This was Yan Shouyi's compensation for Lin Zitong.
A true Ghost King!
Yan Shouyi had played Taohua Ying around three times. If Taohua Ying hadn't been so eager to refine the Yin Yang Lu Ban Incantation and paid attention to Yan Shouyi's identity and origins, she wouldn't have ended up in this predicament.
Now, Taohua Ying's soul was already linked with Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong. Especially with Lin Zitong holding the soul-summoning bell and the Shu Ling snake, two supreme treasures for controlling souls, even as a Ghost King, she had no power to fight back!
She stumbled and fell before the two, looking up with deep regret and asking:
"Who exactly are you?"
"If you had asked this question earlier, perhaps you wouldn't have done those foolish things," Yan Shouyi said calmly.
"She has the soul-summoning bell, so she must be from the Lu Shan Sect. Then who are you?" Taohua Ying stared at Yan Shouyi. "You have no distinguishing features... or rather, you bear the characteristics of all the sects. I can't see through you..."
Taohua Ying had only seen through Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong's disguises, unaware of their true origins.
Yan Shouyi chuckled and replied, "A descendant of Lu Ban, Yan Shouyi."
At this point, even telling Taohua Ying his true identity wouldn't cause any trouble. Taohua Ying now had only two choices.
Either choose to submit and become Lin Zitong's ghost slave.
Or have her soul scattered and disappear from this world forever!
"A descendant of Lu Ban..."
Taohua Ying murmured, as if recalling some past memories.
"The Lu Ban Scrolls gather the strengths of all schools, and the method for refining the Ying Yang Sha is also within them. No wonder you could repeatedly evade my inspections. You tampered with your blood..."
"In all these years, no descendant of Lu Ban has ever appeared in the Ghost Market. I thought they had long since vanished."
"Heh, no wonder Shi Jing was so eager to capture you. It turns out he encountered a generational enemy."
Immediately, Taohua Ying gave a wry smile, unsure if it was at her own foolishness or her bitter fate.
She had originally refined the Ying Yang Sha to turn the tables. She never expected that not only would she fail to deal with Shi Jing, but she would also fall into the hands of Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong. At this moment, she truly felt like a duckweed in a chaotic world, even though she was a true Ghost King.
Soon, Taohua Ying conceded. She lowered her head and said:
"What do you want?"
"Two paths. Choose yourself," Yan Shouyi said, holding up two fingers.
Yan Shouyi didn't need to explain. Taohua Ying knew what these two paths were.
She shook her head and said, "For you, there are two paths. But for me, there is only one."
"That is to have my soul scattered."
Yan Shouyi was stunned. He thought Taohua Ying would choose submission without hesitation.
After all, she didn't seem like the type to face death heroically.
Lin Zitong seemed to sense Taohua Ying's hesitation and asked, "Why are you hiding in the Ghost Market?"
Taohua Ying sighed, "If I weren't forced, I wouldn't be hiding in the Ghost Market. After all, for the Ghost Market to open, it must be on an陰 day and 陰 hour. Normally, even if I wanted to go out, I would have to get Shi Jing's permission. Being in this Ghost Market is no different from being in prison."
"But unfortunately, decades ago, I provoked someone outside. He swore to hunt me to the ends of the earth. I was no match for him, so I could only hide in the Ghost Market."
"Even if I agree to become your ghost slave, the moment I leave this Ghost Market, it will be a dead end."
Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong exchanged a glance. They hadn't expected such a hidden reason.
What had Taohua Ying done to be sworn to be hunted?
Also, who was this person that made the Ghost King Taohua Ying so terrified that she dared not step out of the Ghost Market for decades?
Upon inquiry, Yan Shouyi was instantly dumbfounded.
The man Taohua Ying spoke of was none other than Old Heavenly Master Zhang Yin!
Even Lin Zitong's eyes were filled with gossip at that moment.
Yan Shouyi couldn't help but sigh, thinking that a life lived without passion was a life wasted. He never expected the Old Heavenly Master to have been so unrestrained in his youth, and that he had scared Taohua Ying into hiding in the Ghost Market for decades.
Seeing their expressions, Taohua Ying knew they had misunderstood and explained:
"Back then, Zhang Yin came down the mountain to slay demons and happened to encounter my sister. It was my sister who didn't listen to advice and drained the soul of his disciple. It had nothing to do with me. However, after Zhang Yin killed my sister, he still hated me to the bone and refused to listen to my explanations. He even left a mark on my soul. No matter where I fled, he could find me."
"In desperation, I could only flee to the Ghost Market, where the mark could be shielded, and even Zhang Yin couldn't find me."
"I thought that if I waited a few decades, until Zhang Yin died, I could regain my freedom. But who knew that Zhang Yin not only didn't die but lived a long life and even became the Heavenly Master of Longhu Mountain. I really..."
As Taohua Ying became agitated, she almost cursed, but she managed to restrain herself, indicating that this female ghost was quite well-educated.
Taohua Ying sighed and said, "No matter how powerful you descendants of Lu Ban are, you can't stop Zhang Yin. So, whether I submit or not, I will still have my soul scattered. Unless you are willing to let me continue to stay in the Ghost Market."
This Ghost Market was information-poor, and coupled with Longhu Mountain's reluctance to dwell on sad memories, Taohua Ying still didn't know that Zhang Yin was dead.
Yan Shouyi said calmly:
"I will personally resolve your feud with the Old Heavenly Master."
"You? Based on what?" Taohua Ying clearly didn't believe it. "You're just a young brat. Why should Zhang Yin be persuaded by you?"
She even thought Yan Shouyi was deliberately trying to trick her.
As a result, Taohua Ying became even more unwilling to submit. She prepared herself, ready to fight to the death to remain in the Ghost Market!
Yan Shouyi was about to explain when the voice of the madam came from outside:
"楼主! 楼主! Ghost King Yu Jinhong wishes to see you!"
Yu Jinhong?!
Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong were startled. Only then did they realize that Yu Jinhong was also at Feng Lai Tower!
However, both of them tacitly remained silent.
Taohua Ying secretly looked at Yan Shouyi, her eyes seemingly asking if she could respond.
With her life in their hands, Taohua Ying was quite self-aware.
Yan Shouyi nodded and said, "You go and deal with him first. This will also give you time to consider. We will wait for you here."
In just over half an hour, Yan Shouyi had turned the tables, displaying the demeanor of the master of Feng Lai Tower and completely controlling Taohua Ying.
Seeing this, Taohua Ying felt disheartened but helpless. She also needed time to calm down and think about her future.
So, Taohua Ying tidied herself up, adjusted her mood, and walked out of the private room.
At the same time, she felt a sense of annoyance towards the bothersome Yu Jinhong.
I'm in a life-or-death situation, and I've told you multiple times that I'm ignoring you, yet you still come looking for me. Are you annoying or not!