Chapter 24: The Taoist Who Trades on Credit

Chapter 24: The Creditor Taoist

The plump Taoist chuckled again. “You jest, my friend. What are these lowly peddlers and porters to us? If, by our hand, they might gather a sliver of merit for their souls, die early to be reborn, perhaps their next life will lead them to the household of an emperor or minister. Heh heh… Besides, the dark arts you practice—using human heads as hammers—are even more shocking than my extracting demon pills, wouldn’t you agree?”

Zhang Sanlu looked at the human-head hammer pinning the dog demon and could find no way to explain that the head was something he had brought with him. He simply waved his hand. “Let’s not speak of this. If I hadn’t seen it, I’d have let it be. But since I have, I will protect this one. What do you intend to do?” Inwardly, he was already prepared—if he couldn’t win, he would flee immediately. Last time, his self-destruction on one side nearly caused the other world to collapse, so caution was no longer optional.

The plump Taoist’s face froze for a moment. “Of course, of course. If you say so, then let it be. Therefore, I’m willing to exchange this Illusion Pill for the life of that dog demon. What say you? As for the peddler, his fate is of little consequence.”

Zhang Sanlu pondered. The Illusion Pill was likely what the dog demon used to induce hallucinations in people, allowing the lesser demons to set traps in human guise even if they could not transform themselves. It sounded useful, but he quickly thought better of it. The plump Taoist had made his offer too hastily; it was time to bargain. Thus, he didn’t answer directly but instead shifted the topic.

“I am Zhang Sanlu. May I ask your Taoist title?”

The plump Taoist, seeing that the question was not answered, already had his suspicions—perhaps the Illusion Pill was not enough and the other would try to drive the price higher. He felt a pang of annoyance, but seeing the one-eyed Taoist’s resolve, he dared not offend him recklessly. Plastering a smile, he replied, “Pleased to meet you, Brother Zhang. I am called the Creditor Taoist.”

“So, since the esteemed Creditor finds this dog demon so precious, a mere Illusion Pearl… Hmm…” Zhang Sanlu left his words hanging, hoping the plump Taoist would raise his offer.

The Taoist’s smile faltered, his eyes darting as he said, “Do you know the origin of my name? I am not wealthy; I often lend out treasures to earn a little interest, hence the name Creditor Taoist. So, besides the Illusion Pearl, I’ll lend you another item—one you are certain to need.”

Zhang Sanlu chuckled inwardly—indeed, the stakes were rising. But he was now curious: how did the other know what he needed?

As the Creditor Taoist spoke, he untied his robe’s sash and flung open both sides. Inside his golden-embroidered Taoist robe hung a bewildering array of seals, copper bells, jade tokens, and other objects, each appearing anything but ordinary. Some were clipped with yellow talismans, some bore strange carvings, some were stained with dried blood.

Most astonishing of all, hanging amidst the trinkets was an eyeball. At first, Zhang Sanlu thought it an eye-shaped talisman or gemstone, but upon closer inspection, he saw this was a real eye, source unknown, radiating a chilling light. The pupil contracted and dilated, alive.

When the Creditor Taoist exposed his inner robe, the eye slowly rotated to fix its gaze on Zhang Sanlu. Though he had seen many bizarre things in this world, an eye plucked from its owner and still alive was a first.

“Behold, friend. Today, I introduce you to this eye—it is no ordinary thing of this world. Most eyes—human, ox, pig, dog, even bear, tiger, or dragon—once severed, are dead and useless. But this eye is wondrous not only for its survival but for its piercing insight. With it, you will gain powers beyond the ordinary. Its abilities are too many for words.”

The Creditor Taoist spoke like a peddler, his tone rhythmic and persuasive, each word brimming with conviction. After a pause, he smiled and continued, “Have you ever heard the tale of the Five-Eyed Ghosts of the mountain? Of the five, four are blind, and only one has sight. The other four take turns borrowing the lone eye; whichever wears it becomes the lead ghost, guiding the way for the others. Together, they are called the ‘One-Eyed Five Sirs.’ They are rare—only during plagues or great disasters do they appear together. It is said they feed on yin and yang energies, draining the life force of humans and the shadow essence from ghosts. The lead ghost sees the way, and the others sniff out their meal. If only one ghost smells you, illness follows; if all five do, death is inevitable for mortals and dissolution for spirits. Yet the four dare not act alone, always heeding the one-eyed leader.”

“This very eye of the Five Sirs I obtained after much effort, quite by chance, during my cultivation a year ago. Seeing that you, friend, have lost an eye in pursuit of strange arts, it seems fate has brought us together. I am willing to offer it to you at a fair price.”

Zhang Sanlu laughed. “If it’s so useful, why not keep it for yourself?”

“Ah, it’s a long story. My own arts are unsuited to it, and I fear pain—I cannot bear to lose an eye myself.” As he spoke, the Creditor Taoist shuddered, as if imagining the agony of self-mutilation.

“Then, if this eye is so remarkable, are there any taboos?” Zhang Sanlu was not one to believe in windfalls.

“Ah, you’re shrewd indeed. There are two taboos. First, it must not be used more than three times a day, whether channeling all five ghosts or only one—the limit is three. Exceed that, and you risk being consumed by its power.”

“And the second?” Zhang Sanlu pressed.

“Heh heh… The second relates to my trade. I am not Creditor by birth, but by skill—I practice the Art of Credit. See this dog demon? It may well be one of my clients.” He pointed at the creature still pinned beneath the human-head hammer.

The dog demon, unable to move, could only turn its head to look at him with pitiful, hopeful eyes.

“You see, if something happens to it, I might be obliged to come running to its aid. Who owes whom is anyone’s guess,” he joked.

Zhang Sanlu thought to himself: it can’t be so simple. “Then, why go to such trouble to rescue it? Is it that, if it dies, it can no longer repay its debt nor the interest?”

The Creditor Taoist clapped his hands in delight. “Sharp indeed! I had a hard time explaining as much to the dog demon back then.”

“And credit must bear interest, no? How are principal and interest calculated? I’m afraid my purse is nearly empty—I’ve little silver left.”

He waved the thought away. “Ah, gold and silver are worth litt