Chao Jiuxiao had never felt the air so sweet.
The poisonous fog of the Wind and Rain Pool had dissipated, and even the most annoying Shen Eleven had gone down the mountain; who knew when he would return.
Double happiness! Chao Jiuxiao planned to celebrate with his senior sister.
However, upon arriving at Baishang Mountain, he saw Su Xiyan fiddling with the disciple contract, her brows furrowed.
Chao Jiuxiao: "Senior Sister?"
Su Xiyan saw him and forced a smile: "Jiuxiao—put on your clothes properly."
Chao Jiuxiao carelessly straightened his open robe and said, "You're looking at the disciple contract? What happened to your disciple?"
Su Xiyan sighed: "She's lost."
Chao Jiuxiao: "?"
Chao Jiuxiao thought to himself, 'I didn't decide to help Li Genglan, how could she be lost so quickly?'
He hurriedly asked, "Where did she go?"
Su Xiyan said, "It seems she secretly followed Eleven to Xianzhou."
Chao Jiuxiao: "..."
Chao Jiuxiao remained silent for a long time before stammering, "N-no, it's not my fault, I didn't..."
Su Xiyan looked up: "What?"
Chao Jiuxiao hesitated for a long time before recounting how Li Genglan had come looking for him.
Su Xiyan frowned: "Really, you didn't do it?"
"Of course not!" Chao Jiuxiao roared, his face turning red with anger, "Even if I hate Shen Feng Xue, I wouldn't need to use such a method to scheme against him!"
Su Xiyan looked at him suspiciously.
Chao Jiuxiao was furious: "Senior Sister!"
Su Xiyan sighed, somewhat worried, "It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that Xianzhou is very close to Fengdu. If Eleven and Xiwu accidentally wandered into Fengdu..."
A light rain began to fall again, the rain and mist enveloping the entire Liren Peak. The huge Bodhi tree above Lotus Lake seemed to possess a spirit, slowly absorbing the mist. Fengdu.
Shen Gurong's legs were trembling. He stammered, "I...we...we won't...we won't..."
He swallowed hard, forcing himself to remain calm, and said, "We're not going in, are we?"
Seeing him so frightened yet still trying to maintain his master's composure, Mu Zhe chuckled and said, "No, we won't go in."
He took out a map and casually pointed, saying, "Xianzhou City is south of Fengdu. Since we've reached Fengdu, Xianzhou isn't far away."
Mu Zhe pointed in a direction: "We just need to go straight ahead, and we'll reach the fog barrier on the outskirts of Xianzhou."
Shen Gurong felt a strange unease about "going straight ahead." He coughed and said, "Then it's up to you."
Mu Zhe agreed.
The gates of Fengdu remained wide open. Judging by the time, it was approximately midnight. Shen Gurong dared not linger any longer and was about to slip into the spirit boat with Mu Zhe when a cry for help suddenly came from the nearby gate.
"Help, help—"
Shen Gurong asked Mu Zhe expressionlessly, "Did you hear anything?"
'No, no, no, hurry up and go, hurry up and go!'
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe could only say, "I didn't hear anything."
Shen Gurong fell silent upon hearing this, muttering softly, "We really have no conscience."
Mu Zhe: "..."
He secretly glanced at the gates of Fengdu and saw what appeared to be a figure frantically running towards the gates. However, for some reason, even with all his might, the figure was just spinning in circles, seemingly unable to escape the gates so close at hand.
Shen Gurong was startled again.
Mu Zhe was far bolder than him. He glanced at it and said, "That is indeed a living soul."
"Ah?" Shen Gurong was taken aback. "A real person?"
Mu Zhe nodded.
Seeing this, Shen Gurong wanted to leave even more. What if they went in and couldn't get out? Were they going to be trapped and die in that ghost city?
Shen Gurong didn't want to, Shen Gurong dared not.
