As an amateur novelist — though currently a rather prolific procrastinator — Lin Xuan often delved into various genres of fiction and literature.
She did so to gather material and seek inspiration, accumulating a wealth of knowledge she could cleverly twist into her own narratives.
Coupled with her habit of watching all sorts of anime, during her ‘chuunibyou’ phase, she had even researched many over-the-top and dramatic lines.
All this combined meant that now, no matter who she encountered, she could always spin a convincing tale.
In short, her ability to ‘speak human to humans, and ghost to ghosts’ was exceptionally brilliant!
As the customer drew a little closer, Lin Xuan could generally discern the type of attire they wore.
Black fabric and intricate golden patterns. If her estimations were correct, it was likely ancient Qin Dynasty clothing.
Given that the Qin Dynasty adhered to the Water element, imperial attire was predominantly black.
Upon observing the patterns on their garments, Lin Xuan immediately smiled.
No need to say more; the craftsmanship alone!
This was undoubtedly a prime target for business!
With that thought, she turned, a smile gracing her lips, and cupped her hands towards the approaching figure.
“Welcome, esteemed guest!”
****
The mysterious woman, half her face obscured by chaos, offered a faint smile.
As her words faded, something within the endless chaos behind her gradually began to materialize.
A strange, seemingly wooden table appeared, and before it, a vast, unknown mass of inky blackness writhed, forming a stool-like object, though its shape was far from ordinary.
Immediately after, a worn-out basin materialized beside the peculiar table.
The moment the dilapidated basin appeared, Zhao Zheng’s expression drastically shifted.
Instinctively, she reached for the divine sword at her waist.
Based on the will transmitted by the divine sword in that fleeting moment, she knew that every item within that basin was likely on par with her own sword, if not superior.
Yet, these formidable items lay in a corner before this entity, like mere junk.
What did this signify?
Zhao Zheng unconsciously swallowed, glancing at the surrounding void.
Amidst the churning chaotic mist, countless divine beings, seemingly woven from pure order, flashed into existence.
Pair after pair of playful eyes peered through the chaos.
Their gazes were like those of mischievous children who had just discovered a new toy!
Zhao Zheng could feel her back drenched in sweat.
She subtly, almost imperceptibly, swallowed, her throat bobbing with difficulty.
“Do you… sell flowers here?”
Though she had managed to suppress the tremor in her voice, her overwhelming shock made her forget to control her tone.
Lin Xuan watched the ‘tomboy’ before her, clearly nervous yet stubbornly feigning composure, and felt a touch of amusement.
It wasn’t that she was surprised by the girl’s nervousness; apparently, every ‘chuunibyou’ customer who visited her shop reacted this way the first time.
She had grown accustomed to it; in comparison, this guest was remarkably calm.
Lin Xuan recalled a previous fool who, upon seeing her, had screamed and run away like a madman, leaving her utterly bewildered for the entire night.
What truly piqued her curiosity was why this young woman was disguised as a man.
However, after a moment’s thought, she concluded that in this era, with ‘big-d*ck lolis’ being a thing, a cross-dressing cosplay wasn’t really that strange.
As for discerning her gender, Lin Xuan herself had once been a master of voice impersonation and cosplay.
She had detected the disguise almost immediately after getting a clear look at the customer.
Observing the woman’s makeup and attire once more, Lin Xuan couldn’t help but smile.
“Guest, I believe… I have the kind of flower you’ll like here.”
“Would you… care to see?”
His voice was calm and amiable, and he made a gesture of invitation.
Zhao Zheng hesitated for a moment, then nodded, stepping forward to follow him inside.
She dared not refuse. While he spoke, the chaotic mist behind them gradually turned pure black.
A strange, chilling aura crept into Zhao Zheng’s heart, making her soul tremble and her blood run cold.
She had no doubt that if she were to refuse or turn away, she would instantly meet a fate worse than death itself, quite possibly without even a burial site.
On the left, distorted eyes on pitch-black pillars opened and closed in sequence.
On the right, countless twisted faces shrieked hysterically, consumed by madness.
All of this portended the eerie and ominous nature of this place.
“Please wait here for a moment, guest.”
His gentle, slightly smiling voice was as refreshing as a spring breeze.
Had it not been for her recent experiences, Zhao Zheng might truly have mistaken him for an ordinary florist.
But now…
She looked up, only to see a brilliant light gradually illuminating the central pillar within the endless chaos.
In a daze, an unspeakable, divine gate, containing billions of rays of light, seemed to emerge within that chaos.
In that instant, Zhao Zheng felt an endless surge of madness rush into her mind, and death threatened to engulf her like a rising tide.
She quickly closed her eyes, averting her gaze, daring not to look again, and simply nodded slowly.
