Zhan Zhao's message reached Nan Zhi's ears, and she knew that the day the Qu family's case would be overturned was not far off.
Wanniang was suddenly overcome with joy at the incredible news. Unable to contain herself, she dissolved into tears, shrinking into the umbrella and sobbing. No matter how Nan Zhi tried to comfort her, it was to no avail.
Just as Nan Zhi was feeling a headache coming on, she heard movement outside the small building.
Nan Zhi pushed open the window and looked down. She saw Xu Zi, dressed in feminine attire, standing below and waving at her happily.
“Nan Zhi, have you heard? This morning, Justice Bao of the Kaifeng Prefecture went to the palace and submitted a petition, citing thirteen counts of injustice for the Qu family.
“Even the Emperor, with his gentle temperament, was moved to anger. He ordered Justice Bao to thoroughly investigate the Imperial Wine Case from years ago!”
“I heard. Guard Zhan had someone bring me a message before he left the capital. Since Justice Bao is willing to take on this case, our journey here hasn't been in vain.”
Nan Zhi glanced at the oil-paper umbrella floating in the room, then propped her hands on the windowsill and leaped down with agile grace, landing right beside Xu Zi.
“The Ghost Festival is in two days. For you to come looking for me dressed like this today, A-Zi, I assume it's to investigate the case of the Ghost Market's human trafficking, isn't it?”
“You're so smart! You guessed it immediately!”
Xu Zi tugged at her dress and said with a grin, “Although there are still two days until the Gates of Hell open, the Ghost Market has already begun to appear.
“If we go to investigate dressed in our demon suppressor uniforms, those little ghosts and spirits will scatter before we even open our mouths.
“I had several sets of clothes prepared according to your measurements. See if any of them catch your eye and change into one. Once night falls, I'll take you to the Ghost Market to see for yourself!”
As she spoke, Xu Zi pushed Nan Zhi into the first floor of the small building. She then pulled several sets of exquisite, luxurious outfits from the pouch at her waist, urging her to change.
The pouch was likely a Sumeru mustard seed artifact. It looked elegant, embroidered with two pearls the size of longans that faintly shimmered with a precious glow.
Looking at the outfits Xu Zi had brought, each was delicate and magnificent. Although the material was unrecognizable, it felt cool to the touch. Upon closer inspection, they even provided stat bonuses.
【Kunlun Heavenly Silk Garment - Black (Blue Quality): Crafted from the silk of snow silkworms found on the Kunlun Snow Mountains. Resistant to water and fire, and cannot be harmed by ordinary blades. (Constitution +5, Agility +5)】
【Kunlun Heavenly Silk Garment - Red (Blue Quality): Crafted from the silk of snow silkworms... cannot be harmed. (Constitution +5, Agility +5)】
【Kunlun Heavenly Silk Garment - Purple (Blue Quality): ... (Constitution +5, Agility +5)】
【Kunlun Heavenly Silk Garment - Pink (Blue Quality): ... (Constitution +5, Agility +5)】
【Kunlun Heavenly Silk Garment - Brown (Blue Quality): ... (Constitution +5, Agility +5)】
Aside from being exceptionally ornate, these clothes were all of Blue Quality!
Nan Zhi couldn't help but steal another glance at the girl before her.
These clothes were indeed made according to her size, and the materials were precious.
A single spool of heavenly silk would cost a hundred merit points if one were to exchange for it on the Demon Suppression Division's merit board.
Yet the girl in front of her gave them away so casually, which spoke volumes about her family background.
However, Nan Zhi didn't say much, nor did she refuse. She simply picked the black garment and changed into it.
By using the Strange Pause Button to enter the game, Nan Zhi could no longer exploit the system's loopholes; her equipment could not stack with her real-world gear.
Therefore, she had to take off her plain cloth skirt and her Azure Sea Sky Garment, replacing them with the eye-catching black Kunlun Heavenly Silk Garment.
To be safe, she kept her Azure Sea Sky Boots on her feet. If she encountered an enemy she couldn't defeat, she could flee at any time.
“Look, look!”
