The female ghost stood at the entrance of the Wailing Maiden's Den, continuously waving at us.
My cousin grinned cheerfully. We had reached halfway down the mountain and would be able to descend soon. Each of us held a wooden stick, making us look rather odd.
I tried not to think too much, doing my best to calm my mind. I kept repeating to myself: I am just a worm.
Soon, we all arrived at the city gate.
"Don't panic, keep moving," Hugh Thompson said, taking the lead. But everyone's expression showed they were barely holding on.
"Just keep going straight. Wraithhold has pretty straightforward roads, all interconnected. As long as we keep heading east, we'll reach the Guest Quarter."
We had just reached the city gate when Hugh Thompson spoke in a low voice.
"Keep moving. Ignore it."
"Heh, in four days it'll be Lord Wraith's grand celebration. Ah, I'm so envious—so many beautiful women..."
"Don't even think about it—all the women here belong to Lord Wraith. We're lucky just to feast our eyes. By the way, did you see it yet? This year, Lord Wraith is especially generous; he's letting everyone visit the Red Palace."
Hugh Thompson reminded us again. As soon as we entered, we saw several houses, and laughter came from one on the left. Looking inside, we saw many ghost soldiers sitting at tables, drinking and playing cards.
Those ghost soldiers all looked nearly identical—pitted, black-grey faces, armored and helmeted. Only their builds varied.
"Don't look. Keep moving," Hugh Thompson urged anxiously.
We kept walking forward.
"Lord Wraith's hobbies really do work in our favor, at least a little."
"Keep moving," Hugh Thompson murmured. We stopped looking at him and continued forward. Many houses around us were closed, and through the windows, we saw weapons hanging inside.
The ghost soldier gradually approached us, his nose charred like coal, sniffing constantly. He staggered over and was right in front of us.
Hugh Thompson kept signaling to us. The ghost soldier almost pressed his nose against my cousin's cheek. I watched my cousin, who looked like he was about to lose it, clearly uncomfortable. At that moment, we all smelled a foul stench.
"Hey, brothers, come out and take a look! Smells like humans—it's strong!"
The ghost soldier suddenly shouted, startling all of us.
A chubby ghost soldier came out, apparently the leader here. With a slap, he knocked the other ghost soldier's helmet to the ground.
"You're talking nonsense! It's been centuries since we've seen a living human. You must be drunk—go stand guard!"
The ghost soldier picked up his helmet and walked away with his head down, and we felt relieved. Hu Tianshuo had told us to move slowly; if we walked too fast, it would arouse suspicion, since no one's ever seen a worm fly across the ground.
Gradually, we finally saw an alley leading east. We walked in slowly; there was no one inside. It was a straight alley with a few small openings, and the road was about three or four meters wide.
Once relaxed, I squatted on the ground, drenched in sweat.
"Just keep going straight. Raksha City has pretty straightforward roads, all interconnected. As long as we keep heading east, we'll reach the Guest Quarter."
After a brief rest, we started walking again. This area was all residential; a bit further ahead, we'd be close to the Octagonal Tower where the Green Specter stays. We'd need to find a way around it.
As we walked, suddenly, laughter and chatter echoed nearby.
"Heh, in four days it'll be Lord Raksha's grand celebration. Ah, I'm so envious—so many beautiful women..."
"Don't even think about it—all the women here belong to Lord Raksha. We're lucky just to feast our eyes. By the way, did you see it yet? This year, Lord Raksha is especially generous; he's letting everyone visit the Red Palace."
The voices came from an alley on the left. I peeked out slightly, since the Deathbane Aura around me was rather strong.
I saw two old ghosts sitting at a doorway, playing chess and chatting.
"I know, but lots of ghosts have gone to see it. There's only four days left, and I can't even squeeze in. Sigh."
Watching the two old ghosts, lost in their chess game again, we quickly slipped past. They didn't notice, and Hu Tianshuo smiled.
"Lord Raksha's hobbies really do work in our favor, at least a little."
We understood now why there were so few ghosts nearby. Most had probably gone to the Red Palace to see the brides-to-be.
We kept winding through the alley, gradually hearing noises as if a banquet was underway. Hu Tianshuo called for a stop; we were outside a large courtyard.
"Don't go any further. Let's hide in this courtyard first and wait until nightfall to sneak past."
