Chapter 540: Night Market

Chapter 540: Night Market

Hui flew out of the water and into the air. High up, he peered down at the world around him.

In the darkness of night, a few lanterns dimly lit a sprawling market. Ghosts, ghouls, and other monsters of unknown providence wandered around the narrow streets, the passageways cluttered with stalls, stands, and streetside sellers. Half-dressed female ghouls in thick makeup allowed glimpses of their rotting bodies through translucent robes, winking and smirking at the passersby from beneath red lanterns. Burly one-eyed monsters smoked outside a low-slung gambling establishment, casting vicious looks at the passersby. Demons wandered around, slinging back jugs of alcohol, while a drowned ghost with long, wavy seaweed-like hair beckoned anyone who looked his way toward an ornamental garden with placid, dark ponds.

Eh? Did Zhu Diyu want to show me this night market? Is that all?

No, theres got to be more to it. Ill keep poking around. After all, Im a dead person right now. I shouldnt be in too much danger, exploring a night market filled with monsters. From a certain perspective, I am a monster.

Hui circulated his qi again. Midair, he burst out of his seed shell and reached his full size. He dropped out of the sky and landed beside the pot of boiling water hed leaped out of, in which various human body parts stewed.

Growing a hat from his lotus body, he put it on his head and turned to walk away.

A bony hand caught his sleeve with surprising strength. Hui stopped short and turned back.

Hey. No stealin, the old lady ghoul stirring the pot grunted, scowling at him. A patched set of robes hung loose off her bloated flesh. They hung open, revealing far too much of her sagging breasts and greenish skin. Hui quickly averted his eyes, unwilling to see any more than he already had.

I didnt steal, Hui said, somewhat confused.

You came out of my pot. That means youre mine, she said, crossing her arms.

He shook his head. I fell into your pot seconds earlier. That doesnt make me yours.

The old ghoul sniffed at him. The head burst out of the pot, streaming hair after it and screaming. She flicked her wrist, smacking the head right back into the boiling water. Sure does. Youre my lotus seed. Im making lotus seed and head soup. Just because you fell into it, doesnt mean you arent mine.

Elder Sister, please reconsider, Hui said.

Im considerin, but all Im coming up with says youd better pay up, or Ill call the patrol, she said, narrowing her eyes.

Ah, then youre willing to admit you were going to poison your fellow ghouls? Hui said, putting a finger on the side of his face.

What? she asked, raising a brow.

Yes, yes. You know, Im a lotus seed ghost. Im the resentful spirit born from thousands of roasted lotus seeds, eaten without justice. Ive accumulated a lot of resentment and poison inside myself in retribution for all my eaten lotus seed brethren. If I was a part of your soup, then isnt that the same as admitting to attempting to poison all these ghouls around you? Hui asked, shaking his head.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

The ghoul scowled. Ive never heard of a lotus seed ghost.

Mmm, thats because were exceedingly rare. Exceedingly rare, and exceedingly poisonous. Would Elder Sister like to try? Hui held out his hand. Ugh, I really dont want her to bite me. Please dont actually try.

Whoa, watch it! the lantern shouted, vibrating angrily in his grasp.

Ah, sorry, sorry, Senior, Hui said, releasing it. But those flames. Theyre phoenix flames!

What are you looking at? the lantern asked. It spun around, glowering at him with a buff male face.

Im sorry. Its just that Seniors flames are entrancing, Hui said, waving his hand.

Hmph. Stop eyeing my girl, the lantern said, turning slightly away from him.

On the opposite side of the door they hung over, the other lantern whirled around. This lantern had a slender, handsome face, haughty, sporting high cheekbones. Your girl? Shes everyones girl. Dont be ridiculous.

Making it sound like my woman is the towns whore, how presumptuous! the first lantern snapped. His flames flared up, bursting out of the top of the lantern.

Stop deluding yourself, idiot. She belongs to everyone, the second lantern said, rolling its eyes.

Er, Seniors where could I find myself some of these flames? Hui asked.

Hands off my woman! the first lantern howled.

The second one shook its body, as if shaking its head. It nodded at Hui. Head toward the center of town. In the Black Dragons gambling den, ask for Little Fire.

Youhow dare you! the first lantern spat, trembling with rage.

Hui bowed. Thank you, Senior.

Dont thank me yet, the lantern muttered, half to itself.

Hmm? Hui asked.

Nothing, the lantern said, turning away.

Hmm suspicious! Though Ill be honest, going to a Black Dragons gambling den sounds like danger from start to finish! This small Hui will have to be very careful, very careful! Hui nodded to himself as he walked off, adjusting his hat once more.

Shes my woman, you hear me? My woman! the first lantern shouted after him, furious.

Yes, yes, Senior. Small cultivator understands! Hui said, bowing as he backed away. Too noisy, far too noisy. Its time to make my escape! He whirled on his heel and ran off. The lantern continued to shout after him, but Hui snaked through the crowd and escaped, leaving the lantern to cause a scene on its own.