In the distance, we heard waves of miserable screams. Three ghosts wielding large blades had already fallen to the ground, easily struck down by John Chou. We hurried over.
Seeing this, the bandits immediately surrounded us. In less than a minute, seven or eight ghosts screamed and began to flee.
I looked at the three robbed ghosts. They seemed to be merchants, their goods spilled all over the ground—food, clothing, and medicine. I stared in confusion. All three ghosts were injured and looked at us with deep gratitude.
"Can I ask something? Which way is the nearest city from here?"
John Chou asked, and a ghost with a severed ear replied.
"Is this your first time in Shu?"
The three then took out a translucent orb from their pockets. I had seen this before—back when searching for the entrance to the Jialan Throne in the Graveyard Desert, Lord Castleton had given me one of these orbs that could indicate direction.
It turns out this thing is called a Locator Orb. The Ghostrealm is vast, and traveling anywhere is difficult without knowing the way. To help ghosts navigate, every major city sells these orbs, though they're expensive. Once you buy one and reach another city, if you want to return or move on, you must exchange it at the shop for a Locator Orb connected to the next city. But once you've bought one, you benefit from it forever.
The three told us they were also heading to Rockfall City to sell goods they’d collected from the town, so we decided to travel together.
During the journey, John Chou kept holding the Locator Orb, inside which a streak of black would morph into an arrow, pointing the way.
"When did these things first appear?"
Lord Shenyan asked.
"Is this your first time in the Ghostrealm? These orbs started being sold a little over a hundred years ago."
John Chou immediately looked puzzled. We asked more about Rockfall City, and the ghosts began talking over each other. They’d been doing business in this region of Shu for almost two hundred years—everyone knows them.
The entire region of Shu used to be barren, and most supplies had to be shipped in from more prosperous provinces. Things improved a bit after the Ghost Market opened, with thousands of markets connecting to the Living World. But just a few months ago, they all suddenly disappeared.
When we asked about the disappearance, all three ghosts turned away in resignation, glancing back. It was the Underworld Court that ordered the Ghost Markets closed, cutting off almost every direct link with the Living World. From their tone, I could tell they were angry at the Underworld Court, but powerless to resist.
Many ghosts living in the Ghostrealm aren’t much different from humans. They don’t want to reincarnate or descend into Hell. After death, they become wandering souls, but eventually enter the Ghostrealm through the Ghost Market and settle into a stable life, gradually forming a ghost society.
The Ghost Markets that connect to the Living World are crucial trading platforms for the Ghostrealm. If a ghost has no living relatives, they can’t receive offerings of paper money and food during Qingming or on the fourteenth of July—they have to fend for themselves, and edible things in the Ghostrealm are scarce.
Ghosts don’t need to eat often, but food is vital for maintaining their souls. For most of the gray-robed and white-hearted, they can’t sustain themselves by draining human lifespan, eating humans, or devouring other ghosts. If they starve for too long, they become Starving Wraiths, and may even lose their minds.
When Ethan Zhang and his group went down to the Ghostrealm, they passed through Lord Wraith’s territory and the Starvation Woods. The countless Starving Wraiths driven mad there were mostly ghosts unable to survive elsewhere, forced to gather there.
At this point, the three ghosts began talking about Rockfall City. Over the past two hundred years, there have been five rulers here. The first four couldn’t stand the poverty and left after squeezing every last drop from the city. Back then, there were few Ghost Markets, and the entire domain of Rockfall City had fewer than five.
The Ghost Markets only multiplied when Warren Lang, the fifth ruler, arrived. Somehow, he opened more than fifty Ghost Markets, bringing life to the once barren Rockfall City. Towns sprang up, and many ghosts moved here. But a few months ago, the Underworld Court suddenly purged the Ghost Markets in the Living World and shut them all down, leaving the ghosts here in misery.
Fortunately, Rockfall City itself wasn’t hit as hard. Warren Lang still manages to obtain plenty of goods, selling them to ghosts at the lowest prices to keep the market alive.
