Avoiding the issues of cause and effect, settling scores, and clearing up grievances.
Traveling west from the ferry for about half an hour, one can hear the faint sounds of wind and thunder; after another half hour, one can see a magnificent river.
The river rushes down from several narrow bends, its turbulent flow creating a powerful roar, like a majestic war drum beating between heaven and earth, instantly opening one's heart and making one forget worldly concerns.
The splashing river water, like a bursting fog, obscured the thunderous roar of the water, washing the riverside rocks clean and sharp.
This river is the true border between the two tribes within the Four Symbols Landscape.
Raindrops fell from the sky, accompanied by rushing water, and a refreshing mist wafted over me. Taking a deep breath, I felt instantly refreshed and my mind became clear.
Above the great river stands an ancient stone bridge with eighty-one arches, spanning the turbulent waters, appearing wide and majestic.
Perhaps because of the rain, there were few pedestrians on the bridge at this time, and not many people on the riverbank either.
On the damp grass by the river, amidst the increasingly fierce wind, Yan Huanyue's umbrella remained motionless.
She stood behind Su Xianqing, smoothed down the stray strands of hair at her temples, and said naturally:
"Senior Brother Xianqing, I went out last night and overheard someone talking about the earth's veins. It sounded like someone was trying to dig up the foundation of the Ghost Market..."
Su Xianqing turned his head to look at her, his eyes curving slightly through the hazy mist.
"The Ghost Market is located within the border area, amidst water, soil, and sky, and lacks spiritual veins and spiritual energy. Since the expulsion of the demon race, there has been very little news of it. Now that it has reopened, isn't it just waiting for us to disrupt it?"
Yan Huanyue said, "It's about digging the foundation."
Su Xianqing said, "That has nothing to do with us. It is a hidden place among the Four Symbols. If it is really unearthed, we can go and broaden our horizons."
Li Ji, standing to the side, suddenly realized and said, "There are no spiritual veins in the Hidden Land of Gods, so Senior Brother Xianqing is interested in the swordsmanship and saber techniques that the three of us usually use?"
Seeing that he still didn't believe his previous honesty, Su Xianqing could only smile, take out four masks and distribute them to the group, saying:
"Yes, yes, there won't be any spiritual energy then, so hide your weapons well... never mind, they might be taken away anyway, let's go."
Li Ji was secretly pleased and glanced at the silent Jian You, who remained expressionless.
Yan Huanyue put on a mask and followed Su Xianqing and the others into the river. She felt as if the river water was the most thorough cleansing spell, washing away all the spiritual energy on her body.
The first step was getting my clothes wet from the river; the second step was stepping into the border area.
It was still daytime, but in an instant it was plunged into a desolate and bleak twilight, and in the vast wilderness, the rain grew heavier and heavier.
This place is sparsely populated with spiritual energy and is located at the border between the two races. Cultivators and ordinary people rarely venture here unless they have something to do, so it is a place rarely visited by people.
Yan Huanyue was here for the first time. She looked around and saw what appeared to be faint lights in the distance. She pointed and said, "Senior brother, over there."
Su Xianqing said, "Go and take a look first, but don't make a fuss yet. After I figure out the situation and drive the people out, you can go and search for those hiding elsewhere. There's no need to fight to the death, just drive them out and meet up with me. Do I understand?"
The three nodded in unison.
From a distance, the Ghost Market appears as a square city. The words "Wu Ling City" are carved in a flamboyant style on the stone carvings above the city gate. Two rows of masked men dressed in tight-fitting clothes stand in formation, and the weapons that the four men are carrying have been removed.
Upon entering the city, the main road stretched out in all directions. Inside the open windows of the shops and buildings on both sides of the main street, bamboo curtains fluttered in the wind, with jade discs pressing down on them.
The pedestrians on the street were all in a hurry, and the sounds of the copper bells at the four corners of the city gate and the jade pendants of each household echoed each other in the wind and rain, creating a peaceful and prosperous scene.
