Chapter 4, A Living Ghost Town

Su Jing pondered that he had heard before that practitioners seeking tranquility would often choose secluded places to attain enlightenment. He never expected that the 'Old Ancestor' would settle in such a large city. However, in the very center of the desert, there stood a city surrounded by nothing but sand, with no water veins or oases in sight. The more prosperous the city, the more sinister this place seemed.

The people in the city are completely unaware that they are living in an illusion, leading lives that seem to be of great significance

The towering walls rise high, and the gatehouse stands majestically. The buildings are lined up in an orderly fashion, with pointed spires piercing the clouds. The grand temple exudes a solemn atmosphere, while the wide streets crisscross with bustling traffic and throngs of people... What a magnificent city!

Some regarded him as reckless and glared at him in anger; some were magnanimous, merely chuckling when he bumped into them; others, with keen eyes, preemptively extended their hands to block him before Su Jing could encounter them.

The black hawk softly called out, as if responding with a "yes".

This butcher Zhao is not a good person; the meat he sold me is rotten. I must confront him about this, and if he refuses to acknowledge it, I will have no choice but to drag him to the authorities.

Gazing into the distance, all around is an endless expanse of desert, devoid of any signs of life; yet in the center stands a prosperous city, brimming with vitality. Such a stark contrast leaves Su Jing astonished. And within this contrast, is there not also a hint of the uncanny

Su Jing and Liu Liang deliberately went to explore; all the scenery in the city, even the grass, trees, flowers, birds, and livestock, were merely illusions. They could pass through them without a trace, yet only humans truly existed

The Black Hawk began to descend slowly. Su Jing tentatively asked, "Brother Hei, have we arrived?"

Su Jing disagrees, what if it doesn't work this time

The grandson of Liu Yuanwai is celebrating his full moon, and a flowing banquet is being held at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. I must go and raise a glass in his honor

As he walked along the way, Su Jing did not know how many people he had stopped to talk to

The brocade fabric shop has posted a notice that a new batch of fine silk has arrived today, and the prices are extremely low

Su Jing's expression was as confused as it could possibly be. He had originally thought that after descending from the eagle, he would find a mountain ahead, with a temple inside where an old Daoist in a black robe sat. Little did he expect to end up in a grand city of illusions. Where could he possibly go to find someone now

After arriving in this city, apart from Liu Liang, the only person who spoke a second sentence to him was the one dressed in a red robe, the "Little Black Robe Ancestor"

At this moment, Liu Liang was no longer surprised; instead, he appeared as if he had seen a ghost, his voice trembling slightly: "This... this city is an illusion, but the people are real? How are they, how are they living here?"

Everyone can speak, but just like that person who said "the lady is ill," everyone has only one sentence to say, each different, yet it is always the same. No matter what Su Jing asks or says, they always respond with that one sentence, and even their facial expressions repeat in unison as they speak.

Su Jing was instantly overjoyed, for he knew that this city was an illusion. However, the man had truly bumped into him, and he was undoubtedly a real person. There must be some hidden mystery within the *illustration*. He immediately stepped forward to pursue him, but once he reached the main street, he was horrified to discover that... the streets were crowded, with people brushing past him, and everyone around him was indeed real, vividly and authentically existing.

Such a situation is rather unusual, Su Jing was momentarily taken aback, standing on his right leg, he slowly "withdrew" his left foot. The bluestone slab beneath him seemed like a shadow in the water, creating a slight ripple before returning to its original state. The bluestone remained, appearing hard and cold.

The youth emerged from the corner and walked towards the street, with Liu Liang closely following behind him. At this moment, the monster was also filled with astonishment, gazing at the bustling scene in the city while exclaiming in wonder: "As far as I know, there are indeed many spells that can transform shapes and shadows in this world, but at most, they can only conjure a dilapidated temple or a small grove... To effortlessly summon a grand city illusion like the Ancestor does is truly unprecedented. Even the legendary mythical beast, the Shun, known for its shape-shifting abilities, might not possess such magical power. But... where is the Ancestor's divine presence?"

Since the shadow of the black-robed spirit had subdued Liu Liang, it had not appeared again. Su Jing tried calling out a couple of times, but there was no response. Liu Liang quietly offered him a suggestion, though he did not dare to speak directly: "Perhaps... I remember... the last time the little ancestor summoned the old ancestor, it was during a suicide attempt."

Before the monster could finish speaking, the man repeated, "My wife is seriously ill, and I am in a hurry to fetch medicine!" As he spoke, he waved his arm again, attempting to push Liu Liang aside. Given Liu Liang's size and strength, how could an ordinary person possibly break free from his grasp

The other party ran hurriedly, and Su Jing was also knocked back two steps unsteadily.

