Entering the Lingsong Realm - Chapter 142: Clash at the Dining Table

Yin Tianlan let out a cold laugh and said, "This is certainly a novelty."

Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost still wore a smile on his face as he asked, "You don't believe it?"

Yin Tianlan retorted, "Do you expect me to?"

Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost replied, "If I were you, I would."

Yin Tianlan said with disdain, "What a pity, then, that you are not me."

Without arguing, Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost explained, "I came to Bayan three years ago because my paternal uncle and second maternal uncle failed to return home within the agreed-upon time of their servitude."

Catching a flaw in this statement, Yin Tianlan interrupted, "Were your father and uncle also indentured laborers who sold themselves into bondage?"

She used the term "indentured laborers" deliberately to taunt him. To her surprise, Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost showed no shame regarding his uncle's status as a bondsman. "That is correct," he said. "My family is poor. Fourteen years ago, my paternal and second maternal uncles came here together. After arriving, they managed to send silver and letters back home through elders of our clan. Both before their departure and in their letters, they explicitly stated they would return home after ten years. Since then, however, all news of them has completely ceased."

Yin Tianlan quickly chimed in, "So that is why you came from the eastern province?"

Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost gave a quiet smile and said, "No, I came straight from my hometown!"

Yin Tianlan pressed on, "Not from the eastern province?"

"No."

"Not from Penglai?"

"No."

"Your surname is not Guo?"

"Not Guo."

"Then what is your surname? Where are you from?"

Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost chuckled. "I will not say for now."

Yin Tianlan snorted. "An upright and honorable man should have nothing to hide. If you do not even dare to reveal your surname and hometown to others, who could possibly believe anything else you say?"

His expression suddenly darkening, Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost replied, "Believe it or not as you please."

Yin Tianlan shook her head. "It seems we have both chased the wrong lead." Pausing for a moment, she glanced at him and added, "Please take your leave. Before you go, I have one piece of advice for you: in the future, do not make things difficult for the subordinates of Hao and Hu. You should know that they act under my direct orders."

Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost said in a deep voice, "Such as Hao Fu's four enforcers washing 'White Stone Sapling' in blood? Or Hu Mengxiong's two sworn brothers lording it over the 'Lianjiang' docks and brutally murdering the personnel of the 'Gong Ji Shipping Agency'? Were those deeds also carried out under your orders?"

Yin Tianlan rebuked sharply, "Nonsense!"

Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost let out a cold hum. "Then answer me this."

Yin Tianlan said, "You ought to know why they act under my command, and you should understand even better what kind of tasks they perform for me!"

He sneered. "Indeed, I understand those matters. You hired them at great expense to escort a large shipment of goods across Gandhi. But what you do not know is that they continue to engage in the cruel practices of murder and pillage!"

Startled, Yin Tianlan asked, "Do you have proof? Produce it!"

"Of course I do!"

Just as Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost was about to answer, the parlor door was pushed open, and a handsome-looking middle-aged man of about thirty entered.

Recognizing the newcomer, Yin Tianlan frowned and asked, "Is something the matter?"

The middle-aged man smiled and said, "Blue Sister, am I not allowed to visit unless something is the matter?" Pausing, his gaze swept over Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost, and he asked Yin Tianlan, "Who is this?"

Looking displeased, Yin Tianlan replied, "A guest of mine!"

At that moment, Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost asked in turn, "And who is this?"

Compelled to answer, Yin Tianlan said, "He is—"

The middle-aged man interrupted, "My surname is Ma, styled Fengyang. And you, sir?"

Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost gave a light exclamation. "Ah, so you are Master Ma. My respects, my respects."

Ma Fengyang smiled. "You are too polite, sir. May I ask your surname?"

"A down-and-out scholar, too ashamed to mention my family name," Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost replied.

A brilliant flash crossed Ma Fengyang's eyes, followed by a cruel and sinister smile. It was the kind of smile that left a deep impression, involuntarily arousing vigilance in anyone who saw it.

