"If you had a problem, why didn't you just come to us directly? What's the point of making such a scene on the road?"
Allen Zhang scolded Felix Fan in a lecturing tone. Felix just grunted in response.
"I didn't have any other choice!"
I was a bit surprised. It seemed they had known each other for a long time and weren't just casual acquaintances. No wonder he helped John Chou steal the ritual implements from The Nine Dao Gate Elders.
My mind was in a bit of a mess. I never had any good feelings about this guy.
Ethan Zhang, stop glaring at me like that. What I did might have something to do with you.
"What do you mean?"
Just as Felix Fan was about to say something, Jerry Li slapped him on the back.
"Some things are better left until we've dealt with what's in front of us. No matter how you spin it, you're the one at fault this time."
Felix Fan actually nodded obediently.
"I may despise ghosts, but I've always been friendly with the people from the Hall of Bloodbane. After all, I once owed them a great debt."
I responded with a simple "oh." Felix Fan's words eased some of my doubts, but what he'd left unsaid still puzzled me.
"As for the reason, I won't say. Ethan Zhang, this matter involves you, but don't overthink it. Just focus on saving your woman."
I gave another noncommittal "oh," and Felix Fan continued speaking.
"I need someone from the Hades Circle to help me investigate a certain place. I previously tried contacting some of the Hades Circle Born, hoping they could reach the Ten Guides, but got no response. As for what Allen mentioned, the reason I didn't come to him is that I don't like the people from the Hall of Malice—especially Redmond. He doesn't like me either, so I stayed away."
Jerry Li seemed to figure something out and started laughing.
"It does sound tricky, but it's not something that needs to be solved immediately, right?"
Felix Fan nodded.
"Only those born in the Hades Circle can set foot in that place. I just need information. They're Immortal, so anyone else who enters risks being torn to shreds if they take a wrong step. Only someone at least at the level of the Ten Guides can go in, which is why I had to take the risk."
"Why not go to Lan Yin or Old Moe?"
I asked, and Felix Fan shook his head.
"I've had some bad blood with the Lan Family, so it's better not to get them involved."
At that moment, I felt a scorching presence approaching from afar. Allen Zhang sighed helplessly.
"You'd better get going. The Hades Circle Born are coming—especially Jason Su. That guy holds a serious grudge."
Jerry Li muttered something. Felix Fan nodded, then with a whoosh, transformed into a snake and vanished into the woods.
The presence drew closer—a streak of crimson fire lit up the distant sky. Jason Su flew toward us, landing with a thunderous crash right in front of us.
"Where did that guy go, Felix Fan?"
"He's already gone."
Allen Zhang muttered, while Jason Su looked furious, glaring at us with malice.
"Or are you planning to take your anger out on us? If you want to fight, this place is pretty open—but you'd probably end up spending a few months laid up in Hades Village afterward."
Jerry Li said casually. Jason Su removed his Vermilion Bird Robe, and his expression softened considerably.
"We've found three of the markers already. Only the White Tiger Token to the west remains. You really are lucky, Ethan Zhang."
I responded with an "oh," and we started heading back. Next, once Wendy Hsieh finds it, she'll contact Jason Su. Then Lucas Dao just needs to send someone to confirm the spot—the midpoint of the four tokens is the entrance to the Four Sacred Realm.
"So what exactly happened?"
We had just returned to the foot of the mountain when Old Moe asked directly. Jason Su waved his hand dismissively.
"Forget it. It doesn't matter."
His tone still carried a trace of resentment.
"We'll head back. Doesn't seem like there's anything left for us to do here."
Jerry Li floated upward, grabbing Allen Zhang by the arm. Both of them looked excited, probably planning to go out partying. I nodded and thanked them, and the two left immediately.
"Ethan, take a break and have something to eat."
Helen Lane pointed to the food on the table beside us. I shook my head.
"No need, Auntie. I'm not hungry."
By the next morning, I was the only one still awake. Everyone else had gone to rest at a nearby hotel. The rising sun was blinding, and there was still no news from the western location.
I floated upward and drifted toward the mountain. The sunlight bathing me felt uncomfortable, but I wanted to look once more at the rays shining through the hills.
I arrived at the entrance to Ten Tribunal Road. Someone was already sitting there—Old Moe. He lay quietly at the entrance, turned to the side, sunlight spilling over his body.
"Old Moe, didn't you already..."
"I used to take my daughter out early to watch the sunrise."
I floated over and sat down next to Old Moe.
"Ethan, what do you think people are really like?"
I shook my head, unable to easily explain what it means to be human.
"Enough about heavy topics."
Old Moe straightened up, stretched, then stood and gazed at the fully risen sun in the distance.
"Don't let Roxie's tough exterior fool you. She's actually very fragile inside—after all, she's just a girl. When she was little, she pretended not to fear ghosts, but she often hid and cried, never letting me see. It was loneliness. Even though she had me as her father, she didn't have any friends her age."
"It's a lot like my own childhood."
I muttered, then continued speaking.
"But ever since I can remember, I've always had my cousin. He was always there for me, from childhood onward."
"This time, only you can go in. Be careful. I don't really know what the Four Sacred Realm is, or what happens inside. The only person they've ever allowed in is Lan Yin. As for you, maybe you could've entered when you were still human, but now you're not."
I understood what Old Moe meant. My mind flashed with thoughts as I looked at him.
"Old Moe, last night Miss Hsieh used the Vermilion Bird Robe, and I sensed something strange in Jason Su as well. The power of the Four Guardians used to feel pure and strong, but now it's different—like something has been mixed in. I don't know what it is yet."