Chpater 75 - A Girl Dies Every Day in Her Dream Life

After the downfall of the former Saintess, the Ghostly Tavern continued its operations without any disruption. As per the scheduled time, the members of the Medicine Gang arrived leisurely at the Ghostly Tavern. The Tianhai Gang had long reserved rooms and awaited the arrival of the Medicine Gang. This tense gathering garnered attention from many minor forces in Guimoguan. These smaller factions relied on the three main gangs, sharing their fortunes and downfalls alike. Friction between the Tianhai Gang and the Medicine Gang was long-standing, intensifying recently with the alchemical workshop incident being just a spark. Of course, even if the cultivators of Guimoguan wanted to witness such a rare spectacle, entry into the Ghostly Tavern was beyond their reach. At most, they could only gather outside and speculate whether the two gangs would resort to violence if negotiations broke down. However, some had the privilege of witnessing the events firsthand. To the famed prodigies of Demon Ghost City, Sima Ye and Shangguan Lengyan, money was not a concern. "What is the current situation?" Sima Ye toyed with a wine cup, savoring its contents, and remarked, "The Medicine Gang and the Tianhai Gang... isn't it just a proxy battle between the Changchun Pavilion and the Iron Sea Sect?" Both the Changchun Pavilion and the Iron Sea Sect were sects in Youzhou, with the latter ambitiously eyeing the position of the Nine Immortal Sects, currently held by the former. The Medicine Gang and the Tianhai Gang, established under the influence of these two sects, were merely a reflection of their wider conflict. "They haven't started fighting yet." Shangguan Lengyan's eye glowed with a strange crimson hue as she observed the negotiations between the Tianhai Gang and the Medicine Gang. "That much I know; it wouldn't be this quiet if they had." Sima Ye shook his head and said. After a moment of hesitation, Shangguan Lengyan added, "Hmm... They haven't started arguing yet, just discussing the alchemical workshop incident from a few days ago." "A Foundation Establishment body cultivator managed to escape from Core Formation experts?" Sima Ye narrowed his eyes, dismissing the alleged accomplices mentioned in rumors, believing that a newly advanced innate cultivator couldn't get involved in such high-level matters. "Sounds typical of Iron Sea Sect cultivators, renowned for taking beatings well." "But the Tianhai Gang suspects it to be someone from the Medicine Gang, because an elixir resembling the Nine Transformation Resurrection Pill was used, allowing rapid recovery from severe injuries." Shangguan Lengyan continued, though her interest in the affair was minimal, only indulging due to Sima Ye's insistence. "Interesting, interesting. I planned to find a discreet place to talk with that little sister, and we stumbled upon this." Sima Ye's lips curved slightly, and he took another sip of his drink with a sigh of admiration. "Excellent wine. Indeed worthy of the Wine Immortal's creation! She disappeared ages ago, yet there's still some of her stock here in the Ghostly Tavern. "Alas, once this cup is finished, finding another will be nigh impossible..." "The agreed time is near. Unless something goes awry, that so-called Shadow Gang should be bringing her over soon." Shangguan Lengyan retracted her gaze and murmured, "Do you truly believe that girl knows anything?" "Just a hunch; meeting her won't hurt. Didn't you bargain down five Yellow Tier Energy Consolidating Pills to just two?" Sima Ye teased, "You normally wash with Tianshan Spirit Water, yet suddenly you're so... frugal in this matter?" "I already told you it wasn't me who haggled..." At the mention of this, Shangguan Lengyan couldn't hide a look of exasperation, despite her usually indifferent demeanor. Meanwhile, outside the Ghostly Tavern. A tall figure in a wide-brimmed hat, stern-faced, escorted a ragged young girl through the crowd and into the Ghostly Tavern. While it seemed they exchanged no words, they were actually engaged in a lively mental conversation. "Your disguise technique is impressive, even better than my Thousand Faces Technique..." "Just a talent of ours. We sisters use a method to temporarily merge our minds and decide the appearance afterward—though