"I’m... sor..."
"I’m sorry..."
Someone looked down at him against the light, stumbling over those three words repeatedly.
Ming Zhu looked up at him in a daze. Beneath him was a pitch-black abyss, thousands of feet deep. The roars of wild beasts rose from the depths, and a cold wind wrapped around his thin waist, dragging him down inch by inch.
"I still..." Ming Zhu’s lips moved slightly. His hand, marked with the red lotus, clung desperately to the edge. He murmured vacantly, "I don't want to die yet..."
In the next instant, a hot tear seemed to fall upon his brow. A sudden, sharp pain shot through his wrist, and the terrifying sensation of weightlessness instantly swept over his body. The gaping fangs of a white snake, which seemed to have been waiting for a long time, dragged him down and swallowed him whole.
"Ah—!"
Ming Zhu let out a sharp cry and jolted awake from the boundless nightmare. Though his eyes were open, his vision remained a blur.
Someone reached out from the side to support the back of his neck, gently offering a cup of water to moisten his cracked lips.
Ming Zhu instinctively drank the entire cup. Only then did he realize he had somehow returned to Shen Hongchuan’s residence. Zhou Fuxue was kneeling by his bedside, looking at him with a face full of worry.
From the outer room came the sound of Shen Hongchuan and Lu Qingkong talking, the volume making Ming Zhu’s ears ache.
Shen Hongchuan was likely furious. His usually calm tone now exploded like a sudden thunderclap: "What on earth are you all good for? I only left for one night! You go out for a boat ride and somehow let him fall into the water? You’re certainly capable, aren't you? Lu Qingkong, look at me! Speak!"
Lu Qingkong seemed to mumble something in a low voice, which only made Shen Hongchuan’s voice louder: "You still dare to talk back!?"
The noise gave Ming Zhu a splitting headache. He pushed away Zhou Fuxue, who was trying to massage his temples, and said hoarsely, "I’m fine. Go out and tell Hongchuan to come in."
Zhou Fuxue rarely saw him with such a solemn expression. He nodded in assent, set the cup down, and walked out.
Soon, Shen Hongchuan pushed the door open and strode to the bed. Sitting down and seeing Ming Zhu’s pale face, he felt a pang of distress. "Senior Brother, Shen Yu told me everything. Xiao Jiu and the others don't know about this yet. I’ve already sent people to look for that demonic cultivator you encountered. This was my fault..."
Ming Zhu did not wait for him to finish taking the blame. He said directly, "I saw Ming Zhao."
Shen Hongchuan was startled. "Him? How is that possible? The Wenfeng Tower told us he only emerged from the secret realm the day before yesterday. The journey from the Kingdom of Jianglou to Sayu City takes at least three days by flying kite. He couldn't have arrived so quickly."
Ming Zhu said, "I wouldn't mistake him."
Shen Hongchuan fell silent. Observing Ming Zhu’s vacant yet cold expression, he eventually asked tentatively, "What... did he say to you?"
"He said..." Ming Zhu’s eyes were clouded as he desperately tried to recall the scene after meeting Ming Zhao. Suddenly, his pupils constricted, his gaze focusing as he stared blankly at Shen Hongchuan. "...Five years ago, he sent a 'scabbard' to Rizhao."
"A scabbard?"
"Yes. He has always compared the Red Lotus spiritual vein to a sword. Back then, he forcibly destroyed my original spiritual vein and sealed that damned Red Lotus vein along with the Red Lotus Sword into my body." Ming Zhu frowned, gripping Shen Hongchuan tightly, his gaze terrifyingly cold. "If I, who carry the Red Lotus vein, am the sword... then what is the 'scabbard'?"
Shen Hongchuan froze.
"Five years ago..." Ming Zhu lowered his head. Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, his expression turned almost fearful for a moment.
At that moment, the half-closed door was gently pushed open. Zhou Fuxue’s face, still carrying a hint of youthful innocence, appeared in their sight. He held a bowl of medicine in his hands and said, "Senior Brother, it’s time for your medicine."