However, the fact that all the pedestrians were masked or wearing masks made this once prosperous city seem somewhat eerie and sinister.
The four men, all dressed in coarse cloth, walked around looking at the world, appearing as if they had never seen anything like it before.
After putting on the mask, Jian You seemed to have inexplicably let go of her usual restraint, asking questions here and there as if she knew nothing.
Su Xianqing patiently followed beside her, explaining things to her, and also led the three of them to stop and observe.
There are quite a few people like them, but they walk around and stop frequently. Even in the Ghost Market, apart from selling some simple pills and magical artifacts, it is rare to be able to see directly what kind of transactions are being conducted in the shops.
As night fell, the rain gradually subsided. The group walked all over the main street but still couldn't find a place where they could openly and honestly conduct illicit transactions.
Just as they rounded the main street and entered an east-west street, they saw a woman wearing a peony mask pulling a man wearing a blue-and-white porcelain mask under a locust tree and an umbrella, asking, "Tell the truth, did you touch him or not?"
The man, as if he had been subjected to a tremendous injustice, said with a sorrowful, tearful voice:
"Why do you doubt me? I just went in with them. They all wanted them, but I thought it was dirty and drank outside. Why don't you trust me? Do you think I'm that kind of person? They're not as good as you. Why would I be interested in them?"
Yan Huanyue recognized the voice; it seemed to be from the boat that had followed them on their small boat yesterday.
At the time, I inexplicably made some comments about her and Junior Sister Jian.
The woman was clearly comforted by the man's words, and smiled through her tears, saying, "Yes, of course I believe you. I just wanted to hear it from you yourself. But could you please stop associating with those young masters and nobles? They..."
The man said wearily, "I didn't want to either, but they've been a great help to me. I can't just cut off all ties because of that. Otherwise, how can I let you live a good life? How can I just buy the Youth Preservation Pill like that? I just hope you can understand me."
The woman lowered her head. "I was wrong. I won't interfere with your important business anymore."
The man smiled with satisfaction.
When Yan Huanyue passed by them, she was somewhat puzzled as to what place they were talking about.
After passing the locust tree, she happened to see someone climbing a ladder to light a lamp in a building by the roadside. She looked up and saw the five characters "Xiangfeng Wenyu Lou" written on it.
The five-story building gradually lit up, and the dazzling five-character signboard was faintly illuminated, while the sounds of sheng, xiao, qin, and drums flowed in the wind and rain.
Upstairs, by the wide-open window, men and women dressed in extremely luxurious attire were all without masks. Each of them had fair skin and beautiful faces, adorned with dazzling hairpins and ornaments, colorful clothes and flowing ribbons, and black hair like clouds. They were chatting and laughing while listening to the wind and rain outside the window.
At the main entrance, masked people, both men and women, were coming and going.
Yan Huanyue changed her form of address and asked, "Brother Su, where is this place?"
Su Xianqing said vaguely, "There are humans and demons. It is said to be a place for love and romance, but it is actually a place for buying and selling people. Such places used to exist in the outside world, but they were eradicated by the Sky Patrol Bureau a long time ago. It is not surprising that you have never seen them."
Amidst the romance, business was being conducted. Jian You's eyes widened, and she exchanged a glance with Yan Huanyue, both of them guessing something from Su Xianqing's words.
Li Ji touched the mask painted with golden leaves on his face and said in a slightly deep voice, "I understand... Do you think it's possible that this kind of place actually still exists in the outside world in secret, or even in the Ghost Market, the lights here have never really gone out, and many of the people who have come to the Ghost Market today are here for this place?"
The three of them fell silent instantly.
Seeing that they remained silent, Li Ji continued, "Isn't it obvious? Even the ugliest person can have such beauty to woo you if you spend some money. Who could resist? However, are these people any different from those who are bought and sold, or those who are bled and have their fat dissolved to make pills for others to consume?"
Masks of all colors came and went. Someone overheard him and casually remarked, "It's their own business, what's it to you? You're really meddling."
Li Ji glanced back and saw masks depicting various patterns hanging among the blurry figures. He didn't know who had said those words.