But the cries for help were growing weaker and weaker, as if someone had covered their mouth and was desperately dragging them inside, only able to let out soft sobs.
Shen Gurong: "I'm not going to risk my life to save people. That's something only good people do."
Shen Gurong looked at Mu Zhe expressionlessly and said, "Disciple, go save them. Master is waiting for you here."
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe lowered his head and chuckled softly.
Shen Gurong's face inexplicably flushed. He raised his hand, summoned the Daoist Companion Pact, and placed it on his shoulder, whispering, "Go quickly, I'll wait for you here."
Mu Zhe smiled and said, "Yes."
With that, he turned and walked towards the gates of Fengdu.
The person who had cried for help was gone; he wondered if they had been dragged away.
After Shen Gurong completely calmed down, he felt something was strange. That cry for help... why did it sound so familiar?
Mu Zhe had already strode into Fengdu and quickly disappeared without a trace.
Shen Gurong nestled in the spirit boat, looking out the window, and muttered softly, "Doesn't Mu Zhe know fear? He just went in without even looking around?"
He thought ghosts were terrifying beyond measure, so he couldn't understand why Mu Zhe, with his boundless courage, wasn't afraid of them.
But thinking about it carefully, Mu Zhe had traveled for so many years, killing countless ghost cultivators. How could he possibly be afraid of that utterly harmless ghost?
Shen Gurong waited and waited, feeling as if he had been waiting forever, when in reality less than half an hour had passed.
He flicked his finger at the Dao Companion perched on his shoulder, muttering to himself, "When do you think he'll return?"
The Dao Companion couldn't speak, but it flapped its wings in response.
Shen Gurong had no choice but to continue waiting.
Another half hour passed, but Mu Zhe didn't appear; instead, he encountered what he feared most.
Shen Gurong was staring blankly at the entrance to Fengdu from the windowpane when a gust of cold wind blew in, and suddenly he heard what sounded like a baby crying.
Shen Gurong shivered violently, fully waking up.
He looked around and found the vast spirit boat completely empty, not even a shadow under the bed.
Shen Gurong breathed a sigh of relief, realizing he had been overreacting and had mistaken the wind for the wailing of a ghost.
He smiled casually, then…
Summoned both Mu Xi and Lin Xia Chun.
Mu Xi stood respectfully beside him, saying, “Your Majesty.”
Shen Gurong was swinging Lin Xia Chun around, saying, “Come out now, come out!”
Lin Xia Chun was ranked number one on the Three Realms' list of most deadly weapons, a killer of gods and Buddhas—of course, this was just hearsay. In reality, while Linxia Chun was the number one deadly sword, undefeated in battle, its true nature was extremely fearful, wanting only to spend the rest of its life in a secluded corner, ignoring everyone.
Lin Xia Chun didn't want to come out; it just wanted to stay quietly.
No matter how much Shen Gurong called Lin Xia Chun, he wouldn't come out, so he gave up. He asked Mu Xi, "Is there ghostly energy around?"
Mu Xi probed the area and replied truthfully, "Not only around here, but throughout the entire Spirit Boat."
Shen Gurong: "..."
Fearfully, Shen Gurong clutched his sword tightly and stammered, "The Spirit Boat...isn't it protected by a barrier?"
Mu Xi said, "That barrier shattered along with the Spirit Plate. Now it's just an ordinary pleasure boat."
Shen Gurong completely deflated.
At the same time, he heard a baby's laughter again, seemingly coming from all directions. It startled Shen Gurong so much that his hair stood on end, and he almost threw Lin Xia Chun out.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid," Shen Gurong whispered to himself, "You are a Holy Lord, you are the number one person in the Three Realms, your cultivation is earth-shattering, no one dares to confront you head-on..."
Just as he finished reciting this, a ghostly face suddenly appeared upside down in front of him, letting out a loud "Wah—!"
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong fell backward expressionlessly, only to be caught by Mu Xi.
