"Is this where the Ghost Market is?"
By the quiet riverside, the moonlight spilled onto the surface of the water, creating silvery ripples. The river flowed silently. As the moonlight shone upon it, silver-white waves shimmered. Occasionally, a few small fish leaped out of the water, jumping in the air for a moment before plunging back in.
Staring at the calm river surface before him, Qi Xiu looked suspiciously at the supposedly loyal and honest man, Peng Chong, beside him.
"Don't rush; it'll be here soon." Crouched on the grass, Peng Chong twisted a blade of grass and stuffed it into his mouth, his eyes darting around.
Once on the boat and inside the Ghost Market, I'll directly expose his identity and escape in the resulting chaos. Even if he's adept at Qinggong, he won't be able to catch me with so many people obstructing him. Heh, this kid may be skilled in martial arts, but his brain doesn't seem too sharp. Knowing he has a bounty on his head, he still dares to come to the Ghost Market. He's just asking for death.
Glancing surreptitiously at Qi Xiu, who was gazing at the river, a sinister look flashed in Peng Chong's eyes, his mind swirling with malicious thoughts.
After being caught by Qi Xiu, he had attempted to escape several times. But who could have guessed that this scholar's palm technique was so fierce and his Qinggong equally impressive? Peng Chong's own Qinggong, painstakingly practiced for thirteen years, couldn't even get him ten steps away from the scholar. Each time he was caught escaping, he received a merciless beating. Luckily, for some unknown reason, this scholar insisted on making a trip to the Ghost Market, which gave Peng Chong a new opportunity.
They stood by the river, braving the chilly wind for a good half hour. Noticing that Qi Xiu's expression was becoming increasingly grim and sensing the energy stirring in his palms, Peng Chong quickly stood up and pointed towards a slowly approaching treasure ship in the distance. "Here it comes, here it comes!"
Fearing another hard slap, Peng Chong took out a bone whistle from his bosom and blew hard into it.
TWEEET—
A high-pitched and sharp whistle resounded.
Hmm? The sound from this bone whistle actually exceeds the frequency range of human hearing. The Ghost Market really is mysterious; how could they come up with such a thing?
Watching Peng Chong forcefully blowing into the bone whistle, which produced no sound audible to him, Qi Xiu's curiosity about the Ghost Market grew stronger.
The whistle, inaudible to humans, rang out. On the bow of that pitch-black treasure ship, which looked as if it had sailed straight from the abyss, a sparrow with ashen eyes suddenly cocked its head.
CHIRP, CHIRP!
The chirps came from the ship's bow. The black treasure ship sailing in the middle of the river course immediately changed its trajectory, slowly steering towards Qi Xiu and Peng Chong.
"Within the Ghost Market, no true faces are seen. Those who enter the Ghost Market must cover their faces; it's a layer of protection for both buyers and sellers." Taking out a garishly painted mask, Peng Chong passed it to Qi Xiu.
"No need; I have my own." Putting on the pale and worn Hundred Faces Mask, Qi Xiu quietly watched the Ghost Market Treasure Ship draw near.
The treasure ship came closer, slowing down about ten steps from the riverbank.
This ship is really not small.
As the Ghost Market Treasure Ship neared, Qi Xiu realized just how large it was. The ship was nearly a hundred meters long, with four decks, five masts, and eight sails. It could almost rival a medium-sized warship.
"Let's go!" With a light shout, Qi Xiu and Peng Chong simultaneously tapped the ground with their feet, their lithe figures leaping towards the treasure ship.
Among the three secret manuals he had previously acquired, the "Sun Observing Spirit Enhancement Skill" showed slow progress due to its stringent cultivation requirements. However, his Black Sand Palm had already broken through to the First Realm and was steadily climbing towards the Second Realm. The proficiency level of his Swallow Soar had also increased to 90%. Although it hadn't yet broken through the First Realm, it greatly enhanced Qi Xiu's agility, allowing him to dart and swerve like a swallow in flight. Running at full speed, covering ten steps in a single breath was not a difficult feat.
Successfully boarding the Ghost Market Treasure Ship, Peng Chong led the way along the side passage, heading towards the stern. "This is the Ghost Market."
