"This guy finally fell asleep."
I let out a sigh of relief, glancing at Dean Ding, who was already dead drunk. The rooftop was littered with bottles. He was always talkative, asking this and that, and after a while, I started getting annoyed. Jerry Li and Allen Zhang knew this well, so every time Dean Ding drank, they made sure to keep his glass full.
The flames on the grill hadn't died down yet. I stared at them, listening to the sizzling of food scraps. I'd made the barbecue myself. Back in that place of darkness, I helped Jerry Li out in his shop every day.
I learned a lot back then, but my cooking still couldn't match Jerry Li's. I sighed, my cheeks a little flushed. I'd had a bit to drink myself. Lately I've been trying to get used to alcohol—just a little, especially at times like this. It helps take the edge off.
"Boss Yin should be heading to J City, right?"
Jerry Li muttered, and I looked at him, puzzled. J City was right next to Haven City, nestled in the mountains. The population was less than five million, only a third the size of Haven City. I’d gone there before for Ghost Burial Squad missions. It’s a good place, with a gentle climate.
"How do you know?"
"It's close by. When Brother Yao left, he mentioned his old hometown was over there. He planned to go back. You remember, right?"
Jerry Li spoke, while Allen Zhang sipped his drink, looking confused. After a moment, he nodded and said,
Back then, when we parted ways, we couldn't agree on anything. It was best to split up. We both went to the Ghostrealm, but I chose Jialan Sanctuary, and you drifted through the Ghostrealm. Heh, that was ages ago.
Listening to the two of them, I couldn't help but ask, puzzled.
Do you know exactly where the Sheqing Ghost is? J City isn't big, but there are several counties and towns around it.
The two guys turned and shook their heads.
"But that guy's personality is troublesome. Sigh, we'll probably have to fight when we meet."
Jerry Li sighed, Allen Zhang laughed heartily. They both looked happy, faces excited, like they were about to see an old friend.
"So what kind of person is he?"
I asked, and Allen Zhang sighed gloomily before he began to speak.
Long ago, most Sheqing Ghosts were enemies, especially before the Seven Ghost Sovereigns appeared. They fought constantly among themselves.
None of them would yield. Most Sheqing Ghosts had their own territories, especially in the living world, where disputes were frequent. But most battles were between ghosts. Many Sheqing Ghosts knew that if they harmed too many people, the Underworld wouldn't ignore it.
And as one of the Four Judges of the Underworld, Zhong Kui would come to the living world every so often and kill any Sheqing Ghosts who caused trouble. So, no matter how fierce their fights, the Sheqing Ghosts never brought widespread harm, only taking what they needed from humans.
Some used their powers to make local officials richer or help wealthy merchants succeed in business. But those who consorted with ghosts usually met a terrible end—after death, they'd be devoured by the ghosts.
The aura of these greedy, black-hearted people was delicious to most ghosts. And with plenty of righteous people in the Arcane Society, slaying monsters and demons was a necessity for them.
There was once a Blue Wraith who committed countless crimes, controlling an entire county and wreaking havoc everywhere. In the end, people from the Arcane Society joined forces and finally destroyed him, though at a heavy cost.
So back then, the more powerful Blue Wraiths, tired of that life, chose to walk alone in the Living World, avoiding disputes with others. That Blue Wraith who was destroyed—Allen Zhang was there. He could have intervened and saved him, and the Blue Wraith even sensed Allen's presence.
But that guy begged Allen Zhang to save him. Allen just watched coldly as the Blue Wraith was beaten to dust by the Arcane Society before leaving.
To many powerful Blue Wraiths, strength was all that mattered. Whenever Blue Wraiths met, they often fought until one fell.
In those days, a delicate balance existed between humans and ghosts. But ghosts absolutely never touched imperial authority—if they did, it would threaten the entire Living World. This was an unwritten rule among ghosts in the Underworld Court and the Living World—no one dared break it.
"So what were you doing back then?"
I asked, and Jerry Li chuckled, then sighed helplessly.
"There's nothing much to say."
Jerry Li said, and Allen Zhang laughed.
