Yun Qishen

"Mo Langqin, Ghost Master." Mo Langqin bowed to Bian Yu, then raised his hand to introduce Bai Ying, "She is my ghost beast, Bai Ying."

"Hello..." Bai Ying peered out the window, looking at Bian Yu with curiosity, and asked, "What did you mean by 'not quite a person'?"

Bian Yu straddled the tree branch and approached the window: "These kinds of people are called medicine people. They are specially refined to serve as materials for alchemists, weapon cultivators, and the like."

After listening to Bian Yu's words, Mo Langqin turned his gaze to the group of children in the dark alley: "Medicine people, I have indeed heard some rumors about them, but this is the first time I have seen them in person."

Bian Yu laughed heartily, resting one hand on the outward-opening window frame: "There are so many things in Fengnan that you've never seen before. Are you free later? I can take you two around; I guarantee it'll be very interesting and broaden your horizons!"

"Then I thank you for the invitation, senior. I'll be having a meal later. Would you like to join me?" Mo Langqin took two steps back, making room for Bian Yu, and invited her.

"That's exactly what I was waiting for! Then I won't stand on ceremony with you!" Bian Yu chuckled and jumped into the house, sitting down unceremoniously on a round stool. "To be honest, on my first day in Fengnan, my travel money was stolen. I've been lying in that tree for two days now. The previous guests completely ignored me. Luckily, these two are very understanding, haha."

"This junior noticed that you are very hungry, senior. I'm just curious, aren't cultivators supposed to know how to abstain from grains?" Mo Langqin smiled and focused his gaze on Bian Yu.

"I couldn't get through it, but for me, food is the most important thing." Bian Yu picked up the water bottle on the table and poured it directly into his mouth. After taking a big gulp of water, he breathed out a comfortable sigh.

Just then, the restaurant owner knocked on the door: "Sirs, your dishes..."

"Come in." Mo Langqin strode towards the door.

The shopkeeper entered carrying a tray, and was momentarily stunned when he saw Bian Yu sitting at the table.

"Just leave it here!" Bian Yu stared at the food in the shopkeeper's hand, tears streaming from the corners of her mouth, her stomach rumbling.

The shopkeeper's movements became somewhat stiff, but he still placed the food from the trays onto the round table one by one: "Sir, we are still short of your stewed fish, please wait a moment..."

He greeted Bai Ying and Bian Yu, then turned and headed towards the door. As he passed Mo Langqin, he couldn't help but whisper, "Sir, could we speak in private for a moment?"

Mo Langqin gave a soft "hmm" in agreement and followed the waiter out of the room.

"Mo Langqin, where are you going?" Bai Ying, who was sitting on a round stool, looked at Mo Langqin across the table and asked curiously.

Mo Langqin smiled and replied, "Don't worry, I'm just going to talk to the hotel staff about the accommodation situation."

"Oh." Bai Ying believed Mo Langqin's words. Bian Yu just wolfed down his food, completely ignoring what Mo Langqin was doing; all he cared about now was the food.

The waiter led Mo Langqin downstairs. When they reached the counter, the waiter hurriedly whispered, "Sir, the person in your room is of unknown origin and has become notorious for harassing guests these past few days. Previous guests have reported this to us, so please be careful and lest something happens."

"It's alright." Mo Langqin still smiled insincerely, then took out half a string of copper coins from his sleeve and pushed them directly to the shopkeeper: "I hope the shopkeeper won't target that senior too much. He's not a bad person. I also hope the shopkeeper will keep his whereabouts a secret and not let outsiders know."

"Okay, okay. Please rest well, sir. Don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything." After receiving the money, the waiter's worry immediately disappeared, and he suppressed a laugh as he quickened his pace and went into the kitchen.

Back in the room, the first thing Mo Langqin saw was Bian Yu lying on the bed with a big, full belly, burping: "Young friend, why did you two order so much staple food? I'm so stuffed, burp~"

Bai Ying, standing to the side, looked slightly shocked, but when she saw Mo Langqin, her expression turned aggrieved: "I'm sorry, Mo Langqin, I really couldn't stop him. He just eats way too fast."

