Chapter 151: 150. Ghosts and Gods

150. Chapter 150: Ghosts and Gods

Li Yi had not yet entered the broker's office.

A young servant at the broker's office spotted Li Yi and immediately stepped out respectfully, wearing a flattering smile.

Brokerage staff were the most opportunistic and sharp-eyed; they could instantly tell whether a visitor was rich, noble, or poor. Someone like Li Yi—dressed in fine robes, riding a swift steed, followed by a mountain delicacy—was undoubtedly a person of great status, so they dared not slack off for a moment and rushed to serve him.

"Your noble presence graces our humble shop with glory! What service may this humble one render you? We deal in houses, maidservants, and servants." The servant bowed deeply, words pouring out without pause.

Li Yi glanced at him and tossed a silver ingot aside: "Send me someone who can make decisions. Ride with me outside San Yang City—I'm interested in the estates nearby and want to secure a place to settle."

"Noble sir, please wait a moment—I'll summon our shopkeeper at once!" The servant snatched the silver, overjoyed, and dashed off to call for help.

Soon after, a stout middle-aged man in brocade robes hurried out, his face slightly plump and earnest. He froze upon seeing Li Yi, nearly collapsing to his knees: "This—that's Master Li Yi of the Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall? This humble one, Jin Dafu, greets Master Li!"

"You know me?" Li Yi asked.

"Master Li, your divine bravery is legendary—you seized two halls in a single day and slew three Qi-Channeling experts! Who in San Yang City doesn't know your name? I once caught a glimpse of you from afar near the Jin Family Martial Arts Hall that very day." Jin Dafu bowed repeatedly, trembling with awe, then ordered: "Go, bring Su Qiaoer out—serve Master Li the finest tea."

"Master Li, please sit."

Li Yi sat casually, then glanced over: "You're Jin? Related to the Jin Family Martial Arts Hall?"

"Yes, yes—I dare not conceal it from Master Li—I am indeed a distant relative of the Jin Family." Jin Dafu's forehead was slick with sweat, under immense pressure, fearing Li Yi might purge the Jin remnants—but he dared not lie, for angering a Qi-Channeling expert would mean a gruesome death.

"Distant relative? Unlikely. Anyone who runs a brokerage has some standing." Li Yi spoke calmly. "But the Jin Family is gone. I have no interest in hunting down your scraps. You're Jin Dafu, correct? Do me a favor."

"Dare not refuse! Master Li, command me—I'll risk my life to fulfill your wish!" Jin Dafu hastened to pledge loyalty.

At that moment, a slender, fair-skinned, beautiful girl slowly emerged from the inner chamber, carrying a fragrant teapot. She respectfully placed it beside Li Yi, then stood quietly beside him, awaiting orders.

"I want to find an estate near San Yang City—neither too close nor too far, secluded. Do you have one?" Li Yi asked directly.

"All estates beyond San Yang City are owned by known families, and none are for sale. But if Master Li desires one, one will appear—even if none exist, this humble one can build one for you." Jin Dafu smiled obsequiously.

Li Yi said: "Building takes too long. Give me a fair market price—I'll buy one. You handle the negotiations."

"Understood. With Master Li's word, the matter is settled." Jin Dafu nodded eagerly.

A Qi-Channeling expert wants to buy your estate at a fair price—who dares refuse?

"Good. Ride with me out of the city. Once this is done, keep running your brokerage—but now you're under the Li Family's banner." Li Yi spoke calmly. He needed to gather some followers, some hands.

Jin Dafu had been waiting for this exact phrase. Overcome with joy, he dropped to his knees and bowed his head to Li Yi: "Thank you, Master, for your life-giving grace! I, Jin Dafu, swear eternal loyalty—no second thoughts! If I break this oath, may ghosts and gods strike me down!"

He climbed the ladder immediately, kneeling to pledge himself as Li Yi's household slave.

Only then could he truly relax, free from fear of future retribution. Li Yi might ignore him as a stray, but other Zhao Family disciples might not—and even if they didn't strike openly, their hidden schemes could destroy him.

The Jin Family Martial Arts Hall was gone. If Jin Dafu wanted to keep doing business and survive in San Yang City, he needed a new patron. Who could be a greater patron than Li Yi, senior disciple of the Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall?

As for the former Wind Listening Blade, Jin Zhihuan? Sorry—he didn't know him. He'd changed his surname to Li. From now on, he'd simply be Li Dafu.

Hmm. Li Dafu sounded better.

"Since you've bowed, pledged, and sworn, I accept you. But you will not commit crimes. I have my rules. Break them, and when I purge my household, I won't show mercy." Li Yi spoke. He didn't want a band of lawless thugs under him.

"This humble one understands. I will conduct honest business—no deceit, no fraud. I will never tarnish Master's reputation." Jin Dafu replied instantly.

Li Yi stood: "Good. Then come with me out of the city."

"Master, wait—I'll have a carriage prepared at once!" Jin Dafu said.

"No need. Ride your horse and follow." Li Yi turned and walked out.

Jin Dafu rose immediately and shouted into the shop: "Quick! Saddle the horses! Listen well—all of you! From now on, Master Li Yi, senior disciple of the Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall, is our new master. Don't mistake him again—or you'll regret it."

Soon after,

Li Yi rode out of the city with his new servant.

At this moment, he fully felt the advantages of strength: wherever he went, people knelt and pledged loyalty on the spot. Many longed to kneel—but had no way to do so.

Whether Jin Dafu was truly loyal didn't matter. A low-grade Bone-Refining cultivator, over thirty, with no potential—if he caused trouble later, Li Yi could kill him at will.

But if Jin Dafu was smart, he'd cling to Li Yi's leg for life, never daring to think otherwise.

