Chapter Twenty-Four: The Brain Transplant (Part One)

Bu Yuan fired two shots, killing two bandits and scattering the rest. He immediately turned to Fang Guohuan and said, “Brother, this is no place to linger. Let’s leave quickly.” The two of them shielded the carriage carrying Qu Liangyi and her attendant, urging the driver to whip the horses and press on without pause.

They traveled until nightfall, and, seeing no pursuit behind them, Bu Yuan and Fang Guohuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. They sought out a bustling market town ahead and settled into an inn. Bu Yuan addressed the coachman, “Uncle, please take care of the horses and keep watch on the carriage as you rest inside it tonight. If anything happens, be ready to depart at once. When we arrive safely, you’ll be handsomely rewarded.” The coachman agreed and went off to tend to his duties.

Inside the guest room, after seeing Qu Liangyi settled, her maid Qu Ning’er knelt before the two men, tears streaming down her face as she bowed. “Thank you, benefactors, for saving my mistress’s life again. In my next life, I would gladly serve as a beast of burden to repay your kindness.” She sobbed uncontrollably. Bu Yuan went over to help her up and shook his head. “You’re a sensible child. It’s a pity your mistress is beset by schemes both when lucid and when lost in confusion. Master Qu truly is a man apart.”

Fang Guohuan sighed. “The world is full of wonders! Had I not witnessed it myself, I would never believe such sorceries exist—transferring minds and stealing thoughts. Whoever knows this art must be a wicked soul, caring nothing for the lives of others.” He then called for food and, together with Bu Yuan, kept watch over Qu Liangyi and Qu Ning’er as they shared a meal. That night, they all slept in the same room to guard against mishap.

After their meal, an inn servant came to clear the dishes and brought a pot of tea. “Rest well, honored guests,” he said, closing the door quietly as he left. Bu Yuan sipped his tea and spoke with concern. “We must be vigilant these next few days. Those bandits are ruthless and won’t give up easily.” Fang Guohuan replied, “Alas, my skill at chess is useless in such situations. If you hadn’t been with me, Brother Bu, I shudder to think what might have happened today.” Bu Yuan said, “As long as I am here, I will risk my life before letting harm befall you or Master Qu.”

Fang Guohuan sighed. “Poor Master Qu, ruined in both mind and chess. The eunuch Li Wusan is still missing, and even now, others plot to steal his very mind. It’s enough to chill one’s heart.” Bu Yuan said, “How detestable that those with rare abilities squander them on evil, devising sinister means to harm others. Surely, they’ll meet a terrible fate.” Fang Guohuan nodded. “No sooner is one peril past than another arises. As you said, Brother Bu, there is no true peace in this world. Who knows what dangers still await us on the road ahead? You will have the hardest part.”

Bu Yuan replied, “You flatter me, brother. Since I met you, I have been more than content. That eunuch may yet use ghostly chess to harm others, and in time, we’ll rely on your skill to counter him on the chessboard. That will be the true trial.” Fang Guohuan reflected, “The affairs of the world are like a game of chess—unfairness abounds both on and off the board. Once we see Master Qu safely home, I will seek out Li Wusan and do all I can to stop him from using chess as a weapon.”

Bu Yuan said, “I never thought the unseen battles on the chessboard could be deadlier than sword and spear. If such elegant arts are so dangerous, what else in the world could be taken lightly? Do you really think that eunuch could cause disaster through chess?” Fang Guohuan replied, “Indeed. If he’s not stopped, many of today’s chess masters will fall victim to his ghostly chess, and the noble tradition of chess itself could be crippled for generations. If all the masters are lost, future players will never experience the subtle joys and mutual influence of true chess artistry. The very spirit of the game would be lost, reduced to mere idle amusement. Should such a calamity occur, it would cast a shadow over centuries of refined chess culture.”

Bu Yuan was astonished. “If it’s as you say, we cannot allow that eunuch to continue. I never imagined such a vast world existed within chess!” Fang Guohuan added, “If fate allows, we must one day find a miraculous physician to cure Master Qu, so he can revive the art of chess across the land.” Bu Yuan said sincerely, “Though you and Master Qu met by chance, your respect and support for him in chess are truly admirable.” Fang Guohuan replied, “No matter what, Master Qu was once the champion of the imperial court, uplifting the nation’s chess scene. As Steward Lin said, Master Qu’s ability to counter half a game of ghostly chess is itself a miracle.”

At that moment, from the bed, Qu Liangyi suddenly let out an “Ah!”—as if she’d heard Fang Guohuan and wished to speak herself. Qu Ning’er exclaimed joyfully, “Young Master Fang, my mistress seems to want to talk to you!” Fang Guohuan approached and saw a strange light of joy flicker in Qu Liangyi’s eyes—for the first time since they’d left the capital, she showed such a miraculous sign of awareness. But it quickly faded, and she returned to her usual vacant state.

Bu Yuan was delighted. “It seems there is a mysterious connection between you and Master Qu, both on the chessboard and in spirit. Surely, you two are joined by fate.” Fang Guohuan agreed, “Perhaps it’s a resonance that transcends pieces and board—a true affinity of chess souls.” Qu Ning’er sighed, “If only my mistress and Young Master Fang had met earlier—it would have brought such happiness.” Fang Guohuan smiled, “Master Qu and I have long been kindred spirits in chess!” Bu Yuan laughed as well, and for a moment, the two forgot the worries and hardships of their journey.

