Chapter 551: The Ghost Gate
Whoosh—
Whoosh—
The sinister wind blew wave after wave, sharp as blades.
The rooster's feathers fluttered fiercely, its steps finally becoming labored as it struggled to maintain speed by striding out with its claws.
'Lonely souls and wandering ghosts originally have no right to enter the Underworld, but on the day of the Ghost Festival, the Underworld grants amnesty. Not only can the ghosts of the netherworld reunite with their living relatives, but lonely souls and wandering ghosts can also walk the Yellow Springs Road once more.'
'But wanting to be reincarnated again—how could it be so easy?'
A gust of sinister wind swept over. Jia Banxian quickly buried his head, clutching the child tightly in his arms.
'This is the soul-devouring wind—be careful!'
Lu Fei promptly lowered his head as well.
Whoosh—
A sinister wind swept through, sharp as blades scraping across the flesh.
The wailing of numerous wandering spirits echoed from behind.
Lu Fei dared not lift his head.
As the gust passed, he felt his already ethereal soul grow even lighter.
Focusing his gaze, horror drained the color from his face.
His soul had actually become somewhat transparent.
He looked back again, and the lonely souls and wild ghosts behind were even worse off, most of them now semi-transparent.
Moreover, their numbers had significantly decreased - those too weak had probably been directly dispersed by the Yin wind.
"Such terrifying Yin wind! Half-Immortal, if this happens a few more times, even we won't hold out! Besides enduring it head-on, is there no other solution?""
Lu Fei's heart sank.
"Yes!"
As soon as the sinister wind ceased, Jia Banxian immediately urged Lu Fei to quicken their pace and follow the guiding rooster.
"If Hu Zi moves fast, he should arrive any moment now."
Watching another sinister wind approaching, Jia Banxian grew anxious.
The moment these words were spoken,
a large paper umbrella materialized in Lu Fei's hands.
"Quick!"
He rushed forward and opened it up.
The fierce sinister wind howled past their ears as Lu Fei strained to hold the umbrella steady.
Jia Banxian huddled behind him with the child in his arms.
His body swayed unsteadily as the gust finally passed, leaving fewer lonely souls and wandering ghosts behind.
Each of them wore a desolate expression, and even Lu Fei felt a pang of sympathy.
Holding a few more umbrellas in his hands, he hesitated before finally handing them out to the ghosts.
The pitiful spirits stared blankly, trembling as they accepted the umbrellas in disbelief. Their gazes toward Lu Fei shifted—now viewing him like a savior.
A yin wind swept through.
The ghosts huddled in twos and threes beneath the umbrellas, narrowly escaping this round.
Once the wind ceased, the ghosts wordlessly moved forward in unison.
"Half-Immortal, how many umbrellas did you prepare? These flimsy paper ones won't withstand many more yin winds," Lu Fei fretted, eyeing the tattered umbrella in his hand.
"I thought you'd stay ruthlessly pragmatic. Never expected you to be recklessly generous!" Jia Half-Immortal shot him a glance.
"I'm just worried we might need their help later. Stop lecturing me—do you have another plan?" Lu Fei smiled bitterly.
"Spirit money! Did you think I prepared so much spirit money just to fool the ghosts?" Jia Banxian snorted.
"Should've said so earlier!"
Lu Fei's heart leaped with joy. He quickly took out the spirit money and pasted it over the torn parts of the paper umbrella.
The paper umbrella was instantly repaired, now patched with several spirit money scraps.
Another icy gust swept through.
The umbrella swayed precariously, but held firm.
"Money really is wonderful!"
Lu Fei led the lonely ghosts and wandering spirits forward while inspecting the umbrella, mending every new tear with spirit money.
Seeing this, the ghosts following behind gritted their teeth and began imitating him.
Though it pained them to part with it—was wealth more important, or survival?
Holding the paper umbrella like this, braving the yin wind, they walked and stopped along the way.
