Chapter 106: Chapter 104: Money Makes Ghosts Push the Millstone

It had been nearly half a year since Song Ciwan’s Innate Wisdom awakened, integrating the memories of her past life.

It had been early autumn when she first awakened, but now it was the dead of winter.

Because she had cultivated to the Qi Refining Stage, she was no longer very sensitive to the cold. To her, the winters of Su Yang and Pinglan both felt rather mild.

However, when Xie Yunxiang mentioned that Illusory Nether City would open in three days, Song Ciwan suddenly felt a chill wash over her.

The words "year’s end" and "harsh winter" involuntarily linked themselves in her mind at that moment. They were a perfect match.

At the same time, an even more fitting word came to mind: loneliness.

Yes, loneliness, not liveliness.

It was only after bidding farewell to Xie Yunxiang that Song Ciwan discovered the streets of Pinglan City had, at some point, been decked out with lanterns and colorful decorations.

Although New Year’s Eve had not yet arrived, most people had already prepared their goods for the holiday.

The doorways of every shop were hung with colorful lanterns, and stalls selling Spring Festival couplets could be seen everywhere. All sorts of special holiday foods and clothes were also on lively display along the streets.

Even the Song Puppets wandering the streets often had one or two bright red "Fortune" patterns pasted onto their clumsy, iron bodies.

And yet, Song Ciwan, who had been completely absorbed in her Cultivation lately, hadn’t noticed any of it.

It was just like the saying goes: All the excitement belongs to them...

’And what does that have to do with me?’

Of course, while the festivities belonged to others, Song Ciwan felt she was quite rich in her own way.

She found that, sometimes, she truly enjoyed her own solitude and loneliness.

Inner peace was her wealth.

However, a life of peace and tranquility required strength and confidence. Thus, Song Ciwan felt she could try her hand at acquiring the resources Illusory Nether City had to offer.

She had asked Xie Yunxiang at the time, "During the New Year, there’s a folk custom of setting off firecrackers to drive away the Nian Beast. Is this related to the opening of Illusory Nether City?"

Xie Yunxiang had replied, "There is indeed a connection. On New Year’s Eve, as the old year gives way to the new, both the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi and the Netherworld Spring experience a violent surge. Illusory Nether City can’t necessarily contain all the Nether Qi, and occasional leaks can lead to all sorts of strange and monstrous incidents."

"The firecrackers set off by the common folk and the gathered vital energy of the living can, to some extent, drive these monsters away."

"Every year around this time, the Lantern Hanging Department and the City Patrol Department are incredibly busy. Even outside the County seat, in some remote towns or villages where there are no Netherworld Springs, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi still becomes turbulent as the old year is replaced by the new."

At this point, Xie Yunxiang let out a dry chuckle. "When we enter Illusory Nether City on New Year’s Eve to slay ghouls and demons, we’re actually helping to relieve some of the pressure on the outside world."

"But Brother Xin, I have to be honest with you. Ever since I reached the Qi Transformation Stage ten years ago, I’ve been able to get an entry pass for Illusory Nether City from my clan every year. But... I’m a coward. I’ve actually never been, not even once..."

Xie Yunxiang’s shoulders hunched slightly again. His eyes darted downward, his gaze shifting from side to side as if it had nowhere to rest.

He was afraid Xin Mian would look down on him!

Song Ciwan simply asked, "Is Illusory Nether City extremely dangerous? Is that why Daoist Xie chooses not to go, out of caution?"

Xie Yunxiang said sheepishly, "It is dangerous, yes, but if you just stick to the outskirts of Illusory Nether City, the ghouls generally don’t exceed Village Level. If you’re careful, it’s not like there’s no way to survive. It’s just... ever since I was a child... I’ve been afraid of ghouls!"

’So that was the reason.’

Song Ciwan turned to look at Xie Yunxiang, who was covering his face in shame, looking as if he wished the ground would swallow him whole.

...

She snorted with laughter. Kindness be damned, wasn’t this what good brothers were for? To be laughed at?

Xie Yunxiang felt his own face, decided he was thick-skinned enough to take it, and chuckled along.

The Heaven and Earth Scale appeared again, a ball of vapor resting on its Balance Plate.

[Human Desires: The anxiety, confusion, and shame of a Qi Transformation Stage Cultivator. Weight: two jin and one tael. Redeemable.]

In just this short meeting, Xie Yunxiang had already provided Song Ciwan with four substantial offerings of "human desires."

He might not be like Wang Yi, who practically won himself over, but his sincerity was its own kind of killer move.

He was also far more generous than Wang Yi; his emotions surged forth, offering up a jin or two at the drop of a hat! ’With a good brother like this, who wouldn’t wish him a long and prosperous path to immortality?’

Xie Yunxiang later added, "Brother Xin, I’m only providing one of the spots, and my Cultivation is far inferior to yours. If we gain anything in Illusory Nether City, let’s split it eighty-twenty. Eighty percent for you, Brother Xin, and twenty for me." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Once they entered Illusory Nether City, it would be a blessing if Xie Yunxiang’s Cultivation didn’t hold them back. To gather any resources, they would have to rely on "Xin Mian" as the main force. Therefore, Xie Yunxiang considered this split to be reasonable.

Furthermore, this was also his way of thanking Xin Mian for helping him out last time at Bright Moon Square.

Agreeing on the split beforehand was also a way to put the other party’s mind at ease and prevent any future disputes.

Song Ciwan didn’t object to this arrangement, but she had already decided in her heart that she would do everything in her power to protect Xie Yunxiang’s life in Illusory Nether City.

’With Xie Yunxiang being so generous, wasn’t this just his way of paying for his life?’

’It was better to accept it graciously; that would also set his mind at ease.’

Sure enough, after Song Ciwan agreed, Xie Yunxiang’s hunched shoulders unknowingly relaxed and straightened. He stood up taller and, with a smile, began telling Song Ciwan many things to watch out for in Illusory Nether City.

At the same time, the Heaven and Earth Scale once again collected a ball of his emotions: [Human Desires: The joy, worry, and joy of a Qi Transformation Stage Cultivator. Weight: one jin and eight taels. Redeemable.]

Xie Yunxiang’s whole expression relaxed, his face beaming with delight. He then cheerfully and enthusiastically recommended several Spiritual Material Shops to Song Ciwan.

"Brother Xin," he said, "these shops aren’t as large as Seven Treasures Tower, but their reputation is also quite good. You can get some small items for ten to twenty percent cheaper than at Seven Treasures Tower. If you need to stock up on anything, Brother Xin, you should take a look."

"For this trip to Illusory Nether City, it would be best for you to carry some extra Primordial Pearls and gold and silver, Brother Xin."

As he spoke, he lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "There’s an old saying, ’With enough money, you can even make ghosts turn your millstone.’ Brother Xin, in Illusory Nether City, money is useful too..."

"I read about this in some miscellaneous records in my clan’s library. It’s not something ordinary people know, so you must take it seriously, Brother Xin."

"Copper coins, or perhaps copper coins from a previous dynasty, might be even more useful..."

Song Ciwan watched him winking conspiratorially and smiled.

A short while later, Song Ciwan bid farewell to Xie Yunxiang. They agreed to meet again in three days, on New Year’s Eve, at 3:15 PM at the foot of Wangjiang Mountain.

It turned out the entrance to Illusory Nether City was located at Wangjiang Mountain, and it opened on the evening of New Year’s Eve, at sunset!