Chapter 41: Entering the Ghostly Realm of Peach Blossom Spring

"I never imagined the Peach Blossom Realm would actually be here," Wang Dali said, his face heavy with solemnity. The spectral energy detector he carried only emitted a piercing shriek once they drew near the entrance to the realm.

"To think this realm was hidden so well," Wang added. "Brother Chu, you wait here. I’m going to call for backup."

"Brother Wang, you go ahead and call them. I’m going to head in first to take a look," Chu Tian replied.

"Are you joking?" Wang Dali stared at him. "Neither of us knows what’s inside. You’re just going to walk in like that? Or do you actually believe that Mr. Liu’s nonsense? What if he lied to us?"

"If he lied to us, then Chen Meng and Chu Meng'er are in even greater danger," Chu Tian countered.

"One is a fox demon, the other is a Ghost King. Look, Brother, I know you’re skilled and bold, but are you really going to risk your life for them?" Wang Dali asked, looking at him intently.

"Men are not made of wood or stone; how could we be without feeling?" Chu Tian looked back at him. "Brother Wang, just consider this me scouting the path ahead for you."

"Damn it!" Wang Dali grabbed Chu Tian with one hand while dialing his secretary with the other. After a brief, clipped exchange, he shoved his phone into his pocket. "You’re loyal and righteous, even if you’ve got a hole in your head! But, your Brother Wang respects a man like you! I’m coming with you."

"No, Brother Wang, don't be ridiculous. I’m going in because this is my profession; it’s too dangerous for you," Chu Tian protested.

"Who are you looking down on?" Wang Dali’s eyes widened. He pulled a pair of sunglasses from the inner pocket of his coat and put them on. "I’m a public servant, and my job is dealing with supernatural incidents. You’re telling me you’re the professional here? Are you playing games? Besides, you haven’t joined our Righteous Dao Alliance yet, but I am, at the very least, a soldier. Since when do the soldiers of our nation let civilians stand on the front lines in the face of danger?"

Chu Tian couldn't help but chuckle despite the tension. "Your words are truly touching."

"Let's go. I’ve seen enough ghosts to fill a thousand lifetimes, but I’ve never dared to step into a realm like this. Today, I’ll brave this thousand-year-old ghost realm with you!" With that, Wang Dali stepped into the realm alongside Chu Tian.

As they crossed the barrier, it felt as though they had shifted from one dimension to another in the blink of an eye. One moment they were in the woods; the next, they were standing in a dark, narrow mountain cave.

"Move!" Wang Dali pulled a folding light stick from his pocket and signaled to Chu Tian.

They proceeded deep into the tunnel. After a few paces, the cave widened, and a bright point of light appeared ahead, revealing an exit.

The moment they emerged, a scene of natural beauty—as defenseless and striking as a beautiful woman—unfolded before them. A small, tranquil mountain village lay nestled in a basin surrounded by peaks, as peaceful as a sleeping child. The sky was vast and clear, with white clouds drifting over green hills and limpid water. Footpaths crisscrossed the landscape, painting a portrait of a place where everyone lived in contented harmony.

"At first it was narrow, barely allowing one person to pass, but after a few dozen paces, it suddenly opened up into a wide expanse of land with neat houses..." Chu Tian murmured as he took in the sight.

"With fertile fields, beautiful ponds, mulberry trees, and bamboo groves; paths crisscrossed, and the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard. People came and went, working in the fields. The men and women were dressed like outsiders, and the elderly and the children all seemed happy and content..." Wang Dali’s gaze grew vacant. "Are we... in a ghost realm, or have we entered Tao Yuanming’s Peach Blossom Spring?"

"Perhaps... is it possible that the Peach Blossom Spring was a ghost realm all along?" Chu Tian’s mouth twitched. "Brother Wang, tell me, was that Mr. Liu’s name... Liu Ziji?"

"Maybe. I didn't think to ask him at the time," Wang Dali replied.

Just as they stood at the cave entrance, a crisp, melodic voice rang out from behind them. "You two are newcomers from the outside, aren't you?"

Chu Tian and Wang Dali turned to see a delicate-looking young woman standing behind them, carrying a basket. She wasn't breathtakingly beautiful, but she possessed a pure, charming quality, like a fawn in the mountains. She was dressed in simple, coarse-woven traditional clothing with a headscarf, and her basket was filled with fresh medicinal herbs.

"I can tell you're from the outside. So many outsiders have come to the village these past two days," the girl said with a smile. "The village elders are almost exhausted, but it's fine—they all want to stay. In a little while, we’ll all be one family."

Seeing that Chu Tian and Wang Dali hadn't moved, she turned back and said, "What are you staring at? Come along, I’ll lead you to the village."

"Miss, may I ask your name?" Chu Tian asked. "Have you seen a woman with a young girl arrive here today?"

"My name is Asan," the girl replied, turning back with a smile. "I just came down from the mountain. If someone arrived earlier, they must be in the village now."

"Brother, this ghost is actually quite pretty," Wang Dali whispered, nudging Chu Tian’s shoulder as they followed her.

"She is pretty, and she’s old enough that she could be your ancestor," Chu Tian replied.

They followed Asan down the mountain and into the village. At the entrance, an old man with white hair leaned against a large tree, playing with his grandchildren. Several bare-bottomed children played and chased each other beneath the branches. Along the way, farmers returning with hoes and men leading oxen glanced at Chu Tian and Wang Dali, then greeted Asan.

"Miss Asan, more newcomers?" one asked with a grin.

"Yes, I’m taking them over now," she said. She led them to a cluster of houses in the village. "The newcomers haven't integrated yet, so they're all staying here. You can stay here too; there’s a party in the village tonight, and you’re welcome to join."

With that, Asan left with her basket.

Chu Tian and Wang Dali looked toward the house. A familiar figure caught their eyes: a man dressed in coarse hempen cloth, hunched over an ancient book, reading with total absorption. It was the man they had seen earlier, the one possessed by Mr. Liu—Yan Ming!