Chapter 79: Stop 23: Abandoned Cemetery

Chapter 79: Stop 23: Abandoned Cemetery

The convoy gradually entered the wilderness of graves, where countless tombstones harmonized with the mountain breeze, as if whispers of spirits could be heard.

The band resumed their lively performance, injecting a sole note of revelry into this bleak scene.

The talismans on Diao Qingchang and Shi Wenguang were burning rapidly, and flames began to emerge from those who had also taken talismans!

Yet, Yan Qiling remained unperturbed.

He appeared composed and content, even without a talisman on him. Instead, he listened attentively with his ear tilted.

Soon, he heard that intermittent singing again.

After a while, it wasn't just him.

Others started to hear it too.

"…Sala… Obtaining… Lotus… Flower…"

Without waiting for the other two in the car to inquire, Yan Qiling recited the entire lyric:

"To see the dance of the saraca tree, I met a knight on horseback. Seeking lotus, I found the rhizome, like a white lotus in the pond."

Diao Qingchang, still touching the blue utpala flower around his neck, asked, puzzled, "What does this mean?"

The man's voice, crisp as the clashing of gold and jade, narrated gently:

"Remember Princess Qiong Ying who chose a husband for the princess of Huai'an Kingdom? She accompanied her sister-in-law from Lingzhi Kingdom and Fairy Shangzhen to Xianggan Temple to listen to scriptures, where she accidentally encountered Chun Yufen."

"This is a concluding poem after Chun Yufen met these three women, suggesting that he is a man of many desires and not a suitable match," the man explained.

Diao Qingchang was utterly speechless, looking at him with admiration, "Educated people are truly different. I wouldn't even be able to memorize this, let alone understand it... Do you often enjoy listening to operas? You're so knowledgeable about it."

Yan Qiling gazed at the pearl-sized moon above, his smile not as sincere as before, his tone extremely mild:

"I haven't heard it much these years," Shi Wen Guang said, more pragmatic. He was already exceptionally anxious about the strange situation they were in. "Could this song have something to do with the background story of this dungeon? Is it possible that the marriage between the Bai and Wen families is similar to Nankao Chronicles... where the Wen family's son takes on the Bai family's surname? Then, when the Bai family daughter dies, the Wen family's son starts causing chaos?"

Diao Qingchang kept slapping talismans onto himself. "Knowing this doesn't help. It's unrelated to our way out, at most it provides extra information that might even be incorrect. Right, Teacher Yan?"

Yan Qiling didn't respond but only smiled.

Diao Qingchang didn't mind and instead urged Shi Wen Guang. "Stop thinking for now. Quickly slap the talismans on, don't let Yin energy enter your body! Even if a divine being comes to save you, it'll be too late."

Shi Wen Guang had no choice but to focus on the task at hand and suppress his doubts temporarily.

Since the two of them got on the cart, the flames from the burning talismans never ceased. Surprisingly, it gave those walking in front a relatively real sense of security.

Despite this, Shiwen Guang couldn't help but feel the biting coldness seeping from his surroundings.

Yan Qiling felt nothing, for that so-called bone-chilling cold might have been comparable to his own frigid body temperature, if not colder.

Amidst the eerie gusts of wind, it seemed as though someone had taken a seat beside him.

Yan Qiling's expression remained unchanged, his slender eyelashes casting a shadow as he lowered his gaze.

He saw a bare forearm pressed against his leg, and on the ground, a pair of tiny, bare feet with toenails painted a cherry red.

Yet, there was no person in sight.

Or rather...

There was no complete person.

Yan Qiling stood as still as a mountain, not even a hint of irregularity in his breathing.

That chilling breath, as gentle as orchid scent, whispered against his ear in a secretive and alluring tone, exhaling a fragrant chill.

"Sir, you are an emotionally profound person. I have been singing the tale of Nanke here for over a hundred years, and I've never encountered someone as delightful as you... Why not alight from your carriage, sir? My residence houses tens of thousands of drama scripts, ample for us to enjoy day and night together..."

Yan Qiling didn't respond.

The moment the woman spoke, the hushed whispers around him, which were nearly dissipating, flared up once more, forming a dense encirclement that overlaid the allure in her words with a different, vexing torment.

Despite the fact that he has grown accustomed to it.

Yet, this precarious mental state could inadvertently bring an unimaginable calamity to those around him if he was not cautious.

