Chapter 41: By the Spirit Flower Pond

  These few things in mind are indeed weighing on my heart. To think that the project will go smoothly, it is really impossible to be careless.

  The next day, I went to the construction site with Old Qian. Yuancai and Liu Pang didn't leave for a moment, and when they saw us, their faces were all solemn. I smiled and said, "What's going on? Did something happen and now you're tense?"

  Zhao said: "Last night when I returned home, the watchdog that was fine all along suddenly barked at me nonstop, it's unsettling."

  Liu Pang also said: "Driving is more careful, dare not to be reckless, afraid of something happening."

  I took a careful look at Zhao Cai and Liu Guang, there was nothing unclean in front of or behind them, it's possible that they were just too tense.

  "Hey, don't be so nervous and jumpy, it'll affect the workers' mood. Actually, I think Old Qian and I need to take care of some procedures for this project, so you two will have to keep a close eye on things here. If the contract isn't completed, that's a big deal."

  Zhao Zai and Liu Pang both nodded, now also getting used to not asking deeply.

  I and Old Qian went out, returned to our residence to tidy up a bit, took flashlights and ropes. Old Qian laughed saying: "Damn it, we two are just like villagers chopping firewood." I said going out the door must bring these things, prepare for any situation.

  Going southward, I kept an eye on it all the way, and fortunately, there was no dirty tail.

  Lao Qian has been following me closely, which also makes me feel a little more at ease. I said to Lao Qian, Qing Shan Dao Zhang had instructed us that in all things, we must have a sense of proportion and remind each other mutually.

  After crossing the city site mountain, Old Qian asked me, "What are we going to do now?" I said, "The Ghost Sun Knife was started because of me, and this matter still needs to be settled." Now the most important thing is to follow the original plan of the project. We need to go take a look, or else it will be like Nan Village's low-lying land, which caught us off guard. Old Qian nodded in agreement and even joked that our old boss doesn't know how much extra work we've done behind his back. I said now it's hard to get off the tiger's back. The boss only looks at results. If the project isn't going smoothly, no matter how unjustly treated you are, you can't say anything. In the end, if you mess things up, it's all your fault. Old Qian sighed and agreed with my point of view, having no choice but to agree, being tied to the same rope.

  Suddenly, the copper bell in my bosom rang violently, I was startled, and indeed there was a problem.

  Looking down carefully, it was discovered that there was a lake at the foot of the mountain. Suddenly, I realized that the Liu Lang River had formed a natural lake here after passing through Nan Village. Due to the slow progress of the project, we hadn't arrived here yet. Originally, it was planned and designed, and we always thought it wasn't our business, but rather the design department's affair. Now, looking at this lake, I'm afraid there might be a problem.

  Walking to the lake, the water is calm and clear, it's indeed a good place. Originally planned, this place also needs to build a bridge, this lake is still the main production water source for Nan Village and several neighboring villages.

  We were approaching the front when a gust of cold wind suddenly blew up. Old Qian shouted that something was wrong and it turned cold again.

  Old Qian's words had just fallen when the water surface suddenly rippled and churned as if someone was stirring it.

  Suddenly, a large piece of lotus leaves emerged from the water surface, with some lotus flowers in between. Oh my, what season is this? It's not even the blooming season! If there were passersby, they would be scared to death, thinking that something strange had happened. Fortunately, the surrounding residents had already moved away due to construction, and it was quiet when this strange thing suddenly appeared, which really made people's hearts beat faster.

  The copper bell still rings non-stop, but it's not that sharp and clear sound. It seems like the soul of quietness is still there.

  The surface of the water was shrouded in a haze of cyan smoke, and suddenly a group of women emerged, their voices soft and gentle, saying they had come to welcome the envoy on behalf of the master of the pool.

  This is strange, I and Old Qian went out without telling anyone, and Old Qian was also told by me on the way that we were here to inspect the route. It seems that all our actions and plans are being spied on clearly by someone.

  Whatever, it's come to this anyway, doesn't matter if there's one more thing.