"Fast, how fast?" This piqued Mo Langqin's interest.

"It's like a raging storm, swallowing everything in its path!" the white figure said, gesturing as it spoke.

"Nonsense, Taotie doesn't devour the heavens and earth. That's just a story made up to fool ordinary people. The real Taotie is—cough cough cough!" Bian Yu was picking his teeth while lying on his side when he choked on his own burp and started coughing violently.

"Senior, it's better not to lie down right after eating."

Bian Yu obediently sat up straight: "Ahem, you're right, I shouldn't be lying down. By the way, the waiter just said you had another fish, right?"

"..." Mo Langqin maintained a fake smile. Seeing that Mo Langqin didn't answer, Bian Yu asked again, "Right?"

“Yes…” Mo Langqin looked at the empty bowls and plates on the round table. It seemed he might not get any food today.

After finishing the last bite of fish, Bian Yu lay down comfortably, sprawling out and taking up the entire bed.

Bai Ying stood to the side, hands on hips, pursing her lips and complaining, "This guy is really impolite, but we'll let him off the hook for now since he's offering to take us out for a stroll."

Time flew by and it was already evening.

"But, hasn't he been sleeping for too long?!" Bai Ying grabbed the fast-sleeping Bian Yu and shook him. "Hey, wake up! It's almost night!!!"

Bian Yu turned over and replied sleepily in a hoarse voice, "What's the rush? Fengnan is only interesting at night... Some good treasures can only be seen at night. You guys should get some rest first."

You've taken up our beds, how are we supposed to rest!

Bai Ying looked at Mo Langqin, and all Mo Langqin could do in response was to give her a fake smile.

What kind of person is Bian Yu?
Mo Langqin rubbed his chin a few times. If Bian Yu wasn't anything special, then his forbearance and pretense were about to crumble.

And just like that, time flew by and it was already late at night.

"It's time, let's go."

Bian Yu stretched and got up from the bed. When he opened his eyes, he was met with two pairs of dark eyes in the doorway.

If there's anything wrong with exorcists, it's probably their way of looking at others. They themselves might not find it strange, but to cultivators and ordinary people, their eyes seem sinister.

On the other hand, Mo Langqin's fake smile completely negated the eeriness, but even without the fake smile, his eyes were still terrifying.

The three of them left the inn, which remained lively even late at night.

While Bian Yu was fast asleep, Bai Ying couldn't resist wandering around. She headed towards the market she had overheard, but Bian Yu stopped her after only a few steps.

"Isn't the trading market over there? Shouldn't we go over there?" Bai Ying turned her head, looking puzzled.

Bian Yu pulled Bai Ying and pointed to a dimly lit path: "Over there? Who would trade good things among a bunch of rabble? You need to have discerning eyes. There are no treasures where there are many people, and treasures are impossible for others to find. Merchants who want to make money, to make a lot of money, keep the good stuff to themselves."

Mo Langqin blinked; he remembered those words.

Bian Yu led Mo Langqin and Bai Ying along the path to a small grove of trees. He discreetly gestured for them to hide behind the bushes, then slowly parted the foliage to look ahead: "You two need to be quiet. Don't be too surprised; it's not good to be discovered. Watching others trade in secret in Fengnan can get you hunted down if you're caught. See that box in that person's hand?"

"I saw it." Mo Langqin vaguely sensed a familiar aura.

Could there be some kind of ghost or monster nearby?
Bian Yu said in a hoarse voice, "This guy comes to trade almost every day at this time. The things in the boxes are either priceless or precious refining materials. I even saw him trading Soul-Seizing Elixir a couple of days ago..."

“It’s bone…” Bai Ying’s eyes widened as she stared intently at the box in the merchant’s hand.

"So the box is indeed made of bone, and the bone carvings on it are exquisite, with a trace of spiritual energy attached to it..." Bian Yu spoke at length, but Bai Ying shed tears.

"Bai Ying, what's wrong?" Mo Langqin's heart ached when he saw Bai Ying crying, and he quickly hugged her shoulders and asked with concern.

Bai Ying's gaze remained fixed on the bone-carved box so close to her: "Mo Langqin, that's... my bones." (End of Chapter)