"Guest, please." As soon as the car stopped at the entrance of the villa, the driver got out and opened the door for me.
I stepped down, and the welcoming band at the entrance started playing immediately. The atmosphere was lively. Rows of beautiful women dressed in ancient gauzy dresses stood on both sides, their smiles blooming like flowers, respectfully smiling at me.
I swallowed nervously, unable to help but glance a few more times. Suddenly, those women surrounded me, reaching out to undress me.
"What are you doing?" My face flushed. Then a few servants pulled over several white cloths, completely enclosing me within.
"Young Master, Madam prefers cleanliness and tidiness, so..."
Embarrassed, I closed my eyes tightly.
"Young Master, please bathe."
I opened my eyes. My clothes had already been removed, and a steaming large wooden tub was placed before me.
Petals floated on the water, their fragrance filling the air, a faint scent wafting around me. Naked, I stepped into the tub. The water was just right—not too hot, not too cold.
Several women stood around, holding towels and a light blue suit. I looked at them awkwardly, and then two of the women reached out to rub my back.
I didn't refuse. I hadn't bathed in days and was starting to smell. Though my body still felt uncomfortable, I'd gotten used to it. Compared to those days, I felt much better.
After washing, I changed clothes and went inside. Just beyond the entrance was a grand hall, filled with exquisite furniture and a red carpet trimmed with gold.
"Please." The driver gestured, and I walked into a courtyard.
On both sides of the courtyard were neat lawns, and beneath my feet, a path paved with pebbles. Ahead was a small bridge; I heard the sound of running water as I crossed. A clear, clean stream flowed below, filled with plump carp.
Rows of cherry blossom trees stretched out in front of the two-story ancient building.
A refreshing fragrance filled the air as petals danced overhead. Suddenly, a bell rang. I turned toward the sound and saw a woman in red gauze ancient attire.
Her hair was styled in a bun, held by a golden hairpin with a small bell tied to it, tinkling in the breeze.
She exuded an air of elegance and nobility, her slender jade-like hand scattering fish food.
"Young Master, I am called Samantha Simons. May I ask what I should call you?"
"My name... my name is Ethan Zhang."
Samantha Simons turned her head, her smile as radiant as a flower. Rouge-red lips, willow-leaf eyebrows, a slender face, and long black hair cascading like a waterfall—her eyes captivating and mysterious.
"Ethan, please forgive me for inviting you here without permission."
I scratched my head.
"No, it's fine, haha."
With a sudden motion, Samantha Simons drifted in front of me, placing her hand on my chest and giggling.
"Young Master, your heart is beating so fast."
I hurriedly tried to step back, but Samantha Simons grabbed my hand, making my cheeks burn with embarrassment.
"I was wondering... Madam Simons, why did you invite me here?"
I stammered, lifting my head, constantly reminding myself not to think about anything inappropriate.
Suddenly, Samantha Simons covered her face with a smile and walked slowly onto the small bridge, continuing to feed the fish.
"Last night, I sensed a familiar aura, and Young Master Ethan, you carry that same aura. Let me be direct—what is your relationship with Yuna Ji, the princess of the Ji family?"
I let out a sound of surprise, immediately recalling Yuna Ji's warning: here, she must not be recognized.
"Who... who?"
I pretended not to understand, but when Samantha Simons mentioned the princess of the Ji family, I realized she was talking about Yuna Ji.
"Young Master Ethan, what do you think of this place?"
Samantha Simons asked. I thought for a moment.
"It's pretty good, especially the food."
Samantha Simons tossed away the last bit of fish food and sat on the bridge, looking at me. The smile on her face was gone.
I instantly became alert, a chill sweeping over me.
"Young Master Ethan, and what is your relationship with John Chou?"
I looked at Samantha Simons with even more suspicion.
"Let's set those matters aside for now, Young Master Ethan. Our home here has been peaceful for many years. Back then, the Sevenfold Ghost Sovereigns threw the entire ghost realm into chaos. Every ghost had only two choices: join one of them, or die."
My heart skipped a beat as I looked at Samantha Simons—she wore an expression of sorrow.
"Young Master Ethan, did you know? Back then, I barely escaped death at the hands of John Chou."
