Chasing after her husband? Is it even possible to win him back?

"I may not understand the Ghost Clan, but I understand human nature." Chu Xunfeng looked at the red candle, his expression unwavering. "You can set a trap for me, and I can certainly retaliate in kind, and I will obviously do it more subtly."

"You failed to deceive me, but I deceived you." Chu Xunfeng picked up the Yin Sha Pearl and put it back into his storage magic item. "Let's continue."

Hongzhu had already gathered Yin energy, preparing for a desperate fight, but upon hearing those three words from Chu Xunfeng, she was stunned. "Continue what?"

"Let me explain the general rules." Chu Xunfeng tapped the table with his finger. "I can let what happened just now go on, since I don't really mind the occasional dangerous thoughts that come to mind of you crazy people who can't control yourselves. But testing my patience and my bottom line time and time again is a different matter."

His attitude was clear: he was giving you a chance, but if you still couldn't seize it, Chu Xunfeng wouldn't mind overturning the original plan and using a more high-profile approach to achieve his goals.

Red Candle immediately regained its composure, concealing its deathly appearance, and chose to follow its heart, asking, "May I ask what Your Excellency wishes to know?"

"The rules of the ghost market."

"The rules of the ghost market are very simple: transactions are entirely voluntary, after-sales service is voluntary for the seller, and accountability is voluntary for the buyer. Forced buying and selling is not allowed, and disputes cannot be conducted openly, otherwise the council will intervene directly."

"Completely gray area rules." Chu Xunfeng had a feeling about this after hearing Hongzhu's vague introduction, but now he could only say that the exact result was beyond his expectations.

"Then what do you mean by sightseeing?" Chu Xunfeng asked, looking at the red candle.

"Passing through the Ghost Market and venturing deep into the Black Forest means you've truly entered the territory that belongs solely to the Ghost Clan. There are more rules there, and most of them are in the Ghost Clan's favor. Everything must be done according to the Ghost Clan's rules. Most large-scale transactions take place in the Ghost City and can only be conducted using the Ghost Clan's currency."

"What about the others? Your red lantern, and the newly born ghost clan?"

"The red lanterns are magical artifacts issued by the council and can be used to suppress souls. Newly born ghosts generally need to undergo a certain amount of enlightenment and education before being sent to the ghost market to 'pay their debts'."

Chu Xunfeng tapped his finger on the table, pondering for a moment, "What exactly is this so-called debt repayment?"

"To enlighten newborn ghosts, we need pure Yin Sha and some Yin Sha beads. These things are provided by the bosses in the ghost market. Whoever needs a ghost to help out or run errands can make an application, and we guides will use their goods and send the person over to be at their beck and call."

"Slaves?" Chu Xunfeng frowned slightly.

Upon hearing Chu Xunfeng's words, Hongzhu hurriedly shook her head, "My lord, you misunderstand. This is an employment relationship. After all, the Ghost Market is the window for our Ghost Clan to face the outside world of the Nine Provinces and Three Regions. Who knows which new Ghost Clan member might encounter their relatives or friends from their previous life here. If we treat them as slaves, it would be difficult to explain to some of the Ghost Market's bosses, including the Ghost Elders in the Council."

"I'm afraid it's only on the surface; they'll still take advantage of you to some extent." Chu Xunfeng has always had a clear understanding of human nature. If there's no benefit to be gained, the owners of the Ghost Market probably wouldn't be so kind as to replace the waiter on a one-to-one basis.

Don't forget, this is the territory of the demon race. Demons who drive negative energy are probably not kind-hearted at all.

Faced with Chu Xunfeng's blunt assessment, Hongzhu could only offer an awkward smile and find herself at a loss for words.

After all, the Ghost Market had seen other races intervene in these matters before, those who couldn't stand some evil deeds. Hongzhu was also afraid that the person in front of her was that kind of person, and that a single lightning strike would kill her.

"How do I get into the ghost market?"

"Just pay a donation and you'll get a receipt," Hongzhu said cautiously with a smile.

"It shouldn't be done here by you, the so-called guide, right?" Chu Xunfeng looked at Hongzhu meaningfully.

“Of course…no.” Red Candle was on the verge of tears, facing the man before her whose every move seemed to be meaningful, thoughtful, and conveying some message to her.

She was terrified and couldn't serve him properly.

Chapter 5, Transactions and Buying/Selling

Hongzhu took Chu Xunfeng out.

Carrying the red lantern, they led the mentally suppressed Old Wang deeper into the villages along the outer edge of the Black Forest.

