Shi Jing's appearance at this critical juncture was both unexpected and, in a way, predictable.
Misunderstandings could not last forever, especially among these old ghosts who had lived for centuries.
Yan Shouyi had long prepared for the possibility of being discovered. In the worst-case scenario, the moment Shi Jing and Yu Jinhong met, they might both see through Yan Shouyi's plan.
However, by then, Yan Shouyi would have had ample time to reach the Shi mansion.
Upon hearing Shi Jing's voice, Lin Zhitong didn't hesitate, shoving the lantern in her hand into Ji Zhan's.
Before Ji Zhan could react, Lin Zhitong pushed him forward: "Quick, take them out of the Ghost Market!"
Ji Zhan was still carrying his unconscious junior sister. Facing Shi Jing's pressure, he was of little help.
But the thought of leaving Yan Shouyi and the others, his benefactors, was difficult for Ji Zhan to accept.
"This is where I come in!" Long Feicheng said, carrying his unconscious younger brother, Ji Xiong. "Yan Ge, Second Uncle, Sister-in-law, I'll take Ji Zhan and the others out of the Ghost Market first!"
"Alright! You go ahead!"
At this crucial moment, it was Long Feicheng who proved useful.
Despite Long Feicheng's lack of extraordinary abilities, his years of experience navigating Rongcheng had not been in vain. His greatest asset was his ability to read the situation.
His insistence on staying earlier was out of concern that Yan Shouyi might resort to using his malevolent energy to contend with Shi Jing.
If the malevolent energy became uncontrollable and Yan Shouyi suffered a Qi deviation, only Long Feicheng could save him.
Now, Long Feicheng's willingness to leave stemmed from knowing that Yan Shouyi had the formidable generals Wei Changqing and Taohua Ying by his side, making the confrontation with Shi Jing a sure thing.
This was why he volunteered to escort Ji Zhan and the others away.
As for why Long Feicheng had never disclosed his ability to suppress malevolent energy, there were two reasons.
Firstly, Long Feicheng feared that if his ability to suppress malevolent energy became known, it would become Yan Shouyi's vulnerability.
It was possible that Yan Shouyi's enemies might target Long Feicheng first.
Truly powerful individuals should minimize their weaknesses. Yan Shouyi had many vulnerabilities; Yan Chou and Lin Zhitong were both his weaknesses.
Long Feicheng did not wish to become another weakness for Yan Shouyi.
The second reason remained hidden in Long Feicheng's heart, likely destined to be kept secret for his entire life.
Ji Zhan took the lantern from Lin Zhitong, and together with Long Feicheng carrying one person each, they circled the great banyan tree three times clockwise and three times counterclockwise, disappearing into the Ghost Market in the blink of an eye.
Seeing them leave safely, Yan Shouyi breathed a sigh of relief.
However, he now had to face Shi Jing.
He had expected Shi Jing to descend directly, but to his surprise, Shi Jing stopped in mid-air.
Yan Shouyi peered closely and was astonished to find that Shi Jing had brought only one Ghost King with him.
This was quite different from what he had imagined!
If there were only two Ghost Kings...
Yan Shouyi swallowed, feeling that with their current strength, they might not fear Shi Jing.
After all, Wei Changqing was a top-tier expert. He had once been a formidable force in Longhu Mountain, even causing trouble for Yan Shouyi's father, Yan Chou.
Therefore, Wei Changqing would have no problem dealing with Shi Jing.
Although Shi Jing had another Ghost King by his side, Yan Shouyi also had Taohua Ying!
Moreover, Yan Shouyi and Lin Zhitong were not mere decorations. Together, this pair of formidable figures could even defeat a Ghost King.
What Yan Shouyi was thinking was also on Shi Jing's mind.
If Yan Shouyi had been alone on the ground, Shi Jing would likely have attacked long ago.
But he quickly assessed the situation, knowing that with just the two of them, they would not only be unable to keep Yan Shouyi but might even be counter-killed by Yan Shouyi's group!
Thus, both sides entered a stalemate.
"Shall we act?" Wei Changqing asked Yan Shouyi.
Seeing Wei Changqing's relaxed demeanor, Yan Shouyi knew their side held a significant advantage.
However, Yan Shouyi shook his head: "Our purpose in the Ghost Market was solely to obtain the Yangling Tiger Tally. Since we have it, let's not stir up more trouble and waste time."
Shi Jing bringing only one Ghost King suggested that out of the four Ghost Kings he had taken, this was likely the only one remaining.
The Ghost Kings in Chang'an had already suffered severe damage, which was not Yan Shouyi's original intention. He had gone far enough.
Therefore, he decided to let Shi Jing go. Once Taohua Ying retrieved the lantern, they would leave the Ghost Market.
The farce in the Ghost Market would then conclude.
The Ghost King in the sky couldn't help but ask Shi Jing, "Should we attack? That brat has caused us so much misery..."
Shi Jing lowered his voice and said coldly, "We are no match for them."
"But we are Ghost Kings!" the Ghost King exclaimed, unconvinced. "What is their origin?"
"I'm not entirely sure. Yu Jinhong might know, but I can feel their aura," Shi Jing sighed. "Tonight, we have suffered a crushing defeat."
The Ghost King also fell silent. Although battles between Ghost Kings were inevitable, it was deeply frustrating to have one provoked by an outsider.
Compared to this Ghost King, Shi Jing's pain and hatred ran much deeper.
This was because he had immediately recognized the state of his own ancestral hall.
Just as he had predicted, all the ancestors worshipped by the Shi family had been killed by Taohua Ying.
Shi Jing had foreseen this, as he had always known Taohua Ying was no mere decoration but a ruthless, deceptive, and patient individual.
She had endured the revenge for her daughter for decades, and now that she had the opportunity, she was determined to annihilate them.
This revenge could not be exacted tonight.
However, the tree desired tranquility, but the wind would not cease.
Just as Shi Jing was about to propose a truce to let Yan Shouyi and his group leave, Yu Jinhong suddenly arrived with Ghost Kings!
While Yu Jinhong himself lacked combat strength, the two Ghost Kings he brought certainly did!
These two Ghost Kings, incited by Yu Jinhong, had developed a deep hatred for Yan Shouyi. Upon seeing Yan Shouyi in person, they were so enraged that they were ready to attack on the spot.
Shi Jing also compared the strength of both sides, realizing that with the addition of Yu Jinhong's two Ghost Kings, they might not lose to Yan Shouyi!
Thus, Shi Jing's eyes widened, and his intention to negotiate vanished. He roared at Yan Shouyi:
"Yan family brat, you are destined to die today!"
"Damn it!"
Yan Shouyi couldn't help but curse, "Shi Jing must be from Xichuan, changing his tune so quickly!"
"Are we fighting?"
Although Lin Zhitong posed the question, she had already revealed her Red God Umbrella, appearing ready for battle.
With the situation having escalated this far, they had no choice but to fight.
When Yan Shouyi first entered the Ghost Market, he absolutely did not expect so many events to unfold tonight.
Suddenly, they were about to engage in a battle with Ghost Kings!
Fortunately, just as both sides were about to clash, Taohua Ying's voice rang out:
"Miss, Young Master, I've found the lantern!"