At this time, they heard two inn servants, likely finished with their chores, chatting idly on the stairs opposite the door. One said, “Liu Er, have you heard? A few days ago, someone found a strange corpse in the lake at the foot of East Mountain.” The other replied, “What don’t I know before you, Ma San? That corpse was discovered by my neighbor, Old Zhang Si, when he was out gathering firewood and reported it to the authorities. They say it was Mr. He Yuyan from the He family estate.” “What? Mr. He Yuyan?” Ma San exclaimed. “Isn’t he the one they call the ‘Divine Calculator’?” Liu Er said, “Who else? He disappeared months ago, and after a heavy rain the other day, the mountain streams poured into the lake and washed his body ashore. Looks like he’d been murdered long ago.”

Ma San lamented, “Such a pity. They say Mr. He was born with a gift for calculation. Even ten seasoned accountants with abacuses couldn’t match him. Give him a glance at those dizzying ledgers, and he’d speak the answer as if he’d known it all along—others would laboriously check and find not a single error, as if aided by spirits. Wealthy merchants in the county offered him fifty taels of silver a month to keep their books, but he always refused. And now he’s dead, probably because his pride made him too many enemies, and his foes caught up with him.”

Liu Er scoffed, “Shows how little you know, Ma San. Do you know what condition He Yuyan’s body was in when they found it?” Ma San said, “Headless, I suppose.” Liu Er retorted, “You really are dense—I wonder how your parents managed to raise such a fool. If it was headless, how did they recognize it as He Yuyan?” Chided, Ma San grew annoyed. “I didn’t see it myself. What do I care what state He was in?”

Despite his irritation, Ma San’s curiosity got the better of him. “All right, all right, you’re cleverer than me. Did they cut off his arms and legs, leaving just his head and body?” Liu Er, pleased with himself, said, “You really are…” but seeing Ma San growing angry, he quickly continued, “All right, I’ll tell you. The ‘Divine Calculator’ He Yuyan was missing nothing except for a large, bowl-sized hole in the top of his head. His skull had been removed, and his brain scooped out—only an empty shell remained.” “What?” Ma San was so shocked he nearly slipped down the stairs.

Inside the room, Fang Guohuan and Bu Yuan were likewise stunned, exchanging worried glances as they moved closer to the door to listen.

Liu Er went on, “After Old Zhang Si reported it, the county constables came to examine the body. They found nothing inside He Yuyan’s skull but lake water—he’d been soaking there for over two months…” Before he could finish, Ma San seized the chance to retort loudly, “So you’re even dumber than me! Flesh in water for two months would have rotted away, eaten by fish and shrimp—lucky if bones remain, let alone anything else.”

Liu Er replied, “See? If the corpse was so decayed, how could they identify it as He Yuyan? You’re as brainless as he is.” Ma San, seeing the logic, was silenced but wanted to hear more, so he pleaded, “Tell me what happened next. I’ll share a chicken leg I swiped from the kitchen.” At this, Liu Er sprang up. “Ha! No wonder you’re always so greasy—you’re eating stolen meat every day!” Ma San hushed him, “Keep your voice down, don’t let the boss hear. I’ll bring you some next time.”

Liu Er said, “That’s better. Where was I? Right—the reason He Yuyan’s body didn’t rot in the lake. Do you know why?” Ma San snapped, “If I knew, why would I ask? Stop teasing and tell me, or no chicken leg for you.” Liu Er explained, “They say He Yuyan’s corpse had been treated with some preservative, so it wouldn’t decay. After his brain was removed, the body was dumped in the lake, but the medicine’s scent kept even the fish away.” Ma San was amazed. “Who could hate him so much, to do that to him?” Liu Er shrugged. “Maybe he meddled too much with fate and offended the spirits, so the ghosts took his brain.”

Ma San speculated, “I’ve heard people say eating brains makes you smarter—maybe someone thought He Yuyan’s cleverness could be transferred if they ate his brain.” Liu Er laughed, “If that’s true, you’ve eaten enough pig’s head to have a pig’s brain by now.” Ma San scowled, “That’s nonsense. Anyway, what happened next?” Liu Er said, “They say similar cases have turned up in other counties—famous experts in various arts disappearing, and when bodies are found, the brains are always missing. Like this case, none have been solved. The authorities are offering rewards, but nobody knows who to catch.”

Ma San wondered, “Could there be some evil cult behind it? My grandfather told me that in the Yuan dynasty, there were cults that ate people.” Liu Er replied, “Who cares? You and I aren’t smart enough to be targets.” Ma San agreed, “True. I’d better eat more pig and dog brains, just in case I get too clever and someone comes after me.” Liu Er said, “That’s the spirit.” Ma San hastened to add, “You’re right, Liu Er—you’re the smart one, I’m the fool.” Liu Er protested, “Nonsense! Who says I’m smart? I’m even dumber than you.” The two servants continued their banter as they walked off.