Chapter 4: The Ghost King's Request

Hearing Jiang Xiaofei’s words, the Ghost King slowly descended from the throne and settled onto a black sofa nearby, smiling. “Brother-in-law, let’s sit down and talk.” Jiang Xiaofei took no offense and plopped down directly across from the Ghost King, asking again, “Just say whatever it is you want to say. I don’t have time to sit and chat with you—I still have to go home and sleep.”

“You really are straightforward, brother-in-law.” The Ghost King smiled, then looked at Ah Huan. “Go fetch my thousand-year blood wine for my brother-in-law to taste.”

“Yes, Master, please wait a moment.” Ah Huan replied respectfully and vanished from the hall.

When Ah Huan returned, she carried a white jade tray, upon which rested a delicately crafted jade flask and two small jade wine cups. She carefully placed one cup on the crystal table before the Ghost King, then another before Jiang Xiaofei. Though Jiang Xiaofei was an honored guest, Ah Huan clearly knew who the true master here was.

With even greater care, Ah Huan then removed the lid from the jade flask. This thousand-year blood wine was exceedingly precious—a single careless spill, even a drop, would have been an unforgivable crime.

As the flask was opened, a red mist curled from its mouth, filling the air with a fragrance so pure and intoxicating it seemed to reach into the soul. Ah Huan inhaled deeply, her face awash with bliss, lingering in the scent as though she could not get enough.

Jiang Xiaofei watched her in puzzlement—wasn’t it just a bottle of wine? Was this reaction really necessary?

The Ghost King chuckled and urged Ah Huan, “Don’t dawdle, fill my brother-in-law’s cup.”

“Yes, Master.” Ah Huan replied, then bent to Jiang Xiaofei’s side and poured him a cup with great care, smiling as she said, “Master Fei, please enjoy at your leisure.”

She then filled the Ghost King’s cup, before stepping quietly aside.

Jiang Xiaofei eyed the liquid in his cup, which looked just like fresh blood. He felt a wave of revulsion—was this really something to drink? The very idea made him nauseous.

The Ghost King, however, elegantly raised the cup and drank it all in one go, sighing contentedly. Noticing Jiang Xiaofei’s hesitation and discomfort, she frowned slightly. “Brother-in-law, why aren’t you drinking?”

“This is blood! How could I dare drink it?” Jiang Xiaofei was dismayed. He could drink down bottles of beer without a pause, but blood? He’d be lucky not to throw up.

The Ghost King covered her mouth and laughed. “Brother-in-law, you can rest assured. This isn’t human blood. It’s a treasure, made from the essence of a thousand-year-old demon fox and thousand-year-old lingzhi from Kunling Mountain. For men, it strengthens the kidneys and vigor; for women, it nourishes and beautifies. This is a rare delicacy, and I have only this one flask. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have opened it.”

“It strengthens the kidneys and vigor,” Ah Huan added quietly from the side, giggling.

On hearing its restorative powers, Jiang Xiaofei hesitated no longer. He raised the cup and downed it in a single gulp.

To his amazement, as the wine slid down his throat, he felt a surge of warmth fill his lower abdomen, a robust energy invigorating him. He was both startled and delighted, smacking his lips with satisfaction. Eyeing Ah Huan, he grinned, “Ah Huan, another cup!”

“Yes, Master Fei.” Ah Huan laughed lightly and approached with the flask.

Just as she was about to pour, the Ghost King called out sharply, “No more!”

Ah Huan was so startled she almost spilled the precious wine, but managed to steady herself.

Jiang Xiaofei frowned. “What’s the big deal, just one more cup—don’t be so stingy.”

“If I were stingy, I wouldn’t have brought out the thousand-year blood wine at all,” the Ghost King said with a smile. “Brother-in-law, this is for your own good. Any more, and you might explode down there. If my sister found out, she’d never forgive me.”

As she said this, the Ghost King deliberately glanced at Jiang Xiaofei’s crotch—indeed, there was a noticeable difference.

