Chapter 128: Nine Netherworlds
After Hua Changxi returned to the Medical Affairs Department, she realized it was already June 15th, meaning she had been in a coma for seven days and seven nights. She quickly sent for Yu Hui.
“Sister Changxi, you’re finally back. Where have you been these past few days?”
Hua Changxi looked at him and asked in return, “In the days I was away, I didn’t teach the laborers. How did you explain it to them?”
Yu Hui: “I discussed it with Eunuch Jia and the others, and we unified our story, saying you were in seclusion cultivating.”
Hearing this, Hua Changxi’s expression softened slightly: “Very good. From now on, when I’m not in the Labor Department, you will all answer like this.”
Seeing that his handling of the situation was approved by Hua Changxi, Yu Hui showed a pleased expression and continued, “Sister Changxi, will you be away from the Labor Department often in the future?”
Hua Changxi: “Who knows? By the way, who all inquired about me?”
Yu Hui: “Many people asked. The laborers from the Labor Department, and those who often came to your classes. Miss Mu and Young Master Chu asked several times.”
Hua Changxi was silent for a moment: “What about Lin Sheng? What has Lin Sheng been doing these past few days?”
Yu Hui: “Lin Sheng has been looking rather unwell these past few days. He went out once, and since then, he’s been staying in Qihuang Hall No. 8 for body refining.”
Hua Changxi: “Go and call him here for me.”
Seeing that Hua Changxi’s expression was a bit off, Yu Hui didn’t dare to ask further and quickly went to call him.
In Qihuang Hall No. 8, Lin Sheng was overjoyed to hear that Hua Changxi had returned: “Brother Yu, you’re not lying to me, right? The Master is really back?”
Yu Hui looked at him: “Sister Changxi wants to see you. Hurry and go.”
Lin Sheng’s expression paused: “Okay, I’ll go now.”
Soon, Lin Sheng arrived at the courtyard where Hua Changxi was. He didn’t enter immediately but lingered at the courtyard gate for a while before going in.
Hua Changxi sat on the stone steps, playing with a Ghost Market Token. Seeing Lin Sheng enter, her gaze deepened.
Lin Sheng’s expression was a little anxious: “Master, you’re back.”
Hua Changxi: “Did you hope I would return alive?”
Lin Sheng said eagerly: “Of course, I hope Master will be safe and sound for a lifetime.” He paused, “Did Master encounter danger in the Ghost Market?”
Hua Changxi let out a cold laugh and looked at him: “I want to see Eunuch Lin. If you don’t bring him to see me today, you don’t need to come back here.”
Lin Sheng became anxious and wanted to say something, but meeting Hua Changxi’s cold gaze, he couldn’t say anything: “I’ll go invite my Godfather now.”
Watching his retreating back, Hua Changxi’s eyes were extremely dark. A Fire Lotus appeared in her hand, causing the Ghost Market Token to sizzle.
Eunuch Lin not only deliberately concealed the dangers of the Ghost Market from her, but he had also tampered with the Ghost Market Token he gave her.
Hua Changxi was extremely annoyed at the moment. Not only did she almost die in the Ghost Market, but her Prayer Beads Bracelet was also confiscated by the Ghost Messengers from Ox Head Mountain.
Losing the prayer beads was not a big deal, but the crucial point was that she had stored the Totem Golden Alms Bowl and ten Wooden Tokens within the prayer beads for easy access.
Hua Changxi took a deep breath, suppressing her inner frustration. She was determined to go back to the Ghost Market to retrieve the prayer beads, but she knew too little about the Ghost Market now and couldn’t risk entering recklessly again.
As the Fire Lotus burned, the white Skull on the Ghost Market Token suddenly came to life and shot out from the token with a ‘whoosh’, heading straight for Hua Changxi.
Seeing this, Hua Changxi’s expression changed drastically. She quickly condensed a Fire Lotus, covering her entire body.
The flame-surging lotus petals blocked the Skull.
Unable to attach itself to Hua Changxi, the Skull seemed anxious. The black light in its eye sockets intensified, turning into a vortex that emitted a powerful suction force.
Watching the flames on the lotus petals being rapidly absorbed into the Skull’s eye sockets, Hua Changxi was shocked. She condensed another Fire Lotus and directly enveloped the Skull.
Although the Skull continued to absorb the flames from the Fire Lotus, being trapped within it, the Skull was ignited by the flames.
However, the flames only ignited the surface of the Skull, not its inner core.
Subsequently, the Skull, like a fireball, charged wildly within the Fire Lotus, trying to break through the petals and escape. Its impacts caused the lotus petals to tremble and scatter.