Ming Zhu stared blankly at Zhou Fuxue for a long time before coming back to his senses. "Oh. Put... put it there."
Zhou Fuxue obediently placed the medicine on the small table by the bed. When he looked up, he saw Ming Zhu and Shen Hongchuan watching him with expressions of shock and disbelief. Confused, he asked, "What’s wrong?"
Shen Hongchuan cleared his throat, forcing himself to look away. He feigned composure and said, "Nothing. I just feel that you are much more sensible than Old Nine. Your Senior Brother is very gratified."
Zhou Fuxue gave a cold smirk. It seemed that anyone compared to Lu Qingkong’s foul temper would be considered "sensible." His Senior Brother’s standards for gratification were far too low.
Once Zhou Fuxue had left the room after setting down the medicine, Ming Zhu downed the bitter black liquid in one go. He frowned and stuck out his tongue. "I need to go to the Moon-Plucking Tower."
He moved to get out of bed as he spoke. "Since he has come to Sayu City, he will definitely go to the Moon-Plucking Tower to find Xi Chu."
Shen Hongchuan pressed down on the back of his hand, saying helplessly, "Senior Brother... the Moon-Plucking Tower does not open during the day. There’s no need to be in such a rush."
Ming Zhu paused. "It doesn't open... during the day?"
Shen Hongchuan chuckled softly. "Furthermore, that Xi Chu is not someone just anyone can see."
His voice was low as he leaned toward Ming Zhu’s ear with a faint, ambiguous smile. Ming Zhu was stunned for a moment before saying in disbelief, "The Moon-Plucking Tower... is a brothel?"
Shen Hongchuan laughed. "No, Senior Brother, where did your mind go? The Moon-Plucking Tower is a famous trading venue in the black market. Usually, only the powerful and influential are qualified to enter. One must possess the tower’s Crescent Moon Jade Pendant to gain entry. If you try to barge in, I’m afraid you’ll end up on another Execution Order."
Ming Zhu frowned again.
"Don't worry yet, Senior Brother," Shen Hongchuan comforted him. "I happened to hear that the Moon-Plucking Tower is hosting a barter banquet tonight. Many of the dignitaries and powerful cultivators in Sayu City will be there, and Xi Chu will also make an appearance."
"Then how can I get in?"
"Unless you are a rare powerhouse, a high-ranking official, or..." Shen Hongchuan pulled two crescent-shaped jade pendants from his sleeve, dangling them by their cords and swinging them gently with a smile. "...sufficiently wealthy."
***
The sun sank in the west, and the dying light burned the sky a fiery red, creating a brilliant, hazy glow.
Once the lanterns at the very top of Wenfeng Tower were slowly lit, other lanterns began to flicker to life one by one, centered around the tower. In moments, a vast sea of light illuminated the city.
The black market of Sayu City only opened after sunset and was famous far and wide. As the lanterns at the entrance of the alleys were lit, the previously empty streets were suddenly crowded with people rubbing shoulders. Some people simply spread a cloth against the street walls, laying out various treasures they had acquired with clear price tags.
The black market was a den of dragons and snakes, where incidents of murder and robbery were frequent. Thus, those without a certain level of cultivation did not dare to walk these streets freely.
"Come, come! Top-quality treasures of heaven and earth, fair prices for all!"
"Hey, young master! I see you have an extraordinary skeletal structure... no, I mean, you have a distinguished air. This 'Dragon Clasping a Pearl' jade pendant can gather the essence of heaven and earth and absorb spiritual energy. It suits you perfectly... Hey, hey! Don't leave!"
"Selling... selling things..."
An extremely young-looking boy squatted in a corner, looking timidly at the fierce people surrounding him. A few battered-looking items were laid out before him. He seemed to want to emulate the others and call out his wares, but as soon as he mustered the courage to speak, he was drowned out by a loud voice nearby.
