Chapter Sixty-Five: The Ghost of Princess Chaoge

Hey, I know the answer to that question. The nearest wooden window suddenly swung open, and Gu Qingcheng appeared inside, smiling radiantly.

Kalle was startled, immediately swinging his gun to aim at Gu Qingcheng. Yet he failed to realize that her appearance was nothing more than a ploy to divert his attention. In that instant, Xiao Huo darted out from around the corner, closed in with a single step, and snatched the pistol from Kalle's hand.

The one who dispelled the poison and delivered the medicine was me; the person you suspect is also me. You should have asked me directly. However, my answer may disappoint you, for I am not from America’s Area 51 at all. Those things can all be bought on the American black market. Think about it—even Scud missiles and Black Hawk helicopters are traded on the black market; why not those items? Kalle, you spend all your days underground grave robbing, ignoring worldly affairs, and have already fallen behind this society. Gu Qingcheng spoke with a smile.

Kalle breathed heavily, like a trapped beast, his gaze darting between the three faces before him. With his skills, even facing Gu Qingcheng or Xiao Huo alone would be difficult, let alone both together.

Is there anything else you want to ask? Ask it all at once. Gu Qingcheng waved magnanimously.

The great treasure of Niseri Mountain is at least—at least half of Princess Zhaoge’s inheritance, that is, half of the Kanna family’s fortune. If any other supernatural items are discovered, we must also claim half the rights. Despite clearly being at a disadvantage, Kalle still argued stubbornly.

Gu Qingcheng snorted coldly: You want the rights, but not the obligations? If finding the great treasure brings forth a catastrophe to destroy the world, do you still want half the share?

She and Guan Wen had both listened to the final song of the rap artist Master Sanchez, and witnessed up close the cultivator burning his arm to support Guan Wen’s enlightenment, leaving her soul deeply shaken. Her ambition for victory and fame had faded, leaving her half enlightened, and her heart’s balance tipped toward Guan Wen.

Thus, facing someone like Kalle, devoid of spirit and reeking of greed, she was already beyond furious.

No matter what, during these days in Nepal, if Miss Baoling discovers anything, you must share it openly, without reservation or concealment. That is the basis of our cooperation—otherwise, forget it! Pressed by Gu Qingcheng, Kalle’s attitude grew more forceful in his anxiety.

Is that a threat? Gu Qingcheng leaned out the window, staring Kalle down.

Yes, this is the Kanna family’s territory; I am the only master—

At that moment, Gu Qingcheng made a bewildering move, quickly turning around, drawing her guns, and aiming deep into the building.

Guan Wen did not understand, only seeing Gu Qingcheng’s hair suddenly fly backward, as if some strong wind was blowing out from within the building.

Sister Gu, what’s wrong? Xiao Huo called out loudly.

Gu Qingcheng’s hair flew for about ten seconds, then fell back naturally. From this, it could be judged that the dark wind had come and gone silently.

She straightened, exhaled deeply, and silently turned toward the window.

A ghost! It’s Princess Zhaoge’s ghost! Kalle cried hoarsely.

The distant servants heard his shout and ran over, but he waved his hand and yelled, “Go away, all of you! Stay back!”

It was an indescribable cold wind—it circled me at least thirty times. I felt that wind had real substance; invisible, but I could sense it contained something strange... Gu Qingcheng shuddered, gripping the windowsill, gritting her teeth, as if squeezing each word out between her teeth: I feel... as if we’ve met before...

This time, all three outside the window gasped, even the always calm Xiao Huo instinctively stepped back.

The wind had indeed vanished, leaving only a silent, arched corridor behind Gu Qingcheng.

How can it be? How can it be? How can it be? Kalle asked three times, his face full of terror, utterly forgetting the earlier conflict.

I don’t know how to explain, Guan Wen—Gu Qingcheng pondered, gazing at Guan Wen—you can depict the inner worlds of others; perhaps you can try to explain my feelings?

Guan Wen thought for a moment, then stepped forward, reached across the windowsill, and took Gu Qingcheng’s hands.

It’s such a strange feeling. If I were to describe that wind as someone with exceptional lightness skills, it would be easier. The other party darted out from deep in the corridor, discovered me, then rushed over swiftly. Sensing danger, I turned, drew my guns, and aimed, but it didn’t dodge; instead, it came straight at me, its momentum fierce, its intent murderous. When we were about ten steps apart, its speed suddenly slowed, the killing intent faded, and it circled around me. Then, it suddenly dispersed and vanished into the air.

Gu Qingcheng’s account was bizarre; after all, those outside the window were not witnesses and could not comprehend her feelings.

You feel you’ve met it before; I believe it feels the same. The days ahead are long—we have plenty of time and chances to understand it. Guan Wen replied.

