Nan Zhi felt she had spoken too soon.
For a kid from the south who had never been on a boat before, spending the night on a vessel was quite a novel experience.
During the first half of the night, fishing lanterns flickered across the river like stars fallen to the water's surface. Accompanied by the rhythmic croaking of frogs and the splashes of jumping fish—with Wanniang standing guard—she had actually slept quite well.
During the second half of the night, however, something went wrong. It felt as though a herd of livestock had been brought aboard. Bellows of sheep and brays of donkeys carried on until full daybreak before the racket finally quieted down.
When Nan Zhi stepped out of her room, she happened to run into the boat owner offering apologies to each passenger in turn:
“Ah, my deepest apologies, everyone! Late last night, a big customer came along who seemed to be in the livestock trade. He threw in some extra silver, so I let him board. Who could've known these animals would bleat and bray all night long? I just spoke to the Taoist, and we added fodder and water for the beasts. I doubt they'll make such a racket again.”
Catching sight of Nan Zhi, the boat owner hurriedly added, “It was my own greed for silver that blinded me; I am truly sorry! Everyone's room rate for today will be halved, and come noon, I'll have my worker bring up fresh fish caught straight from the river to make it up to you! Fresh fish from our Shouzhou river is a delicious delicacy you can't taste anywhere else!”
A Taoist.
A Taoist herding sheep.
Nan Zhi instantly sensed trouble. Before she could duck back inside, a large-eyed Taoist sauntered onto the deck.
—Who else could it be but the green-robed Taoist who had tricked the pear seller with a glamour?
Nan Zhi cursed her luck—enemies really were bound to meet. But with the boat already out on the open river, she had no chance of leaving now.
Unsure of what the Taoist was plotting, Nan Zhi could only hold her ground and watch with a cold eye.
Yet to her surprise, the green-robed Taoist merely spat in her direction from afar, scratched his back, and ambled back into his room in his cloth shoes.
Now it was Nan Zhi's turn to be baffled.
Did he fail to recognize her at all?
Or was he planning not to strike while on the boat?
The more Nan Zhi thought about it, the more likely the latter option seemed.
—After all, on this vast river, if the two of them fought heedlessly and wrecked the vessel, every passenger on board would end up feeding the fish.
I'll have to be even more vigilant on this journey, Nan Zhi thought to herself.
...
...
Shouzhou was over four hundred li from the docks of Dongjingfu. Even traveling by water would take several days. With good luck and a favorable wind covering sixty li a day, they could reach Kaifeng in five or six days at the fastest.
The boat owner was generous; once the passage fare was paid, he charged nothing extra for meals. Every day, a worker cast a net into the river, hauling up fresh fish to cook and serve.
Freshly caught river fish possessed a rich, succulent flavor. It required no complex seasoning—steamed with just a few scallion segments and coarse salt, it made an outstanding dish to accompany rice.
Over the past two days, Nan Zhi had been on high alert regarding the green-robed Taoist. She had not left her room even for meals or sleep, feeling thoroughly cooped up.
Seeing the worker haul up another batch of fresh fish that day, she asked the boat owner for a small stove and firewood, settling down on the deck to grill fish.
The deck offered an open, expansive view, allowing her to take in the full river scenery.
Egrets fluttered and wheeled in the air while river fish darted through the currents. Beneath the emerald water, vibrant green weeds floated in silky strands like smooth ribbon, tracing the contour of the flowing river.
Sizzle, sizzle...
The fish sizzled over the stove, dripping with oil as high heat crisped the skin into pretty, curled edges. Nan Zhi admired the view while sipping her wine, feeling thoroughly content and free.
If that green-robed Taoist was keeping an eye on her, he should be showing his face right about now.
Glancing over, Nan Zhi indeed saw the Taoist unable to hold back any longer. Stepping onto the deck, he bought wine, water, and fruit from the worker, then brazenly initiated a conversation with her:
“Fellow cultivator, are you also heading to join the excitement at the Zhongyuan Ghost Market?”
