"An unexpected visitor? What kind of visitor?"

The Tray Ghost was dragged by Chen Xu's Spirit Manipulation Technique, floating in the air along with the Short Ghost, whose eyes were dazed.

The streets of the Ghost Market crisscrossed like a chessboard, and the passing ghosts frequently cast furtive glances at the "Hanged Ghost" and themselves.

The Tray Ghost felt uneasy; it was naturally short, and even when lifted by the Short Ghost, its usual line of sight rarely exceeded four feet.

Such a low perspective was somewhat inconvenient for viewing, but it gave the Tray Ghost a great sense of security.

Unlike now, it was being held by an invisible force, floating beside Chen Xu.

Chen Xu's image as the Hanged Ghost at this moment was over two meters tall!

From a perspective of over two meters high, the Tray Ghost could gaze down, sweeping a glance, and see most of the Ghost Market's layout.

Yet, despite the broadened field of view, the Tray Ghost couldn't discover what Chen Xu referred to as the "unexpected visitor."

Could it be those ghosts either hiding behind stalls or walking between the streets, stealing glances at Brother "Hanged Ghost"?

But how could these guys be considered "unexpected visitors"?

Could it be that Brother "Hanged" still intended to set up a stall?

Oh right, Brother "Hanged" never said he wouldn't set up a stall.

The Tray Ghost's mind raced, feeling as though it had uncovered something significant, and just as it was giddy with excitement, a voice, low and as sharp as a blade, came from the roadside: "You see me."

What?

The Tray Ghost was suddenly startled.

That voice entered its ears, and though it seemed devoid of any overt aggression,

Just hearing it made the Tray Ghost feel as if its entire ghostly body was being split in two by something sharp from head to toe!

Its whole ghost body went numb, and its thoughts froze for a moment.

After a moment, it abruptly recovered.

Fortunately, it realized it hadn't been split after all, and its vision returned to clarity.

Then, it finally followed the voice to see, standing on the side of the street, a fierce evil ghost with a tiger-faced visage and prominent features, with a long narrow saber at its waist.

The Tray Ghost was dumbfounded.

This ghost, this ghost...

The Tray Ghost shivered all over, feeling an indescribable surge of emotion.

Though it was already a ghost, still a tray-shaped ghost, lacking a skull,

Seeing this blue-faced ghost with a saber at its waist, the Tray Ghost still felt as though its skull was being flipped open.

It wanted to say something but couldn't utter a word.

All it could do was hear the familiar hoarse voice next to it reply to the ghostly swordsman: "Brother Ghost, you followed all the way, and with such outstanding temperaments, how could I not see you?"

It was Chen Xu's voice.

Chen Xu's voice was calm, but the Tray Ghost's heart was in turmoil, like being tormented by ice and fire.

Its heart silently screamed.

Wh-what?

The other was following all the way?

Yet the blue-faced ghostly swordsman sighed and said: "I have always had an extremely weak presence. After mastering my sword technique, even if I walk through the busiest street, rarely anyone notices me, even when surrounded by people.

But now, those around me are no longer people, but the dead.

Yet, even among the dead, few can see me at a glance.

You managed to see me; your cultivation must be extraordinary. Aren't you a cook?"

Chen Xu simply smiled: "Brother Ghost, you misunderstand. True great chefs of the world must possess exceptionally keen insight.

Otherwise, how could they discern the nature of all things at a glance?

If one cannot discern the nature of all things, how could they season and combine flavors appropriately to create the finest delicacies in the world?"

The ghostly swordsman found this reasoning quite peculiar. His figure was tall—

Chen Xu was tall and thin, standing over two meters like a bamboo pole.

Yet this ghostly swordsman was robust, similarly over two meters in height, only two or three inches shorter than the current "Hanged Ghost" image of Chen Xu.

Despite his towering frame, the ghostly swordsman walked silently, following Chen Xu through the streets of the Ghost Market, even tilting his head slightly as he spoke.

For a burly man over two meters tall to make a head-tilting gesture, how would an observer feel?

The Tray Ghost had no idea what other ghosts felt; it only knew its own ghost body was almost splitting apart.

It even cursed itself for regaining calmness earlier, for seeing the ghostly swordsman beside the road after the "Hanged Ghost" mentioned an unexpected visitor.

The more clearly it saw, the more fear it felt.

The Tray Ghost could only shiver, listening to the ghostly swordsman ask: "Discern the nature of all things, arrange the flavors harmoniously—this is your secret to making such delicious porridge?"

Chen Xu said: "The way of the chef corresponds with much of the world's reasoning.

The discernment of reason begins first with clarity of vision, distinguishing the four seasons and five flavors."

The ghostly swordsman tilted his head again: "Four seasons and five flavors... the term sounds vaguely familiar, yet certain memories from when I was alive elude me; I cannot recall them at the moment."

Tray Ghost: ...

The Tray Ghost continued to shiver.

It wanted to shout, "Don't forget, don't scare a ghost."

Yet it heard Brother "Hanged" say with usual tone: "Four seasons and five flavors belong to the parlance of healers, akin to the principles of monarchs, ministers, and assistants in medicine.

And the principles of medicine, as in the culinary arts, also connect with many aspects of worldly wisdom."

The ghostly swordsman no longer tilted his head and said: "I roughly understand your meaning.

Just like my swordsmanship, if I have an enemy, I must first clearly identify all their weaknesses, then strike accurately to dispatch them in one blow.

If one strike suffices, I will not waste a second.

This... is this the intricate secret behind your exceptional culinary art?"

Tray Ghost: ...

The Tray Ghost was even more confused, feeling entirely baffled by their conversation.

Despite their talk of culinary art, they somehow ended up on swordsmanship.

What kind of inexplicable connection was this?

Yet Chen Xu said: "Indeed, just like us dissecting ingredients, akin to the ancient sage, Butcher Ding dismembering an ox with ease.

It also requires observing weaknesses, then resolving according to circumstances.

Thus, all ingredients can be cooked at the optimal timing.

Whether steamed, boiled, fried, or roasted.

Moreover, whether food tastes exquisite also depends if the eater likes it.

If you prefer sweet, yet I make it bitter or sour and spicy, even if it's done to perfection, the diner tasting it will only curse, never praise it as delicious."

The ghostly swordsman asked doubtfully: "Bitter, sour, spicy—is it possible someone finds them tasty?"

He spoke curiously, as if still possessing a "human" way of thinking despite being a ghost.

Chen Xu replied at a measured pace: "It seems, Brother, that you don't enjoy sour, bitter, or spicy, yet favor sweet."

The ghostly swordsman said: "But not too sweet, just a slight hint of sweetness."

Finally, he revealed his true purpose for approaching Chen Xu: "The porridge earlier felt reminiscent of something I once tasted at home...

Yet, upon closer inspection, there's still some difference.

If you can make a bowl indistinguishable from the one at my home, I have treasures at my stall you may pick as you wish.

Perhaps take all, and that might not be impossible either."

He pointed toward a stall not far ahead.

Only to see the stall facing an enormous scale, the Yin Yang Infinite Scale!

Surprisingly, the ghostly swordsman's stall was the innermost of the entire Ghost Market.

At this point, the Tray Ghost finally blurted out: "Friendly ghost, th-this, this is the Yanling Ghost King!"

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