Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 8: Paper Figures Street

The Ghost Tomb belongs to the first leader of the Ling Sect, Yan Budu.

Yan Budu was born into the wealthy Yan family and grew up in extravagant luxury as the youngest son. He possessed exceptional intelligence and once brought the Yan family to its pinnacle, earning him the reputation of a genius.

He believed himself to be a prodigy destined to become an immortal. At the age of seventeen, he ceased business ventures and used a large sum of money to establish the Ling Sect. He collected rare treasures from all over the world to build his own tomb. He even proclaimed that if he achieved immortality, the tomb would remain empty, but if he died, he wanted to be buried in the most luxurious tomb.

Ten years later, the Ghost Tomb was completed. Due to the massacre of countless craftsmen involved in its construction, the Ling Sect was targeted for retaliation by the righteous martial arts sects.

Yan Budu was indeed a rare genius of his time. He led the Ling Sect in stubborn resistance for a full two years, slaying numerous enemies with his sword. Against all odds, he managed to survive. However, just when the Ling Sect was starting to recover, Yan Budu mysteriously disappeared.

Yan Budu would never vanish without a trace. After a year had passed, the members of the Ling Sect concluded that the Ghost Tomb had been sealed and Yan Budu had been secretly buried by his most trusted followers.

And so, the legend of the Ghost Tomb began, passed down for a hundred years.

…While the Central Plains were in chaos caused by Yan Budu, Yin Ci was in the borderlands, searching for clues about “immortals”, completely missing out on the grand spectacle. Several years later, he assumed the identity of Su Zhi and led the Chigou Sect in an attempt to find the Ghost Tomb. However, the opportunity didn’t present itself, and he failed to locate it.

Back then, the notion of using the Shirou wasn’t as mystical, so Yin Ci didn’t bother to pursue it. After all, given a hundred or so years, future generations would find it for him.

And now, the descendants stood at the entrance of the Ghost Tomb, hesitating to take the first step. In the end, it was the monks of the Jianchen Temple who led the way, igniting their lanterns and dispersing the darkness with their dim yellow light.

However, what appeared before them wasn’t the burial chamber but the entrance to a street.

As they stepped inside, ghostly flames ignited once again, illuminating the entire street with bright lights. The ground was paved with smooth blue stone bricks, devoid of any bloody footprints and with little dust.

The play of light and shadow filled the street, bustling with a market-like atmosphere. Fragrances, elegant attire, and splendid lights filled every corner. The long street seemed endless, like a vibrant scene resembling a busy marketplace.

The top of the tomb was coated with an unknown substance, appearing black and reflecting no light, making it difficult to gauge the distance. Numerous small pearls of light simulated a starry sky, while the moon exuded a jade-like color, incredibly lifelike. The shops on either side of the street were not much different from those in the mortal world. The bricks and stones were genuine, but the pedestrians and goods on the stalls were all made of paper, creating an eerie atmosphere.

Just then, a grating sound that made one’s teeth ache rang out.

The steel support at the entrance was unexpectedly crushed by the tomb gate. Two heavy stone doors closed on their own, sealing the people inside the tomb. It happened so suddenly that those who were initially standing at the entrance, unable to move, were now scrambling and crawling to escape the tomb, narrowly avoiding being crushed into pulp.

In just a moment, a piercing scream emanated from outside the tomb gate, followed by silence.

Ahead was an endless dark street, while behind them was a dead-end emanating a bloody stench. The smell of a trap instantly intensified, causing everyone to fall silent.

After a while, Shi Jingzhi slowly raised the silver bell, and even Yin Ci shivered in response.

“That door was probably made using monsters,” Shen Zhu emerged from behind a paper figurine, sounding relaxed. “There must be monsters lurking in the tomb passage… We were lured in here, but it’s unclear whether it was for treasure hunting or to feed the monsters.”

She took two steps forward, and the light from her lantern cast shadows on the paper figures, making their expressions appear animated, further heightening the eerie atmosphere.

“Do not panic; both the Jinyu Group and members of various sects are waiting outside. If the tomb door can be opened once, it can be opened a second time. Even if it can’t be opened, my sect has enough food and water to sustain everyone for seven days. Within these seven days, we will surely find a solution.”

The “senior sister” from the Taiheng Sect stepped forward and spoke. Her voice was still low and pleasant to the ear.

“Little girl, you speak well. My Divine Chigou Sect hasn’t spoken yet,” an old voice rang out.

“Matron Wuxue*,” the senior sister from the Taiheng Sect—Shi Zhongyu’s complexion changed, then immediately paid her respects. “I didn’t expect the Sect Master of the Chigou Sect to personally be here. I apologize for my rudeness.”

*Literally means Dark Blood.

