Because we were in the city center, it took less than ten minutes for me to bring Mona Ouyang to the top floor of Redmane Entertainment Company. As soon as we landed, Vivian Maple was already waiting for us.
"What's wrong, Ethan Zhang? You look terrible."
I shook my head and then sat down on the rooftop. Mona Ouyang walked over.
"You two go down first. Let me sit here for a while and feel the wind."
Looking at the surrounding skyscrapers, my heart felt empty and heavy. The trail had gone completely cold—there was nothing left. And Vivian Ouyang was a big problem. Her emotions were volatile, and her body was gradually approaching death.
There was nothing I could do to stop it. I knew very well that no matter what I said to Vivian Ouyang, she would never forgive herself. Even though she was passive—a spy for the Immortality Society probing the Ghost Burial Squad's secrets—she still triggered many events.
Now that she knows the fate of the other Ghost Burial Squad members, her despair must be even deeper than mine.
Hugh Thompson once told me that all members of the Ghost Burial Squad were carefully selected. Most of them were born able to see ghosts, and their souls were quite strong. If the Immortality Society wanted to run experiments, the Ghost Burial Squad would be the best subjects.
And all their files have probably already been delivered to the Immortality Society by Vivian Ouyang over the years.
Every move the Ghost Burial Squad makes—even our own actions—are under the Immortality Society's control.
"Ethan."
Behind me, Hugh Thompson's voice sounded. The click of leather boots echoed as he walked over and stood beside me. I sat at the edge of the rooftop, gazing at the distant skyscrapers.
"Even if she has the right to know, it shouldn't have to be..."
"Someday, she'll have to face it. Someday, she'll learn about all this. It's just a matter of time. I know everything now. Heh, even if those guys know, they won't blame Vivian."
I nodded. No one would blame Vivian Ouyang. Just like in the beginning, when she was controlled by Mona Ouyang and brought disaster to the Ghost Burial Squad, no one ever mentioned it afterward.
Because everyone knows that when facing ghosts—beings that are irrational and unstoppable—as humans, they can only survive by sticking together.
"How's Dalton Fang holding up?"
I asked. Hugh Thompson shook his head.
"He's locked up in the Hall of Malice for now. There's nothing we can do."
"I see."
I lowered my head and gave a bitter smile. Hugh Thompson sat beside me and patted my shoulder.
"Ethan, I've spent more than two years on this. The puzzle Dr. Liam Chen gave me is more than half solved now. Only the mind of Hugh Thompson could crack it. That puzzle is the weapon that will expose the Immortality Society."
I stared at Hugh Thompson in shock. He adjusted his glasses and then smiled.
"Miss Ouyang... What should we do?"
I asked. This was the most difficult problem right now.
"Maybe for her, only death would be true release. There's no other way."
"Thompson, how can you say that?"
As soon as I said it, I lowered my head. What Hugh Thompson said was true—a bloody truth. Finding all the Ghost Burial Squad members and restoring them is basically impossible now.
Especially now, Vivian Ouyang's emotions can't be stabilized at all. Her body is suffering from years of sorrow. No matter what Mona Ouyang does, she can't fully restore Vivian.
"Alright, Ethan, let's go down. Redmond is waiting for you."
I responded and stood up.
"The only solution now is for Vivian Ouyang to be put into a deep sleep for a while, with Mona Ouyang taking control of her body."
Hugh Thompson said this, and I nodded. For now, it's the only way.
We entered Redmond's office. He was talking to Mona Ouyang. We sat down.
"Hmph, you freak. I've hated you for ages—neither man nor woman, always indecisive. All you do is cry, from the start until now. You're a disgrace to the Seven Ghost Sovereigns, letting those bastards toy with you. I have no idea what you've been doing all these years. Had enough of your dreaming yet?"
Redmond's tone was like scolding a child.
Mona Ouyang didn't argue—she just listened quietly.
"I hope you can help me, Redmond."
In an instant, Redmond burst out laughing, then put his hand to his ear and leaned in close to Mona Ouyang.
"What? Did I hear that right?"
Mona Ouyang looked a bit annoyed at Redmond, but then Redmond snapped his fingers and Noah Grimm immediately brought out paper and pen.
"I'll definitely help you, freak. Heh, I'm the most loyal guy around—isn't that right, Ethan Zhang?"
I couldn't agree with that, so I just smiled. Then Redmond had Mona Ouyang write an IOU, almost identical to mine.