Chu Xunfeng remained silent the whole way, stroking the Yin Sha Pearl in his hand, his eyes occasionally glancing back at Old Wang who was following at the edge of the red light.

Having pieced together a considerable amount of information from Hongzhu, Chu Xunfeng had already grasped the arrangements made by the foreigner Jiu Yi.

A single Yin Sha Pearl, seven miles through the Ghost Forest, and he had meticulously calculated his own mindset.

If it weren't for the Yin Sha Pearl attracting Old Wang, he would have rushed through the seven-mile Ghost Forest in half an hour at most, barging into the Ghost Clan's territory where he knew absolutely no rules, and wouldn't even know who had tricked him.

But with Lao Wang by my side, the vigilance that arose from the moment we met and the self-reflection that was immediately mobilized, along with what I saw, thought, and deduced along the way, and my wariness of Hongzhu, allowed me to unintentionally resolve a lot of trouble and avoid many pitfalls.

And this was just a Yin Sha Pearl and a seven-mile-long road, plus my own speculation, or rather, a test.

As he rubbed the Yin Sha Pearl, which was so cold it stung him, Chu Xunfeng smiled bitterly to himself.

It's hard to say whether Gui Lao Jiu orchestrated everything or simply presented a test, but Chu Xunfeng was indeed convinced. However, since it was a case of someone being cunning but not cunning, Chu Xunfeng didn't care about this small scheme.

After all, he hadn't actually suffered any loss. If he had, then Gui Lao Jiu probably wouldn't have continued to pay attention to him.

If they can't even handle this situation, completing the deal with the foreigner is just wishful thinking.

The deputy commander of the Bronze Beast Clan betrayed his cause, and his pregnant wife disappeared without a trace.

It sounds like a sentence, but upon closer examination...

How much power does the deputy commander of the Bronze Beasts in the capital have at his disposal? Why did he betray his cause? After his defection, will anyone still remember his past and help him? When his wife went missing, will anyone lend a hand? Is that woman even still alive?

The sheer volume of problems was like dozens of balls of yarn tangled together, not to mention that this happened decades ago.

Forget about getting started, just being able to touch a thread is a blessing.

Besides, this is only about Gui Lao Jiu's affairs; what about his own affairs?

The Chu family was exterminated for deceiving the emperor, yet I was adopted by the Ning family in the same city as Liucheng, and no one has even bothered to ask about it... Is this really reasonable?

I don't know what the Dark Star Pavilion is plotting, and they've been trying to get me involved. Moreover, the Dark Star Pavilion seems to know that I possess a system... or rather, they believe it's some kind of serendipitous encounter that periodically occurs to certain individuals. They are also searching for the existence of the system, but why?

Thinking of this, Chu Xunfeng raised his hand to his forehead and sighed, wishing he could press the icy Yin Sha Pearl in his hand into his forehead to calm his mind.

Hearing the sigh behind her, Hongzhu, the ghost who had been leading the way, trembled slightly. "Young master, is there anything I haven't done...?"

Before Hongzhu could finish speaking, Chu Xunfeng interrupted, "This is none of your business. Just lead the way."

“Young Master, we have arrived.” Hongzhu turned to Chu Xunfeng awkwardly. “But seeing that you were deep in thought, I dared not disturb you.”

Chu Xunfeng looked up and saw a fairly well-maintained two-story wooden house. The door was closed, but red light shone through the paper-covered windows.

"Come in." Chu Xunfeng cleared his mind of all the random thoughts and followed Hongzhu into the wooden house after she knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" A chilling male voice came from behind the curtain facing the hall's main entrance.

"Inspector Qi, it's me, Hongzhu. I've brought a member of our clan and a human." The girl carrying the red lantern replied softly.

As Hongzhu finished speaking, a head with sunken cheeks and a thin, bony face peeked out from behind the curtain, followed by the entire body that emerged through the motionless curtain.

"A newcomer, and... a human?" The male ghost, whom Hongzhu called Inspector Qi, sized up Chu Xunfeng, especially sensing the aura of the Yin Sha Pearl in Chu Xunfeng's hand. He had a good idea of ​​what was going on and a smile appeared on his face. "A distinguished guest."

"May I ask how we address our honored guest?"

"Chu".

"Alright, Young Master Chu, the Ghost Clan is special, and we don't have much to offer you. Could you please wait a moment while I handle some official business before receiving you?" Inspector Qi, with a smile plastered on his face, was subtly trying to curry favor with Chu Xunfeng.