When the lonely spirits and wandering ghosts ran short of spirit money, Lu Fei generously shared some with them.
No one knew how much time had passed.
The patches on the paper umbrella layered one over another.
The yin wind finally weakened.
'The wind's dying down, Banxian. Is it almost over?' Lu Fei wiped nonexistent sweat from his brow.
'Don't let your guard down! There's one last gale remaining. Survive this and we'll reach the Ghost Gate!' Jia Banxian deliberately raised his voice, glancing back meaningfully.
The lonely spirits and wandering ghosts behind them heard this, caught between tension and anticipation.
Whoosh—
The final great wind came howling.
This gust surpassed the combined force of all previous winds, even slowing the rooster's steady pace.
'Hold steady!'
Lu Fei planted his feet in horse stance, gritting his teeth as he held the umbrella. The wind's unprecedented force pushed him backward step by step.
This tempest's power far exceeded what Jia Banxian and he could withstand.
Panic rising, he summoned every ounce of strength just to maintain his footing.
But the paper umbrella couldn't endure this onslaught - holes tore through its surface within moments.
Piercing yin wind rushed through the gaps, scouring the souls of Lu Fei and Jia Banxian as they retreated relentlessly.
They teetered on the edge of being blown off the Yellow Spring Road.
Fortunately, the lonely spirits and wandering ghosts behind pressed their umbrellas forward to support them.
'You...?'
Unexpected that they would step forward to help at this moment, Lu Fei was overjoyed and hurriedly patched the hole with spirit money.
"Thank you!"
He took out all the remaining spirit money and distributed it to the wandering ghosts.
The paper umbrella was layered with patch after patch.
Working together with united strength, they desperately held on and finally withstood this strongest wave of yin wind.
The howling wind noise had vanished from their ears.
Only then did Lu Fei cautiously lower the paper umbrella.
The rooster had lost many feathers in the wind, with only a few sparse ones remaining erect on its body, looking rather comical.
Yet it still held its head high and strode forward.
The gale had also blown away the black mist.
The path ahead became much clearer.
Before the rooster stood an imposing gate reaching skyward, majestically towering at the road's end.
Three characters - Ghost Gate - were carved high above the gate.
"We've arrived! Truly arrived!"
Jia the Mystic exhaled deeply, his tense aged face finally revealing excitement.
Seeing the majestic giant gate, the wandering ghosts briefly froze before becoming visibly agitated.
Only seven or eight wandering ghosts remained from those who had persisted till now.
A stark contrast to the massive procession they had started with.
"Move quickly! No delays!"
Jia the Mystic carried the child in his arms.
Lu Fei discarded the tattered paper money, waved at the wandering spirits, and everyone struggled towards the massive gate.
The subsequent journey proceeded smoothly.
All spirits had gathered beneath the great gate.
Yet at this moment, the gate remained tightly shut.
'Finally made it in time.'
Jia Banxian set down the child in his arms, glanced around, and revealed a puzzled expression.
'Why isn't there a single ghost officer here? Even on Ghost Festival, the Ghost Gate should have guards... Could something have happened?'
'Don't tell me there's more trouble?'
Lu Fei couldn't help but feel exasperated.
After all the hardships to reach the Ghost Gate, what new complications could arise now?
'Perhaps I'm overthinking. Maybe they're just short-staffed and patrolling the human world.' Uncertain himself, Jia Banxian offered consolation: 'Not sure of the current hour. Let's wait patiently. My old friend should arrive soon.'
Lu Fei shrugged.
What other options did they have besides waiting?
Fortunately, a figure appeared in the distance before long.
The figure moved with astonishing speed - each seemingly ordinary step covered ten meters.
'That's the special gait of ghost officers! With a Ghost Officer Token, Yin-walkers can traverse a thousand li in night! My old friend has arrived!'
Jia Banxian's smile froze as the figure drew closer, his face suddenly registering shock.
'You... who are you?'