No matter what I said, the Bing App had already conjured up a set of Mahjong tiles and started to explain the rules one by one. The five of them listened intently, like elementary school students, completely absorbed. The rules of Mahjong seemed even more interesting than Dou Dizhu.
At this moment, the Desire Ghost joined the Mahjong lesson. I squatted nearby, blinking, watching them.
"Hey, shouldn’t you start teaching me how to handle firearms now?"
I asked, and at that moment, the Bing App’s mechanical voice rang out.
"You need to fully construct a gun before moving to the next stage. So, go somewhere farther away where you can’t hear the Mahjong tiles and begin."
I sighed and headed toward the area with the Ghoul Idols. Before I even got there, I could already hear the clacking sound of Mahjong tiles.
Reaching the border between the pile of Ghoul Idols and the forest, I sat down quietly. I could only try to construct a relatively simple revolver—its design was straightforward. I began using Deathbane Aura to form the parts.
Now, as long as my Deathbane Aura takes physical form, it won’t dissipate even after leaving my body.
By the time it was mealtime, I looked down at the ground to see piles of black, oddly shaped stones. These weren’t gun parts at all—just a bunch of misshapen objects. I decided to go eat.
As soon as I got a little closer, I heard the sound of Mahjong again. They had set up two tables and were playing energetically.
"Won! Haha, pay up, pay up!"
Yin Ghost laughed loudly, stretching out her hand. They seemed to have mastered the rules already, playing three-person single-wind Mahjong—no wonder there were two tables.
Looking at them, their serious expressions made it seem as if they were engaged in something of utmost importance, a life-and-death duel. Spirit Snake, however, was completely at ease, grinning slyly.
"As expected, that guy’s calculation skills are impressive. He never discards a tile wrong—not even once."
I swallowed, realizing my shadow was talking about Spirit Snake.
I didn’t dwell on it and decided to have a big meal. At the dining area, I prepared some food and wine, eating slowly. Now, whether my eyes were open or closed, my mind was stuffed with gun knowledge—it was overwhelming.
After eating, I decided to consult Spirit Snake. He should have a sharp mind.
Once I was full, I slowly walked over to Spirit Snake’s table. His opponents were Yin Ghost and Desire Ghost. He either won by self-drawing or forced the other two to discard the winning tile.
"What, you won again just like that? Damn..."
Suddenly, Yin Ghost flipped the table. She glared angrily at Spirit Snake, while Desire Ghost, though her face was hidden, had eyes full of sadness and helplessness.
"I'm done playing. I can't win a single round—how am I supposed to keep going? My fragile heart can't take this kind of torture."
"Hey, do you have any way to help me actually learn how to make gun parts?" I asked Spirit Snake, who stretched lazily.
"You two are just too bad at this. Let's switch up later—I'll play with Zhu Tang and Resentful Ghost at one table, and you two can join Tong Ghost at the other."
Yin Ghost and Desire Ghost finally smiled and nodded. Then Spirit Snake walked over and followed me to the Ghoul Idols, asking questions.
"Tell me more about the gun you want to make. What exactly do you need to achieve at this stage?"
"I just want to be able to manufacture gun parts and then assemble them into a finished weapon."
Spirit Snake nodded, looked me over, and told me to try making a part first. The only thing I could manage that looked remotely like a real part was the barrel. Using Deathbane Aura, I constructed a fairly straight, but pitted and black barrel. Spirit Snake took it, examined it, and smiled.
"Some things can't be figured out just by thinking—you need something tangible for reference. It's the same with Mahjong: only by looking at the tiles and trying repeatedly do you learn the method. Make a mold for each part and then manufacture them one by one. Once you have the framework, you won’t have trouble assembling the whole thing."
I let out a surprised sound, suddenly feeling enlightened. I nodded quickly—if I had a set of gun molds and condensed Deathbane Aura according to each, I could manufacture the parts one by one and finally assemble a usable handgun.
"Alright, I'm heading back to play Mahjong. Zhu Tang is pretty sharp, and Resentful Ghost has improved a lot these past few days. It should be even more interesting."
Spirit Snake left, and I fell silent. My excitement faded as I realized—this is the Forest of Desire. Where am I supposed to get gun molds here? I thought of my phone, the Bing App.