The terrifying ghost was merely a tiny infant ghost, barely reaching Shen Gurong's knees. Its ghostly eyes were sinister, and it wore a small gray jacket, clinging to the window frame and grinning at Shen Gurong.
Shen Gurong: "I...I...I..."
He nearly fainted.
Mu Xi said doubtfully, "Your Majesty, it's just a little ghost without any spiritual power; it won't harm you."
Shen Gurong roared inwardly, 'But it's terrifying! Ghosts are terrifying! All ghosts are terrifying! Ahhh! Mu Zhe, where did Mu Zhe go? Why hasn't he returned yet!'
His hand trembled as he unleashed a burst of spiritual energy, intending to gently, without angering the little ghost, drive it away from the spirit boat. But the moment his energy was released, the little ghost opened its mouth and swallowed it whole.
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong almost fell backward again, but Mu Xi, already standing behind him as usual, caught him by the shoulder and firmly planted him on the ground.
After the little ghost finished absorbing Shen Gurong's spiritual power, it suddenly giggled and pounced on Shen Gurong, shouting as it did so.
"Daddy!"
Shen Gurong: "..."
The next instant, the entire spirit boat was blasted apart by Shen Gurong's rampaging spiritual power, splinters of wood scattering everywhere.
Shen Gurong's pupils contracted sharply. Panting, he gripped Lin Xia Chun tightly, muttering, "Is he gone? Gone? Gone?"
Mu Xi, standing behind him, said, "No, he hasn't."
Shen Gurong gripped his sword again, his voice almost trembling with tears: "Where? Where is he?!"
Mu Xi said, "At your feet."
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong's body stiffened. He blankly lowered his head little by little, his gaze meeting that of the little ghost clinging to his leg.
Shen Gurong: "Ahhh, Mu Zhe—"
Shen Gurong was on the verge of tears. Even when facing the plague demon and water demon of yesteryear, he had never been held so closely by the leg.
He nearly fainted, forcing himself to hold on with his last breath, and weakly said, "Mu Xi, quickly take him away."
Mu Xi didn't understand what was so scary about a little ghost, but he still complied with Shen Gurong's request.
After removing the little ghost from Shen Gurong's leg, Shen Gurong's tense body slowly relaxed. He staggered back a few steps, clutching his chest and breathing heavily, almost fainting.
"Ghosts are truly terrifying! Male ghosts, female ghosts, old ghosts, young ghosts—why did I have to send Mu Zhe to save people? Couldn't he just have left already?! Ahhh!"
The little ghost, being held by Mu Xi, was still desperately struggling against him, tears welling in its eyes, crying, "Daddy, Daddy's scent!"
Only when they were far enough away did Shen Gurong feel more confident. He took a deep breath, attempting to salvage his crumbling image as a sage ruler in front of Mu Xi.
He flicked his wide sleeves, feigning composure, and said, "You've mistaken me for someone else. I'm not your father."
If he had a son who was a ghost, he'd be scared to death sooner or later.
The little ghost was startled, then burst into tears with a "waaaah!"
"Daddy! I want Daddy!"
His crying made Shen Gurong want to cry even more.
However, Shen Gurong suddenly thought of something.
He said blankly, "You can come out of Fengdu?"
Seeing that he was talking to him, the little ghost quickly stopped crying and smiled, giggling as it opened its arms for a hug.
"Daddy, Wanglan is hungry."
Seeing that he had stopped chasing him, Shen Gurong gradually relaxed, but still kept a considerable distance, asking, "Your name is Wanglan?"
Wanglan nodded.
Shen Gurong felt the name was strangely familiar, but couldn't remember where he had heard it before. As he pondered, Mu Xi suddenly said, "Holy Lord."
Shen Gurong: "Hmm?"
Mu Xi gestured for him to look towards the gates of Fengdu.
Shen Gurong looked over in confusion and saw that the gates of Fengdu were wide open, and countless ghosts were already emerging from the city.
