Chapter 3: The Tongue Holds a Meeting

"Be good, stick out your tongue," Yiqiu Jun suddenly said in what seemed to be a gentle tone, but such a voice made one break out in a cold sweat

Can I leave now? It's too terrifying, being under the watchful eyes of so many tongues, with such a frightening person in front of me

The Buddha said: Those who delight in flattery, slander, malicious speech, falsehoods, and frivolous words, or who boast and defame the teachings, harbor jealousy towards the virtuous and the capable, and are arrogant due to their talents, will enter this hell

The tongues here were collected by my ancestors hundreds of years ago, as well as some that I collected recently. Among these tongues, there are those of men, women, the elderly, children, emperors, and even beggars... Which one do you prefer

This ... ... ?

Of course, you are welcome to visit again!" Yiqiu Jun said in a sarcastic tone, making a gesture of invitation towards her

Yes. The voice dragged on, sounding strange and eerie. No matter how much Hua Qian Gu thought about it, she never expected the legendary Yi Jiu Jun to be like this, but she was no longer as frightened as she had been earlier

Ah, no, no, there are more pressing matters. I would like to ask you about going to Maoshan to seek a master and learn the craft, but I cannot seem to reach the mountain. Is there any way to do so?

Haha, child, you are truly adorable, but your tongue is even cuter

Leave a drop of your blood

This question is too simple; there is no need to expend your blood. You do not realize how precious your blood is, so do not waste it casually. You only need to tell me your birth date and time, as well as your name and place of origin. In short, the more detailed, the better

Hua Qian Gu felt a wave of nausea, as if millions of ants were crawling all over her body

Amitabha, do not eat me, Amitabha, do not eat me... Hua Qian Gu repeatedly bowed. In the past, I heard from the old storyteller in the village that there is a level in the eighteen layers of hell called the Tongue-Pulling Hell, where the little ghosts particularly enjoy eating people's tongues

However, the eerie and strange smile of Yiqiu Jun suddenly appeared as he leaned down, looking at her, who was just a little over half his height. He gently whispered in her ear, "As long as it is a tongue I have touched, within the span of an incense stick, no matter what is said, it will be under my control"

Do you ask them, do they all know?

You actually broke through the formation and entered here, having witnessed the greatest secret of the Hall of Eternal Decay. Do you really intend to leave just like this

In prison, the ghostly guards can use red-hot iron hooks to directly sever a person's tongue, or they may use iron pliers to clamp the tongue and forcibly pull it out. This is not done in one swift motion, but rather slowly stretched and pulled thin. Then, they pierce the person's throat with a red-hot iron, leaving them in a state where they cannot seek life nor escape death, unable to speak, enduring immense suffering, lasting until the end of countless ages. Generally, those who are reborn as humans often suffer from muteness and are unable to speak.

It is feared that the Yiqi Pavilion will cut out the tongues of those nearby or of the deceased, thereby learning their secrets. Therefore, whether in the imperial palace or among various sects, many times, in order to prevent the Yiqi Pavilion from discovering some of their scandals or private matters, they often secretly cut off the tongues of the deceased before burial, or nail the tongues of the deceased with numerous nails. In this way, the tongues cannot betray them

The person opposite coughed twice, and Hua Qian Gu felt that he was laughing silently beneath the mask

"Have you seen the tongues hanging throughout this attic?" With a wave of Yiqiu Jun's hand, Hua Qian Gu lowered her head, not daring to look up.

These tongues, each one is very obedient. Sometimes they need to be watered, and at times, the windows should be opened to let them bask in the sun. Yiqiu Jun looked up at these tongues, speaking in a doting tone, as if discussing his own children

Hua Qian Gu cannot imagine the sight of tens of thousands of tongues gathering together for a meeting, as it is truly spine-chilling

Hua Qian Gu swallowed hard

This is called the Heavenly Water Drop, formed from the tears of the phoenix. When you wear it, you will ascend to Maoshan.