“Not knowing life, how can one know death? Not knowing death, how can one know life?”
His tranquil voice caused Zhao Zheng’s mind to waver slightly.
She cautiously opened her eyes again, only to see the surrounding chaos part slightly, and the path he had taken flash past like streaks of dark ink.
Soon, he vanished from her sight.
****
Lin Xuan walked between the flower stands, following her memory to locate the Pyrolaceae family within the Ericales order.
“You’re the one!”
Looking up from the sign that read ‘Ghost Pipe’, she saw a pot containing a flower like a precious gem.
Its corolla was tubular-campanulate, its bracts scale-like, and identical to its leaves.
The entire plant lacked any hint of green; its pure white, translucent body glowed faintly like a ghost under the lights.
The Ghost Pipe, also known as the ‘Flower of Death’ or ‘Ghost Grass’, had terrifying alternative names, yet its flower language represented the beautiful essence of a spirit.
Lin Xuan couldn’t pinpoint the exact ancient cosplay character her guest was portraying, but based on her pale, somewhat zombie-like makeup, the dragon robe, and her reaction to Lin Xuan’s earlier words, she had a strong hunch.
If her guess was correct, the character she was cosplaying embodied elements of both the undead and royalty.
Considering she was also a young woman, this Ghost Pipe was absolutely perfect for the requirements!
‘For this first cash transaction, I’ll reluctantly embrace my chuunibyou tendencies one more time!’
After a frantic mental search for the lines she was about to deliver, Lin Xuan, brimming with confidence, carried the flower back.
****
Zhao Zheng stood rooted to the spot, feeling utterly uneasy from the malevolent gazes emanating from the surrounding chaos.
The twisted faces and eerie, evil eyes on the pillars on either side made her heart pound wildly in her chest, as if it wanted to unleash its last vitality before turning completely cold.
Since her coronation as king, Zhao Zheng had never been so nervous, yet it wasn’t fear for her own life.
The moment she had met Him, she had understood that she had no retreat.
What truly made her heart race was the phrase He had left before vanishing:
“Not knowing life, how can one know death? Not knowing death, how can one know life?”
Zhao Zheng continuously chanted the words internally, vaguely grasping something, yet unable to see it clearly.
The divine pressure from all around made her repeatedly want to kneel, her legs already weak.
However, Zhao Zheng bit down on her teeth, maintaining a perfect posture, standing firm.
Perhaps others could kneel, perhaps others could be subservient.
But she was a king, the last king of humanity on the Divine Land!
She would rather die standing than live on her knees!
She represented the last dignity of humanity!
Tap, tap…
Light footsteps echoed through the mist.
The rolling, boundless chaos parted to either side, and a path as black as ink extended from within.
Then, Zhao Zheng saw the mysterious figure emerge, holding a pot containing a crystal-like flower that emitted a faint, white, spectral glow.
Around the flower, countless pure black tendrils of death qi swirled, occasionally forming a dark, ghostly head that roared hysterically.
One hellish scene after another unfolded, sending shivers down her spine.
“Guest, take a look at this flower. I believe… it will suit you very well…”
Staring at the flower presented before her, Zhao Zheng couldn’t help but swallow, her hand trembling slightly as she reached out.
Though the mysterious figure currently appeared gentle on the surface, the surrounding sights warned Zhao Zheng of the consequences of refusal.
If she hesitated even a little, the next tormented face imprinted on the endless pillars might very well be her own.
Besides, did she even have a choice?
Did humanity have a choice?
The moment she touched the flowerpot, the inky death qi缠绕 around her like a parasitic growth.
A chilling sensation instantly spread throughout her body.
‘A king? A wraith? Heh…’
‘What is life, what is death?’
‘Humans, you pride yourselves as humans, yet you can’t even comprehend this?’
‘Living? Heh, how ridiculous, how pathetic!’
A cold, disdainful voice chuckled in her ear, stinging her soul.
Before she could recover, countless forbidden insights surged into her mind through the black qi.
One hysterical voice after another shrieked, called, and roared in her ears, like a death knell from hell!
Thus, she quickly learned the flower’s name and origin.
The Flower of Kings, which could also be interpreted as the Flower of Wraiths!
This was the life core from the Lord of the Underworld, containing the path of transformation for countless undead lives and the road to soul sublimation.
“The world believes death is the culmination of life, yet they know not that death is also life’s beginning…”
“Before one has died, one cannot be considered truly born…”
His voice resonated in her ear at that moment.
Zhao Zheng instinctively looked up, meeting his chaotic face, which held endless mystery.
And from ancient times, the source of fear has always been mystery.
He said with a faint smile, “If you cannot be a king in life, then try becoming a wraith.”
“Perhaps you will find a different answer!”
****
~=͟͟͞͞( ✌°∀° )
Another update today.