usatvline Chapter 487: Ghost Market
Chapter 487: Ghost Market
Time flies like an arrow; four days passed in the blink of an eye.
This day is the Ghost Festival, the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival.
As a special day for ghosts who haven't been reincarnated to visit their families, the night is both eerie and somewhat lively.
Inside the Land Rover, Cheng Feng held the steering wheel with one hand and placed the other on a pair of flesh-colored stockings.
"Stop touching them, okay? You've made the stockings pill."
Xiaoya felt an itch on her legs and moved restlessly in protest.
Cheng Feng reluctantly withdrew his hand. It's true that the more expensive the stockings, the worse the quality, but that's not really a drawback.
"Do we need any kind of admission ticket for the Ghost Market? We don't want to go there excitedly only to be stopped at the gate and unable to get in."
Xiaoya straightened her skirt and replied:
"The ghost market is located in a special area, and ordinary people can't get in at all. Even if someone accidentally enters, they will be sent out by the administrators."
Therefore, no pass is needed.
Cheng Feng nodded after hearing this, his anticipation for the Ghost Market growing even stronger.
Soon after, guided by Xiaoya, the car turned onto a small road leading directly to the suburbs. The road was fairly wide, but it was not paved with asphalt and was still a dirt road.
Cheng Feng wasn't in a hurry, so he didn't drive fast and drove steadily forward.
Along the way, we passed through villages of moderate size, where villagers were burning paper money in circles along the roadside, with one bonfire after another acting as streetlights to guide the way.
"The ferrymen of the underworld are busiest at this time of year. They are short-staffed, so trouble often occurs on this day."
Xiaoya's gaze swept over the bonfires, invisible to ordinary people, but a large number of souls were gathered in front of each bonfire.
They scooped money out of the fire, handful by handful, and seemed to have made a good haul.
"Ordinary souls have no power to interfere with the living. I think the ferryman deliberately let out a few evil spirits to boost his performance record."
Cheng Feng harbored some malicious suspicions about the Soul Ferrymen, for these ferrymen were certainly not simple characters.
For example, Zhao Li, Mulan, and Murong are all ancient ghosts who have lived for thousands of years and have very deep minds.
The Land Rover, following the profession of ferryman, quickly crossed a mountain stream.
More people are burning paper money by the river, believing that the river connects the living and the dead, and that this is a better place to convey their thoughts and feelings to their deceased loved ones.
After crossing the river, the car continued driving for another half hour.
Finally, after turning a corner, we arrived at an empty open space.
"We've arrived. Let's find a place to park the car first."
As Xiaoya spoke, she snapped her fingers, and the next second the previously empty area suddenly became bright.
Various vehicles were parked in the corner of the open space.
These vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, from the simplest rickshaws to the latest sports cars.
Most of them are paper cars, but there are also a few real vehicles like Cheng Feng's.
At this moment, a spirit dressed in a black suit came to Cheng Feng's car and waved, signaling Cheng Feng to drive away quickly.
Looking back, Cheng Feng realized that there was already a long queue behind him.
Upon seeing this, Cheng Feng quickly stepped on the gas and drove the car to an empty space to stop.
"This ghost market is really lively."
As he unbuckled his seatbelt, Cheng Feng watched the endless stream of souls arriving and sighed.
"Of course, this is a rare opportunity for the souls of the underworld to return to the mortal realm."
As they spoke, the two got out of the car and went to the back to open the trunk.
Two large suitcases were neatly arranged inside.
After Cheng Feng and Xiao Ya each took a suitcase off the bus, Cheng Feng locked the car and walked with Xiao Ya toward the entrance of the ghost market.
"Just those two boxes of ghost money cost me 300,000 RMB, and I don't even know their purchasing power."
Cheng Feng originally thought that ghost money wasn't worth much, but he didn't expect that the currency actually circulating in the underworld was not cheap at all.
"The currency in the underworld has the same purchasing power as that in the mortal world. In other words, the amount of RMB you spend will determine the purchasing power of the underworld currency you buy."
Soon, the two arrived at the entrance, where a dozen or so ghosts were lined up, receiving masks to conceal their presence one by one.
Wearing this mask can prevent the grudges from the Ghost Market from lingering outside.
"This mask is quite a good thing; it's like an online anonymity service."
One ghost after another entered the ghost market, and soon it was Cheng Feng and Xiao Ya's turn.
The two naturally took the masks from the staff and put them on.
Pulling their suitcases, the two walked into the ghost market with an air of nonchalance amidst the envious glances of many poor souls.
