Stranger Danger

Chapter 353: Money Makes The World Go Round

Chapter 353: Money Makes The World Go Round

As soon as Greenlake finished, Ye Qing saw a small boat sailing out of the fog.

The River of Forgettance was rapid, turbulent, and full of deadly souls who wanted nothing more than to drag a foolish soul into the river so that they could partake in their eternal misery. But the boat was cutting right through the waters so steadily it outright defied physicsnot that there were many things in this world that obeyed the physics Ye Qing knew of, of course. Wherever the boat traveled, the wave disintegrated, the smelly wind dissipated, and the ghosts hurried out of its way. It was in every sense of the word, untouchable.

When the boat came closer, Ye Qing realized with a start that it was a paper boat. A simple lantern was hung on the front end of the mast, and its orange light cast a warm glow on the boat.

The ferryman was a hunch-backed man covered in black robes. His whole face except his eyes were covered from view. This was probably the ferryman Greenlake was talking about. He was holding a setting pole made from bones and pushing the boat ever closer toward the shore.

His movements looked relaxed, and the boat seemed to be moving at a leisurely pace as well. In reality, it reached the duo in just the blink of an eye.

After the boat had reached the shore, the ferryman slowly turned his head and stared at Ye Qing, eyes glowing like dark green orbs in the darkness.

Lets go, husband.

Ye Qing swallowed, but it was too late for regrets. He had no choice but to harden his resolve and step toward the ferryman.

The ferryman extended a bony arm toward Ye Qingliterally, as not a speck of flesh could be found under the mans sleeveand Ye Qing handed him the Yin Token of Forgettance. The ferryman rubbed its bony fingers across the token before handing it back to Ye Qing and stepping out of the way.

Do you have any yin gold with you, husband? If you do, you should give the ferryman some yin gold, Greenlake suddenly whispered beside Ye Qings ear.

Why? Ye Qing asked.

Greenlake replied mysteriously, Ever heard that money makes the world go round? Dont worry. Im not trying to trick you or anything.

Ye Qing mulled over her suggestion for a moment before producing a gold ingot from his Natures Shell. A moment of hesitation later, he produced another two gold ingots from his Natures Shell and handed it all to the ferryman.

It was a cultural tradition to burn paper offerings to provide one's ancestors with the means to enjoy the comforts of what they once had when they were alive, and fake money was of course one of them. However, yin gold wasnt made of paper. It was actual gold or silver that had been placed inside a coffin for a full night and one of the more valuable currencies in the yin world.

Ye Qing wasnt sure if he wasnt imagining it, but the ferrymans attitude seemed to grow a tad warmer after he handed him the ingot.

Always sit at the center of the boat

Do not waver when crossing the river

Never look back after you left the boat

A low, deep voice suddenly came from behind Ye Qing, prompting him to look back at the ferryman. However, the ferryman wasnt looking at him. In fact, it looked like he hadnt spoken at all.

Thank you. Ye Qing saluted him regardless before boarding the boat. On the way, he asked Greenlake in a small voice, What did he mean by that?

Greenlake replied, Its exactly what it sounds like. You should always sit at the center of the boat, you mustnt allow anything to affect you when crossing the river, and you must never look back after getting off the boat.

And whys that? The rules must exist for a reason, right? Ye Qing asked.

I cant tell you. Just remember to follow the rules. Otherwise Greenlake shot him a mysterious smile but didnt continue.

Smartass. Also, why didnt she just tell me the rules when she already knew them? Couldve saved me a few gold ingots.

Miffed he might be, he didnt voice his complaints of course. It wasnt like he could ask the ferryman to give back his gold.

Why arent we moving? Ye Qing asked after sitting at the center of the boat and waiting for ten minutes or so. Greenlake was sitting next to him.

There are probably others who wish to cross the river as well! Greenlake answered.

As if on cue, several people emerged from the distance. They reached the boat very quickly.

Oh hells, it stinks like shit! A man wearing a boy mask suddenly exclaimed loudly. Despite the mask, it was clear from his attire and bald, shiny head that he was a monk.

For the good of the people, die, you smelly thing!

Mighty Sky Dragon, World Revered Kitigarbha, Great Celestial Spell, Prajna of the Buddhas!

The monk yelled what sounded like an incantation before shining like the sun. The golden light of the Buddha shone brightly as he attacked a black-robed man[1] next to him like an angry Vajrapani.

Boom!

Caught off guard, the black-robed man was sent flying across the air. His black robes ripped apart to reveal a middle-aged man who resembled a rotting corpse. His face was scarred, his flesh was rotting, and his whole body was giving off a putrid, rotten stench.

Are you sick, Jing Xin? The black-robed man glared angrily at the monk after catching himself.

Youre the one whos sick, monster! No, what am I talking about? You are sick. Not only did you kill your whole family, you killed countless innocents as well! If you arent sick, then who is?

The monk named Jing Xin roared and charged toward the black-robed man again, But dont worry! I shall send you to the Buddha this instant!

Why wont you stop harassing me? Do you think I avoided you because Im scared of you, Jing Xin?! The black-robed man tried to threaten the monk.

If youre not scared, then why did you run away every time? Fight me if youre a man, bitch! If I run, then I give you permission to call me your grandson! Come on! Fight me!

Jing Xin caught up to the black-robed man in just a few steps and brought down his massive palm on him.

Mighty Sky Dragon, World Revered Kitigarbha

The black-robed man crossed his arms in front of him defensively and surrounded himself in thick corpse qi. At the same time, his arms turned greenish black.

