Early the next morning, after breakfast, many trainees from the Ghost Burial Squad gathered at a large training ground. Miles Mao and Howard Lee were holding cinnabar and calligraphy brushes, drawing some kind of formation.
I watched for a while and saw that the formation was very simple—just a red Eight Trigrams Formation roughly half a meter across. It was completed quickly.
"In a few days, we'll begin our practical training. Everyone, pay close attention. This Eight Trigrams Formation may be simple, but it has some power to repel ghosts. Ordinary Whitecoat Wraiths or Grayshade Wraiths will definitely avoid it, but stronger ghosts like Shade Ghosts and those beyond—Black Shadows and Vengeful Ghosts—won't be afraid. Make sure you distinguish the types of ghosts carefully."
Howard Lee raised his voice and shouted. Then I saw Miles Mao continue drawing between the two Eight Trigrams Formations, gradually connecting them into a Tai Chi pattern.
Howard Lee immediately began to explain.
"Two Eight Trigrams combined with a Tai Chi pattern form the Two-Form Eight Trigrams Formation. The drawing is simple. As long as there are four people inside the formation, it can repel vengeful ghosts. Except for some particularly ferocious ones, ordinary vengeful ghosts can't get close."
"Ethan, try to keep your power at the lowest level and charge in to test it."
As Howard Lee spoke, I responded with an 'okay'. The trainees around me began to chatter. Lily Qian covered her mouth and laughed. I finally understood—I was like a monkey, and everyone else was just here to watch the show.
"Alright, Ethan, give it a try."
Rachel Lan spoke from the side. I smiled helplessly, began to release a bit of Deathbane Aura, and transformed myself into a ghost. Then, I suppressed my aura as much as possible and relaxed my mind. At this moment, Howard Lee, Miles Mao, Leo Li, and Rachel Lan each stood at a corner of the formation.
“Come on, Ethan!” Rachel Lan called. With a snap, I transformed into a cloud of black mist. Cries of surprise rose around me as I charged toward the formation.
In a flash, the formation glowed yellow, forming a wall of light that stopped me cold. I was bounced out of the mist and landed hard on the ground.
“Did everyone see that? Now you understand why we use four-person squads. This is the most basic formation—if you can draw it, it still has power. Next, let me show you Taoist Talismans. With a bit of training, you can use the Firebinding Spell and the Restraint Talisman, and with the Spirit Lure Orb, they become effective.”
Howard Lee kept explaining. For the rest of the time, I used my weakest power to help them test again and again. Many trainees watched, excited. We didn't finish until 6 p.m. I felt exhausted, but happy.
“Ethan, are you alright?” Rachel Lan supported me. I shook my head.
“I'm fine, Rachel. By the way, what did you and those two girls talk about?” I noticed Claire Zhang's expression was softer today, and my antics as a test subject had made her laugh.
“Nothing much, Ethan. Just some women's secrets. Want to hear?”
I shook my head quickly. Rachel Lan and I were waiting for Lan Yin to return. Today, Lan Yin went out to find the hospital where Claire Zhang’s father was born—she decided to see her father one last time.
Finally, after 9 p.m., Lan Yin came back reeking of alcohol, looking very happy. We learned the hospital was South City Third Hospital, not far from here—just four or five kilometers from my apartment.
We decided to get up at 4 a.m. the next morning, to arrive before 7. Lan Yin told us that, in the minute or two before a child is born, you can see the ghost about to reincarnate. But by then, they've already drunk Lady Meng’s Elixir—you can only see their appearance.
At 10 p.m., Rachel Lan and I returned to Miles Mao’s dorm to sleep. Miles went out to play mahjong all night and told me he wouldn’t be back.
At 3:40 a.m., my alarm went off and I tumbled out of bed. I washed quickly and went outside—the moon was still high in the sky.
I heard the sound of mahjong from the cafeteria. Many members of the Ghost Burial Squad were still playing. I couldn’t help but smile.