The woman sensed his immobility, and her aura turned even colder.

He was naturally of low body temperature, but at this moment, fine frost began to crystallize on his arm. Under the pearl-like moonlight, it emitted an almost imperceptible glow. Though it didn't hinder anything, it appeared superfluous.

Yan Qiling took out a moon-white silk handkerchief from his bosom and waved it away, dispelling both the frost and the woman's faint touch.

Rarely did he show a cold demeanor, but as he turned his head to look at the emptiness, his face was eerily serene, like an apathetic deity statue.

The incomplete woman abruptly ceased her flirtatious behavior. She even tiptoed slightly backward, her lacquered toes curling in tension.

Yet, Yan Qiling remained silent. He turned his head away, resuming his tranquil state as if nothing had occurred.

The entrance to the Bai family's residence gradually came into view, and the woman's figure started to become translucent.

Perhaps this place was a forbidden zone she couldn't touch.

At the very edge of her dissipation, she reluctantly clung to the man who frightened her, whispering softly:

"My intentions were not to offend you, Lord. I am trapped within these confines, and only with the right shoes can I walk freely in this world... If you are unwilling, it would be of no consequence."

"Should you provide a pair of shoes worn by another, I possess a secret treasure that can subdue the demons of this realm. Not only will I bestow this treasure upon you, but I am also willing to dedicate myself to serving you, ensuring your safety."

Her bare forearm and feet vanished under the moonlight.

Yan Qiling remained indifferent, and the two busy with affixing talismans nearby were oblivious to what had just transpired.

That woman had come and gone without a trace, somehow evading the eyes of the exorcist.

Moreover, the fact that they were still daring to conduct business with him despite their fear made one couldn't help but feel a certain level of interest...

The two daughters' wedding palanquins entered through the main gate, while the carts carrying the rest of the personnel used the side entrance.

The two groups were separated entirely.

Diao Qingchang finally stopped bothering about the Yin energy around him.

He realized that Yin energy was omnipresent in this world; unless he stopped breathing, there was no way to avoid it. Thus, he ceased wasting charm papers and decided to resign himself to the situation.

As soon as the three of them entered through the side gate in the ox cart, they sensed a gloomy oppression.

Sparse, solitary lanterns were scattered in the corners.

They found themselves in a deep, spacious courtyard, facing a domed ceiling, with the small door behind them creaking shut.

It was as if they were ants sealed within a paper box, insignificant and at the mercy of the creator's will.

Two young servants approached, both dressed in green robes and wearing matching hats, holding lanterns lowered to the ground.

The younger one spoke:

"Mr. Diao, Lady Elder is awaiting your presence for a detailed conversation."

Diao Qingchang glanced back at the two men behind him and smiled warmly:

"In that case, I think I should bring along Mr. Yan and Mr. Shi. They are our accountants and should be included in such discussions."

The young servant merely hung his head:

"Lady Elder has requested only you, Mr. Diao. No one else may pass without her explicit permission. Please come along, sir."

Diao Qingchang felt helpless, while Shi Wenguang grew increasingly anxious.

However, there was no better alternative under the circumstances.

They parted ways then, with Diao Qingchang following the young servant to the front hall, while Yan Qiling and Shi Wenguang were led by another, more mature servant to the accounting office for an audit.

The servant entered with a lantern, illuminating the room.

In the vast accounting room, amidst piles of accounts, only Yan Qiling and Shiwen Guang were present.

Yan Qiling called out to the servant who was about to leave.

"Since your master instructed you to lead us here, it was only reasonable for you to clarify the matters we are investigating. Yet you haven't provided any details. How are we to proceed with our inquiry?"

The servant seemed taken aback that he would speak up to inquire, pausing for a moment before turning around, his face radiating obsequiousness.

"Mr. Yan is correct. However, Butler Xi Yi mentioned that this matter was previously discussed in secret with the two of you. He only asked me to guide, and I truly have no knowledge of the details."

Yan Qiling's yin-yang eyes were as cold as colored ice, yet his standard smile remained, making him appear more menacing than the servant boy:

"If I find out that you withheld information, and it ends up disrupting Miss's wedding, I will personally report it to Madam, holding you accountable!"

The servant boy's casual demeanor turned to sheer terror, his legs weakening as he knelt down!

Trembling uncontrollably, he repeatedly bowed his head:

"Mr. Yan, please understand, I... I truly have nothing to hide. I've already told you everything I know!"

