The young woman appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen, dressed in an azure, round-collared robe embroidered with a pheasant motif.
It was a dignified, formal set of robes, but on her, with her delicate, lovely features and slender fra, it looked comically endearing—like a little girl who had sneaked into her mother’s closet.
Even when the young woman tightened her expression, trying her best to look stern, she couldn’t quite pull it off.
Jiang Yi froze. ’Where did this "female ghost" pop out from?’
Here in Fengdu, mortals weren’t welco. On this majestic Eighteen-Layered High Platform, he should be the only living soul; all others were supposed to be ghosts.
"You... I... He!"
The plump girl’s mouth opened and closed, stamring, before her face suddenly lit up as if she’d run into an old friend. She clapped her hands in excitent.
"Oh, it’s Xiaoqiao from the Profound City Central Palace! My, it’s been a while! You’re looking more graceful than ever!"
The young woman in azure gave a slight nod, trying to project a cool, aloof air, but the mont she spoke, her soft, delicate voice gave her away.
"Gui’er, you should return to the Profound City Central Palace to report. As for this young master, Her Ladyship has instructed to take him to the Six mories Palace and see him settled."
The plump girl glanced at Jiang Yi, then her gaze shifted back to the young woman in azure. She cleared her throat twice.
"In that case, Young Master Jiang, you go with Xiaoqiao. Just do as she says. There’s no rush to see Her Ladyship; you’ll have plenty of chances later."
With that, she swaggered off into the distance.
She humd a crude little tune as she went, seeming quite pleased with herself.
Jiang Yi’s brow furrowed. ’There was an undercurrent to the plump girl’s words, as if she were looking forward to a good show.’
He turned to the young woman in azure nad Xiaoqiao and offered a Daoist salute.
"I am Jiang Yi. The ’Jiang’ from ’ginger,’ and the ’Yi’ from ’anomaly.’ A pleasure to et you, Xiaoqiao."
The young woman in azure clasped her hands behind her back. Tilting her head up, she rose slightly onto her toes to look at the handso, pale-faced young man.
’He’s quite tall.’
She pursed her lips and said softly,
"’Xiao’ as in ’small,’ and ’Qiao’ as in ’tall tree.’"
Jiang Yi nodded in understanding, tactful enough not to press the matter.
He’d once heard that ghosts were deeply hesitant to speak of their nas from the Mortal World.
"Then I must trouble you, Xiaoqiao."
"It is my duty."
Neither of them was particularly effusive by nature, so their conversation was sparse and halting.
The two walked across the vast, tiered landscape of the Eighteen-Layered High Platform. Xiaoqiao led the way with Jiang Yi following, a comfortable distance of about two paces between them.
"Young Master Jiang, you do know what being tied with the red string ans, don’t you?"
"That I am fated to be with the Lady of the Profound City Central Palace."
"Precisely. But such a ghostly union requires mutual consent. Is Young Master Jiang truly willing to enter into this marriage?"
"Of course. I would welco it gladly."
"Ah, but the Lady of the Profound City Central Palace... she’s much, much older than you."
"Then Her Ladyship must be understanding and considerate. I have admired such won since I was a child."
"But what if she has a bad temper?"
"Forthright and passionate, one who dares to love and hate fiercely? I find that equally appealing."
"You’re certainly broad-minded, Young Master. Your affections are rather universal."
"Not at all. From three thousand streams, I desire but one ladle: Her Ladyship’s."
"That sounds a little insincere..."
The two continued their slow walk, eventually arriving before a vast, towering, multi-layered palace.
Xiaoqiao turned, standing gracefully before the palace gates.
"This is the Six mories Palace. For the ti being, Young Master Jiang, you will be staying... hmm, let’s see... in the Palace of Gathered Elegance to the west."
’From the sound of it,’ he thought, ’I’m being treated like a newly chosen consort from the mortal world.’
Jiang Yi smiled wryly but thanked her politely.
"Thank you for showing the way, Xiaoqiao."
Xiaoqiao took a Jade Token from her waist. She dangled it by its red cord for a mont before placing it in Jiang Yi’s hand.
"The eighteen layers of Fengdu hide many ancient, warded locations. This is the Token of a Landscape Envoy. Wear it, and the ghosts and Fierce Fiends will recognize your status and not dare to harm you."
Jiang Yi accepted the Jade Token. He glanced down at it. One side was carved with the words "All Ghosts Bow Down," and the other, "By Edict of the Profound City."
He secured the Jade Token to his waist and said softly,
"I won’t wander about and cause you any trouble, Xiaoqiao."
Xiaoqiao tilted her head and smiled.
"It’s been a very long ti since soone from the Mortal World ca to Fengdu. Please, Young Master Jiang, feel free to look around. Don’t let yourself get bored. This place was once the foundation of a Daoist Lineage, no less grand than the gates of an Ancestral Sect. You might even stumble upon an Opportunity."
Jiang Yi nodded.
’Since the Profound City Central Palace hasn’t explicitly forbidden it, I really should take a look around when I have the ti. I could explore a little and broaden my horizons.’
’This city of Fengdu was, countless years ago, a place where ghosts and gods converged, a nexus for Spiritual communion with the netherworld.’
’When it ca to Opportunity, this place was surely far richer than Red Fla Peak of the Qianji Sect.’
"If you need anything, you can co find ."
Xiaoqiao blinked.
"I am the officially appointed Coordinator of Rites for the Profound City Central Palace. I help manage the Yin Departnt and command the Profound Law. I’m quite powerful, you know."
Jiang Yi found it amusing; it wasn’t often one t such a lively "female ghost."
He imdiately cupped his hands in a salute. "I, the Profound City’s Landscape Envoy, greet my superior, the Coordinator of Rites."
Xiaoqiao’s delicate eyebrows shot up in delight. She clearly loved the flattery, though she deliberately put on a stern face and an authoritative air.
"Young Master Jiang, no need to stand on ceremony. You are new to the Profound City Central Palace, so there’s much you don’t yet know. Feel free to ask anything.
"As your superior, I, the Coordinator of Rites, will personally guide you and help you get ahead."
Jiang Yi nodded in solemn agreent, murmuring his assent.
’This Xiaoqiao,’ he mused, ’is certainly easier to placate than Cat Master. A little patience and sincerity is all it takes to get along with her.’
"Well, I’m off then."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries and seeing that Jiang Yi wasn’t a complete dullard, Xiaoqiao clasped her hands behind her back. Her eyes crinkled with a smile as she added a final instruction.
"Rember, I live in the Palace of Universal Peace, to the north."
Jiang Yi promised again and again that as soon as he, the Landscape Envoy, had learned his way around, he would be sure to pay a visit to the Coordinator of Rites, Lord Qiao.
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