Chapter 166: Chaos at the Ghost Market

Jiangnan and the other walked through the dense forest, thick fallen leaves covering the ground beneath them.

The surroundings were eerily quiet, broken only by occasional insect chirps.

Yun Yubing kept close behind Jiangnan, feeling uneasy.

"How much farther do we have to go?"

Yun Yubing asked softly, breaking the silence.

"Almost there," Jiangnan replied, his voice unusually clear in the silent night.

After walking a bit further, a clearing appeared ahead, with a massive stone at its center.

Strange symbols were etched on the stone, emitting a faint glow.

Jiangnan stepped up to the stone and pressed his hand against one of the symbols.

The stone emitted a buzzing sound, a flash of light streaked, and the two vanished on the spot.

After the light faded, the two found themselves in a bustling market.

Crowds came and went, with shouts of vendors and haggling voices rising and falling, the scene extraordinarily lively.

But on closer inspection, everyone was dressed in ancient attire, completely out of place in modern society.

"So this is the Ghost Market?"

Yun Yubing looked around in surprise.

"Hmm," Jiangnan nodded,

"Be careful; it's a mix of all sorts here."

The two walked along the Ghost Market's streets, where stalls on either side displayed all kinds of strange items.

Weapons, talismans, and some unknown herbs and minerals.

Yun Yubing examined the items curiously, eyes full of wonder.

"How do we find Ye Wan?" she asked Jiangnan.

"First we need an information dealer," Jiangnan replied, scanning the crowd.

Soon, Jiangnan zeroed in on a short man with sharp eyebrows and mouse-like eyes.

A sign reading "All-Knowing" rested on the man's stall.

The two approached, and Jiangnan got straight to the point: "I'm looking for someone."

"Looking for whom?" the man asked, his gaze sweeping over the two.

"Ye Wan," Jiangnan answered.

"Ye Wan..." the man squinted,

"A woman named Ye Wan has indeed recently shown up in the Ghost Market,"

"Where is she?"

Yun Yubing asked anxiously.

"That's not easy to say,"

the man smiled,

"It depends on how much you're willing to pay."

"How much?"

"A fixed price: one million."

The man extended a finger.

"One million?" Yun Yubing frowned, "Why don't you just steal it?"

"Miss, this is the Ghost Market; information isn't cheap."

The man was unfazed.

Jiangnan, however, agreed without hesitation,

pulling a check from his pocket and handing it to the man.

The man took the check, examined it carefully, and after confirming its validity, a satisfied smile spread across his face.

"Ye Wan is currently at a place called 'Yin Yuan Pavilion.'"

"Yin Yuan Pavilion?" Yun Yubing asked, puzzled, "What kind of place is that?"

"It's a spot in the Ghost Market that deals specifically with posthumous marriage business."

"Posthumous marriage?" Yun Yubing's complexion changed,

"What are they taking Ye Wan for?"

"I don't know that," All-Knowing shook his head,

"But the proprietor of Yin Yuan Pavilion, the Ghost Matchmaker, isn't someone to trifle with."

"Take us there."

Jiangnan said coldly, a flash of anger flickering across his brows.

"Fine, fine," the man said, bowing, "Follow me, both of you."

He led the two through several narrow alleys to an antiquated, picturesque building.

A plaque bearing the words "Yin Yuan Pavilion" hung on the building's main gate.

The area around the plaque exuded a grim aura that sent a chill down one's spine.

"This is it," the man said, pointing at Yin Yuan Pavilion.

Without a word, Jiangnan stepped forward and kicked the gate open with a single foot.

"Who dares to come to Yin Yuan Pavilion and cause trouble!"

A furious shout rang out from within, and several hulking men in black rushed out, surrounding the two.

Let the Ghost Matchmaker come out to see me.

Jiangnan spoke coldly, killing intent in his eyes. As soon as he said that, the burly men's faces instantly showed a fierce look.

What are you? You're not worthy to see our Pavilion Master.

Jiangnan couldn't be bothered with nonsense; he flickered and instantly appeared before that burly man.

He threw a punch; the burly man let out a miserable scream, flew backward, hit the wall, and passed out.

Seeing this, the remaining burly men all drew their weapons and rushed at Jiangnan.

Attack together, cripple him!

Jiangnan's eyes turned cold, and his figure moved like a ghost through the crowd.

Every time he struck, someone fell.

In less than a minute, all the burly men lay on the ground, groaning in pain.

Jiangnan glanced at Zhou Yu lying on the ground, let out a cold snort, and his voice echoed in the air.

Ghost Matchmaker, if you don't come out, I'll tear down your Yin Affinity Pavilion!

What big talk!

A gloomy voice came from inside. Immediately after, a woman dressed in a red bridal robe, her face coated with thick makeup, slowly walked out.

The woman looked to be in her fifties, her eyes sinister, her whole body exuding a chilling aura.

Are you the Ghost Matchmaker?

Jiangnan looked at the woman, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Exactly." The Ghost Matchmaker sized up Jiangnan,

Young man, you've come to my Yin Affinity Pavilion to cause trouble—what is your purpose?

I'm here to find Ye Wan.

Jiangnan got straight to the point.

Ye Wan?" the Ghost Matchmaker feigned confusion,

I don't know any Ye Wan.

Cut the act." Yun Yubing snapped,

We already know Ye Wan is with you.

Oh?" the Ghost Matchmaker's eyes flashed with surprise,

How did you find out?

That's none of your concern." Jiangnan replied coldly,

I'll say it again: release Ye Wan.

What if I don't?

The Ghost Matchmaker let out a cold laugh, looked at Jiangnan before her, but saw his face darken as he said:

Then don't blame me for being impolite.

Young man, you're arrogant.

The Ghost Matchmaker's eyes flashed with killing intent,

but this is the Ghost Market—no place for you to run wild.

Is that so?" Jiangnan curled the corner of his mouth in a cold smile,

Then let's see.

As his words fell, Jiangnan moved and instantly appeared before the Ghost Matchmaker.

He thrust out a palm, bringing with it a fierce strong wind.

The Ghost Matchmaker's face changed; she hastily retreated, simultaneously forming seals with both hands as a stream of black qi rose from her body.

The black qi condensed into a huge ghost claw that lunged at Jiangnan.

Jiangnan let out a cold snort, threw a punch, and his true qi surged.

His fist collided with the ghost claw, producing a tremendous boom.

The ghost claw instantly dissipated, and the black qi vanished.

The Ghost Matchmaker let out a muffled groan, stepped back a few paces, and her face turned pale.

You… you're actually a cultivator?

Can you release the person now?

A flicker of impatience crossed Jiangnan's eyes.

Never!" the Ghost Matchmaker's eyes flashed with ruthlessness,

Even if you're a spellcaster, don't think you can run amok in the Ghost Market!

The Ghost Matchmaker formed seals with both hands, chanting under her breath.

The surrounding air suddenly turned yin-cold, with gusts of yin wind blowing.

The candles inside the Yin Affinity Pavilion flickered unpredictably, emitting an eerie light.

Heh heh heh… a sinister laugh came from all directions.

Immediately after, one by one, hideous ghosts drifted out from every corner of the Yin Affinity Pavilion.

These ghosts exuded powerful yin qi, making people shudder.

Is this… the Hundred Ghost Night Parade?

Yun Yubing's face turned pale, her body trembling slightly.