The plane slowly landed in H City. My mother and I disembarked together.
"Mom, I'll head over directly."
I said, noticing my mother's concern. I shook my head.
"Don't worry about me, Mom. I'm not a kid anymore. Besides, I'm pretty worked up right now—if anyone pisses me off, I swear I'll beat them..."
My mom sighed.
"Roxie, don't dwell on it. Haven't we been through enough already? There will be a way out."
My mom insisted on coming with me, but I refused and told her to hurry back to her errands. I planned to head straight to Redmond's Shadow Realm to find Ethan Zhang's old friends, discuss our next move, and tell them everything about Ethan. They have a right to know.
After leaving the airport, I flagged down a car and asked the driver to take me to Redmane Corp. It was nearby, even with traffic it would only take half an hour.
My body had mostly recovered. I woke up on my birthday, and my parents celebrated with me. But I couldn't bring myself to be happy—not at thirty-six, not after being dead for several years. Even counting those lost years, I'm just past thirty, though I still look young.
I quietly stared at myself in the rearview mirror. Suddenly, I smiled. Then I closed my eyes.
"Since I've accepted reality, I need to figure out a plan. Sooner or later, we'll have to stop him."
"Can you not?"
I muttered. The driver glanced at me in surprise. I quickly shut up, grabbed my phone, and stared awkwardly out the window.
"Miss, are you having some trouble?"
"You could say that."
The driver asked suddenly. I smiled helplessly.
"Looks like you had a fight with your husband or a friend, huh?"
I gave a noncommittal hum, not bothering to argue. It wasn't a fight, but that's just how things are. I had no idea what was happening with Ethan Zhang in the dream world—Mona Ouyang had been unreachable, and no one knew where she'd gone. I kept dreaming these past few nights, but I never saw him in my dreams.
Vivian Ouyang was still reachable. She'd been busy with family affairs, having left the Ghost Burial Squad to help manage her family's business.
It felt like everything had changed. Miles Mao and Howard Lee too. The Ghost Burial Squad still patrolled the city daily, but there was little left for them to do—there wasn't even a single Whitecoat Wraith in the Living World. The Underworld Court had launched a massive sweep for wandering souls, and agents from Hades Circle searched for them every day, sending any they found straight to the Underworld Court as laborers.
Those with better aptitude can be trained to become Yin Soldiers. Jason Su talked with me about this before, suggesting I learn gradually and get used to being a mediator, managing the vast Lan Family. Currently, my parents handle all Lan Family affairs; I don't bother with such things.
Our Lan Family has the second largest population in the Yellow Springs, nearly 100,000 people, with a total of 15 branch families.
"Young lady, let me tell you, men are actually soft-hearted. Even if you don't speak up, he'll definitely come to you first."
I smiled awkwardly and nodded.
"Yeah."
Right now, my only worry is whether Ethan Zhang still exists. If things are truly as the Founding Emperors said, Ethan Zhang's consciousness will disappear because of Hell's Will. Hell's Will is so powerful that it's nearly impossible for Ethan's consciousness to survive; in the end, it will be devoured entirely. So, if Ethan Zhang's consciousness really vanishes, they need me to destroy Hell's Will without hesitation.
Because Hell's Will needs a vessel in the Living World; without one, it can't cross over from the Underworld to the world of Yin and Yang. As long as I can destroy that vessel, Hell's Will will return to Hell and won't threaten the Living World.
"Damn Wraithlord."
I muttered under my breath. The driver didn't pay attention and stayed silent.
When I learned everything, I felt unbearably distressed. So the Founding Emperors used a certain spell to make me temporarily forget it all. But it was the Wraithlord who gradually helped me break the spell and remember everything. I know some things must be faced eventually, but I never thought they'd come so soon.
I have to tell Ethan Zhang's friends everything and figure out a plan. There's nothing I can do alone.
Gradually, the car stopped at the entrance of Hongyun Corporation a little after 3 p.m. I got out and walked straight over; the entrance was on the rooftop.
"Come with me, Rachel Lan."
A breeze swept past my eyes, startling me. Vivian Maple was already standing in front of me, and I followed her.
Vivian Maple led me inside. We took the elevator straight to the top floor, and the wind was strong on the rooftop.
"What's wrong, Rachel Lan? You look really anxious."
I didn't say anything.
"Miss Vivian, could you help me notify all the Ghost Sovereigns? I have something important to tell them."
"All the Ghost Sovereigns already know about John Chou's situation."
I shook my head.
Vivian asked, and I nodded.
"It's urgent, and very important. I want to tell them in person."
Vivian nodded, then turned into a stream of green mist and vanished. I walked slowly toward the main hall, the empty streets stretching ahead. My restless mood eased a little.
"You seem troubled, Miss Lan. Would you like me to give you a ride?"
A breeze swept in, and I looked over. The Ghost Painting Book Immortal descended beside me on a scroll.
"I'm not in a hurry. I'll just walk over slowly."
"I suppose gathering us all is about Ethan Zhang, isn't it?"
I hummed in response, not intending to say anything yet. I'd wait for the Ghost Sovereigns to arrive before explaining.
"Could you tell me a little in advance?"
I shook my head.
"I'll wait until everyone is here."
Before I could finish speaking, I heard laughter to my left. Black Moon approached on a crescent-shaped boat.
"Can you two walk on the ground?"
I muttered irritably. Black Moon stepped off the crescent boat, snapped his fingers, and the boat vanished. He bowed formally to me.
"Miss Ruoxi, is there news about the Boss?"
I nodded, then shook my head.
"So what's the problem, then? Let me guess—is it that the Boss can't come back, or...?"
"That's probably it, maybe."
I said helplessly. I knew all about each of these guys; at night, Ethan Zhang would often hold me and tell me stories about their journey.
After a while, I reached the steps leading to the main hall. There were nine round plazas connected by stairs. At the first set of stairs, Deathcurse and Yaksha Huang were already waiting for us. I glanced around and saw a flickering figure in the distance—when I got closer, I realized it was Ji Zhang.
With two flashes of green light, Duan Wentian and Cao Wanzhi appeared. I saw another person beside Duan Wentian—Zhou Fulai, who smiled at me.
"Haven't you gone to find Niu Quanfai yet?"
I asked, and Zhou Fulai shook his head.
"Even if I did, it wouldn't help. That guy probably hates me. Let's not talk about my problems—let's focus on Ethan Zhang. That's why you gathered us here, right?"
I hummed in response, and Ji Zhang smiled.
"Miss Ruoxi, is it true that Ethan can't come back?"
For a moment, I didn't know how to answer, but I decided to tell them about John Chou's situation first.
"Let me tell you about John Chou's situation first. Later, I might need you to come with me to see him—I hope you'll help."
Many nodded in agreement. Deathcurse smiled and said:
"Since you've asked, of course we'll help you, Rachel Lan."
I began explaining John Chou's situation, but suddenly, Deathcurse grabbed Black Moon.
"What are you doing?"
We all looked over. Black Moon raised both hands.
"Nothing."
"Hmph, you might fool others, but not me. What were you writing in your palm just now, transmitting it with some kind of spell? Rachel Lan, I suggest you keep this scheming guy out of the important discussion—he probably doesn't mean well."
Black Moon immediately raised both hands and started waving them.
"I'm a member of the Dark Fang—how could I not mean well?"
"Then can you explain what just happened?"
Black Moon sighed helplessly and said:
"Of course I was recording it. I have to record everything and store it in the Celestial Hound's memory. Who knows, one day we might forget everything!"