"By the way, Ethan, if you don't hurry up and pay me back, the interest is going to pile up so high you won't be able to afford it."
I had no intention of responding to him.
"Noah, assign some people to this freak. Let him give the orders."
Noah Grimm nodded and then thought for a moment.
"Boss, let me go. As for the Dream Legion, even if I run into tough opponents, nothing will go wrong."
Redmond nodded.
"That's fine. Noah, you go. I'll feel better that way."
Mona Ouyang looked at Redmond and thanked him.
I smiled, and then Redmond sat down beside me, looking at me.
"So, Ethan Zhang, what brings you to me this time? If you need help, you can't afford the interest—you'll be my slave."
I ignored him and started talking. Samuel Young and I discussed gathering the Seven Ghost Sovereigns and their followers for a meeting.
This chapter isn't over ^.^, please click next page to continue reading!
Redmond clapped his hands and burst out laughing.
"Sounds fun! I'll go, Ethan Zhang. It's sure to be exciting."
Redmond looked ready to stir up trouble at the meeting. I sighed.
"I'm just here to talk about this, Redmond. I need to find Basil Bertram and let him know, and also contact Lord Shenyan and Yvonne May. Do you know where Yuna Ji has been these days?"
"No idea. Don't ask me about that crazy woman."
"Boss, this won't be so simple this time."
Redmond nodded and smiled.
"Just notify the other four—if you ask, they'll come. It's the last one that's tricky."
I knew Redmond meant Yvonne May. It was tricky—I didn't even know where the Soulbound Inn was. Among the Seven Ghost Sovereigns, my relationship with Yvonne May was just average. I helped her recover her memories, and she cured my cousin when no one else could.
Basically, Yvonne May and I owe each other nothing. She doesn't like people much, and she's from the ritualist world. Deep down, she probably doesn't want to come.
"Do you know where Yvonne May's Soulbound Inn is?"
"No idea. Find it yourself, Ethan Zhang."
I thought about it. Right now, I need to contact Yvonne May and the missing Yuna Ji. I'll try Yuna Ji first.
But Redmond seemed to have no idea where Yuna Ji was. Just then, Hugh Thompson walked over and spoke.
"Call the apartment and ask."
I nodded, but then wondered—who in the apartment even has a phone?
Then Hugh Thompson took out his phone and gave me a number. I dialed and someone picked up.
"Hey, what's up? Got time to call and gossip?"
I was surprised to hear the voice on the phone. It was John Chou.
"Cut it out. Do you know where Yuna Ji went?"
"Yeah, I do."
"I need to talk to her. Can you get in touch for me?"
John Chou let out a cold laugh.
"She went back home. I heard there's a rebellion getting worse there, threatening her rule. So she went back herself to suppress it."
I let out a sound of surprise.
"How long until she comes back?"
"No idea. It won't be any time soon."
I told John Chou about the ritualists wanting me to gather the Seven Ghost Sovereigns for a meeting. John Chou just grunted.
"Why not go find her yourself, brother?"
I nodded. I'd have to go myself, but then wondered how I'd even get there.
"Wait a moment, brother. I'll have Mr. Brown come over and take you."
I made a sound of acknowledgment, hung up, and told Redmond and the others. Redmond just chuckled, came over, and patted my shoulder.
"You'd be better off not getting involved with that crazy woman. Things in Netherhell are way more complicated than you think."
Just then, Vivian Maple walked over and suddenly asked:
"Ethan Zhang, how well can you swim?"
I made a sound of surprise, not understanding why Vivian Maple asked. But Mona Ouyang seemed to have thought of something.
"If you can't swim, you'll drown."
"What does swimming have to do with finding Yuna Ji?"
Then Mona Ouyang explained: To find Yuna Ji, the only way is for Mr. Brown to take me into the Sanzu Force. The Sanzu Force connects to the Sanzu River, its very end, and I have to swim from there to the Netherhell River, where the two rivers meet, and only then can I reach Netherhell and find Yuna Ji.
My heart skipped a beat. I swallowed and looked at everyone grinning wickedly.
"How long is the Sanzu River?"
"No idea. Ask Mr. Brown—he swam it before. Took him three or four days, I think."
I made a sound of acknowledgment and looked at Redmond, feeling reassured. With my current ability, swimming for three or four days shouldn't be a problem.