He only said one sentence: "I'll sell you in, and say it's your own choice, is that okay?"
The night rain was pouring down, and apart from a few sarcastic laughs, no one spoke.
"Boss, Xiangfeng Wenyu Tower is just ahead."
Yan Huanyue turned around and saw in the distance a group of people wearing the same masks walking in a grand manner on the street with two rows of dim yellow lanterns. The Yu clan's flag was carried high and wrapped around the flagpole, dripping wet.
Yu Yi did not change out of his flamboyant purple brocade robe. His face was covered with a dragon-patterned mask. He walked at the front with his hands behind his back, looking serious. Someone carried a lantern and held an umbrella, following steadily behind him.
With such a grand display, wearing masks and still using the Yu family's name, one wonders how much of the family's financial deficit Yu Yi intends to shift onto the Ghost Market.
Su Xianqing casually pointed, and Yan Huanyue and the others followed him to retreat to the dim eaves of a house by the roadside.
The Yu family pushed through the crowd and arrived at Xiangfeng Wenyu Tower. Yu Yi stopped in front of the tower, sneered, and said loudly:
“This kind of filthy place should not exist. The people who come and go are extremely mixed. Who knows if the lost items of my Yu family will be scattered here? Go in and search. If any outsiders disobey, they are going against the Yu family of Yunjing. They will have to take off their masks and hang them under this plaque so that everyone can recognize their faces.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a woman's voice said, "I wonder why the Yu family of Yunjing is so heavily guarded and has made such a fuss. Is there something important that has been lost?"
Yan Huanyue slowly raised her eyes and looked into the crowd. She immediately spotted a woman in a pale yellow gauze dress, wearing a smiling mask, standing in the wind and rain.
Tan Guiyi also arrived.
Upon hearing this, Yu Yi turned around and said, "It's truly infuriating. The pills that the Yu family prepared for the Twelfth Young Master were all stolen by a fox demon and resold to merchants coming to the Ghost Market. Because the patriarch sent many people to escort the pills, the Youdu warehouse was left unguarded, and another batch of spiritual artifacts were lost..."
Listening to their back-and-forth conversation, Yan Huanyue understood that Yu Yi and Tan Guiyi had probably come together.
Moreover, Yu Yi will probably only target Xiangfeng Wenyu Tower, whose mistakes are obvious, to demonstrate that his purpose in coming here is to retrieve the lost items. He probably won't really get involved in other areas.
Pedestrians on the street immediately dispersed to both sides to watch the show. Someone laughed and said, "Is the Twelfth Young Master Yu Zhao? I heard that in order to heal his injuries, he drank the heart's blood of some Pure Spirit Body, and his body started to fester and he's almost turning into dust."
"real?"
"Does a pure spirit body really exist? I thought it was just a legend."
"Of course there are. Those sects and families must still have some left. No wonder they don't allow people to use pure spirit bodies to refine medicine. It turns out... it's all harm and no benefit."
"Hey, not necessarily. Pure spirit bodies are rare. Who knows if the one the Yu family found is genuine? Maybe they just think the title is impressive, something the sect uses to embellish its disciples. When they need it, it'll be a lie."
"That's true."
Su Xianqing whispered, "Let's go, follow Yu Shi inside and take a look."
The five-story pavilion, which was originally filled with singing, dancing, and sweet romance, was instantly thrown into chaos because of Yu Yi.
As soon as Yu Yi entered the main gate, she stood in the lobby on the first floor, slightly raised her hand, and looked up to say:
"The Yu family has come to retrieve the stolen goods and has no intention of competing with you fellow cultivators and demons. However, all those who are bound here and forced to perform the work of selling smiles, regardless of whether they are human or demon, may come to the Yu family. The Yu family will spare no effort to ensure your safe departure from here. Anyone who shares hatred with the brothel madam and pimp will be killed without mercy."
In the five-story pavilion, masked figures, some fastening their clothes, rushed out of the rooms and swarmed towards the door. Some curious onlookers also came out of the rooms, fastening their clothes as they walked downstairs to continue watching the show.
