"What's your name, Three-Eyed?"
Mona Ouyang asked slowly, stood up, turned around, and carefully examined the three-eyed Blue Wraith, bursting into laughter.
"No need to feel inferior. I can tell you're quite powerful too. I suppose your ghostly essence has already manifested, hasn't it?"
Just as Mona Ouyang finished speaking, I stared at the three-eyed Blue Wraith in astonishment, even more certain now—he was the strongest among Mona Ouyang’s Hundred Ghosts, Dream Zero.
"Just call me Three-Eyed. And Dream, that's how I'll address you."
Mona Ouyang laughed heartily, then turned to glance at Ouyang Weng, whose expression was somewhat blank. Fear was evident on his face—he could sense that this ghost was distinctly different from the others.
"Well then, Ouyang Weng, you can choose for yourself—do you want to join the ghosts, or stay here?"
Without looking back, Mona Ouyang flew out. I saw Three-Eyed following with a broad grin, and I hurried after them.
The two ghosts stopped on a moonlit road in the outskirts.
"So, why are you following me? What do you want?"
Mona Ouyang asked, and Three-Eyed smiled, drifting closer.
"It's not just that fierce ghost named John Chou—there are a few others. In this Ghost Path, I sometimes hear about them. Like you, they're very special ghosts."
As Three-Eyed spoke, he walked up to Mona Ouyang, reaching out and pointing to his own forehead, where his third eye remained closed.
"This guy told me that there will soon be earth-shaking changes in this Ghost Path, and these changes are coming from you special ghosts. He made it clear—you're dangerous."
Mona Ouyang giggled, her slender hand gently touching her chin, her demeanor soft and alluring. Her bewitching eyes stared at Three-Eyed.
"So, do you want to fight?"
"Not at all. Tonight, I'm just here to observe. After all, I do hope that Ouyang Weng will join us, hehe."
With that, Three-Eyed turned into a ball of green light and drifted away into the distance, while Mona Ouyang floated up into the air.
"Let's take a look to the south, at that fierce ghost named John Chou."
As she spoke, I saw Mona Ouyang's figure gradually blur, turning somewhat translucent, with multicolored light radiating from her body.
"Forget it, there's plenty of time. Let's wait a little longer, Ouyang Weng."
For some reason, Mona Ouyang gave up on heading south and drifted toward the city.
I returned to the teahouse again. Ouyang Weng sat quietly on the platform, the room filled with the scent of alcohol. He was drinking alone, his face troubled.
Judging by Ouyang Weng's expression, he seemed torn about whether to go or not. Even without Mona Ouyang's urging, he knew what fate awaited him if he went to the ruined village—he'd be condemned to a life among ghosts.
"Alas, the world is as it is, so why not..." Ouyang Weng took a sip of wine, then stood up. The confusion in his eyes seemed to fade. He climbed the stairs to the bedroom, where his wife, still awake, watched him sorrowfully.
"Dear, you can't really be going, can you?"
"My mind is made up."
Ouyang Weng replied calmly, then lay down. His wife's sobbing followed, as she clutched her swollen belly and wept—she had lost the child.
I couldn't help but sigh.
Early the next morning, Ouyang Weng arranged his affairs. He told his wife to sell the teahouse and return to the countryside to raise their child. Then, alone, he rode west toward the city.
Along the way, I saw a look of relief on Ouyang Weng’s face. I couldn't understand why he wanted to go to that place and live among ghosts.
I quietly followed Ouyang Weng along a winding forest path, overgrown with weeds. Except for a rope tied to a road sign, it was impossible to tell this was even a trail.
It only takes half a day to reach the ruined village from here, but almost no one ever comes this way.
"Alas, when I arrive, my life will probably be over. Clearly, I still have lingering doubts."
As he spoke, Ouyang Weng stopped again, dismounted, and leaned against a thick tree trunk. He took out some food and began to eat.
"Ethan Zhang."
Suddenly, a voice sounded behind me. I jumped and turned around—it was Mona Ouyang, looking just as she did in this story.
"What are you...?"
"My Instinct, hehe. I never intended to let you witness this part of the story, Ethan Zhang. But let me tell you why Ouyang Weng, upon meeting ghosts, would want to join them."
