Volume One, Chapter 16: Encountering Ghosts with Ye Ziying

“That means your second senior brother must be quite formidable,” Ye Ziying said calmly, appearing to chat casually, but in truth, she aimed to probe the true nature of the Eternal Life Sect.

“Second senior brother?” Yun Qianzhu, a young girl, was completely guileless. “His strength isn’t that great, only fifth rank cultivation. If it weren’t for our master uncle forging him a spiritual treasure and giving him a talisman, he wouldn’t have even gone. In the end, he just brought back a broken axe,” she pouted.

Hearing this, Ye Ziying was greatly shocked.

Fifth rank cultivation?

A fifth rank disciple had actually passed the assessment of the Supreme Profound Sacred Ground?

Wait a moment.

“You said your master uncle forged a spiritual treasure for your second senior brother?” Ye Ziying doubted her ears.

“Yes,” Yun Qianzhu blinked.

Ye Ziying could tell Yun Qianzhu wasn’t lying. Her gaze then drifted into the distance. It seemed they had all underestimated Li Hanzhou.

Not only was he exceptionally powerful, but he was also a spiritual treasure craftsman?

Moreover, he was no weakling among spiritual treasure craftsmen. A disciple with only fifth rank cultivation could dominate others using Li Hanzhou’s spiritual treasure, even suppressing Lu Tianxing from the younger generation. This spoke volumes.

Who exactly was Li Hanzhou?

He concealed his abilities and made no waves.

All these years, the entire Dongyan Prefecture had never heard of this man. For years, he had played the fool, feigning weakness.

What was his true purpose?

Why had he suddenly acted again, and why target the Supreme Profound Sacred Ground first?

No matter what, once returning to the Upper Clarity Sect, she must report this matter to the sect.

With this thought, Ye Ziying dismounted from her horse. It would be disrespectful to ride in front of such a distinguished figure.

“Sister, we’ve arrived,” Yun Qianzhu said, leading Ye Ziying to a small courtyard ahead, then calling inside, “Master uncle, a guest has arrived.”

Ye Ziying stood at the entrance of the courtyard, glancing inside. She hadn’t expected Li Hanzhou’s residence to be so humble.

A man with towering cultivation who could forge spiritual treasures lived such a simple life—could this be the legendary return to simplicity?

“Looking for me?”

“Who is it?”

Li Hanzhou emerged from the house and saw Ye Ziying standing at the door.

“Miss Ye,” Li Hanzhou greeted her warmly, motioning her inside.

“Sorry to trouble you, senior,” Ye Ziying said respectfully as she stepped inside.

“Qianzhu, go make some tea.”

“Yes, master uncle,” Yun Qianzhu responded and hurried off.

“Senior Li, you promised the city lord’s mansion that you would escort someone out of the city today. Do you still remember?” Ye Ziying asked.

“Of course I remember,” Li Hanzhou smiled. “Since the escort was scheduled for nighttime, I wasn’t in a rush. I planned to leave for White Cloud City after dinner, but I didn’t expect you to arrive first.”

“Please don’t misunderstand, senior. I’m not here to rush you,” Ye Ziying quickly explained. “My father admires you greatly and said this would be a valuable learning opportunity to see you in action. He wants me to stay by your side and learn. I wonder if you would mind?”

“Are you sure you want to come along?” Li Hanzhou’s expression suddenly became strange.

“If senior objects, I won’t trouble you,” Ye Ziying stood and said hurriedly.

“I don’t mind,” Li Hanzhou laughed. “But my methods are a bit… I worry I might frighten you.”

“Senior, rest assured,” Ye Ziying smiled. “I’m a disciple of the Upper Clarity Sect. I’ve seen all sorts of things—even sword immortals. What could possibly scare me?”

“Very well. After dinner, we’ll prepare,” Li Hanzhou said.

“Yes.”

“If you need anything, just tell me,” Ye Ziying offered.

“Then help me pick some vegetables.”

“Huh? Pick vegetables?”

“Yes. It’s almost dinner time. That kid Shiming went to chop firewood, so I have to cook myself. You can help wash and pick the vegetables. I’ll cook something delicious for you tonight,” Li Hanzhou said with a smile.

“Um, alright,” Ye Ziying awkwardly agreed.

As the two finished picking two basins of vegetables, Ye Ziying felt more exhausted than if she had fought several rounds.

Li Hanzhou was adept—cutting meat and stir-frying dishes with the skill of a master chef.

Watching him, Ye Ziying found it incredible that such a powerful man could cook so well.

She hadn’t planned to eat much but couldn’t resist the tempting aroma and ended up having two bowls.

After the meal, Ye Ziying wondered if Li Hanzhou had once worked in a tavern.

He truly was a mysterious man.

As night deepened, Li Hanzhou returned indoors to prepare something, while Ye Ziying waited outside.

As midnight approached, Ye Ziying glanced at the time and grew anxious.

“Senior Li, it’s getting late. Shouldn’t we be going?”

“Wait a moment,” came Li Hanzhou’s voice from inside.

Ye Ziying had no choice but to wait.

Nearly an hour later, Li Hanzhou finally opened the door.

“Senior, let’s return to White Cloud City,” Ye Ziying urged.

“No. We’re heading elsewhere first, then back to White Cloud City,” Li Hanzhou said, carrying a cloth bag of unknown contents.

“Where to?”

“Follow me,” he instructed.

Li Hanzhou told Shiming and the others to stay quietly in the temple while he went out on some business.

They all nodded in agreement.

Curious, Ye Ziying followed Li Hanzhou as they left the Eternal Life Sect.

They headed westward.

The silent night grew eerily quiet. The official road was deserted; Li Hanzhou remained silent the whole way. Ye Ziying felt an inexplicable chill.

“Senior, where are we going?” she finally asked after half an hour.

“Just ahead,” Li Hanzhou pointed.

Ye Ziying focused her gaze. Ahead was a grove of withered willow trees, deathly silent.

The atmosphere was unsettling.

“Senior, why are we here?” Ye Ziying, sensing something amiss, asked.

“To borrow something,” Li Hanzhou replied.

They entered the woods, approaching a wide path. Li Hanzhou pinched a willow leaf, then glanced up as the moonlight was suddenly obscured.

Darkness and silence enveloped them.

“Time is nearly right.”

With that, Li Hanzhou took a willow leaf from the bag and traced it with his fingers. Suddenly, golden characters shimmered on the leaf. Before Ye Ziying could read them, Li Hanzhou rubbed the leaf against his eyelid, then another leaf against hers.

With a hand seal, he shouted, “Open!”

At his command, Ye Ziying shivered violently.

Suddenly, a mournful sound of a suona horn echoed in her ears.

The piercing, sorrowful notes filled the night, chilling her to the bone.

What was that sound?

Why did it send shivers down her spine?

Before she could ask, the scene before her legs weakened.

Where once stood empty willow trees, now appeared a funeral procession.

The leader played the suona, dressed in gaudy clothing, his face pale as paper with red blush marks on his cheeks, lifeless eyes—truly horrifying.

Behind him, others wore wedding garments, shambling like zombies, beating various instruments that produced the mournful sounds.

More frightening still was a red sedan chair adorned with the character for “joy,” as if for a wedding.

But who would hold a wedding at such a late hour, accompanied by such eerie music?

This was the dead of night!

Could it be… ghosts?