"Back then, his life was like that of a god—three thousand beauties in his harem."
I looked at Allen Zhang, confused. He continued,
"He took over a place, snatched up all the beautiful women nearby as wives. He probably had as many as an emperor, and most were stunning. When Yin Choujian and I visited, we were shocked—so many women followed him, and his home was like a palace. Even the ghosts under him acted like tyrants."
I shot Jerry Li a sidelong glance. He smiled awkwardly, but quickly retorted,
"I won all those wives with my own skill. They wanted to leave with me. Most were women from brothels, suffering. What was wrong with giving them a better life—fine clothes, good food? Back then, that was a good life. Besides, I was handsome. Most of them liked me, that's why they came. What's the problem?"
I stared at Jerry Li in surprise. Allen Zhang continued,
At that time, Jerry Li was just a mid-level Blue Wraith—not strong. When the Seven Ghost Sovereigns appeared, they began to roam, consolidating the Blue Wraiths' power.
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Back then, Yin Choujian led a small consolidated force to find Jerry Li. Jerry was a Blue Wraith with some power, stronger than Allen Zhang, but Yin Choujian defeated him easily.
"I was completely stunned. The guy in front of me wasn't a Blue Wraith, yet he was so powerful—I couldn't understand it. But John Chou said if I followed him, I'd see a different world. So I sent my wives away, gave each of them plenty of money, and they all left peacefully. Then I went with John Chou."
"It was a disaster back then. Following John Chou, I was scared. If we alerted the Underworld Court, we wouldn't stand a chance."
Allen Zhang spoke, but at that time, the Underworld Court had no energy to deal with the Living World. The ghostly conflicts didn't threaten ordinary people, and the Underworld Court was overwhelmed by a rebellion among the new ghost forked Yakshas. They were busy with the Yaksha crisis and had no time for the Ghost Sovereigns.
By the time the Underworld Court dealt with the Yakshas, many years had passed. Unexpectedly, seven evil ghosts escaped from the Endless Hell and built their own power, forming a considerable force in the Living World.
After repeated defeats, the Arcane Society fell apart. Many were killed before even seeing the Ghost Sovereigns. Suddenly, it was as if Blue Wraiths appeared overnight—not just in the Living World, but the Ghostrealm too, joining the Ghost Sovereigns.
Like bamboo shoots gathering strength, the Ghost Sovereigns solidified their power in just a few years. The Underworld Court sent wave after wave of ghost generals and soldiers, but made no progress. Finally, the Underworld Court compromised with the Ghost Sovereigns.
From that era on, the Arcane Society began to decline. Many in the Arcane Society hated the Seven Ghost Sovereigns, knowing they couldn't defeat them. And during the Ghost Sovereigns' turf wars, many in the Arcane Society died.
"So that's why so many in the Arcane Society aren't like they used to be."
Earlier, when I went back in time, I saw members of the Daoist Order—they were nothing like those today. Now, the Daoist Order is cold and indifferent, but back then they were passionate, full of righteous spirit.
Suddenly, I was startled. Two red beams of light crossed and landed on the rooftop. John Chou and Isabelle Frost had arrived. I looked at the siblings in surprise—John Chou was smirking, Isabelle was ice-cold, and neither wanted to talk to the other.
"What's wrong? Is something bothering you?"
John Chou smiled and sat down. Isabelle Frost joined him. Then my dad came up.
"Why are you only coming now?"
My dad asked, and John Chou shook his head.
"Some things have to be resolved."
As soon as John Chou finished speaking, we all looked at him. Sure enough, he'd been planning something these past few days.
"We're leaving at dawn tomorrow. Rachel Lan, go get some sleep!"
I responded, about to get up, but quickly sat down again and grinned.
"I'll sleep later. If you have something to say, just say it. Bottling it up will drive you crazy."
But in the end, John Chou just drank in silence. I didn't keep asking. Looks like Isabelle Frost will be traveling with us. I was relieved—at least she's a woman.
"Alright, I get it. I'm going to bed."
"Remember, the flight's at 9 a.m. tomorrow."
John Chou spoke, pulling out six plane tickets. I nodded and went downstairs.