Chapter Forty: Monk Huiwen

The wind rushed along the road, and the gates of Husun County loomed close ahead. Cui Yu poked her tiny head out of Zhou Hongxian’s collar, gazing at the towering city walls and sighing in despair, “It’s over, sister. The city gate is blocking us—I can’t go back!”

“Don’t be afraid. If the gate is closed, we can fly over the wall!”

The moon hung bright in the sky, casting the modest Husun City in silvery light, like a sand table. A strange red shadow swept beneath the moon, and a girl’s excited cry echoed faintly through the air: “Wow, sister, I can see all of Husun City!”

The next day, as dawn barely broke, the great drum before the county office thundered once more. Another murder had occurred in the city before sunrise, rousing the attention of Cui Shen and Xie Qiao.

The citizen who beat the drum was Tao Wu, a worker at the Xu family’s bun shop in the north of the city. Since he ate and lodged there, he usually slept in the master Xu Cai’s house. At the hour before dawn, he rose as usual to prepare buns for sale. As he stoked the kitchen fire, suddenly a scream rang out from Xu Cai’s room. Puzzled, Tao Wu went to investigate, only to witness the most unforgettable horror of his life.

Tao Wu, eyes brimming with tears, described: “That monster’s eyes were as large as fists, green and venomous like a snake’s. Standing upright, it was more than ten feet tall. I arrived as it pinned our master to the ground with enormous claws, then peeled off his skin and swallowed him whole, head and body. Luckily, I was quick enough to scale the wall and escape with my life!”

After hearing Tao Wu’s account, Cui Shen and Xie Qiao exchanged uneasy glances. Once they left the courtroom, Cui Shen asked, “Ziping, what do you make of this case?”

Xie Qiao replied with a bitter smile: “Master, though we must investigate, yesterday I examined the bodies of Wen Dalang and his wife, as well as He An. Afterwards, I accompanied the He family to view the ancient Northern Wei tomb. To be honest, I am beginning to believe this is not the work of man.”

Cui Shen’s expression grew grave. “I would rather believe the culprit is human, for at least then there is hope of capture. If it truly is a demon, how can we, mere mortals, contend?”

“Master, the world is vast; perhaps somewhere there are sages who can handle such things. The trouble is, I have never heard of any such person in this county.”

Cui Shen’s mind stirred. “Isn’t there a Cong’an Temple in the west of the city? I’ve heard the monk Huiwen there is deeply versed in Buddhist teachings—perhaps he may have insight. Here’s what we’ll do, Ziping: I’ll have the yamen investigate the Xu family’s case. I’ll go home to change into everyday clothes, and you will accompany me to visit Monk Huiwen.”

Xie Qiao nodded, but just then a maid from the Cui household arrived at the back of the county office to deliver a message: Cui Yu, who had been unconscious for days, had awoken on her own.

Upon hearing this joyous news, Cui Shen hurried home. At the door of his daughter’s chamber, he saw her sitting upright at the bed’s head, his wife Lu holding her hands, eyes red from tears—mother and daughter had clearly just wept together.

Cui Yu’s sharp eyes first spotted her father. A crisp “Father!” nearly moved the dignified county magistrate of Husun to tears.

Seeing his daughter’s complexion had returned to its former vitality from its sickly pallor, Cui Shen’s spirits, dulled by her illness and the bizarre murders, finally began to clear. He summoned the physician to check her pulse anew—the illness had come and gone without trace, and only after repeated affirmations of her health did Cui Shen allow himself to relax.

Still, something troubled him. After dismissing the physician, he said to Cui Yu, “Fourth Daughter, your illness was utterly inexplicable. I heard from your mother you once brought home a lady surnamed Zhou. Coincidentally, as you fell ill, that Lady Zhou vanished without a trace. I suspect she’s deeply connected to your sickness. Tell me, do you truly know who Lady Zhou is?”

Cui Yu’s expression changed dramatically. “Father, you must not suspect Sister Zhou!”

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Cui Shen shook his head. “Fourth Daughter, how could I not be suspicious? The whole affair is too much a coincidence! You must understand, I have served as an official for many years, and in seeking to reform the people’s customs, I’ve made enemies aplenty. The obvious threats are easy enough to avoid, but hidden traps are far more dangerous. I fear someone may be plotting against my family!”

Cui Yu was initially annoyed, but after hearing this, she was moved. She smiled gently. “Father, are you suspecting Sister Zhou was sent by some villain to harm me?”