Xu Zi pulled Nan Zhi toward the bronze mirror in the room, looking like she was seeking praise.
“I told you black would suit you perfectly! You look much more spirited!
“I noticed that you're always wearing either your demon suppressor uniform or a coarse cloth skirt, so I had these outfits made!”
In the mirror, the dark-skinned girl stood tall. The skirt was just long enough to cover her ankles, and the wide sleeves and large robe allowed her wheat-colored arms and the muscles upon them to be easily seen when she moved.
Silver guards were tied to her shoulders and knees. If she were to strike an enemy with an elbow or a knee, it would be quite convenient.
The night-like color did not make her look rustic. Instead, it added a sense of sharpness and agility, like a leopard. Her face was devoid of makeup, but anyone who saw her would be drawn to the gentle yet steadfast look in her eyes.
She was like a sharp blade sheathed in a scabbard. Though its edge was hidden, once drawn, it would surely draw blood.
“My original clothes were hand-stitched by my sister, and they were comfortable to wear. Besides, the purpose of clothing is nothing more than to cover the body. As long as it's enough to wear, it's fine.”
Nan Zhi stood before the mirror and tugged at her collar, still feeling a bit unaccustomed to her appearance.
“Although Ma San is dead, he gave up several names before he died. Whether they are true or not is unknown, so investigating in disguise is the safest bet.
“A-Zi, you want me to dress so grandly... are you trying to play the part of Jiang Taigong fishing, waiting for the fish to bite of their own accord?”
“Why weren't you born a few decades earlier? If you had been, I wouldn't have spent all those years in the Demon Suppression Division being so bored!”
Xu Zi cried out happily, her eyes looking as if she wanted to become sworn sisters with Nan Zhi on the spot.
“I knew that as soon as you saw these clothes, you'd guess my plan. The Ghost Market is crowded and full of diverse people, making it difficult to investigate.
“But if we pretend to be wealthy young masters, trouble will find us. When that happens, we won't have to waste much effort to catch those bastards trafficking living people!”
After saying that, she quickly explained, fearing Nan Zhi might misunderstand.
“I don't mean to steal your credit. This is a case for your Northwest Circuit's Demon Suppression Monastery. My involvement is, at most, 'assisting in the investigation'!”
Nan Zhi, however, saw through it clearly.
What kind of second-class arrest officer 'assists' a fourth-class arrest officer?
The person before her clearly just wanted to join in on the excitement!
But with someone helping, she wouldn't be fighting alone. Nan Zhi didn't expose Xu Zi's little scheme and instead asked curiously:
“Where is the Ghost Market? And why must we wait until the hour of the Rat to go?”
Xu Zi remained mysterious, saying only that she would understand when the hour of the Rat arrived. After that, she pulled Nan Zhi into a leaf-pulling game.
It was simply picking up fallen leaf stems from the ground and pulling against each other to see whose stem was stronger.
It was a game that only common children would play, but Xu Zi was surprisingly obsessed with it. She played with Nan Zhi with great enthusiasm, laughing loudly when she won and pouting when she lost.
Watching the green-clothed girl cheer after a victory, Nan Zhi couldn't help but sigh.
She was truly like a child who hadn't grown up yet.
...
Just after the hour of the Rat, the night watchman's clappers sounded throughout Bianjing, and the city's decades-long nightlife began once again.
Cups were raised and toasted, music filled the air as songstresses sang softly and musicians played their instruments. Boisterous scholars recited poems loudly while refined literati clapped and sang, creating a scene of decadent prosperity.
The night in Bianjing seemed to always be like this, and had always been like this.
Avoiding the crowds, Nan Zhi followed Xu Zi into a pitch-black dead-end alley.
Before she could ask any questions, several grinning ghost faces suddenly poked out from the empty wall nearby. Someone could be heard pinching their throat, speaking in a high-pitched, thin voice:
“Hee hee hee...”
“Giggle giggle...”
“People walk the path of light, ghosts walk the road to the Yellow Springs...”
“Hahaha, more living people have come to walk the ghost road!”
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