Chapter 39: Acquiring the Ghost Buddha at the Phantom Market

Because I had wrapped the Yang Authority Token in black cloth and kept it in my bag, most ghosts hadn’t seen me before and shouldn’t know my identity. With that thought, I didn't bother to avoid her and simply walked straight through. However, when I first saw her, I instinctively started to dodge, and she noticed that movement.

So, as I passed her, she gave me an extra look. Fortunately, she didn't realize I could actually see her.

“Xiaobei, look, what are they selling over there?” Lin Chuan pointed at a stall ahead and asked me.

I glanced over and saw that the stall displayed a variety of clay figurines, some large, some small. Hanging from the side were some jade ornaments, but all carved into odd and unsettling shapes.

Unable to resist my curiosity, I approached the stall. “Boss, what are you selling here? These are really unique!”

“Young master, these are Ghost Buddhas!” the vendor replied, addressing me like a character from a historical drama.

I didn't really understand what Ghost Buddhas were, so I asked, “What do they do?”

“They’re for worshipping—if you honor the Ghost Buddha from our shop, your wishes will come true!” he answered.

I quickly understood. They must capture ghosts and seal them into these clay figures or jade trinkets, then sell them at high prices to those in need, promising that the ghosts would help the buyers fulfill their wishes.

But that was against the rules of the underworld, and would also harm their karmic merit. Thinking of this, I picked up a jade pendant to examine, but sensed no imprisoned spirit inside. Curious, I asked, “What if it doesn’t work?”

“If it doesn’t work, you get your money back. Besides, if you’re here, you should know we aren’t allowed to sell fakes!”

“How much is this one?” I asked.

“Five thousand!” came his swift reply.

Five thousand for such a small piece of jade, and it didn’t even contain a ghost. I put it down, deciding not to buy.

“What do you think, young master?” the vendor asked.

“It’s too expensive,” I answered.

“Not at all! Think about it—wear it, and you’ll gain wealth if you seek wealth, love if you seek love. When it helps you earn a hundred thousand, will you still think it’s expensive?”

“It can help me make a hundred thousand?” I was still curious.

“For five thousand, that’s what you can expect. If you want more, we have pricier ones, all sorts of prices!” he said, watching me.

So that’s how it was. I glanced at Lin Chuan, who said, “If you like it, buy it and see what happens.”

I nodded and asked the vendor, “How do I pay?”

“Cash or card, either is fine!” he replied.

I took out my pass and handed it over, but the vendor stared at me for a while before saying, “It’s not time yet; you can’t use this.”

“Aren’t you all doing business now? Why can’t I use it?” I asked.

“Rules are rules. You can’t use the market pass until the official opening time,” he replied.

“Alright, I’ll come back later. There’s still half an hour.” I set down the jade piece and got ready to browse elsewhere.

But the vendor called out, “Young master, we’re not that strict here. If you really want it, pay cash or use another card.”

“If it’s not strict, why the other card?” Lin Chuan asked.

“I mean, we can open a bit early here and accept other payment methods, unlike the stalls across the way.”

After hearing this, I picked up the jade pendant again. “If I buy it now, can I wear it right away?”

“If you’re sure about it, I’ll have my master consecrate it for you. It won’t take long—just wait a moment,” he replied.

I was already curious about their tricks, and now that they mentioned consecration, I was even more intrigued. I turned to Lin Chuan, “Did you bring another card?”

He nodded and took out a wallet, selecting a card to hand over.

The vendor swiped the card on his machine. After the payment was done, he asked, “Just this one, young master?”

I nodded. He then asked me to hand over the piece so he could have it consecrated.

“Please wait here, I’ll be back shortly,” he said, turning and heading to the room behind the stall.

Wanting to know what they were doing inside, I sent Xiao Yuan to follow and check.

“Be careful,” I whispered.

Xiao Yuan slipped inside. When the vendor returned with the jade pendant, Xiao Yuan trailed behind, looking a bit stunned.

I didn’t ask him immediately but turned to the vendor. “Is it done?”

“Yes, but be careful when you wear it, young master. Keep it inside your clothing if possible,” he said, handing me the ornament.

I looked at the center of the jade and saw a small black dot from which faint wisps of black smoke drifted—something only I could see. That must be the spirit sealed within, still carrying its resentment.

“How soon will it start working?” I asked.

