Chapter 7

There were all kinds of ghost cries in the underworld and the floating dreams in paradise were not left behind*

This is what Fumenghui was in the eyes of the common people. 

Fumenghui, located in the southwest of Mount Luofeng, was not more than 10-15km away from Fengdu city. This place and Fengdu's prosperity complemented each other. Initially, it was named Fengmenggui*, because it was in the portal of the underworld where all the deceased gathered at Mount Luofeng. Its landform was also strange and deformed, which was how it got its name. There were rumors that it was the battlefield of the Great Emperor Beiyin and the Supreme Demon, but there was no way to verify it.

Depending on the terrain blessed by heaven*, it gradually became a gathering place for all kinds of shady businesses. As its reputation grew, it gradually became this piece of gold-sprinkled kiln for the living people to live in as if drunk or entranced*. The name Fengmenggui was too ominous. For fear of scaring the bankroller, the name was changed to the current one.

One barrier, two worlds. One side existed a gloomy underworld, while the other was a blessed place of pleasure, extravagance, greed, darkness, desire, and sin. This was the human realm and the ghost realm at the same time. 

Fumenghui was built in a concave valley. The words "jagged rocks of grotesque shapes" were already hard to describe. This valley was made up of countless small, large, and other various kinds of peaks and caves that looked like skulls as if thousands and millions of evil ghosts were sealed in the mountain rocks. Whenever the wind blew, the terrifying, ghostly wails will continuously sound between the valleys and deep caves.

Most of these countless large and small caves were interlinked, which were suitable for hiding and escaping. Therefore, this was initially an unlawful place where people were killed, where corpses and legendary venomous insects were raised, and where black-market trading occurred. Many cultivators' golden cores were offered and traded here. The spring breeze blew again* despite multiple eliminations from the Immortal Alliance. Later, wine shops, pawnshops, concert halls, brothels, casinos, fighting arenas, auction houses, etc. were gradually opened here. Illegal transactions became hidden and hard to find, yet many commoners depended on this place for their livelihoods. The Immortal Alliance could only close one eye and tacitly consent to the existence of Fumenghui.

Fumenghui was quiet and gloomy during the day, but once night fell, the red candles lighted up the caves, illuminating the valley in a blood-red color. The stores opened and welcomed people in, and the guests were drawn in by the admiration of the reputation. Human shadows could be seen moving around the caves. There were endless music and dancing throughout the night and the scene was strangely beautiful that it didn't look like the human realm. When looked at from afar, it was as if looking at hundreds of ghosts walking in the night.

Fan Wu She looked at the magical scene in front of him and seemed lost in thought.

"Is this your first time coming here?" Xie Bi An asked, "How does Fumenghui compare to the rumors?"

Ordinary people were unlikely to come to Fumenghui. First, it was because of the concentrated Yin energy and a large number of evil spirits. Those who possessed nothing except bare necessities might fall sick after going home. Second, most people who came here spent money like flowing water. If they didn’t dress well, they would inevitably get scornful glances.

"Not that different." This place used to be Zong Zi Xiao's last stop in the human realm. Fan Wu She traveled down his memory lane, yet his emotions were calm. His boiling hatred had calmed down in the hundred years and turned into a simmering flame, which was even denser and longer. Only the person in front of him could add firewood to the flame and raise his salary*.

"After you go in, don't run around. It's easy to get lost inside. You must follow senior brother."

"Okay."

The interior of Fumenghui was a huge cave. Relying on its natural mountain shape, a path would open when you see the rocks, and bridges could be seen when you reach the valleys. Paths were constructed and accessible from all sides. While looking up from the bottom, they were scattered about like stars in the sky or chess pieces on a board*.

The duo, dressed in black and white, each had an extraordinary poise. With one look, they looked like the sons of an immortal family. Immediately, there were people who came up to them to solicit business. Xie Bi An kindly rejected one, and another one refused to give up. One fellow, who didn’t know how to read the situation, came up and was about to drag Xie Bi An closer to his workplace. Before his hands could touch the snow-white corner of his clothes, he was struck by the scabbard on the back of his hand.

That fellow screamed in pain and withdrew his hand.

