The morning mist at the eastern airport had just cleared when we boarded the plane, waiting for takeoff. I found it odd, watching the siblings nearby—especially Ma Yongjie. I was puzzled why he chose to fly instead of simply having one of the Deathbane Ghosts carry us directly.
Moreover, Ma Yongjie told us early this morning to suppress our energy, especially the three Deathbane Ghosts and Lan Ruoxi. I instinctively awakened my power and shared some of it with them, allowing them to quickly form a membrane on their bodies that could absorb yang energy.
I wanted to ask Ma Yongjie why, but he’d already told me when he agreed to let me join him in searching for the Hundred Ghosts: just follow his lead. I agreed, and the others didn’t ask either.
Ma Yongjie looked sharp in a black suit, a striking red headset on his ear, his face strikingly handsome. Beside him, Lan Ruoxi wore a blue casual outfit. The siblings looked like privileged heirs from a wealthy family, drawing glances from many in the cabin—especially at Lan Ruoxi’s beauty.
I glanced gloomily at Ding Dacheng, who was as excited as a child. Out of six people, why did I have to sit next to Ding Dacheng? I glared at Ma Yongjie, suspecting he’d done it on purpose by giving us the consecutive seat numbers. Ma Yongjie opened his eyes and shot me a sidelong look, amusement in his gaze.
"Hey, Lan Ruoxi, when is this plane finally taking off? I’m getting impatient. I’ve never..."
Ding Dacheng’s voice boomed as soon as he spoke. I slapped my hand over his mouth, drawing looks from people around us. I was a beauty, after all, but sitting next to someone like Ding Dacheng—with his rough features, crooked hat, burly build, and rustic clothes—made people glance at us curiously. Ding Dacheng looked like a nouveau riche.
"Can you be quiet for a moment? I only slept a few hours last night, and I’m exhausted. Let me sleep in peace, okay?"
Ding Dacheng nodded and I let go of his mouth. At nine o’clock, the plane finally took off, and I closed my eyes.
When I woke up, the plane was already landing. I looked at Ding Dacheng in surprise—he’d suddenly gone quiet. But when I glanced at Ma Yongjie’s seat, he was gone. Startled, I saw Ding Dacheng still munching on snacks.
Dean Ding pointed toward the service area.
"It’s way more expensive to eat there than outside. You think I’m made of money?"
I remembered there was a snack street just outside the airport, with great food. It was only two or three kilometers away—no more than a twenty-minute walk.
The street was bustling with people. Dean Ding and I quickly made our way through the crowd.
"Tell me about the guy we’re supposed to find. What’s he like?"
Last night, I overheard Allen Zhang and Jerry Li talking about a guy named Yao. Apparently, he’s got some personality issues.
Everyone calls him Brother Yao. I don’t even know his real name. He’s a stickler for rules—heard he was a soldier before, executed for treason, and his whole family was wiped out. I really don’t like how rigid he is. I bet he hates John Chou a lot now.
I made a sound of acknowledgment and kept walking with Dean Ding. I noticed his previously relaxed face had grown serious.
"What’s wrong?"
I asked quietly without looking back. He shook his head, but his eyes said otherwise—someone was watching us.
I didn’t expect we’d be watched as soon as we got off the plane. I glanced around cautiously.
"Ignore everything—just keep walking."
I nodded. After a while, Dean Ding and I found a snack shop, ordered some food and drinks, and sat down. Dean Ding looked alert—though he usually acted carefree and unserious, he never slacked off when it mattered.
After finishing our meal, Dean Ding and I decided to find a place to stay and wait for John Chou and the others to contact us. I didn’t know what John Chou was planning, but I suspected he wanted to use me as bait.
It was just a guess, but since we’d suddenly caught someone’s attention, it was all I could think of. Dean Ding hadn’t said a word during lunch, as if he’d sensed something strange.
We wandered the streets for a while, and by 3 p.m. we’d checked into a nearby high-rise hotel. Dean Ding said he didn’t need to sleep and would keep watch. I didn’t think much of it, and after entering the room, I lay comfortably on the soft bed, overlooking the city.
Dean Ding stayed outside, his presence hidden, waiting for the stalkers to show themselves. I couldn’t sense anything.
Time ticked by, and I grew bored. It was nearly 5 p.m. I got up, planning to take a shower and then go out for a walk.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. I went over and opened it—a hotel staff member was there, saying the hotel was hosting some event, and I’d won a spot at tonight’s gourmet banquet. I looked at the invitation, puzzled.