Soon, a Vermilion Bird flew out of the Fire Lotus. The Vermilion Bird spat out Vermilion Bird Flame. After being coated with the Vermilion Bird Flame, the Skull was no longer just burning on the surface; the flames penetrated its eye sockets, nostrils, and the inside of its mouth.
After being burned for over a quarter of an hour, the Skull finally disappeared completely.
Hua Changxi watched this scene with a very solemn expression.
“Clang~”
The Ghost Market Token fell to the ground. Hua Changxi condensed another Fire Lotus to burn it. After a quarter of an hour, with no further anomalies, she stepped forward to pick it up.
At this moment, she noticed that the Skull on the token was still there, just not as lively and lifelike as before.
Hua Changxi thought that this must be the true appearance of the Ghost Market Token, and the one Eunuch Lin gave her had been reprocessed.
However, she couldn’t understand why Eunuch Lin would harm her, as she had no enmity with him.
Perhaps Eunuch Lin didn’t intend to harm her?
Hua Changxi recalled the Skull’s immediate attempt to possess her after it rushed out of the token.
The Skull’s suction force was so powerful that it was clearly not easy to reprocess. After going through so much trouble and taking such a roundabout way to deliver the token to her, Eunuch Lin most likely didn’t want her to die.
Eunuch Lin probably wanted to use her; he definitely had ulterior motives.
Hua Changxi had asked Lin Sheng to call Eunuch Lin over with the intention of venting her anger, but now, she had changed her mind.
Since Eunuch Lin wanted to use her, she would use him in return to familiarize herself with the situation in the Ghost Market.
Eastern Depot.
In a steaming artifact refining room, a tall, muscular middle-aged man stood before a furnace, holding an iron hammer and continuously striking a blade.
Beside him, Eunuch Lin stood with his hands respectfully clasped: “Master Lu, twelve tokens have already been sent out.”
The middle-aged man, Master Lu, continued his hammering without stopping: “Not enough. Keep sending them out. At least eighteen must be sent out.”
Eunuch Lin respectfully replied: “Your servant obeys.”
Master Lu then put down his iron hammer, a hint of worry appearing on his face: “The great chaos at Genmen Pass a few days ago will surely lead to strict security at other passes in the Nine Netherworlds. I hope it doesn’t interfere with our plan.”
Upon hearing about the chaos at Genmen Pass, Eunuch Lin’s expression changed.
Master Lu saw this and asked: “What is it?”
Eunuch Lin quickly recounted Hua Changxi’s trip to the Nine Netherworlds.
Master Lu: “The female laborer from the Medical Affairs Department who healed the Eastern Depot cultivators?”
Eunuch Lin nodded: “Yes, that’s her. Lin Sheng sent word back saying she hasn’t been to the Medical Affairs Department for several days. I wonder if she encountered the chaos at Genmen Pass and died in the Nine Netherworlds?”
Master Lu frowned: “The injured cultivators from the Eastern Depot previously had a highest cultivation of Late Qi Sea Realm. If she can heal them, it means her cultivation is either at Late Qi Sea Realm or above. It would be a great pity if such a good vessel died.”
Although the Spiritual Energy Revival had begun long ago, most cultivation resources were controlled by the Royal Family, Nobles, and various major powers. Most cultivators above the Qi Sea Realm who have appeared so far were trained by these forces.
Cultivators with the backing of major powers know more and are not easily deceived. Moreover, their affairs are not easily revealed to outsiders, so they can only find cultivators from unconventional backgrounds.
As for cultivators from unconventional backgrounds, their cultivation cannot be improved due to a lack of cultivation resources, making them less useful.
Eunuch Lin also expressed some regret: “Who knew she was so unlucky to have gone to Genmen Pass?”
He had planned to gradually reveal some information about the Nine Netherworlds to her after Lin Sheng and Hua Changxi became more familiar, and then naturally become her guide to the Nine Netherworlds.
Unexpectedly, Hua Changxi was so impatient that she went to the Nine Netherworlds the day after receiving the Ghost Market Token.
He had never seen anyone so eager to seek death.
At this moment, Master Lu’s disciple, Lu Wang, entered: “Eunuch Lin, Lin Sheng is here.”
Eunuch Lin looked surprised: “Why is he here at this time? Did Lin Sheng say what he’s here to see me about?”
Lu Wang: “Lin Sheng said his Master has returned.”
Hearing this, Eunuch Lin’s expression brightened. He immediately looked at Master Lu and said joyfully: “Master Lu, Hua Changxi is not dead.”
