baiyuyi 25: Ghosts and Adventurers

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Chapter 25: Ghosts and Adventurers

“By the way, Expert Jiayi… was there somewhere you wanted to go?”

After all, Yuan Chenglei had the goal of wandering around town a little more and then buying cakes before he had to return to the bookstore for his shift.

But for some reason, Expert Jiayi seemed to be intending to follow Yuan Chenglei around… Expert, I can’t just waste your time!

“I don’t really have anywhere to go right now, so I thought I would follow an interesting little cultivator around and familiarize myself with the city.”

Eh… wait, what happened to his wariness earlier?

“I’m really just wandering around, though…”

“Wandering around? You seem to know J City pretty well, I thought. Is there something bothering you about the city?”

Expert Jiayi was too sharp.

Yuan Chenglei was certainly watching his surroundings carefully despite knowing where he was going, but he didn’t think that was something people could just pick up on. At least, with him looking here and there, wouldn’t you normally think he was unfamiliar with the city?

“Um… that’s… well, there have been so many cultivators in the city, even my completely mortal, non-cultivation related friends have noticed something’s up. I was wondering why; the auction got crashed already. Is everyone around to try to snatch the treasures from each other?”

Yuan Chenglei couldn’t think up the answer, so he might as well ask someone who might be here in J City for the same reasons as the other cultivators.

“Hm… there might be some people looking to snatch treasures, but I don’t think the majority of the people are here for that. At least, there’s no way I would be here to snatch treasures from the auction. My sect may be somewhat powerful, but it’s not very big. Not only that, my sect values independence once someone reaches the Fourth Stage, so I wouldn’t dare have the audacity to snatch treasures from another sect without any sort of power behind me.”

“As for why I’m in J City… the specifics are secret, but in the first place … J City is on the site of a spirit vein, you know? Most cultivators would yearn to set their roots here. Not that they can, with two bigshots claiming joint ownership of the spirit vein.”

Oh, I think I know who those two bigshots are…

Yuan Chenglei decided to keep those thoughts to himself.

“Anyway, although it was a little unusual for the Jianghu to host a dark auction here, it’s not like it’s not understandable. There were definitely people who gathered to participate or crash the auction, but I believe a lot of people are using that as excuses to gather in J City. Even if you can’t try to take over the spirit vein, the two bigshots are fairly tolerant of people borrowing the effects of the spirit vein.”

Un, Yuan Chenglei could see both Laoban and Chef Gaojie not caring about the little details as long as no one attempted to interfere with their own business.

Or rather, wouldn’t it normally be unthinkable for two bigshots like Laoban and Chef Gaojie to share something without any dispute?

Although Yuan Chenglei wasn’t too sure about the details, or exactly how strong and/or peerless Laoban and Chef Gaojie were.

“So … everyone’s coming as an excuse to use the spirit vein? Although, I don’t really know what kind of use a spirit vein would have…”

“I don’t know who would have the guts to actually USE a spirit vein right under the noses of two bigshots, but with the increase of spiritual power in the surroundings, it’s easier to cultivate, and it’s possible to elevate the qualities of materials and items created within J City. That’s why there are a lot of branch divisions of many sects here.”

“Oh, so there’s something so good here. I didn’t know at all,” Yuan Chenglei said.

“If you grew up within the city and weren’t told, it would be difficult to notice, after all.”

It wasn’t like he grew up in J City, but when Yuan Chenglei thought about it, he wasn’t able to notice qi until just recently, and ever since he’d only been in J City, so he could understand what Expert Jiayi was saying.

“Although, I’m not here for the spirit veins or because of the auction.”

Expert Jiayi suddenly gave Yuan Chenglei a mischievous grin.

“Eh… … well, you did say it was a secret.”

“Yes, it’s a secret, but the general reason isn’t that difficult to think of. Right now, many sects and powerful people are using the auction as an excuse to come to J City. It’s the perfect time for everyone to also trade information, if they so choose.”

“I see… so then you’re here just because there are so many others here as well in order to hear the gossip!”

“Ahahaha, gossip you say! One of the rare instances of the Mingling of a Myriad of Sects, and it’s just gossip! Although, you aren’t exactly wrong!”

It seems like Yuan Chenglei had said yet another thing that Expert Jiayi found immensely funny, and so Yuan Chenglei stood awkwardly until Expert Jiayi had finished his laugh.