I nodded, glanced at Ouyang Weng, then at Mona Ouyang, and smiled.
"He..." I paused, then spoke.
"He's your friend, isn't he?"
That was the only explanation I could think of. Mona Ouyang looked at me in silence for a long while, then finally nodded and turned away.
"At first, I was just looking for some fun. I noticed right away that there was a powerful Blue Wraith here, and back then I was no match for it. By chance, I wandered into the teahouse on the very day Ouyang Weng opened it."
In a nostalgic tone, Mona Ouyang told me that he had only gone to the teahouse out of boredom at first. But after his first visit, he was inexplicably moved by Ouyang Weng's passionate speeches.
For reasons unknown, Mona Ouyang started going there every few days, and eventually, nearly every day. Although Ouyang Weng couldn't see him, Mona Ouyang was always present.
"He was always someone who lacked excitement, ever since he was born."
"So, in some ways, he's a lot like you," I said with a smile. Mona Ouyang nodded.
"Just like me, he likes to daydream."
From Mona Ouyang's account, I learned that ever since Ouyang Weng was a child, he loved listening to others tell stories—especially strange ones. His family was fairly well-off, and his parents hoped he would earn honors.
To fulfill his parents' wishes, Ouyang Weng forced himself to study diligently every day. Yet, fate had other plans—after passing the local exam, his career stalled.
Many people felt sorry for Ouyang Weng. He was considered a top scholar in the village, but as fate would have it, by the time he turned thirty and his father passed away, he still hadn't earned any honors.
"Actually, that's not the case, Ethan Zhang. Every time Ouyang Weng sat for an exam, his answers were completely off topic—as if he was deliberately giving up. Deep down, that was his will. I once probed his memories."
In every exam, Ouyang Weng subconsciously gave up, which was why he always failed. According to Mona Ouyang, he preferred a free, unrestrained life. He had heard many stories about people and ghosts, and was always fascinated by ghosts—he envied their existence, ageless and unbound.
I glanced at Ouyang Weng again. Now, I seemed to understand why, after encountering ghosts, he wasn't afraid but instead wanted to approach them.
After eating his fill, Ouyang Weng continued on his way, the confusion in his eyes gone. But when he reached a lakeside, his horse refused to take another step.
The entire lake was black, its surface littered with debris. There was a broken bridge, completely corroded by the water, and around it were towering, twisted trees.
After dismounting, Ouyang Weng's horse ran off without looking back. Ouyang Weng muttered to himself.
"Is this really what I wanted?"
Then came a series of creaks. I saw the dead trees by the lake begin to float over, gradually forming a path across the water.
Without hesitation, Ouyang Weng stepped onto the path and gradually entered the ruined village ahead.
Upon entering the ruined village, Ouyang Weng remained composed. Facing the village, now completely overgrown with plants and greenery, he called out.
"Thank you for inviting me. I've come."
Suddenly, the air was filled with the howls and cries of ghosts. Then, I saw a ball of green light slowly emerge from the village—it was another Blue Wraith, with a dark face, short stature, and cunning eyes.
"Ah, Mr. Ouyang, welcome. I trust you're ready? We're hosting the Hundred Ghosts Banquet soon, so we hope you'll help liven up the festivities."
Ouyang Weng nodded and followed the Blue Wraith into the ruined village. Led to a vine-covered house, Ouyang Weng knew this was where the ghosts had arranged for him to stay, so he entered.
But as soon as Ouyang Weng stepped inside, the vines instantly sealed the doorway, leaving only a small gap.
"What is this...?"
"Now that you're here, there's no going back, Mr. Ouyang."
With those words, the Blue Wraith vanished. Ouyang Weng's expression grew uncertain—he seemed to realize he was now imprisoned.
Seeing this, I couldn't help but feel helpless about Ouyang Weng's situation. The world of ghosts may not be as free as he imagined.
"Alas, maybe true freedom doesn't exist in this world at all."
Ouyang Weng sighed, beginning to regret his decision. A deep sorrow spread across his face, the kind that comes from the heart and slowly etches itself there.