Upon entering, you are greeted by noise and commotion.
The sounds of shouting and cheering mingled together, creating an atmosphere comparable to a large concert.
"There are signs over there, let's go take a look."
Cheng Feng saw a big sign that indicated what was being sold in each area, so he pulled Xiao Ya over there.
The two quickly gained a basic understanding of the ghost market from the notice board.
This area is divided into four regions, forming an irregular circle. The center of the circle is one region, and the other three regions are divided into three parts around the center.
Section 1, near the entrance, is a street market, similar to a two-dollar store or a general store, selling all sorts of things.
Section Two is next to Section One. It's a shop rented by wealthy souls, selling only the finest items, such as top-quality incense, candles, and offerings.
The third district borders the first two and sells various furniture, vehicles, and so on. Of course, these are all paper effigies that are burned and sent to the underworld.
The core fourth area is impressive; it sells high-tech smart home products.
Computers, refrigerators, cell phones, televisions...
"What you want to buy is a general merchandise item; we should be able to find it from where we are now."
Xiaoya looked away from the notice board, glanced around, and said...
"Let's buy all the items we need first, and then we can have a proper look around."
Xiaoya nodded after hearing this, and then she and Cheng Feng pushed through the crowd and left.
Walking past the various stalls, the vendors were very welcoming because the two of them were pulling suitcases.
Soon, the two found a stall selling all kinds of timber.
There are basically no souls around this stall, because peach wood is yang in nature and has a strong restraining effect on souls.
"Boss, how much are these peach wood and mulberry wood?"
The two stopped in front of the stall amidst the astonished gazes of many souls, with Xiaoya asking the question first.
The stall owner was a man wearing a white half-face mask, and his goatee was all white, so he looked to be quite old.
Sure enough, the voice that came out was that of an old man:
"Peach wood costs 300 taels per piece, and mulberry wood costs 50 taels per piece."
The timber he prepared consisted of one-meter-long square strips, neatly stacked on his stall.
Cheng Feng picked up a piece of peach wood and examined it. He found that it came from peach trees that were over a hundred years old. Although the price was a bit high, Cheng Feng didn't care about the money.
Then Cheng Feng picked up two more mulberry woods.
"Xiaoya, give me the money."
After hearing this, Xiaoya took out a piece of ghost money from her pocket and handed it to the stall owner.
The stall owner took the money and looked at the two of them with surprise. Then he took out a stack of ghost money from the wooden box next to him and handed it to Xiaoya.
"Here's your change, please keep it!"
Xiaoya took the stack of money, and then left the place with Cheng Feng, who was carrying the wooden strip.
With the peach wood in their arms, Cheng Feng and his companion found the area around them much quieter. Even the spirits seemed to avoid them, and the way they looked at them changed.
Because the only ones who can hold peach wood are either extremely powerful ghosts or living people who are still alive.
"We are still lacking straw and animal hides. I did see some animal hides for sale, but I haven't seen any straw yet."
"It's alright, let's buy the animal hides first. We can try to buy straw in the village near the mountain when it gets light."
These days, even straw is hard to find, especially since the straw Cheng Feng needs has to be dried.
I bought a processed deer hide from a stall selling animal hides, which means I've accomplished most of my goal for this trip to the ghost market.
Cheng Feng and Xiao Ya discussed it and finally decided to go shopping separately and then meet up in the central area.
After parting ways with Xiaoya, Cheng Feng began to stroll leisurely through the ghost market, following the flow of people.
During that time, I also bought a lot of interesting little items, such as aged corpse oil, locust wood figurines, ghost doll keychains, and so on.
These items are useful when performing unorthodox and secret techniques, and they can also be kept as decorative items.
Having bought quite a few things, Cheng Feng began to miss the days when he could use the Boundless Demon Eye. After thinking about it, Cheng Feng decided to go to the second district to take a look.
There are shops all over there; maybe one of them sells storage magic items.
As Cheng Feng passed a spot where magic tricks were being performed, he saw Xiao Ya, who was watching the spectacle with great interest.
Cheng Feng didn't disturb her and walked straight through to the second area.
Unlike the noisy environment of the first area, the second area is much quieter.
Both sides of the road are lined with small shops set up under awnings. People come and go in the middle of the road, and if they see something that interests them, they go into the shop and ask the owner for the price.
Unfortunately, most of the things sold here are geared towards the soul, and Cheng Feng found them useless.
As Cheng Feng passed a shop called Baibaoge, he stopped. The shop assistant glanced at Cheng Feng's suitcase, and his face immediately lit up with a warm smile.