Fan Wu She said coldly: "Scram." The sharp sword was half unsheathed, guarding Xie Bi An by his side. No one dared to approach him anymore.

"Wu She, stay low-key." Xie Bi An whispered.

Fan Wu She's face was sullen: "Just walk."

Xie Bi An shuffled between the passages, looking for something, and soon, he found two ghost servants.

This was the boundary of the underworld. There was no position of city god here, but there were ghost servants patrolling around occasionally. It was a common occurrence to have a few people dying in Fumenghui. Sometimes, a person disappeared silently without anyone knowing. Only ghosts would lead that person.

Xie Bi An called the two ghost servants into a secluded corner. 

"White Master." The two greeted respectfully. 

Xie Bi An just realized Fan Wu She couldn’t see them, so he summoned Wuqiongbi and told him to hold it. 

Once Fan Wu She touched that cool jaded stick, he immediately saw what he couldn't see earlier. The two ghosts were surprised and looked at Xie Bi An helplessly. 

"Don't worry, he's the new disciple Heaven Master accepted, and also my junior brother."

"Did White Master come here to harvest a new soul? We haven't found any yet."

"No, I just wanted to ask both of you some questions." Xie Bi An asked if there were any clues related to Meng Ke Fei's golden core.

Generally, after the core thieves dug out the golden core, either they brought it back home for cultivation, or sold it at a high price in Fumenghui. Xie Bi An also thought that no one would dare to trade Meng Ke Fei's golden core when the struggle was the fiercest, but there were always traders here. Maybe there was a bounty on Meng Ke Fei. Maybe some people had inquired about his golden core. Maybe some people had discussions on who killed Meng Ke Fei. In any case, the cultivation level of the core thief was profound. It was very likely someone knew his true identity, or it was the work of many others. And those who dared not speak in front of other people were likely to be heard by ghosts.

"Reporting back to White Master, from yesterday until now, there are indeed many people talking about this. Last night, there was a one-armed cultivator who came here to arrest a lot of people."

"Have you heard any useful clues?"

The two ghost servants thought for a while: "We don't know if it's useful, but I heard someone say that the more powerful the cultivators' golden cores, the harder the alchemy can be performed. Ordinary alchemists, metal, stones, medicinal herbs, and furnaces are not good enough either. Only those with special skills are the ones who have the guts and ability to perform alchemy on Meng Ke Fei's golden core."

"What else? Has anyone offered a reward for Meng Ke Fei's golden core? Has anyone heard who the murderer is, even if it's just speculation?"

The two shook their heads.

Fan Wu She asked: "What is the basis for Wuliang Sect to arrest people?"

"They arrested all the bosses and workers from the elixir shops, those who frequently leave to deliver goods or work, and those who looked suspicious. I think the majority does not have any basis."

"Then that's just arbitrarily arresting people." Xie Bi An frowned, "To disturb commoners in such a way, I’m not sure if any useful clues can be found.” In his opinion, the ghost servants who patrolled here had not heard of anything important. Song Chun Gui was most likely also unable to get much information from those whom he had arrested.

The two asked some more questions, but there wasn't much that they could reap. It seemed like the identity of the core thief was really secretive, and it was very likely that it was done by one person. Xie Bi An did take a quick look at Meng Ke Fei's body, and judging from the injuries, there shouldn’t be a third person.

Fan Wu She said: "Senior brother, let's go back." Although there were no billows in his heart, this place evoked too many dark memories for him, and he didn't want to stay for long.

"Alright." Xie Bi An smiled at Fan Wu She, "But we seldom come to Fumenghui, don't you want to walk around?" Common people were usually curious about Fumenghui, especially young people.

"I don't want to."

"Then we'll go back."

Just as they were about to leave, they suddenly heard a commotion outside the door. When they looked down, a bunch of green-clothed cultivators rushed in. It was Wuliang Sect again.

There were repeated complaints around: "Why did they come again?"

"They fucking came again. Didn't you guys catch enough people yesterday? Wuliang Sect is really going too far!"

"What can you do? Behave yourself later and don't get ahead of yourself."