In the wake of that cruel smile came words that felt even more chilling: "My friend, do you not even have a name or title?"

Giving Ma Fengyang a cold glance, Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost turned back to Yin Tianlan and said, "Could it be that your two mining enterprises have already merged?"

Ignoring him entirely, Yin Tianlan said to Ma Fengyang, "This is my reception parlor. Please show some self-respect!"

Feigning concern, Ma Fengyang said, "Blue Sister, listen to me. I already know the purpose of this man's visit, and that is why—"

Yin Tianlan raised her voice. "He is my guest, and we are currently discussing a matter that can only be resolved by him or me. It has nothing to do with you, nor is it your place to understand!"

Nodding, Ma Fengyang said, "I understand that, but—"

Her face sinking, Yin Tianlan pointed toward the parlor door. "If you understand, then please leave this place for now."

Raising an eyebrow, Ma Fengyang declared, "No, I must stay with you!"

Losing her temper, Yin Tianlan snapped, "Do not be so boorish!"

At this, Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost smiled and said, "The two of you need not argue on my account. Besides, Master Ma has arrived at a most opportune time. For my part, I am most welcome to his presence."

Glancing sideways at Yin Tianlan, Ma Fengyang snorted, "I am afraid she does not welcome me quite as much."

Maintaining his smile, Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost said, "To be frank with Master Ma, once I finished my visit with Miss Yin, I intended to seek you out anyway. Now that you have arrived uninvited, I am naturally most delighted."

With an "Ah," Ma Fengyang turned to Yin Tianlan and said, "Did you hear that, Blue Sister? Since things have turned out this way, may I temporarily borrow your reception hall to converse with this friend?"

Without answering, Yin Tianlan merely frowned. Pretending not to notice, Ma Fengyang turned to Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost and asked, "Friend, what is your business with me?"

"To ask a few questions," Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost replied.

Ma Fengyang gave two cold snorts. "You are quite confident. Do you suppose the master of the Ma household is obliged to answer whatever you ask?"

"On the contrary, I hope you will refuse to answer!"

Startled, Ma Fengyang asked, "You are a strange fellow. Very well, what do you wish to ask?"

"Rumor has it that you are a disciple of the late master of the Old Yin Estate, 'Flying Roc' Yin Gaishi. Is that true?"

Ma Fengyang replied coldly, "That is correct. What of it?"

A faint smile touched Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost's lips. "Master Yin passed away seven years ago. The rumor goes that you joined him as a disciple only after having already mastered your own martial arts?"

Ma Fengyang cut in, "Quite right. Nine years ago, our respective mines held talks to resolve a dispute. I was deeply won over by the old man's virtue and martial prowess, and thus became his disciple—"

Without waiting for him to finish, Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost asked, "It is also said that about a year and a half before Master Yin died, you sent matchmakers to propose marriage?"

Ma Fengyang burst into a loud laugh. "Either the rumors are inaccurate, or you did not hear correctly. I have been married to the current mistress of the estate for six years!"

Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost offered a profoundly detached smile. "Of that I am aware. What I am not clear about is why, half a month before the old master's death, he harbored intentions of calling off the marriage."

Ma Fengyang's expression shifted instantly. He snarled, "How dare you sow discord and talk such nonsense!"

Yin Tianlan chimed in, "Who on earth told you such a thing?"

Ignoring her, Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost merely smiled slightly.

Losing his patience, Ma Fengyang pressed on, "You must give me a clear explanation for this, or else—?"

Lifting his chin, Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost fixed his gaze on him like lightning and asked, "Or else what?"

Ma Fengyang let out a dry chuckle. That same cruel, thin, and sinister smile crossed the corners of his mouth and brows—an answer in itself.

The expression on Ma Fengyang's face sent a secret shiver through Yin Tianlan's heart. She found it utterly baffling: how could a man she had known and been married to for years suddenly change in a fraction of a second?

