Shi Jing, though the strongest and oldest Ghost King in the Ghost Market, maintained his appearance from his youth.
This Ghost Market seemed to be a confluence of multiple timelines, with antique wooden structures standing alongside reinforced concrete modern buildings. The people on the streets wore both modern attire and ancient robes.
Shi Jing, dressed in a robe, looked refined and could be considered a handsome man.
Who would have thought that this handsome man was the master of the Ghost Market, a figure that instilled fear in Qin Liu Ye.
Shi Jing sat on a chair in Feng Lai Lou, sipping wine, followed by a large group of malevolent spirits, all with menacing expressions.
However, Tao Hua Ying was accustomed to it. If she wished, the beautiful young women in her Feng Lai Lou could transform into burly men. After all, appearance was no longer a significant factor for ghosts; they primarily identified each other by their aura.
Shi Jing's aura was in stark contrast to his appearance; it was as heavy as Mount Tai, making it difficult for ordinary minor ghosts to breathe.
Tao Hua Ying pressed herself against Shi Jing, her delicate lips close to his ear as she spoke.
The malevolent spirits behind Shi Jing felt a surge of desire, wishing they were in Shi Jing's position.
Yet, such thoughts were immediately banished from their minds, as they dared not harbor any thoughts of replacing Shi Jing.
Shi Jing repulsively pushed Tao Hua Ying away, "Hundreds of years old and still preening, how disgusting?"
Shi Jing's disdain for Tao Hua Ying was undisguised, as they had seen each other almost daily in the Ghost Market for over a hundred years.
Initially, Shi Jing had been quite interested in Tao Hua Ying, and they had engaged in their carnal duties. Later, as their feelings waned, they had maintained separate lives, completely forgetting their past intimacy.
Fortunately, Tao Hua Ying was not a woman prone to lingering attachments and paid it no mind.
In response to Shi Jing's mockery, Tao Hua Ying smiled and replied, "Aren't you also in your youthful prime, Lord Shi?"
Shi Jing snorted, unwilling to backtrack. He changed the subject, "Someone visited the Ghost Market today."
"After all, today is the opening day of the Ghost Market," Tao Hua Ying feigned ignorance.
"Someone stole my property."
"Oh? Who dared to be so bold? Did Lord Shi not kill them?"
"They were rescued," Shi Jing glanced at Tao Hua Ying.
Tao Hua Ying feigned surprise, "Who dared to snatch people from Lord Shi's grasp?"
Shi Jing sneered inwardly. There were only two Ghost Kings in the Ghost Market, one was himself, and the other was Tao Hua Ying.
Tao Hua Ying had once challenged Shi Jing's position, but after being defeated by Shi Jing, she had become much more subdued in recent years.
The more perceptive one became, the more they resembled beasts. Status, territory, and reproduction became ultimate goals, a fixation that even ancient ghosts clung to.
However, Shi Jing had not forgotten Tao Hua Ying's past rebellion. Therefore, after Yan Shou Yi and his companions disappeared, Shi Jing's first thought was of Tao Hua Ying.
Shi Jing glanced at Tao Hua Ying's Feng Lai Lou, his meaning evident.
Tao Hua Ying could no longer pretend to be oblivious. She took a step back and sat opposite Shi Jing.
"Lord Shi, you don't suspect that I stole your people, do you?"
"If you didn't, then let my men search your Feng Lai Lou. It would be best if they find nothing."
"I have a clear conscience. However, there are quite a few guests in Feng Lai Lou today," Tao Hua Ying blinked her eyes, "As far as I know, there are five half-Ghost Kings enjoying themselves in our Feng Lai Lou right now."
Five half?
This additional half referred to Yu Jin Hong.
Yu Jin Hong's soul was damaged, and he was no longer a true Ghost King.
When he came to Feng Lai Lou, he had also asked Tao Hua Ying to capture Yan Shou Yi, but Tao Hua Ying was not interested and had not inquired further.
Shi Jing looked up. He could locate Yu Jin Hong's private room by his aura.
There were indeed five half-Ghost Kings there.
Excluding Yu Jin Hong, the other five Ghost Kings were natives of Chang'an, with power comparable to Shi Jing's.
If Shi Jing were to search Feng Lai Lou rashly and provoke those five Ghost Kings, it would be a troublesome affair.
After all, anyone who came to Feng Lai Lou was seeking pleasure, and anyone whose pursuit of pleasure was forcibly interrupted would naturally be angered, let alone a Ghost King.
Even when Shi Jing and Yan Shou Yi had caused such a commotion earlier, those five Ghost Kings in Feng Lai Lou had not even peeked out their windows, clearly indicating their desire not to be disturbed.
Now, Shi Jing found himself in a dilemma, while Tao Hua Ying, who should have been anxious, was at ease and showed no fear of Shi Jing.
Finally, Shi Jing sighed, rose, and left.
However, he left with a stern warning: "I have sealed off the Ghost Market. Once the five Ghost Kings leave, I will come back to search your Feng Lai Lou!"
Tao Hua Ying said with a smile, "No problem, Lord Shi. Come personally then, and search me thoroughly!"
Shi Jing, who had been making a serious threat, almost stumbled upon hearing this.
Sly woman!
Shi Jing, who knew Tao Hua Ying intimately, felt a wave of disgust. He now wanted nothing to do with her.
Tao Hua Ying watched Shi Jing leave from the courtyard.
Once Shi Jing was gone, the smile vanished from her face.
"Once I refine this Mandarin Duck Sha, the Ghost Market will be mine. As for you, Shi Jing, I will refine you into a prostitute, to entertain the lowest of guests every day!"
Then, Tao Hua Ying glanced at Yu Jin Hong's private room, and another thought flashed through her mind: or perhaps to entertain these Ghost Kings you once knew!
Her devious thoughts amused even herself.
She composed herself and prepared to return to her room to check on her two "little treasures."
After suffering losses twice, Tao Hua Ying was now full of confidence. She was no longer in a hurry, even if it took days to verify whether the blood Yan Shou Yi gave her was clean!
Bang!
Tao Hua Ying arrived outside and pushed the door open without warning.
She happened to see Yan Shou Yi drawing blood for himself.
"What are you doing?" Tao Hua Ying asked coldly.
Yan Shou Yi cupped a bowl of blood and smiled, "Didn't you trick Shi Jing away? I'm preparing blood for you in advance!"
Good heavens, it was a drop before, then a cup, and now this brat had brought a whole bowl!
Tao Hua Ying glanced at the blood in the bowl and sneered inwardly: Do you think I don't know you've tampered with the blood?
Suddenly, Tao Hua Ying reached out and knocked the bowl from Yan Shou Yi's hand. Blood splattered on the floor. Before Yan Shou Yi could react, she grabbed him by the neck.
Yan Shou Yi looked tense, "What are you doing?"
Tao Hua Ying said coldly, "It was my oversight the previous two times. This last time, I will draw blood for you myself!"