Chapter 129: Each Harboring Their Own Thoughts

From Eunuch Lin's introduction to the Nine Netherworlds, Hua Changxi gleaned certain information; he was desperately downplaying the dangers of the Nine Netherworlds, seemingly afraid she would be too frightened to enter again.

"What are the rules of the Ghost Market?"

Eunuch Lin replied, "The first rule is that anyone entering or leaving the Ghost Market must drink Soul-Sealing Soup."

Hua Changxi asked, "Why?"

Eunuch Lin did not know either and could only say, "This is a rule that has existed since ancient times."

"Since ancient times?" Hua Changxi paused. "Does that mean the Ghost Market has been open continuously from antiquity to the present? Yet, as far as I know, the revival of spiritual energy occurred only in recent years."

"If there was no spiritual energy in the past, there were no cultivators. Without cultivators, who would enter the Ghost Market?"

Eunuch Lin smiled mysteriously. "Spiritual energy began reviving long ago; ordinary people simply did not know it."

"Long ago? How long ago?" Hua Changxi pressed.

"As far as this one knows," Eunuch Lin replied, "it began before the founding of the Great Jin Dynasty."

Hua Changxi frowned. "There was spiritual energy over a thousand years ago?"

Eunuch Lin nodded affirmatively. "Yes."

After a moment of silence, Hua Changxi asked, "Are there other rules for the Ghost Market?"

"The second rule," Eunuch Lin said, "is to wear spirit-isolating robes that block divine sense probing, or to carry corresponding magical treasures."

"In truth, as long as one observes these two rules when entering or exiting the Ghost Market, one will mostly remain safe and sound."

"Of course, to prevent others from killing you and seizing your treasures, it is best to travel in company."

"What if one has neither spirit-isolating robes nor corresponding magical treasures?" Hua Changxi asked.

"That should not be the case," Eunuch Lin replied. "While magical treasures are hard to come by, every cultivator should necessarily prepare a set of spirit-isolating robes for themselves."

Hua Changxi remained silent.

She refused to believe that every cultivator possessed spirit-isolating robes.

Glancing at the silent Hua Changxi, Eunuch Lin said, "If you truly lack such robes, you must be extremely cautious when going to the Ghost Market."

"After all, the Nine Netherworlds is a gathering place for wandering souls and lonely ghosts. What do such spirits desire most? Naturally, the pure soul bodies of cultivators. If you do not wear robes that block divine sense probing, nine times out of ten you will be targeted by these wandering souls and lonely ghosts."

"Furthermore, the nine major passes actually maintain a certain order. The ghost constables are the officers who uphold order at these passes; they will capture any soul bodies they can detect."

"Who serves as these ghost constables?" Hua Changxi asked.

"Actually, the Nine Netherworlds is quite similar to our human realm," Eunuch Lin explained. "You can view the nine passes as nine city gates, each with a person in charge. The ghost constables are naturally the subordinates of these leaders."

Hua Changxi asked again, "Then who determines these leaders of the passes?"

Glancing at her, Eunuch Lin replied, "Strength determines it."

"Have any cultivators become leaders of the passes?" Hua Changxi asked.

Eunuch Lin seemed slightly surprised by her question. "Probably not; the situation in the Nine Netherworlds is very complex." He paused for a moment before continuing.

"A few days ago, great chaos erupted at Genmen Pass. Two great demons from Ox-Head Mountain and White-Bone Mountain, along with the Nether-Dragon guarding the river section of Genmen Pass, suffered heavy injuries. Taking advantage of the chaos, the Demon-Suppressing Army seized Genmen Bridge."

"I hear that Ox-Head Mountain and White-Bone Mountain have already been captured. If the Demon-Suppressing Army continues to exert pressure and captures the territories occupied by other demonic beasts at Genmen Pass, Genmen Pass might become the first pass controlled by cultivators."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi felt a slight stir in her heart.

The Demon-Suppressing Army certainly knew how to pick up the scraps; Long-Browed Arhat paid with his life, and she herself was severely injured, yet they reaped the benefits.

Observing Hua Changxi's silence, Eunuch Lin recalled the whip lash he had received upon entering the courtyard earlier. As a Qi Sea realm cultivator, he had been utterly unable to dodge it. Wanting to probe her cultivation level, he tentatively asked,

"The environment of the Nine Netherworlds is indeed daunting, especially for a first visit. However, this one sees that Manager Hua is no ordinary person and has been a cultivator for more than just a day or two. Could it be that Manager Hua has never ventured to explore the Ghost Market?"

