Chapter 142: The Baffling Gentleman

“Did it really just vanish?”

Qingli Shen was somewhat surprised, but recalling Xie Jinchuan’s warning that the people inside were unpredictable, she didn’t dwell on it too much.

“This ancient mirror has such a sturdy knot on its cord; hanging it at the waist means it won’t fall off.”

As she spoke, she hung the ancient mirror at her waist, unaware of a fleeting glimmer flashing across its surface.

“Xie Jinchuan!”

Qingli called out and began walking toward him, but suddenly her vision darkened, and the entire world before her slowly dissolved.

Frowning, she sensed something was amiss.

Had she accidentally entered someone else’s barrier?

Turning to flee, she found herself facing a group of people chasing a middle-aged man.

Startled, she was about to step aside, but the man’s eyes suddenly brightened upon seeing her. Before she could react, someone grabbed her wrist and pushed her forward.

“Little girl, I see you possess uncommon spiritual energy. Why not help me? My own has been sealed unexpectedly.”

Hearing this, Qingli was tempted to refuse, but seeing the horde of demons rushing toward her left her no choice but to act swiftly.

In an instant, the group vanished like smoke.

Surprised, she looked at her own hands. “Since when have I become this powerful?”

The middle-aged man glanced at the familiar mask, smiled faintly, and withdrew his hand from her shoulder.

“You’re quite impressive, little girl.”

Startled by the voice, Qingli snapped back to reality, stepping back cautiously and furrowing her brows. “Who are you? We don’t know each other.”

“And who just shoves someone forward to block attacks like that?”

She pouted adorably, still annoyed.

Watching her, Mo Yan felt a pang of nostalgia—it was like she had been cast from the same mold.

“I want to get out of here!”

Frowning, Qingli looked around the barrier, but no matter how she tried, she couldn’t break free with her spiritual energy.

“You can call me Uncle Mo. Outside is your little lover, it seems he’s terribly anxious. Alright, alright, let’s hurry out.”

With a wave of his large hand, Mo Yan dispersed the barrier, restoring everything to its original state.

Seeing Qingli, Xie Jinchuan quickly approached, his tense heart easing with relief. Yet, upon noticing the figure beside her, his brow furrowed warily.

“Who are you?”

Noticing the cold glint in the man’s eyes, Mo Yan raised an eyebrow; this guy was clearly unwelcome... quite an eyesore.

“Kid, thanks to your girlfriend for saving me. I’m Mo Yan, a high-ranking official under the leader of the Demon Realm. If anything happens, you can use this token.”

Mo Yan produced a token from his pocket and tossed it into their hands before turning and disappearing.

Holding the token, Xie Jinchuan raised an eyebrow and quietly placed it into the little girl’s hand. “Good stuff. With this, you can come and go from the Ghost Market anytime.”

Looking at the two tokens in her hand, Xie Jinchuan blinked. “Aren’t you going to keep yours?”

He noticed the awkward expression on Xie Jinchuan’s face and asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”

Xie Jinchuan chuckled lightly. “Remember when your information was leaked in the Demon Realm a few days ago? I caused quite a commotion. The demons are probably still hunting for me.”

A commotion?

Qingli suddenly sensed this was not a simple matter. She quietly asked, “Tell me, what kind of commotion?”

At her question, Xie Jinchuan looked somewhat uncomfortable.

He cleared his throat. “It wasn’t much of a commotion. I just tore down their palace and gave the Demon Realm’s leader, who was sleeping in bed, a good beating.”

“If not, they wouldn’t have acted so quickly.”

Hearing this, Qingli’s mouth twitched—it truly was a commotion, no wonder he disguised himself today.

Probably to avoid recognition by the demons within the Ghost Market. Thinking back to the older man earlier, they didn’t dwell on it further.

Xie Jinchuan’s sharp eyes caught the ancient mirror hanging at Qingli’s waist. “What’s that? When did you buy it?”

“An old man at Fengcai said I was destined to have this mirror, so I bought it.”

“It looks beautiful.”

Xie Jinchuan examined it carefully and found nothing unusual, finally relaxing.

“Items in the Ghost Market are strange and varied. Some can affect your spiritual energy, so be cautious.”

Qingli nodded understandingly. After a round of exploring, she had nearly seen the entire Ghost Market.

Glancing at her phone, it was already 3 a.m.

“Let’s head back soon. We’ve been out for five or six hours. I’m so tired.”

She whimpered softly and was lifted onto the man’s back, her voice tender.

But undeniably, this trip had been truly enjoyable!

“Every time the Ghost Market opens, it’s different. Next time I’ll bring you again, and there will definitely be even more fascinating things.”

Xie Jinchuan tightened his hold on her as the market was about to close, and everyone moved toward the exit.

Suddenly, commotion erupted ahead.

“The puppets from the Puppet Pavilion have escaped!”

At the mention of the Puppet Pavilion, everyone’s faces changed drastically, and they quickly scattered.

Xie Jinchuan immediately carried Qingli, evading the pursuing puppets.

“What’s going on?”

Qingli stared in shock at the puppets following them—each resembling paper dolls, terrifying to behold!

“Damn it, someone’s controlling these things! Qingli, carefully look around and see if you can find them!”

“Got it!”

Sensing the urgency in his voice, Qingli used her spiritual energy to scan the surroundings but found nothing.

“Xiangcai, come out and check if there’s anyone suspicious!”

Since she couldn’t detect anything, maybe Xiangcai could.

[Host, I also sense no spiritual fluctuations. The controller is likely a demon. Please look carefully around; there might be some clue.]

[These puppets won’t stray far from their master. Be very careful, host.]

Xiangcai could only fret helplessly; he too couldn’t locate the one controlling the chaotic puppets.

“Xie Jinchuan, Xiangcai found nothing, but he said the controller isn’t far away. Let’s try to put some distance and observe!”

Nodding, Xie Jinchuan leapt toward the central square, which was currently empty—ideal for dealing with the puppets.

“Where do you think you’re running to? Just become my nourishment obediently.”

An ethereal female voice echoed, and before Qingli could react, she was flung from Xie Jinchuan’s back, crashing hard onto the square below.