Cui Shen’s face was stern. “It’s not impossible.”

Cui Yu laughed more brightly. “Father, I know everything about Sister Zhou, but I have made a promise not to reveal her secrets. So please, don’t suspect her, alright?”

“You made a promise? What do you mean?”

“Father, it’s a secret—a secret between girls. Do you understand? I can tell you with certainty my illness has nothing to do with Sister Zhou. As for her disappearance, it was pure coincidence. She left because she had urgent business, and she told me in advance. She simply departed in such haste she didn’t notify the rest of the household, which led to the misunderstanding.”

“But no one saw her leave that day. How could she vanish so suddenly?”

“Father, do you not believe your own daughter anymore? If you continue to suspect Sister Zhou for no reason, I won’t speak to you again!”

Seeing Cui Yu begin to act spoiled, Cui Shen could only shake his head in resignation. His doubts, however, remained unresolved—not because he distrusted his daughter, but because he feared her innocence made her vulnerable to deception.

Having agreed with Xie Qiao to visit Monk Huiwen, Cui Shen chose not to argue further. Soon, he changed into everyday clothes and rode with Xie Qiao toward Cong’an Temple.

The sun was rising, and the streets of Husun County grew lively. Everything seemed bright and peaceful, yet none could imagine the strange and terrifying events that would unfold by night.

To the west of the city stood Cong’an Temple.

Cong’an Temple was hardly renowned. Husun County itself was only a hundred years old, and it was not considered a prominent county in Tang. Thus, it was unlikely to have any ancient famed temples. The temple housed just twenty-three monks; aside from daily prayers and vegetarian meals, they welcomed pilgrims and tended to the incense for the Bodhisattva. The abbott Minzhi was broad-minded and portly, his face shining with oil—in truth, he resembled a wealthy gentleman more than a profound monk.

Still, the temple was not without learned monks. At least Monk Huiwen, Minzhi’s uncle, was a notable one.

Huiwen was born in the Kaihuang era of Emperor Wen of Sui, though his exact birth date was unknown. Judging from his appearance—long white beard, kind demeanor—he seemed to be about sixty years old. He grew up in Cong’an Temple, devoted to Buddhist study. It was said that last year, the nineteenth year of Zhenguan, Monk Xuanzang returned east from India, bringing countless Sanskrit Buddhist texts. Hearing this, Huiwen longed to see him, and despite his age and the objections of the monks, insisted on journeying to Chang’an to meet Xuanzang and glimpse the mysteries of Mahayana Buddhism. He returned with many scriptures, and since then, he was rarely seen without a book in hand.

When Cui Shen and Xie Qiao arrived, Huiwen’s gaze was serene, but kept drifting back to the scriptures before him. Surprisingly, as he meditated, a black cat perched on his knees. The cat’s glossy fur shone like silk, and its attention was fixed on the scripture as well. As Huiwen turned a page, the cat’s head followed, as if it too could read and comprehend.

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“Who are you, benefactors?” Monk Huiwen looked up with a slight smile.

“Master, I am Cui Shen, magistrate of Husun County.”

“I am Xie Qiao, the magistrate’s aide.”

“Oh, so it is Magistrate Xie and Mr. Cui. Please, sit!”

Cui Shen and Xie Qiao exchanged a glance.

“What brings you to see this humble monk?” After a long pause, Huiwen looked up again.

Seeing the monk so absent-minded, Cui Shen and Xie Qiao dispensed with formalities and explained their purpose directly.

Upon hearing them, Huiwen finally looked up, a hint of surprise on his face. “A demon harming people?”

Cui Shen nodded at once. “Yes, there have been frequent murders in the city lately, and all survivors point to a demon. Based on their descriptions, we believe it is likely the same demon. We have come today to ask the master for advice on how to deal with demons, so we might rid the people of their fears!”

“Oh, I see. Magistrate Xie’s concern for the people is admirable!” Huiwen smiled kindly at Cui Shen. But his next words left Cui Shen utterly frustrated: “But, I only know how to recite scriptures—I don’t know how to catch demons!”

Cui Shen and Xie Qiao were disappointed.

“Magistrate Xie, what does this demon look like?” Huiwen now seemed interested.

Cui Shen, somewhat exasperated, patiently repeated the survivors’ descriptions.

“Ah, black body, red hair, green eyes, giant hands, sharp claws—hmm, isn’t that a Rakshasa?”