“Usually within a week to a month,” he replied.

I nodded, and Lin Chuan and I moved on. I didn’t hang the jade around my neck but tucked it into my pocket.

At that moment, Xiao Yuan whispered to me, “Master, the ‘master’ that vendor mentioned is the same exorcist I met at the bar before!”

“He…” I was surprised, but remembering I was speaking to a ghost, I lowered my voice. “So all the spirits sealed in these figurines and jade pieces must have been captured by him?”

“That’s right. I’ve heard from the underworld messengers that many spirits have gone missing—it must be related to them,” Xiao Yuan replied.

That made sense. Since I had already bought one, I’d let the spirit out later and ask it directly.

As we continued browsing the ghost market, Lin Chuan and I soon spotted a rather unusual shop and went over to take a look.

At the entrance, a beautiful woman was boiling something in a pot. I asked, “What are you making? It smells delicious!”

“Reincarnation Soup,” she replied.

I was shocked to hear they actually sold that. “How do you make it? Does it really work?”

“Of course. Would you two gentlemen care for a bowl?” She smiled at us.

Lin Chuan and I quickly shook our heads. “No, thank you! We’ll just look around inside.”

Once inside, I realized how little I understood this world. If it were all just technology, I could accept that, but the things on display here—those were nothing short of sorcery.

“Is this a facial mask?” I picked up a thin, mask-like object.

A girl dressed in ancient attire answered, “That’s a human-skin mask. If you’re unhappy with your appearance, wear it and you can become whoever you wish.”

I was startled and quickly put it back. No wonder it was so thin—it was actual human skin.

Lin Chuan, however, picked it up and examined it. “That magical? Is this real human skin?”

“Of course. We have video evidence!” The woman motioned for us to look at a nearby screen.

I couldn’t tell if the video was genuine, but in it, a woman did grow more beautiful with each passing day after wearing the mask. I still didn’t understand how it worked.

I had thought seeing ghosts was already miraculous, but I hadn’t expected to encounter so many other unexplainable wonders here.

Suddenly, I felt like buying one to study. “How much for these masks?”

“Not for sale.”

“...Then why display them?” I asked, puzzled.

“For trade,” she answered, still smiling.

“Trade? For what?”

“One day of your life,” she replied.

“One day? What do you mean?” I still didn’t get it.

“It means you give up a day of your lifespan, and we’ll make you beautiful.”

That explained it. I didn’t want it after all—my lifespan was no longer just my own but also included He Yanran’s. Even losing a day wouldn’t matter much, but it’s better to live longer if possible, and I didn’t need to be prettier anyway.

“What here can be bought with money?” I asked.

“This way,” she said, leading us to another section. There, I found they were selling Soul-Slaying Guns and Yin-Yang Glasses.

These items were rare and expensive, and it was clear not many people bought them.

There were also all sorts of talismans and exorcism tools, but those were of little use to me.

Just as Lin Chuan and I were about to leave, I saw something hanging by the door. “What’s this?” I asked.

“A Soul-Subduing Whip. It’s retractable, convenient to carry. When you need it, just press here and the whip extends!” She demonstrated for me.

To be honest, after her demonstration, I was quite interested. “How much is it?”

“It’s cheap—two thousand,” she replied.

At two thousand, I couldn’t help but complain that it wasn’t really that cheap, but compared to the Ghost Buddha, it was a bit more affordable.

So I bought it, again paying cash since it wasn’t yet opening time.

With the Soul-Subduing Whip in my backpack, Lin Chuan asked, “Why’d you buy that?”

“To use, of course. I don’t have any weapons, and if I run into a powerful spirit, I’m no match barehanded,” I replied.

“True. Besides, it looks like it’d hurt if you got hit with it,” Lin Chuan said, examining it.

After stowing the whip in my bag, we prepared to look elsewhere, but just then, a loud chiming like a bell rang out.

From ahead, a procession approached—not people, but an orderly troop of ghost soldiers. I thought about dodging, but when I saw Lin Chuan didn’t move, I stayed put as well.

Suddenly, someone rushed over and yanked us both aside with surprising force, startling us.

When I regained my senses, the soldiers had passed. I turned to the person in the black cloak who’d pulled us, but couldn’t see their face beneath the hood. Annoyed, I said, “Hey, what’d you pull us for?”