I let out a sound of surprise. Thinking about it, John Chou's attitude toward women was domineering—life or death was at his whim.
"In those days, every ghost in the realm lived in fear, all because of the Sevenfold Ghost Sovereigns. I, along with three others here, wandered for years before settling in this place to hide. At some point, the Sevenfold Ghost Sovereigns vanished from the world. We thought we could finally live in peace, but Quentin Kue sealed us here."
"Do you want to leave?"
Samantha Simons shook her head.
"What difference would it make? At first, we wanted to leave, but now, several of the Sevenfold Ghost Sovereigns have returned to the world. Even if we left, we'd only be choosing sides."
From Samantha Simons' tone, she seemed deeply troubled.
"Things are different now. The seven of them... none can compare to their former selves. You all—"
Samantha Simons interrupted me.
"Young Master Ethan, you may not know this, but even now, those seven have surpassed the limits of ordinary ghosts. We lesser ghosts are no match for them."
I couldn't help but feel sympathy for Samantha Simons.
"So, I have a request." Samantha Simons said, suddenly stepping in front of me, as if about to kneel.
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I quickly reached out to support her.
"Young Master Ethan, I hope you can persuade Yuna Ji to leave this place. The other three here have likely sensed her return. Back then, those three were tormented by Yuna Ji. Now, with her power diminished, they may seek revenge."
I sighed and nodded.
Then I left. The driver offered to take me back, but I refused. I wanted to wander the streets for a while.
Glancing back at the villa, at first I thought Samantha Simons wanted to seduce me and keep me there. But I was overthinking it. Though we'd only met once, she seemed very reasonable.
Walking down the street, people and ghosts alike greeted me, all praising the place. I also noticed there were a lot of little ghosts on the street.
As I walked, I saw a bar. Easton Grant, the singer, was inside, drinking beer. I moved closer, and suddenly the owner came out, greeted me with a smile, and pulled me inside.
Holding a glass of beer, I sat beside Easton Grant, feeling a little excited.
"H-hi." I stammered, reaching out my hand. With a slap, Easton Grant knocked it away.
"If you have nothing to do, get lost, outsider."
Easton Grant spoke harshly, glaring at me.
He clearly wasn't in a good mood. Thinking this, I moved to the side, not daring to bother him further.
"Hey, kid, where do you think peace exists in this world?"
Easton Grant suddenly asked. I was startled, staring blankly at him.
"I used to think that death would bring peace, but every time, I couldn't make up my mind. I'm afraid of dying."
Easton Grant said, taking a big gulp.
"Later, I stumbled upon this place and came here. At first, I thought I'd found a paradise, but gradually, I realized we seem to be livestock for the ghosts, kept here to be raised."
I stared at him in shock. Easton Grant actually started crying, trembling with fear.
"Will you take me out? Please? I'm begging you."
Suddenly, Easton Grant, in a panic, grabbed me and started walking outside. He pulled me quickly up the slope leading out of town.
Easton Grant looked blankly at the road out.
"Where's the road?"
I let out a sound, pointing at the road ahead.
"This is the way out."
Easton Grant reached out in the direction I pointed, groping around. Suddenly, he seemed to be climbing a slope, stepping on air and ascending.
I stared wide-eyed as Easton Grant seemed to be climbing a cliff, suspended in midair, his fingers gripping something invisible.
I walked over easily, stepping onto the path outside town, but Easton Grant kept climbing.
Just as I was puzzled, Easton Grant suddenly fell from the air, tumbling down. I rushed over, and with a thud, he hit the ground, blood pouring out.
"I can't get out, I can't get out."
Easton Grant cried out, reaching out, looking utterly miserable.
"What did you see?"
I asked.
"A mountain so tall I couldn't see the top. I tried climbing it a few times before—climbed for three days straight and never reached the summit."
I stared in shock. Then Easton Grant got up, looking lost, shook off my hand, and walked back toward the town.
In a daze, I heard the sound of cars. Suddenly, I jumped aside as three large buses roared past, packed with excited passengers.
"We're livestock for the ghosts." Easton Grant's helpless cry echoed in my mind.
I looked at the town. In two days, it would be the so-called Human-Ghost Festival. Thinking of the conversation between two ghosts last night, I stared wide-eyed at those three buses packed with people.