Embarrassed, Jiang Xiaofei’s face flushed. The heat in his body was difficult to endure, though he managed to suppress it through sheer force of will. It wasn’t that he wanted to hold back, but this was hardly the place—if he lost control here, he’d never live it down. Best to wait until he got home, he thought.

Seeing his discomfort, the Ghost King smiled and changed the subject.

“Brother-in-law, now that we’ve had our drink, let’s get to the point. I’ve called you here because I’m preparing to attack Mount Mao…”

Jiang Xiaofei’s eyes widened in shock. “What? You want to attack Mount Mao? Are you out of your mind?”

No one had ever called her crazy before, but the Ghost King wasn’t offended. She understood the strength behind Mount Mao’s reputation—no ordinary power could shake it. With the current strength of the ghost world, there was no way they could win.

She smiled gently. “I know it will be a tough battle. That’s why I invited you—to act as army physician for a drawn-out campaign against Mount Mao.”

“No way.” Jiang Xiaofei shook his head firmly. Fighting or showing off, he could manage, but war was a matter of life and death. Blades and hidden dangers everywhere—and the opponent was Mount Mao, the giant of the land. What if he lost his life?

“You really won’t help me?” The Ghost King looked devastated, as fragile and helpless as a woman abandoned. Jiang Xiaofei had a weakness for women in distress—even if the Ghost King was faking, he couldn’t bear it.

He said, “As far as I know, you don’t have any deep enmity with Mount Mao. Is this really worth risking everything for?”

A glint of vengeance flashed in the Ghost King’s eyes. “There is enmity—a deep and bitter one.”

Jiang Xiaofei frowned. “Then tell me, what grudge is so deep that you’d risk war?”

Sensing hope, the Ghost King continued, “Here’s what happened. I had a beloved disciple, as dear to me as my own daughter. Her name was Mo Yi. She fell in love with Fang Nan, Mount Mao’s senior disciple. At first, I was against it, but seeing that their love was sincere, I gave my consent.”

“But Mount Mao’s elders were hopelessly rigid. They tore the lovers apart, placed Fang Nan under house arrest, and imprisoned my disciple in the Demon Suppressing Tower.”

“The Demon Suppressing Tower, as you know, is like a living hell. Inside are powerful monsters, and on the second floor, two ancient beings are sealed—both rivals of Daoist sages. But Mo Yi is only at the Heavenly Fiend level—how could she defend herself? I truly fear for her safety.”

“Monstrous! Utter beasts!” Jiang Xiaofei was indignant. He despised nothing more than those who tore lovers apart—especially when the victims were family. How could he tolerate such bullying?

“Yes, they speak of righteousness and the Dao, but their deeds are worse than those of demons,” the Ghost King agreed, then shifted her tone. “So, brother-in-law, I beg for your help.”

Jiang Xiaofei nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you. But let’s be clear—I won’t be leading the charge.”

The Ghost King laughed lightly. “Of course, brother-in-law. I’d never put you in danger. You’ll be in the rear, tending to the wounded.”

“That’s good.”

Seeing his agreement, the Ghost King’s eyes sparkled with joy. “It’s settled then. We’ll set out tomorrow.”

“What? Tomorrow?” Jiang Xiaofei exclaimed in shock.

The Ghost King frowned. “What, do you have something else planned?”

Jiang Xiaofei shook his head. “No, but you have to give me time to prepare!”

“How long do you need?” the Ghost King asked.

“At least a day,” Jiang Xiaofei thought for a moment, then added with a sly grin, “Oh, and you’ll have to give me funds. I can’t possibly prepare enough pills without money.”

The Ghost King frowned. “How much do you need?”

“At least ten million spirit coins,” Jiang Xiaofei replied. It wasn’t an exaggeration—prices in the underworld had soared lately. Without enough money, how could he prepare medicines for the vast ghost army?

“Here’s a spirit card, there’s exactly ten million inside. Take it, but use it sparingly—it’s my savings from decades.” With some pain, the Ghost King produced a black crystal card from her robes and handed it to Jiang Xiaofei.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure not a cent is left unspent.” Jiang Xiaofei grinned as he took the card, then rose to bid farewell and left the ghost world.