As the last sliver of sunset dipped below the western mountains, the convoy arrived before Molu Village. Gazing at the village before them, which resembled an ancient city, the lead vehicle immediately halted its advance.
After all, this was a ghost town, a city where humans and ghosts coexisted. During the day, it appeared as a dilapidated ancient town, but as night fell, all sorts of specters and spirits would emerge. Both humans and ghosts lived there harmoniously.
"This… isn't this just a small village? How can there be an ancient city?" Hu Yuan’s jaw nearly dropped as he looked at the ancient city that had appeared. As a "great" youth of the new century, he wasn't unfamiliar with ancient cities, but an ancient city that seemed to blend the ancient and modern completely overturned his understanding.
Through the city gates, one could see people driving cars, riding in carriages, or even on horseback. Some were even carried in sedan chairs by eight servants, with gongs preceding them, making them appear more imposing than the princes depicted on television.
"Country bumpkin, this is a ghost town. Don't speak if you're a yokel who's never seen anything like it. You're embarrassing the people of the North!" Zhang Dabiao had not forgotten being mocked earlier, and his words instantly made Hu Yuan's eyes smoke with anger.
"Ahem… Alright, both of you, say less." Wang Defa interrupted their escalating argument and said to me, "Brother Song, was it the same when you came here before?"
I frowned and turned back, replying, "No." Looking at the bustling ancient city before me, I was momentarily perplexed.
This ancient town should not have appeared in Molu Village. It was a manifestation of the Semi-Yin Realm, supposed to be located southwest of the old house west of the village. How had it now appeared within the village? It seemed rather abnormal!
"It shouldn't be!" I mused, stroking my chin, unable to figure it out.
Though I spoke softly, Wang Defa, who was always ahead of me, heard me clearly and quickly pressed, "What shouldn't be?"
"This ancient city shouldn't be here. It should be in the southwest of the village. For it to manifest here now…"
On the way, I had explained the dangers we would encounter. The first thing I mentioned was the old house west of the village, which was the location of the ancient city. I wasn't sure if it was a ghost town or the true Semi-Yin Realm.
From my perspective, it was likely a "manifestation" of the Semi-Yin Realm, not the true Semi-Yin Realm itself, as it appeared in the yang world. If the Semi-Yin Realm could truly manifest in the yang world, how could the underworld, with all its power, allow it to roam so freely?
"Are you saying this is the first danger?" Looking at the ancient city with its constant flow of people, Wang Defa's face turned pale. He hadn't expected to encounter the first obstacle as soon as night fell. Should they enter or not?
If they entered, it was a ghost town. Although there were living people residing within it, none of them were easy to deal with. If they didn't enter, how could they find the Semi-Yin Realm? Moreover, the agreed meeting point with Longhu Mountain and Maoshan was Molu Village, leaving Wang Defa in a dilemma.
As he was at a loss, Hu Sixi, who was beside him, suddenly spoke, "Group Leader Wang, may an old man offer a few words?"
"Elder Hu, you are too kind. Please speak your mind freely."
"This ancient city, though it appears dangerous on the surface, is actually a peaceful place."
Wang Defa was taken aback, frowning and asking with some confusion, "Peaceful? It doesn't seem so. Ghosts and humans belong to two different worlds. How can it be…"
"Group Leader Wang, you have lived in the capital for a long time and may not know much about the lives of ordinary people in the markets below. Whether ghosts or humans, everyone is merely trying to survive. Furthermore, if this ancient city truly harbored danger, even with the best disguise, resentment would surge. But look at the sky above the ancient city; it is clear and vast, like a starry sky. How could there be any hidden filth?"
Hu Sixi's insight caused Wang Defa to nod repeatedly. This also made me have to admire him. Judging it to be a peaceful place solely based on the harmonious atmosphere and the absence of resentment in the sky was truly impressive.
The first time I came here, I was so startled by the lingering Yin energy above Molu Village that I thought it was a gathering place for ghosts. It seemed the gap between myself and Hu Sixi was not small. If I wanted to outwit him in the deep mountains, I would need to think much more carefully, lest I capsize in a ditch.
Wang Defa pondered for a moment, feeling that Hu Sixi's words held much truth. He praised, "An elder is indeed an elder. You have certainly eaten more salt than juniors have eaten rice. Not only is your experience seasoned, but your insight is also incomparable to that of the younger generation." Although the words were directed at Hu Sixi, his eyes kept glancing at me.
I shook my head helplessly and explained that the changes here were extraordinary, and it would be best to proceed with caution.
"What is there to be cautious about? Are they going to eat people?"
"…"
"Get in the car, let's enter the city."
The convoy, appearing within the ancient city, seemed somewhat out of place. However, this only drew the attention of a few. As for those busy with their small businesses, selling various goods, they didn't even spare a glance, as they would rather earn more money with that time.
The convoy, following the flow of people, eventually stopped in front of an establishment called "Mingyue Inn." Looking at the ancient-style inn before them, Wang Defa said, "This is the place."
A "person" dressed as an ancient waiter quickly came forward to greet them.
"Are the esteemed guests here for a meal or to stay?"
Looking at the ghostly waiter before me, I frowned. This was clearly an inn run by ghosts. Were these living people entering it without fear of being dispersed by the ghost energy? Moreover, ghosts did not like excessive Yang energy, just as ghosts disliked the sun, and living people disliked Yin energy.
"Group Leader Wang, this is a ghost establishment. Are you sure you want to stay here?"
The inn looked real, but when morning came, it was highly likely that everyone would find themselves sleeping in the middle of the road. After all, these places were for ghosts to inhabit, not for the living.
Wang Defa rolled his eyes and said, "When did I say we were staying here? Just follow along." Without paying attention to my darkened expression, he walked directly into the inn.
Hu Yuan, who had alighted from the car, had a smile on his face. He whispered in a voice only Zhang Dabiao and I could hear, "Idiot, you call yourself an Yin Gua Master? You should just go home and have children!"
Zhang Dabiao's face also flushed slightly. "Brother, why don't you know anything? This is the agreed meeting place with the Heavenly Master of Longhu Mountain and the Daoist Master of Maoshan. You… what can I say? This is so embarrassing…" He shook his head and walked into the inn.
The others also looked at me with a foolish expression, as if they couldn't understand how a dignified Yin Gua Master could ask such a low-intelligence question.
My face turned red under their gaze, and I wished I could find a hole to crawl into. I cursed Wang Defa in my heart, thinking he was being petty. Was it because I had swindled him out of two million? Was he that stingy, making me lose face here?
Angrily stomping my foot, I also followed them into the inn.
The inn looked small from the outside, but its interior space was actually vast, covering at least a thousand square meters. The interior was filled with guests, some drinking, some playing dice games, and even more outrageously, there was a stage where performers were singing incomprehensible tunes.
"This way, stop looking." Zhang Dabiao waved at me from in front of a private room called Tingtao Pavilion, fearing I would cause another embarrassing situation.
"Oh…"
I responded verbally, but my gaze was fixed on the woman on the stage. She looked familiar, as if I had seen her somewhere before.