  As the women's voices rose, the lotus moved and the water opened, suddenly revealing a stone staircase that led straight down. The women lined up on both sides, saying they were welcoming envoys into the pool. Old Qian and I were still shocked, damn it, what kind of entering the pool was this? We were afraid we would drown to death. But the women continued to speak in low, gentle voices, seemingly without end.

  I exchanged a glance with Old Qian, and he said, "Go on, damn it, maybe you can really help with the project."

  He pulled Old Qian and carefully descended the stone steps.

  But in his heart, he was muttering to himself. Qing Shan Daozhang had only mentioned the Three Talents and the Two Gates controversy, what kind of pool is this, it's really beyond expectation.

  As I walked down the stone steps, suddenly there was a commotion around me and the sound of people talking, it turned out that a group of girls had followed me, and now it's too late to turn back.

  In front of it is a vast expanse of water, shrouded in white mist, with a large stone monument standing beside it, inscribed with the words "Yu Hua Chi".

  It turned out to be Yuè Huā Chí, the name is quite interesting. Old Qián chuckled and said to me: "Writing a sauna bath would be more attractive." I said it's better not to make jokes for now, let's see how things go first.

  As I approached the stone monument, there was a sudden loud noise, and a gate rose up, with the tightly closed stone door slowly opening, revealing swirling hot air inside, and faintly audible music drifting out.

  As they approached the gate, the music grew louder, and out came two rows of fairy-like maidens, under the command of Master Lin and Ling Miao. They were even more refreshing and charming than before. In the middle, a woman was surrounded by them, with her hair styled in a high bun, a light gauze floating around her, her face as white as powder, her breasts high and full, her waist slender and her hips round, so beautiful that it dazzled the eyes. Old Qian was stunned, this guy, no matter when, never forgot his own greatest pleasure in life.

  "Welcome, Master Chi! The guest has arrived." The women chimed in unison with their sweet and gentle voices.

  The woman known as the "Pool Master" waved her hand, a smile on her face. Oh heavens, this smile, it's enough to captivate one's heart! If there were such a woman standing in the middle of the street smiling, I'm afraid she would block off the entire road.

  "I know the envoy has arrived, and we welcome him with music. Please forgive us for not coming to greet you from afar." The sound of Zhu's voice was like a gentle breeze that rustled the leaves, making people's bones feel limp. Old Qian's sons were all moved to tears.

  I thought to myself, "When did I ever say I wanted to come here? It's still far away, and they're already coming out to greet us. Are they trying to trick us or something?"

  The courtesy was really thorough. And the copper bell in my arms no longer rang. The copper bell is a law object, can block evil spirits and small yin, up to now, I judge that this is like seeing the master of the moonlight forest and Ling Miao Ran, it has turned into a spirit-like yin realm big soul, the copper bell cannot alert anymore.

  Inside the gate, it's even more like a different world. The people are wonderful, the flowers are wonderful, and this is an entire world of fresh flowers. I learned the lotus step from Qing Shan Dao Zhang, but the real lotus is actually here. I recall that Qing Shan Dao Zhang told me about the three talents of Taoism the other day, among which the last one was the talent of Tao, saying that in the Taoist world there are rules, and when asked about the Tao, he would not speak, simply put, it's all about leaving some food for later. I warned myself in my heart, although this place is full of flowers everywhere, don't underestimate it, nor be rash.

  As soon as we sat down, a woman presented us with lotus flower tea. The aroma was intoxicating, and the small pieces of leaves floated in the cup like they were alive, quivering with life. Old Qian picked up his cup to take a sip, but I pressed it back down, being cautious. At the same time, I said: "I suppose you are the master of the pond? We came to investigate the route and didn't want to disturb you rashly. Please don't mind us, is there something we can help with?"

  The master of the Lotus Pond, Zhu, slightly opened his vermilion lips, and his whole face was lively and wonderful. He said: "If you didn't come, I would have gone to invite you. Now that you're here, it's just right. It's better to seize the day than to choose a date. If I had gone to invite you, both the yin and yang realms would be shocked, which wouldn't be good."

