Chapter 877: Encounter in the Demon Market

Lihua asked, "A pangolin? Can it smash mountains?"

Chen Changsheng said, "It's just a name. Pangolins can dig holes, but they aren't formidable enough to smash mountains. An ordinary pangolin can't even dig through rock."

"Then why is it called that?"

"That..."

Lihua blinked. Seeing Chen Changsheng at a loss for words, the cat pressed, "Why?"

Yu Hongjin stepped forward and rapped the cat on the head. "Why so many questions, you stupid cat? Why is Lihua called Lihua?"

"Um..." Lihua paused, then said, "Because Lihua is a Tabby Cat."

"Then why is a Tabby Cat called a Tabby Cat?"

Lihua fell into deep thought.

Yunxiang offered a warm smile at the sight. "Alright, stop teasing."

Yu Hongjin chuckled, finding it all very amusing.

This cat was far too easy to fool. That would surely keep it thinking for days on end.

The Fox Demon looked at Chen Changsheng and said, "Immortal Master, that box you just bought seems quite extraordinary."

Chen Changsheng said, "The box is made of colored glaze. It would be incredibly easy for a cultivator to create something like it, but its true value lies in the fact that it was crafted by an ordinary artisan."

The Fox Demon stared blankly for a moment. "This box..."

He took a closer look. The beast motifs carved into it were incredibly lifelike, and the standing auspicious beast was crafted with exquisite detail. He couldn't help but marvel, "To think that mortal artisans could create such a thing..."

The Fox Demon was deeply shocked. This was no ordinary craftsmanship.

Chen Changsheng nodded. "Moreover, this box had a different purpose in the past. There is a Dharma spell engraved on the back, meant for suppressing demons and warding off evil. If I am not mistaken, this box must have been consecrated by an expert to suppress evil entities."

The Fox Demon blinked. "Then it really is a treasure."

Chen Changsheng nodded. "It is a good item. It likely came from The Tomb as well. The malevolent ghost entangled around that Pangolin was probably brought out from The Tomb, too. It is quite a coincidence; this box will serve its purpose nicely."

"It could be used as a Dharma Instrument, right?" the Fox Demon asked.

But Chen Changsheng shook his head. "It is still far from it. It would be useful for trapping ordinary ghosts and spirits, but against anything more powerful, this box would likely be ruined."

No matter how incredible the craftsmanship, it was ultimately not a true Dharma Instrument. It was merely an ordinary object that had been consecrated, entirely incapable of holding back genuine demons and monsters.

As they walked, Chen Changsheng suddenly came to a halt.

In a corner of the market, there were a few shops built from wood.

While not as orderly as the shops in the Mortal World, they were still quite presentable.

And in the center of those shops, Chen Changsheng spotted a person.

The person's face was veiled. They were tall, but there was a faint grace to their figure, suggesting it was a woman.

Following Mister Chen's gaze, Yunxiang looked over and found the person somewhat familiar.

"This person..."

Yunxiang stared blankly for a moment before remembering.

She had seen this person before!

"Clang!"

The sound of hammering rang out from the shop.

The veiled figure was forging a piece of iron. The hammer in her hand relentlessly struck the red-hot metal, and after a few blows, she would place it back into the furnace to heat.

"Mister Lan."

Yunxiang called out.

The veiled figure turned around and looked at Yunxiang.

The group stepped forward. Yu Hongjin also recognized the person and quickly cried out, "Ah, aren't you—aren't you Ruyi's master? Why are you here?"

Lan Ting looked at the group in front of her. A few of them looked familiar, while others she didn't quite recognize.

Lihua also waved its paw. "Sister Lanhua!"

Beneath the veil, Lan Ting offered a faint smile in response.

Chen Changsheng stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Mister Lan."

Lan Ting looked at Chen Changsheng, having guessed his identity. "Are you Mister Chen?"

Chen Changsheng nodded. "I am."

Lan Ting quickly set aside her work and cupped her hands. "Lan Ting greets Mister Chen."

She had been curious about this Mister Chen for a long time.

She had heard Zhu Sheng mention him in the past and had always wanted to meet him, but their paths had never crossed, or perhaps the opportunity simply hadn't arisen.

"Lihua has gotten fatter."

"Hongjin, oh Hongjin, why do you always reek of alcohol? A young girl shouldn't be so greedy for wine."

"Miss Yun, have you been well lately?"

The group began to chat with her.

A moment later, Yunxiang asked, "Why is Mister Lan here?"

Lan Ting smiled. "I am staying here for a while to earn some travel funds before hitting the road again."

"Is Sister Lanhua short on money, just like Ruyi?" Lihua asked curiously.

Lan Ting smiled. "I am. How could I not be? There is an old saying in the Mortal World: a single penny can stump a hero. Traveling always requires money."

Lihua blinked and asked in curiosity, "Why is Chen the Good Man never short on money?"

Chen Changsheng gave a light cough when he heard that.

"This Chen was also very short on money in his early years," he said, pausing before adding, "And still is."

Truth be told, it was somewhat embarrassing.

The silver Chen Changsheng had obtained from that painting in Qingshan City Prince Yu's Manor all those years ago was now nearly spent.

The group sat down to chat. Only then did they learn that Lan Ting was heading to Shangjing. She mentioned it was for some business, though she didn't specify what exactly.

Chen Changsheng could guess a little of what it was about, but he didn't pry.

Currently, Lan Ting had rented a shop in this Demon Market, generally taking on work forging sabers and swords. Her craftsmanship was, of course, beyond reproach. In barely half a month, she had already become famous far and wide. Many Great Demons frequently came to her to forge armaments, and she had already saved up quite a bit of travel funds.

Seeing this, the Fox Demon fell deep in thought.

Come to think of it, he had grown quite curious about this veiled person.

Earlier, when there was a disturbance in the Demon Market, this person had suddenly stepped in, sending the offending demon's head flying with a single thrust of a spear. It had frightened quite a few demons.

Fu Hongmei couldn't help but say, "So she is an acquaintance of Brother Chen. No wonder..."

How could anyone acquainted with Brother Chen be a simple figure?

Fu Hongmei said, "During the earlier chaos in the Demon Market, we were truly saved thanks to Milord's intervention."

Lan Ting offered a gentle smile and said, "It was but a small effort."

Snapping back to the present, Lan Ting suddenly realized something and asked, "Did little Ruyi not come with you?"

Yunxiang said, "Ruyi, she..."

"She went to the Fiend Blood Path."

Lan Ting froze for a moment. "That is not a peaceful place."

Yunxiang nodded and said, "There is a reason for it."

Lan Ting opened her mouth to speak, but let out a breath instead. "Still, there is no need to worry too much. Little Ruyi has great fortune by her side; I imagine nothing bad will happen to her."

She looked up and asked, "And what about you all? Why did you come here?"

Yunxiang said, "We are taking a trip to Shangjing."

Chen Changsheng added, "This Chen owes a few favors and will be traveling through the Mortal World for a time."

Lan Ting nodded and said, "You all seem quite carefree. That is good."