I didn’t expect we’d be watched as soon as we got off the plane. I glanced around cautiously.
"Ignore everything—just keep walking."
I nodded. After a while, Ding Dacheng and I found a snack shop, ordered some food and drinks, and sat down. Ding Dacheng looked alert—though he usually acted carefree and unserious, he never slacked off when it mattered.
After finishing our meal, Ding Dacheng and I decided to find a place to stay and wait for Ma Yongjie and the others to contact us. I didn’t know what Ma Yongjie was planning, but I suspected he wanted to use me as bait.
It was just a guess, but since we’d suddenly caught someone’s attention, it was all I could think of. Ding Dacheng hadn’t said a word during lunch, as if he’d sensed something strange.
We wandered the streets for a while, and by 3 p.m. we’d checked into a nearby high-rise hotel. Ding Dacheng said he didn’t need to sleep and would keep watch. I didn’t think much of it, and after entering the room, I lay comfortably on the soft bed, overlooking the city.
Ding Dacheng stayed outside, his presence hidden, waiting for the stalkers to show themselves. I couldn’t sense anything.
Time ticked by, and I grew bored. It was nearly 5 p.m. I got up, planning to take a shower and then go out for a walk.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. I went over and opened it—a hotel staff member was there, saying the hotel was hosting some event, and I’d won a spot at tonight’s gourmet banquet. I looked at the invitation, puzzled.
Suddenly, I felt a rush of wind. The guy in front of me was punched in the chest by a man behind him and flew past me, crashing to the ground. I stared in shock, ready to act, but Dean Ding had already appeared at my side.
"What do you want?"
Dean Ding asked, as the man in front of us smiled and walked in slowly.
"I’m Ma Yongjie. Miss Rachel Lan, you must have heard about me from Allen Zhang."
My heart skipped—I had indeed heard Allen Zhang mention him. The hotel attendant behind me had already fainted. With a swoosh, Ma Yongjie leapt to the attendant’s side, and a streak of black energy shot out—a Deathbane Ghost from the Immortality Society. Another pitch-black Deathbane Ghost appeared on Ma Yongjie’s shoulder. He suddenly grabbed the ghost and devoured it.
The attendant was dead. I frowned deeply as I watched.
"What’s going on here?"
Dean Ding looked at Ma Yongjie in confusion.
"You know each other?"
I shook my head. This guy had betrayed the Immortality Society and knew a lot. Allen Zhang had mentioned him before and even accepted his help. Now, seeing him suddenly appear before us, I had no idea what he wanted.
Ma Yongjie then pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and spoke with a smile.
"The Ghost Burial Squad will handle what comes next. Let’s leave, Rachel Lan. You’ve already caught the attention of the Immortality Society. They won’t cause much trouble, but they’ll keep watching you, maybe even try to investigate your situation."
I nodded and followed Ma Yongjie downstairs. Dean Ding was still wary of him.
"No need to be so suspicious, my friend. I’ve had nothing to do with the Immortality Society for centuries."
We got into Ma Yongjie’s black SUV, and he drove Dean Ding and me into the street.
"I’m just helping the Earthly Soul find the Forsaken. I sensed the Immortality Society gathering, so I caught a few and devoured their Deathbane Ghosts. I figured out their plan—they’ve been ordered to keep an eye on you. Whether human or animal, you can’t escape their surveillance."
As Ma Yongjie spoke, I noticed a bird flapping its wings outside, perching on the power line every time our car stopped, as if watching us.
"Where are we going now?"
I asked, and after thinking for a moment, Ma Yongjie replied.
"You came here to find John Chou’s Hundred Ghosts, didn’t you?"
"How do you know?"
Dean Ding immediately asked, his tone fiery.
"The Earthly Soul mentioned it to me before."
I still didn’t quite trust this guy. Allen Zhang had mentioned him to me before, but for some reason, I had a natural distrust of anyone from the Immortality Society.
Eventually, the car stopped in front of an old library. I looked at the building in confusion as Ma Yongjie led us out.
"What’s here?"
"If you want to find the Green Wraith’s hideout, you have to come to places like this. I’ve been here for over a month. Last time, I randomly came across some old newspapers that recorded a lot of strange events."
We followed Ma Yongjie into the library. Shelves were lined with old books, and only one elderly librarian sat at a computer, staring blankly at the visitors, looking bored.
Ma Yongjie swiped his membership card at the desk and led us forward. I looked around curiously—this library seemed destined to close down, since everything’s digital now and paper is almost obsolete.