Chapter 630: Fengdu, the Ghost City


    Li Mazi loved the tofu jade a lot, the one that Liu An had given him. He kept bragging about it with me all the time. However, he didnt want to sell it.


    Hey, Li Mazi, why dont you sell it? I teased him.


    Ithas gained spirituality, andno amount of money canbuy it.He said seriously, which delighted me. I thought that only Liu An could make Li Mazi, aman who treasured money more than his life, beuninterested in money for a while.


    For the next few months, Istayed with himduringmy leisure time. When Yin Xinyue had free time, we went to visit my inws. Theyhadboth recovered, and their daily activities werent affected anymore.


    Yin Xinyuewas able to easeher worries. When she saw me, she always showed her gratitude.


    I treated my inws as my real parents, so I asked her not to do that.Inadvertently, she would still show mean expression full of gratitude every time, soI just letherdo what she felt okay with.


    After visiting her parents, Yin Xinyuewentback to work. I spent another month doing nothing. And soon, the annual Ghost Festival was on its way. Chuyi called me first. Jiulin, in three days, I will see you in Chongqing.


    As my inws situation was undercontrol, I didnt lie to Li Mazi anymore. I told him about the situation and asked him to watch my antique shop.


    Li Mazi shouted at meoverthe phone. I justughed and hung up the call.


    When I arrived at Chongqing, Chuyi was already there.To my surprise, I saw Zen MasterBaimei. They were staying in a motel near the mountain hill. Chuyi nodded at me when he saw me. His face didnt look bad, so I guessed he had solved the problem between him and his father-inw.


    However, Zen MasterBaimeididnt look healthy. Sometimes, he even coughed. I frownedand asked, Are you okay, Zen Master?


    A KingCorpse attacked me a few days ago. But no worries, cough, cough


    Zen MasterBaimeiwaved his hand as though he was all right. However, before he could finish, he coughed again. I worriedly looked at Chuyi.


    Chuyisaid faintly, Thisold monkistough. He wont dieso easily.Then, he changed the topic.Thenews has been confirmed. The Longquan Vi will join the Gates of Hell TradingConference.


    Imadea faceand thoughtabout how the Longquan Vi had trapped me time aftertime. I balled my fistsand saidcoldly,When Igetthe mermaidstears, Illshowthem!


    You think toooptimistically, Chuyisaidwith an emotionless face.Im afraid the Longquan Vis reason foringhere this time is to calcte the debt with us.


    I was bewildered and said, What do you mean?


    Do you remember what happened in Sanshui Vige?


    Yeah, what aboutit? I nodded.At that time, thelittle Daoist boy had sacrificed himself to save us. Under the surge of my rage, I had beheaded the guy from the Longquan Vi. Afterthatcase, the people from the National SecurityBureauhadckmailedme intosolving a casefor them.


    The guy we killed was one of the four great Elders of the Longquan Vi.


    Chuyi didnt have a natural face when he said that. He rubbed his templesand toldme the details.


    TheLongquan Vi had four great Elders. People often referred to them as Wind Tigers and Cloud Dragons. Every one of them had their tasks. Besides Xiang Yuanzhen, the one we killed, the other three were all experts.


    Xiang Yuanzhen used his brain to survive, not his talents. He had lured us into an evil formation to kill us.


    At that time, while he was working on a mission, he found meby chance. He decided to use his wits totakeme down. Chuyi arrivedintime. In the end, the elder had to pay with his life.


    After this incident, the Longquan Vi was enraged.However, because of Chuyi,Zen MasterBaimei, and the Zhang family in Jiangbei, they hadnt attacked me.


    Chuyi arched one brow when he came to this part. SincetheLongquan Vi hasopenlybragged that they will join this trading conference, it means they have up with a n.


    Zen MasterBaimeifiddled with the chain of m beads in his hand. He saiddeeply,Chuyi is right. Weve pressed them long enough. They want to strike us now.


    I felt something hidden in what Zen MasterBaimeihad just said. I decided to ask him.


    Chuyi faked a cough to interrupt Zen MasterBaimei. Zhang Jiulin, you should get something to eat. We dont have much time.


    I was puzzled.However,if Chuyi wanted to hide things from me, he wouldnt answer even if I pestered him. I simply put it asideanddidnt askany further.


    After lunch, Chuyi asked me and Zen MasterBaimeito rest while he wentsomewhere. He took his sword with him.He didnt tell us where he washeaded, or what he wanted to do.


    Iidon my bedand shiftedfrom side to side. The Longquan Vi upied my head.Whatwill theydo this time?


    I was scared of thembecause this group of people didnt fightindaylight. They were good at hiding and striking when you werent vignt. As I didnt haveameticulous mind like Chuyi, I was afraid I would step into their trap.


    Anyway, the more I was afraid of them, the more thrilled Ifelt.If I could use this chance to solve the problem between me and the Longquan Vi, it would be much easier for me than dealing with itter.


    With that thought, I rxedandslowlydrifted intoalight sleep. At twilight, Chuyi returned to the hotel. I found dust and ashes on his faceandgarments, and his trousers were wet. He looked tired.


    Where did you go?


    I was checking something, Chuyi said coldly. Hemade himself a cup of instant noodlesandswallowed the foodquickly. It seemed he was starving.


