Chapter 1177: Ghost Gate

"You've fought them too?" Chen Ling asked, surprised.

"Years ago, I went through an earthquake." A complex expression flashed in Shen Nan's eyes. "That earthquake was very severe; I lost my father. It was also then that I gained the power of Nuo... I'm not sure if it was a dream or reality. I just remember someone seemed to be standing above the earthquake zone, wearing pale white clothes. Their eyes were like crescent moons, and it felt like they were smiling, yet not. Later, I fought him in a dream. Originally, I couldn't defeat him, but then two divine stars, Wu and Xi, lit up in the sky, and I felt a surge of power. I managed to drive him away."

Hearing this, Chen Ling immediately recalled the great earthquake during which Shen Nan became Nuo. In that horrific disaster, only one victim was recorded, while everyone else buried underground miraculously survived... Now, it seemed their survival was not as simple as it appeared.

"That was indeed an envoy of the Ghost Dao Repository, but not 'Void Demise' – it was 'Swift Joy'," Sun Buming immediately replied after hearing the description of the person's appearance.

"Swift Joy?"

"The Ghost Dao Repository has a total of six envoys. Their true forms reside behind the Ghost Gate and generally do not leave... When a large-scale death event is about to occur in a certain area, their consciousness descends to ensure all departed souls can enter through the Ghost Gate. After all, if there are too many souls and any errors occur, they could become wandering spirits in the mortal realm, disrupting the Ghost Dao's operation."

"So what I encountered back then was just their consciousness..." Shen Nan murmured, deep in thought.

Chen Ling recalled Void Demise from earlier. Ordinary people couldn't see its existence; if he hadn't also possessed the power of Nuo, he likely wouldn't have been able to see or touch it... The power of Nuo inherently lies between Xi and Wu, dispelling disasters, curing illnesses, resolving all difficulties, and opposing the envoys of the Ghost Dao. However, when Void Demise was in the Tianshu Realm, it could be seen and attacked by everyone. That must have been Void Demise's true form.

"There's something else I find strange." Chen Ling frowned slightly, recalling the scene of Void Demise vanishing instantly. "After I fought Void Demise, its body burrowed into the ground and disappeared in an instant... Do their consciousnesses possess this kind of ultra-long-distance displacement ability?"

"They do have displacement, but his disappearance wasn't due to that."

Sun Buming's expression became somewhat serious. He raised his hand and pointed to the ground beneath their feet. "If I'm not mistaken, we are currently standing directly above the Ghost Gate..."

At these words, both Chen Ling and Shen Nan froze.

"Are you saying the Ghost Dao Repository is beneath Wushan Town??"

"Many, many years ago, I ventured into the Ghost Dao Repository, but it's been too long. I can't recall the exact location, and with the passage of time, the topography has completely changed." Sun Buming paused for a moment. "However, the aura of the Ghost Gate is very peculiar... The malevolent energy here is so dense that it almost completely obscures the Gate's own aura. I almost didn't recognize it."

"So, the disaster in Wushan Town is related to the Ghost Dao Repository?" Shen Nan's brows furrowed.

"By rights, the Ghost Dao Repository is only responsible for the operation of the Ghost Dao and does not interfere with external affairs... But the malevolent energy here is truly uncanny. I can't determine its source."

The three fell into simultaneous thought.

"Perhaps the director of Bureau 749 knows something," Chen Ling suddenly said.

The other two looked at him. Chen Ling continued to explain, "Don't you find it strange? Why would Bureau 749 choose this particular location for the conference? A malevolent place of certain death, and also where the Ghost Gate of the Ghost Dao Repository is located... Isn't that too much of a coincidence?"

"Chen Ling is right. Instead of making blind guesses here, we should just ask him directly," Shen Nan nodded.

"Then I'll leave it to you!" Sun Buming said immediately.

Shen Nan: "?"

"I don't want to deal with that guy, and Chen Ling is a wanted criminal, so you're the most suitable one to go," Sun Buming said, shrugging helplessly.

"...Alright." Shen Nan glanced at the time. "The banquet should be starting soon. I'll see if he shows up tonight; if he does, I'll go talk to him."

"What banquet?" Chen Ling asked, puzzled.

"Each time there's a conference, Bureau 749 hosts a welcoming banquet. It's meant for everyone to socialize a bit before the formal meeting, so the atmosphere isn't too serious or stiff."

Hearing this, Chen Ling keenly picked up on something. "Will all the guests attend?"

"Mostly, yes. One has to give Bureau 749 their due respect. Why do you ask?"

Chen Ling pondered for a moment, his gaze slowly sweeping over the two of them. "Have you two heard of the Imperial Divine Path?"

"So this is Wushan..."

Su Zhiwei and Yang Xiao got out of the car one after another, their eyes full of curiosity as they looked at the hazy town enveloped in mist and vapor.

"I thought it would be more modern."

"It's a town in the mountains, after all, not a popular tourist destination. This is already quite good." Su Zhiwei looked at the towering hospital building in the distance. "At least the hospital looks decent..."

"Indeed, there have been significant changes over the years."

Lu Xun was the last to alight, his gaze slowly scanning the surroundings as if comparing the present scene with his memories. "The roads are wider, there are more tall buildings... I wonder if those people from back then are still here."

"Has Director Chen arrived?"

"A message just came through; Director Chen has already checked into Huixian Hotel."

"Huixian Hotel?" Lu Xun sounded surprised. "That hotel hasn't gone out of business yet? It seems older than I am."

Then, as if something occurred to him, Lu Xun nodded to himself: "Right... Wushan Town doesn't get many outside visitors, so they probably haven't built many proper hotels. Besides Huixian Hotel, there isn't really anywhere else to stay."

"So where are we staying tonight?"

"We can't stay at Huixian Hotel. Director Sun and his people will probably be there too, and if they see us, things will get troublesome."

"Then, Dr. Lu's house?"

"My house has been abandoned for too many years; it's probably not even there anymore..." Lu Xun thought for a moment. "I remember there's also a Lotus Hotel next to Huixian Hotel, run by one of my uncles. Although the conditions aren't as good as Huixian Hotel, it should be fine for a night or two."

"That works," Su Zhiwei nodded. "Being closer to Huixian Hotel will also make our movements more convenient."

The three of them, Lu Xun, didn't delay and walked straight towards Lotus Hotel. Led by Lu Xun, they quickly found the hotel's location. Though called a hotel, it was more like two dilapidated storefronts knocked together with a hotel sign hung outside. Its facade was worn out, looking worse than most guesthouses.

Lu Xun pushed the door open. Behind the dimly lit counter, a man in his fifties or sixties let out a slow yawn. Seeing the newcomers, he first looked surprised, then spoke hesitantly:

"...Xiao Xun?"