“Wait a moment. I find this little sister quite pleasing to the eye. Whatever you're selling, sister will take it all, no matter the price.”
The woman was dressed in black robes, wrapped tightly from head to toe, leaving only her eyes visible. When she looked at people, her eyes were full of smiles, as if she were naturally inclined to be close to others.
“Fellow traveler, although we must respect the rule of first come, first served in business...”
She smiled slightly, her gaze toward Nan Zhi becoming extremely affectionate as she said in a delicate voice:
“But this white tiger is so precious, and such a complete tiger skin is a rare find indeed! The tiger meat is full of blood and qi, brimming with demon power. Buying it to harvest the bones and meat, let alone refining dharma treasures, even if it’s just made into qi-supplementing blood food, one would only profit and never lose.
These servants of yours may be sturdy, but they aren't worth much money. Don't think that just because she's young, you can take advantage of a newcomer.”
“In business, one must follow the rules. I came first to inquire about the price, so this tiger skin should naturally be sold to us.”
The South Barbarian did not fall for her act. With a dark expression, he swept his gaze over the woman and then at Nan Zhi. As if he had misunderstood something, he suddenly let out a cold sneer:
“Central Plains people are cunning. So you are together, trying to deceive me. You deserve to die.”
Before his voice had even faded, the black robed man standing behind him suddenly struck. Without any visible movement, a black snake spirit split into two, hissing as it lunged toward the faces of both the woman in black robes and Nan Zhi!
“!”
Huaguzi was furious and hurriedly dodged. She had intended to use the pretext of standing up for this dark-skinned girl to strike up a conversation.
But who would have thought the other party wouldn't even respond, instead looking elsewhere with perfect composure, as if she weren't the least bit afraid of the snake spirit lunging at her!
Truly a difficult one to deal with.
“Hmph!”
She couldn't help but curse inwardly. With a flick of her right hand, an exquisite kerchief suddenly appeared in her previously empty palm. This kerchief was as white as snow, embroidered with intricate patterns in gold thread, looking like something only a young lady from a noble household would use.
With a flash of silver light, the two black snake spirits seemed to be drawn by some mysterious force, flying straight toward the kerchief and being instantly and firmly wrapped within it.
Her movements were incredibly fast. Before anyone present could react, she had already finished everything.
When she unfolded it again, the kerchief was empty, except for two lifelike poisonous snakes embroidered upon it. They were baring their fangs and staring coldly outward, as if they might pounce at any moment.
“You! You dare to swallow the snake spirits! This is a great sacrilege!”
The South Barbarian who had attacked was enraged and was about to strike again, but he was stopped by the leader, who signaled him with a look.
All around the Ruyi Pavilion, heavy guards were stationed. Tall ghosts, several meters high, were staring over with eerie eyes. On their heads were the skulls of skinned oxen and horses, and they held steel blades and iron weapons, dressed like soul reapers from the Underworld.
The bodies of these ghosts were like elongated animal skeletons, appearing exceptionally bizarre.
Beneath those narrow animal skulls were pairs of bloody, crimson eyes emitting a bone-chilling aura that was truly terrifying.
“Great matters are ahead; do not disturb the guards in the pavilion.”
The barbarian secretly shook his head at the person behind him, but then heard Nan Zhi suddenly speak:
“Friend from the south, you've misunderstood. This sister and I are just passing acquaintances. If you both truly wish to buy, then each of you make an offer, and the highest bidder wins.”
“All these servants I brought can be given to you.”
The anger on the South Barbarian's face had only subsided by half. He looked at Huaguzi with suspicion and was about to make a bid when a bell chimed amidst the chaos. His expression suddenly changed, and he spoke to Nan Zhi as if giving a Buddhist warning:
“You killed the white tiger's child. The tiger spirit will not let you go. Only by offering its flesh and blood to the Great Witch can your suffering be relieved.”
His somber voice sounded like he was reciting a prophecy about the future:
“As for you, the thief who dared to desecrate the snake spirits, you will ultimately die under the scorching sun and never return to the Six Paths of Reincarnation. This is the will of the Witch.”
He stared intently at Huaguzi, a faint golden light flickering in his pupils as if he wanted to burn the person opposite him to ashes. The surrounding atmosphere became tense.
Needless to say, everyone present could feel that intense killing intent.
After saying this, he immediately turned and left without the slightest hesitation, as if the dispute just now had never happened.
So he just gave up?
How mysterious.
To be willing to kill just for a white tiger skin—this group was certainly overbearing.
Just where did these people come from?
Nan Zhi couldn't help but mutter to herself, but she remembered the woman in black robes was still behind her and quickly put on a smile:
“Since that person doesn't want it anymore, then this white tiger skin belongs to you, sister.
However, let me be clear: I don't accept useless gold and silver. I only want to trade for a few clever and agile servants to use. I wonder if you can afford that price?”
“Rest assured, since I dared to bid, I can naturally afford it. Otherwise, I'd just be playing a prank!”
Huaguzi breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the South Barbarians leave. Hearing Nan Zhi's words, she felt ninety-nine percent certain and quickly said:
“In this Ruyi Pavilion, if nothing else, living people are not hard to find. I've already sent a message to my companion, telling him to use the silver on hand to buy some sturdy men and women.
If you trust me, sister, let's first find a nice place to have some tea and wait. In a while, we'll exchange the people for the goods. How about it?”
After saying that, as if fearing Nan Zhi wouldn't believe her, she pointed at the guards in all directions and laughed:
“Could it be that sister is afraid I'll kill you for your goods? Or is this your first time at the Ruyi Pavilion and you're feeling timid?
You saw it just now; there are guards everywhere in this Ruyi Pavilion. How would I dare to cause trouble here?
Fine, fine. If you don't trust me, we can just wait here until my companion arrives.”
“I'm not afraid. It's just that I've already offended those people, so I thought it best to be careful in everything.”
A hint of displeasure at being questioned appeared on Nan Zhi's face. After a moment of thought, she cautiously nodded in agreement and followed Huaguzi up to the second floor.
...
...
The Ruyi Pavilion was truly staggeringly large. Spiraling up the winding stone steps, grottoes of various sizes were arranged in an orderly yet confusing fashion, like a labyrinth that could easily lead one astray with a single wrong turn.
The casinos were bustling with noise, gamblers either excited or tense, shouting loudly. The scent of wine wafted from the wine shops, and everyone's face bore a numb, mask-like smile.
The brothels were fragrant with powder, filled with all sorts of enchanting demons and ghosts—all of them spirits capable of stealing souls and draining essence. Any mortal with low cultivation and too much lust would be sucked dry and become another lost soul in this cave.
In the arenas, dust swirled and yin spirits drifted. Every time a hungry ghost crushed its opponent, it drew cheers and jubilation from the gathered ghosts, reaching a peak of pleasure.
Cups were exchanged, shadows flickered—a place of ultimate pleasure.
Who could have imagined such a scene would appear in the eerie and somber yin domain?
It was like a mysterious den of vice hidden in the chaotic territory, attracting those on the Yin Yang Road to seek pleasure and excitement.
The Ruyi Pavilion naturally sold food for humans. Nan Zhi and the woman in black robes found a place to drink tea. Just as they sat down, sharp cheers erupted from the grottoes.
Rate on N.U.
