Chapter 1602 - 1449: Yin Yang Inn 5
Manjushaka, also known as Other Shore Flower, grows along the Yellow Springs Road, by the San Tu River. Its fragrance can evoke the memories of a person’s past life, guiding lost souls to the place of reincarnation.
After Pei Shaosen recalled all his memories from his past life, he slowly regained consciousness. Upon waking, he finally discovered the black building right in front of him.
It was a three-story structure, the likes of which Pei Shaosen had never seen—so magnificent and grand. The building was entirely black, with intricate carvings and decorations on the windows, eaves, and door frames, every detail exquisite and perfect.
The first impression the building gives is one of dark splendor, but amidst that splendor, there is an inexplicable sense of oppression.
A large black plaque was hanging above the entrance, inscribed with four large, golden characters: Yin Yang Inn!
On either side of the entrance, there was a couplet: "The Yellow Springs Road extends far, Yin Yang Inn awaits; Those living in the Red Dust, do not come in." Pei Shaosen was somewhat astonished; so this was the Yin Yang Inn!
The Yin Yang Inn was situated within an endless sea of Manjushaka flowers, with a small river meandering around it.
A stone arch bridge built of black stone served as the entrance to the inn, spanning the small river, allowing one to reach the doorway of the Yin Yang Inn.
Pei Shaosen unconsciously walked onto the stone arch bridge. Only when he reached it did he realize that the river beneath was not filled with typical clear water but a dense, blood-red liquid, exuding a mysterious eeriness.
Pei Shaosen approached the door of the Yin Yang Inn. The inn’s door was tightly shut; although it was an inn, there wasn’t a hitching post, nor staff greeting visitors, not even the door was open.
Pei Shaosen stood before the door, just raising his hand to knock when he suddenly saw two enormous blood-red eyes appear on the closed door, staring straight at him.
Even though Pei Shaosen was a ghost now, he was still startled by the sudden appearance of the eyes, retreating several steps. Clearly a ghost, yet he felt his heart race wildly—what an eerie sight! This could frighten a ghost to death!
The blood-red eyes moved slightly, their pupils landing on the wooden token at Pei Shaosen’s waist. Then, a somewhat raspy male voice resonated deeply: "Ah, it’s the new accountant, please come in."
As this voice sounded, the blood-red eyes slowly closed, blending back into the door. Then, the two doors began to open gently to either side.
Pei Shaosen hesitated for a moment but ultimately stepped forward through the doors. As soon as he passed the threshold, the doors swiftly closed behind him.
The sound of the door closing gave Pei Shaosen another start, but fortunately, the inn’s windows were open, allowing him to see the boundless sea of Manjushaka flowers outside.
Suppressing his impulse to flee in panic, Pei Shaosen reminded himself that he had come to be the accountant, that he was a ghost who should be frightening others rather than being frightened himself, and there was nothing to fear. Thus, he calmed down.
The interior of the inn was styled like a typical inn, with the main area being a hall. Rows of tables and chairs were neatly arranged, clearly a place for guests to rest and eat.
On one side was a counter with several rows of wooden plaques listing dish names hanging behind it, while against the opposite wall were rows of waist-high wine jars.
The center toward the back of the hall featured stairs leading upward, flanked by rows of blooming Manjushaka flowers. However, the color had shifted from red to black.
Do Manjushaka flowers come in black? Aren’t they supposed to be red? Pei Shaosen wondered for a moment before dismissing the thought.
The color scheme of the hall was somewhat muted, with all the furniture being black-themed. However, all the pieces were extraordinarily crafted, matching the exterior of the inn’s refined, darkly luxurious style.
Apart from being slightly bizarre, the place resembled a regular inn. If there was one major difference, it was that Pei Shaosen had been inside for quite some time without seeing a single person or ghost.
Just as Pei Shaosen considered whether to call out, a very clear voice suddenly came from above: "Is this our accountant? He looks rather refined, like a scholar."
Pei Shaosen looked up to see a chubby, irresistibly cute black tabby cat perched on the staircase’s handrail, looking down at him.
Noticing Pei Shaosen looking up, the tabby cat waved its paw at him, exuding adorable charm.
After gesturing with its paw, the tabby cat leapt down, transforming mid-air into a handsome youth clad in flowing black robes.
With a smile that revealed two sharp little tiger teeth, the youth greeted Pei Shaosen warmly: "Hello, I’m the inn’s servant. My name is Feng Lin."
Pei Shaosen stared blankly, dumbfounded at the handsome youth who had transformed directly from a cat. He was too shocked to react, rendering his ghost stunned!
Seeing Pei Shaosen remain silent for so long, Feng Lin waved his hand in front of him, smiling alluringly with his little tiger teeth: "What’s wrong? Why aren’t you saying anything?"
"Silly cat, you startled him by appearing in your true form."
The voice this time was also from above. Pei Shaosen stiffly looked up to see a pure black, sleekly furred fox where Feng Lin had been perched earlier.
This should be a fox, right? Pei Shaosen thought hesitantly, mainly because he’d never seen a black-furred fox without a single hint of other colors.
Seeing Pei Shaosen looking up, the black fox, like Feng Lin, jumped down, transforming into a similarly attired young man clad in black upon landing.
While the tabby cat youth Feng Lin was handsome, this fox-like youth was alluringly enchanting—so beautiful that he seemed to transcend gender, making one gasp in admiration for his unparalleled beauty.
With a captivating smile, the bewitching youth looked at Pei Shaosen with a lazy, husky tone: "Hello, Mr. Pei, I’m Li Yu, a servant at this inn."
Before Pei Shaosen could respond, Feng Lin cut in, rolling his eyes at Li Yu and exclaimed angrily: "Sneaky fox, you said I startled him, but you did the same thing by appearing in your true form."
Li Yu raised his hand to pat Feng Lin’s head: "You silly cat appeared first, so how I choose to appear doesn’t matter anymore—the person has already been frightened."
Pei Shaosen was already numbed by the experience; what kind of inn was this? Eyes grew on the door, a cat served as the waiter, a fox as the servant, and these two people—or rather, demons—dressed like noble young men instead of staff members. An inn where guests might end up serving them!
"Feng Lin, Li Yu, stop fooling around; you’ve scared our future colleague."
Accompanied by this familiar voice, Qi Shuangshuang appeared before Pei Shaosen, dressed in exceedingly luxurious black embroidered robes, just as silently as the day she left.