we can't alter our outer facade, so we have to use the hat to cover it." If the hat was removed, one would see that the figure was merely a silhouette with form and substance. "The world is full of wonders." Luo Xue could only marvel at this. Nangong Mengxiang hadn't accompanied them but remained concealed nearby, always vigilant of Luo Xue and the Sha sisters' movements. In the event of trouble, she would act swiftly to save them. A few days ago, given the state Nangong Mengxiang was in, even Core Formation cultivators would find it hard to track her if she decided to flee. Luo Xue first ensured she wasn't in a dangerous situation, then followed the hat-wearing figure with a timid expression. "Isn't the Ghostly Tavern lively today..." Sha Yiyi mused aloud, feeling somewhat out of sorts. Appearing openly under such a guise in broad daylight for the first time, she thought the Ghostly Tavern, with its high-end status, would usually remain quiet, sparing her from unfamiliar scenarios. Yet today, many curious cultivators had gathered around, unaware of what was occurring. Thankfully, they didn't venture too close, allowing Sha Yiyi to breathe a sigh of relief. However, the peculiar duo still drew a fair amount of attention. "Is the Ghostly Tavern usually empty?" Luo Xue asked, curious. "It's just a place stealing your money! Extremely overpriced, and the food's taste is just mediocre," Sha Keke ranted, "They only use premium ingredients, nothing like my cooking, a real waste..." Unlike her sister's agile and insightful mind, Sha Keke focused on earning and cooking, or rather, cooking to earn. Luo Xue had experienced Sha Keke's culinary skills and found them exceptional. Unfortunately, for cultivators who had long since ceased eating, flavor mattered little. They were more concerned about the effects of heavenly materials and earthly treasures. The trio chatted as they reached the entrance to the Ghostly Tavern. Looking up, a tavern maid came forward to greet them. She nodded politely at Luo Xue and the Sha sisters, saying, "Mr. Sima and Miss Shangguan are expecting you." Chapter 89: The Saintess's Protector "Sima... Shangguan..." Hearing these surnames, Luo Xue furrowed her brow slightly. In neither this life nor her past one had she encountered cultivators with such surnames, let alone seen a single cultivator with a compound surname. Why were they suddenly interested in her... The hat-wearing figure embodied by the Sha sisters nodded slightly and led Luo Xue inside. Once they all entered the tavern, the curious gazes dissipated—it was the impending conflict between the Tianhai Gang and the Medicine Gang that held everyone's attention more than this odd pairing. Upon entering, Luo Xue was immediately stunned by the surroundings. Within the antique building, serene and melodious zither music drifted through the air. Even with her limited knowledge of music, Luo Xue could sense that the musician was no ordinary individual. Each movement and pluck of the strings seemed to tug at the listener's heartstrings. A subtle but enduring fragrance pervaded the room, complementing the zither's resonance, inducing a tranquil and delightful sensation. The Ghostly Tavern must have employed some kind of spatial enchantment, as its interior appeared much larger than it seemed from outside. Maidens akin to their guide moved gracefully around. Every encounter warranted a slight bow or nod. There was no main hall in the tavern, only private rooms arranged around the perimeter, each shielded by wards to prevent eavesdropping. As they walked further, the zither music grew clearer, and Luo Xue finally saw the performer. A serene woman dressed in white sat in the central open space of the private quarters, her eyes closed, fingers dancing nimbly across the strings, oblivious to the surroundings. "It's the 'Zither Sorceress'! Now I believe the Ghostly Tavern's background involves the Yin Spirit Palace's former Saintess..." Sha Yiyi's voice transmitted into Luo Xue's ears, laced with undisguised astonishment. "What do you mean?" Luo Xue never missed the chance for a good gossip, especially when it involved the Yin Spirit Palace's Saintess, even if she was a former one. From her time in the Juexao Sect onward, Luo Xue heard many rumors about the Yin Spirit Palace and its