"I'm not someone without manners, haha. Please, everyone, eat quickly."
I looked at King Hollowbelly with deep suspicion. His bloated, greasy face was enough to make anyone sick. Vivian Maple and Ray Lin said nothing and began to eat, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was hidden here, something lurking beneath the surface.
The handover would take place in two days. The Redmond would pay five hundred billion, and King Hollowbelly would release us.
Everything in the city quickly returned to normal, as if the previous chaos had never happened. The ghosts here resumed their businesses, making money as if nothing was amiss.
Only one thing remained unchanged: the city gates were still closed, and we were still inside King Hollowbelly's belly. King Hollowbelly hadn't told us anything about the handover.
My mind kept circling around that five hundred billion. I wandered alone back to the bustling street, watching all kinds of ghosts. They lived for money, maybe not knowing that the day they couldn't earn it would be the day they died for it.
But something still felt off about this whole affair. Suddenly, a hand landed on my shoulder. I turned to see Jerry Li.
"What's wrong, still not resolved?"
I shook my head.
We sat down in a tavern. Jerry Li ordered a whole table of dishes and started eating by himself.
I looked at Jerry Li in surprise. What he said didn't seem to be a lie.
Do you know how to get out?
Jerry Li shook his head.
I don't know how to get out, but if we defeat that guy, won't we be able to leave?
Jerry Li chuckled and took another sip of wine. To defeat King Hollowbelly, we have to find his real body. This place is his Domain of the Dead—he won't show himself here. He's cautious and never exposes himself so easily.
If you want to find someone, you need to know what they desire most.
Money?
I muttered. Jerry Li shook his head and looked around.
I've sensed something very unusual these past few days—just once, but I think someone has entered the city. That's why I need to leave quickly.
Jerry Li's expression showed a hint of panic. He'd always seemed weak and casual before, but now this look made me instantly alert.
You mean...?
Jerry Li returned to his usual relaxed self. He shook his head and then stood up.
Come on, I was just joking.
Jerry Li hurriedly led me out of the tavern.
What's really going on?
After a while, Jerry Li slowed down and glanced around.
I've got a keen nose.
Jerry Li sniffed the air.
Did you smell anything?
Danger.
I smiled helplessly.
Don't you think everything is just too coincidental? You and Lord Shenyan entered the Underworld, went to Mount Qiyin, and when you came back alone, you led the Specter Ghost on a clear path. As for Miss Vivian Maple, her arrival was inevitable—she's the only one among the Seven Ghost Sovereigns who can infiltrate the Underworld multiple times and return safely.
I swallowed. Jerry Li's expression changed—he suddenly looked proud, his eyes sharp and clear.
Let's go.
As Jerry Li spoke, he grabbed my arm. In an instant, I stared wide-eyed at our surroundings, then behind me. He'd moved us a huge distance in a flash, and without releasing any ghostly aura. That alone amazed me.
Suddenly, Jerry Li vanished from my side. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the crowd. I looked everywhere for him but couldn't find him. Just then, a pale-faced scholar in refined clothing nearly bumped into me. I dodged, but he kept moving in my direction. With a thud, we collided.
Sorry, brother, that was my fault.
The scholar immediately apologized. I bowed in return, but just as I was about to leave, he called out to me.
Excuse me, do you know what's going on here?
I looked at the scholar skeptically. He raised his hand, his number far behind mine—he seemed new here.
When did you arrive?
The scholar told me he entered the city the day before it was sealed. After that, no matter what he asked, no one would answer—everyone just wanted money. I smiled helplessly and told him a few things.
Thank you, brother. It's rare to meet someone like you.
After leaving, I went straight back to Hollowbelly Manor. King Hollowbelly had disappeared—only Vivian Maple and Ray Lin remained.
I told them everything I'd just discussed with Jerry Li. Ray Lin pondered and spoke.
I just discussed it with Miss Vivian Maple. The only possibility is that King Hollowbelly wants Lord Malice to come in person, which is why the price dropped from 1.5 trillion to 500 billion.
Vivian Maple nodded.
That guy Redmond wouldn't really come, would he?
I looked at Vivian Maple. Her face was grim.
I can't reach the boss. King Hollowbelly did it on purpose. I've tried a lot of ghost messengers, but whenever they dial our Redmane Company number, the line cuts off.
A massive shadow loomed over us. Things were getting worse—the worst outcome would be if Redmond arrived and the Underworld launched a sudden attack.
The three of us fell silent, with nowhere left to retreat. Vivian Maple held her forehead, pondering every detail.
It's Xu Fu.
Vivian Maple spoke up. I swallowed. She looked at me quietly and continued.
Only the members of the Immortality Society knew I'd come to the Underworld with Lord Shenyan. After the chaos on Lord Shenyan's side, he couldn't leave with the Specter Ghosts, and I had to hurry to the world of the living—time was short.
At this critical moment, Red Robe told me about what's happening in Hollowbelly City. Suddenly, I clutched my head—something definitely wasn't right. As Zhang Qingyuan, something in my body or mind was off. I tried hard to figure it out.
Do you know anything that can influence someone's thoughts?
I muttered, looking at Vivian Maple for confirmation. My thoughts had been influenced, and it started before I entered Hollowbelly City.
Why did the Gate of Ghosts suddenly have so many Underworld forces? Wei Zheng and Lu Zhi Dao aren't the type to go back on their word. If they've promised something, they won't change it—they're not despicable. That's why Lord Shenyan said certain things.
Wei Zheng already agreed not to leak what happened that day, but the Underworld seemed to know Lord Shenyan had come all along. Our escape route was blocked.
I closed my eyes and thought carefully about Zhang Qingyuan. I used to have feelings, and even though I don't anymore, I'm still Zhang Qingyuan. Feelings can influence many things, but my way of thinking remains the same.
Why did I come to Hollowbelly City? That's the big question I'm pondering now.
More and more thoughts crowded my mind. Why did Red Robe want me to come to Hollowbelly City? Yin Choujian had warned me more than once—if I wanted to understand everything, I had to think. He's been telling me that since I was Little Gray.
Hollowbelly is just a Specter Ghost, even if he can use the Nether Domain now.
I jumped up, shocked, and stared at Vivian Maple.
Miss Vivian Maple, if you fought Hollowbelly head-on, how confident are you that you could defeat him?
Vivian Maple nodded.
Although the Ten Ghost Marshals are powerful, once the Seven Ghost Sovereigns rose to power, they couldn't compare. The Seven Ghost Sovereigns have many strong Specter Ghosts under them. Not just the Sovereigns—even their Specter Ghosts are too much for the Marshals. Only the Four Judges and Ten Marshals can walk the world of the living. The Four Judges are stronger than the Ten Marshals, but with so many Specter Ghosts, their chances of defeating a Ghost Sovereign are zero.
I responded and immediately ran outside. In an instant, I floated into the air, releasing ghostly threads that spread out around the city.
Zhang Qingyuan, what are you planning?
In an instant, Hollowbelly appeared before me.
You want to wrap things up—get rid of Redmond and Lord Shenyan, right?
I spoke each word clearly. Hollowbelly burst out laughing.
What are you talking about, Zhang Qingyuan? Who am I to do that? I just want to work with Redmond a little, since the Underworld has relaxed its rules...
Then tell me, why did you give up a trillion?
A trace of helplessness flashed in Hollowbelly's eyes, but he quickly forced a smile.
I'd rather do long-term business. If I just make a one-off deal, I'll lose a lot of money.