Arriving outside San Yang City,

Li Yi rode to a high ridge and surveyed the surroundings. Finally, he pointed to a distant range of mountains: "Are there any estates over there?"

"Master, that's the Daqing Mountain range. There are estates at its foothills, but few—because the woods are filled with spirits and ghosts. Ordinary people avoid building near mountains." Jin Dafu replied.

"Do I fear spirits and ghosts? Let's go see." Li Yi spurred his horse toward Daqing Mountain.

Speaking of spirits—he himself had Baobao Deer, one of them. As for ghosts—he wanted to test their strength, see if he could defeat them. If he learned how to handle them, it would be invaluable—especially when he returned to Tianchang City, where strange phenomena were common.

He galloped hard.

In moments, he reached the foothills of the mountain range.

He scanned left and right, then fixed his gaze on an estate nestled against mountains and water, like a secluded paradise.

"Whose estate is that?" Li Yi pointed.

"Master, that's not an estate—it's the Qingshui Summer Retreat, built by the Sun Family's herbal trade in old San Yang City. They often entered the mountains to gather herbs and feared summer heat spoiling their medicines, so they built this retreat for cooling and herb processing. The Sun Family was wealthy—they used mountain quartz and century-old timber. With minimal upkeep, it's an excellent villa."

Jin Dafu truly lived up to his role as broker—he could instantly name every detail of any place Li Yi pointed to.

"The Sun Family is gone. Who owns this place now?" Li Yi asked.

Jin Dafu smiled: "Naturally, it belongs to Master. When the Sun Family left San Yang City, the Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall took over all their assets. But yesterday, I heard Master's teacher, Zhao Guan, handed the Sun Family's herbal trade to Weiwu Escort Agency. Still, that's no issue—once Master speaks, Weiwu Escort Agency won't dare offend you over a mountain villa."

"Good. Go take a look. Also, buy all the land nearby—I don't want any outsiders within ten li of the estate." Li Yi said.

"This humble one notes it. I'll handle it immediately." Jin Dafu replied eagerly.

The land around the estate was worthless mountain fields and dry land—buying a ten-li radius posed no problem.

Li Yi rode up a relatively level mountain path and soon arrived before the Qingshui Summer Retreat.

The gate was built of blue stone—solid and durable. The courtyard was clean and tidy, exhaling the scent of medicinal herbs.

Altogether, there were four courtyards. A living stream, drawn from the mountains, flowed through the center.

Spring water trickled, birds sang among the green peaks—peaceful, tranquil. An ideal place for seclusion and cultivation.

And it was close to San Yang City—less than half an hour by horse.

Baobao Deer clearly loved it—leaping and bounding through the courtyard, even drinking from the spring water flowing through the center.

"If I ever cross over, I'll come here first to settle. This is also the best place for meditation. If I stay in San Yang City, I'll be dragged down by martial hall affairs and can't cultivate in peace." Li Yi thought to himself. He even felt the cosmic energy here was richer—far better than in the city.

"Jin Dafu, arrange repairs and add household supplies. From now on, I'll train and cultivate here. I don't want to be disturbed. Also, you'll need maids and servants—but since it's far from the city, hire a single family—honest, reliable, trustworthy."

"This humble one notes it." Jin Dafu nodded, though puzzled—why did Master insist on hiring an entire family?

But he didn't ask. He simply obeyed.

Li Yi's reasoning was simple: his Yin Horse crossed dimensions, requiring fresh blood from living beings across the Four Seas and Eight Continents. A single family made blood collection convenient—so when the Yin Horse followed the blood trail, it wouldn't stray.

"That's enough. Let's go back." He circled the estate, confirmed everything was fine, and prepared to leave.

But as he stepped out of the villa, Li Yi's expression shifted—he turned sharply toward the forest.

Faint weeping drifted from the woods.

Like ghosts. Like vengeful spirits. Chilling to the bone.

"Master, surely it's some mountain spirit or demon." Jin Dafu also heard it. He hurried to say: "Master need not concern himself. Strange sounds abound in the mountains. We can't see them, and even if we searched, we'd find nothing."

"You're Bone-Refining. Can't you see ghosts?" Li Yi suddenly asked.

"This humble one's strength is too low to see ghosts." Jin Dafu replied.

"What realm can see ghosts?"

Li Yi pressed. His eyes glowed faintly—he already saw several blurred figures drifting toward them.

He was an Evolver. Once he activated his Medium ability, he could see ghosts.

Jin Dafu answered: "Even Qi-Channeling experts can't see ghosts—except Yin Spirits. They manifest physically, unlike ordinary spirits. But if you truly want to see ghosts, the spirit mediums in San Yang City have all sorts of methods—they can even guide us to Ghost Street to trade with the dead."

"Even Qi-Channeling experts can't see ghosts?" Li Yi mused. Clearly, cultivation systems yielded different abilities.

Martial artists refined human strength—cultivating Gang and condensing Qi. Evolvers, however, underwent complete bodily transformation.

"If there are so many ghosts in the mountains, how do you deal with powerful ones?" Li Yi asked.

Jin Dafu replied: "Master, on the first day of each month, ghosts and gods roam, cleansing the mortal world. They purge vengeful spirits and slay demons. On that day, everyone shuts their doors, never ventures out at night, and waits six hours until dawn to emerge."

"There's such a thing? What happens if someone goes out at night?" Li Yi was curious—he'd never heard his master or Zhao Qian mention it.

"If someone disobeys and goes out at night, they may be dragged into the underworld and vanish from the mortal realm. But it's not certain—if lucky, the ghosts and gods may spare them, and they might escape halfway back." Jin Dafu replied respectfully. "But this humble one's experience is limited. I know little of ghosts and gods. If Master is interested, visit the spirit mediums in San Yang City."