I waited in the parking lot for Rachel Lan and the others. I found Hu Tianshuo’s car—he told us to use it. I opened the door and waited. At 4 a.m., I saw three figures approaching.
“Hurry up, Xiao Ling, or we’ll be late.”
“My stomach hurts.”
After some small talk, I started the car. Huang Jun was already at the gate, opening it, looking half asleep.
“What’s wrong, Huang Jun? Didn’t you play mahjong tonight?”
“Play my ass! Those slick guys saw I was honest and made me guard the gate and patrol. Damn it, it’s been half a month already. Those little bastards.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Huang Jun put on his coat, grabbed a flashlight, and went off to patrol.
We started the car. I stepped on the gas—the road to the city was straight, no big turns.
Rachel Lan sat beside me, yawning.
“Rachel, sleep a bit if you’re tired.” She shook her head, opened the window, and a cold wind blew in.
At 6:50, we arrived at South City Third Hospital, Building 3, 2nd floor, maternity ward, room 2017. Lan Yin had given us the details. We rushed up together.
(System message—skip translation)
Sure enough, outside room 2017, I saw a well-dressed, energetic but anxious man, with a kind face. I walked over.
“Hey, man, how’s it going?”
The man looked at me in confusion at first. I pointed to Rachel Lan, saying I was here to accompany my wife for a check-up. The man got excited and replied,
“She started having contractions last night. The nurses and doctors are all inside now.”
The man looked anxious as the time neared 7 a.m.—five minutes until delivery. He kept checking his watch.
Claire Zhang stared anxiously at everything around her. Lily Qian kept comforting her. Just then, we all saw a wisp of white mist suddenly appear outside the delivery room, gradually condensing into a pale human shape. We looked—it was Boss Zhang.
“Dad...”
Claire Zhang called out instantly, but Boss Zhang had nothing left—no awareness, no feelings, no memories. He’d already drunk Lady Meng’s Elixir, waiting mechanically for reincarnation.
Claire Zhang stepped forward, reaching out to touch Boss Zhang, but couldn't. Tears streamed down her face. Rachel Lan walked over and stroked her head.
“Dad, I’m sorry. I didn’t listen to you. I’m sorry...”
Claire Zhang sobbed. Suddenly, Boss Zhang’s ghost slipped into the delivery room. A baby's crying rang out. The man rushed to the door in joy as a nurse came out, holding a baby.
“Congratulations, Mr. Zhou. It’s a boy. He has a birthmark on the back of his head.”
I looked. Sure enough, Boss Zhang had a large birthmark on the back of his head, stretching down to his chin—very obvious.
“Oh no.”
I muttered. When Boss Zhang reincarnated, Lady Meng struck him with her cane, leaving the mark.
Mr. Zhou happily took the baby, grinning.
“Thank you, honey. Our child is born. That birthmark—it’s nothing.”
Seeing his excitement, Claire Zhang’s tears flowed even more.
“Don’t worry. Your father has at least reincarnated into a good family. You should be happy for him.”
Claire Zhang nodded, sobbing. I looked at the newborn—the mouth moved, the little feet kicked, each movement full of strength.
“So this is new life? Boss Zhang, rest easy. I’ll take care of your daughter.”
As I spoke, the newborn suddenly opened his eyes, as if asking for help, looking at me. I blinked—maybe I imagined it. The nurse took the baby inside to feed him.
“Congratulations, Mr. Zhou.”
I walked over and offered congratulations. Then we all left. Claire Zhang had stopped crying. The grief on her face, which had seemed impossible to dispel, was now fading with the birth of the child.
I thought carefully about everything I’d just seen. Was it an illusion? That newborn really looked at me with pleading eyes.
“What’s wrong, Ethan?” Rachel Lan asked. I shook my head, smiled, and we left the hospital. Morning sunlight had arrived, golden-red light flooding the sky.
“Let’s go get some breakfast, then head back.”
I stretched comfortably. We left the hospital, planning to eat nearby and then return to the Ghost Burial Squad.