Celestial Master： I Have an Otherworld-Chapter 116 - 48: Encountering Ghosts (Part 3)

Counting them carefully, there must be dozens of ghost fires, flitting around the numerous tombstones like living creatures.

There are also a few people squatting among them.

Damn!

I already said I wouldn't speak, yet I was still forced out.

This is way too dangerous, either living dead or underworld souls and fierce ghosts. This time we've certainly stirred up a hornet's nest of ghosts. Why can't we just stay safely in Gu'an County?

Why come out at all!

"Honored guest."

A little servant's voice rang beside my ear:

"Are you feeling better?"

"Hmm." Under the mask, Fang Zheng nodded blankly:

"Much better."

"Then, can you take off the thing on your head?" the servant whispered:

"My master is entertaining guests, and I'm afraid your appearance might disturb them. Also... it scares me a little."

Hmm?

Fang Zheng was taken aback before coming to his senses.

Indeed, his current appearance was eerily strange, like a serial killer straight out of a scream movie, holding a knife.

So 'ghosts' can be scared too?

Thinking of it this way, Fang Zheng felt much calmer and nodded, removing his hood.

Not because he feared scaring others, but wearing the hood allowed him to see clearly, yet it hindered his sight of where the 'ghosts' were.

If a fight broke out, it would be inconvenient.

As for escaping...

According to the experience imparted by Zhang Mingrui, he was likely in a kind of 'ghostly realm' right now, one that can't be escaped unless broken.

That is to say,

No matter where you turn, you'd end up right back here.

Something like hitting a supernatural wall.

Luckily, others besides him were trapped here as well, and maybe there'd be a solution, or at worst, they could wait until dawn to get out.

Ghosts,

even fierce ones, are afraid of the blazing sun.

When the fierce sun rises, the ghostly realm will naturally dissipate.

"Thank you."

The servant nodded, forcing a smile on his face, and gestured invitingly forward:

"Please!"

He knocked on the door, and an old man, so thin that he was almost skeletal, opened the door to welcome them in. Upon seeing Fang Zheng, he grinned widely with his toothless mouth.

His eyes glowed green, like a starving man seeing a gourmet feast.

"The master is entertaining in the rear courtyard, this gentleman can also take a seat."

"Alright."

The servant led Fang Zheng forward.

The graveyard seemed small, yet traversing it felt as if navigating through corridors and over steps, twisting and turning a hundred times, as if entering a bustling manor.

Along the way, finely dressed maids passed by in groups, avoiding the two of them, or subtly peeking behind fans or handkerchiefs.

As if shy,

but in reality, covertly licking their lips, gazing longingly at Fang Zheng's backside.

"Here we are."

"Who are you?"

Leading Fang Zheng into the 'rear courtyard', someone in the crowd shouted even before he could speak, a masculine aura hit straight at them:

"To wander the mountains this late at night, it must be something strange!"

Perhaps an illusion.

In the midst of his roar, Fang Zheng felt the little servant in front of him tremble as if the next moment he'd be blown away by the wind.

"Replying to the warrior."

The servant hastily clasped his hands together:

"This gentleman got lost in the mountains and couldn't find a way down. Since it's already late, I brought him over to stay for a night."

"I believe my kind-hearted master will surely allow it."

"Lost?" The speaker was a robust man, with eyes bright and spirits strong, surpassing those of Chief Luo of the Three Blood in vigor.

However,

he was injured, and not lightly; his left arm wrapped in a white cloth was stained red, and he looked over with vigilance, his voice inquisitive:

"Young man, why did you climb the mountain at this time of night?"

As they scrutinized each other, Fang Zheng too surveyed the few people opposite him.

There were six in total.

The burly speaker wasn't the actual leader.

Behind him sat a person dressed in a simple robe embroidered with clouds and swallows, draped with a crane cloak, appearing to be in his forties or fifties.

He carried an air of superiority, but seemed to have been frightened by something, huddled and shivering.

His complexion was extremely pale.

Beside him was a middle-aged scholar with a folding fan, two delicate maidens, and a guard-like fighter.

