Lu Zheng looked at Yuanjing.
Yuanjing nodded. “As long as you do not disturb the lives of the common folk, we will not interfere with you.”
Madam Qin quickly nodded. “Understood. This humble concubine will remember. In future, I will absolutely ensure the people here notice nothing.”
Wen Jiong had come for the Refining Corpse Chapter, not Madam Qin. Since Lu Zheng spared her, he naturally had no lack of ghost beauties.
“Since Friend Lu has no use for this ghost…”
“Wait! Lord Ghost King, I… I am willing to serve under you, to pledge my life!” the ghost hurriedly said.
When he had the Obscurity Seven Classics’ Refining Corpse Chapter, with hope of reaching the peak, he naturally wanted it for himself. Now the technique was lost, his life and death in another’s hands. The ghost feared death. It did not want to perish completely.
Wen Jiong smiled coldly. “I am not like that brainless Valley Corpse King. Your violent, bloodthirsty nature brought Valley Corpse King how many enemies? He could protect you. I am too lazy to invite trouble for myself.”
As his words fell, he gave the ghost no chance to beg further. Two more curse seals smashed into its face.
“Sizzle…”
The ghost’s steel-like corpse body rapidly corroded. Soon it became a pool of thick liquid. Even its divine soul turned to nothingness.
Yuanjing could not help swallowing. “What powerful curse magic.”
Wen Jiong smiled faintly. “Merely some nether curse arts I obtained by chance. It makes this young Daoist laugh.”
“I dare not, I dare not!” Yuanjing waved his hands repeatedly.
Wen Jiong looked at Lu Zheng. “I had intended to visit Friend Lu’s residence specially. Since we meet by chance today, better now than later.”
Wen Jiong flipped his palm. A wooden box appeared in his hand.
The box was about one chi square, made of pure black wood. Its surface was carved with flowers, plants, and trees that Lu Zheng did not recognise. Though the carving was exquisite, it looked rather eerie.
“Many thanks to Friend Lu’s information, allowing me to learn of Valley Corpse King’s death in advance. Thus, before the swarm of ghosts attacked Valley King Cave, I gained the greatest benefit.” Wen Jiong smiled. “These are several herbs unique to the nether realm that nourish the divine soul. They can be used in pills or eaten raw. Whether for Friend’s own use or given to the Peach Blossom Fairy, they can consolidate the sea of consciousness and strengthen the divine soul.”
Wen Jiong finished speaking and gently released it. The wooden box floated lightly to Lu Zheng.
Lu Zheng caught it, did not open it, but directly stored it in the gourd at his waist. He cupped his hands in thanks. “Many thanks, Friend Wen. Then I will not stand on ceremony.”
“No trouble, no trouble.”
Seeing Lu Zheng accept, Wen Jiong also smiled. “Matters here are settled. I return to the nether realm now. If Friend Lu has business in the nether realm, come to Wugou Mountain for a meeting.”
Lu Zheng’s eyes flickered. “Friend Wen, there is one more thing I wish to inquire about.”
“Oh?” Wen Jiong immediately stopped. “Friend Lu, please speak.”
Before Lu Zheng could say anything, Madam Qin tactfully said, “It is cold tonight. Since you two still have words, why not enter the hall? This humble concubine will serve tea.”
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow and curled his lip. “Your residence still has tea?”
Madam Qin felt guilty. “This humble concubine… took some goods from the town…”
Lu Zheng smiled and waved it off. “Never mind. Take less in future. Do not let people discover and report to officials, drawing the Anomaly Department. Then no one can save you.”
It was only some daily necessities. A female ghost had limited use for them. Lu Zheng and Yuanjing would not make an issue of it.
After all, she was a female ghost with considerable cultivation. They could not force her to work for money. That would likely cause more trouble.
“Yes, yes!”
Madam Qin quickly nodded, leading the three into the main hall to sit, then boiled water and served tea.
“May I ask Friend Wen, near Dingshan County in the nether realm, is there any ghost king who knows soul-splitting arts?” Lu Zheng asked directly.
“Soul-splitting arts?” Wen Jiong was stunned.
Lu Zheng nodded.
“This technique is rare but not particularly secret or profound. Many ghost kings know it, though they do not cultivate it.” Wen Jiong said. “For example, I know two soul-splitting methods. But the technique has pros and cons. It weakens oneself. Seems safe but is dangerous. So I have not cultivated it.”
“I see… Then are there very powerful ghost kings who do cultivate it?”
Wen Jiong nodded. “Of course there are. After all, split soul avatars can handle affairs without relying on others and disregard life and death. It is convenient. Quite a few ghost kings cultivate in secret with their main body, using avatars to act outside.”
“I understand. Then, near Dingshan County, a ghost king who knows soul-splitting, likes to come to the yang world for amorous affairs. Does Friend Wen know of any?”
“It is like this.” Lu Zheng did not conceal it. He told Wen Jiong about Yuanye’s attack.
Wen Jiong understood but frowned slightly.
“I see… However… there are quite a few who fit Friend Lu’s description…
Mainly, distance is not an issue for us.” Wen Jiong said. “For example, for me, the closest yang world location to Wugou Mountain is actually Xuzhou in Yinan Dao.”
Wen Jiong shook his head apologetically. “So with only what Friend Lu said, I cannot guess which ghost king it is.”
Lu Zheng nodded. “I see. No matter. I only asked casually. After all, he has already returned.”
Wen Jiong thought, then said, “But based on what Friend said, I think the most likely are Mo Shui Ghost of Black Wind River, Iron Old Ghost of Wanhua Stone Peak, and Night Bone True Lord of Yuanyuan Cave. All thousand-year old ghosts, vicious and ruthless, disregarding human lives.”
Lu Zheng nodded. Though he did not fully believe Wen Jiong, it was still a direction for investigation.
“Many thanks, Friend Wen!”
“No trouble.” Wen Jiong smiled. “But these three are not easy to deal with. If Friend Lu plans to go, be careful.”
“Oh, understood. I will not go.” Lu Zheng said.
Wen Jiong blinked, confused.
“Since there are suspects, I will report to my sect and see how the sect handles it.” Lu Zheng said with a serious expression.
Wen Jiong was stunned. “Sect? Baiyun Temple?”
“Yes!”
Wen Jiong: (||๐_๐)
Having a powerful backer is impressive! Is Baiyun Temple’s direct Taqing lineage that great?
Well, it truly is great…
Wen Jiong was speechless. Though Lu Zheng’s words made perfect sense, he felt something was off.
But no matter. It was not trouble for him anyway.
Wen Jiong picked up his teacup, drank a sip, then prepared to leave with Lu Zheng.
“Young Master Lu, Daoist Yuanjing. This humble concubine may continue staying here?” Madam Qin asked cautiously.
Lu Zheng looked at Yuanjing. Yuanjing said, “As long as you do not draw attention, it is fine.”
“This humble concubine understands. I will certainly be careful in future.”
…
Wen Jiong bid farewell and left. Lu Zheng and Yuanjing returned to the town elder’s home, told them the mansion ghosts had been exorcised, advised them not to loiter at the old mansion, then soared into the clouds, flying straight to Shaotong Mountain.