Gu Qingcheng nodded with a wry smile: It’s a pity—wind cannot speak; otherwise, we could converse one-on-one.

Sister Gu, I think this is actually a misunderstanding. Xiao Huo’s expression returned to calm. With a click, he removed the magazine and handed the gun back to Kalle.

How so? Gu Qingcheng raised an eyebrow.

Kalle is a master tomb raider, obsessed with unraveling grave mechanisms; he thinks only of treasure. I’ve heard him say that Area 51’s higher-ups are very interested in the supernatural events at Summer Palace. They’ve repeatedly offered huge sums to buy this manor, but he has always refused. He’s too sensitive, which is why he was disrespectful to Mr. Guan. I hope Sister Gu can forgive him this once. Xiao Huo went over, put an arm around Kalle, and forced him to bow to Guan Wen. “Apologize to Mr. Guan and Sister Gu. If this gets worse, I can’t help you.”

His skill at smoothing things over was first-rate; with his jest, Kalle calmed down, thought a moment, and bowed deeply to Guan Wen: “Sorry, Mr. Guan, for startling you.”

Guan Wen waved it off, and Kalle bowed to Gu Qingcheng.

Alright, alright. For Xiao Huo’s sake, let’s turn the page. Gu Qingcheng forgave him generously.

The unpleasantness of this brief episode quickly dissipated. Kalle ordered his servants to fetch Nepalese-style food and drink from another villa two kilometers away and laid them out along the long silkwood dining table. At the same time, he informed Guan Wen that the servants had cleaned all the guest rooms on the second floor, replaced all the bedding, and assigned one room per person, ready for rest.

Even then, Baoling was still in the meditation chamber, and no one dared go upstairs to disturb her.

Dusk arrived with the mountain wind, swiftly enveloping the Summer Palace estate.

Kalle, tell us about the ghosts in the manor, will you? I believe those fascinating tales make the best accompaniment to wine. Gu Qingcheng suggested.

The mountain wind swept in from the western Kathmandu valley, howling like ghosts.

Alright. Kalle agreed. Let’s start with the voices of the ghosts—I can say for certain that the wind Miss Gu sensed this afternoon was a ghost; in fact, it can make all sorts of sounds. I’ve personally heard it chanting sutras, painting, muttering, interrogating... The meditation chamber is next to an ancient cold weapons exhibition room, and the ghost often enters there, leaving the swords on the wall in chaos. Beside the exhibition room is a huge library, holding the ancient books collected over generations by the Kanna family. The ghost is interested in the books, especially those from ancient China. I’ve seen it myself: a room that was perfectly tidy at night would be turned upside down by morning, books scattered everywhere.

He pointed above his head: Up there is the library.

Above the dining room hung a Nepali-style octagonal lotus-shaped white bronze chandelier, each corner draped with colorful jewels—not something mass-produced, surely of great value.

The ghost is Princess Zhaoge? Gu Qingcheng asked.

Possibly. After all, this Summer Palace was her private property; without her permission, no one dared cross the manor’s boundary. Master Tianjiu once visited here and had brief contact with the ghost. He told me himself that the ghost might be Princess Zhaoge. Kalle scratched his head, his face deeply troubled. Friends, I’ve always had a question, and I ask you to be honest and help me understand—what is everyone searching for? Master Tianjiu spent over twenty years traversing Nepal, India, Sikkim, Bhutan, visiting every famed temple and national library, tirelessly seeking—what was it all for? And us, sitting here, what do we expect and pursue?

Guan Wen could answer, though he wasn’t sure if his answer would satisfy Kalle. In other words, most people in this world strive, a small number reach the same end by different paths, while most go their separate ways. As the literary master Tolstoy said: Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

He kept silent, but his thoughts lingered on Baoling, who had yet to come downstairs. In this unfamiliar, ghostly environment, if anything happened, with no help nearby, it could cause irreparable regret.

Xiao Huo quietly sipped his wine—the golden cognac from Kathmandu Valley, rich and fragrant, the finest in Nepal.

Go on. Gu Qingcheng prompted.

I want the great treasure of Niseri Mountain. What about you all—what do you want? Xiao Huo, you?

Me? Xiao Huo gazed into his glass and replied softly, I want to help Sister Gu accomplish what she needs to do, then return to my small hotel in Kathmandu, raise birds, watch the snow, and live as I used to.

Kalle laughed loudly: You, you, you... Xiao Huo, raising birds and watching snow, living such a dull and impoverished life? Don’t forget, you were once the top assassin in South Asia! Is that your dream? Tell me, tell me...

He seemed already drunk, pounding Xiao Huo’s shoulder.

Throughout, Xiao Huo never once turned to look at Gu Qingcheng, but his hesitance and hidden feelings made Guan Wen realize that his heart was bound firmly to Gu Qingcheng.