Chapter 28: Peach Blossom Town

Gu Xu and Ma Qin walked along the riverside path through a densely populated town in the Jiangnan region, encapsulated within the "Reminiscence Teapot."

The sun hung immovably overhead, casting a radiant golden light on the earth. Elderly men with youthful features leisurely fished, graceful maidens washed clothes in the river, and the tavern's boy was busy calling out loudly, vying to attract the attention of passing pedestrians. Everything seemed bustling and thriving, almost unreal in its serenity.

"Sir Chu said that the illusions within the 'Reminiscence Pot' are based on real-life cases," Gu Xu explained to Ma Qin as they walked. "Given this, can you guess where this town might be in our Great Qi Empire?"

Ma Qin shook his head. "I wouldn't know."

Having never ventured beyond the boundaries of the Jiaodong Province since birth, Ma Qin found all towns in the Jiangnan region looked similar in his mind.

Gu Xu continued, "This is a vanished town — Peach Blossom Town."

"Ten years ago, a fisherman discovered this town in a peach forest, leading to its incorporation into the administration of the Great Qi Empire. In the ensuing years, numerous civilians and even some exorcists disappeared mysteriously in this town. No bodies were found, but strangely, the town's area and population steadily increased. Until five years ago, when Peach Blossom Town was mysteriously destroyed by a meteor. All its residents perished, and the thriving town vanished from existence."

"How did you recognize it?" Ma Qin looked at him, surprised.

He had noticed during the theoretical examination that Gu Xu, despite his youth, had a wide range of knowledge, but he hadn't expected that he would remember even this obscure piece of information.

Gu Xu explained, "The records in the Exorcism Department's library describe the clothing of Peach Blossom Town's residents. At first glance, it appears similar to current trends, but upon closer inspection, it's closer to styles from fifty years ago."

"For example, our clothing primarily features upright and round collars, but Peach Blossom Town's residents preferred the lapel collars that were popular fifty years ago. Similarly, our robes are slit on both sides, but the men of Peach Blossom Town wore robes without slits."

"The architecture of Peach Blossom Town is fundamentally taboo in Feng Shui terms — for example, the structures often have sharp angles, which is considered a bad omen; residential wells located in the Gen direction signify a curse of no descendants; windows in courtyard walls lead to leaking of good luck and invite misfortune…"

Ma Qin surveyed their surroundings, comparing the landscapes, and people's attire with the descriptions Gu Xu provided and found them accurate.

"You observe quite meticulously, Gu Xu," he complimented sincerely.

"Basic procedures," Gu Xu responded with a modest smile.

He paused for a moment, gesturing toward the crowds and buildings, "Sir Chu also mentioned that we'll pass the examination if we exterminate all the ghosts in this illusion. Brother Ma, can you guess where these ghosts might be hiding?"

"Something about all the residents of this town seems... off," Ma Qin confessed, feeling increasingly anxious after Gu Xu's exposition.

"I share your sentiment," Gu Xu patted his shoulder comfortingly.

At that moment, the distant bell of a temple tolled, the echoes reverberating for a long time. A covered boat slowly drifted across the river, the boatman singing loudly as he punted. A group of children, bare-chested and in shorts, splashed and played in the water. An elderly woman argued with a vegetable vendor over an abrupt price increase.

A waiter from a nearby eatery approached them, his eyes fixated on Gu Xu, speaking in a highly enthusiastic tone, "Sirs, have you eaten yet? Our wine and braised pork are the best in the entire street, all our customers praise it…"

Meanwhile, Ma Qin was completely ignored.

Seeing the waiter's eager face, Ma Qin mused, 'No doubt Gu Xu is handsome and charismatic, but to attract the attention of young lads as well, that's quite a charm!'

"Well then, let's give it a try!" Gu Xu gave a nod to Ma Qin and proceeded to walk towards the eatery's entrance.

Ma Qin hesitated for a moment.

He wondered: 'If Peach Blossom Town is haunted as expected, is it safe to enter any eatery on a whim?'