Looking at him, Hua Changxi replied, "I do not have spirit-isolating robes."

Eunuch Lin paused, thought for a moment, and then said with an apologetic expression, "It was this one's negligence not to warn Manager Hua about the conditions of the Ghost Market beforehand. If Manager Hua still trusts this one, you might visit the Blacksmith Quarter."

Hua Changxi raised an eyebrow. "Is the Blacksmith Quarter another deadly place like the Ghost Market?"

"Of course not," Eunuch Lin replied. "The Blacksmith Quarter is located in the southeast of the outer city of Jingcheng. It is inhabited by craftsmen who make their living forging iron, and among them are cultivators capable of crafting spirit-isolating robes."

As he spoke, he quickly named several blacksmith shops.

Seeing that he was still willing to reveal information about cultivators to her, Hua Changxi grew even more alert. "Is that so? Then I must certainly pay a visit when I have the chance."

Eunuch Lin added, "Next time Manager Hua wishes to go to the Ghost Market, you may notify this one, and I will accompany you down there."

"How could I impose such a burden on you?" Hua Changxi asked.

"You are Lin Sheng's master," Eunuch Lin replied. "As long as Lin Sheng can remain by your side, everything this one does is worthwhile."

Hua Changxi looked at him with a faint, ambiguous smile. "It is truly a pity that Eunuch Lin cannot raise a biological son."

At these words, Eunuch Lin's facial muscles twitched slightly. Ignoring the sarcasm in Hua Changxi's tone, he continued, "If Manager Hua still feels uneasy, next month this one and some members of the Eastern Depot will travel to the Ghost Market to purchase cultivation resources. At that time, Manager Hua may join us."

Having said this, he fixed his gaze intently on Hua Changxi.

Looking at Eunuch Lin, Hua Changxi wondered in her heart: Could this be the reason he gave me the Ghost Market token?

"I dare not go to the Ghost Market right now; I think I will not go after all."

A trace of anxiety flashed through Eunuch Lin's eyes, though his expression remained relatively calm. "With members of the Eastern Depot present, Manager Hua need have no worries. They are all cultivators you saved previously, and they all wish to thank you in person."

Hua Changxi did not miss the anxiety in Eunuch Lin's eyes. "Let us discuss next month's matters when next month arrives."

Suppressing his inner urgency, and seeing Hua Changxi lift her teacup in a gesture dismissing him, Eunuch Lin took his leave. "Manager Hua is a benefactor of the Eastern Depot. Should you ever need anything in the future, simply have Lin Sheng inform this one, and I will do my utmost to assist."

"By the way, the weapon smiths of the Eastern Depot share a certain friendship with this one. If Manager Hua desires any magical instruments, you may also speak to me about it."

Listening to the benefits Eunuch Lin dangled before her, Hua Changxi glanced at Lin Sheng. Originally, she had intended to let Eunuch Lin take Lin Sheng away, but now she had changed her mind.

One fears not the thief who steals, but the thief who plots; she wanted to see exactly what Eunuch Lin intended to use her for.

"Lin Sheng, see your godfather out."

Lin Sheng had not yet recovered from the pain of that whip lash. Upon hearing Hua Changxi's words, he walked ahead, leading Eunuch Lin out of the courtyard.

Only after moving far from the courtyard did Lin Sheng dare to hiss in pain. "Godfather, what was that whip in the Master's hand? Why does it hurt so much when it strikes the body?"

Eunuch Lin's expression grew grave. "It is a Soul-Shaving Whip; the ghost constables in the Ghost Market use precisely this type of whip. Hua Changxi has indeed been to the Ghost Market and likely encountered danger there. She summoned us today merely to vent her anger."

"This one underestimated her. To escape from the hands of ghost constables, her cultivation level must be no lower than mine, and she possesses some means of preserving her life."

Lin Sheng looked at Eunuch Lin: "Godfather, does your master truly no longer hold a grudge against you for failing to warn her about the dangers of Ghost Market?"

Eunuch Lin replied: "Whether she holds a grudge or not is unimportant; what matters is that she still has use for us."

He had discovered that Hua Changxi's access to information was severely blocked; she could not even purchase a Dharma robe, which truly surprised him.

