
Complete English Guide to Nine Mortal Ways Base
Comprehensive walkthrough of the hidden Nine Mortal Ways Base in Kaifeng Ghost Market. Updated as of January 2026 — Version 1.2.0+
📍Location & Entry Method
Basic Information
⚠️ Important Note
The entrance is only visible after completing the "Whispers of the Market" main questline. If Rat does not appear, revisit the Ghost Market's eastern stalls and speak to the "Old Bookkeeper" to trigger the event.
Entry Sequence
- 1
Approach Rat and select "Follow me" from dialogue options.
- 2
He will lead you to a hidden trapdoor beneath a pile of discarded crates.
- 3
Descend the rusted iron ladder — the air grows damp, and the scent of incense and damp stone fills the tunnel.
- 4
Pass through the Rusted Iron Gate (requires no key; auto-unlocks upon entry).
- 5
The path opens into Hanging River Ruins — the core zone of Nine Mortal Ways Base.
🗺️Core Zone: Hanging River Ruins
A subterranean labyrinth blending forgotten alleyways, collapsed market stalls, and ancient ritual platforms. The ceiling drips with mineral-rich water, and glowing moss clings to crumbling brickwork.
Key Features
- 💡
Floating Lanterns
Emit soft blue light; some conceal hidden paths when touched.
- 📜
Nine Mortal Scrolls
12 total — scattered across platforms, behind broken shelves, and inside hollowed-out statues.
- 📦
Hidden Chests
8 total — require solving environmental puzzles (e.g., aligning lantern shadows, stepping on pressure plates in sequence).
NPCs
Rat
Remains here as a quest-giver.
Madame Li
Sells rare herbs and alchemical reagents.
The Storyteller
Whispers fragmented lore about the Nine Mortal Ways' origins.
📜Nine Mortal Ways Base Quests
All quests are part of the "Nine Mortal Ways" side series, unlocked after entering Hanging River Ruins. All quests auto-complete upon collection. No combat required. Dialogue choices have no impact on outcomes.
| Quest Name | Trigger | Objective | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whispers Beneath the Market | Speak to Rat after entry | Collect 3 Nine Mortal Scrolls from the lower tunnels | 1,200 Gold, Rat's Key (unlocks secret chest) |
| Echoes of the Forgotten Guild | Collect 5 Scrolls | Find the broken ledger in the collapsed tea house | Scroll of the Tinkerer (unlocks crafting recipe) |
| The Silent Bargain | Speak to Madame Li | Deliver 3 Dried Nightbloom to her altar | Mystic Elixir (restores 50% Qi over 10s) |
| The Storyteller's Last Tale | Collect all 12 Scrolls | Listen to the full narrative from The Storyteller | Nine Mortal Ways Badge (unlocks exclusive cosmetic: "Shadowed Robe") |
📦Collectibles: Nine Mortal Scrolls & Hidden Chests
Nine Mortal Scrolls are ancient manuscripts detailing the philosophies of the Nine Mortal Schools (e.g., Thieves, Alchemists, Gamblers). Each scroll is labeled in classical Chinese script, but the in-game journal translates them into English.
Hidden Chest Locations
Behind the Broken Bell
In the central courtyard, climb the collapsed pillar to reach a ledge.
Under the Dripping Lantern
Stand on the third tile of the mosaic floor during a rain event (triggered by waiting 3 in-game hours).
Inside the Hollow Statue of the Laughing Monk
Located near the eastern exit; use Rat's Key to open.
On the Floating Platform
Requires activating three lanterns in sequence (order: red → blue → green).
Chest Contents
Chests contain: 200–500 Gold, Mystic Ink, Rusted Dagger, or Scroll Fragment (used in crafting).
🗣️NPC Dialogue: Rat (Key Excerpts)
Initial Greeting
"You smell like trouble. Or maybe just cheap wine. Either way… you're here. Follow."
After Collecting 3 Scrolls
"The old ones didn't trust ink. They carved their truths in stone… and then buried it. You're digging where you shouldn't. But… you're doing it right."
After Completing All Quests
"They said the Ways would die with the last of us. Guess they forgot… the rats always remember."
— He drops a small leather pouch. Inside: a single silver coin with a rat's face engraved.
No other dialogue options are available. Rat does not respond to combat, theft, or repeated interaction.
🔧Version & Compatibility Note
Version Information
Platform Support
✓ No Known Bugs
No known bugs affecting entry, quest progression, or collectible spawns.
⚠️Important Notes
- •No official developer blog or patch notes detail this area beyond its inclusion in the "Kaifeng Expansion." All information is player-verified.
- •This guide is based on community research and testing as of January 2026.
- •Game mechanics and locations may change with future updates.
Guide created by the Where Winds Meet community • Updated January 28, 2026
Complete English Guide to Nine Mortal Ways Base in Where Winds Meet
Comprehensive walkthrough of the hidden Nine Mortal Ways Base in Kaifeng Ghost Market. Includes location, entry method, quests, collectibles, NPC dialogues, and hidden chests. Updated for version 1.2.0+.
Location and Entry
The Nine Mortal Ways Base is located in Kaifeng Ghost Market. Access is granted through Rat, a hooded NPC at the far end of the main alley. The entrance is only visible after completing the "Whispers of the Market" questline.
Hanging River Ruins
The core zone features floating lanterns, 12 Nine Mortal Scrolls, and 8 hidden chests. NPCs include Rat (quest-giver), Madame Li (merchant), and The Storyteller (lore provider).
Quests and Rewards
Four main quests are available: Whispers Beneath the Market, Echoes of the Forgotten Guild, The Silent Bargain, and The Storyteller's Last Tale. Rewards include gold, unique items, and the exclusive "Shadowed Robe" cosmetic.
Collectibles Guide
Hidden chests require solving environmental puzzles such as aligning lantern shadows and activating pressure plates. Chests contain 200-500 Gold, Mystic Ink, Rusted Dagger, or Scroll Fragments.
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