After half an hour of driving, I was chilled to the bone. Up ahead, a figure appeared, waving at us—it was the same ghost we’d met on our way here. I smiled and pulled over.
"So, weren’t you coming here to join someone?"
"Ah, it’s all fate, brothers. To be honest, there’s no one left to join. The three big shots here were all taken care of overnight. I’d just settled down, was looking forward to the Hundred Ghosts Feast in a few days, but now it’s over. What can I do? It’s tough, but I have to head back. You, though, must be doing well—got to see your little wife, didn’t you?"
The ghost chatted as he went to the front windshield, right where the big hole was. The three of us laughed. With conversation and laughter all the way, the cold seemed to vanish.
By the time we got back to the outskirts of the city, it was already 4 a.m. I was exhausted, barely able to keep going.
"Thanks, brother, for giving me a ride."
The ghost got out of the car and waved at us. I smiled, and he vanished into the night.
I glanced at Justin Huang beside me—he was sound asleep, snoring. I shook my head and leaned back, too tired to care. All I wanted was to sleep.
But I had no choice—I still had to get home. I forced myself to sit up, eyes wide, started the car, and headed into the city. Another half hour or so and I’d be back at my apartment, able to take a hot shower and finally sleep in comfort.
At last, I made it to the main road outside my apartment building. I patted Justin Huang, and he muttered something.
"Ethan, I’m just going to sleep here. Too lazy to move."
I shook my head helplessly, got out of the car, and rushed inside. All I wanted was a hot shower and to get some sleep.
As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, I clutched my head—the rain was pouring down so hard it hurt when it hit me. I forced my eyes open and suddenly saw all the ghosts in the yard flying up into the sky. There was a man dressed in ancient official robes—I’d seen him before. He was an agent of the Third Hell Magistrate, a subordinate of Emperor Song.
John Chou sat on a chair condensed from baleful energy, legs crossed, watching the hell emissary, chin in hand. It seemed there was an invisible wall around him, blocking the rain.
"Oh, brother, you’re back."
I hurried into the little pavilion. The rain hammered loudly on its roof.
I looked at the ghosts in the courtyard—all of them were glaring fiercely at the hell emissary, especially Rose Harper. She looked about ready to pounce.
"Hey, you little brat, what are you so worked up about? He’s just here on business, not to arrest us."
"Bah, old man, I can’t stand these hell emissaries. I’ll kill every one I see."
Rose Harper spat out the words viciously. Samantha Simons floated over to her.
"Calm down—let’s listen and see what this guy wants."
"Everyone, I’m just a messenger, and I’ve followed proper etiquette. Why are you all ganging up on me?"
As the hell emissary spoke, I suddenly turned my head—the apartment building was gone. I rubbed my eyes and looked again. The building that had been there just moments ago had vanished.
No, not vanished—the whole thing had collapsed.
"Old Moe, Susan Li..." I muttered.
"Where’s Old Moe? Is Susan Li okay?" I shouted, rushing out.
"Relax, Ethan, everything’s fine. That girl and her dad are both okay. Susan Li went out to find a friend."
Wayne Harris spoke, his whole body glowing green.
"Hmph, are you really here on business? You barged in acting all arrogant, and with John Chou and Yuna Ji both gone, you claim you’re just following etiquette? Let me see what you’re made of."
Suddenly, Wayne Harris turned into a ball of green light and shot forward. With a thunderous boom, the ground shook so violently I nearly lost my balance.
A flash of red light erupted from the hell emissary.
"Enough! Are you two trying to tear apart my ghost domain?"
John Chou finally lost his patience and stood up. Instantly, the two about to fight stopped in their tracks.
"Forgive me, sir. Perhaps my attitude was a bit harsh, but your status is so lofty—how could you mingle with these lonely, wandering ghosts? I felt it was beneath you, so I spoke a bit too strongly."
"Liar! You started it!" It was Sophie Su—she’d returned, standing below the courtyard with Sandra Yu. Sensing trouble, Sandra Yu quickly tugged at Sophie Su.
Suddenly, the hell emissary glared at them, eyes locked on Sophie Su and Sandra Yu.
"Hmph, two little ghosts—how dare you act up in front of me? Courting death."
I saw red beams shoot from the hell emissary’s eyes. I rushed toward Sophie Su and Sandra Yu, baleful energy surging from my body. Two broken swords in hand, I reached them and swung at the red beams.
With a thunderous crash, my hands went numb and I was sent flying. My shirt felt scorched, skin burning, and my clothes were torn.
I was slammed to the ground, but thankfully, Sophie Su and Sandra Yu managed to break my fall.
"Damn it, you’ve got a death wish!" Evan Zhao was the first to shout. Instantly, streaks of green light flashed in the sky as all the Blue Wraiths in the courtyard lunged at the hell emissary.
"Yeah! Let’s kill him together and bring his corpse to Emperor Song—now that would be fun."
A streak of crimson flashed—John Chou appeared at the hell emissary’s side, raising a ghostly weapon at the surrounding Blue Wraiths.
"I’ll say it one more time—stop."
The hell emissary chuckled, then looked at me.
"Forgive me if this is out of line, sir, but why do you associate with a human? If word gets out in the underworld, it’ll be a huge joke."
"Enough. Go back and tell Emperor Song I won’t see him. The old messes from back then are yours to deal with—they have nothing to do with me. And since you’re just a messenger, I’ll let it go this time. There won’t be a next."
The hell emissary seemed grateful, bowing repeatedly.
"Understood, sir. I’ll be sure to deliver your message to the Third Hell Magistrate."
I was furious, baleful energy pouring out of me as I glared at the hell emissary. He slowly descended, walking step by step toward the edge of the courtyard. As he passed me, he whispered in my ear.
"Kid, you’d better hope I don’t run into you again. Heh."
My anger flared—I raised my baleful sword, ready to strike.
"Ethan, stop it! Please, just let it go!" Sophie Su shouted.
"Ethan, let it go."
There’s a saying about swallowing your broken teeth—right now, I could feel it for real.
Then John Chou raised his head. The collapsed apartment building slowly returned to its original state, as if time itself was rewinding.
"Hey, Boss Chou, if you didn’t come back soon, I wouldn’t have lasted! I risked my life to protect your flowers!"
A streak of green light—Julian Chu emerged, sweating as he looked at the Sixfold Blooms, those black flowers with six petals.
"You can’t even handle this little thing? What use are you?"