Chapter 525: The Thousand-Year-Old (46)
She told Xiao Cui and the guards not to follow her. She didn't want to have a few third wheels following her while she and Gu Li were dating. True friends should give each other time and space to date. Xiao Cui originally disagreed, fearing that Wen Wan would encounter danger and that Gu Li would bully her master when she wasn't around. However, her master insisted on going out alone with her, so in the end, Xiao Cui could only follow from a distance so that her master wouldn't notice.
Wen Wan indeed did not notice.
Holding Gu Li's hand, Wen Wan wanted to share everything with him, but then an accident suddenly occurred.
Countless complex gazes were cast toward them, one by one, each seemingly wanting to say something but remaining silent.
Wen Yan: "???"
Is there something on our faces?
Gu Li: "A-Yuan, didn't you notice that there isn't a single couple being affectionate on this entire street?"
Wen Wan really did observe carefully and found that there really weren't any. With so many people, how could there not be any couples, or even boyfriends and girlfriends?
Wen Wan was picking out hairpins at a stall when she asked her question. The stall owner looked her over and over before whispering, "You're from out of town, aren't you? You'd better not get too close."
"Why?"
"Because it is an omen of misfortune, the ghosts and gods will punish you. Our ghost city is cursed, and no one can get married."
"Then how do they continue the family line? Wouldn't they become extinct if they didn't get married?" Wen Wan asked in shock. This was too outrageous.
"Pah, pah, pah, you can't talk nonsense. We can't get married here. If you want a child, you have to register at the Temple of Ghosts and Gods. Once the Ghost Gods agree, you can have a child. But you can't have a wedding or live together. The child is just a blessing from the Ghost Gods."
Wen Yan: "??!"
Isn't this feudal superstition?
"Does anyone actually believe something this absurd?"
"Don't talk nonsense, or the spirits will hear you, or they will punish you."
Wen Wan also lost interest in traveling because whatever they did would attract onlookers, making it impossible to have a proper relationship.
Back at the inn.
Wen Wan sent her guards out to investigate, and they quickly uncovered a lot of information, most of which was similar to what the proprietress had told Wen Wan and Gu Li.
"Are there really ghosts and spirits in this place?"
"The people all say they have seen it with their own eyes, and that people who do not respect ghosts and gods die inexplicably. There was even a couple who did not believe in ghosts and insisted on holding their wedding here. As a result, they were found hanged the next morning. They even left a suicide note saying that they were going to apologize to the ghosts and gods."
Wen Yan: "???"
"Is it really that weird?"
“Our investigation revealed that nearly a hundred people die without cause each year in this ghost town as punishment from ghosts and gods.”
"Why aren't the local officials investigating?"
"The previous prefect investigated, and then his whole family died tragically for no apparent reason. He also left a suicide note saying that it was the punishment of ghosts and gods."
"This official initially wanted to investigate, but later dared not. Fortunately, as long as the rules of the Temple of Ghosts and Gods were not violated, things would be fine, so he muddled through and let the matter go."
"That Ghost Temple? What's going on?"
"The Ghost Temple is a place to worship ghosts and gods. It is full of believers of the ghost gods. Every month, the people have to pay a blessing fee to the Ghost Temple. We tried to sneak in, but we were discovered very quickly. It's like an iron barrel inside, very difficult to sneak in."
Wen Yan: "..."
Wen Wan looked at Gu Li, who said, "Before we have investigated the matter thoroughly, we should not alert the enemy. If there is a conspiracy involved, it will certainly not be a small matter. We are now in the open, so we must handle things carefully."
Wen Wan nodded. "You're right."
Afterwards, Wen Wan sent two guards to investigate the so-called Ghost God Temple. She and Gu Li also toned down their behavior a little in public, but they still held hands, as is the kind of thing young lovers do.
They were quickly stopped.
A group of people dressed in red surrounded them. The guards drew their swords, and Wen Wan looked at them and asked, "What do you want?"
“We are from the Temple of Ghosts and Gods. We received a report that you were openly harassing and pulling people in the street. Please come with us.”
Wen Yan: "???"
"People from the Temple of Ghosts and Gods? Never heard of them. We're a proper married couple, we've already had a wedding ceremony, why can't we hold hands? What kind of logic is that?"
“You can do whatever you want elsewhere, but this is a ghost town, the place where the great ghost god resides.”
Wen Yan: "???"
"What if I don't leave?"
"Then don't blame us for being impolite."
The other party rushed up and tried to forcibly take the two away, but was stopped by the guards. It was clear that although it was difficult, the situation was not clear for the time being.
However, this can't go on forever. "Since you've already invited us, let's go and take a look at the Temple of Ghosts and Gods."
Gu Li: "No."
Wen Wan gave Gu Li a reassuring look, "Don't worry, nothing will happen. Let's go and meet this so-called Ghost God."
The group was led into the Temple of Ghosts and Gods, whose architectural style was obviously abnormal and exuded a terrifying aura.
It's gloomy and eerie; it looks like anyone who lives there would become depressed. Plus, everyone wears the same clothes—it's practically standard equipment for a cult.
Afterwards, the group was led to a grand hall, which was almost as big as the place where the emperor held court, and it was extremely luxurious everywhere.
The man who brought them knelt on the ground, looking devoutly at the high platform.
Wen Wan looked over but saw nothing except a piece of red cloth and what appeared to be a person sitting behind it.
Countless plumes of black smoke were billowing from its body, and some of the black smoke even came out.
Wen Wan: "Good heavens, is that a cuttlefish?"
Gu Li: "..."
"Your Excellency, the person you requested has been delivered. Please punish him."
Wen Wan looked at the high platform, "You are the legendary wise and mighty, all-powerful ghost god?"
"You are burdened with karmic debts."
Wen Wan: "..." Good grief, is she going to start with a curse right off the bat?
"Does the Lord of Ghosts and Gods have any way to remove the karmic burden on me? I don't really believe it. I was born into the wealthiest family. My whole family, from my deceased grandparents to my nephews and nieces, has always lived a life of luxury. This is the first time someone has said that I have karmic burdens. They all say that I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth and am just a spoiled brat."
Wen Wan started making things up, since nobody knew anyway.
“You know Consort Rong, right? She’s the Emperor’s most favored concubine right now. She’s my aunt. I often go to the palace to dine with her. And there’s the Third Prince, my cousin. I’ve been used to a life of luxury since I was a child. Even when I got married, I married the most beautiful girl in the capital.”
“My whole family are officials in the capital, but I’m the most useless. I think you’re right, Lord Ghost God. There must be some karmic obstacles on me that are hindering my future. Tell me how to remove them. I’ll pay any price, one thousand taels? Five thousand taels? Ten thousand taels? As long as I can remove these karmic obstacles and become an official like my brothers and uncles, I’m willing to do anything.”
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