Bang!

The black-robed man grunted and flew another ten meters. This time though, he accidentally slammed into a group of people.

Enough, you crazy monk!

A newcomer wearing a God of Longevity mask caught the black-robed man and rebuked the monk. His index and middle fingers pressed together, he fired a beam of sword qi at him.

Unfortunately, his sword qi was easily shredded by the Buddha light surrounding Jing Xin.

You think you can stop me? I knew at first glance that you are a villain just like that bastard! Its fine though. Today is the day I send you both to the Buddha!

At least choose a better time and place to go crazy, Crazy Monk! If we miss the boat, itll be all your fault! The guy wearing the God of Longevity mask hid his hand under his sleeve. It was because his fingers were shaking.

A young manthe only person in the group who wasnt wearing a maskdeclared arrogantly, Fight to the death if you want. Just dont get in my way.

He then looked at the fair, shapely woman standing next to him and said in a much gentler voice, Lets get on the boat, Ruyan.

Will do, Scion Fu, the woman replied in a sweet voice.

A wide smile immediately spread on his face.

Jing Xin glared at them angrily. Hmph! Every single one of you is a cold, selfish, heartless person who doesnt know right from wrong! I swear Ill enlighten you all one day[2]!

Everyone in the group immediately scoffed in disdain. A well-dressed man hugging two beauties and wearing a silver mask immediately taunted, I thought you want to eliminate us villains, monk? Are you backing down just because we outnumber you? Your Buddha will be so disappointed if he sees you like this.

Amitabha, are you stupid! The Buddha himself said that enlightenment cannot be achieved in a single day. Slow and steady is the path to success! Jing Xin retorted with even greater disdain. Judging from your behavior, youre probably a bad person as well! Ive remembered your face. One day, I will enlighten you!

Im crazy, not stupid. Do you really think Ill charge into a battle Im sure to lose?

The shows over, it seems. What a shame. Lets go, girls! The well-dressed man shrugged and walked toward the boat.

The well-dressed man tossed his Yin Token of Forgettance in the ferrymans direction and leisurely stepped onto the boat. However, the ferryman raised a hand and blocked his way before he could take another step.

What is the meaning of this? The well-dressed man asked in a lazy voice.

Instead of replying, the ferryman pointed at the two women he was hugging.

Oh, I see! The well-dressed man caressed the womens faces lovingly and sighed. Well, its not that I dont want to bring you with me, beauties. Its the ferryman who wont allow you passage. If you must blame someone, blame him!

Pop! Pop!

The next moment, he popped their heads like watermelons and spilled blood and brain fluid everywhere.

The guy wasnt disgusted, however. He even licked the blood with an intoxicated expression and said, What a shame I couldnt keep my queens of flowers[3]! What a shame, hehehe

Theyre real?

On the boat, Ye Qing watched the sudden tragedy with a small frown. He had thought that those two were just paper dolls. He didnt think that they were actually real.

Ruthless bastard! Almost everyone else was wearing frowns on their faces as well. They didnt rebuke him for his behavior, however. In fact, they subconsciously took a few steps away from him.

Even Jing Xin was looking down on the floor and chanting, Amitabha, the Buddha says to keep calm always, for no one can replace you if you blow your own top. Its okay if the villain is too strong for now, you will kick his ass eventually

That man is called Song Qingyu. Hes a disciple of the demonic sect called Between Flowers, and he practices a cultivation art called the Flower Ripping Scripture. It is a cultivation art that transforms the practitioner into a heartless, merciless warrior through constant exposure and desensitization. He might look like a romantic on the outside, but he doesnt have a heart on the inside. Its why they call him the Flower Ripper. You might want to be careful around him.

Greenlake had moved closer to him and whispered, The crazy monks Dharma name is Jing Xin. He is the disciple of master Yuhai, a venerated monk in Gold Mountain Temple. It is said that he has a screw loose in his head because he once caught a grave illness when he was a boy. He is hot-tempered, violently righteous, and quite insane. Hence, people call him Crazy Monk.

Jing Xin (Stay Calm)? Whoever named him certainly had foresight, Ye Qing mentally rolled his eyes before asking, Who was the guy Jing Xin attacked earlier?

The corpse man? His moniker is Corpse Vulture. It is said that he cultivated the ancient Corpse King Sects Supreme Nether Corpse Yin Solution, but hes so untalented that he turned into this. He looks scary, but hes average at best.

I dont recognize the other three people, but the one wearing the God of Longevity mask seems to be using a martial art called the Sword of One. In Tian Yong, the only one who practiced it is Sword of One Lu Hui. Hes strong, but hes more known for his treachery and deceit.

As for the last two people, I have no idea. But I would suggest that you keep an eye on the woman.

Whys that? She looks like an ordinary person, Ye Qing asked via sound transmission.

Shes an ordinary person who has a Yin Token of Forgettance and the courage to enter the inner market. If she doesnt deserve our caution, who does? Greenlake countered.

Ye Qing had to agree with that logic.

While they were conversing, the group had already boarded the boat. However, they didnt pay the ferryman his due, so the ferryman didnt say anything either. He reminded Ye Qing of a lucky cat who only knew how to wave its forelimb.

Careful, husband. Here comes trouble.

Ye Qing was thinking about nothing in particular when Greenlakes voice entered his ears. At the same time, he felt a shadow towering over him. Someone was standing right in front of him.

1. This is NOT the ferryman but a random dude.

2. Via superior firepower.

3. The nickname for a famous beauty or courtesan. Usually the most beautiful woman of an establishment as well.