"Amitabha! Your interest in us cannot only be because we are human cultivators entering the Ghost Realm. There must be another reason. Lady Huo, why not speak plainly?" Yun Chen spoke calmly.
He could tell that Lady Huo's aura was that of a pure ghost cultivator, though her cultivation was low. Her respectful attitude toward them, however, suggested she had something to request, which was why he asked so directly.
Lady Huo dropped her stern expression, pursing her lips before saying, "You are human cultivators, and yet you managed to enter the Ghost Realm with your human bodies. You must be extraordinary, or else the Black and White Impermanence would not have treated you so courteously.
I do indeed have a favor to ask. I have a daughter who will soon reincarnate. Unfortunately, I chose the path of ghost cultivation in this life and cannot remain by her side. So, I hope she can be reborn into a good family and live this life smoothly."
Yunxi frowned, puzzled. "As far as I know, such matters are under the authority of the Reincarnation Division. If you seek help, you should go to Meng Po and the Judge. We have no say in the workings of the underworld. Like you said, we're human cultivators, so we're not qualified to intervene."
Huo Wan quickly explained, "I know. I only ask for a single grain of merit. Just one is enough. With merit protecting her, my daughter's next life will certainly be better."
Knowing that these four were not easily deceived, Lady Huo laid her intentions bare.
Han Lian shook her head. "Tsk tsk, that's bold of you. Merit isn't easy to earn. What do you plan to offer in exchange? And don't say yourself. We don't need ghost servants, and we won't be staying here long."
Lady Huo knew she needed leverage to succeed. She gritted her teeth. "This shop is everything I have. I will personally craft robes best suited for the four of you, and I'll offer thirty thousand high-grade soul stones, enough for you to navigate the Ghost Realm."
Xun Kun's voice was icy. "This is a trade?"
"Yes. If you're not satisfied, name your terms."
Lady Huo had thrown all caution aside. Her time was short, and this might be her only chance to meet them. Missing this opportunity would likely mean there wouldn't be another.
Yunxi was uncertain whether this female ghost cultivator was genuinely offering a trade or simply probing them.
At that moment, Xun Kun spoke. "Bring the robes and the soul stones to Wanyuan Residence tomorrow. But I want one hundred thousand high-grade soul stones. If you can't agree, don't bother coming tomorrow. We'll consider this matter closed."
Lady Huo's eyes brightened at his first words, but when she heard his demand for a hundred thousand soul stones, hesitation flashed across her face. After a moment's struggle, she nodded."I'll do my best to gather them."
Though Yunxi and the others were surprised, none of them objected. Their unspoken agreement was to never undermine one another in public. If there were questions, they would settle them behind closed doors.
Lady Huo bowed politely and went downstairs to fetch the robes. This time, she only brought simple robes, purely to help them keep a low profile.
When she returned with the tray, Captain Li Ze of the patrol soldiers was already waiting on the first floor. Lady Huo entered the VIP room first, presented the robes, and then informed them of the captain's request for a meeting.
"Looks like someone's come knocking after we smashed Rong Le's shop."
Han Lian glanced at the shimmering white robe on the tray and spoke to Yunxi.
"Mm, let's meet him. See where his loyalties lie."
Yunxi's expression clearly said she had been expecting this.
Seeing how calm and confident they were, Lady Huo said, "Then please change into the robes first. I'll invite Captain Li Ze up."
She left the room.
The four of them were currently in spirit form, so changing robes was fast. A touch of their soul essence was enough for the robes to wrap around them automatically.
Yunxi still wore a bright red robe, but this one radiated a soft halo that gently nourished her soul. She tied her hair with a matching ribbon and was pleased with the robe's quality.
Xun Kun wore black again, his robe now etched with more intricate runes, also feeding his soul energy.
Yun Chen's golden monk's robe seemed tailor-made for him, and he was satisfied with its craftsmanship.
Han Lian's preference for white made her choose the shimmering white robe immediately. She admired herself in a mirror, delighted.
Once they had changed, Lady Huo led Captain Li Ze into the VIP room, then tactfully excused herself.
"I am Li Ze, captain of the patrol soldiers. Earlier today, you destroyed Qianbao Pavilion's shop. May I ask why?"
Li Ze cupped his hands politely and introduced himself, getting straight to the point.
Yunxi wasted no time. She tossed a Memory Jade to him. "See for yourself."
Li Ze extended a thread of soul energy into the jade. After reviewing it, his expression darkened. He raised his head. "Can you confirm that you were trapped in this formation for some time?"
Xun Kun nodded. "Confirmed."
Li Ze's face remained neutral, though his eyes lingered on them before he spoke again.
"Please, return to Wanyuan Residence for now. This formation is connected to a recent massacre in the Ghost Realm. It's a complicated case, and I fear you've been targeted. For your safety, I advise you not to go out for the time being."
His words carried weight, and Yun Chen Fózǐ asked, "Amitabha. Does this involve evil spirits?"
Han Lian followed quickly, "Is the mastermind using similar formations to drain the soul energy of ordinary ghost cultivators?"
Xun Kun's tone was cold. "Since you call it a massacre, it means a large number of registered souls have gone missing. You must have discovered clues during your investigation, and this soul-draining formation is your only lead."
Yunxi smoothed her new robe as she concluded, "Captain Li Ze, judging by your frown, this must involve the disappearance of souls from an entire city, right? A whole street? A town? Or an entire city?"
Their combined questioning finally broke Li Ze's composure, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Yunxi noticed immediately and pressed further. "Judging from your expression, it's an entire city's worth of souls. Impressive. Which city? If even you know about it, it must be near the Judge Division, somewhere close by."
She spoke with confidence, then turned to Han Lian. "We were careless. We should have bought a map of the Ghost Realm first."
"We can check the general store next door later. Do you have enough soul stones?"
"Relax. I have enough to buy a map."
In front of Li Ze, the two of them casually finalized their next plans.
Li Ze cleared his throat, cutting in, "Please, do not get involved."
Xun Kun's deep voice responded, "We don't want to, but since the mastermind has already reached out to us, we'll have to cut off that hand."
Yunxi smiled. "No use fearing thieves stealing from you, but it's worse when they keep you in mind. In your eyes, the four of us must be prime targets."