Indeed, he had changed! He had transformed into someone as unfamiliar as a stranger she had never laid eyes on. How could that look, that expression, and that bone-chilling smile appear here?

No, this man was certainly not a stranger. More strangely still, this suffocatingly cold smile was not unfamiliar either; she had seen it before, yet she could not recall where!

Her expression caused a covert wariness in Ma Fengyang, who quickly rearranged his features into a look of honest, pathetic vulnerability. Seeing this, Yin Tianlan felt a wave of warmth and comfort wash over her heart.

This was the Ma Fengyang she knew—her lifelong reliance. Yet that earlier fleeting shadow played tricks on her, lingering stubbornly in the corners of her mind and refusing to be erased. She shook her head, as if trying to shake off that chilling shadow.

At that moment, Ma Fengyang spoke again: "Friend, you know we mean you no harm, but such improper talk truly makes it impossible to remain silent."

Outwardly calm while sneering inwardly, Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost replied, "Perhaps the rumors were false. I offer the master my apologies."

Shaking his head, Ma Fengyang gave a wry laugh. "Forget it, forget it. What is past is past, and there is no need to dwell on it." Pausing, he adopted an even more sincere tone and asked, "You have asked many questions about various matters, but I have yet to ask: why is that?"

Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost shook his head. "Master Ma is magnanimous and willing to let bygones be bygones. But some people must dig up the coffins of the dead to unearth the past."

A cold jolt struck Ma Fengyang's heart. He understood the implication, but he could not afford to acknowledge that he understood. Therefore, he put on a deeply perplexed expression and stared blankly at him.

Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost stared straight back at him with concentrated intensity, while Yin Tianlan's star-like eyes also swept over him with sharp scrutiny. With no other choice, Ma Fengyang feigned ignorance and asked, "What is the meaning of your words, friend?"

Scanning Yin Tianlan, Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost said, "Perhaps you should ask Miss Yin."

Before Ma Fengyang could speak, Yin Tianlan knitted her brows and said, "Fengyang, surely there must have been workers whose terms expired and who left your mining region in recent years!"

Ma Fengyang replied with unfeigned candor, "Yes, of course there were. You could say that every ten days or half a month, workers whose contracts have expired leave the mines—sometimes eight or ten of them, sometimes as many as fifty or sixty."

Pausing, he looked between Yin Tianlan and Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost with a puzzled expression and asked, "Why do you ask? Has something happened?"

In a low voice, Yin Tianlan said, "It is being claimed that those indentured workers whose terms expired and who left with great fortunes never actually returned home."

Ma Fengyang smiled and retorted, "That is hardly surprising. The once-sleepy town of Bayan is now so prosperous; having been confined to the mines for so long, they were dazzled by the sights and lost themselves in the pleasure, forgetting to return."

Shaking her head, Yin Tianlan said, "The accusation is that these large batches of workers not only failed to return home, but they never even remained in any of the towns in Bayan. They simply vanished!"

Ma Fengyang let out a gasp of astonishment. "How can that be?"

Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost gave a cold laugh. "It is a fact! How can it not be?"

Frowning and shaking his head, Ma Fengyang muttered, "That is utterly unthinkable."

As soon as he finished speaking, as if suddenly recalling something, he adopted a sincere attitude and asked Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost with a skeptical tone, "My friend, since you dare to make such a sweeping assertion, you must have proof?"

Gazing intently at Ma Fengyang without blinking, Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost inwardly sneered at this "clever" question. Ma Fengyang had used the word "assertion" to frame the matter as suspicious, and then directly demanded evidence.

One could easily imagine how difficult, slippery, and troublesome this man was! However, Moon Soul Pursuing Ghost was fully prepared and immediately answered, "I said it before: I have proof!"

A secret tremor of alarm passed through Ma Fengyang. Yet the arrow was already on the bowstring and had to be released; forcing himself to put on an eager expression, he hardened his scalp and said, "That is wonderful! Please enlighten me, friend!"