My whole body was overcome by an unusual restlessness. I kept swallowing, drool spilling from the corners of my mouth. Clutching my head, I had no idea what was happening—I couldn't resist the strange, intoxicating aroma.
Maurice Tong's eyes went wide, fury contorting his face as he glared at me—a chill ran down my spine.
"You don't know a damn thing, kid. Get lost. This is none of your business. Meddle in this, and I'll wipe you out myself."
With that, Maurice Tong stormed off, leaving me confused. I wandered to the Wishing Tree and called out. Soon, Elder Quinn came out and invited me inside.
"This is bad—Maurice Tong, that old bastard, is coming."
"So you've been hanging around the dry well on the west side these past few days. No wonder you're soaked in Yin energy. Trust me, you don't want any part of this. Cynthia Chung wasn't sealed away by Maurice Tong—a real heavy hitter did that. Maurice just stands guard. That woman is vicious—she's killed plenty, people and ghosts both. She deserves whatever she gets. Just let her rot down there."
Elder Quinn didn't look like he was lying, but I was lost. I had nothing left to do, no way to get home, and it was weird—I didn't even know what I was anymore, or where I belonged.
Elder Quinn and I hid behind a grave mound. Elder Quinn, trembling, watched the distant Ghost Market, where most of the ghosts had already fled. Only some stall owners remained. Suddenly, Elder Quinn drew a Peachwood Blade, muttered an incantation, and with two swift motions, scattered Spirit Charms. Each charm landed precisely on a ghost.
Suddenly, a furious roar echoed outside—it was Maurice Tong, his voice like thunder. Elder Quinn shot me a warning look and rose, his face grim.
"Filthy Taoist, what gives you the right? We're just running a stall, trying to survive. You..."
"What are you talking about, Maurice Tong? I haven't caused any trouble, and...
Elder Quinn hadn't finished before Maurice Tong cut him off.
"None of your business, Quinn. I've been asking other ghosts along the way—they said that dispirited little ghost came to you. Where is he?"
"Heh, Maurice Tong, don't think I'm afraid of you. Just because you know a few tricks doesn't mean you can throw your weight around."
I couldn't sit still any longer and walked straight out. Elder Quinn stared at me in surprise.
"Why'd you come out?"
"So what happened, Taoist?"
Maurice Tong's face was furious, but when he heard me call him 'Taoist,' he was caught off guard. His anger eased for a moment.
"Cynthia Chung escaped. What exactly did you do?" Maurice Tong's voice was like a blade, cutting through the room.
I swallowed hard.
I just gave her a piece of flesh to eat.
Maurice Tong's face changed instantly, and he turned and ran off.
Elder Quinn stared at me in terror, as if he'd seen a ghost himself.
"Ethan, you've really stirred up trouble. If that ghost woman gets loose, this whole city will be in chaos."
I stared coldly at Maurice Tong.
"Why tell me all this?"
"You seem a bit different, heh."
With that, Maurice Tong turned and left. I hurried after him, but in a flash, a Peachwood Blade was pointed at my nose.
"Don't come any closer. As a Taoist, I draw a clear line between people and ghosts. If you want to chat, go find someone else."
Maurice Tong left. I had wanted to ask about the ghost woman in the well, but he clearly wasn't interested in talking further.
It was nearly dawn. I returned to the well, staring blankly. For some reason, I couldn't let go of my worry. Seeing the ghost woman, I felt pity—I didn't want to think about anything else. I was just a dispirited soul now, maybe powerless, but I couldn't stand by and do nothing.
Back in the waterway, I saw the ghost woman with her head bowed, hair covering her face. I crawled over slowly. Suddenly, I heard her breathing. She looked up—her hair fell away, her face deathly pale, the left side bluish, mouth slightly open, throat moving.
"Miss, you..."
"So hungry... I'm starving."
A sound as soft as a bee's buzz came from her mouth. I took out the slice of flesh and handed it over.
With a sudden cry, the ghost woman lunged, biting like a wild beast. Her face twisted with ferocity as she swallowed the flesh whole, chewing noisily. After a while, she gulped it down, juice dribbling from her lips. I swallowed, drool running from my mouth.
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The ghost woman's fierce expression softened. She smiled—a surprisingly beautiful ghost, with an air of elegance in her features.
"Thank you, little brother. What's your name?"
"My name is Ethan Zhang."
"Zhong Xin."
The ghost woman spoke. I nodded and sat down beside her.
"Miss Zhong, how long have you been trapped here?"
"Thirteen years."
I stared at her in surprise. After so long, she should've become a starved ghost by now.
"I've killed and eaten plenty of people—that's how I've lasted this long."
I sighed. The ghost woman shifted; the ropes binding her were still tight, especially the wooden stakes fixed in the ground.
"Have you gotten your revenge?"
I asked. The ghost woman nodded.
"Yes, I've had my revenge. But I still can't get out. Ethan, can you help me?"
I shook my head.
"If you want out, ask someone else."
I closed my eyes as I spoke. Cynthia Chung fell silent.
Daytime—the hardest hours. I lay with my eyes open, watching sunlight at the bottom of the well.
"Ethan, I don't mean for you to let me out. You can't do that anyway. I just want you to ask Maurice Tong—see if he'll take my bones and bury them somewhere, anywhere. I won't hurt anyone anymore. I just want out."
I thought it over carefully, then nodded. As for why Cynthia Chung killed, I decided not to ask.
When night came, I quickly climbed out of the well.
"Can we talk?"
On the street, I soon found Maurice Tong drinking at his stall. He glanced at me sideways. I returned to a dark alley, watching Maurice Tong across the way—he ignored me completely. Finally, when he packed up, I followed him.
"I just told you last night."
Miss Chung hopes you'll take her bones and bury them somewhere—anywhere. No matter what happened, over ten years...
Maurice Tong's eyes widened in an instant, anger flashing across his face as he glared at me.
"You clueless little ghost, get lost. This has nothing to do with you. If you meddle, this Taoist will destroy you."
With those words, Maurice Tong left. I was baffled. I went to the Wishing Tree and called out. Soon, Elder Quinn appeared and invited me inside.
I explained everything to Elder Quinn, who looked at me in surprise.
"So you've been at the dry well in the west of town these past days. No wonder you're so full of Yin energy. Best not get involved. Cynthia Chung wasn't sealed by Maurice Tong—a real expert did that. Maurice just guards the place. That woman is ruthless—killed plenty, human and ghost alike. She deserves it. Just let her rot down there."
Elder Quinn didn't seem to be lying, but I had nothing else to do. I had no idea how to get back, and it was strange—I didn't even know what I was now, or where I was.
"Get out here!"
Suddenly, I heard an angry roar outside—it was Maurice Tong. Elder Quinn rose with a scowl, nodded at me, and motioned for me to stay inside.
"Where's that little ghost? Where did he go?"