Catching Nian

They were not the only ones who wanted to talk to Xiaodan, it seemed. Geriel was right; rumours travelled fast in a small town like this. A crowd had gathered before the Li household’s doorstep, where a couple was talking loudly—wailing, more like.

“It’s the Nian!” Madam Li cried. Her round face was puffy with tears, as if she was the one who had lost a child. No one would’ve guessed that the missing boy, Ming, was Rui Ning’s brother instead of Madam Li’s son.

“My son’s description of the monster fits this drawing,” declared Master Li. He held up a scroll, showing the people an image of the mythical beast, Nian. Its body was that of a bull’s, thick and muscular; its head resembled both a lion and a dragon. A single, thick horn jutted out from its forehead. The crowd gasped.

Geriel was familiar with the Empire myth: long ago, the Nian plagued villages at winter’s end, snatching children who wandered outside after dark. Then a brave soldier slayed the beast and restored peace to the kingdom. But that was only a myth. A story told around fireplaces to school misbehaving children. Surely the people didn’t believe the beast had taken Ming?

“We should leave out offerings for the Nian,” said a woman, her lips trembling. “Fat meats, portions of fruit—”

“Money,” said another man. Geriel recognized him as Burping Man’s friend from the tavern. “The beast would appreciate silver, I’m sure. He’d leave our households alone if we gave him good offerings.”

A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd. Those who were dressed in silks and jewels nodded fervently, but the ones in threadbare clothing looked pained. They were already struggling to feed themselves during winter; how could they afford to leave offerings for a mythical creature?

But Geriel was done listening to superstitious talk about offerings. She said, loud enough for everyone to hear, “Master and Madam Li. We’d like to speak to your son.”

The crowd turned to face her.

Geriel was used to their shock by now. She had travelled through the Empire for more than three years, and in every new town she passed, every city she lodged in, she always received cautious stares. Geriel supposed she could try to blend in, trade her embroidered deel for the local hanfu. But a small part of her relished being feared. People wouldn’t pry if they were busy keeping their distance.

The crowd eyed her then, their expressions a mix of fear and distrust.

“Nomad,” hissed a woman. “What is your business?”

“The cun zhang has hired her to find Ming,” said Rui Ning.

“The foreigner?” A man shook his head. “I’d never trust their kind for something like this.”

“I don’t see you trying to help, Zhen lao ye,” Rui Ning snapped.

“Enough,” said Geriel.

The crowd parted for her as she approached the Li couple. They squared their shoulders, hands clutching the doorframe as though to keep Geriel out of their house, should she try to rush in. The sight was almost comical. As if they could stop Geriel, a huntress, with their feeble potter’s arms.

“May I see the drawing?” asked Geriel.

Madam Li jerked the scroll out of reach. “No,” she said. “Ming disappeared the moment you came to our town. Your finding him could be a ruse. How do we know you didn’t steal him?”

Rui Ning was beside Geriel in an instant. “How do we know Xiaodan isn’t hiding something?” she hurled. “He was the last one who saw Ming. We only have his word that he had nothing to do with my brother’s disappearance.”

“How dare you!” Madam Li looked like she wanted to slap Rui Ning, but seemed to think better when she caught sight of Geriel’s weapons.

Master Li rounded on Rui Ning. “You’re one to talk. Your family has dabbled in the unnatural for so long, you must have summoned the Nian.”

“Our ‘unnatural’ business,” said Rui Ning, “is what gives you your medicine and crops, you ungrateful—”

“Let us see your son, Li lao ye. Please,” Geriel interrupted. “We only have a few questions.”

Master Li barked out a harsh laugh. “If you think I’d let a savage and a madwoman near my son, think again.”

Rui Ning started, “My family isn’t mad, you—”

“Aren’t they? Then where is your father? Where is the great inventor, when his son is missing? Why are you the one searching for him, and not the man of the household?” A cold grin cut across Madam Li’s face. “Maybe this was his plan all along, to get rid of his child. The winter has been harsh on you all, so I won’t blame—”

Geriel caught Rui Ning before she could launch herself at Madam Li. The crowd went into an uproar. Geriel pulled the girl out of the chaos; there was nothing to be gained from talking to the Li family. She sighed. Why couldn’t people be docile like cattle? She had half a mind to pack up and leave. Then she remembered the money.

“Tell me about your folk,” said Geriel to Rui Ning, once they had reached a quieter part of the village. “Who else has a grudge against your family? Who would want to hurt you? Their habits, their routines, who has been behaving oddly—everything.”

The girl’s cheeks were still red with fury. She blinked hard, several times. Though Geriel hated watching people cry, she could not begrudge Rui Ning for doing so now. The girl lost her brother and got insulted for it.

But Rui Ning did not cry. A mirthless grin crept onto her face, and for a moment she reminded Geriel of a wolf before they pounced on their prey.

“Well,” said Rui Ning, “it’s a good thing I like to know everyone’s business, then. But first, let’s find something to eat. I’m starving.” And just like that, whatever rage or sorrow Rui Ning might’ve felt was wiped clean from her face. She set off in a brisk pace towards a nearby noodle stall.

But before they left, Geriel caught sight of the village chief, who stood at the far end of the street. He was speaking to a young girl in a blue tunic and neat plaits. She seemed distressed.

“You go on,” Geriel told Rui Ning. “I’ll catch up later.” Then she drew closer to the chief and the girl.

“...Trust me, Hui Yan,” the chief was saying, “when has baba ever lied to you?”

“But… Baba, the missing boy. Do they mean…?”

“Cun zhang,” said Geriel. Father and daughter looked up at once. The girl shrank away from Geriel, her face pinched in distraught. But the chief regarded the huntress coolly.

“Wanderer,” he said. “How fares your search?”

“Well enough, cun zhang. Did you know that Xiaodan’s family thinks it was the Nian Shou who took Ming?”

“I am aware.”

“Have you not tried to convince them otherwise?” said Geriel. “I thought you didn’t want the town to panic.”

The chief’s jaw tightened. “I’m a busy man, Northerner. I don’t have time to go around dissuading people from old wives’ tales. It is your job to resolve this as soon as possible, and the rumours will pass.”

“Of course.” Geriel dipped her head courteously. “I was just hoping I might have a few words with your daughter, since I’m assuming a girl her age would be Song Ming’s friend.” She beamed at Hui Yan. “Did you know the boy well, mei mei?”

The girl gasped before shaking her head quickly. “No. No, I didn’t. I didn’t know him at all.”

“Not everyone is friends with everyone in ZhuangXi, huntress,” said the chief.

“It’s a small village, though.”

“Get on with your search.” The chief began leading his daughter away. “You have three days. Don’t forget.”

“Only if you don’t forget my money,” said Geriel, noting the little girl’s tight fists.