"Amitabha. Master Victor Chen, since Ethan Zhang has already made his position clear, why not wait until tonight?"
As Master Jianyun spoke, he gave me a slight smile, then turned to face Victor Chen, whose expression was filled with anger.
"Well said, Master Victor Chen. As monks, we do not speak falsehoods. I am well aware that the Buddha Statue of Visions was previously in the hands of that ghost fiend. It was only after Ethan Zhang and my disciple Chongsheng endured many hardships that it finally returned to the world of the living. Surely, you are aware of this as well."
Victor Chen nodded reluctantly, his displeasure evident.
"Master Victor Chen, as for what you call 'right and proper,' I’m afraid this time, you are in the wrong. Ethan Zhang was desperate to save his loved ones—of course he wouldn’t hand them over to you. Besides, though my knowledge is limited, I do know that your Renegade Monks likely lack the means to save Chongsheng, who has already merged with the Buddha Statue of Visions. If we were to entrust him to you, my disciple Chongsheng would surely lose his life."
"Enough! Stop your rambling, you damned monk. Fine, tonight it is. I'll wait."
With a sharp clang, Victor Chen drove his staff into the ground. He waved his hand, and the Renegade Monks dispersed. Watching his focused, composed demeanor, I couldn’t help but smile and mutter quietly to myself.
"Let’s go back."
No sooner had I spoken than my right leg began to dissolve into black mist, vanishing completely. Master Jianyun stared in surprise, then stepped toward me.
Before coming out, I had used baleful energy to create a leg that looked perfectly normal.
"Master, do you have any advice?" I looked at Master Jianyun, who smiled and replied.
"Ethan Zhang, this old monk has something to say, but I wonder if I should?"
"Go ahead, Master Jianyun."
"After meeting you this time, Ethan Zhang, I feel the knot in my heart has unraveled, and I've reached a new state of mind. But Ethan Zhang, the thing inside you—it's best not to use it unless you must, lest you fall into darkness."
"You don't need to worry about that, Master. Once I've made up my mind, I won't change it."
With Evan Zhao's support, I led the Blue Wraiths from the courtyard inside.
"Helen, this guy doesn't seem like a bad person. Maybe you should let it go."
As soon as I entered, I saw Sophie Su grabbing Helen Chen, whose anger was palpable. Her black hair floated in the air like a massive waterfall, shimmering with green light.
"Miss, I don't know what I've done to offend you." It was the Black-Faced Fiend. I hurried over to stop them—Sophie Su and Helen Chen were by a cherry blossom tree, the Black-Faced Fiend perched on the trunk, Helen Chen floating before him.
Just as I was about to intervene, Old Wei grabbed me.
"Wait, Ethan, even though you know what these guys are about, at least let us old folks see for ourselves, so we can get a sense of things," Old Wei said.
I let out a sound of surprise, glancing at Old Wei. Suddenly, Helen Chen turned her head and glared at Sophie Su, who was holding her back.
"Kids, stay out of this."
Sophie Su drifted away, looking aggrieved. Vincent Swallow, Old Eccentric, and Oddball Moe lounged nearby, watching the scene unfold.
I quickly understood the situation. The Black-Faced Fiend wore a faint smile, and although Helen Chen looked furious, I sensed no murderous intent from her.
Old Ray hurried over to me, and I climbed onto his back.
Petals from the cherry blossom tree drifted by. Suddenly, Helen Chen's hair, like streams of black water, began to envelop the space around the Black-Faced Fiend.
"Forgive me," the Black-Faced Fiend said, and in a flash, he became a blur. The hair trying to trap him snapped apart, and he reappeared behind Helen Chen, his hand shaped like a knife, turning into a fist as he punched toward her.
"It's decided, miss."
Just as the punch was about to land on Helen Chen, the Black-Faced Fiend stopped. The wind pressure from his fist sent cherry blossom petals swirling in a wild, straight line through the air.
Helen Chen's hair slowly retracted and fell to the ground, while the Black-Faced Fiend landed beside her.
"How many people in the Immortality Society are as strong as you?" Helen Chen asked bluntly. The Black-Faced Fiend shook his head.
"No idea. I'm much stronger now than I used to be. But, miss, let me be direct—even if you hate the Immortality Society, with your current strength, you wouldn't have been a match for me two hundred years ago. You've only recently become a Blue Wraith, haven't you?"
Helen Chen nodded, her anger still lingering on her face.
"No matter how many years pass, no matter what it takes, I will get revenge—for my three loved ones."
I tapped Old Ray, and he carried me over.
"Could someone please get us something to eat? I'm starving here."
As soon as I said that, all the ghosts burst into laughter and began bustling about.
"Evan, I really want one of your meat buns," I muttered. Evan Zhao burst out laughing and then floated up into the air.
"Ethan, leave it to me."