Chapter 86: Chapter 85: Twists and Turns, Unexpected Developments
Chen Xu had imagined many scenarios when he might return to the Ghost Market.
He also expected that he probably wouldn’t be troubled, but he never thought it would be like this—
The White Bone Ghost personally greeted him at the market entrance, her demeanor could be considered quite courteous.
Chen Xu introduced Ji Weizi and Feng Yuanbai to the White Bone Ghost.
The ghost responded with a smile, bowing to Ji Weizi as an honored guest, while treating Feng Yuanbai with neither warmth nor coldness.
She then said to Chen Xu, "Please, sir, enter the Ghost Market first. Since you left last time, the stall owners have greatly missed you.
I have some words I want to discuss with these two gentlemen first."
With that, Chen Xu was warmly invited into the Ghost Market.
Ji Weizi and Feng Yuanbai followed a few steps behind.
Chen Xu stepped into the Ghost Market first, finding it bustling and lively.
Unlike the clear and desolate appearance from his last visit, there were now many strange creatures bustling about.
Tall demons with green faces and sharp teeth;
Rotten-bellied evil ghosts dripping with sticky moisture;
Scaled and feathered beings that walked upright like humans;
And many, many more.
Chen Xu couldn’t take it all in with a single glance, feeling amazed, as though he could write a book called "Demon and Ghost Collection" when he returned.
As he was watching, the conversation between a ghost, a human, and a spirit behind him rose and fell until it suddenly fell silent.
Soon, Ji Weizi and Feng Yuanbai also stepped into the Ghost Market after Chen Xu.
Suddenly, there was a chaotic outcry: "A living person! There’s actually a living person here!"
"An official from the Mortal World, such a strong aura of authority, run, run..."
"Oh dear, help, wait for me!"
...
A sudden commotion swept through, more thorough than a gale, and in just a moment, all the "guests" coming and going in the Ghost Market vanished cleanly.
Only Chen Xu and the others remained at the market entrance, as a cool breeze brushed their clothes, leaving Chen Xu and Feng Yuanbai somewhat dumbfounded.
The White Bone Ghost turned her face slowly to Ji Weizi and said:
"Look, sir, the moment he arrived, all my guests in the Ghost Market were scared away.
His young son also acted arbitrarily, trying to disrupt my market rules as soon as he got here. Is it excessive that I should demand compensation?"
"This person," naturally referred to Feng Yuanbai.
Ji Weizi said, "Young lady, let it be appropriate. Although the boy is unruly, fortunately, he hasn’t committed any great evils.
Let his father take him back to teach him properly."
Then, suddenly asked, "By the way, is that person still alive?"
The ghost smiled faintly, "Alive, have a look."
She extended her bony hand, and from the dark mist by the Ghost Market’s archway emerged a vague figure.
They saw a man with a rope around his shoulders, dragging an iron plow behind him, trudging step by step, plowing through the hard and dark green soil.
Behind him, a headless little ghost wielded a ghastly white bone whip, ready to strike if the man slowed his pace in plowing.
The man could only press onward, crying out as he went, "I was wrong, I was wrong, spare me, I dare not do it again!"
This, of course, was Feng Xi.
Seeing Feng Xi being punished to farm in the Netherworld by the ghost spirits, trembling and howling pitifully, Feng Yuanbai felt a surge of compassion.
About to say something, he saw the little ghost raise its whip.
Snorting angrily, it said, "You enjoyed wealth and luxury in the Mortal World, didn’t everything come from the people’s toil? What’s wrong with making you plow the fields?
Every grain of rice you ate was grown in the fields, wasn’t it?
Others farm, and you cannot?
Yet you dare speak arrogantly, committing sins of the mouth!
Now I’m saving you, teaching you that one should not be reckless in life.
Where is your nobility? A good-for-nothing!"
"Ah..." Feng Xi screamed in misery, sobbing and sniffling, "I was wrong, I was wrong, I will diligently study and farm when I return.
I may not have great ambitions, but I have done no evil, sob sob sob..."
"You haven’t done evil?" The little ghost snapped its whip and said, "Ten dishes for one meal, wasting what you eat, you call this not doing evil?
Bullying classmates and mocking the master at school, you call this not doing evil?
Your foul mouth, making malicious comments everywhere.
You even dared to claim Mr. Chen’s poems are bad, such audacity, you call this not doing evil?"
The little ghost’s whip cracked briskly, and Feng Xi dared not argue further, only able to cry, carefully saying, "I won’t do it again, Mr. Chen’s poetry is superb.
I’ve long admired it in my heart, just stubborn in words.
I’m sorry, I was wrong, I dare not again."
Saying this while crying, he also exerted himself pulling the plow.
Feng Yuanbai initially felt deeply for him, wanting to plead with the ghost to let Feng Xi go. But upon seeing this scene, the words he meant to say were halted.
Instead, seeing the little ghost swinging the whip, reciting loudly:
"Spring sows a single grain of millet, autumn harvests ten thousand seeds.
No idle fields across the land, yet farmers still starve to death.
Quickly, recite again!"
With tears in his eyes, Feng Xi indeed obediently recited the poem.
The little ghost scolded again, "Why are you crying? Those who truly farm and starve have no tears left. What’s your reason to cry?
In three days, you haven’t even plowed an acre, useless!"
Feng Xi could only stifle his cries, gritting his teeth to plow, while reciting poetry aloud.
Chen Xu: ...
Observing this scene, his feelings were indescribable.
Looking again at the misty fog amid Feng Xi’s laborious plowing.
Clearly growing more exhausted, yet as he continuously recited poetry, gradually, his plowing speed did not slow but even slightly increased.
It seemed like this labor was gradually getting into a better rhythm.
Visibly, Feng Xi appeared unchanged.
But Feng Yuanbai noticed every step his son took, even though trembling, was free of hesitation.
His once clever but lazy son was now being taught what perseverance meant.
Feng Yuanbai was speechless for a moment, then sighed regretfully.
He turned to the White Bone Ghost and bowed, "A child uneducated is the father’s fault. My son lost his mother young, and I was preoccupied with my exams and official duties, leaving him in the countryside to be raised by relatives.
Such neglect in guidance has already formed his bad habits.
Later, when I brought him to my side, out of pity, I gave him much leniency.
Thinking of it, I should have corrected him sooner, with determination to discipline.
I failed to do so, all my fault.
Your guidance for my son deserves my gratitude."
He finished speaking and took out his small seal.
The seal contained all the treasures he collected during the journey to rescue Feng Xi, and he no longer bothered to bargain with the White Bone Ghost, expressing his willingness to use all his collections to redeem Feng Xi.
He also said, "Additionally, I have one more humble request."
White Bone Ghost turned her face with a smile and said, "Speak."
"I wonder how much of the land my son hasn’t yet plowed? Since it is the father’s guilt for an uneducated son, the unfinished task of my son at this moment should be shared by me, his father."
Feng Yuanbai actually proposed to plow the field together with Feng Xi!
Hearing this, even the enchanting half of the White Bone Ghost’s face showed a look of surprise.