Ghost Market?
“‘Also’? Could it be that fellow cultivator's trip is for that very reason?”
Though Nan Zhi had never heard of it, she showed no fluster, nodding with intentional ambiguity: “I am Nan Zhi, a native of Dingyuan. May I ask how to address you, fellow cultivator?”
Dingyuan?
What backwater region was that?
Although the person before him possessed cultivation comparable to his own, she was likely just some poor rogue cultivator crawled out from an obscure corner.
Sectless and factionless.
Even if he killed her, no one would seek revenge.
It couldn't be better.
“Hahaha! For a fellow cultivator so young to see through my magic, you truly possess great ability. Consider us acquainted through our little clash—there's no need for such distance between us.”
The green-robed Taoist narrowed his eyes, though his face bore a genuine smile:
“Sister Nan, seeing as I am a few years your senior, you may simply call me Brother Ma San. Cultivation is no easy task for us rogue cultivators. When we meet, we ought to look out for one another. That pear seller was rude to me first; giving him a lesson and letting him suffer a small loss was hardly excessive. You were fortunate to cross paths with your dear brother here. Had it been anyone else, they would at least have demanded an explanation, clashed spells with you, and fought until a victor was decided!”
“Is that so?”
Feigning gratitude, Nan Zhi invited Brother Ma San to drink: “It was your younger sister who overstepped and broke the unwritten rules. Please accept this cup of wine from me as an apology, Brother. What do you say?”
Brother Ma San made no move to take the cup, merely letting out a hearty laugh: “There's no need for wine. I can tell you're likely traveling the world for the first time and remain ignorant of many rules. Seeing as the two of us share a bit of fate, and both of us are heading to the Zhongyuan Ghost Market, your brother here will share a few words with you.”
“Then I shall trouble you, Brother.”
Nan Zhi assumed an attentive posture, hanging on his every word: “It is indeed my first time attending such a grand gathering, and I was feeling quite uncertain. Please enlighten me, Brother.”
Ma San loved nothing more than flattery. Hearing this, he forgot whatever scheming he had planned, held his head high, and picked out harmless details to tell Nan Zhi:
“The Zhongyuan Ghost Market is lively beyond measure and takes place once a year. Everyone knows that the Gates of Hell open in the mid-seventh month. Whether old ghosts from the Underworld or newly deceased spirits, all can take advantage of this day to wander into the mortal realm and enjoy themselves.
“Later, someone started trading items with the ghosts for spirit herbs and treasures from the Underworld, and other cultivators followed suit. Over time, the tradition was passed down. Every year on July 14th, wherever the Gates of Hell open, a bustling ghost market flourishes in that region.
“This year, the Gates of Hell opened right in Dongjingfu. Haven't you noticed how many more passengers are taking boats this year? Originally, I got wind of this news through an acquainted ghost messenger, but it turns out I wasn't the only one with connections!”
A sharp glint flashed in Ma San's eyes as he stared at Nan Zhi:
“Did you see those head of livestock I brought aboard? On the Ghost Market, they are worth a hundred gold! I just wonder what treasures Sister Nan has brought along, and what kind of handsome price you hope to fetch?”
“I don't have much of an inheritance—only two servants who are worth anything,” Nan Zhi bluffed nonchalantly. “One old, one young. Selling them as slaves at the Ghost Market ought to fetch a bit of silver.”
“Hehehe... The Demon Suppression Division keeps a close watch on the Ghost Market. Trading living humans or souls is a capital offense.”
Ma San glanced sideways at Nan Zhi, feigning advice: “I think that beautiful female ghost you carry with you looks quite exceptional. If you're willing to part with her, your brother here is willing to trade two head of meat sheep for her. What do you think?”
A layer of chill covered Nan Zhi's face. Just as she was about to flatly refuse, she heard Ma San murmur in a low voice:
“Don't be so quick to refuse, Sister Nan. You have no idea how marvelous my meat sheep are. Come quietly to the deck tonight, and I'll show you something fun.”
Rate on N.U.
