Howard Zhang's body slowly floated upward, suspended in the air. In the sky, golden light began to expand, and his body continued its gradual ascent.
"Ethan, I almost forgot. In the Wailing Maiden's Den, I still have an unfinished promise with those girls. If I just leave like this, won’t they hate me forever…"
"Howard, damn…"
I forced a bitter smile, wiped my tears, and sat on Ironmask's back.
"Lord Wraith, are you pleased? Building a fortress from women's tears and resentment—does that truly make you happy?" Howard roared in fury, then stopped midair, slowly rose, pressed his palms together, tucked his right foot in, balanced on his left, spun once, and then sat cross-legged in the air.
"Howard..."
I shouted, and Howard opened his eyes, a golden light shining from within them.
"Women... women..."
Howard bowed his head, rage boiling inside him, and then he roared.
"Women are meant to be cherished, not treated as props or tools. Lord Wraith, I, Howard Zhang, will never forgive you. Girls, the sky has cleared—it’s time to stop crying. Your sorrow, anger, and resentment, I hear them all. Amitabha…"
With a resonant hum, the oppressive sky revealed a massive Buddha Sigil. The dark clouds instantly parted, unveiling a clear sky stretching for miles. Golden light bathed the land, and in a flash, all of Wraithhold glistened with radiance.
Amitabha. Through focused meditation, one attains unpredictable transformations, unobstructed and profound. Such unpredictability is divine, such unobstructedness is mastery. There is the power of fate, heavenly hearing, mind-reading, heavenly vision, divine movement, and freedom from defilements—the Six Divine Powers. The Buddha said: through the Buddha’s eye, all is known... the Buddha’s eye opens…
Around the Rakshasa Tree, everything was enveloped in purple light. Lord Wraith writhed in agony, howling as the scriptures echoed through the air.
From where Howard Zhang stood, two golden beams shot toward the Rakshasa Tree. With a scream, Lord Wraith cried out in pain.
The lush branches and leaves of the Rakshasa Tree were gradually ignited by the golden light, turning to ash and scattering in the wind.
I felt the golden light shining on me—so warm, so comforting.
Howard Zhang continued to chant the scriptures. The women trapped in the Rakshasa Tree began to break free. Gradually, the ghostly women fluttered through the air like celestial maidens, drifting toward Howard.
Ethan, this is the end. Go now…
It’s time to go, Ethan Zhang…
Ironmask spread his massive wings and began to beat them. We flew toward Lord Wraith, whose mouth was wide open and screaming.
I slowly stood up, raising the Duskmourn Twinblades. In my mind, a voice spoke to me.
Only humans can destroy evil spirits, Ethan Zhang.
I smiled faintly and let go with my right hand. The black Nightfall Sword, symbolizing the ghosts, shattered with a crack, the black crystal covering the left side of my body broke apart, dissolving into wisps of black smoke that vanished in the golden light.
This is the final strike, Ethan Zhang…
Ironmask spoke with a smile in his voice. I let out a cry, gripping the white longsword with both hands. Instantly, a blinding white light flared to life.
Ethan Zhang—!" Lord Wraith shouted again.
“Ethan—” Howard Zhang’s voice called from the sky. Ironmask stopped, grabbed my leg, and hurled me into the gaping maw of the Rakshasa Tree.
“Ethan Zhang—” Everyone’s voices echoed in my ears. I shouted, gripping the white longsword, and plunged into the giant mouth.
A jolt ran through my mind—I sensed Lord Wraith’s ghostly essence right in front of me.
Ethan Zhang, you…
With a hiss, my white longsword pierced into something. Bathed in white light, I saw it clearly—Lord Wraith, his skin black and gnarled like ancient bark, his eyes glowing violet, stared at me in terror.
It's over, Lord Wraith. Just as Howard said—hell itself, your hell of women, where you crowned yourself king, was all obsession. But now, it all ends…
With a crack, Lord Wraith’s skin split open, bit by bit. With a bang, a handsome face emerged—long black hair, and David Du stared at me, eyes empty and dazed.
"It’s… it’s not over yet, Ethan Zhang… ah—"
Cracking sounds echoed on and on. Shafts of golden light pierced through the fissures all around. I drew out my sword, and Lord Wraith, reaching out, slowly fell downward.
The surroundings began to collapse, dissolving into smoke and dust, fading away bit by bit. Suddenly, I heard waves of joyous laughter. I turned, stunned—under the golden sky, tens of thousands of ghostly women, radiant with smiles, soared upward into the shimmering light.
Clouds swirled around Howard Zhang, and beautiful ghostly women gathered near him. He was standing, seemingly joking and teasing them, laughter in his voice.
I burst out laughing, and so did everyone in the sky above.
Then we all slowly drifted downward. The number of ghostly women dwindled as they vanished into the golden light above.
"Lee Four, we had a deal—I kept my promise. Your sister has been saved…" I raised my head and roared to the heavens, my heart soaring with joy.