Spring Surge Tower -> Spring Surge Workshop
Chapter 110: Rising Yin Energy, Emerging Ghosts
A chilly wind swept through the deserted street, whistling through the air.
Although the Yin energy wasn’t particularly strong yet, the sudden change still startled Mao Ruoyu.
“Could it be a ghost appearing?”
She quickly looked around, but only saw a few pedestrians hurrying past.
Although these mortals couldn’t discern Yin energy, the eerie chill still sent shivers down their spines, quickening their pace as if afraid to linger any longer.
“The flow of Yin energy is indeed unusual.” Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment. “Perhaps it has something to do with the environment.”
“Then what should we…”
“Let’s get something to eat first.” He glanced at a nearby restaurant, sensing the Yin energy gathering inside, and chuckled softly. “We can ask about the situation here.”
…
Stepping into the restaurant, they were greeted by a quiet atmosphere with only a few people scattered around.
Lin Tianlu waved his hand. “Innkeeper, bring us some appetizers and two bowls of rice.”
“O-okay…”
But the middle-aged man behind the counter was pale, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead as he hurried into the kitchen.
Mao Ruoyu smoothed her skirt and sat down, lowering her voice. “Sir, this restaurant is quite strange. That innkeeper’s face was very pale, as if…”
“There are three customers in the restaurant: two ghosts and one ghost practitioner.”
Lin Tianlu calmly poured two cups of tea. “With such a chilling aura, it’s no wonder the innkeeper is trembling.”
Mao Ruoyu’s heart skipped a beat, and she discreetly glanced around.
She hadn’t noticed before…
These ghosts were deliberately concealing their auras, disguising themselves as mortals.
Were they trying to avoid exposing their identities and strength before the Path of the Netherworld began?
“H-here are your appetizers, Sir…”
A moment later, a young waiter brought over the dishes, his hands trembling slightly.
Lin Tianlu smiled at him gently. “I heard the curfew is very strict these days. How long will the restaurant be open?”
“Probably… for another hour or so.”
Seeing his nervous and chattering teeth, Lin Tianlu chuckled. “Don’t be nervous, young man. I won’t eat you. But there are many dangers in the county these days. You should close the restaurant early to avoid trouble.”
“T-thank you for the reminder, Sir.”
The waiter bowed awkwardly and quickly left.
Zheng—
A gentle melody rang out, clear and refreshing like flowing water.
Mao Ruoyu was stunned, surprised to hear music in the restaurant. She followed the sound…
In a dimly lit corner, she could vaguely see a woman with black hair playing a pipa, but the dim lighting obscured her features.
“There’s actually someone playing music in this restaurant…”
Mao Ruoyu’s expression suddenly changed.
Something was wrong with this music!
At the same time, the other people in the restaurant frowned and glanced towards the sound. After a moment of contemplation, some quickly got up and left, while others simply vanished into thin air.
In an instant, the restaurant was empty.
But the melody continued, the soft notes lingering in the air.
Mao Ruoyu’s expression flickered. She felt as if the music was a bewitching sound, each note seeping into her heart.
Although it wasn’t particularly unpleasant, it was undoubtedly caused by Yin energy.
It wasn’t the petty tricks she and Cheng Yishi had used before, but a real Yin technique!
“Sir, we should… Eh?”
She was about to warn Lin Tianlu, but then she blinked in surprise.
A wave of warmth surged within her, completely dispelling the faint discomfort, leaving only the beautiful melody echoing in her ears.
“Are you alright, Madam?”
“…I’m fine.”
Mao Ruoyu shook her head, understanding dawning upon her.
She was familiar with this warmth. It was the potent Yang energy generated when she and Lin Tianlu played the flute together these past two days.
Not only had it enhanced her strength, but it also allowed her to resist minor Yin techniques.
“I owe him even more now.”
Mao Ruoyu sighed inwardly.
Lin Tianlu placed a piece of braised pork in her bowl. “You’ve been walking all day, Madam. Don’t starve yourself.”
Mao Ruoyu smiled and returned a piece of meat to his bowl.
“You should eat more too, Sir.”
They smiled at each other.
The music continued, but the tempo quickened slightly.
Lin Tianlu looked away and raised his cup in a gesture of respect. “Your music is quite impressive, Miss. But in a place for dining, it’s better to play something more soothing and gentle.”
“…”
The black-haired woman’s fingers paused, and the music stopped abruptly.
“How strange…”
She spoke softly, her voice low and husky. “You don’t feel anything?”
“This melody is indeed profound, filled with sorrow.”
Lin Tianlu smiled. “But I personally don’t enjoy such melancholic tunes. If you could play something cheerful, Miss, I might offer you a reward.”
“…” The black-haired woman fell silent again.
But she clenched her hands tightly.
“Since you prefer soothing melodies, Sir, then I’ll make a fool of myself.”
Zheng—
The music resumed, each note precise and deliberate.
Lin Tianlu turned to Mao Ruoyu and said softly, “Just focus on eating, Madam.”
“You shouldn’t just sit there either, Sir.”
Watching them calmly enjoying their dinner while listening to her music, the black-haired woman gritted her teeth, her playing becoming even more frantic, her face filled with anxiety and unease. “T-this is impossible!”
