Chapter 74
Chapter 74
“Look. The footprints disappear right here.”
Yan Zhengchu held a compass in his hand and pointed toward the steps not far away. Ren Fengjue and Xia Ximo both looked up at the same time.
On the signboard were two words-Fu Tower.
The tower stood in the western square of the city, far from the markets. Not only was it taller than the average restaurant, even the stairs before its entrance had several more steps than other establishments.
Standing at the foot of the steps and looking up, one could say it practically soared into the clouds. The entire place was grand and imposing; at a glance, it was obvious this was not somewhere poor people could afford to go.
Xia Ximo, however, went straight up the steps without a second thought. Ren Fengjue remained where he was and pondered for a moment before following after her.
Behind them, Guan Yue glanced at Yu Lang and was just about to head up when the latter stopped him with a hand.
“No rush.”
At that moment, the front doors were shut.
After they knocked for quite a while, a young servant finally came to open the door.
He rubbed his sleepy eyes and even yawned as he explained, “Honored guests, Fu Tower only lights its lamps after nightfall. We are closed during the day.”
Xia Ximo pressed a hand against the door and swept an unceremonious glance inside.
Under the scrutiny of those dark, fathomless eyes, the young servant’s heart gave a startled jolt.
Just as he was about to speak, she let go of the door without a word, turned around, and descended the steps again.
Ren Fengjue was somewhat baffled.
Yan Zhengchu, standing beside him, spoke instead. “This tower does seem rather strange.”
What was strange about it was that it was far too “clean.”
Inside and out, there was not only no Yin-Sha Qi, there was not even the slightest trace of worldly turbid air.
He could not help asking Ren Fengjue, “Young Marquis, do you know the origins of this tower?”
Ren Fengjue nodded. “Not much, but I know a little.”
Fu Tower had first become famous in the capital a year ago.
Before that, surprisingly, no one had any impression of it at all.
It was as if it had appeared out of thin air and risen from the ground overnight.
From the moment it “entered the world,” it had drawn more than enough attention in Shangjing.
Countless wealthy merchants, renowned scholars, and even high officials and nobles did not hesitate to spend fortunes for the chance to step inside and see for themselves what a so-called “paradise on earth” was like.
Rumor had it that the person behind Fu Tower was none other than His Highness the Crown Prince.
That was because a year ago, just as Fu Tower’s reputation was taking the capital by storm, His Highness the Crown Prince had personally visited it once.
At the time, people said the Crown Prince had just recovered from a grave illness and was still weak. Holding a white jade token from the tower, he went directly to Tongtian Pavilion on the third floor.
After he came back downstairs, his entire person was radiant with health, and not a trace of sickness could be seen on him again.
The story was so miraculous that many people wanted to see the place for themselves.
But no matter how much money they offered, they could not obtain a single white jade token.
Some people tried to force their way in.
In the end, they were thrown directly from the third floor by the tower’s guards and died on the spot.
If this had happened at any ordinary restaurant, even if no lawsuit came of it, business would certainly have suffered a tremendous blow.
But… Fu Tower was different.
Even after someone died there, even after it drew curses and criticism, its business still improved by the day.
Every night, it remained packed with guests, an endless stream of visitors coming and going.
Curious, Yan Zhengchu asked, “Then has the Young Marquis ever gone inside to have a look?”
Ren Fengjue shook his head. “No.”
“However, I do remember that someone once gave me a green token…”
“Young Marquis, you forgot. That green token ended up with me.”
Below the steps, Yu Lang raised a hand and called out.
As the only person present who had ever been inside Fu Tower, he could not help launching into a spirited account. “But in my opinion, it’s only a little more refined and atmospheric than the average restaurant. It isn’t nearly as miraculous as the rumors make it out to be.”
“However-”
His tone suddenly shifted, and he praised with heartfelt admiration, “Their Manager Bai can truly be called a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms. Quite a few people go there for her sake as well.”
Ren Fengjue naturally had little interest in that. He turned to Yan Zhengchu and asked, “Daoist Master, are you certain the ‘ghost’ that killed Zheng Daoyuan entered the tower?”
Yan Zhengchu looked absolutely certain. “My Soul-Seeking Spell can’t be wrong.”
“Last time, we were able to find that Temple in the outskirts thanks to this spell as well.”
Inside the Soul-Ferrying Lantern, Wuyou said suspiciously, “Don’t tell me he used that spell on me last time?”
Xia Ximo, the only one who could hear it, did not answer.
Ren Fengjue seemed thoughtful, but he still glanced at Xia Ximo instinctively. “What do you think, Miss Xia?”
Xia Ximo had already made up her mind. “We wait until nightfall.”
After dark, yin energy would grow stronger and nourish sinister things.
If there really was something wrong with this tower, they would likely only be able to see the clues after night had fallen.
Yan Zhengchu agreed wholeheartedly. “We’ve been running around for half the day. We should go back and rest for a while, conserve our strength, and return to ‘catch ghosts’ after dark.”
Yu Lang spoke up again. “I’m afraid everyone has forgotten one thing. Even if we enter the tower after dark, we’ll still have to follow their rules and obtain a jade token first.”
Ren Fengjue looked at him. “Quite right. In that case, I’ll leave this matter to Vice Minister Yu.”
“Hm?”
Yu Lang was startled. “My lord, isn’t that asking a bit much of me? As I said just now, the only time I went there, it was all thanks to you.”
“Speaking of which, where did you get that green token?”
Only after he asked did Ren Fengjue vaguely recall it.
That token had been delivered to the Ren Residence by someone sent by the Crown Prince. Supposedly, nearly every important court official had received one.
At the thought of the Crown Prince, a strange feeling stirred in Ren Fengjue’s heart.
“The token was given by the Crown Prince. Surely you don’t expect me to go to the Eastern Palace and ask for two more?”
Yu Lang gave an awkward laugh, knowing this task had to fall to him after all.
“Then forget it. I’ll go ask around.”
No sooner had the group left Fu Tower than a carriage slowly drove in from the other end of the street.
Mu Zheng quietly stepped out of the carriage. He did not go directly through the main entrance. Instead, he circled around and found a small side door.
After he knocked, a fair, slender hand reached out from inside.
“Thank you for your trouble.”
Mu Zheng handed over an exquisite, palm-sized white jade token.
The small door opened at once, revealing a smiling face. “Please follow me in.”
Once he was inside, everything around him was dark and gloomy. The only bit of light came from the wind lantern in the maid’s hand as she led the way.
A chill crept up Mu Zheng’s back, and for a moment, he nearly lost his nerve.
Sensing the change in his mood, the maid could not help smiling as she asked, “Lord Mu, are you frightened?”
Hearing the other party reveal his identity with a single sentence, Mu Zheng was even more shocked. He asked warily, “How… how do you know who I am?”
The maid replied, “My mistress has long since calculated who would come here.”
“She knows your purpose for coming as well.”
“If Lord Mu has the courage, and if you can afford the ‘price,’ then whatever you seek, we can accomplish it.”
Only after hearing this did Mu Zheng dare continue following her.
They went up the stairs, climbing step by step. After walking for a long while, his legs had begun to ache faintly.
At last, he saw the door to a chamber.
No one touched it, yet the door opened on its own. Within, fragrant breezes drifted and mist curled through the air, making it impossible to tell illusion from reality.
Just as Mu Zheng found himself caught between advancing and retreating, a soft, alluring woman’s voice came from inside.
“Vice Minister Mu, please come in.”