In no time, the building fell silent, with only the beautiful men and women leaning on the railings looking down at the people in the hall below.
The manager of Xiangfeng Wenyu Tower led a group of people wearing flower masks out from the backyard and sneered, "This is the Ghost Market, not Yunjing. No matter how far your Yu family's reach is, it's gone too far. Aren't you afraid of retaliation?"
Yu Yi raised his hand, and the people behind him immediately drew their crossbows and aimed them at the steward and the others.
"In matters of the world, there is no rule that says who can or cannot manage them. If you don't allow me to manage them, then I can take them over. Since you are engaging in such unjust acts as buying and selling human lives, from now on, this Fragrant Breeze and Warm Rain Pavilion will belong to the Yu family."
The steward and others were startled by what they saw and asked, "How did you bring weapons in here!"
Yu Yi laughed and said, "This is a ghost market, what kind of materials don't we have? If we have enough time, it's not impossible to bring a cannon truck to smash this building."
Seeing this, some of the men and women in the building who were watching the situation from the railings ran to the side of the Yu family, while others secretly slipped out from the door.
Yu Yi ordered, "Search. Keep everything you find that they can't explain where it came from and take it back to the Youdu warehouse."
The steward, his voice muffled through his mask, asked, "Who are you in the Yu family? Which branch are you from?"
Yu Yi said, "They are just retainers of the Yu family."
The things that Yu Yi's men found were all sorts of strange items, including a bizarre object with a human head upside down in a glass bottle, with only the cut neck showing at the mouth of the bottle.
The servant brought over the pair of glass bottles. Yu Yi looked at the inverted faces in the bottles and asked the steward, "What are these for?"
The stewards, who were being suppressed by the Yu family, didn't say a word more than that. They only said that the two were evil cultivators who had been killed in a fit of rage, and that the Yu family had found them and were doing some good deeds to help them.
A handsome young man who was attached to the Yu family choked up and said, "They were a couple... I heard they were fox demons. Foxes are monogamous for life. They were sold after their demon essence was destroyed. They refused to obey and were beaten to death by the steward. Their heads were cut off, their brains were dug out and made into... beauty bottles for people to admire... They have harmed many people. If they don't obey, there are many ways to punish them."
Yu Yi asked, "What's so interesting about a human head? Especially since it's upside down."
The man said, "A cut at the neck level with the bottle's opening... leaving the throat exposed..."
Yu Yi glanced at Da Zhang's throat, not understanding the meaning, and was about to ask again when the attendant beside him said to the person holding the bottle:
"Take the heads of the couple away first, wash them clean with Jade Dew after leaving the Ghost Market, cross the Ninety-One Arch Bridge and send them to the Demon Clan's Hengzheng Academy, where their family can be found for burial."
Yan Huanyue recognized the voice; it was the instructor of Yu Nian and Yu Yi, the siblings. That night, outside Hengsu Mountain, it was he who ordered the ambush and killing of her.
Now, however, I wish to ferry the first one in the bottle.
But now that things have come to this, neither Yu Yi nor the instructor really intends to fight with the building manager.
Jian You glanced at the pair of glass bottles, a cold glint in her eyes. She had just stepped aside when Su Xianqing grabbed her arm.
Just as she was about to shake him off, she felt a gentle breeze brush past her, and the masks of the steward on the ground and the dozen or so people behind him had their straps cut off and fell to the ground.
Yan Huanyue, wearing a plain mask and holding an extremely long hairpin, kicked the steward to Yu Yi's feet.
"Since the Yu clan is making such a fuss to search this place and move everything to Youdu, aren't you afraid of diminishing the Yu clan's good fortune by not helping to settle scores with blood for the unclaimed property?"
He only wanted to let the matter pass quietly without alerting the people behind the Ghost Market, settle the accounts of corruption, confiscate the items in the building, gain a good reputation, and reap all the benefits without losing a single soldier, so he wouldn't have to worry about losing sleep.