Soon, the burly man next to him seemed to grow tired of shouting and began gulping down water.
The boy was delighted and immediately seized the moment, calling out softly, "Selling things..."
The words had barely left his mouth when the man bellowed again, "Come have a look! See for yourselves! The Dragon Clasping a Pearl jade—the only one in the world! Don't miss this chance!"
The boy: "..."
The boy was very timid. He could tell the man was targeting him, but he didn't dare say a word. He could only bury his head in his knees, buzzing self-deprecatingly, "Selling things... selling... ugh... selling things..."
The people nearby were all snickering at him.
The boy endured it for a long time before he finally couldn't take it anymore. With tears in his eyes, he began to pack his things, intending to head back early. Unexpectedly, a person strolled up to him and crouched down. The stranger reached out and picked up a candle about the thickness of a finger from the stall, asking indistinctly, "Is this for sale?"
The boy looked up and met a pair of eyes as calm as an ancient well, momentarily dazed.
The guest held a long, slender black tobacco pipe in his elegant hand. Perhaps because his hands were occupied, he held the mouthpiece in his teeth, using both hands to clumsily fiddle with the white candle. He raised his eyes and asked mumbles, "Kid, I’m asking you. Is this for sale?"
The boy let out an "Ah" and snapped back to reality, nodding frantically. "Yes, yes, it’s for sale."
The guest asked, "How much?"
The boy let out another "Ah." After a long pause, he held up five fingers, then hesitated and added two more fingers with his other hand, whispering, "Seventy... seventy crystal jades."
The guest frowned. Fearing he thought it was too expensive, the boy stammered an explanation: "This... this is a Longevity Candle. It has the s-same effect as a Longevity Lamp... and it’s c-convenient to c-carry..."
The guest gave an "Mhm." "I-I know. You don't n-need to be in s-such a rush... ah..."
The boy: "..."
Only after speaking did the guest realize he had been led into a stutter by the boy. He wasn't angry, however. He took the candle and another iron-carved floral hairpin in his hand, then took up his pipe and blew out a thick cloud of smoke toward the boy. "Buying two little gifts to coax my son—how much for all of this?"
The boy began to cough from the smoke, his eyes tearing up as he said, "One hundred... I guess."
The guest gave a muffled hum of agreement, pulled a bag of crystal jades from his sleeve, and tossed it into the boy’s lap. "Count it."
The boy’s face lit up with joy. He happily counted the coins and said with a beaming smile, "It’s all there. Thank you, honored guest!"
The guest tucked the two trinkets into his sleeve. He wasn't in a hurry, puffing away on his pipe with his long fingers. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he finally asked, "Do you know... how to get to the Moon-Plucking Tower?"
The boy was guileless and helpful, and because he had finally sold something, he was very happy. He immediately pointed this way and that. "I know! Honored guest, go f-forward to the fourth intersection, then head south. After p-passing a statue, go straight west. It’s at the very end."
The guest’s expression turned solemn as he took another deep drag of his tobacco. After a long silence, he said, "Can... can you say front, back, left, or right? I’m not very good with directions."
The boy: "..."
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
掠月楼 | Moon-Plucking Tower | A high-end trading venue/black market in Sayu City.
以物易物 | Barter / Exchange of goods | The theme of the banquet; trading items for items.
长生烛 | Longevity Candle | A portable version of a Longevity Lamp, likely used for soul-tending or life-monitoring.
晶玉 | Crystal Jade | The currency used in this world (spirit stones/jade).
奚楚 | Xi Chu | A person associated with the Moon-Plucking Tower.
降娄国 | Kingdom of Jianglou | A geographical location mentioned in relation to Ming Zhao's movements.
勾月玉佩 | Crescent Moon Jade Pendant | An entry pass for the Moon-Plucking Tower.
烟枪 | Tobacco Pipe | Used by the mysterious guest.
