**Chapter 43: The Yin-Yang Market — The Boundary Between Worlds** - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

**Chapter 43: The Yin-Yang Market — The Boundary Between Worlds** **[You explained your intentions, and Dou Qianli looked surprised. He sniffed the air with his sharp nose, then shut the shabby gray-smoke tavern's door behind him, squatting down on the snow-covered ground. Right after, he pulled out a pipe from seemingly nowhere, the tobacco inside igniting without a flame.]** **[He exhaled a long plume of smoke, and turned to you.]** "Do you know my origins?" **[You decided to flatter him.]** "Although I don't know your exact background, I'm certain you are of immortal lineage." **[Upon hearing the word 'immortal,' a glimmer of nostalgia flickered in Dou Qianli's small eyes. It seemed your flattery hit the mark unintentionally. Dou Qianli then extinguished the tobacco in his pipe.]** "Alright, I'll help you this time. Return home, and in a few days, your troubles will vanish completely!" **[Hearing this, you nodded eagerly, full of joy.]** "In the future, if Master Dou comes to dine at my restaurant, it will be on the house. I'll even personally concoct dishes you've never tasted before." "Haha, no need for that. Next time I'm there, just make some milk tea spring rolls and cheese buns." **[You've never heard of such foods but could deduce their preparation from their names.]** "Of course, Master Dou!" **[You left the gray-smoke tavern and began researching how to make milk tea spring rolls and cheese buns at your restaurant. Since you didn't know Dou Qianli's taste, you made three flavors of milk tea: salty, sweet, and sour. As for spring rolls, you prepared three fillings: red bean paste, chives, and fresh shrimp. Cheese buns followed the same flavor variations as the milk tea.]** **[The next day, you noticed that the beggars on the street had disappeared. Before they left, they even cleaned up the trash and snow from your front yard. You understood this was Dou Qianli's handiwork, and though uncertain of his methods, it was the perfect solution. That evening, Dou Qianli arrived at your restaurant. The staff, aware of this unusual guest, retreated to their rooms. You hastily presented the milk tea spring rolls and cheese buns you prepared.]** "Master Dou, I'm unfamiliar with these dishes, so I made several variations." **[After tasting them, Dou Qianli couldn't help but praise.]** "Your culinary skill is indeed extraordinary. I grew up in the Qing Dynasty, used to savory snacks. Yet, tasting your sweet and sour flavors, I've realized they can be so delightful." **[After the compliments, Dou Qianli handed you a ghostly white invitation card.]** "I have a use for your skills. This is an invitation to the Yin-Yang Market. Bring it and follow me." **[Now, it's up to your choice...]** - **Option One**: Take the invitation and follow Dou Qianli to the Yin-Yang Market. - **Option Two**: Refuse Dou Qianli's request, explaining that you must accompany your wife. - **Option Three**: Agree to his request, but inform him you need to notify your wife. **[Contemplating the options, Su Mo rubbed his temples. The Yin-Yang Market... Could it be a unique space formed by the roots of an ancient spirit tree that straddles both worlds? Imminent with countless demons and spirits, it's the cost of seeking help from a creature like Dou Qianli. In this case, rejecting is hardly an option. Understanding this, Su Mo leaned towards opting for the third choice to avoid worrying his wife, Guo Lin.]** **[You inquired Dou Qianli about the duration of the visit.]** "Master Dou, how long do we expect to be there? If it takes too long, I'd like to inform my wife." **[Dou Qianli dismissed your request.]** "Just two or three hours, follow me. We'll return soon enough." **[With that, Dou Qianli grabbed your shoulder, and you involuntarily grasped the white invitation, vanishing in an instant. Uncertain how much time passed, you suddenly felt as if you were traversing through sand, each grain causing discomfort. Once everything returned to normal, you found yourself at the entrance of the fabled Yin-Yang Market.]** ... **[At this moment, Su Mo gazed upon the scene of the Yin-Yang Market. Instead of a dark sky, it was a peculiar orange, like twilight intermingled with clouds tinged by the setting sun. Underfoot lay a cobblestone road winding into the distance. Squinting ahead, a grand city loomed at the road's end. From the skies, countless tree roots dangled over the city, each adorned with a human-skin lantern providing light to the market.]** **[The sight of this strange market moved Su Mo. To the unaccustomed, its eeriness would certainly induce terror. In the simulation, Su Mo followed Dou Qianli further into the market.]** ... **[Walking with Dou Qianli through the market, you feel discomfort in your ears. A few yellowed earth particles fall from them, which Dou Qianli embarrassingly explains.]** "Apologies, young Su Mo. My Earthwalking skill isn't perfected with passengers yet. But no worries, these are underworld soil. Once we return and you eat mortal food again, they'll dissipate as Qi." **[Relieved by Dou Qianli's explanation, you come to understand the painful sensation earlier was due to his unrefined technique. About half an hour passed on this journey to the market, and you couldn't help but feel it didn't align with Dou Qianli's promised timeframe. Perceiving your thoughts, he explained the market's slowed temporal flow — a day here is but an hour there.]** **[Alarmed by this, realizing you might spend three days here instead of three hours, you conceal any visible worry. There was no point expressing it now that you were here.]** **[Following Dou Qianli, you noticed various shops and stalls lining the road. A white-clad fox demon sat by a display of pine ink blocks, immediately capturing your attention. Recognizing your interest, the fox demon picked up a pine ink piece and started its sales pitch.]** "Authentic Skin-Paint Ink, made from smoke of pine at female ghost graves, mixed with black donkey hoof glue. Dot a tear mole to attract love, line the eyes to see spirits. With tear of longing, it can transform your appearance for three days. Interested, silk-clad sir?" "Me?" **[You were taken aback, realizing the fox demon was addressing you. It turned to Dou Qianli next.]** "And you, Master Mouse? Imagine transforming into a beauty or a strongman at will! Spruce up that mouse mustache, and you'll outshine the famed Guan Yu!" "No, no need!" **[Dou Qianli was evidently unhappy about comments on his appearance. Firmly rejecting the offer, he motioned to continue their path. The dejected fox demon shrugged off the rejection, waiting patiently for the next potential customer as you and Dou Qianli moved on. Along the road, more voices hawked their bizarre wares.]** "Life Borrowing Charms! Borrow years from offspring, spouse, parents, even the ancestral graves..." "Mend your karma! Repair broken fates, cut ties with vengeful spirits…" "Hanging from the old locust tree on Ma Zhai Slope is the bellyband of the hanged Yang Guifei. Bury it in your ancestral grave, and it guarantees three generations of noble concubines!" ... [Thank you to Brother Ximen Qing for the generous reward of 500 coins. Brothers, just keeping up with the daily readings is the greatest support for me! There’s another chapter coming up soon!] (End of Chapter)