"You dumb cat, you're so unreasonable. I don't even know you, do I?"
Rusty was exhausted too. He plopped down and pulled out the fish he'd just caught, shoving it into his mouth.
"Fat Cat, hurry up and get us something to eat. I need to replenish my ghost energy, quick. I can't move anymore."
As Rusty spoke, I hurriedly grabbed the fishing net and cast it over the river. The surface was still littered with bits of animal and insect remains. After a while, I reeled in the net, pinching my nose against the unbearable stench.
John Chou stared thoughtfully at the haul. We weren't lucky this time—mostly dissolved insects and a single leg from some unknown animal, reeking of rot. Rusty crawled over, picked out some insects from the net, and stuffed them into his mouth.
"Give me some too."
The Tabby Cat King dragged himself over. John Chou joined him, tearing off some rotten meat from the animal leg and chewing it without hesitation.
"You guys..."
I watched the three of them devour everything edible from the net. The Tabby Cat King and John Chou showed no sign of restraint.
"Wait till I'm full, then I'll deal with you properly."
The Tabby Cat King snarled, and Rusty tilted his head, sneering with disdain.
"I don't know you at all, you crazy cat."
After a while outside, I could feel my stomach growling again, but I could hold out for another two or three hours.
"Why don't we head back to your place, Rusty?"
As soon as I said it, the Tabby Cat King turned his head and laughed.
"See? You really are the Rat King, ha! I could never forget your scent."
John Chou stood up, placed a hand on the stone wall, and after feeling around for a bit, said:
"Let's go. Whatever needs to be dealt with, we can talk at the rat's place."
The four of us set off. Before long, we arrived at Rusty's home. Inside, it was much more comfortable than outside.
"The ghost energy-devouring aura from the water is much weaker inside these stone walls."
John Chou was still sensing the place as Rusty led us into a larger cave. There was a table and a bed, both made from animal bones. The sight reminded me of Huang Jun, who once lived in Zhu Zigui's ghost domain. Thinking of the Ghost Burial Squad, my mood sank.
Rusty and the Tabby Cat King glared at each other. The Tabby Cat King edged closer.
"Rat King, stop pretending."
"Who's pretending? I only remember my own name—Rusty. Everything else I've long forgotten. I've been here so long, I can't even remember how many days it's been."
John Chou eyed Rusty warily, then asked:
"Do you remember how you got here?"
Rusty shook his head.
"If I could remember, maybe I'd know how to get out. But I still can't recall how I ended up here."
The conversation hit a dead end. The Tabby Cat King seemed to be waiting for a chance to pounce and finish Rusty off, a cruel glint in his eyes.
"I think we should stop fighting. Rusty has survived here for a long time. If we want to get out..."
"Hmph, Fat Cat talks sense, but what am I supposed to do with all this anger inside me?"
The Tabby Cat King grumbled, clutching his stomach as hunger gnawed at him again. His fur hadn't recovered; he got up, grabbed Rusty's fishing net, and tried to leave for food. Rusty blocked his way.
"Dumb cat, what do you want? You want to eat me and use my stuff too?"
Just as the two were about to argue again, John Chou chuckled.
"I know how to get out of here."
The three of us immediately looked at John Chou.
"If you want to get out, listen to me. All four of us are needed—none can be left behind."
John Chou kept talking in riddles. I had no idea how he knew any of this.
After that, John Chou and Rusty went out to find food. I stayed in the cave with the Tabby Cat King, curious about his grudge with the rat.
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"How did you two become enemies?"
The Tabby Cat King laughed, then shook his head.
"That's none of your business, Ethan Zhang."
With that, the Tabby Cat King turned away and closed his eyes, falling asleep in no time.
All I could do was wait quietly for John Chou and Rusty to return. When I first arrived, I learned they had sensed my aura fading and rushed over. They found me at the spot with the strange-smelling pile of stones, waited for a while, then entered this place. As soon as they arrived, they jumped to the riverbank. They already knew the river would constantly devour ghost energy until it was gone, and even ghost souls would eventually vanish in its waters. This place is deadly—no matter how much ghost energy is released, it will be swallowed completely. It's a dangerous situation for any ghost.
Finally, John Chou and Rusty returned. I heard footsteps and immediately caught a whiff of blood, though it wasn't too foul.
"You're pretty clever, aren't you?"
Rusty chuckled. I saw the two of them haul in a freshly dead pig, its color still bright. The Tabby Cat King sprang up, pressed his claws into the pig, and began devouring it ravenously. In no time, only the organs, head, and limbs were left. The Tabby Cat King patted his round belly with satisfaction.
"You lazy, gluttonous cat. Ever think about who brought the food back?"
The Tabby Cat King snorted and glared.
"Rat King, whatever happens, all I feel for you is hatred. You owe me so much from back then—your life wouldn't be enough to pay it back."
"Enough, can you cut it out?"
I noticed Rusty's attitude had completely changed. Even though the Tabby Cat King's words were sharp, Rusty didn't seem angry. I glanced at John Chou—he must've said something to Rusty.
I forced down some organs, feeling much better. After a while, we gathered around the table as John Chou began to speak.
This place is a one-way trap for ghosts. Any ghost that enters is doomed to die here. It's like a graveyard for spirits, or a dumping ground for supernatural refuse. The Animal Realm is nearly filled to capacity with ghosts, so this place likely exists to dispose of those who've lived too long, or those who wandered in by mistake. There must be some pattern to how one enters.
If we want to get out, we have to find the source. As long as we locate the river's origin, we can escape.
"You're John Chou, right? What you said is useless. I've been here so long, and traveled for months without finding the source. How do we even start?"
Rusty said, and the Tabby Cat King burst out laughing.
"You used to help people get rid of disasters, then vanished. I searched for you for ages, but every time I arrived, you'd already left. How did you end up here?"
Rusty rolled his eyes at the Tabby Cat King and shook his head.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"We can set out now. Finding the source isn't hard. Just follow me and bring all our tools."
We sprang into action. Rusty's home had three fishing nets and a pile of hooks. We took everything and headed out, arriving at the riverbank. John Chou led us upstream along the river.
"It's useless. I tried going upstream before and found nothing."
John Chou kept silent, still walking. He must have some clue, or he would've told us how to find the source.
"Maybe we'll never get out of here."
At that, the Tabby Cat King complained. John Chou turned back.
"Maybe so!"