Listening to what Wuliang Sect meant was that they wanted to take away all the workers from the elixir shops. Obviously, they wanted to confirm whether the people at the elixir shop were harboring the people who came in and out recently. But that would be too many people for them to arrest.

Xie Bi An and Fun Wu She took advantage of the chaos and went downstairs, but they found that the only entrance had been blocked. Xie Bi An was debating whether to leave the cave by sword flight when several cultivators walked over, scrutinized them, and asked: "Which sect do the both of you belong to?"

Xie Bi An said: "My brother and I are casual cultivators. We just passed by here to watch the excitement."

That cultivator glanced at Xie Bi An's sword: "Casual cultivators? Your sword doesn't look ordinary. Which furnace was it produced from? Which master handed it to you?"

Xie Bi An said sternly: "It has nothing to do with you."

"Wuliang Sect is tracking down the murderer of brother Meng. Any suspicious person will be interrogated. Please come with me."

Fan Wu She only had one simple word: "Scram."

The cultivator laughed coldly: "Then don't blame us for being rude."

"Wait." Xie Bi An didn't want to catch any unwanted attention here, "We were indeed just passing by. Wuliang Sect is indiscriminately arresting people at random, wouldn't this be detrimental to the sect’s righteousness?"

"So, I ‘invite’ you to be a guest at Yunding. Will you honor me with your presence?"

Fan Wu She said displeasingly: "Why are you talking nonsense with them?"

Xie Bi An suddenly grabbed Fan Wu She's collar and jumped up the suspended chain ladder: "Go, get out of the cave."

"After them!" That cultivator gave an order and a dozen people flew towards them.

The two darted back and forth between the passages. Most of the caves were connected from the inside to the outside, so they could escape as long as they reached the main part of the stone peak. But the Wuliang Sect's cultivators gathered from all directions. As a last resort, Xie Bi An drew out his sword and instructed Fan Wu She: "Follow behind senior brother. Try not to hurt people."

A couple of cultivators attacked with their swords. Xie Bi An stood in front of Fan Wu She. He forced them back with two moves and jumped to another pavement. He heard a cry, and when he looked back, Fan Wu She had kicked a person off the chain ladder.

"Wu She, over here!" Not far from the front was a tavern, which just happened to lead outside.

"Over here, chase them!" A bunch of green-clothed cultivators came one after another.

The chain ladder shook violently. The two steadied themselves but saw pursuing troops in the front and back.

Xie Bi An comforted: "Wu She, don't be scared, senior brother is here."

Fan Wu She said solemnly: "Kill them."

"Do not kill." Xie Bi An said, "We shouldn't have been here. If anyone loses their lives, we will be creating karma, which is not good for anyone."

"You think they will let us go?"

Xie Bi An looked around and pointed to a shop below, "We'll go from there." After saying this, he swung his sword at the thick hemp rope of the chain ladder.

Fan Wu She understood and raised his sword to cut the hemp rope on the other side. The chain ladder broke. The two grabbed the rope, swung down with the chain ladder, steadily jumped onto the pavement, and dashed towards that shop.

They rushed out of the cave and flew off on their swords at once.

At that moment, a sharp sword pierced through the air, turning into a streak of silver-ish white lightning in the midst of the red glow surrounding Fumenghui, and came straight at Xie Bi An.

The sword's speed was so fast that it was too late to make a move. Fan Wu She shot his sword out and Xie Bi An flew up.

With a "ding" sound, the weapons collided.

The two fell down one after another from mid-air and tumbled on the ground.

The two swords pierced the mountain’s body one after another, while the third one snapped into two and fell to the ground.

Fan Wu She looked at the broken sword on the ground, and his pair of extremely enchanting fox eyes overflowed with a murderous aura.

Xie Bi An looked at Fan Wu She, wanting to comfort him but he didn't know how to. This sword wasn't a good sword, but to any swordsman, a sword being broken is a great humiliation.

A slender figure walked out from the darkness. His face was regular, and his eyes were sharp, even if he only had one arm, it did not diminish his dignity.

This person was Li Bu Yu's little disciple, the Lone Sword, Song Chun Gui.

Song Chun Gui stretched out his hand. His sword waggled violently among the rocks. It pulled itself out and flew back into the hands of its master.