They came out directly from inside the store to greet us.
"Come in and take a look, our treasure trove is full of wonderful things."
Amidst the enthusiastic welcome of the shop assistants, Cheng Feng stepped into the Treasure Pavilion.
This place is similar to an antique shop, with rows of display shelves on both sides, displaying all kinds of treasures.
"Please feel free to pick anything you like. We don't sell counterfeit goods. Just tell me which item you like and I'll show it to you."
The waiter followed Cheng Feng, half a body length behind, to avoid blocking Cheng Feng's view.
The treasures on these display shelves all exuded a familiar aura to Cheng Feng.
I encountered these treasures in the coffin of the tomb owner a few days ago when I was rescuing the black bear, so I suppose they also came from a tomb.
However, it is very likely that the tomb owner sold it himself.
"Hey buddy, do you have any storage items in your store?"
After Cheng Feng withdrew his gaze, he asked the waiter beside him.
The waiter immediately shook his head after hearing this.
"You flatter me, sir. I've never even heard of such a treasure. Perhaps only a deity could possess it!"
Cheng Feng was not disappointed; he had only wanted to try his luck.
In the end, Cheng Feng still made some purchases at the store, buying a palm-sized piece of Hetian jade.
As he acquired more and more knowledge, Cheng Feng wanted to try making a few jade talismans.
When Cheng Feng left the Treasure Pavilion, there were far fewer ghost money coins in his suitcase, which made room for the small items he had bought.
Before he knew it, Cheng Feng had wandered from the second area to the third area.
There is a lot of furniture here, including tables, chairs, benches, cabinets, and screens, most of which are made of locust wood, which is very beneficial to the soul.
The prices are also relatively high, so there are even fewer souls in this area.
Cheng Feng only took a stroll to broaden his horizons and didn't buy anything, since the ghost market didn't offer home delivery.
As Cheng Feng passed the entrance to the central area, he followed the sparse crowd inside.
"The underworld is getting more and more depraved; even the dead have classes."
At the entrance to the central area, there were people specifically checking whether people were carrying weapons.
And almost everyone who comes here carries a box or bag, which is invariably filled with money.
Cheng Feng quickly passed through the checkpoint and entered the central area, which was a completely different world from the outside.
To the accompaniment of soothing music, a scantily clad female ghost walks through the crowd carrying a bottle of wine.
Under the soft lighting, each brand had its own dedicated counter, and a sexy female ghost was swaying her body on the stands.
Arriving at a beverage shop, Cheng Feng sat down on the sofa in his house, ordered a drink, and began to wait for Xiao Ya.
Then he saw an iPhone store with a sign that read "iPhone 9 launch countdown: three minutes."
A long queue had already formed in front of their stall, with wealthy ghosts dressed in Zhongshan suits, Western suits, cheongsams, and other attire eagerly waiting.
As the countdown ended, the number of phones on the counter visibly decreased.
The shop assistants had anticipated this and began frantically restocking.
Before long, almost everyone in the central area had bought an iPhone 9.
There are only seven or eight units left on the counter, and they will probably be sold out soon.
Cheng Feng stroked his chin, then stood up, pulled his suitcase, and walked to the counter.
"I want all the rest of these phones."
After saying that, Cheng Feng opened his suitcase, took out more than a dozen stacks of ghost money, and placed them on the counter.
Upon hearing this, the shop assistant first picked up the ghost money, and soon a smile appeared on his face.
"Alright, alright, these latest iPhone 9s are yours."
The beaming shop assistant eagerly collected the joss paper money and then called the others to leave.
They like it this way; after all, they can sell out early and get off work early. Nobody wants to work on the Ghost Festival.
Holding all eight phone boxes in his arms, Cheng Feng returned to his seat and casually placed them on the table in front of him.
This extravagant behavior certainly attracted a lot of attention, especially considering that he bought so many phones and still hadn't spent all the money in the box.
About ten minutes later, as Cheng Feng was drinking his third cocktail, Xiao Ya finally arrived.
Moreover, she was accompanied by a man and a woman.
At Cheng Feng's invitation, Xiao Ya walked over with a grim expression, followed quickly by the man and woman behind her.
"What's wrong? You look so pale."
After Xiaoya sat down, Cheng Feng asked curiously.
"Don't tell me you didn't notice."
Xiaoya glared resentfully at the woman who had followed her, and pouted at Cheng Feng.
Cheng Feng turned to look at the man and woman who had just sat down, and first spoke to the man:
"Holly, what are you doing here?"