Gao Tianming and Niu Batian clearly noticed Mr. Ji’s displeasure. The deeper his unhappiness grew, the straighter the two monsters sat, as if emphasizing the difference between themselves and the other demons around them. However, in the process, their gazes betrayed a slight gloating. After Ji Yuan and the others took their seats, the dishes were quickly served, without even waiting for the City Lord to arrive. Slightly different from what they might have imagined, most of the dishes were steaming hot, and the drinks were also largely intoxicating, in stark contrast to many other places in the city. Clearly, the Netherworld Ghost Palace had put considerable effort into this celebration banquet. Ji Yuan glanced at the dishes, picked up his chopsticks, and had a taste. While the flavor wasn’t as good as many of the delicacies he had tried before, it was still passable. Seeing Ji Yuan pick up his chopsticks, Niu Batian, who had long since been struggling to resist, quickly picked up his own chopsticks and started eating, inviting Yan Fei to join him. Gao Tianming picked up the wine jug and refilled Ji Yuan’s glass. “Mr. Ji, what do you think of this Ghost City celebration banquet?” Ji Yuan looked at him, picked up the glass, took a sip of the wine, and said in a low voice. “Nothing could be worse than this foul atmosphere!” However, the current state was a part of the general trend and evolution of the world. While the chivalrous and righteous people of the world, along with the immortal cultivators, could eliminate evil and slay demons, in the grand scheme of things, they had little decisive influence on the chaos currently breeding in Zuyue. Human nature was complex, and the world continuously underwent complex changes. Interfering too deeply would not only cause unnecessary trouble, but might also fail to achieve the desired results. This had been proven countless times throughout history. It was best to let humanity evolve on its own, and nudge the situation at the opportune moment. However, at such moments, some cultivators in the mortal realm would inevitably become too deeply entangled with the fate of humanity, driven by either an unclear greater good or by personal gain, often resulting in unsatisfactory outcomes. Ji Yuan’s thoughts were obviously drifting away at this moment. Gao Tianming saw that he was holding his wine glass, deep in thought, but he didn’t dare to disturb him, assuming that Mr. Ji was in a bad mood. Just then, a loud, echoing voice approached, filled with laughter. “Hahahaha… I didn’t expect Master Gao of Tianshui Lake would also come and honor us with a visit to the Netherworld Palace of the Endless Ghost City. Come, come, Master Gao, let me toast to you! After the banquet here is over, please come to my place again to have a good meal. I’ll get you a pair of virgins, Master Gao, no matter how many times I eat them, I never tire of the flavor, hahahahaha…” A demonic creature, radiating a ferocious and menacing aura, approached Gao Tianming with a wine jug and a wine glass, laughing loudly and enthusiastically. Even though Gao Tianming was a flood dragon who could control water, at this moment, cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Out of the corner of his eye, he could sense Mr. Ji’s cold gaze on him. Gao Tianming slammed his palm on the table and stood up angrily, staring at the newcomer with an icy gold glare. “Who are you? When did I become so familiar with you? Do you truly still eat virgins?” Sharp claws flashed from within Gao Tianming’s sleeves. In a blur, he had clamped a hand around the opponent’s neck, dragging him closer. The newcomer was much larger than Gao Tianming, but their relative strength seemed to be inversely proportional to their size. The bones and muscles in the monster’s neck protested, and blood even welled up from the skin. “Ahh-haaah…Master… Master Gao… I… I don’t know how I offended you, Master Gao… I… I apologize… haah… haah…” At this moment, Ji Yuan’s soft voice rang out. “There are rules for how to act. Just don’t go against your conscience or morality. There is no need to deliberately prove it to me.” Gao Tianming heaved a sigh of relief, but still couldn’t hide his anger. He tossed the demon around, tearing off a piece of flesh from his neck. Xia Qiu beside him, having stood up at some point, waved her sleeve as her husband threw the demon man to the side. There was a crisp sound, and the demon fell back six or seven zhang, hitting another table with a bang. The monsters in front of the table just backed away hastily, but they didn’t dare to glare in the direction of Gao Tianming and his wife. “You went a little too far, but well done!” Ji Yuan gave a light compliment, which made Gao Tianming so happy that he forced himself not to smile, and spoke in a solemn tone. “I am just furious at this evil creature for defiling my sight and hearing. If we were in Tianshui Lake, he would be dead and used as fish food!” The surrounding monsters and ghosts all turned their