Chapter 40

Gu Zhao stopped, and Master Lu turned around curiously, “Hong Xin?”

“Squeak—”

The latch of the small courtyard gate jumped, then the door swung open, and a broad-shouldered man in black robes embroidered with gold patterns stepped in. Seeing Master Lu about to pick up his brush, he grinned, “I heard those two idlers muttering—I knew you’d be painting again, Master Lu.”

Master Lu narrowed his eyes, surprised. “How did you get here?”

Hong Xin strode forward but halted at the side room’s entrance. “Why can’t I come?”

Master Lu frowned slightly, feigning indifference. “Of course you can come—just unusually timely.”

He gestured to Hong Xin and said to Gu Zhao, “This is my friend Hong Xin—outgoing, fond of making friends.”

Then he turned his hand toward Gu Zhao and added, “Young Master Zhang arrived here by chance, wandered into this alley unawares. I happened to pass by, felt a sudden urge to paint, and invited him here as a guest—just in time to paint another portrait of him.”

Hong Xin chuckled. “I know—you can’t resist painting when you see a handsome young man.”

Master Lu’s eyes flashed with anger; he glanced at Gu Zhao and saw him nodding knowingly, a look of sudden understanding on his face. “No wonder the young man in your painting looked so noble and ethereal.”

Gu Zhao rubbed his chin, slightly proud. “So does that mean I’m handsome too?”

Hong Xin exclaimed loudly, “Young Master Zhang, your bearing is majestic, your demeanor refined—you’re clearly a gentleman of exceptional grace!” Then he turned back to Master Lu. “You’ve got no decent tea here—why not come to my place?”

Master Lu frowned, both annoyed and puzzled. “You have good tea?”

Hong Xin smiled faintly. “I do.”

Master Lu’s pupils shrank. “Could it be…?”

Hong Xin’s eyes flashed with sharpness; Master Lu licked his lips. “Then, uh… cough… cough…”

Master Lu coughed twice, shifted his gaze, then clutched his chest and coughed several more times.

“Cough… cough… cough…”

He raised his head, his face paler now. “Young Master Zhang, forgive me—I must have caught a chill last night. I’ve come down with a cold.”

“I won’t be able to paint you now,” Master Lu said, frowning. “Why don’t you go with Brother Hong to rest? He can show you around afterward.”

“When your business is done, please return,” Master Lu said solemnly. “I promised to paint you—I’ll keep my word.”

Hong Xin nodded happily, then asked Gu Zhao, “Young Master Zhang, you’ve just arrived in Xiuyue County—are you visiting friends or studying?”

“I’m here for inspiration,” Gu Zhao replied seriously. “I’m compiling a collection of poems. My thoughts have dried up, so I travel far and wide seeking inspiration.”

“So you’re a poet? Impressive!” Hong Xin bowed quickly, then asked eagerly, “May I ask your masterpiece?”

“Oh, nothing much! Green mountains pierce the sky, white clouds drift around their peaks. Halfway up, I catch my breath—look up, and the summit’s still ahead!” Gu Zhao recited, then clapped his hands with pride.

Hong Xin, “…”

Master Lu, “…”

“Brilliant poem!” Hong Xin gave a thumbs-up, then turned to Gu Zhao. “Master Lu is unwell—why not come to my place for some warm tea? If you need to gather inspiration, I’ll accompany you.”

Gu Zhao glanced at Hong Xin, touched the bulging cloth bag at his waist, and smiled. “All right!”

…

Under Master Lu’s reluctant gaze, Gu Zhao and Hong Xin left the courtyard and headed north toward the city.

To Gu Zhao’s surprise, they didn’t grow more remote—they walked along a broad street, where the crowd didn’t thin, but thickened.

Many people greeted Hong Xin by name.

“General Hong!”

“Director Hong!”

Hong Xin bowed in return, laughing loudly. “Hello! How are you feeling today?”

“Great!”

“Full of energy!”

Everyone laughed, then dispersed.

Gu Zhao watched them go, struck by their flushed faces and radiant spirits—he began to wonder if he’d been wrong.

Then they arrived at their destination.

The gate faced east, built of blue stone with red pillars. Instead of stone lions, two stone warriors stood on either side—one holding a sword, the other a spear. The incense smoke drifting from within curled around them, making them seem almost alive.

Gu Zhao looked up and saw three golden characters on the gate’s plaque: Jinfeng Hall!

Gu Zhao: (°ー°〃)

Compared to the several houses radiating chilling darkness, Jinfeng Hall had no trace of ghostly aura—it was filled with thriving incense, like a Buddhist temple or Daoist shrine in the modern world.

But Gu Zhao knew every soul inside Jinfeng Divine Cult was a ghost.

Thinking of this, he glanced at Hong Xin beside him—so is this guy a ghost too?

This time in the city, Gu Zhao had been cautious and hadn’t unleashed his spiritual sense to scan. Unless someone unintentionally or deliberately radiated their aura, he couldn’t clearly sense their true nature.

But though he couldn’t sense them, the Five Thunder Talisman was a treasure—it had reacted to both Master Lu and Hong Xin, so he remained alert.

Seeing Gu Zhao look at him, Hong Xin smiled and gestured with an open hand. “Young Master, please.”

Gu Zhao clicked his tongue—he’d only come to secretly probe Jinfeng Divine Cult’s strength, never intending to walk straight into their stronghold!

Hmm, maybe it’s not even a stronghold—it’s just Xiuyue County, not Changping Prefecture. Since he was here to investigate, coming by day was better than night. Besides…

“I can always just blast the place flat!” Gu Zhao felt a flicker of excitement, then followed Hong Xin inside.

Jinfeng Hall was spacious, filled with disciples and common folk—some burned incense in the main hall, others received blessings from disciples in the side halls, and some were led into the back courtyard.

As Gu Zhao passed the main hall, he saw a one-tall statue on the altar—identical to the wooden carving he’d seized from the Green-robed Woman.

His gaze dropped lower—he raised an eyebrow. Beneath the statue sat another wooden carving.

Well, now it was an exact match…

Closer now, he sensed faint spiritual energies radiating from the worshippers’ prayers, drawn into the wooden statues on the altar.

These energies came from mortals, carrying the warmth of the mortal world. If a ghost absorbed and refined them, it could stabilize its spirit and spectral form, move freely in daylight, and even resist certain powers that specifically targeted yin entities.

“So that’s why those guardian spirits could withstand a few more of my thunder strikes,” Gu Zhao thought. “No wonder they’re called gods.”

One person’s spiritual energy was minuscule—but accumulated over time, the total stored in the carving would be substantial.

Gu Zhao’s eyes flickered with caution; he now held greater wariness toward the Jinfeng Divine King, then followed Hong Xin past the main hall to the back courtyard’s quiet chamber.