The man before me, who looked exactly like my cousin Howard Zhang, was curled up in agony in the corner, his face pale, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. Redmond pulled up a chair and sat down in front of him.
"What I hate most in life is people like you—so stubborn, refusing to say a single word. Normally, I don't like to force others, but if you don't talk today, I'll have Xiaofeng slice your flesh off piece by piece, and make sure you don't die from it."
"Will he die from this?"
Li Susu watched nervously from behind. Redmond's expression was sinister, the face of a villain—he turned and gave a chilling laugh.
"If you want your husband to stay safe, you'd better keep your mouth shut."
I quietly watched the man on the ground. Although I could hardly believe he was human, what puzzled me more was why he was inside Howard Zhang's body, and why he looked identical to Howard.
It seemed Howard's paralysis was closely tied to this man. Yet I admired how he didn't utter a sound. I wasn't sure what Redmond had done to him, but just now, when Redmond pressed his hand to his forehead, I saw a streak of black liquid seep from his palm into the man's mouth.
Suddenly, the man widened his eyes and raised his hand, as if trying to grab something. His body convulsed violently, and foam slowly started to spill from his mouth.
"If he dies, we're in trouble."
Lord Shenyan immediately stepped forward, but was blocked by Redmond.
Don't worry, he won't die—he'll just suffer terribly.
I couldn't bear to watch anymore, so I turned to leave. Rachel Lan was still comforting Susan Li, seemingly intent on taking her upstairs.
Ethan Zhang, don't forget I'm a ghost. And last time, do you really think your cousin went willingly? Go find Brother Owen.
I froze, turned my head to glance back. There was definitely a connection between the two. After seeing Howard Zhang, I knew, but I wasn't sure if this guy was really Howard, since he looked identical but his aura was completely different. At first, I thought it was because of Brother Owen.
I went straight upstairs. In the second-floor living room, Howard Zhang was lying on the sofa, still in the same state as earlier, motionless, with no visible abnormalities.
Susan Li looked pale, perhaps reminded of something after witnessing the torment of the man who looked just like Howard Zhang—maybe something from the asylum.
I'll go down and ask them to stop.
I said this, and Susan Li nodded. When I went downstairs, Vivian Maple had already come in, holding a sharp knife, and the man had been pinned to the wall.
Are you going to talk or not? If you don't, I'll have Vivian Maple slice you down to just bones and organs. Her knife skills are excellent.
Under Redmond's threat, fear flashed in the man's eyes, but he still stared stubbornly at Redmond.
Do it, Vivian Maple.
At Redmond's command, Vivian Maple walked over and pressed the knife against the man's arm.
Can you wait a moment?
I walked over and called out.
This is none of your business, Ethan Zhang. Go do what you need to do.
Let me talk to him properly.
I looked at Redmond seriously. Lord Shenyan, standing nearby, looked grim. Redmond's smile faded as he stood up from his chair.
Suit yourself, Ethan Zhang. But this kind of stubborn guy is really tough to deal with!
In the first-floor living room, only the man and I remained. He had been released and slumped on the ground, sweat still beading on his face, breathing heavily as he looked at me.
Why is Howard Zhang like that?
I asked, but the man before me stayed silent, just staring at me coldly.
Are you connected to Brother Owen? Is he the one who sent you?
Faced with a barrage of questions, the man ignored me, as if I didn't exist, leaning against the wall and staring up at the ceiling.
What exactly did you do to Howard Zhang?
I asked again, but the man still wouldn't speak. The night was deep. I kept questioning him, but he refused to compromise, maintaining complete silence.
I can't watch this anymore, Ethan Zhang.
With a rush, Redmond appeared at my side, smiling angrily.
Can you tell me what happened? Lord Shenyan mentioned a flame that shouldn't exist in the living world—the True Void Flame.
I looked quietly at Redmond. He seemed to know something, but it was clear they didn't want to tell me.
Let me put it this way, Ethan Zhang. This might affect the reputation of the Buddhist Sect, so Lord Shenyan doesn't want to tell you. I only know a little more than you do.