gazes and looked in their direction, but Gao Tianming’s fierce monstrous aura was overhwhelming. Even if anyone was familiar with the demon who had been beaten, no one would stand up for him. The whole venue inevitably fell silent. Gao Tianming sneered at the demon struggling to get up, then bowed halfheartedly with cupped hands to the beings around him. “I am merely in a bad mood. This creature came here looking for trouble, disturbing everyone’s fun. Please forgive me. Let us eat and drink!” Hearing Gao Tianming’s words, everyone around him, particularly those seated nearby, didn’t dare to say anything more, and continued to eat and drink. Beside Yan Fei, Niu Batian looked at the demon who, after being beaten, only looked upon them with hatred, but didn’t dare to even utter a harsh word. He whispered to Yan Fei. “Brother Yan, this Gao Tianming is also a fierce monster! What a shame this Old Bull didn’t get to throw a punch…” The corner of Yan Fei’s mouth twitched, and he sipped a little more wine, completely ignoring the Old Bull’s sentiments. Gao Tianming didn’t care about the other guests’ reactions; as long as Mr. Ji had a good impression of him, that was all that mattered. However, he had barely sat down when a loud and indifferent voice came from above. “Master Gao of Tianshui Lake has a big temper, and he has quite the presence as well!” The voice came from behind main privacy screen. The Lord of the Endless Ghost City had arrived. Ji Yuan also looked up. The City Lord of the Endless Ghost City walked out from behind the screen, draped in a black robe and wearing a small crown.1 Although he didn’t have the appearance of a ghost, a wisp of black aura lingered around him, with phantom ghostly figures emerging from within it, giving him a formidable presence. However, under the scrutiny of Ji Yuan’s widened supernatural eyes, the aura seemed a bit abrupt. While it was indeed a ghostly aura, it would be better if it could return to a natural state.2 Seeing Xin Wuya emerge, Gao Tian stood up again and offered a slgiht bow. “City Lord Xin, today is your celebration. First, I would like to congratulate you on your great progress in cultivation. However, we have business to discuss. What about the promise you made me earlier this day?” “Of course I haven’t forgotten!” As he spoke, Xin Wuya had already seated himself on the main seat. He pointed to one side and spoke to the beings behind him. As his words fell, several ghost soldiers led four pale people from the back room, and walked around the screen to the host’s seat. These four individuals were none other than the three siblings of the Ke family and Zhou Xing, who had been captured earlier. They were so frightened that they trembled as they walked, especially now that they had encountered so many evil spirits and monsters along the way. Although they had been informed that they would be released, they still had a horrible feeling of impending death. The four were brought directly to Xin Wuya, who glanced at the four living people before looking at Gao Tianming. “Brother Gao, are these four your friends?” “Who are you informally calling Brother Gao?” Gao Tianming snorted coldly, then bent slightly to get closer to Ji Yuan. “Mr. Ji, are these four the ones you were looking for?” “I don’t recognize them either, so I can’t tell if there are any missing.” “That’s easy to resolve.” Gao Tianming stood up again and asked Zhou Xing and the others. “You were the ones who drove the carriage into the Eternal Ghost City last night, right? Was there anyone else in the carriage besides you?” Zhou Xing and the others glanced at each other nervously, until Ke Yundong calmed down and spoke. “Yes, it was us. There were only the four of us in the carriage!” “Hahaha…That’s right, Xin Wuya, they are my friends, leave them to me!” Even Ji Yuan found this a little absurd upon hearing his words. The surrounding guests were even more baffled. Xin Wuya, sitting in the main host’s seat, narrowed his eyes at Gao Tianming, and reached out a hand to stop the ghost soldier who was about to release them. “Gao Tianming! Didn’t you say they were your friends? Xin Wuya laughed coldly. He didn’t care what happened to these living people, but that didn’t mean he would tolerate being made a fool. “Since they are your friends, who don’t you recognize them, let alone know how many of them are there?” Gao Tianming nodded, bowed with cupped hands once more, and apologized. “It is true, I was being rude. I actually don’t know them, but hearing their plight, I wanted to save them, so I casually claimed to be a friend. I was just afraid that you or the other the hungry ghosts in this ghost city would eat them. Please pass them to me.” Seeing Gao Tianming actually spoke humbly and even apologized, Xin Wuya felt a pang of relief. However, it was nonetheless absurd for a flood dragon of Tianshui Lake to be so kind as to inexplicably care about the lives of a few mortals. There had to be some other reason. It certainly wasn’t for the