June Wu woke up on Master Zachary Wu's back. There was no one else around, but seeing the old man carrying her home with such a stern expression, she felt an intense chill.
"Grandpa, why did you stop?"
Everything around June Wu filled her with fear. So many ghosts had gathered that in an instant, dark clouds covered the sky above, blotting out the moonlight.
"It's alright, little one. I'm just tired. Rest a bit and you can go back to sleep."
The situation was dire. Master Zachary Wu was carrying June Wu on his back, and he still had to deal with so many ghosts.
"Old man, today we'll..."
"Enough. All of you, stop."
As Tony Tang's voice rang out, all the ghosts turned to look. A deep green light shot over from afar, landing instantly in front of Master Zachary Wu. For a brief moment, June Wu's eyes widened—she was surprised to see Tony Tang smiling at her, as if, because she was on Master Zachary Wu's back, she had caught a fleeting glimpse of him through some lingering power.
"Mountain God..."
Master Zachary Wu looked at Tony Tang in surprise, but Tony Tang quickly approached, gently tapped June Wu on the forehead, and she fell into a deep sleep.
"Long time no see, Master Zachary Wu. I can't believe you're still alive."
As soon as Tony Tang spoke, the surrounding fierce ghosts became anxious. With a wave of his hand, Tony Tang dispersed them. Having glimpsed June Wu's memories, he already knew what had happened, but he did not blame the Blue Wraiths who had tried to devour her.
Moonlight shone down once more. Master Zachary Wu stood helplessly by the bridge, June Wu on his back, while Tony Tang floated in the air, grinning at him. The two seemed to have known each other for ages.
"Tony, I never expected to find you here. After all these years, it's rare to meet an old friend."
"You really are just like your master. He used to wander all over the world as well. Master Zachary Wu, it's been centuries since we last met."
Master Zachary Wu smiled and shook his head.
"When my master was alive, he often took us to visit your Hall of Bloodbane. But in the end, you are ghosts, and we are human."
Tony Tang nodded, then glanced at June Wu.
"This little girl is quite interesting."
"Tony, when I came here, I sensed the strongest yin energy gathered in this area. But I haven't seen any ghosts harming people. Thank you."
Tony Tang smiled and shook his head.
"The years of conflict are long behind us. I doubt any of us still have the spirit we once did."
Master Zachary Wu smiled and nodded.
"Tony, since the Seven Ghost Sovereigns fell silent, the world of the living has been peaceful for over a century. Why don't you go to the ghost realm? Life there isn't much different, and it might suit you better."
Tony Tang gave a bitter smile.
"It's true, quite a few tried to drag me to the ghost realm back then, but I never really wanted to go. Maybe I'm just more attached to the living world. By the way, have you heard anything about John Chou these years?"
Master Zachary Wu shook his head, and disappointment spread across Tony Tang's face.
"Even if we were to gather again, I doubt things could go back to the way they were. Tony, I think you should leave this place."
Tony Tang shook his head.
"This is where I met my late wife. That's why I plan to stay here. But if anything changes in the world of the living, I'll leave."
Tony Tang glanced at Master Zachary Wu as he spoke.
"And you? Still planning to wander the world of the living?"
Master Zachary Wu nodded.
"The world is vast, and I feel more at ease traveling it. After all, I've followed my master since childhood, and there are still so many ghosts in this world. It's not like centuries ago, but I still plan to see these things and deal with them when I can."
Master Zachary Wu then said his next destination was H City. He'd heard of many strange happenings there and wanted to see for himself.
Master Zachary Wu left, taking a small path under the starlit night to circle around the town. Tony Tang carried June Wu home, and after placing her in her room, he whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, I heard you. Even if the bridge is gone, I'll still be there."
Early the next morning, a loud explosion woke everyone in the village. The bridge had been blown up after all, and many people worried and talked about it.
June Wu was absent-minded all day, sometimes smiling to herself. She seemed to remember what Tony Tang looked like, but this time she told no one. Though still young, she realized it was because of her that everyone learned of the Mountain God's existence.
After the collapse of the bridge, strange things kept happening in town. People had bad luck for days on end, nothing went right, and those with minor illnesses got worse.