Yu Yi recognized her voice and smiled, saying, "When will this cycle of revenge end? Everyone has a chance to change their ways. Besides, even if someone is to be killed, it should be handed over to the Sky Patrol Division."
Yan Huanyue said, "Your Yu family is actually so disciplined in doing things?"
Without waiting for his reply, she grabbed the long hairpin, pulled over the steward with a fierce look in his eyes, and plunged the hairpin into his brow, stirring it wildly.
Because she knew her limits, she did not kill the man directly, but instead caused the steward to have two tubes of brain matter flowing from his nostrils, his whole body curled up like a dead shrimp, and thrashing violently like a live fish.
She picked up the blood-stained hairpin, pointed it at Yu Yi, and said, "You only want to have all the good things, but you don't want to get involved in the karma. Aren't you afraid that Heaven can give you something, or it can take it away from you?"
Yu Yi immediately stood up straight and said, "The Ghost Market is handled by the sect. It's not right for outsiders to unintentionally disrupt the sect's arrangements. We're here to find items, not to cause trouble..."
As Tan Guiyi followed the Yu family members, searching through the building and hiding things in her bosom, her heart suddenly sank. She rushed to the railing and looked down at the figure in plain clothes below.
She recognized her voice.
Jiang Xusheng, who was hiding in the corner, did not find Chiwan here, but he did find a lot of horrifying things.
He had assumed that Madam Yu would have finished her funeral arrangements here and was planning to leave with her people, but upon hearing the woman's words to Yu Yi, he couldn't help but stop in his tracks.
He turned his head and asked the person next to him a couple of questions to understand the situation, and after listening, he gave the instructions:
“Kill those people and put their heads on the door plaque. If the Yu family disagrees, say that I, Jiang Xusheng, am carrying this name. If anyone in the Ghost Market dares to seek revenge in the future, they can go to Yishan to seek revenge on me.”
He left the two men there and, without waiting for Tan Guiyi, led the remaining people out of Xiangfeng Wenyu Tower.
Before they had taken more than a few steps, they heard several cracking sounds.
He looked back and saw that several people in the building behind Yan Huanyue had short arrows between their eyebrows and had fallen to the ground.
Several more people near the backyard were shot in the back of the head, and their heads exploded with a "bang".
Blood splattered onto the five-story dome, and the skull that had been sent flying flew for a while before crashing back to the ground with a series of thuds.
The Yu family's crossbows, one in front and one behind, two people...
How did the person who fired the arrow in the backyard manage to blow open a person's head with a crossbow bolt without any spiritual energy?
When Yan Huanyue heard the sound, she quickly stepped on the divination position to avoid it, and almost got splashed with blood.
Yu Yi glanced around the hall and saw three people dressed in the same color as Yan Huanyue, but only asked, "Who is in the backyard?"
At the half-open back door, a gentle night breeze blew silently as several members of the Yu clan stepped over the corpses on the ground and headed towards the back door.
Inside the hall, Su Xianqing placed the crossbow back on the table in the corner, then walked to the edge of the crowd and said:
"Little sister, let's go. Since the Yu family has been righteous and handled this matter, we shouldn't bother them any longer while they're searching for their things."
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Author's Note: Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 2024-05-08 22:53:49 and 2024-05-13 01:26:51!
Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: 41478248 (1 landmine);
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Yun Xiaoxi 30 bottles; T 26 bottles; ivyyyy 23 bottles; Chi Bu Bao Ye Zhang Pang, Xi Yu Xi Yan, E He, Yuanbaobao 10 bottles; Zuo Ge Xiao Fu Po, WrightHuges 6 bottles; Chun Feng Xu Lai, 024 5 bottles; Fei Xue 3 bottles; Ai Yong Long Tu de Xiao Nv Sheng, Zhou Man de Jian Gu, Ji Yun He Yu A Ji Xiao Hu Li, Xi Xi, SeU9, Gong Qiu Yan Ji, Xian Shu Ai Le 1 bottle;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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