  I was shocked, and my mom was another arrogant master. There were words in her tone, hinting that she was also quite formidable, and if we spoke or acted recklessly, strange things would happen.

  For now, I'll put aside my racing heart and look at Master Chi again.

  "Lately, I've heard from Pool's daughter that something is amiss on the mountain side, with two bloody incidents occurring one after another. Fortunately, nothing has happened to our Pool."

  His heart tightened, this matter is likely to spread throughout the entire Yin world.

  "The messenger has arrived, is he here to save us? Now we are blessed." The host of the Desire Flower Pond spoke with a tender tone, as if she were an ordinary person, and it's likely that at this moment, one would be confused and disoriented.

  I said: "Two ordinary people, just want to finish the work as soon as possible, and hope that Master Qi will help." Ah, straightforward and not pretending to be polite with you, I know, probably there's some ulterior motive inside.

  "I heard that the Ghost Spirit Cave had no accidental bloodshed, but my sister was left as a lonely soul and wild ghost. The envoy personally went to hang the spirit tablet, but didn't happen to save my sister along with it." The words were spoken with a tone of playful blame towards Pool Master, yet each sentence felt like a heavy echo that struck my heart. It turned out that this was what was waiting for me here.

  "I hastily said: 'Indeed, as Master Chi said, but there is one point. If Ling Miao Yan was really your sister, wouldn't she have become a lonely ghost or a wandering spirit instead of being led by the Zhengling Gate to be reincarnated? This point needs to be clarified, I hope Master Chi will investigate carefully.'"

  I dare not be careless, damn it, unexpectedly there's this Desire Flower Pool, and so many girls have appeared, things I didn't do were pinned on me, who knows if in the end it'll still lead to trouble, if you say I stirred up the Underworld, that's unacceptable.

  "Please have some tea, you two. Since you've entered my pool, you're considered guests. This is top-grade flower tea. I'm afraid you still don't believe me, but that's indeed my sister." The master of the Flower Pool smiled again and again, picked up the teacup in front of her, and took a light sip.

  I and Old Qian did not move at all.

  The woman suddenly smiled and said to the surrounding girls, "I think you didn't show enough courtesy, delayed the guest, and they didn't appreciate it. Alright, all of you, get down on your knees as punishment."

  Her face suddenly sank, and she raised her hand. Oh mother, just now I was only paying attention to the woman's flower-like face, without noticing her hand. At this moment, I suddenly discovered that it was exactly like the white bones I saw at the entrance of my home.

  Before the thought in my mind was fully turned, the surroundings were already kneeling on the ground, and the girls all knelt down together. Their delicate figures were shaking uncontrollably at this time, as if they were frightened by Pool Master's words, which made me and Old Qian also jump in fright. I don't know what kind of punishment it will be, but looking at this scene, it won't be light, I suppose.

  "Please, traveler, have some tea and save us sisters." The words were neat and uniform, but unlike the soft and gentle voice from earlier, they carried a hint of desperation.

  My god, just drinking tea can be fatal, and now we're talking about saving this serious problem.

  "I'm not thirsty, I'll drink later."

  "Please help yourself, and we'll get up again after you're done." Another gloomy and mournful voice.

  I and Old Qian had no way out, Old Qian couldn't bear to see beautiful girls plead, he looked at me with his eyes, picked up the teacup. I also had to pick it up, still leaving a heart eye, symbolically lightly touching one mouthful.

  But little did I know that the fragrant tea was like a hot air current that directly entered my brain, and suddenly I became dizzy.

  Not good, it's a scam. I secretly called out in my heart, taking advantage of the fact that I was still a little sober, and pressed the copper bell tightly.

  A soft, silvery laugh echoed through the air. "It seems that our two guests are satisfied now. My sister is always so accommodating to me, but when it comes to this Ghost Spirit Cave, she didn't let me have my way and even got ahead of me by meeting with the messenger first. My sister really is foolish."

  After hearing these words floating in our ears, Old Qian and I were completely bewildered and didn't know what was going on.

  Suddenly felt a chill, waves of white shadows fluttering by, Old Qian and I floated up lightly.