I Am Your Natural Enemy

Chapter 463: Chapter 190: Burial in the Belly, Ashore (5k)_3

The Thirteenth Ancestor, just how many people did he offend back in the day? Surely he didn’t actually manage to provoke every single big shot in all the world’s waterways, did he? Could it be? No wonder no one from Fuyu Mountain ever bothers going north.

Wen Yan collected his thoughts and hurriedly confirmed again: he was heading towards the Nether Soul Realm, and above it lay the entrance to the Rakshasa Ghost Market.

With that, the direction became exceptionally clear and certain. All he needed to do was follow the current upstream.

He followed the current along the riverbed for half a day. After feeling as though he had completed a circuit within the Nether Soul Realm’s water system and returned to his original starting point, he sensed it was time to go ashore.

He pulled the Big Fire Basin onto the bank. The familiar scent of the Nether Soul Realm wafted around him as he took in his surroundings and let out a long sigh of relief.

He resolved to remain calm next time and not celebrate prematurely. This instance, focused solely on reaching shore, how could he have known that one could apparently disembark at various locations from this accursed great river in the Nether Soul Realm? The water, originally diverted from the West River, had now become a completely independent waterway, seemingly possessing new, mysterious qualities. To reach the Nether Soul Realm from the Netherworld, one had to first travel upstream along this river, completing a full circuit, before truly being able to set foot in the Nether Soul Realm. This time, his aunt had truly saved his hide. Otherwise, how would he have known all this? He had been mere moments from delivering himself as a takeaway meal—and a punching bag—to the Water Monarch. Once he returned, he absolutely had to erect a memorial tablet for his aunt and properly pay his respects.

He opened his mouth and spat out Little Fire Seed, who was fast asleep and snoring contentedly. Its little hands were gone; it was now just a ball of flame, rhythmically expanding and contracting.

Only when cradled in Wen Yan’s hands did two little arms extend and wave at him.

Wen Yan placed Little Fire Seed on his collar. He then quickly took out a sealed bag, released the Paper Man Butler, and retrieved the jade stone wrapped in Talismans, giving it a Blessing of a strand of Yang Energy.

Responding to Wen Yan’s signal, a Green Mane Warhorse was the first to charge out, followed by a stream of other warhorses, landing one after another on the ground.

Finally, the Grave Walker emerged alongside Lin Jue.

Sensing the aura of the place, the Grave Walker’s face lit up with delight.

”Mr. Wen, you’ve worked hard.”

”It was no trouble. We made it back here, more through luck than any real danger. The rest should be much easier.”

Wen Yan didn’t need to handle the remaining tasks. The Paper Man Butler and the Grave Walker emptied the water from the Big Fire Basin and secured ropes to several warhorses. Wen Yan then mounted the Blue Mane Horse and headed towards the entrance of the Rakshasa Ghost Market.

They hadn’t traveled far when they encountered a Ghost driving a paper-made taxi, speeding towards them.

Upon spotting Wen Yan, the Ghost’s face lit up with undisguised joy.

”Mr. Wen! Grave Walker!”

The Grave Walker glanced over and immediately said to Wen Yan, ”That’s Wang Yuan, one of Lord Zhu’s men. He was a taxi driver in his previous life, with an eight-year accident-free record. If he’s not on a long trip, he sometimes comes here to drive.”

Wen Yan glanced at the Grave Walker. The driver looked to be in his thirties at most, he thought. Eight years without an accident... how did he die?

The Grave Walker, as if sensing Wen Yan’s thoughts, quickly lowered his voice and added, ”The last time doesn’t count. He was hit by a truck that ran a red light at high speed. He swerved to protect his passenger. He died, but the passenger lived. Leaving behind a widow and orphan, his strong worldly attachments caused him to become a Ghost. Later, when he was being bullied by other Ghosts, Lord Zhu happened upon him and recruited him as a driver. Lord Zhu then found a pretext to send money to his wife and child every month.”

”Lord Zhu is quite righteous.”

As the taxi drew near, Wen Yan curiously inspected it. Its colors clearly indicated it was made from paper. How could such a car be driven?

Wang Yuan, evidently used to such reactions, laughed heartily, got out of the vehicle, and patted his taxi.

”No need for fuel in a paper car! Yin Qi is enough. This place is rich in Yin Qi, so it consumes very little. Lord Zhu just has me patrol around when I’m free and report any situations immediately.”

Seeing Wen Yan’s eager curiosity, Wang Yuan hastened to add, ”Please understand, Mr. Wen, my car isn’t very durable. Your potent Yang Energy might be too much for it...”

”Is it alright if I give it a try?” Wen Yan was still keenly interested; he had never ridden in such a car before.

”Well... let’s give it a try then.”

Wen Yan extended a hand, giving the taxi a Blessing with a bit of Yang Energy. A streak of light flashed across it. When he tested it again, the taxi indeed felt less fragile.

Suppressing his Yang Energy, he tried sitting down. The seat felt soft, lacking any metallic rigidity, but it didn’t feel like it was about to collapse either.

Wang Yuan breathed a quiet sigh of relief and quickly started the car.

Just then, the Blue Mane Horse poked its head through the window and tugged at Wen Yan’s clothes with its mouth, trying to pull him out, clearly displeased.

”I’m just trying it out; it’s not my real mount, you know.”

Wen Yan patted the horse’s neck and gave it a Blessing of Yang Energy. Only then did the Blue Mane Horse release its grip, nuzzling him contentedly and trotting merrily alongside.

Wen Yan couldn’t help but feel he’d been tricked into giving out treats again.

Wang Yuan drove the paper taxi. It was silent, smooth, and surprisingly fast. Soon, they stopped in a clearing.

Ahead, as if a curtain were being drawn aside, the walls of the Rakshasa Ghost Market slowly materialized. A large gate appeared on the wall and was pushed open by two paper servants.

Wang Yuan drove the paper taxi, carrying Wen Yan into the Rakshasa Ghost Market.

Dozens of Soul Warhorses followed, ten of them pulling the huge fire basin, which had a diameter of three to four meters.

The material of this fire basin was unknown. Despite being dragged for so long, its bottom showed no signs of wear, making Wen Yan’s considerable effort to bring it out worthwhile.

News of Wen Yan’s return was immediately reported to Lord Zhu.

Lord Zhu promptly set off to meet him, simultaneously instructing someone to inform Cai Qidong that Wen Yan had returned and was at the Rakshasa Ghost Market.

While en route, Lord Zhu personally called Fuyu Mountain to share the news.