However, considering Gu Xu's extensive knowledge, he thought he might already have a plan in mind. Perhaps it was worth watching to see what tricks Gu Xu had up his sleeve.

After all, Ma Qin had long given up on vying for official posts.

Even if they fell into a ghostly trap, he could simply crush the jade token and leave the illusion.

Therefore, he decided to follow Gu Xu's lead.

….

In the grandeur of the administrative hall.

Lazily ensconced in the Governor's chair, Chu Fengge rested his hand on his cheek. His gaze flitted between Gu Xu and Ma Qin, who was immersed in deep contemplation against the wall, and the "Reminiscence Teapot" that sat before him.

At this moment, the jade-like surface of the pot projected vivid images.

Every single move Gu Xu and Ma Qin made within the illusion was laid out in full view for Chu Fengge.

"Who would have thought that our Chief would specifically choose Gu Xu of all people to undertake the assessment in Peach Blossom Town," Chu Fengge mused, a tinge of jealousy in his thoughts as he watched the scene unfold. "Even if he truly is the once-in-a-century prodigy of Great Qi, could they possibly have such confidence in him?"

Yet, at the same time, he couldn't help but revel in the anticipation, wondering if Gu Xu would stumble and falter within this Peach Blossom illusion, just as he himself had done once.

Many years ago, when Chu Fengge was a mere first-tier cultivator, he had ventured into the Peach Blossom Town illusion.

He had been trapped for three days and nights, aimlessly wandering the labyrinthine town, ceaselessly vanquishing the incessantly resurrecting ghouls, over and over, until his body was covered in wounds and his vital energy depleted. Despite his efforts, he failed to discern the truth or find a solution to break the cycle.

"Chief deceived me! These ghouls in the illusion can never be exterminated!" He had once cried out in anger.

In the end, it was the Chief himself who, upon seeing Chu Fengge's weakening spirit, retrieved him from the pot.

That experience haunted Chu Fengge for the months that followed, casting a deep shadow over his psyche.

It was then that he learned a valuable lesson: "What you see may not be reality."

Yet Chu Fengge's arch-nemesis—Shangguan Jin—successfully broke the cycle in less than a day.

Upon her triumphant exit from the illusion, she had unabashedly gloated before Chu Fengge.

"Brother Chu, your talents are extraordinary, your cultivation profound. I can't help but admire you," she repeated on more than one occasion, her voice clear and soft. "But brute strength alone won't suffice in Peach Blossom Town. One must also use their wits!"

Her insinuation was undoubtedly that Chu Fengge lacked a brain.

Frustration welled up inside Chu Fengge at the time.

But as the defeated party, he had no grounds to argue with Shangguan Jin and could only sulk in silence.

"Heh, I wonder if this prodigal Gu Xu possesses a brain as keen as his talents?"

Chu Fengge yawned, his eyes staying focused on the images playing out on the pot.

Just yesterday, the Chief had informed him that Princess Zhao Ning proposed to reconstruct the Shenji Camp.

Her proposition had gained the support of the cabinet and the Exorcism Bureau, and a nationwide search for talents was now covertly underway.

Chu Fengge knew that, many years ago, the Shenji Camp was a prestigious place filled with the prodigies of the nation. Young cultivators from all across Great Qi took pride in being selected for the Camp.

However, after a disastrous battle, the Shenji Camp was annihilated and left a wound in Great Qi's history that could never be erased.

"It appears that Great Qi will face tumultuous times ahead," Chu Fengge mused. "But perhaps, this could be the opportunity for me, Chu, to soar high and make my mark."

...

Luojing, the headquarters of the Exorcism Bureau.

Luo Chuan, the Chief of the Exorcism Bureau, sat in meditation on the observatory.

Shangguan Jin knelt beside him, dutifully pouring his tea.

Before them, a simple, bronze mirror was set up, which similarly projected the happenings of Gu Xu and Ma Qin in Peach Blossom Town.

Shangguan Jin stared at Gu Xu's figure in the mirror for quite some time, finally sighing, "He is really handsome."

Luo Chuan glanced at her and sighed inwardly: Child, you're focusing on the wrong things.