"Replying to the warrior."

After swiftly scanning them, Fang Zheng clasped his hands together:

"I accompanied the Ling family from Gu'an County to the mountains to eliminate bandits, but for some reason got lost, as this gentleman mentioned, I intend to stay here for a night."

"Eliminate bandits?"

The person in the crane cloak sharply sat up, his eyes brightening:

"You mean..."

"Coming to eliminate bandits?"

He was visibly excited, coughed repeatedly after speaking, causing those around him to panic.

"Master!"

"Lord Yan."

"Yes." Fang Zheng showed a hint of confusion in his eyes as he replied:

"A few days ago, a group of bandits attacked the Ling family's mansion, causing many casualties. Of course, the Ling family patriarch wants revenge."

"Good!" Lord Yan was overjoyed:

"It's good to eliminate them!"

"Guard Gong, this person seems without issue, let him sit, after all, we're not the hosts here, don't overstep."

"Yes." The strong man nodded:

"The Master's teaching is right."

"Guests are welcome."

Only then did the person in the pavilion, shrouded in sheer fabric, speak with laughter, nodding towards Fang Zheng in acknowledgment:

"Meeting as strangers is still a meeting, young master, please sit."

The voice was crisp and pleasing, seemingly youthful, carrying a certain charm that stirred a restlessness from within.

"Thank you."

With clasped hands, Fang Zheng found a place opposite Lord Yan and sat down, as maids served fresh fruits, desserts, and some drinks and snacks.

The fruits were fresh, the desserts exquisite, and the snacks appealing in color and aroma.

But he only glanced at them before averting his gaze.

He saw very clearly through thermal vision just now -- there were only graves here, no manor, no telling what these foods really were.

Who knows what consequences might follow after ingesting them.

"Clap! Clap!"

The pavilion's host gently clapped her hands and laughed:

"On with the music and dance!"

Immediately, women clad in colorful garments emerged in a line. Under a bamboo pavilion not far off, women played the zither and flute, providing accompaniment.

The dance was graceful, the music enchanting.

Unknowingly, one might easily get lost in it.

But ever since setting foot in the manor, Fang Zheng kept his guard up, the lovely dances and music unable to sway him, outwardly feigning appreciation.

Secretly he hoped time would pass quickly.

The other party was willing to play, he was happy to oblige; the closer to dawn, the better.

Thus,

until a servant hurried over and whispered a few words to the master in the pavilion post-consultation, the atmosphere changed.

"Oh?"

The figure in the pavilion furrowed her brows, gently put down her cup, and said helplessly:

"I intended to take this chance to celebrate, but didn't expect the mountains to be so chaotic tonight, so... have you all enjoyed your food and drinks?"

"Thank you for your hospitality."

Lord Yan stroked his beard and said:

"The grace of today, Yan will never forget, and will certainly repay once I assume office."

"Lord Yan, you're too kind." The pavilion figure smiled, nodded, and said: "Speaking of which, I do have a favor to ask of you all."

"Oh!" Lord Yan raised an eyebrow, a hint of displeasure glinting in his eyes.

Though indeed indebted today, asking so soon was inevitable to upset him.

Oh well, oh well!

A woman's long hair and limited insight were commonplace.

Thus he bowed and replied, his tone a touch indifferent: "Please, if it's within Yan's power, there will be no objections."

"Lord Yan will certainly be able to do it."

The pavilion figure lightly laughed.

Inside the courtyard, lights flickered, vaguely shimmering, a stunning female face appeared, smilingly glancing over.

The key was...

It was just a face!

No limbs, no body, just that beautiful face hanging in midair, though beautiful, the scene was nothing but horrifying.

Vaguely,

A line of ghostly lights,

Reveals a flower-like face.

An ethereal voice roamed the scene:

"We've been trapped here for decades, never having a full meal. You all arrived at the right time, might as well pity us."

"Let us..."

"Fill our stomachs just once!"

In the next instant.

Ghosts descended upon the gathering.

"Woo..."

Eerie wind howled.