How could they not try to please him? He's called an inspector, but he's really just a village chief with a little power. He can't even leave the villages on the outskirts of this Black Forest. This guy in front of them is carrying a token from a foreigner. They'd be grateful if they could treat him well and see him off. They dared not neglect him.

"Speaking of the one Miss Hongzhu brought along, he did me a small favor in the Ghost Forest by helping me with the proper procedures. I'd like to keep him by my side for a while." Chu Xunfeng looked at the gaunt male ghost in front of him and made a request, which was also a kind of test.

"This..." Inspector Qi hesitated, then frowned slightly. "Young Master Chu, this... is not in accordance with the rules..."

"I don't have the Yin Sha Pearl. Could you please ask Inspector Qi to arrange a barter with the Ghost Market owner?" Chu Xunfeng was testing the rules, and at the same time, he was also trying to see if there were any traps hidden in the rules that Hongzhu had told him.

"With goods coming in and going out, this is naturally not a problem." If there are enough goods to cover the cost of the Yin Sha Pearl, then this matter can naturally be handled, and Inspector Qi naturally has no need to block Chu Xunfeng's path.

"I have some rare minerals, spirit stones, and some medicinal herbs. What would be the most convenient thing to do?"

"Bartering is naturally done with minerals or medicinal herbs," said Inspector Qi. He walked behind the low counter, took out a thick book, and pointed to a few pages. "Two pieces of Grade 5 jade or similar minerals, each weighing three taels, or Grade 6 metal ore weighing five taels or more, can be arranged."

"Five taels of diamond jade, plus one mace of blue mist ore." Chu Xunfeng tossed out his chips.

"It's settled, but Young Master Chu might suffer some losses." Inspector Qi chuckled, but his words still subtly pointed out that Chu Xunfeng had been given a bit too much.

"You handle it as you see fit, but don't cause any trouble and drag me into it. I need to get into the Ghost Market, and Hongzhu said she needs some kind of certificate from you." Chu Xunfeng didn't mind taking a small loss. This Inspector Qi was no simple man either; giving him a little something would make things easier.

"Young Master Chu is generous; this is easy to arrange." Inspector Qi rubbed his hands together, chuckled for a moment, then turned to Hongzhu. "Hongzhu, the newborn members of your clan can stay here. Come and collect the lanterns tomorrow. I'll give you ten more low-grade Yin Sha Pearls tomorrow. As for Young Master Chu's matter..."

Hongzhu listened to the whole thing from the side, her mind racing with calculations. When she heard her superior's meaning, she quickly nodded and said, "Hongzhu understands."

The young girl left the lantern and Old Wang behind, retreated to the doorway, greeted her superior and Chu Xunfeng, and gracefully bowed before leaving.

Before leaving, the girl who met Chu Xunfeng's gaze blinked and smiled, no longer as afraid of him as before.

Chu Xunfeng, meanwhile, raised an eyebrow slightly as he watched Hongzhu's departing figure.

What does she mean?

Chapter Six, Old Wang

“Young Master Chu, please wait here for a moment. I will take this friend to deal with his…” Inspector Qi said, raising his finger and tapping his head. “It will take about half an hour.”

"Hmm." Chu Xunfeng nodded slightly, watching as Inspector Qi picked up the lantern left by the red candle and led Old Wang up the stairs. The two ghostly figures disappeared together on the second floor.

Taking advantage of this brief moment, Chu Xunfeng called the system.

System, regarding the mission with the foreigners, can you help me find any useful clues?

Chu Xunfeng dared to accept the foreigner's mission not only because he was very confident in his own intelligence, but also because of the existence of the system.

Although the system's name, something like "The Strongest Immortal Cultivator," sounds rather out of place, Chu Xunfeng discovered that the system's most powerful abilities were firstly, its perception of the outside world far surpassed its own, and secondly, its intelligence.

Of course, Chu Xunfeng did not deny that things like the Scripture Pavilion, the System Space, and the Three Cultivations Foundation were very useful, but at this stage, he needed the system to help him process information.

The system's suggestion is to seek out the influence of Guilaojiu.

Chu Xunfeng tapped the table lightly with his fingers. He shared the same thought as the system. Gui Lao Jiu had mentioned frankly before that he had also had someone investigate the same thing, and these things should have left records.

Although the foreigner was unwilling to tell him directly, he could find out for himself.

Moreover, he could investigate matters involving the traitorous bronze beasts together with his own affairs with Gui Lao Jiu. The only problem was that he lacked the necessary channels.