The hand holding the radish is fair and slender, warm and smooth like jade

Hua Qian Gu wanted to cry but had no tears, surrounded by so many disgusting tongues, who would want to see that! She took two steps back, using the faint light from the wall to lower her head and look at the shadow of the person opposite on the ground, thankfully, thankfully, it was not a ghost, not a ghost

Hua Qian Gu has a face full of indifference, truly a person who is very calculating

How terrifying... Fortunately... otherwise the Hall of the Otherworldly Decay would be too frightening, and it would pluck out everyone's tongues in the world

No need, no need!

The three souls have vanished, and the seven spirits stare wide-eyed at what lies before them, uncertain whether it is human or ghost. Clad in a loose-fitting black robe resembling the wings of a bat, it bears strange triangular patterns and dark designs. On its face is an extremely grotesque and terrifying hungry ghost mask, with bulging eyeballs and a long tongue protruding, covered in nails.

Hua Qian Gu furrowed her brows in suspicion, is it about checking the household registration? Shouldn't it be of no concern to him? He wouldn't use witchcraft to cast a spell on himself, would he? Yet, she could only honestly express her thoughts.

Wuwuwu, could it be that I have fallen into the hell of tongue extraction?

Hua Qian Gu covered her mouth to prevent him from seeing.

Oh? I believe you, but what reason do I have to trust you? What is the cost of believing you?

Yes, can I inquire about anything I wish? Could you help me see if I can find a master and how long I might live

Do you like to eat radishes? I suddenly couldn't help but ask out of curiosity

Hua Qian Gu tightly pressed her lips together and shook her head vigorously

Too, too... Hua Qian Gu did not know whether to say it was too terrifying or too unbelievable

Thousands of tongues densely hang down from the sky with red threads, unevenly scattered, covering the top like suspended corpses. These various tongues differ in size; some are large, while others are small, with colors ranging from deep to light. Some are dry and blackened, resembling withered flowers. Others are bright red, their tips slightly trembling, as if unwilling to be bound by the red threads, desperately struggling. The severed ends even drip with fresh blood, as if just pulled out from a person's mouth.

"No!" Hua Qian Gu flatly refused.

Yixiu Jun stood before the railing, watching the small child gradually fade into the distance. He took out a carrot from his pocket and began to crunch on it, indeed it was sweet

Hua Qian Gu was astonished: "You, are you the Lord of the Otherworld?"

Hua Qian Gu turned to the side while trying to slip away, but unfortunately, the path was blocked by that person

"As long as it's just a drop of blood, that can be easily arranged." Hua Qian Gu gritted her teeth, steeled her resolve, and finally made a cut on her index finger, squeezing out a drop of blood. It dripped onto a shiny object that the person had handed over.

No matter what fork in the road you encounter, simply keep going left to find your way out

I, I, I swear! If I go against this, may I not have a good death

Ah! Really! Is it that simple! That's great! Thank you!

Leave a drop of your blood

Do you know? In this world of myriad beings, whether they fly in the sky or run on the ground, there is not a single one without a tongue. However, the most important significance of the existence of the tongue is not for taste, but for speech

Hua Qian Gu did not dare to look back at the tongues that were everywhere, fleeing outward like the wind, but after running a few steps, she returned with a flushed face.

What are you doing?" Hua Qian Gu quickly stuck out her tongue, then covered her mouth as if afraid it would be cut off.

The tongues of the dead and the living are not the same. If a dead person's tongue is severed, you can only ask it one question, and it can only answer once; once it has spoken, it withers away. However, a living person's tongue, if well nurtured, can answer many questions. Of course, it too will only speak once for each question, and it will only truly die after it has said everything it knows. You see those hanging above; the fresher ones are the ones just plucked, while those that are lighter in color and lack vitality have been used too many times and are on the verge of exhausting their words.

Hua Qian Gu's complexion grew even paler

Ah? What?