"I am fine, not in pain at all," the little boy in the red robe smiled, but immediately took a step forward, blocking Su Jing's path as if afraid he might run away. He continued, "I have already apologized to you, now it is your turn to apologize to me"

Su Jing shook his head; no matter how bizarre the situation before him was, it had nothing to do with him. Finding the man in the black robe was the priority. He decided not to dwell on it any longer and casually grabbed a passerby: "Excuse me, sir, may I ask..."

Su Jing was unsure whether this "little ancestor" could only say one sentence. He did not change the subject at that moment, merely shook his head and politely said: "It’s nothing serious, it’s not a big deal. Did you hurt yourself when you fell?"

Su Jing tentatively took a few steps, and the sensation beneath his feet was unmistakable; he was indeed stepping into a desert. The young man seemed to have an epiphany, and just then, he noticed a large tree nearby. He tried to press his arm against it, but his hand felt weightless, devoid of any sensation, and he effortlessly pressed his hand into the trunk. At this moment, Su Jing finally understood that this grand city and everything before him were merely a fleeting illusion, a mere mirage.

... ...

A city of illusions, inhabited by real people

The eerie atmosphere gradually transformed into a chilling one, seeping from Su Jing's eyes and ears into his heart, then radiating outward, slowly merging into his blood and spreading to his limbs and bones. Unbeknownst to him, the boy's hands and feet had begun to feel somewhat cold. At that moment, a small child in a red robe, around eight or nine years old, suddenly dashed out from an alley and collided directly with Su Jing, causing the little one to fall to the ground with a cry.

On the bustling street, people display a variety of expressions; some walk briskly, preoccupied with their own matters, while others furrow their brows, lost in thought, and some wear smiles, engaging in conversation with companions. The shops on both sides of the street are filled with merchants and customers, haggling over goods.

The young boy in the red robe ignored the six taels, stood up after patting his bottom, and respectfully bowed to Su Jing, saying: "I was careless and bumped into you, I am very sorry."

The Black Hawk deliberately chose a secluded corner in the city to land, which did not attract the curiosity of passersby. Su Jing had been riding the eagle for over half a month and was finally able to set foot on solid ground, feeling an indescribable joy in his heart. However, as he jumped down from the eagle's back, the moment the soles of his shoes touched the ground, he suddenly exclaimed and his body swayed, nearly falling to the ground.

The inability to stand firm was not due to the legs becoming weak from sitting too long, but rather because the ground was soft. The seemingly hard stone pavement felt surprisingly soft underfoot, as if one were stepping on sand, and it directly swallowed the youth's ankles.

It is the little ancestor, not the little deity

At this moment, Su Jing also saw clearly that the one who had fallen to the ground was merely a small child, without wrinkles or a beard, yet the child's features closely resembled those of his benefactor in the black robe, except that the child was dressed in a long robe of bright red.

Even though Su Jing was quite bold and well-informed, in such a bizarre situation, both of them couldn't help but feel a layer of goosebumps rise on their arms

Unexpectedly, this person was in a hurry and impatiently said, "My wife is seriously ill, and I need to rush to get medicine!" As he spoke, he forcefully shoved Su Jing aside. Su Jing was indifferent and remarked, "This young man is reckless," planning to ask someone else. However, Liu Liang, seeing the man push someone, became enraged and reached out to grab the passerby, coldly sneering, "To receive the attention of my little ancestor is a blessing you have earned over three lifetimes..." Su Jing was indifferent and remarked, "This young man is reckless," planning to ask someone else. However, Liu Liang, seeing the man push someone, became enraged and reached out to grab the passerby, coldly sneering, "To receive the attention of my little ancestor is a blessing you have earned over three lifetimes..."

Upon closer inspection of the shoe on the left foot, the sole, the upper, and even the interior of the shoe are all filled with fine, dense yellow sand, heated by the sun to a scorching temperature

The weather today is quite pleasant, making it an ideal time for a stroll.

A living embodiment of the benefactor from childhood

Liuliang, anxious to protect his master, hurriedly steadied the little ancestor and took a step forward, seemingly intending to scold the child. However, as Liuliang took a closer look at the child's appearance, the reprimands that were about to spill from his mouth suddenly transformed into an exclamation: "Little... little, little ancestor?!"

The passerby kept struggling, repeatedly uttering, "My wife is seriously ill, and I am in a hurry to fetch medicine." This phrase was repeated over and over, with no other words accompanying it.

After repeating it several times, Liu Liang roughly understood that this person's mind was likely somewhat problematic; otherwise, how could he possibly say such a thing? Such a person certainly would not know where the ancestor is, so he immediately let him go. He then followed Su Jing and inquired with other passersby, but...! ... Everyone on this street only had one sentence!

At that moment, Su Jing suddenly felt a jolt as a man passed by him and accidentally bumped into him