Before a large door, painted bright vermillion, with nine large gold coins embedded in each door panel, Peng Chong slowly pushed it open. As the door opened, a wave of warm, jade-like fragrance rushed toward them, causing one's heartbeat to quicken slightly.
This is...
Peering through the doorway, Qi Xiu's gaze shifted dramatically, filled with a touch of shock. Inside the cabin, a bustling market of enormous size was revealed. The streets and alleyways were crammed with a hustling crowd. They wore colorful, varied clothing and strange masks, emitting bursts of unusual laughter. Stalls filled the center of the market, each with an alluring and eerie aura. The stall-keepers sat behind their stalls, nonchalantly waiting for customers. This bizarre and lively market exuded an inexplicable prosperity, inspiring awe. Yet, an undercurrent of yearning was irresistible.
"Take me to where you accept bounty offers," Qi Xiu said, regaining his composure, his right hand resting on Peng Chong's shoulder. With a slight exertion of force, enough to crush bones, Peng Chong's face turned pale.
You brat! You don't even realize you're on death's doorstep.
Cursing in his heart, Peng Chong managed to squeeze out a smile and said, "No problem, Red Flower Building isn't far from here. Just a short walk."
"So this Ghost Market ship just keeps drifting on the river?" Along the way, Qi Xiu curiously looked at the surrounding stalls and towering shops.
"Hmm, this one beneath our feet is the Ding Character Ghost Market, responsible for touring the prefectures of Huang Tan, Yuan Tong, and Jiayi," Peng Chong explained. "It completes a tour every three days. Other prefectures within Dianchuan Province have their own Treasure Ships for touring."
"Right, was that bone whistle you blew earlier a pass to enter the Ghost Market?"
"Not exactly. The Ghost Market welcomes all; anyone can come. That bone whistle just helps the Ghost Market Treasure Ship determine your location. It costs ten silver taels. There are people patrolling both sides of the Treasure Ship. If you don't mind the hassle, you can wave a large flag or light a fire. If the lookouts on the ship see you, they'll also come over to pick you up."
The two talked as they walked, and suddenly passed by a building with an enchanting pink signboard. This building was extremely tall, roughly eight or nine stories high. Its facade facing the street was filled with windows, and silhouettes leaning by the windows had seductive eyes and inviting voices. There were those with fair skin and beautiful looks, those with large busts, mature and tall ones, and also those with full, curvaceous hips... All sorts of figures brought a large crowd to a halt in front of the building. The sounds of flirtatious laughter rose and fell.
"This is the House of Pleasure. It has everything you could want, even if it's men you're after. But the little vixens in here are masters of their craft. If you don't have some real stamina, they'll drain you dry in minutes. How about it? Want to give it a try?" Noticing the change in Qi Xiu's eyes, Peng Chong chuckled and raised his eyebrows suggestively.
"'Hmph, decadent music and dens of vice! I, Qi, am a scholar.' Qi Xiu's expression turned cold. He flicked his sleeve, let out a soft snort, and continued walking forward. 'Perhaps some other day.'"
"..."
「Red Flower Building.」
It was a bustling ancient building three stories high, with a constant stream of people entering and exiting.
"Do you know how to cancel a bounty?" Standing in front of the Red Flower Building, looking at the endless stream of people coming and going, Qi Xiu furrowed his brows.
Qian Yuchuan's generous bounty had made him a target for all. Peng Chong had low martial prowess and had just gotten lucky to find him. But as long as the bounty remained, an endless stream of people would keep coming for him, and he couldn't sleep wearing the Hundred Faces Mask every night. Moreover, the outside world was in chaos and strife. Rebels and heretical cults ran amok. Baoho County was a rare haven of peace, and he didn't want to leave it rashly for the time being. Thus, if he wanted to live a quiet life and simply level up his skills, the simplest method was to remove this bounty.
"Unless the person who posted the bounty cancels it, there's no way," Peng Chong shook his head. "Oh, wait, there is another way."
"What is it?"
"If the person who offered the bounty dies, the bounty is automatically canceled because there's no one to pay the remaining amount."
"The person who offered the bounty dies?" Narrowing his eyes and focusing on the plaque of the Red Flower Building, Qi Xiu touched his nose, his gaze turning somewhat piercing.