Rumors spread throughout the town: blowing up the bridge had angered the Mountain God, so he brought punishment upon them.
June Wu believed it too, though nothing bad happened to her personally.
As days passed, a new bridge was built—bigger and sturdier than before. People gradually forgot about the strange events, except for June Wu, now in her teens, who continued for a while to leave fresh flowers, fruit, and rice at the bridge.
Only June Wu's older sister knew about this. Sometimes June Wu would tell her about seeing the Mountain God as a child, but her sister just laughed and said she was dreaming.
Every time she went to the bridge, June Wu would share her thoughts, and Tony Tang would listen quietly, like a friend. After hearing her out, he'd respond, making June Wu smile happily. Whether joyful or sad, she'd tell him everything.
Gradually, her family began to think something was off about her, but kept quiet. June Wu was nearly eighteen and about to go study in the county.
Reluctant to leave, June Wu ran to the bridge before her departure, pouring out her heart. This time, her wish was to see the Mountain God once more.
Tony Tang pondered nearby. One person, one ghost—one unable to see the other, yet the other always present like a quiet friend, listening.
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In the end, Tony Tang agreed. As a wild wind swept by and a green light flashed, he appeared before June Wu. She was stunned, unable to believe her eyes, but the two had known each other for over ten years and soon began to chat without any awkwardness.
June Wu blushed and smiled, recounting everything that had happened over the years. To anyone watching from afar, it looked like she was talking to herself.
Tony Tang simply smiled as he listened to June Wu. When he learned she was about to turn eighteen, he smiled and took out an old-fashioned comb from his pocket.
"This is for you—as your eighteenth birthday present."
June Wu accepted it with delight, talking nonstop, while Tony Tang just smiled, a trace of helplessness on his face.
Finally, Tony Tang told June Wu that he wasn't the Mountain God, but a ghost, and that humans and ghosts should keep their distance. Many of the misfortunes in June Wu's life were caused by her contact with him.
For a moment, June Wu couldn't accept it, but in the end, she nodded. Tony Tang told her he'd never appear before her again, and that she should forget everything.
"Can you tell me your name?"
"Tony Tang."
After saying this, Tony Tang turned into green particles and vanished by the bridge, disappearing like fireflies in daylight.
That day, June Wu was happy to receive the comb from Tony Tang, but also sad, because he made it clear he would never appear before her again.
Every night, June Wu would sit alone in her dorm, staring at the comb in her hand, blushing and lost in thought. She had completely fallen in love with Tony Tang, and her longing for him grew unbearable each day.
During school breaks, June Wu would go home and always make her way to the bridge, talking about everything, even though Tony Tang was gone. Still, she persisted in speaking her heart.
Late at night, when all was quiet, her longing would surge forth. Year after year, June Wu graduated and started working. Her sister got married, and her parents began looking for someone for her to marry.
But June Wu couldn't let anyone else into her heart. She refused every arranged meeting, even arguing with her parents.
Her sister cared deeply for her, and when pressed, June Wu spoke about Tony Tang. It was then the family began to think something was wrong with her mentally.
June Wu visited the bridge less and less. Sometimes Tony Tang would listen to her stories, but only smiled, never responding.
Back in the county, June Wu never gave up missing Tony Tang. She drew his likeness, but when she showed it to relatives and neighbors, even her sister said such a man couldn't exist. Her family grew more convinced she was mentally ill and considered sending her to the hospital.
In the end, they gave up. June Wu was normal in every other way. Later, she stopped mentioning Tony Tang, but never thought it was just a beautiful dream—it was real to her.
Every year when the snow fell, June Wu would go to the bridge, buy some things, drink a little, and speak her mind. Many who saw her thought she was crazy.
Now in her thirties, June Wu recently lost her factory job due to poor performance and finally found work as a newspaper writer. She was bitter inside, but didn't know who to talk to—it had become her habit over the years.
"If it's so painful, why not do something for yourself? Wouldn't that be better?"
In a daze, June Wu heard a gentle male voice. She looked up in surprise—the face she'd seen as a child hadn't changed at all.