After Redmond finished speaking, he crouched in front of the man, pressing a hand on his head with a vicious look.
If you know what's good for you, hurry up and say it. Who gave you that flame?
Suddenly, the man knocked Redmond's hand away, jumped up, and dashed toward the glass window to my left. With a crash, the glass shattered. Redmond instantly chased after him.
I quickly followed, but when I reached the backyard, it was empty. I stared in shock.
Ethan Zhang, you gave him too much time. He got away.
I looked around quietly. Vivian Maple and the others came over, and Lord Shenyan still looked furious. At that moment, I heard Susan Li calling out.
Howard Zhang is awake, Ethan!
There were footsteps coming downstairs. Howard Zhang, supported by Susan Li and Rachel Lan, made his way down, groaning as if his whole body ached, his hands trembling.
Why are you all here? Did something happen?
I briefly explained the situation to Howard Zhang. He looked at me suspiciously, then glanced around, finally picking up his phone to check the time.
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If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known, Ethan. What exactly is going on?
At that moment, I noticed the book in Lord Shenyan's hand. By chance, that Sanskrit passage appeared again, and every other page was filled with Sanskrit—very strange.
Susan Li massaged Howard Zhang's arm, which hadn't moved for more than a day. Howard Zhang leaned back on the sofa, clearly enjoying it.
Think carefully, Howard. When you were at Putian Temple, did you ever have any memory lapses?
Lord Shenyan asked in a very serious tone. Howard Zhang looked puzzled, as if trying to recall something.
I did.
When?
Lord Shenyan immediately asked, his tone urgent.
I remember I spent several months on the mountain. Finally, when my senior brothers went out, I snuck down, drank a lot at a bar, and had barbecue. I got drunk, and when I woke up the next day, I was back on the mountain. But that night, I remember I wasn't drinking alone—someone was with me, but I can't recall who.
Let me try, Howard. I'll use coexistence to search for that memory in your mind.
That's all we can do now.
Lord Shenyan waved his hand, and a blue light enveloped Howard Zhang's body.
Go ahead, Ethan Zhang, but be careful. You're a ghost, and he's a member of the Buddhist Sect.
What do you mean by that? It's not like I'd hurt my cousin.
Howard Zhang was a bit displeased.
That's not what I meant. The power in your body naturally restrains ghosts.
After a while, Howard Zhang calmed down. I sat cross-legged in front of him, black ghost threads extending out. Soon, I lost consciousness.
When I opened my eyes, I was in a world of neon lights and nightlife. I stared in surprise at the people passing by on the street—this must be some indoor night street.
But no, this isn't what I'm supposed to see. I widened my eyes. Howard Zhang walked out of a karaoke bar, arm in arm with Lan Yin, both looking drunk. Five or six flamboyantly dressed women laughed and joked around them.
I sighed helplessly, then with a thought, I found myself on another night street. This time, I saw Howard Zhang standing on top of a car, singing loudly, surrounded by a crowd of cheering men and women.
What is all this?
I kept wandering through Howard Zhang's memories, but all I saw was him indulging in nightlife, from his teens up to recently.
Cousin, do you want to play? I'll teach you.
Suddenly, I stopped in front of a rundown internet café. Howard Zhang stopped too. I remember this was in eighth grade—I didn't even know how to use a computer yet. I listened to classmates talk about games and felt interested but uneasy.
Back then, I shook my head.
What's there to be afraid of, cousin? I'll teach you. Come on.
I followed him. I remember it was my first time in an internet café, and there were lots of kids my age and even younger inside.
But just as Howard Zhang and I entered, a man in a black coat and hood bumped into us.
In an instant, I saw the man was wearing a black mask, his eyes blood-red. I was frozen in fear, but Howard Zhang angrily grabbed him with a raised fist.
Suddenly, everything twisted and the memory began to shatter. I stared wide-eyed as the distorted scene showed Howard Zhang fighting with the man.
Stop searching, Ethan Zhang. This has nothing to do with you. It's all Howard Zhang's doing. I'm only here to reclaim what he promised me.
A furious voice sounded behind me.