Then Huang Jun lifted each of us up onto the walls on either side of the gate. The courtyard's main gate was locked, and there were no ghosts in sight. We all entered—a small courtyard surrounded by rooms and a main hall. We went inside; the furniture was old-fashioned. My cousin sat down casually.
"Close the door. Mao Xiaoyu, get ready, but don't make too much noise. If the ghost who lives here returns, subdue him immediately. Qingyuan, Huang Ju, you two stand guard outside and take turns. The rest of you, get some rest."
Huang Jun and I left the courtyard and crouched beneath the walls on either side of the main gate.
"Qingyuan, you rest first. I'll keep watch." Seeing Huang Jun's determined face, I nodded and accepted his offer, but I couldn't fall asleep. Soon, Mao Xiaoyu seemed to have finished his preparations—a small jar was placed by the entrance, with some talismans drawn on it.
Hu Tianshuo came over.
"Qingyuan, stay alert. If anything happens, don't hesitate—deal with any ghost that comes in immediately."
Huang Jun and I nodded. Then Hu Tianshuo asked Huang Jun for help. He climbed onto the roof, holding a map, and began surveying the distance.
"By the way, Huang Jun, yesterday you carried my cousin and got separated from us. You really can't remember anything?"
Huang Jun nodded.
"Yeah, Qingyuan, this is the first time it's happened. I really can't remember a thing. When I woke up, I just saw you all, but what happened—I have no idea."
I smiled, and Huang Jun asked a question.
"Qingyuan, what happened exactly? I heard you suddenly knew where we were."
I smiled and told Huang Jun a little about Scarlet Hayes.
"Oh, such a powerful female ghost helped you? Heh, if only she could help us too."
I smiled and shook my head, set my backpack down, and leaned back. I was starting to feel sleepy, and the sky was getting dark.
Half asleep, a chill woke me up. Both Huang Jun and I had strong Deathbane Aura, but after what happened during the day, Hu Tianshuo confirmed that the ghostly scent on us was fading, replaced by a faint trace of yang energy.
Huang Jun was still looking up at the sky. It was already night.
"Huang Jun, get some rest. I'll keep watch."
"Qingyuan, I can't seem to sleep."
I looked at Huang Jun and nodded. It wasn't just him—everyone had been on edge since we got here. If anyone was exposed, the whole plan would fall apart.
This time, our opponent was extremely powerful—far beyond what we could handle easily. Only if we rescued Lan Ruoxi and Sun Tian could we leave. But my cousin had promised those female ghosts, which was another big problem.
As we spoke, the sound of someone humming a tune drifted in from outside, coming closer. Then came a click—the sound of a lock—and a creak as the door opened. A ghost walked in, casting no shadow. He looked drunk, staggering around the courtyard. Just as he was about to push open the door to the living quarters, he suddenly froze, standing motionless.
"You two, what are you doing in my house at this hour?"
Huang Jun and I looked over in surprise. The ghost's head twisted around with a creak, staring at us. Sensing something was wrong, he suddenly floated up.
Without hesitation, Huang Jun rushed forward, and I quickly got up. In a flash, the ghost's arms stretched out, grabbing both our necks with great force.
"Hmph, what are you two brats doing in my house? Tell me, are you trying to steal something...?"
With a creak, the room door opened.
"Summoner of Heavenly Thunder, Violet..." Mao Xiaoyu rushed out, just about to act when Rufina Howard kicked him in the knee. Yu Mingxuan and Fang Datong quickly covered his mouth.
Huang Jun yanked the ghost down with force.
"Qingyuan, do it!"
I raised the Deathbane Aura Blade. The ghost stared at me in terror. I hesitated for a moment, but then plunged the blade into his throat. He couldn't make a sound, his face twisted in agony as he glared at me, then gradually turned to flying ash.
"It was just a shadow..."
As Huang Jun spoke, the ghost turned to ash, but a black mist still lingered in the air.
In that instant, Hu Tianshuo's expression changed. We all noticed a pool of green liquid on the ground, slowly morphing into the numbers 45879.
My cousin walked over in surprise, reaching out his hand.
"Zhang Hao, don't touch it."
Hu Tianshuo shouted a warning.
"Looks like we need to go. Move quickly."
As Hu Tianshuo spoke, we all gathered our things. Huang Jun lifted each of us over the wall, and we started moving again.