“Since that’s the case, I’ll be leaving first. You need to cultivate diligently here and eat on time.”
Before leaving, Lin Shuangye gave Lin Huanhuan a few more reminders. Only when she saw Lin Huanhuan nodding like a pecking chick did she finally take her leave.
Once Lin Shuangye’s figure had completely disappeared from sight, Lin Huanhuan slowly let out a breath. “Finally managed to fool her. Luckily, in Elder Sister’s heart, I’m still that innocent and pure good girl.”
“Next up, it’s time to deal with that hateful traitor!”
Lin Huanhuan viciously shifted her gaze to Dong Yun’er, the little maid who was quietly trying to tiptoe away.
Seeing her escape plan fail, Dong Yun’er put on a fawning expression. “Miss, just now it really had nothing to do with me.”
To avoid punishment, she hurriedly explained, “It was the Eldest Miss who ordered me not to warn you. She said she wanted to see your true colors. But Miss, your ability to improvise is truly amazing. You fooled her in a heartbeat!”
‘Better throw in some flattery, maybe Miss will calm down a bit.’
“Oh? So what?”
Lin Huanhuan’s lips curled up in a cold smile. “I’m just using you to vent my anger. I don’t care whether you’re innocent or not—get over here and let me let off some steam.”
Even though Dong Yun’er was long used to Lin Huanhuan’s arrogance and disregard for others, this scene still caught her off guard.
Miss… really is as wicked as ever.
“Yes, Miss.”
Dong Yun’er lowered her gaze, replying timidly, then shrank and shuffled forward to stand before Lin Huanhuan.
She slowly squatted down, tilting her delicate head up. That tender little face, soft enough to squeeze water from, trembled as she looked at Lin Huanhuan, her big eyes misty as if she might cry at any moment.
Seeing this, Lin Huanhuan couldn’t help but pause, a suspicion rising in her heart, ‘Why does it feel like I’m a blond-haired villain in a novel, harassing an innocent woman? Oh right, I really am. Never mind, then.’
“Miss, please be gentle, I’m afraid it will hurt.” Dong Yun’er’s rosy lips parted as she said timidly.
Lin Huanhuan snorted lightly, “Quit acting in front of me. I wasn’t planning on doing anything to you anyway. Don’t make it look like I’m about to do something indecent.”
With that, without waiting for Dong Yun’er to respond, Lin Huanhuan reached out and grabbed her cheeks with both hands, stretching and pulling them into various shapes. It actually felt pretty nice.
“Remember this—if something like this happens again, even if you’ve been warned, you still have to give me a hint, got it?”
“If not, next time it won’t just be pinching your cheeks. I’ll put you over my knee and spank you so hard you won’t be able to get out of bed!”
While ‘cruelly’ bullying Dong Yun’er, Lin Huanhuan didn’t forget to lecture her.
“Spank me?” Dong Yun’er trembled at those words, as if picturing the scene.
“Mm, I know I was wrong. Just please be gentle and don’t—ouch, I won’t eat anymore.”
“Shut up, I’m not done venting yet. Let me pinch you a while longer!”
…
After thoroughly bullying the little maid, Lin Huanhuan finally let out her pent-up frustration and felt much better.
“Since that’s settled, it’s about time for the next step. Let’s go shopping. Those few things should still be there.”
*****
Night fell, the ink-black sky covering the world, boundless darkness devouring everything.
In a remote alleyway, a figure in black robes and a fearsome demon mask strode forward.
Seeing the two brawny men standing like iron towers at the alley’s entrance, Lin Huanhuan’s lips curled up beneath the demon mask.
“So this is the Ghost Market at the foot of the Lingyun Sect, huh.”
“Please show your identity badge, to prove your identity.” One of the burly men spoke in a deep voice.
Lin Huanhuan noticed that, although the two men looked impassive, the muscles under their robes were already tensed, clearly ready for a fight and unafraid of any ambush.
‘Pretty professional.’
Lin Huanhuan didn’t waste words and directly flashed her Lingyun Sect disciple badge in front of them before quickly putting it away.
“Please, go in. You should know the rules, so don’t cause any trouble,” the man who spoke earlier reminded, then said no more. Lin Huanhuan stepped inside.
Passing through the dim, slightly bloody, and foul-smelling alley, the scene ahead suddenly brightened as if clouds had parted to reveal the sun.
A bustling street instantly unfolded before her eyes, packed and lively, just like a busy city district.
The only difference was that everyone here was a cultivator, and most concealed their identities. The goods on sale were all cultivation-related.
Taking in all these novel sights, Lin Huanhuan recalled what she knew about this Ghost Market.
Located at the foot of the Lingyun Sect, it was mainly managed by several core disciples and outer sect stewards. Most visitors were outer disciples, though inner disciples occasionally appeared.
The rules here were simple: never ask about the origin of anything bought or sold. Whether you sell high or buy overpriced, there is no recourse. This is a place to fence stolen goods—a gray area.
No violence is allowed without cause; only if attacked first may you defend yourself. Break the rules, and you are expelled on the spot and banned from returning.
Of course, that’s just for ordinary disciples. If you were an inner disciple or even a core disciple, the rules would be much laxer.
‘That works out nicely for me.’ Lin Huanhuan smiled to herself.
‘According to the original story, there are lots of treasures here at the Ghost Market. The protagonist came here several times and picked up many bargains, though most of the time it made others jealous enough to try to rob him—only to get themselves killed instead.’
‘Poor protagonist. I won’t end up like that.’
Thinking this, Lin Huanhuan strolled leisurely down the street, looking around.
“Top-quality Blood Qi Powder, come and have a look! This is a rare find! On a huge discount, only 20 spirit stones a pack!”
“Ten-year Vermilion Fruit! Spirit Beasts love it, eating one will instantly add ten years of cultivation. Just think how good that is! Want to try a few?”
“Genuine immortal swords, made in Baiduan Mountain! It’s second-hand, but still works great. If I didn’t need the money, I wouldn’t sell!”
…
Amid the feverish sales pitches, Lin Huanhuan simply walked by calmly, not even pausing.
If these were genuine, there would be no shortage of buyers. Here, the ratio of fakes to real goods was a staggering three to one. If they need to pitch this hard, you know what they’re selling.
Reaching a small stall in a corner, Lin Huanhuan finally stopped.
“This is the place.”