Master Lu’s eyes narrowed slightly: “The Demon Suppressing Army has occupied Genmen Bridge, but the selection of the Underworld Matriarch is not yet finalized, and Genmen Bridge has not yet resumed passage. How did that female laborer get out of the Nine Netherworlds?”
Eunuch Lin: “Perhaps she came out from another pass?”
Master Lu looked at him: “Let’s not talk about it being Hua Changxi’s first time in the Nine Netherworlds. Even if she were familiar with the Nine Netherworlds, traveling from one pass to another would be a matter of nine deaths. I almost lost my life once when I tried to cross, and if she could truly cross passes, her cultivation would definitely be above mine.”
Eunuch Lin heard this and quickly said: “Your servant was just guessing. Perhaps she was scared back the day she first entered the Nine Netherworlds, and Lin Sheng just doesn’t know about it.”
Master Lu: “. Regardless, the fact that the female laborer is still alive means she has some luck. Hurry and go see her and find out what’s going on.”
Eunuch Lin agreed and quickly left the artifact refining room to see Lin Sheng.
Watching Eunuch Lin leave, Master Lu’s expression did not improve. Lu Wang saw this and asked: “Master, are you worried that the Ghost Market Tokens won’t be sent out?”
Master Lu shook his head: “Time is of the essence. I’m afraid we will fall behind.”
Lu Wang: “How could that be? We were the first to discover the secret of Li Shan.”
Master Lu looked at his disciple: “That’s just what we thought. In the Blacksmith Workshop, there are actually many families whose artifact refining inheritances have not been broken. Perhaps they know more than we do.”
He then sighed.
“This is not what I worry about the most. I worry most about those who are born with destiny. We can’t compete with them even if we try.”
Lu Wang: “Master, are there really children of destiny in this world?”
Master Lu didn’t know either: “Perhaps. Didn’t Lingguang Hall appear in Nanxiang County? It’s said that Prince Fu personally visited, yet Lingguang Hall still fell into someone else’s hands.”
“Anyone who dares to contend with the Royal Family, even if not a child of destiny, is a disruptor who can stir up the general trend.”
Master Lu looked at his disciple: “Tell the people below to hurry up and send out the Ghost Market Tokens. If we delay, there may be unforeseen changes.”
Lu Wang: “Yes.”
Meanwhile, Eunuch Lin followed Lin Sheng to the Medical Affairs Department.
On the way, Lin Sheng said to Eunuch Lin: “Godfather, from the Master’s demeanor, she seems very angry. You might have to endure some grievances when you see her later.”
Eunuch Lin didn’t think Hua Changxi would dare to do anything to him, so he wasn’t concerned, but he asked again: “Are you sure Hua Changxi only returned to the Medical Affairs Department today?”
Lin Sheng nodded affirmatively: “Yes, although Yu Hui and Eunuch Jia both said the Master was in seclusion, I know they were lying.”
Hearing this, Eunuch Lin’s expression became somewhat solemn. If Hua Changxi only returned today, and Genmen Pass was still closed, then she most likely returned from another pass. If that were the case, could her cultivation really be above Master Lu’s?
Master Lu is a Core Formation Mid-stage cultivator!
Lin Sheng looked at Eunuch Lin: “Godfather, I don’t think the Master is someone who can be easily fooled. I’m really worried about you.”
Eunuch Lin glanced at Lin Sheng, who looked worried, and patted his shoulder: “Don’t worry, your Godfather will be fine.”
The worry in Lin Sheng’s eyes did not diminish. The Master’s attitude upon her return today, and the expression she displayed, made him feel somewhat afraid.
At this moment, they arrived at Hua Changxi’s courtyard.
Lin Sheng stepped forward and knocked on the door. Soon, the door opened on its own. Seeing this, Lin Sheng led Eunuch Lin into the courtyard.
As soon as the two entered, the door immediately closed.
Eunuch Lin paused, but remained relatively calm. He walked to the center of the courtyard with a smile and was about to call out to Hua Changxi when, with a ‘snap’, a silver-white Iron Whip struck him heavily.
“Ah~”
Eunuch Lin was directly knocked to the ground, the pain in his Divine Soul contorting his features.
Lin Sheng hadn’t expected Hua Changxi to attack without a word and immediately stepped in front of Eunuch Lin.
Hua Changxi walked out of the house. Seeing Lin Sheng like this, she unceremoniously whipped him as well, directly lashing him to the ground.
“How does this agonizing pain feel?”
Hua Changxi looked at the two of them, who were lying on the ground with pale faces from pain. A look of satisfaction crossed her face. After watching for a moment, she waved a stream of Spiritual Energy to help them up and smiled at them.