sake of acquiring people to eat, and these four probably did not have any special backgrounds. Recalling the report from the day before, Xin Wuya’s gaze swept over Yan Fei, Niu Batian, and Ji Yuan, before finally settling on the latter. he pointed in his direction. “Brother Gao, could you please tell me who this gentleman is?” Just as Gao Tianming was about to speak, Ji Yuan raised his hand to stop him. Gao Tianming fell silent and stood by. It seemed that others had noticed Ji Yuan as well, and Gao Tianming’s respectful display just now sparked curiosity among the surrounding guests. Ji Yuan stood up and bowed with cupped hands towards Xin Wuya as gesture of formality. “I am Ji Yuan, a mere passer-by. Congratulations, City Lord Xin, for your success in cultivation. It was my intent to save these people. Master Gao was simply offering his assistance out of virtue. Might the City Lord release them?” Xin Wuya’s eyes, shrouded in a ghostly energy, shone with a dark light. He used his ghostly eyes to observe Ji Yuan closely. He sensed no power nor divine light, and his aura appeared perfectly ordinary. He was to all appearances an ordinary mortal. However, his demeanor and composure were beyond the reach of ordinary people, not to mention how Gao Tianming acted almost like a junior or servant by his side. ‘A passer-by? I’m afraid he is more likely an immrotal!’ After a moment of silence, Xin Wuya gave the order. The ghost soldier led the group down, only letting go when they had reached Gao Tianming and his group. The four were still trembling in fear at this moment, completely unsure of their fate. It was Yan Fei who stepped forward to comfort them. “Don’t panic, everyone. I am Yan Fei, these experts and I are here to rescue you.” “Yan… Yan Fei? Like the Flying Swordsman, the Great Hero Yan Fei?” Zhou Xing looked at Yan Fei, then at his attire and sword. He already knew in his heart that this was Yan Fei himself. People tended to trust more in hope in desperate situations, so Zhou Xing was more willing it was truly him. “Amazing, amazing, Brother Ke, ladies, we are saved! This is Hero Yan! It’s Hero Yan himself!” “Wonderful, I’ve heard about the Flying Swordsman too!” Ke Yunqin exclaimed excitedly. The other two were delighted as well. “Please take a seat, everyone. We’ll take care of the rest. We’ll definitely get you out of here!” “Yes, yes!” Fınd the newest release on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹~𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮~𝚗𝚎𝚝 “Yes, we’ll listen to Hero Yan!” Ji Yuan glanced at the four of them and Yan Fei out of the corner of his eye, smiled, and bowed again to Xin Wuya. “Thank you, City Lord Xin, for your generosity.” Xin Wuya simply scoffed, neither returning the gesture, nor saying anything more. Seemingly seeing that Xin Wuya was in a bad mood, the nearby demons and ghosts flattered him. “They’re just mortals, after all. If the City Lord craves something, we can always grab some fresh ones for you at any time!” “Hahaha… That’s right, Lord Gao of Tianshui Lake is so powerful, so we won’t offend him. After today is over, we’ll have a banquet only for the newcomers. Wouldn’t it be more enjoyable then?” “Hahahaha… wonderful, wonderful…” “Hmph, well said, hehehe…” Now that Xin Wuya had arrived, which emboldened the crowd, the surroundings suddenly echoed with sharp, sarcastic laughter from all around. Although Gao Tianming was a powerful flood dragon, he was only one being in the end, and was now surrounded by many equally powerful ghosts and demons. More fierce demons and ghosts joined in the boisterous laugher, some even beginning to salivate at the scene of the feast being described, while most of the ghosts and gods present remained silent. Ji Yuan simply glanced at Xin Wuya, who was sitting in the main seat. Niu Batian, Gao Tianming, Yan Fei, and the four rescued people could already hear a slight ringing in their ears, and a chill ran down their spines. ‘These guys are courting death! ‘ Besides the four people who had just been rescued, everyone around Ji Yuan had this same thought in their hearts. T/n: Once again, I accidentally published early, then unpublished the chapter, so I apologize if you got a confusing notification in your inbox. Sorry There was an author’s note from the original Chinese author a LONG while back (somewhere around the chapter 60s) that continues to haunt me. It was mistakenly numbered as a chapter despite NOT being one, so all the original Chinese chapters are 1 chapter number ahead. It’s really quite annoying to go and change them every time. Amusingly, that’s also how you can tell the MTL sites apart from ones with editors, since any of the ones that are 1 chapter number behind had someone manually change the chapter numbers. So if you’re looking to MTL on your own, this chapter will be marked as 310 despite actually being 309. Just thought I’d share 😀 JY: are you testing me? Oh how fun. JY: for me, that is. I daresay you’ll have quite the terrible time.