…
After a while…
Lin Tianlu stood up and walked over to the table, looking down at the black-haired woman sitting in the corner.
Up close, she was quite young, not stunningly beautiful, but still pleasant-looking and gentle.
“W-what do you want?!”
The woman had lost her composure. She clutched her pipa, her body trembling, her face filled with panic. She had suffered internal injuries, blood trickling from the corner of her lips.
Fear consumed her.
This man in front of her… his strength was unfathomable!
At first, she had only used a minor Yin technique to enchant and confuse them.
But then, she had unleashed her full power, using every technique she knew. Yet, this man remained unfazed. Not only was he unaffected, but she was the one suffering backlash, her soul injured, almost vomiting blood and fainting.
And she had actually become an ordinary musician, playing for him for a quarter of an hour!
“Why are you so afraid, Miss?”
Lin Tianlu’s voice was gentle, a hint of amusement in his tone. “You were the one who used a Yin technique on us first.”
“I-I—” The black-haired woman’s face turned pale, and she was speechless.
“Are you worried that I’ll attack you?”
“P-please forgive me…”
“Then answer my questions honestly.” Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious. “If you tell me the truth, I might spare you.”
The black-haired woman’s voice trembled. “Please ask, Sir…”
“What exactly is this Path of the Netherworld ritual?”
“Don’t you—”
She quickly stopped herself and answered cautiously. “The Path of the Netherworld is a grand ritual passed down from ancient times. It’s held every two years in a different location, presided over by a respected figure. In the Fengchen Kingdom, it’s mostly handled by the Luo Xing.
As for the ritual itself, it uses an ancient secret technique to open a path to the realm of ghosts. It’s like a separate world, filled with dangers but also countless opportunities waiting to be discovered. The path will fully open in two or three days.”
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment. “How does one qualify to participate in the Path of the Netherworld?”
“Anyone can participate. But… the major factions control certain areas within the Path of the Netherworld, and you need a Path of the Netherworld token to enter. Ordinary practitioners can’t get close.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the black-haired woman saw the token Lin Tianlu took out from his pocket and her eyes widened in shock. “A-a Luo Xing Path of the Netherworld token?!”
“With this, I can enter those restricted areas?”
“Y-yes!”
The black-haired woman was both terrified and filled with regret.
This man was a member of the Luo Xing! How could she, a lowly practitioner, have dared to provoke him?
Lin Tianlu put the token away thoughtfully.
Then, he smiled faintly and placed a few coins on the table. “Your music is quite good, Miss. Use your skills to live a good life. It’s better than living in fear like this.
If you were to take a human life, could you still play such cheerful music with a clear conscience?”
“Eh?”
The black-haired woman was stunned. “You…”
Her expression flickered. Looking at the copper coins on the table, a surge of anger welled up within her. She stood up abruptly and said urgently, “Do you know how lonely and helpless it is for a lone practitioner like me? If I don’t use Yin techniques to absorb life essence, how can I protect myself—”
“Go to Ganchang Village in Fuyang Prefecture. There’s a virtuous woman at the Spring Surge Workshop who can help you.”
Lin Tianlu’s expression was gentle, his voice calm. “If your survival is no longer a concern, I hope you can maintain your humanity, Miss. Don’t stray too far down the wrong path.
As for what decision to make, you should know in your heart.”
With that, he turned and left.
The black-haired woman collapsed back into her chair, staring blankly at the few coins on the table.
She seemed surprised…
That someone would actually offer her guidance and help.
She had harbored malicious intent before, wanting to absorb their life essence to replenish her own. Seeing their harmonious relationship had filled her with jealousy and resentment.
Did she still have a heart?
A strange sense of bitterness welled up within her.
After a long silence, she silently pocketed the coins, stood up, and bowed before vanishing into thin air.
…
Mao Ruoyu looked in the direction the female ghost had disappeared and said softly, “You’re not going to kill her, Sir?”
“Although she tried to attack us with her technique, she held back, and there’s no bloodlust on her. It’s clear she hasn’t harmed anyone yet.”
Lin Tianlu sat back down and chuckled softly. “She’s a bit like you were, Madam.”
Mao Ruoyu lowered her eyes and nodded thoughtfully.
If she hadn’t met Sir, perhaps she would still be like that musician, resorting to underhanded means and just getting by.
“—How interesting. I didn’t expect you to let that musician go, Sir.”
A refined voice suddenly rang out.
Mao Ruoyu’s heart skipped a beat, and she looked up instinctively. A scholar in a azure robe was sitting on the second floor, leaning against the window frame, a playful smile on his handsome face. “I thought someone as powerful as you, Sir, would have killed her outright.”
“There’s no distinction between humans and ghosts. Killing indiscriminately is pointless.”
Lin Tianlu took a sip of wine. “You’ve been sitting up there for a while. Why don’t you come down and have a chat?”
“There’s no need for that. I’m used to being lazy and—”
Before the scholar could finish speaking, his figure instantly appeared in the dining hall on the first floor, stumbling into a chair.
“Wha—?!” The smile on his face froze, his pupils constricted, and he turned around abruptly.
Lin Tianlu was pressing down on his shoulder, a gentle smile on his face. “There’s no need for tricks. Let’s get straight to the point.”
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