Chapter 446

Chapter 446: A Double-Sided Spy?

“Ding, ding, ding…”

An old man pounded iron, close to the furnace, with sparks flying around him, leaving small black marks on his neck, yet he remained oblivious.

“What are you staring at? Have you never seen iron being forged?” the Smoky Ghost chirped sharply. Although this plump monk gave him a sense of kinship, many examples of ghosts devouring each other made him feel uncomfortable.

“This monk is new here and wants to go to the ghost market,” Li Hui said, seeking directions.

“Keep your voice down! Do you think others can’t hear you?” the Smoky Ghost exclaimed, coughing. “You fool, get away! The ghost market only opens when the dark moon rises. During the day, except for a few bored ghosts wandering around, everyone else is asleep.”

“Oh?” Li Hui turned and left, clearly having found the wrong person. No, he found the wrong ghost, and after weaving through streets and alleys, he finally spotted a bored ghost.

This bored ghost was a beggar, hiding in the shade and fanning away flies, emitting a faint smell of decay, while three cultivators at a nearby tea house stared fixedly at him.

“Monk?” The beggar rubbed his body hastily, producing mud pellets to place in his money hat, having layered several such pellets in the hat.

“Now that’s really boring!” Li Hui chuckled, “I’m curious about a thing; where can I find the chatterbox ghost? This poor monk just arrived and wants to chat.”

The beggar looked up in surprise and asked, “Monk, are you also a bored ghost? Looking for the chatterbox ghost to chat? How creative, you’re even more bored than I am!”

“Then let’s go together!”

The three cultivators at the tea house saw the plump monk move like lightning, suddenly grabbing the beggar by the throat and saying, “Got you, ghost! Let this poor monk help you pass on.”

“Ah! You…” The beggar was startled, but the three cultivators were even more shocked, exclaiming loudly, “You bald thief! Release our spy! We are currently trying to set a long line to catch a big fish.”

“Spy?” Li Hui was taken aback, and as he loosened his grip, he saw the beggar collapse to the ground, the smell of decay spreading out, attracting a swarm of flies.

“Bastard, what temple do you come from? Do you understand the rules?” The three cultivators jumped over, furious, their faces turning blue, almost wishing to tear the monk apart. How dare he gather merit here on their territory?

“This poor monk hates evil like a bitter enemy! Since I know this beggar is a ghost, how could I allow him to roam around the city? As cultivators, we must stand for a reason,” the plump monk replied, feigning seriousness. His loud voice drew many citizens who gathered around, pointing and gossiping about the three cultivators.

“Damn monk, how dare you ruin our plan to gather at Dragon Gate!” The three cultivators were furious when they realized the plump monk was inciting the citizens to surround them. Where were their shadows now?

Li Hui entered a deserted alley, flicking his hand to release a puff of black smoke.

From the smoke rose two green eyeballs, giggling, “What a skilled monk! You’ve helped me escape easily. If you’re looking for news, the chatterbox ghost isn’t helpful; they will only evade the topic. It’s us bored ghosts who are the true spies. Hehe, those little cultivators just want to track a few peers to prepare for the rituals at Dragon Gate, using us as a raft to encourage the citizens to offer more.”

“Ha ha ha! You’re so bored, I just wanted to tease a few little guys. But I have questions and can only take you away, brother.” Li Hui’s body began to swirl with ghost mist, turning him dark, resembling a Smoky Ghost, but he was still identifiable as a monk.

“Tsk tsk, interesting! You look all plump and white, yet your true form is Black Charcoal,” the bored ghost laughed, guiding Li Hui step by step into the shadows, drawing out a creepy Ghost Gate and laughing as they entered.

Guang Jin suddenly cautioned: “Master, be careful! Stepping in there may be an enemy trap. Ghosts are notoriously cunning; we don’t know how many tricks they have prepared, far more than demon cultivators. Your intention to blend in is good, but I fear you might fall into a trap.”

“You make a good point, but we’ve captured many ghosts. No matter how we probe their souls or cast spells, we’ve still not figured out where the Yin Moon Dynasty is, so diving deep is necessary.”

Li Hui, already stepping in, secretly transmitted: “The Phantom Mountain near Kunlu City in Great Xia might be an entrance. However, the Sleepy Moon Ridge seems to be a garrison area, with countless old ghosts sleeping there. Sneaking through the Sleepy Moon Ridge to infiltrate the Yin Moon Dynasty appears hopeless. Ideally, we should go against soldiers with soldiers, and if there’s an entrance here in Dalong, it certainly won’t be as terrifying as in Great Xia. I must find that entrance.”

“Alright, I’ll notify Han Wu and Lü E to ramp up preparations. However, Master, the Merit Golden Light accumulated on the Golden Shell will likely be depleted.”

“Out with the old, in with the new! Quickly allocate the Merit Golden Light, allowing Han Wu and Lü E to strengthen with the twelve Yuan Chen and the Five Directions as heralds.”

“Understood!” Guang Jin fell silent, focusing on making arrangements. The Buddhist nation was just starting out and required much dedication to perfect.

Li Hui walked through the Ghost Gate, traversing a passage downwards, and suddenly entered a courtyard, only to find dense ghost mist ahead, murky and unclear. Distant screams echoed, transitioning unexpectedly into laughter, silly giggles, and cold chuckles.

The Wheel Ghost rolled over, leaving tracks on the ground, and spoke in a deep, gruff voice: “Welcome, traveler. The bored ghost is indeed bored; I wish I could squash this fool. Such a big event, and you’ve brought a piece of Black Charcoal to help.”

In the courtyard appeared a gazebo, and the bored ghost extended a bony hand, beckoning, “Come this way, brother. Let me introduce you; this is Sad Girl, this is Lord Yanluo, and here’s the red-haired Yaksha, the Stitched Ghost, and the Greedy Ghost…”

After a round of introductions, thirteen ghosts appeared, most at the Condense Essence Stage, while Sad Girl was equivalent to the Late Condense Essence level, the highest among them.

The bored ghost sneered, “The big-headed ghost sent word that a monk named Tu Buddha has come. Just in time to find me here, his skills are perfect for disguising as a monk to blend in with those bald donkeys. This is a significant task assigned by the Horse King; we must do it well to gain his favor and enter the royal mansion. Then we would be considered respected ghost cultivators.”

“Ha ha ha! Brother, since you’ve just arrived, you wouldn’t refuse to serve the Horse King, would you?” Sad Girl suddenly coldly smirked, lifting her chin high, her appearance suggesting a sharp and bitter demeanor from her past life.

“Ha ha ha! Of course not! But I wonder if the opponent has high-level demon cultivators. If they see through my disguise, what would happen? I’d ruin the Horse King’s major plans!” Li Hui’s acting was sharpened by life-and-death experiences; dealing with these ghosts wouldn’t be hard. Yet, he felt an ever-present, obscure aura lingering around him.

“Monk, they will hold rituals tomorrow. If it weren’t for the tight schedule, why would we drag you in? I heard that at Dragon Gate, together with Zhuque Temple, they invited the Heavenly Ghost Mirror from Lingyun Temple. This Heavenly Ghost Mirror is incredibly powerful, made from the relics of the Heavenly Ghost King. Once the ritual begins, all ghosts in the city cannot hide.”

“This…” Li Hui rubbed his fingers together and said, “The emperor doesn’t lack soldiers. This poor monk is currently low on funds, and just arriving in An Yun City, I have to execute such an important task. Surely, you wouldn’t mind parting with a few ghost treasures, would you?”