With twinkling eyes, Expert Jiayi coughed and said,

“Ahem. At any rate, I’m uninterested in snatching treasures that already have owners, so I am only here to hear the gossip!”

Expert, you, you can just ignore my mispeak, okay? You don’t need to repeat it…

As Yuan Chenglei was feeling awkward, he suddenly thought of something.

Uninterested in snatching treasures?

Earlier Expert Jiayi just said he wouldn’t dare to snatch treasures without sufficiently powerful identities backing him, and that was probably true, but in the end, it turned out that was just theoretical, because Expert Jiayi wasn’t interested in others’ things to begin with.

Then, with a reputation of Treasure Finder, what that means is that… Expert Jiayi was a cultivator who sought the world for hidden treasures!

“Then… Expert Jiayi, are you something like an adventurer?”

“Adventurer? … Oh, like in those fantasy stories? I guess you can say so.”

Expert Jiayi really was pretty well-versed in mortal culture…

But with Expert Jiayi’s affirmation, Yuan Chenglei was extremely excited.

“Then, do you go to a lot of hidden realms? What about spirit beasts, are they only in hidden realms? Or are there places in the mortal world that also has lots of treasures and danger?”

Expert Jiayi laughed.

It looks like he’d come across a kindred spirit.

“Isn’t that something for you to look forward to in the future? Well, I will tell you … there is plenty of exploration and adventure available that you will have plenty of time to raise your cultivation level to Third Stage Battle Warrior and still have an endless array of realms and lairs to explore.”

Well, there was this little friend’s ‘unique’ (in all definitions) constitution, but he was guided by a talented master who was able to bypass the bottleneck and increase the effectiveness of his body tempering to the point where it was easy to mistake this little friend as a Second Stage cultivator.

This little friend was not yet 20, and was able to reach such a level of body tempering despite his problems, not losing out to other cultivators’ timingsfor reaching the Second Stage.

This showed that Yuan Chenglei’s master was considerably talented.

Expert Jiayi was already impressed with Yuan Chenglei’s progress over a range of 20 years. If Expert Jiayi knew that Yuan Chenglei had only been cultivating for less than 5 days, there’s no telling what he would think!

Yuan Chenglei nodded excitedly.

“That’s true! It will probably take me a while before I could go around to explore hidden realms on my own, but I’m glad to know that there are still opportunities to explore unknown places! I was really worried about what if things in the cultivation world were a lot different from what I imagined…”

He’d only been introduced to the cultivation world for a few days, and a lot of things happened in those few days.

It can’t be helped that he didn’t have time to ask Laoban about hidden realms and spirit beasts.

Expert Jiayi couldn’t help but have good feelings towards this little cultivator who seemed to have more interest in challenging himself with the dangers that existed in the cultivation world rather than snatching treasures.

If only more cultivators were like that; there would be more impressive individuals with tempered wills and good dispositions, and less greedy individuals who traded their morals for bloodshed.

“If you want such a lifestyle as well, you’ll have to train hard. Once you reach the Third Stage, I wouldn’t mind telling you stories about the hidden realms, beast lairs, and ancient tombs I’ve explored.”

Expert Jiayi was unwilling to incite this little friend into doing things past his abilities, but it should be no problem to give him some motivation.

Yuan Chenglei could be foolish at times, but he wasn’t insensitive, so he naturally understood Expert Jiayi’s intentions.

“Yes, I’ll work hard! … Further more, I have no common sense about cultivation or cultivators, so I have a lot of learning to do, too.”

Yuan Chenglei was one who willingly admits his shortcomings.

In response, Expert Jiayi just chuckled at him.

… That means he agrees, huh? Well, Yuan Chenglei already knew it, so there’s no point in feeling depressed just because this Expert also agreed he had no common sense!

Yuan Chenglei coughed and changed the subject.

“Ah… we got off topic, but now I understand why there are so many cultivators still hanging around. Most of them have come with other motives other than just the auction, basically. It’s kind of problematic that they’re being so obvious, though…”

Expert Jiayi’s brows knit together.

This was something that also troubled him, but as a carefree, unaffiliated individual, the only thing he was willing to do was look on as some of the sects and cultivators acted with impropriety.

Expert Jiayi sighed.

“That’s true. There are definitely bad side effects to having so many cultivators in one city. Like that, for example.”

