That melancholic old tune lamented a sorrow so profound it seemed to etch itself onto the very soul. A veritable swarm of Ghost Servants, seemingly compelled by an unseen force, found themselves shuffling into the chamber.
An Zongding lay still against the wall, feigning unconsciousness. He had no clue of his current location, but knowing Green Flower possessed the ability to access The Unnameable Place, he suspected this was yet another of her clandestine establishments.
Illuminated by the flickering firelight, he discerned the room's contents: a Phonograph, a bed, a cluttered shelf, and a wardrobe. Upon a table sat a mirror, and before it, a bizarre entity engrossed in applying makeup.
Just as he began to take in his surroundings, over eighty Ghost Servants flooded the room. An Zongding gritted his teeth, pushed himself against the wall, and slowly rose. Even with a fractured leg, standing was imperative.
The Ghost Servants were all present. The final confrontation had arrived!
Although the Ghost Servants appeared disoriented, still milling around the Phonograph in a stupor while listening to the music, An Zongding found himself trapped with no apparent escape, necessitating a desperate fight.
"Hear my command!" An Zongding's voice boomed.
Whoosh!
A vortex erupted from the Phonograph's horn, swallowing all eighty-odd Ghost Servants whole.
An Zongding fell silent for a beat, gripped the wall for support, and then collapsed onto the floor once more.
"Green Flower" approached An Zongding and delivered a kick, sneering, "Think playing dead now will work? It's a bit late for that, don't you think?"
An Zongding remained motionless. Maintaining his composure was crucial; a sliver of hope for a comeback remained.
The entity occupied with its makeup was the key to triumph. He detected the lingering scent of a Lost Soul upon it, and he could feel that this Lost Soul possessed considerable combat prowess.
Why would such a potent Lost Soul be lurking within the Greenwater Beggar's den?
This was hardly the moment for contemplation.
As long as it was a Lost Soul, there was always a method of control.
Silently, An Zongding initiated a Technique upon the makeup-applying Lost Soul – Cloud Yanxiu. The Technique was insidious and swift; within mere seconds, An Zongding could sense its binding influence taking hold.
The Lost Soul, seated before the mirror and occupied with its toilette, rose without a sound. "Green Flower" remained oblivious.
An Zongding projected a mental command, directing the Lost Soul to launch a surprise assault on the Greenwater Beggar.
The outcome of the entire conflict hinged on this single maneuver; An Zongding had wagered his life's learning upon it.
Thud!
Hong Ying materialized before An Zongding and delivered a vicious kick to his face.
"Qi Lang is addressing you. Are you not hearing or something?"
A significant portion of An Zongding's cheekbone caved inward. He clenched his teeth, enduring the pain, and continued to channel his Technique.
The verdict was not yet sealed; salvation was still within reach!
Thud!
Hong Ying struck again with her foot, demanding, "I asked if you were mute?"
This time, An Zongding could no longer sustain his Technique. The impact left his senses reeling, his consciousness growing hazy.
Hong Ying raised her foot for another blow, but the Phonograph intervened, blocking her path. "Ying Ying, spare him his final breath for now. Husband has inquiries for him."
Li Banfeng addressed An Zongding, his voice chilling, "Open your eyes first. If you refuse, I will gouge them out myself."
An Zongding's eyelids fluttered open.
Li Banfeng posed his query: "An Zongding, answer me this first: are you truly from Snowflake Beach?"
An Zongding managed a nod, his voice a mumble, "You should be well aware of the standing of those from Snowflake Beach."
Li Banfeng pressed on, "Why were you people investigating me?"
An Zongding retorted, "Because we intend to seize control of Greenwater Bay's territory. Green Flower, you've monopolized Greenwater Bay for far too long, reaping undue benefits. It's time you relinquished the area."
Li Banfeng peeled away some festering sores from his face, retrieved a towel, and wiped away the accumulated dirt. "What I inquired was the reason for your clandestine investigation of me."
"You're not Green Flower? Then who precisely are you?" An Zongding's expression contorted with sheer terror. He had no comprehension of the man's true identity.
Recalling the man's earlier pronouncements—about someone wronging his Brother and absconding with his Brother's wife—could he have been referring to Qin Tianjiu?
That earlier Lost Soul, so gaunt and sharp like a Long Spear, had addressed him as Qi Lang. Could this be Li Qi?
What possible reason could Li Qi have for being in this location?
An Zongding found himself speechless. Feng Chongli was his sole remaining hope; he could only ardently wish for his swift arrival to effect a rescue.
...
Longmen Road, at Green Flower's residence.
An Zongding had been absent for an extended period, and Feng Chongli was beginning to feel uneasy.
His magical artifact, the abacus, had failed to locate Green Flower's Contract Book; lingering here was no longer advisable.
Prompted by Mu Yuejuan, Feng Chongli moved to unseal the entrance to The Unnameable Place.
Even so, the entrance remained sealed.
Mu Yuejuan exclaimed, "What are you dilly-dallying for? Open it quickly!"
Feng Chongli attempted to force the entrance open once more, but it resisted his efforts.
"An additional lock has been affixed," Feng Chongli informed Mu Yuejuan, "and this particular lock proves quite formidable!"
PS: What compelling reason drives Snowflake Beach's intense desire for Greenwater Bay?
Gratitude is extended to Alliance Hierarch 20181128120528990 for their immense backing—two Alliance Hierarchs concurrently. Shala expresses boundless appreciation.