Fei and Mu Guiying earlier that afternoon. Half in awe of Bai Zhun’s craftsmanship, half amused at the man himself.

Bai Zhun put on a face like he didn’t want anyone near, but clearly hated loneliness—posing paper people in an opera scene was no different than a child playing toy soldiers.

Bai Zhun didn’t know how to use the machine, nor did he ask. He figured once Huo Zhenye left, he’d just toss it up in the attic.

He finished a slice of the ice cream cake and gestured for Ah Xiu to cut him another piece. In a cold voice, he asked, “Go ahead—what is it this time?”

Huo Zhenye said, “Tell me where we’ve met before.”

Bai Zhun glanced at him. Though Huo Zhenye didn’t remember him anymore, that mangy-dog personality of his hadn’t changed one bit.

“If you won’t tell me, I’ll come ask you every day—until you finally do.”

Since Huo Zhenye insisted on asking, Bai Zhun was all the more determined not to answer. He gave a snort. “Suit yourself.”

Night had completely fallen by now. On a moonlit night like this, it usually wouldn’t be this quiet—families had already pulled out bamboo chairs to the alleys to enjoy the evening breeze. Gossip floated from one end of the lane to the other.

Bai Zhun was just waiting.

Since no one was entertaining Huo Zhenye, he found himself a chair and slouched into it. Bored, he leaned back and yawned.

As soon as his eyes closed, the ten or so paper figures in the room all turned their heads in unison—their blank, white eye sockets staring directly at him.

When Huo Zhenye opened his eyes, the paper figures had all turned their heads back.

Huo Zhenye had sharp ears—he kept hearing the faint rustle of paper and bamboo. After it happened a few times, he grew suspicious. He yawned again, pretending it was casual, then suddenly opened his eyes wide and scanned the room.

This time, the paper figures didn’t have time to turn their heads back. They were caught in the act.

Huo Zhenye stared at the paper figures. The paper figures stared back. Both sides were caught off guard.

Bai Zhun, seated in his wheelchair, gave a cough. One by one, the paper figures slowly turned their heads back to the front, and the room returned to normal.

“They… can move?” It hadn’t felt strange in the daylight, but now that it was night, the room full of paper things sent a chill down even his spine.

“If you’re scared, then get out.”

Naturally, Huo Zhenye refused to leave. He even shifted his posture and made himself more comfortable in the chair.

Bai Zhun half-lifted his eyelids and gave another snort.

As night deepened and the voices in the alley gradually faded, the Bai family’s small building came alive. Inside, the soft rustling of paper filled the air.

The two paper figures in the courtyard—dressed for an opera performance—had disappeared. In their place now stood a paper effigy dressed in black robes and a black pointed hat.

Huo Zhenye leaned over and asked Bai Zhun, “So, which opera are you trying to watch tonight?”

No sooner had he spoken than the black paper figure slowly turned around. The large characters “Peace Under Heaven” were written across the pointed hat, facing Huo Zhenye directly. He instinctively took half a step back.

This was Bai Zhun’s method. Huo Zhenye said, “Liu Da isn’t worth it.”

“That’s not my concern.” Since the Chenghuang’s summoning permit had been issued to the Seventh Branch, capturing Jin Dangui was his duty.

Bai Zhun set up the incense altar. He raised his hands in a sword-finger gesture, clasped the incense between his fingers, and his expression turned solemn. “Silence.”

He placed the incense into the burner and lit the yellow talisman paper as a summoning guide. As the incense caught flame, the paper Impermanence trembled all over and “came to life.” The chains made of paper clanged with the sound of real metal.

Ah Xiu opened the front door and watched as Impermanence walked out of the Bai family house. The figure vanished into the darkness, and only occasionally could the sound of clinking chains be heard down the long alley of Yuqing Alley.

Huo Zhenye watched Bai Zhun, uncharacteristically silent. Bai Zhun turned his face slightly and said, “If you’re scared, then get lost.”

Huo Zhenye pulled out a handful of melon seeds and walnuts, smiling with that same aggravating grin. “Just waiting around is boring. Want something to eat? How about some candied cheese? I’ll bring you some tomorrow.”

Bai Zhun’s brows furrowed, then relaxed. He glanced at the walnuts, then moved his golden lips: “Peel them.”

‘Peel them before I eat.’