Where can one find so many tongues

"Can the tongue also speak?" Hua Qian Gu's jaw trembled

I am not a fortune teller; the future is in your own hands. I am not as omnipotent as the rumors suggest. I can know almost everything that has happened throughout history, as well as countless truths buried by the passage of time, but I cannot predict the future, nor can I ever grasp the human heart

Well, let this thank you be the price you pay for asking me for directions

Hua Qian Gu has encountered countless ghosts and monsters throughout her life, yet no matter how bloody or terrifying they may be, none are as bizarre and frightening as the scene before her now

Indeed, responses also come at a cost. Do you need blood? I have plenty!" Hua Qian Gu, with a righteous demeanor, rolled up her sleeves.

She hurriedly turned around to walk back, but bumped into someone with a thud, startling her into another round of screams

I am not tasty! I am dirty and smelly all over, so please do not eat me! I have been on the road for several days without a bath!

The color is quite nice, would you like to make a contract with Yixiu Pavilion? Whatever you wish to know, I can fulfill your request

The person in front of her suddenly drew a knife and presented it to her.

If they had seen and experienced it in their lifetime, they would certainly know. If there is no tongue to know, sometimes they would discuss together and then come up with the best solution

What are you doing that I should eat

Language

Of course it will, the tongue can even sing. Come here, and I will let this tongue sing for you.

Suddenly, a sharp and slow voice was heard, eerie and utterly unlike that of a human, sending chills down Hua Qiangu's spine.

Aren't you here to ask me questions? You haven't even asked yet, and you're so eager to leave

The Lord of the Abyss pondered for a moment

Yixiu Jun nodded slightly and handed her the translucent pendant that resembled a dewdrop. Hua Qiangu held it up to her eyes for a closer look; it sparkled with a clarity akin to tears, and within it, there was unexpectedly a trace of red blood, as if a petal had condensed inside. Wasn't that the drop of blood she had just shed?

Ah! Is it true that they want to kill to silence?

Excuse me, which way should I go

Do you wish to know what the truth is? The tongue will tell you. The more tongues you gather, the more information you will know. The reason why the Yiqiu Pavilion has become the oldest and most mysterious repository of answers in the world, as well as an intelligence network, is that we possess the most tongues in the world

Do you know why people on https://www.hetushu.com are afraid of the Abnormal Decay Pavilion

Perhaps one day you will take the initiative to seek me out

Is this the question you wish to consult me about

Oh... but how do you know so much?

Some are taken from the bodies of the deceased, while others are the price agreed upon by those who come to the Hall of Decay to ask questions. When the time approaches for that person to die, a decayed being from the Hall of Decay will appear before them and take their tongue before they breathe their last

My hobby is collecting people's tongues

There is no need to say thank you, as this is only proper. In this world, nothing comes without a price. Those carrots are the price you pay to see me. As for what you wish to know from me, whether it be the truth or information, the size of the price is determined by its value. You have already paid the fee, and I provide you with answers; is that not fair

Oh, thank you

I would never! Who would allow someone to cut out their own tongue! Everyone has secrets, and they should have secrets. You are not a deity; you should not know everything and continuously reveal the mysteries of heaven.

Hua Qian Gu watched as that tongue flicked twice, frightened and retreating far away

Why is it so?

Hua Qian Gu took two steps back, covered in goosebumps: "Why would I let you touch my tongue? Can I leave now? I still have to hurry to Mount Mao to pay my respects to my master!"

I did not mean to do it, I assure you I will not speak of it, I am very forgetful, as soon as I go out, I forget everything that happened today! Do you believe me!

Yet, the ghastly figure lowered its head, slowly drawing closer to Hua Qian Gu's neck, then took a deep breath, emitting a gurgling sound of admiration from its throat, as if it had caught the scent of something delicious

It is not something that can be known simply by wanting to know. For the living tongue, it possesses its own will, unlike that of the deceased, which is easier to control. Therefore, a contract must be established, promising to offer one's own tongue to the Hall of Other Decay before death

Isn't that very painful? Why not wait until he is dead before taking it out?

However, you can casually capture a living person and cut out his tongue to learn the secrets of others!