“Eunuch Lin, I must thank you. If I hadn’t gone to the Ghost Market, I wouldn’t have known how terrible this agonizing pain feels.”
“I thought, since the Ghost Market Token was given to me by you, and I’ve experienced this feeling, I’d like to invite you to experience it too. You won’t blame me, will you?”
Eunuch Lin looked at the smiling Hua Changxi and suddenly felt a chill down his spine. Remembering what Master Lu had instructed, he could only endure the pain and nervously asked, “Steward Hua, why did you attack as soon as we met? What is the matter?”
The people from the Eastern Depot were usually arrogant and domineering, only bullying others. If anyone dared to bully them, they would surely pay the price. Now, being beaten by her, he wasn’t enraged but asked for the reason. Eunuch Lin’s reaction immediately made Hua Changxi understand.
Eunuch Lin’s intention in giving her the Ghost Market Token was definitely for a grander scheme!
Hua Changxi smiled and asked: “Eunuch Lin, I really want to know, why didn’t you warn me that the Ghost Market was dangerous? Did you want me to die in the Ghost Market?”
Hearing this, Eunuch Lin immediately put on a wronged expression: “You didn’t ask me about the Ghost Market, did you?”
Hua Changxi knew he would say that: “It was my first time going to the Ghost Market. If you truly wanted to befriend me, wouldn’t you have given me a few warnings?”
Eunuch Lin explained indignantly: “Cultivators maintain a certain distance from each other. I thought that once we became more familiar, I would tell you about the Ghost Market. Who knew you would be so eager to go to the Ghost Market?”
Hua Changxi fell silent. After a while, as if accepting his answer, she waved her hand and brought out two chairs from the house, inviting them to sit.
“Eunuch Lin, I think we are familiar with each other now. Tell me about the Ghost Market.”
Eunuch Lin looked at Hua Changxi in surprise: “Steward Hua, haven’t you been to the Ghost Market already?”
Hua Changxi smiled: “I went and returned the same day. I’m a timid person and don’t easily venture into anything unknown.”
Eunuch Lin’s expression shifted: “Then why weren’t you here for those few days?”
Hua Changxi glanced at Lin Sheng: “Eunuch Lin seems very concerned about my whereabouts?”
Eunuch Lin: “. Lin Sheng was worried about your safety. Seeing you didn’t return for a long time, he ran to find me, wanting me to go to the Ghost Market to save you. That’s when I learned Steward Hua had gone to the Ghost Market.”
Hua Changxi smiled: “Did Eunuch Lin go to the Ghost Market to save me then?”
Eunuch Lin said very decisively: “You are Lin Sheng’s Master. If something happened to you, I naturally couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Of course, I had to go save you. However, when I went to the Ghost Market, the Demon Suppressing Army had already sealed off Genmen Pass, and we couldn’t get in at all.”
Hua Changxi’s eyes flickered: “Genmen Pass? Are there many passes to the Ghost Market? Also, why did the Demon Suppressing Army seal off Genmen Pass?”
Eunuch Lin observed Hua Changxi’s expression. Seeing that she truly knew nothing about the Nine Netherworlds, he breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed she hadn’t returned by crossing other passes; she was likely scared back the same day as she claimed.
“Ghost Market is just a name cultivators use for a trading bazaar. Because it’s located in the Nine Netherworlds, which is a gathering place for many lonely souls and wandering ghosts, it was named the Ghost Market.”
Hua Changxi’s expression brightened: “Nine Netherworlds?” She paused and immediately asked, “Is the Nine Netherworlds a world of its own?”
Eunuch Lin was stumped. While he knew more about the Nine Netherworlds than Hua Changxi, he didn’t know its origins.
“This servant does not know.”
Hua Changxi: “Then what is this Nine Netherworlds you speak of?”
Eunuch Lin: “The Nine Netherworlds has nine passes: Qianmen, Kunmen, Zhenmen, Genmen, Limen, Kanmen, Duimen, Xunmen, and Zhongmen. A Ghost Market is established at each pass.”
“The nine passes are connected by the Underworld River. Cultivators entering the Nine Netherworlds can only enter the Ghost Market by crossing the wooden bridge over the Underworld River.”
“There are Underworld Matriarchs by the wooden bridge. The Underworld Matriarchs are responsible for serving the Spirit Sealing Soup to cultivators entering and exiting.”
“As long as the rules of the Ghost Market are followed, cultivators are actually very safe. Otherwise, so many cultivators wouldn’t go to the Ghost Market to trade.”