I hurriedly took out the Bing App, and a flash of green light appeared, followed by a series of beeps.
"Currently, there’s no way to obtain molds directly from the database."
"Didn’t you already create Dou Dizhu cards and Mahjong tiles?"
I retorted, but the beeping continued, and the mechanical prompt sounded again.
"Those two are simple—I can use materials here to make them. But gun molds are too complex. However, that little girl might have a way."
As the Bing App spoke, I immediately thought of Desire Ghost. Of course—this is the Forest of Desire.
I rushed to the table. At that moment, Yin Ghost, Desire Ghost, and Tong Ghost were all playing Mahjong, faces flushed and necks bulging, refusing to yield. Their skills were truly terrible—they never considered their moves, only focusing on self-drawing and winning hands.
"Little sister, could you help me with something if you’re able?"
I asked. Desire Ghost stared blankly at me for a moment, then turned her attention back to the Mahjong tiles.
"Go ahead, hurry up."
I began to explain, wanting to use my own desire to create tangible, usable molds.
"There is a way, but it’s such a hassle. It’s so far over there, and I’m too lazy to go. I’ve been here for over a hundred years—you want me to go all that way?"
No matter how much I pleaded, Desire Ghost just ignored me, completely absorbed in Mahjong.
"Her mind is still just that of a child. Children love new and exciting things, don’t they?"
My shadow reminded me from the side. Suddenly, I remembered something.
"Right! If you help me, once we get out, I’ll take you to an amusement park. What do you say? There’ll be arcade games, pretty clothes, toys—way more fun than anything here. Deal?"
Desire Ghost looked up, her big golden eyes glancing at me.
"You said it! Let’s go."
I immediately floated up. Desire Ghost flew toward the Ghoul Idols, and I followed. When we reached them, she stopped.
"You have to follow me, okay? It takes a month to fly there—such a hassle, sigh."
"Alright, fun things are waiting for you! Hurry and take me there, then come back soon. On the way, I’ll teach you some Mahjong tricks, how about it?"
Desire Ghost smiled joyfully and quickly flew off. I immediately spread my wings and followed.
In the days that followed, I could only stay for short periods, waiting for my Deathbane Aura to recover. After all, all five of my ghost souls were playing Mahjong, and my perception of them was growing weaker.
I could only move intermittently, explaining some Mahjong techniques to Desire Ghost. Although I’m not much of a player, I’ve played more than they have—my cousin taught me. But once, playing Mahjong with my cousin and others, I lost a month’s salary and owed over ten thousand yuan. Since then, I never played again.
"So that’s how it is, hehe. When I get back, I’ll definitely beat them all—I get it now."
"You’d better practice a few more rounds when you get back."
It’s been many days, and we’re still in this pile of Ghoul Idols. There are so many—the number seems endless.
"By the way, what are these things?"
"Oh, they’re the physical manifestations of human and ghost desires. Some are people who entered here—anyway, that’s how it is."
"What about you?"
I asked again. Desire Ghost looked sad, her voice trembling.
"I don’t know. I’ve been here ever since I became aware. In this place, I can move freely and can create and manipulate desires at will. Anyway, let’s hurry—I really want to get back to playing Mahjong."
Gradually, I noticed the number of Ghoul Idols was thinning. I remembered clearly—we’d been walking for 23 days, faster than expected. Desire Ghost spoke.
"Look, that white lake is the Lake of Desire. Anything you want can be reflected on its surface and then condensed into a physical manifestation of desire. If you’re capable, you can take it away."
I nodded. Gradually, we got closer. Desire Ghost waved at me.
"Here we are. Figure it out yourself—I’m heading back to play Mahjong."
I let out a sound of surprise. Desire Ghost had already flown off, quickly heading in the opposite direction and vanishing in a flash.
I started approaching the Lake of Desire. Suddenly, I fell from the air, landing on all fours, completely pressed to the ground. I swallowed, staring blankly at the Lake of Desire before me—clean and clear. The desire here was tens of thousands of times stronger than in the Forest of Desire. I couldn’t move, crushed by desire. I looked at everything in amazement as bubbles rose in the lake.