Matron Wuxue chuckled pointedly. “How could I miss such a grand tomb? I can’t guarantee anything else, but there must be an exit.”

The combination of good and evil sung in harmony gradually calmed everyone down.

“That’s true. The old leader of the Chigou Sect is here. If we can’t find a way out, no one in this world can save us,” Shi Jingzhi murmured to Yin Ci.

Yin Ci’s attention, however, wasn’t focused on this matter. He observed the paper figures around him and remarked, “Shizun, the hair on the paper figures seems to be real human hair.”

Shi Jingzhi: “…”

Shi Jingzhi: “Good disciple, Master doesn’t want to know.”

Yin Ci: “Alright, Shizun. Speaking of which, I’m a bit curious… Legend has it that thousands of craftsmen were sealed alive in the Ghost Tomb, but where are their remains? Where did they go?”

Shi Jingzhi felt helpless and on the verge of tears. “A’Ci, do you hate me?”

Yin Ci stifled a cheerful laugh and shook his head sincerely.

“I see that the dark street splits into two paths. Why don’t we divide our forces and reconvene here in three days?” Matron Wuxue spoke again; her voice sounded hoarse. “Each group should consist of about a hundred people, which is just right. More people would be difficult to maneuver, while fewer people would invite trouble.”

The Jinyu Group hid 108 jade beads. After fierce competition, there were 12 sects and 39 independents who qualified. Including the inclusion of the Kushan Sect, which didn’t meet the upper limits of the quota, there were fewer than 300 people descending into the tomb. The dark street was filled with paper figures, with over 200 people crowded together, making movement inconvenient.

After finishing speaking, Matron Wuxue didn’t listen to others’ opinions and directly took out a small clay jar. “For the sake of fairness, children, come forward.”

The Chigou Sect, known for their unorthodox methods and tomb raiding, had no one nitpicking. Representatives from each sect stepped forward and reached into the clay jar.

The first one to reach in was Shi Zhongyu from the Taiheng Sect. She frowned and withdrew her hand, finding a chess piece-sized white dot on the back of her hand. Those who followed also had dots on the back of their hands, either black or white.

Matron Wuxue smiled and said, “There are two snakes in the jar. Just one bite will discern the essence of Yin and Yang. Descending into the tomb also requires the harmony of Yin and Yang; otherwise, it will attract some filthy things… These snakes have their venom removed, so there’s no need to worry. What about that kid over there? Aren’t you going to try?”

She glanced at Shi Jingzhi with her cloudy, old eyes and smirked.

Shi Jingzhi instantly stood upright and said, “You’re too kind, but I had already agreed with the Taiheng Sect earlier to accompany them on this journey. Besides, whether we get bitten or not doesn’t make much difference. As they say, those who deal with big matters shouldn’t fuss over trivialities. Since you’re generous, there’s no need to worry.”

Yin Ci was amazed to find that his master, despite coughing up blood, could still speak at length without a pause.

Matron Wuxue chuckled a few more times and shifted her gaze away. With her corpse-like fingers, she pointed and matched black and white together in harmony. In no time, she divided the people into two groups.

The Jianchen Temple and Ling Sect went one way, while the Taiheng Sect and Chigou Sect went together. The rest followed the larger groups. Only the people from the Rong Palace couldn’t determine their Yin-Yang status. Matron Wuxue didn’t insist and waved her hand, including them in her own team.

“A’Ci, you were lucky to have bumped into the Taiheng Sect earlier.” Shi Jingzhi patted his chest. “With the Taiheng Sect, the Chigou Sect probably won’t openly cause trouble…”

“Sect Master Shi, how did you offend the Chigou Sect?” Jin Lan curiously asked.

“I stole a jade bead from them… Haa, don’t mention it. That old woman keeps glaring at me.” Shi Jingzhi turned his head, pretending that Marron Wuxue didn’t exist.

Yin Ci no longer teased Shi Jingzhi and observed more attentively.

Yan Budu was a madman. The setting inside the tomb couldn’t be deduced with common sense. Although this was only the first layer, there might still be clues related to the Shirou.

The dark street had split into two paths, and they took the left one. Looking up, the street was still filled with paper figures, creating an eerie “festive” scene.

This path resembled a brothel street, with lanterns emitting warm-colored lights and a pungent smell of decaying cosmetics piercing the nostrils. Regardless of gender, the paper figures were all dressed up and adorned, with disheveled black hair and lifelike gestures and movements.

However, there was an absolute absence of any human sounds, and the silence was suffocating.

“Let’s find a house first to clean up and spend the night.” Matron Wuxue pointed to the most luxurious brothel. “That one will do. At least it’s livable, and who knows, it might even hide some treasures.”