The man, however, calmly took a seat in an armchair, pulled out a white paper fan from his sleeve, crossed his legs, and exuded elegance.

"In that case, answer my questions directly. You need not elaborate further, simply respond with 'yes' or 'no'."

Shi Wen Guang was left staring, dumbfounded.

He had initially thought that his visit to the Bai family would only entail dodging death and violence. Yet, he found himself in a reversed role, interrogating a servant in this world!

But this was only what he could see.

If Ming Yiyang were present, he would undoubtedly draw a vastly different conclusion.

For Yan Qiling's surrounding threads of red silk were slowly infiltrating the servant's body, taking root in his head and spine, blossoming like crimson lotus flowers.

At first glance, the sight was mesmerizing, but upon closer reflection, it was horrifyingly cruel.

Strangely, the person subjected to such treatment did not exhibit much agony. Instead, there was a hint of confusion and compliance on his face.

Thus, the spectators witnessed the man asserting his dominance over the servant boy, leaving them in awe.

"Does the Bai family have an alliance through marriage with the Wen family?"

"Yes."

"Are they planning to marry both of their young ladies to the Wen family?"

"Yes."

"Each to one of the two young masters?"

"No."

The man paused slightly, his lips parting as he asked:

"The Wen family has only one young master?"

"Yes."

Scholar Shiwen's expression turned startled, while Yan Qiling remained calm as ever:

"Is the wedding between the Bai and Wen families scheduled for tomorrow?"

"No."

"Then the day after tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Did Butler Xi Yi instruct you not to inform us of anything?"

"No."

The candles in the room flickered subtly.

Without hesitation, Yan Qiling spoke:

"Madam Old Bai instructed you not to disclose any details to us."

"Yes."

"You belong to Lady White."

"Yes."

Upon receiving the confirmation, the crimson threads surrounding Yan Qiling expanded instantaneously, almost entirely enveloping the person kneeling before him.

No one could perceive this occurrence.

For the sole individual capable of perceiving and articulating any irregularities was now carrying the bridal sedan chair through the front gate and was not present here.

"I see."

The man's face, illuminated by the candlelight, appeared as cold as ice and as smooth as jade. The half concealed within the shadows seemed to be smiling faintly.

"You may leave."

The servant boy seemed oblivious to any anomalies. He picked up the lantern by his feet and hastily departed, not daring to linger even for a second.

Scholar Shi Wen Guang was lost in thought about trivial matters when he said,

"Isn't Xi Yi and Madam Old Bai on the same side?"

Yan Qiling walked behind the desk and examined the scattered items on it.

"They're on the same side, but Madam Old Bai is the master, while he's the servant. I think I've figured it out now — we're not accountants for the Bai family; we were likely sent here by the Wen family specifically."

Upon hearing Yan Qiling's words, Shi Wen Guang was confused.

"How could the Bai family allow the Wen family to send someone to audit their accounts?"

"It's probably due to the need for an alliance. Judging from the size of their residences, the Wen family's home seems to be at least twice as large as the Bai family's."

"Now that the Bai family plans to marry both their daughters to the Wen family, sharing one husband between them, it suggests a significant financial problem within the Bai family. That's why they're willing to do something so humiliating."

Yan Qiling wasn't too surprised by this. He tucked his white fan back into his sleeve and casually picked up an accounting ledger to flip through.

"The Wen family must have sensed something as well. Of course, they wouldn't send their own accountant over — that would be too insensitive. So, they've hired a third party to conduct the inspection."

"Only in this way can we explain why Xi Yi is being so courteous to us and why Madam Old Bai specially instructed the servants not to divulge any information to us."

Scholar Shi Wen Guang pushed up his glasses, lost in thought but not idle with his hands.

He was used to accompanying friends to escape rooms, so upon seeing the bookshelf-filled environment, he immediately started exploring.

Out of the corner of his eye, Yan Qiling caught sight of him and explained, "Based on my years of experience with escape rooms, there should be some sort of mechanism hidden here..."

Just then, Shi Wen Guang's hand, resting casually on a display shelf, brushed against a blood-red vase that could sink in.

He quickly turned around, realizing that the vase's base had a pressure-sensitive switch!

In a flash of inspiration, Shi Wen Guang gripped the vase with both hands and pressed it down completely.

With a crisp click, a sudden opening appeared behind Yan Qiling—

"Whoosh whoosh!"