Things were getting stranger, but with the three ghosts, we didn’t talk much—just listened as they continued about Rockfall City.
Recently, restrictions have tightened. Entering or leaving the city requires strict inspection, and most people have no idea what’s happening. The only thing certain is that the rulers of the Blazing Fields may be about to start a war.
There are three types of ghost soldiers in the Blazing Fields, all dressed in black, but each with a different emblem: red clouds, golden dragons, and blue mist.
Gradually, we noticed more ghosts around us. Ahead, a city appeared—vast, with towering walls. Crowds of ghosts gathered at the gate, passing in and out under the scrutiny of ghost soldiers.
We parted ways with the three ghosts and found a spot to sit in a small market outside the city, surrounded by rows of makeshift shacks.
"What exactly are you looking for, John Chou? Just attack. If we capture that Blue Wraith, Warren Lang, we’ll know everything. There’s no need to keep investigating."
Lord Shenyan stared quietly at the city before us.
John Chou shook his head.
"Some things aren’t solved just by taking this place or capturing the leader. I’m afraid the Emperor God and his followers infiltrated long ago—their preparations for war may have started in our time."
John Chou said this. I sighed helplessly and slumped over the table. I also felt there was no need to investigate further—my current appearance made me uncomfortable everywhere.
We lined up in a long queue, waiting for inspection at the city gate. The inspectors were a few fierce wraiths, their eyes sharp as they scrutinized everyone entering. When our turn came, John Chou walked over with a smile.
"New faces,"
One of the wraiths said. John Chou quickly explained that since the Ghost Market in the Wildlands was closed, life had become difficult and we’d come here to make a living. We entered the city with ease, now blending in as ordinary gray-hearted ghosts.
Once inside, I was surprised—the city was nothing like its name. Rockfall City was bustling, with everything imaginable. The streets were lively, lined with shops of every kind. We mingled among the ghosts, looking around, but saw no sign of impending war. Whenever we asked about it, no ghost mentioned anything.
Still, many ghosts were dissatisfied with the Underworld Court’s harsh actions.
We found the place to buy food, right in the city center—a windowless area surrounded by high walls. Each wall had windows, and the goods were carefully sorted by category, easy to identify. But the buying time was midnight, and only merchants could purchase. Ordinary ghosts needed a merchant’s certificate from the city administration.
After wandering for a while, we arrived at the city center. At this hour, there were few ghosts around, and rows of black windows were tightly shut.
We couldn't find out anything more. I stood bored in an alley, sitting on the ground, while John Chou kept his eyes fixed on the place where goods were being bought.
"Let's wait a few more days and see."
John Chou said, sitting down. Then he handed me some money and told me to find a guest room to settle in.
Helpless, I took the money back to the busy street, then entered an inn called Riley Inn and asked for a room on the lowest floor facing the street.
One thing that puzzled me was why there wasn't a single ghost soldier on the street. Thinking back, I wondered how those ghost soldiers had suddenly appeared and found us.
On such lively streets, there should have been ghosts getting into conflicts, but everyone here seemed extremely friendly, and nothing of the sort ever happened. I lay bored by the window.
Suddenly, I saw a ghost with two thin mustaches and a sly look. I quickly turned and ran—there was no way I'd mistake him. It was Huang Mingfa. He was supposed to have escaped from under Hidden Falls Temple, so why was he here?
Out on the street, I looked around and soon found Huang Mingfa. He was carrying a bamboo basket covered with trinkets, selling them among the ghosts. Most just glanced and walked away, uninterested. Huang Mingfa sighed helplessly.
"I'll buy everything."
I croaked as I walked over. Huang Mingfa nodded happily, and after I paid, he looked satisfied with the spirit notes.
"Ah, young lady, you have good taste."
"Any more?"
I asked, and Huang Mingfa nodded happily, saying he'd take me to his place where he had more. I put the goods in my inn room and followed him.
Looking at Huang Mingfa, I was sure I hadn't mistaken him. After his death, he was drawn by the huge evil spirit under Hidden Falls Temple and trapped there. Ethan Zhang should have rescued him, so why was he here now?