Shen Gurong: "..."
At this moment, Wanglan suddenly said in a childish voice, "Living souls are being taken away to get married."
Shen Gurong stared blankly at him: "Get married?"
Wanglan nodded: "Yes, yes! Getting married! Yesterday, some living souls wandered in by mistake and were taken away. They're getting married tonight."
Shen Gurong thought to himself, "You ghosts really have some peculiar tastes."
Calming down, Shen Gurong noticed that Wanglan's face seemed to be covered by a piece of paper, and the features were drawn on with ink. A gust of wind would lift a corner of the paper, vaguely revealing a completely blank face underneath.
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong wished he could gouge his own eyes out.
Oh right, he was already blind.
Wanglan struggled to remove the paper from his face, revealing a blurry face. He stretched out his little arm and handed the paper to Shen Gurong, saying in a childish voice, "If you stick this on, you won't have to worry about being captured!"
Shen Gurong was extremely averse to the paper and didn't want to take it.
But he couldn't bring himself to harm a ghost, and he didn't want to be captured and forced into marriage...
Wait! Married!
Mu Zhe had been inside for so long and hadn't come out yet. Had he already been captured and forced into marriage?!
Although he knew it was impossible with Mu Zhe's cultivation level, Shen Gurong was still worried.
Suddenly, Shen Gurong found his courage. He quickly stepped forward, caught the paper, and pressed it to his face, saying seriously, "Wanglan, I'm your father. Take me to the city to find someone."
Mu Xi: "..."
Wanglan was stunned for a moment, then immediately cheered, "Great! Daddy, Daddy, let's go home!"
Just then, Mu Xi's eyes suddenly lit up, and his voice instantly changed to Lin Shuhe's.
"Eleven."
Shen Gurong was taken aback: "Sixth Senior Brother?"
"Yes, long time no see," Lin Shuhe said slowly. "I have something to tell you."
Shen Gurong was used to Lin Shuhe's slow and deliberate manner; he had never seen him so anxious before. He frowned: "What is it?"
Lin Shuhe cut to the chase: "Your little disciple is lost."
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong: "???"
At the same time, in Fengdu, Mu Zhe, with a piece of paper stolen from a ghost pasted on his face, silently followed the cries for help and landed in a secluded courtyard.
This family seemed to be celebrating a happy occasion; the house was brightly decorated, and on the wedding table, one side burned red candles while the other burned white candles.
Killing the living soul first and then getting married—double happiness.
Brilliant!
Throughout the mansion, countless ghosts with paper-drawn facial features were bustling about, while wailing sounds still echoed from the backyard of the wedding hall.
Mu Zhe didn't linger. He swiftly leaped into the backyard and slipped into the room where the living ghost was imprisoned.
The living ghost was thin and frail, dressed in a phoenix coronet and wedding robes. Its hands were bound behind its back, and it was struggling desperately on the bed. A handkerchief was stuffed in its mouth, allowing it to only make muffled sounds; it looked truly pitiful.
Mu Zhe frowned. He felt the person on the bed looked extremely familiar. He tentatively approached and lifted the red veil from the person's head, revealing a familiar face.
Mu Zhe: "..."
Yu Xinghe, his face streaked with tears, was filled with despair when suddenly his veil was lifted and the handkerchief removed from his mouth. He looked up blankly, stunned for a long time before recognizing Mu Zhe.
Yu Xinghe froze for a moment, then suddenly burst into a loud wailing.
"Junior Brother! Junior Brother! Waaaaah!" Yu Xinghe cried so loudly it seemed he could summon all the ghosts of Fengdu, his wails echoing across the heavens and earth. "Junior Brother, come save me! Waaaah!"
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe expressionlessly stuffed the handkerchief back into his mouth and covered his head with the veil again.
Yu Xinghe: "..."
"Ugh!?"
Junior Brother?!
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