Xie Bi An also recalled his sword.

"Why run if you two are not guilty?" Song Chun Gui said flatly, "Wuliang Sect will not harm innocent people. We’re merely inviting both of you to go to Yunding to ask some questions. When the suspicion is cleared, we will naturally send the both of you back safely."

Xie Bi An said angrily: "You all are too much." He was debating if he should take action or not. Song Chun Gui was not easy to deal with, and once he took action, his identity would definitely be exposed.

Fan Wu She suddenly recalled half of his broken sword and looked at Song Chun Gui's eyes, as if he was looking at a dead person.

Song Chun Gui frowned: "Young Lord, are you planning to use this broken sword against me?"

Fan Wu She said coldly: "It's enough to take your dog life."

Song Chun Gui had been famous for a long time. He cultivated with his sword and had fought quite a few opponents. But he had never seen such an arrogant young man before.

"Wu She, you are not allowed to..."

Before he finished speaking, Fan Wu She had already raised his sword and closed in on Song Chun Gui.

Xie Bi An originally wanted to stop Fan Wu She, but he was a little curious about his sword skills, and he thought that it would not be too late to help even after looking at one or two moves.

Yet he was astonished at this sight. Fan Wu She actually used a broken sword to exchange a complete blow with Song Chun Gui without making a fool of himself.

Song Chun Gui also had a strange expression: "Who did you learn from? How come I have never heard of your name?"

Fan Wu She didn't answer and only attacked Song Chun Gui with each fierce move.

Song Chun Gui got serious and confronted Fan Wu She with a few moves, becoming increasingly fearful. He forced Fan Wu She back temporarily and snapped: "Who is your master?"

Xie Bi An had also been observing Fan Wu She's sword-play. Sword-play accounted for the majority of the immortal families in the world, and he could roughly distinguish every family’s style, but this one was very unusual. He felt an indescribable sense of familiarity when he saw the moves, yet he couldn't remember where he had seen it before. With this overbearing swordplay, he should have become famous long ago, and he would never forget it once he had seen it.

Song Chun Gui's expression was grave: "This is...Zongxuan sword?!"

Upon hearing this, Xie Bi An was shocked.

Zongxuan sword? Isn't that the Zong Clan’s sword technique which failed to be handed down to past generations a hundred years ago?!

 

----

Translator's Thoughts:

PS: let's travel back into the past in the next chapter~~~~~ヽ(^。^)ノ

PPS (24 Jun 21): honestly speaking, with all the re-edits done, I can say confidently they’re at least 99% accurate now.

 

There were all kinds of ghost cries in the underworld and the floating dreams in paradise were not left behind*[阴冥癸地鬼夜哭，洞天浮梦一念空]----is just a description of the scenery

Fengmenggui*[酆梦鬼]---the 'gui' in 'Fengmenggui' means ghost. The following sentence stated that the deceased gathered there, so they named it Fengmenggui

blessed by heaven* [得天独厚] ---be richly endowed by nature, enjoying exceptional advantages

drunk or entranced* [醉生梦死] ---lead a befuddled life

The wildfire burns endlessly, the spring breeze blows again* [野火烧不尽，春风吹又生] ---no matter how mercilessly the fire burns, as long as the spring breeze blows, there will be green weeds everywhere, vividly showing the tenacious vitality of the weeds.

raise his salary*[加薪]---the true definition of this is indeed ‘raise his salary’, but what it meant in that sentence was the fire will burn even more when the firewood is added

scattered about like stars in the sky or chess pieces on a board* [星罗棋布] ---spread all over the place

 

Editor's Thoughts:

If anyone can't really visualize what Fumenghui looks like, I think it looks something like this but replace the walls and paths with stone and rock.

So many rich people going to Fumenghui~ so if you're poor technically you can just kidnap anyone there...? Hmmmm... Evil thoughts are real xD 

That aside, I was wondering do you guys enjoy reading the editor's thoughts (namely my nonsense)?

If you liked this chapter do leave a "Like" in the comments! 

Edited on 16 Mar. 21 (Emzie)

Edited on 8 Jul. 21 (Ari)

Edited on 22 Jul 21 (Limit)

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