"Swallowing swords, spitting fire, drawing rivers on the ground, and returning from the dead?!"
Lu Chao understood—ancient magicians, then.
But why choose such a secluded courtyard for the performance? Shouldn’t illusionists like these perform in bustling teahouses or taverns to attract more spectators?
"This old man doesn’t know either. I only heard bits and pieces from customers." The elderly vendor worked deftly, quickly shaping a sugar figurine.
Lu Chao accepted the figurine but still felt uneasy.
He asked again, "How long does this merchant group from the Western Regions plan to stay?"
"Not sure. They say they’ll leave in a few days. They even rented this courtyard through a broker—paid a hefty sum too, so they must be generous folk."
Lu Chao noticed the doorman eyeing him, peeking out now and then. Gripping the sugar figurine, he turned to leave.
"Hey, young masters! Care to come in and watch the show?"
Lu Chao shook his head timidly. "We don’t have money."
The doorman studied him again, then grinned. "No money? No problem! Our boss is generous. I’ll just say you’re distant relatives of mine."
The doorman’s greasy stare sent shivers down Lu Chao’s spine. He forced a smile. "Really? You’re too kind, brother."
Then he nudged Qingshan beside him.
"Qingshan, hurry back and fetch Lady Lu! Tell her to bring help—fast!"
Qingshan, flustered, stammered, "Third Young Master, what about you?"
"I’ll find Second Brother and stall for time. Go, now!"
Then, loudly, he shouted, "Mean brother! I want to watch the show! Hmph!"
With that, Lu Chao twisted away and dashed toward the courtyard.
"You disobedient brat! I’m going to get Father to whip you!" Qingshan yelled, playing the part of an exasperated older brother before sprinting off.
"Hey! That kid!" The doorman watched Qingshan’s retreating figure with frustration.
Torn between worry for Lu Yuanyi and fear for himself, Lu Chao steeled himself and stepped inside. Lu Yuanyi, Lu Yuanyi… this time, your backside is truly done for.
Beyond the gate, a clamor of voices engulfed him.
The small hall was packed with forty or fifty people, all crowding around a makeshift stage.
Onstage, a woman in exotic garb held a skeleton, chanting in an unfamiliar tongue. Then—the skeleton clasped its hands and bowed.
"Bravo!"
"Encore!"
Lu Chao scanned the room. Despite it being daytime, the windows were shuttered, curtains drawn. Only a few oil lamps lit the space, casting just enough light to see.
The guide bent to grab Lu Chao’s hand, but the boy ducked, shoved a table, and sent an oil lamp teetering.
As the man lunged to steady it, Lu Chao slipped away.
Small and nimble, he weaved through the crowd, his loose robes perfect for hiding.
"Father!"
Spectators, their sleeves tugged, merely chuckled, assuming he was some child mistaking them for his father. Some even patted his head kindly.
But after searching, Lu Chao found no trace of Lu Yuanyi.
If he’s watching the show, he’d either be up front or… Lu Chao glanced up. Sure enough—there, peering from the second-floor teahouse, were Lu Yuanyi and Yang Zongze!
Just as Lu Chao moved toward the stairs—
Whoosh.
The oil lamps snuffed out. The stage’s eerie glow seized the crowd’s attention.
"Lu—"
Upstairs, darkness swallowed everything. Lu Chao only glimpsed a towering figure before the blackness swallowed him whole.
---
Meanwhile, at the academy, Su Yunzheng searched every corner after lunch but found no sign of Lu Chao. Desperate, he rushed to the rear courtyard.
"Master Lu! Master Lu!"
Lu Yu, sipping tea after his meal, had just closed his eyes for a nap when the shrill cries jolted him awake.
"Shh! Quiet! What are you howling for? Other teachers are resting!"
Grumbling, Lu Yu opened the door and clamped a hand over Su Yunzheng’s mouth.
"Master Lu, Lu Chao’s missing! Did someone lure him out of the academy?"
Lu Yu chuckled. "So what if he slipped out? They sneak off to buy snacks all the time. He’ll be back soon."
Only the youngest class behaved; the rest were seasoned escape artists. By dismissal, the academy gates practically turned into a food market.
"But Lu Chao’s obedient! He wouldn’t run off!"
Lu Yu shook his head, amused. "Maybe he went to find his second brother."
"His second brother was napping in class! I checked! Uncle Lu, please help!"
With a sigh, Lu Yu stood. These kids will be the death of me.
---
Meanwhile, Qingshan sprinted back to the Lu residence. Lady Lu was napping, and by the time the message passed through layers of servants, half a tea’s worth of time had slipped away.
Shishu, on duty, dared not delay upon hearing it involved the second young master. She knocked urgently on Lady Lu’s door.
Lady Lu, already restless, jolted at the sound.
"What is it?"
"Madam, Qingshan has returned with word—Second Young Master was lured from the academy and is in danger. He begs you to bring help at once."
Lady Lu shot to her feet. "Dress me!"
Her legs nearly gave way. My son—
"Quick! Have the steward take servants and follow Qingshan! Shishu, notify Master Lu immediately!"
Qingshan tugged the steward’s sleeve, racing back toward the alley.
With every step, his heart pounded harder.
No one. No one’s here.
"Sugar figurines! Sweet, sticky sugar figurines!"
At the familiar cry, Qingshan whirled around.
"Elder, weren’t you selling by that courtyard earlier? Why move here?"
"Young master, the show’s over! They’ve packed up!"
When they reached the courtyard, only a lone wind-chime swayed above the deserted gate.
---
At the city gate, a dust-coated carriage rolled toward the exit.
"Hold up! You’re new here. Show your travel pass!" A guard chewed on a straw, eyeing the plain carriage.
The driver hunched, grinning obsequiously. "Officer, look closer—I’m the steward of Guan Fourth Master’s estate! Just delivering goods for my lord." He slipped a pouch of coins into the guard’s hand. "For your trouble, sir. Buy yourselves a drink."
The lead guard weighed the pouch, then smirked. "Not bad. What’s in the carriage?"
He yanked the curtain aside. Inside, only a jumble of quilts filled one corner.
"Just some bedding. In a hurry, so we tossed it in haphazardly. Heh."
As the guard raised his sword to poke further—
"Hey! You thief! Keep your hands off my bag!"
A nearby scuffle diverted the guards. The lead officer waved the carriage through and stomped toward the commotion.
The driver flicked the reins.
"Hyah!"