Yin Ci silently nodded. No one knew where the path to the next level was or when the tomb door would open. It was better to establish a base first to ensure that people’s spirits wouldn’t scatter.

However, this dark street was surprisingly exquisite. The lights outside the brothel were magnificent, and the interior was no less so. The paper dishes on the banquet table were incredibly realistic, with people playing musical instruments and engaging in lively conversations. Each table was unique, without any repetition.

It felt too close to the mortal world, yet the chill only intensified.

“Don’t touch anything with your bare hands. If you must touch, use your cold inner force to freeze your fingers, without a trace of body heat. The underground is filled with yin fires, so be cautious when using ordinary sources of fire…” Upon receiving a signal from Matron Wuxue, several Chigou Sect disciples stepped forward to take command.

Shi Jingzhi exclaimed, “The Chigou Sect Master has quite the generosity, even knowing to help others first.”

“It’s not about selling favors, but raising cannon fodder,” Yin Ci casually remarked, then quickly added, “My grandfather used to say that there is nothing good in the demonic sect.”

“A’Ci, I’ve been meaning to ask you about your grandfather—”

Before Shi Jingzhi could finish his question, trouble arose from the side of the Changle Sect. The street of paper figures was too eerie, and the attendants accompanying the leader of the Changle Sect collapsed—one young man, only seventeen or eighteen years old, stumbled and instinctively grabbed hold of a nearby paper figure.

Matron Wuxue let out a long sigh. “Everyone, step back.”

With that, she swung her cane, striking it in front of several Taiheng Sect disciples. “No need to approach. If there are no traps, he will naturally be fine. If something suspicious happens, it’s too late to save him now.”

The young man’s legs went weak, and he sat motionless for a long time. Only then did he stand up, supporting himself on the table, seemingly unaffected. Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, the touched paper figure suddenly moved.

It twisted in an awkward and stiff manner, and its smiling face became more pronounced. In the next instant, the paper figure’s mouth opened slightly, and it spontaneously ignited without any wind. Cyan flames licked the paper, producing wisps of milky-white smoke.

The faces of the Chigou Sect disciples turned pale. “Turn your inner force cold, quickly!”

In the next moment, Yin Ci realized he was being tightly hugged by Shi Jingzhi, with his head pressed into his chest. Cold true qi surged into every corner of his body, and soon it disappeared without a trace. Despite their close physical contact, they felt as cold as ice.

“A’Ci, hold your breath.” Shi Jingzhi gritted his teeth.

The others also activated their cold inner force, holding their breath and focusing their minds. The white smoke bypassed them and headed straight for the three Changle Sect attendants, who possessed no martial arts.

Everything happened in an instant. The attendants had no time to react before inhaling the white smoke.

They trembled for a moment, barely able to struggle. Accompanied by a rustling sound, small holes appeared on their skin, then slowly closed. They remained still, allowing the holes on their bodies to expand and shrink in a rhythmic pattern.

Shi Jingzhi seemed to realize something, and his breathing suddenly became short. Yin Ci made a decisive move and covered Shi Jingzhi’s mouth and nose with his hand. The two of them pressed tightly together, not uttering a word.

In the span of a cup of tea, the rustling sound ceased, and everything returned to silence.

Matron Wuxue let out a sigh and tapped her cane on the floor. The group finally resumed breathing and started to move.

The leader of the Changle Sect trembled and turned his head to look at the three attendants. As he looked, the old man let out a scream, causing his feet to slip nearly falling into the same fate as the attendants.

“Interesting,” Shen Zhu murmured softly.

Approaching for a closer look, they saw that the three individuals now had smiles on their faces, frozen in natural poses, with their skin having the same texture as the paper figures… or rather, right before everyone’s eyes, the three living people swiftly transformed into “paper figures”.

Yin Ci recognized what it was.

A moment ago, the holes on their skin had not yet closed. They continued to expand while being patched up by similar-colored “fabric”, creating an illusion of fluctuating hole sizes.

Their bones, organs, and flesh were all consumed by “that thing”, leaving behind only a vivid false shell.

Surname Shi had keen senses, so he probably noticed something amiss just now. However…

Before Yin Ci could finish his thought, Shi Jingzhi lifted his chin. His cheap master forcibly opened his mouth and stuffed a pill the size of a lychee into it, then delivered a firm palm strike to his chest. Yin Ci couldn’t resist openly, and almost choked to tears.

…A miscalculation. He had momentarily lost focus and seemed to have forgotten to resume breathing.

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The author has something to say:

Hug ← pretending to play dead together

Chin lift ← immediately stuffed with a disgustingly bitter pill

Shi Jingzhi: ?! My disciple is about to die ———— (pupils quaking)

Yin Ci: ? I forgot to breathe—a minor detail.

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