    After eating, he didnt wait for my questionsand talkedfirst. The market is open now. The localsand many staff ghosts are preparing the site. Not many people havearrived,he said with a trace of luck in his voice.The Longquan Vis people havent arrived yet. We should take this chance to get there first.This way, we can avoid their ambush.


    Wheres the market? I noddedto showmy agreement.


    Chuyi recognized that Ididntknow the location yet. Hesimply said, The Gate of Hell in Fengdu City.


    Fengdu?


    I took a deep breath. Fengduhadalways been considered a ghost city.ording tolegend, when people died, their souls wouldgothere. It was Hell on Earth in peoplesminds.


    Therewas a lot ofliterature and dramas that talked about Fengdu. Moreover, there were many details in historicalrecords that mentioned Fengdu the Ghost City.


    However, after the reform, the country had tried totone downor eliminate the presence of Fengdu to stop spreading superstition. However, the legend of thisghostcity had never stopped being less interesting to the tourists. Gradually, itbecamea big part of the tourist attractions here.


    I was earning money from dead peoplesstuff, soI had heard about the Ghost City many times. I wanted to go there.Atthis moment, I was both excited and anxious.


    I thought that Chuyi would take me there tomorrow. He would need to rest since he looked exhausted. Unexpectedly, heonlyrestedfor thirty minutes, then asked us to pack up.


    On the way to Fengdu, Chuyiexined to meabout the trading conference held at the Gate of Hell, which was underground. Since the entrance closed at dawn, we needed to go there at night.


    Howwillwe get out?What if theytrap us in there? I was worried.


    Zen MasterBaimeismiled and stroked his beard. Benefactor, theresno need to worry. The Ghost City is like an illusion. You can leave by thinking about leaving.


    I finally eased my mind.After thinking about it, I knew it was true. Most of the sellers and buyers inside were ghosts, and they wereasort of intangible illusion already.


    Chuyidrovehissportscar. Around two hourster, wereachedFengdu City. However, he didnt stopthe car.


    Do you need to prepare something else before wegoin there? I asked.


    The Gate of Hell isnt there. We need to go further.


    It turned out that when the government fixed the Three Gorges Dam,Fengdu was flooded with river water. The current Fengdu City was the relocatedcity, not the original one.


    After driving for half an hour more, Chuyi finally pulled over.After getting out of the car, Isaw thatthe surroundingswereawastnd with high wild grass.Some rickety cottages swayedfrom side to side when the wind blew.


    On the other side of the road was a small river. Since the topography here was rtively t, the water in the river should flow slowly. However, the river in front of me had rapid water. From time to time, I could hear the water sshing.


    I took two steps forward. Instantly, a wave of cold air from the river hit me. I shiveredand sawa massive vortex in the middle of the river.


    Isthat


    Looking at the vortex that looked like a giant tornado, I quickly got it. Itcould bethe entrance to the Ghost City!


    Chuyi noddedand pointedat the vortex. At dawn, the water from the bed of the river willriseand fill that vortex. It will be a normal river. But when the nightfalles, it will look like this.


    Howetherearent any parked carshere? You told me that some people have arrived.


    Chuyi shot me a nce. There are many entrances to the underground market. Who said that everybody has to take this way?


    I felt awkward. I thought there was only one entrance.


    Then, Chuyi guided us to jump into the vortex one by one. At first, I was worried that the water would wet my clothes.However,the water vortex wasnt real. When the water hit me, I didnt feel anything.


    I didnt know howmuch timehad passed until the vortex disappeared. However, everything in front of me waspletely dark. I knew I wasatthe entranceofthe Ghost City!My nerves tensed up.


    Someone grabbed my arm, and my heart throbbed. I took out the talisman and was about to attack. Chuyi and Zen MasterBaimeihad jumped before me.That was whyI was sure that it wasnteitherof them who had just grabbed me.


    Then, the one holding my arm spoke.Jiulin, after a while, you will see something foul. Just hold onto me tight.Do not panic.


    It was Chuyis voice. I exhaled andreached aroundto find his arm.


    I didnt know why, but his body felt so cold. Before I could ask him,I heard Chuyis intermittent voice beneath me. Jiulin, there will be evil spirits in this entrance. No matter what you hear, do notpay attention. Well gather again down there.


    When I heard his voice, I couldnt help but shiver. There was a Chuyi down there and one next to me. Oneof them was a ghost! Who was the right one?


    Jiulin, dont let the evilspiritsfool you, advised the Chuyi next to me. Then, he shouted, Little ghost, do you wanna die?


    It sounded pretty much like Chuyis style. I prepared myselfand wasready to go with him. However, the voice of the Chuyi underneath arose again. Read the Sacred Text of Daoism. Otherwise,youwilldie!


    I immediatelyconcluded that it was the real Chuyi. If hewasfaking it, he wouldnt have reminded me to read the Sacred Text of Daoism. When Iwas aboutto read the Sacred Text of Daoism, someone strangled me. The fake Chuyi said with a dark voice,Youbusted me, but it doesnt matter. Haha, youre my prey now


    Whileughing, he strengthened his grip. I couldnt see his face, but I could feelhiscold and murderous aura.


    I couldnt find anything I could use to increase my strength. I wanted to take the talismans from my pockets, but I realized that theghosthad locked both of my hands.


    The person was strangling me with one hand andusedtwo other handstohold ontomy hands. So, he had at least three arms, or even more!


    I knew that pulling back and forth here was disadvantageous to me. I tried to bite my tongue to spit blood at him!