Saintess. The more she heard, the more eerie it felt... If only Xiaoyao survived the treachery on Mount Fengyin without encountering that fearsome palace Saintess. "They say the 'Zither Sorceress' was the former Saintess's protector and discovered the current Saintess before reporting her to the Yin Spirit Palace." Even through a mental link, Sha Yiyi instinctively lowered her voice. "Without my extensive network, even I might not recognize her..." "She's a Nascent Soul powerhouse... not many have laid eyes on her!" And yet you're still daring to communicate like that? Hearing this, Luo Xue felt a chill and immediately focused some of her attention on the Zither Sorceress. Fortunately, it seemed the Zither Sorceress wasn't aware of their hushed whispers. She continued to play calmly, her soothing melodies gently easing everyone's minds. It was difficult to reconcile such a serene individual with the moniker "Sorceress." Had she not been present here, one might assume she was a fairy from a prominent sect in some celestial realm. Luo Xue let out a quiet sigh of relief, considering that perhaps individuals of their low cultivation status weren't worth her notice after all. "This way, please," the maid said, motioning for Luo Xue and the Sha sisters to follow her upstairs. The figure in the hat climbed the stairs without a word, but in their minds, a lively chatter began, "Oh wow, our employer must be really wealthy to afford upstairs seating!" "I could only dream of dining on the first floor without having to sell our inn..." "Being seated upstairs, even just booking a private room, could cost as much as our entire inn, not to mention the ridiculously expensive food!" Sha Keke gritted her teeth in frustration, exclaiming, "I knew my sister was too soft, should've asked for more... ended up lowering the price on her own!" "How was I supposed to know they had so much money..." Sha Yiyi replied, slightly dejected. "Alright, alright," Luo Xue cut in, trying to quell the burgeoning panic. "Let's go up first and see who exactly we're dealing with." In such uncertain times, they'd have to take things as they come. As the maid led Luo Xue and the others away, the Zither Sorceress, previously absorbed in her playing, paused. She turned to glance in the direction Luo Xue had gone, briefly opening her eyes. They were a startling sight, pure white and devoid of pupils. "A disciple of the Juexao Sect..." the Zither Sorceress murmured, furrowing her brow. "Yet why does her aura bear a slight resemblance to the Saintess's charge left with me?" Slowly, she opened her palm, revealing a single withered and grey hair. It carried an unmistakable aura of death, its owner long since having perished. The Zither Sorceress had believed the Saintess's past instructions were driven by impossible desires and delusions. Yet today, here was a young girl with an eerily similar aura. "The Saintess instructed me that if I ever received any news, I must inform her," the Zither Sorceress hesitated. "But now, with the Tiancong Sword Tomb about to open, the Yin Spirit Palace absolutely cannot afford to lose to the other three forbidden domains." At such a critical juncture, distracting the Saintess might incur the wrath of the Sect Master. After all, while the Zither Sorceress served as a protector to each Saintess, her true allegiance lay with the Yin Spirit Palace. Her role as a protector was in service of the palace, not solely for the Saintess. "Well, then, I'll pass on the information and let the Saintess decide for herself," the Zither Sorceress resolved, tucking the hair away before she closed her eyes, resuming her playing. As for seizing Luo Xue by force... Countless watchful eyes had their gaze fixed on the Ghostly Tavern, and on her. Who says the Ghost City has only three Nascent Soul level elders? This place was the frontier between the celestial domain and the demonic abyss; spies from every major sect were deeply entrenched and omnipresent. The Zither Sorceress herself was there to deter other sects' Nascent Soul powerhouses lurking beneath the surface. Everyone knew the celestial-demon war was bound to erupt anew; no one wanted to be caught unprepared and fall behind in such a grand conflict. In such pivotal times, any action could cause a ripple effect throughout the realm.