“Hm?”

Yuan Chenglei turned his head and looked in the direction that Expert Jiayi had covertly indicated.

“…!”

He about catapulted himself backwards, putting Expert Jiayi between himself and THAT.

Expert Jiayi hadn’t expected it at all and, enduring the curious and skeptical looks from the passersby, he was momentarily speechless.

What was this little daoist doing?

“E-E-E-Expert J-Jiayi, th-th-that’s a g-ghost, isn’t it?”

“Well, yes…”

Finally noticing the strange looks they were getting, Expert Jiayi thought about what a strange sight they must be making.

They were both about the same height, so imagine how that must look! A normal looking youth hiding behind a pretty boy while trembling!

Even though he found it extremely amusing, Expert Jiayi controlled himself and asked, “Is Friend Chenglei not very good with ghosts?”

“I’m completely shit with them!”

Yuan Chenglei hated horror so, so very much, and the only thing he liked about it was that it wasn’t real.

So why was that pale figure with disheveled hair and dark holes for eyes, dripping blood from its eyesockets and looking very, very much like a hungry ghost full of malice here in real life!?

“I see… but … even ignoring the fact that it would be impossible to raid an ancient tomb without at least a ghost or two hanging around … ghosts are the most common things that cultivators see in an urban environment, right?”

WHAT. I didn’t hear anything about this! – Yuan Chenglei cried tears of blood on the inside.

If it was a western ghost, just a sort of transparent person, he might be able to endure, but this…

I can’t, can’t deal with this sort of cursing ghost!

“I see… well, first, you should start out by not staring at it so much.”

Although Expert Jiayi was still confused at Yuan Chenglei’s reaction, he reached up with both hands and gently turned Yuan Chenglei’s face to the side.

“Ugh… so you mean, I’m going to have to deal with ghosts now even though I’m just staying within the city?!”

Yuan Chenglei wailed.

“Well, yes. There are a lot of people who die with grudges in the cities, after all.”

Yuan Chenglei felt like crying.

Expert Jiayi patted him reassuringly on the shoulder.

“Come, come. Ghosts aren’t as terrifying as you make them out to be. You should do your best to get over your fears if you want to explore the secret places in this world.”

“W-well, I get that, but…” Yuan Chenglei snuck another look at the ghost, but nope. That’s not something he’s going to just “get used to”!

“Sh-should we just let it be? It… it could hurt people, right?” he asked anxiously.

Even if he was terrified of it, he couldn’t just let other people get hurt from it, right?

Although he was definitely hoping Expert Jiayi would be the one to deal with it!

However, Expert Jiayi shook his head.

“I do have some means against ghosts, but given the timing right now, I would say we should just let what will happen naturally happen. I told you many sects have gathered in this city, correct? Among those sects are ghost cultivators and ghost hunters. If this ghost was something someone was raising, it would be bad to stick our hands in it.”

“Who would want to RAISE a ghost!?”

Even though he kind of knew the answer, Yuan Chenglei still objected.

Expert Jiayi just chuckled darkly.

“There are all sorts of people among cultivators… it would be good if this was just an impetuous ghost hunter sect fattening their prey first, but even if it isn’t, given that there are so many ghost hunters in the city, the problem will sort itself out. If this ghost was being raised by a ghost cultivator or a ghost eater … I for one don’t want to make enemies out of them. Let the ones who specialize in ghosts fight it out. Although… if that one really was going to hurt people right now, we shouldn’t leave it.”

Oh, so that ghost wasn’t going to hurt anyone yet… like Yuan Chenglei could believe that when the ghost had THAT sort of appearance.

As if sensing Yuan Chenglei’s disbelief, Expert Jiayi gave him a wry smile.

“There is a lot more to ghost hunting than simply being able to kill or ferry a ghost. Not only am I willing to leave it to the ghost hunters within the city to deal with, ghost hunters actively hunt ghosts down, so there’s no problem with ignoring the ghost right now.”

“I don’t really get it, but I’ll keep it in mind,” Yuan Chenglei said, still trying to shake off his fright.

He was a little embarrassed to have shown such a side of himself to Expert Jiayi, but you can’t expect a complete scaredy cat like him to be able to see a ghost, with absolutely no warning, and be okay.

Later on, he should ask Laoban to explain these matters to him clearly!

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