"By the way, Master Lu said the body-refining technique Hua Changxi gave you is exceedingly profound and perfectly suited for artifact refiners; find a way to copy it down."

Lin Sheng replied with difficulty: "Godfather, I swore an oath before my heart demon; I cannot leak the technique."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Lin fell silent for a moment before saying: "Then hasten your cultivation and quickly obtain the subsequent body-refining techniques."

Lin Sheng nodded in agreement.

As the two walked toward the back gate of the Medical Bureau, Hua Changxi summoned Yu Gui again and told him directly: "Lin Sheng is a spy planted by the Eastern Depot; keep a closer watch on him from now on."

Yu Gui immediately grew anxious: "Why not drive him away?"

Hua Changxi looked at him: "Eunuch Lin belongs to the Eastern Depot; even if I drive Lin Sheng away, he can simply arrange for someone else to enter."

Yu Gui asked: "Then should we avoid him when refining our bodies?"

Hua Changxi shook her head: "No need; without the technique, no matter how clever he is, he will never decipher it."

Yu Gui asked again: "Should we avoid him when brewing medicinal soups?"

Hua Changxi replied: "No need for that either; without the corresponding technique, anyone daring to soak in the medicinal soup will only await their own explosive death. What you must note is this: when he probes for information about me, do not speak recklessly." She paused briefly. "Not just him; from now on, whoever comes to inquire about me, you must not casually reveal anything."

Yu Gui nodded: "I understand."

Afterwards, Hua Changxi dismissed Yu Gui, fell silent for a moment, then took out the cassock and bodhi prayer beads of the Long-Eyed Arhat, wrapped them in a bundle, and departed for Xiangguo Temple.

Inside Xiangguo Temple, within the Mahavira Hall at the temple's deepest end, Abbot Wuxiang knelt cross-legged on a rush mat, devoutly reciting the Sutra for Rebirth before a statue of the Long-Eyed Arhat.

Behind Abbot Wuxiang, two others also knelt cross-legged: one was Abbot Guiyi of Dixiu Temple, and the other was Guiyi's disciple, the Monk Jingliao.

After finishing the Sutra for Rebirth, Abbot Wuxiang rose, turned around, and saw Monk Jingliao, whose face was filled with self-reproach: "Jingliao, there is no need for excessive guilt; Junior Brother Long-Eyed may be said to have sought benevolence and attained it."

In Jingliao's mind, the scene of the Long-Eyed Arhat burning his Golden Core and having his soul scattered by numerous demons continued to surface repeatedly: "Senior Uncle Long-Eyed did this for this disciple..."

Abbot Wuxiang interrupted him: "Jingliao, Junior Brother Long-Eyed did not act for you alone; he sacrificed himself for the sake of countless common people, aiding you in carrying the Talisman Brush out of the Nine Netherworlds. As long as you shoulder the heavy responsibility of suppressing the Demon Prison, his sacrifice will not have been in vain."

Gazing at the statue of the Long-Eyed Arhat, Jingliao stated solemnly: "This disciple will surely guard the Talisman Saint Hall well and prevent demons from wreaking havoc in the human world."

Knowing that his disciple's guilt could not be dispelled so quickly, Abbot Guiyi left him in the main hall to recite the Sutra for Rebirth several more times before the Long-Eyed Arhat, while he himself accompanied Abbot Wuxiang out of the hall.

Abbot Wuxiang looked at Abbot Guiyi: "Have you visited the Lingguang Hall yet?"

Abbot Guiyi shook his head: "Jingliao had much of his soul force drained by the Soul-Devouring Tree, and furthermore forcibly used the Talisman Brush to suppress the Talisman Saint Hall; these past days, I have been busy caring for him."

Abbot Wuxiang said: "The day the Lingguang Hall manifested was precisely the day Jingliao and the others escaped the Nine Netherworlds."

Abbot Guiyi asked: "Do you mean that the person who opened the Lingguang Hall is that female Daoist friend who assisted Junior Brother Long-Eyed in escorting Jingliao and the others out of the Nine Netherworlds?"

Abbot Wuxiang nodded: "In all likelihood, it was her."

Abbot Guiyi said: "Jingliao mentioned that the Long-Eyed Arhat's cassock and bodhi prayer beads are currently in that female Daoist friend's possession; I wonder if she will come to return the Long-Eyed Arhat's relics?"