Chapter 85: Chapter 84: What Kind of Reception Is This?
Chen Xu led the way, effortlessly stepping onto the iron chain bridge over the Netherworld River.
Feng Yuanbai followed cautiously behind, and the surface of the iron chain bridge remained calm.
However, unlike Chen Xu, Feng Yuanbai still felt the scorching pain from the flickering flames on the bridge, even though it didn’t sway violently.
Fortunately, Feng Yuanbai, being an Advanced Scholar, had a very solid foundation.
He gently pressed two fingers to his forehead, and immediately a ray of Literary Qi formed a brilliant light, flowing down from his brow.
It shielded him from the fiery flames burning on the iron chain bridge.
Suddenly, from behind, Ji Weizi said slowly: "This bridge is called the Nine Dragon Karma Fire Bridge, Magistrate Feng, do you think it is merely nine iron chains?
No, it is actually nine evil flood dragons forged into the chains.
Fortunately, today my virtuous brother Chen is here, and even these evil flood dragons understand the beauty of poetry, subdued by my virtuous brother’s verse.
Thus, you can experience the current serenity and peace of the Nine Dragon Bridge.
Otherwise, you’d have to resist both the Netherworld’s Wind and the Unbreakable Karmic Fire, and even as an Advanced Scholar, you might not make it across this iron chain bridge."
So that’s how it is!
Feng Yuanbai’s body trembled slightly, quickly saying: "So I owe it once more to Master Chen... Master Chen’s assistance, thank you, Master, for your brilliant help."
With that, he continued walking on the bridge, cupping his hands in a salute towards the front figure of Chen Xu.
However, his address to Chen Xu changed once again, to the slightly peculiar "Master Chen."
The title "Master Chen" was actually not incorrect, but it was unusual coming from him.
For a servant like Cui Fu, although an aristocratic family’s loyal servant, calling Chen Xu "Master Chen" was appropriate.
Or, if it was a passerby or a businessperson, calling Chen Xu "Master Chen" out of courtesy was also fine.
But Feng Yuanbai, he was both an Advanced Scholar and a County Magistrate.
Initially calling Chen Xu "young friend" was because he had a favor to ask, already very warm and courteous.
Later changing to "virtuous friend" was doubly warm and courteous.
Now, Feng Yuanbai wanted to call Chen Xu "virtuous brother" or "virtuous brother," but dare he?
He dared not!
Would a Great Scholar call someone "virtuous brother," and you would also call them "virtuous brother"? What are you trying to do? Are you trying to fraternize with a Great Scholar?
What’s more, this was not a contemporary Great Scholar, but the spirit of a Great Scholar who had been dead for many years.
Feng Yuanbai dared not even consider complaining, racking his brains to come up with the title "Master Chen" from many options.
As the words "Master Chen" slipped out, the mild awkwardness he had anticipated vanished into thin air.
Feng Yuanbai was subtly moved, suddenly feeling that the title "Master Chen" was rather fitting!
Why not call "Master Chen"?
First, nowadays the term "Master" has lost its ancient connotation, no longer an exclusive title for heirs of lords or marquises, but a generalized term of respect.
Second... even if you were to consider it as its original ancient title, why not?
That young man ahead, is he not worthy?
Feng Yuanbai thought of his own family, once illustrious, but now only a shadow of its former glory.
Nine generations of legacy, now nearly exhausted.
This time, to save Feng Xi, Feng Yuanbai paid a tremendous price.
Feng Xi seemed hopeless, but if Feng Yuanbai could align himself with a "Master" at this moment...
With this thought, Feng Yuanbai suddenly realized he had been overly anxious in trying to save Feng Xi before.
His vision had been clouded by mist, almost missing the true deity before him.
No longer mentioning this, Feng Yuanbai made a firm resolution in his heart. Up ahead, Chen Xu saw the pages of an illusory book open, the Food Cauldron Celestial Book offered yet another new hint:
[You have enamored an extraordinary person with your charisma, gaining three parts loyalty, and acquired three maces of Heart Fire Divine Lotus.]
Chen Xu was astonished, how had he suddenly gained three parts loyalty?
As for the Heart Fire Divine Lotus, he unexpectedly received it again.
This could be considered a pleasant surprise.
The Red Dust Three Taels, made with the Heart Fire Divine Lotus as the main ingredient, could enhance one’s most precious enlightenment!
For Chen Xu, the more the better for such an item.
He pondered briefly, deducing from the Celestial Book’s hint that the "extraordinary person" likely referred to Feng Yuanbai.
Though he didn’t know exactly how Feng Yuanbai’s mindset had shifted, through the hint from the Food Cauldron Celestial Book, Chen Xu seemed to understand how to acquire more Heart Fire Divine Lotus.
The Nine Dragon Karma Fire Bridge was very long, and Chen Xu did not know how long he had been walking.
He only knew that the mist ahead was always thick, the seemingly prosperous city outlines on the opposite bank fluctuating in the mist, appearing real and illusory, like a revolving lantern, sometimes like shadow puppets suddenly lifting.
The shadow puppets were silent, but seemingly exuded an aura of exotic splendor.
But how exactly can this road reach its end?
Faintly hearing Ji Weizi’s voice behind him: "Virtuous Brother, the place you wish to go exists not only in your heart, but before your eyes. Open your eyes and see if the way forward is really blocked."
Chen Xu’s heart leaped, suddenly recalling all he had seen and heard at the Ghost Market before.
In the dark, the faint moonlight, the swaying paper lanterns, the quietly winding cobbled paths...
And those ghostly figures in the Ghost Market, laughing and weeping, now lethally vivid before him.
The Netherworld’s Unbreakable Divine Power, merged within his Divine Soul, silently guiding him.
Chen Xu suddenly understood.
He immediately stepped forward, and ahead was the other shore!
As his foot landed firmly, Chen Xu felt a burst of joy in his heart.
With a clatter, he suddenly heard the iron chains behind him shaking, seemingly as if the nine flood dragons were spiraling and swaying in farewell to Chen Xu.
Chen Xu glanced back.
First, he heard an "oops," it was Feng Yuanbai caught by a strong wind, the wind harsh and the flames wild, forcing his feet off the chains, suddenly tumbling forward.
Feng Yuanbai hastily amassed his Literary Qi, intoning: "Steady!"
Only then could he barely stabilize himself, avoiding a great fall upon reaching the opposite bank.
Then another giggle suddenly arose from another direction.
Chen Xu turned his head again and this time, unexpectedly found himself facing a massive archway.
An obscure blue archway stood silently within the mist, understated, yet the four ancient characters etched atop glowed faintly.
"Cangyuan Ghost Market," the four characters instantly appeared before Chen Xu’s eyes.
Hearing a gentle laugh again, he looked towards the sound and saw a graceful figure standing under the archway of the Ghost Market.
From the side, her beauty was tragic, like a hibiscus drenched in dew, precisely the skeleton beauty he had encountered earlier at the Long Pavilion Ghost Market.
This ghostly woman, with her beautiful profile facing Chen Xu, her hands folded at her sides, elegantly bowed in a curtsy:
"It is Master Chen who visits again, we were remiss in welcoming you from afar, it was impolite.
We hope Master Chen will forgive us and be lenient."
Chen Xu had not anticipated being greeted by the owner of the Ghost Market at the market’s entrance upon his return.
The other party personally came out to welcome, accompanied by an apology for not welcoming him from afar!
What kind of treatment was this?
He came to his senses, quickly returning the salute: "I dare not accept such courtesy, the young lady is too humble, I am unworthy."
The ghost woman chuckled softly again: "You indeed deserve it, it seems, you have brought us a distinguished guest."