I let out a startled cry and looked at John Chou. At that moment, Judge Quinn walked over and, seeing my puzzled expression, smiled.
"I didn't encounter anyone who wanted Victor Wu's soul. They probably know it's in your hands. I was only trapped for a while before coming to the mortal realm."
I suddenly understood and looked gratefully at Violet Swallow. If it weren't for her, I would be in serious trouble now.
Judge Quinn came straight over and sat down in a chair in the small pavilion. John Chou watched him with a broad smile, and suddenly Judge Quinn burst out laughing.
"Back then, you stole the Ledger of Souls right under my nose. In the blink of an eye, it's been more than a thousand years."
John Chou laughed as well, and then Samantha Simons floated over, carrying tea, and gently placed it on the table.
"Master Ethan, you'd better go back to your room and take a look first."
I responded and floated up, heading toward the fourth floor. I arrived at the door of Room 410, quietly stood there, and reached out my hand. Everything started from here.
So much has happened along the way. I still remember that night, when I ran out of the room in panic, only to be mesmerized by John Chou, causing the flames on my shoulders to go out. Everything from three years ago is still vivid in my mind. I smiled, feeling that, aside from the schemes of certain troublemakers, it seemed destined that I would step into this world.
I pushed open the door with a creak. Nothing in the room had changed. I slowly walked over and sat down on the bed.
"You finally decided to come back, Ethan Zhang, you bastard."
A raspy, duck-like voice sounded. I looked in surprise at the Blood Jade on the nightstand, and beside it was the Specter Pearl—both gifts from Old Nine.
I picked up the Blood Jade and quietly stared at it.
"Well, well, long time no see, Ethan Zhang. So, you’ve turned into a ghost."
"So tell me, what exactly are you?"
I lay down on the bed, holding the Blood Jade, and it burst out laughing.
"To be honest with you, I’m a ghost."
I responded, releasing ghost threads to sense the Blood Jade. There was no aura on it at all; you couldn’t tell it was a ghost.
"Now you’ve finally grown a bit, Ethan Zhang. Do me a favor—if you manage to collect six Blood Jades like this one, I’ll tell you a world-shaking secret."
I set the Blood Jade aside. For a moment, I sensed a surge of evil energy—it was trying to use me for some self-destructive scheme.
"Not interested. I don’t want to know."
I replied decisively.
"You brat, Ethan Zhang, back in the ghost world—under Starvation Ridge, when the Blue Wraith in Starvation Woods was chasing you—I used all my strength to save you. How can you be so ungrateful?"
I shot the Blood Jade a disgruntled look. When it mentioned the secret, I felt an overwhelming sense of terror. Now that the Desire Ghost lives in my body, I can sense all kinds of auras, so I refused without hesitation.
"You helped me, and I’m grateful. But if you want to use me, Ethan Zhang, for some evil purpose, I won’t help you."
I said firmly.
"Come on, Ethan Zhang, think about it. This secret is about ghosts—no one has ever figured it out since ghosts first appeared. If you learn it, you’ll be invincible, not even the King of Hell could touch you."
I blinked and glanced at the Blood Jade, smiling.
"Damn it, you think I’m bluffing, Ethan Zhang? You just need to..."
"Enough. If you keep talking, I’ll snap you in half."
I said fiercely. Ever since I first held this thing, I realized it was truly evil—not just cold, but twisted. To put it bluntly, it’s crooked at its core. From the moment it joined me, it’s been trying to use me, unlike the others.
"Don’t be so heartless, Ethan Zhang. Just help me out—there’ll be huge benefits. Keep me with you."
Without another word, I got up and looked at it. Suddenly, I understood why John Chou wanted me to come back to my room—it was probably because this thing kept causing trouble while I was away.
I ignored the Blood Jade and headed out. As soon as I opened the door, I smelled food. Downstairs, everyone was busy as if preparing for a celebration.
I went down to help, carrying dishes from the kitchen and then sitting beside John Chou. He and Judge Quinn were joking and drinking together.
After a while, the food was served and the sound of toasts filled the air. Mr. Brown pulled Violet Swallow over and sat down. I found it strange—why did Violet Swallow call John Chou 'big brother' and Mr. Brown 'uncle'? As fierce ghosts, they should rank above John Chou, shouldn’t they?
"Ethan, you don’t know this, do you? Young Master, after dying, spent a hundred years as a Shade Ghost before becoming a Yellow Ghost."
I gasped and looked at John Chou in shock. For a hundred years, he hadn’t even reached the level of a fierce ghost—unbelievable.
"Mr. Brown, eat your food and stop talking so much."
I looked at John Chou. He smiled warmly at me, and then we started eating and drinking. I was in a good mood after such a long absence. Violet Swallow, however, said nothing, occasionally glancing at John Chou. Her melancholy was plain on her face, while he continued to ignore her.