The County Magistrate of Shanghe County was named Chen Hou and he was also an Inner Sect Disciple of the White Camel Estate.

When Ouyang Fei arrived with Song Cheng, Chen Hou had already arranged food and drinks in the pavilion of the mansion.

The three sat in the gazebo, chatting and eating.

Chen Hou didn't mention who killed Shi Yi; he simply stated, "I initially thought to report this matter, but it coincided with the Ghost Tide sealing the city. Otherwise, I might not have recognized Brother Song.

Now that Shi Yi is dead, this matter should be considered concluded.

Shi Yi was a minor character.

Brother Song is the true talent."

Song Cheng replied, "Brother Chen, it's just luck. I've been diligently practicing the White Snake Force for many years to lay the groundwork, which just happened to match the Willow Brushing Force of Ruyi Commerce Chamber."

Chen Hou laughed and said, "Even so, it's still remarkable.

Practicing martial arts truly requires talent.

People like me and Ouyang Fei won't make it. We're just Inner Sect Disciples because of some connections. The truly promising ones are the Inner Gate Disciples."

Song Cheng chuckled and said, "Brother Chen, isn't being a County Magistrate better than wandering in the Martial Arts World?"

Chen Hou and Ouyang Fei glanced at each other and burst into laughter.

Song Cheng looked utterly perplexed.

At this point, Ouyang Fei, who was already deep in his cups, straightforwardly moved next to Song Cheng and patted his shoulder, saying, "Brother Song, I really do believe you're not one of those martial wanderers."

After speaking, he waved his hand and continued, "Those who just practice the moves aren't considered part of the Martial Arts World.

True martial wanderers move among princes and can face thousands of enemies alone; their methods are supernatural. Even calling them land immortals wouldn't be an overstatement.

As for lifespan, they often live twice or even two to three times as long as ordinary people."

Song Cheng nodded deeply in agreement.

Chen Hou concurred, saying, "Not to mention anything else, just living two hundred or even three hundred years is truly tempting. Who would complain about living too long?"

Song Cheng nodded, indicating his agreement.

Ouyang Fei said with a somber look, "We are not talentful; thus, we have to go out and deal with worldly matters, unable to pursue the path of the strong.

However..."

His tone shifted as he continued, "I believe Brother Song has a chance."

Song Cheng was about to speak when Ouyang Fei waved his hand and said, "Magistrate Chen and I, having formed a good connection with Brother Song, don't wish to become enemies. When Brother Song rises to prominence, just don't forget about us."

Song Cheng responded, "Should I be fortunate to achieve it, I will surely not forget this day."

The three continued to drink.

As they were drinking, Song Cheng suddenly felt an inexplicable soreness in his eyes.

It was a burning sensation caused by the withdrawal of cold air and the rushing back of blood.

He couldn't help but rub his eyes when he suddenly saw Chen Hou and Ouyang Fei staring at him in utter astonishment.

Before he could ask what was wrong, he felt a warmth in his eyes and two streams of heat flowed down from his eye sockets.

He wiped them with his hand.

And saw.

Blood!

Two streams of blood had flowed from his eyes!

Ouyang Fei looked at Chen Hou in shock.

Chen Hou shook his head repeatedly, scolding, "What nonsense are you thinking?!"

After saying this, Chen Hou snatched the wine cup in front of Song Cheng and drank it, then said, "I didn't poison it!

I'd fall ill myself before poisoning Brother Song!

If I wanted to poison Brother Song, would I have invited him for a feast?"

Saying this, Magistrate Chen also asked anxiously, "Brother Song, what exactly is wrong with you?"

Song Cheng felt his vision suddenly blur, followed by a feeling somewhat like being short-sighted.

This "short-sightedness" was not the fixed degree kind but fluctuated wildly like a roller coaster.

Everything in front of him swayed rapidly between blurry and clear, causing an intense dizziness that could drive one mad.

Song Cheng closed his eyes and held his forehead.

Though it all happened in moments, the discomfort soon subsided.

He opened his eyes, his vision was slightly blurry, but he had no problem seeing.

Song Cheng breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the two people whose favorability was eighty and ninety, and said, "It might just be that these past few days have been tiring, there's nothing wrong."

...

...

The banquet ended.

Magistrate Chen arranged a carriage to take Song Cheng back to Ruyi Commerce Chamber.

Upon seeing the carriage of the County Magistrate arrive, the house servants hurriedly welcomed it, but were shocked when they saw that it was their son-in-law getting off.

Song Cheng greeted them and quickly returned to the courtyard.

At this moment, Tong Jia and Ying were treating the wounded; Ling and the steward were running all around; Miss An was also busy.

The courtyard was otherwise quiet.

Song Cheng lay down on the bed, and looked down at the still damp trace of blood on his neckline, falling into deep thought.

The eyes he had were given by Yune.

They weren't a pair of real eyes, but rather eyes granted by Yune's supernatural powers.

Just now, the bleeding from his eyes, and even now the slight "blurry vision", could it mean that Yune... had encountered a problem?

He thought back carefully.

The recent attacks on the city by the Ghost Servants did not at all seem like the work of Yune.

So, where was Yune?

The weak, newly formed forbidings can only be suppressed by the powerful, ancient forbiddings, so could it be that Yune absolutely cannot come out?

And his eyes' reaction just now might just indicate that Yune was about to be devoured.

If something happened to Yune, he would become blind again.

However, exactly how a forbidding could be devoured, Song Cheng did not know.

And all the above was only his speculation.

...

...

At night, the moon was high in the sky, illuminating all of Shanghe County brightly.

After Miss An returned, Song Cheng discussed what had happened during the day with her.

"The issue with the ten thousand taels has been resolved," Song Cheng finally summarized.

An Chenyu looked at him with a gentle gaze and said, "This afternoon, the Magistrate mentioned this already. Perhaps... Ruyi Commerce Chamber is just a small cage, unable to contain…"

Before she could finish, Song Cheng shook his head and said, "No."

An Chenyu paused, her eyes meeting his.

Song Cheng said, "I want to make this place my home, the road can be long, but a home does not need to change, nor does it need to."

An Chenyu lowered her head slightly, nodded with a smile, and said, "Then stay, I also hope you will stay."

After saying this, she spoke softly, "Song, you've done so much, I should give myself to you, to become true husband and wife, and to bear you a child… but please, give me a little more time to prepare myself to be a true wife."

Song Cheng paused, then smiled and said, "Sure, Sister An."

After finishing, he continued, "Sister An, I want to know more about this Ghost Tide, everything there is to know."

An Chenyu nodded, then began speaking slowly.

She was determined to be a merchant who would elevate her family's status, and naturally, she had studied extensively into such "celestial opportunities". Now, she recounted everything in great detail, even the local rumors she had heard while conducting business in various places, telling Song Cheng everything.

As she spoke, the night deepened.

Miss An continued, lighting up red candles.

Song Cheng was silently taking note.

What Miss An described about the current situation slowly integrated with his understanding of "Endless Hell" in his mind.

Song Cheng's understanding of the forbiddings improved: they are the place of the dead, where Yin Qi often surges, and the forbiddings take these moments to expand their "territory"—the more they expand, the stronger they become…

This was somewhat similar to humans expanding their territories; the dynasty occupied the prosperous Imperial City, perhaps also to stretch out the largest Filling the Yin ground?

Both humans and ghosts act this way.

So... was Yune really trapped and about to be devoured?

He could deal with ordinary Ghost Servants but was still unable to contend with the forbiddings.

He couldn't help Yune.

Perhaps, this time, he had to prepare himself to become blind again.

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