I began to feel that something was wrong. When I looked at the Ghost Twins, although I’d sensed a gentle aura from them before, back in Mo Yu’s room, I released my Specter Web to investigate—and in an instant, I was stunned.
The gentler part of their aura must have come from years spent in the temple, bathed in Buddhist energy, which gave them a sunny, wholesome presence. But deep inside, there was a heavy, unseen darkness—utterly black, chilling to the bone.
Meanwhile, Lan Yin continued his journey, collecting souls as he went. In just a year or two, he had already gathered more than three thousand souls. At last, he arrived in Luocheng, the city where Mo Yu lived—a fairly sizeable place. Upon entering, Lan Yin was given a grand reception by the entire Mo family, and Mo Yu’s parents soon heard the news: Mo Yu was pregnant.
After several days of socializing, Lan Yin excused himself under the pretense of collecting souls. In truth, he wanted to find Lucas Qi—the scholar who made a living selling his written works. Lucas lived in Xiaoyue Village, just outside the city, a place shaped like a crescent moon, hence its name.
Lan Yin had made sure that no one knew of his arrival. Most of the villagers were already asleep, with only a few homes still lit. After searching for a while, Lan Yin finally found where Lucas Qi lived.
I followed him to a small courtyard enclosed by a bamboo fence. The house was still lit inside, and the sound of reading drifted out. Lan Yin entered quietly and knocked on the door.
With a creak, the door opened. Out stepped a burly, sturdy-looking man with yellow-brown skin, dressed as a scholar—Lucas Qi. Despite his rough appearance, he was strong, plainly dressed but clean, and rather handsome.
"Is it you? Come in and have a seat. I’ll make tea and fetch some water for you," he said.
The scholar seemed genuinely warm and welcoming. I watched in surprise as he busied himself, grabbing a blackened kettle and heading out to the well in the courtyard for water.
Lan Yin smiled and sat down inside.
Once the tea was ready, the two began to talk. Lucas Qi already knew that Lan Yin’s earlier flirtation with Sandra Yu had been an act—a ploy to help them be together.
"Thank you, Brother Lan. I can only blame my own shortcomings—already thirty and still with nothing to show for it, making a living as a basket-weaver. I’ve let down Miss Mo Yu’s good intentions. Now that she’s married you, perhaps it’s for the best."
A look of resignation crossed Lucas Qi’s face, but he held no resentment at all toward Lan Yin.
But at that moment, I noticed Lan Yin’s expression darken. He kept his eyes fixed on Lucas Qi, looking deeply worried. Then, Lan Yin stood up and asked, word by word:
"Do you still love Miss Mo Yu? Would you give up everything for her?"
Lucas Qi stood up as well. Without the slightest hesitation, he nodded.
"Is that so? Then my efforts haven’t been in vain."
Then, Lan Yin first explained to Lucas Qi about his fake marriage to Mo Yu. Lucas Qi was shocked, and only after Lan Yin recounted the truth about Hades Village did he finally believe it.
"So, what about Miss Mo Yu now..."
"She can’t leave for now. Think carefully—if you truly love her, I’ll find a safe, stable place for you both, somewhere the people from Hades Village won’t find you. I’ll help you get through all of this."
Suddenly, Lucas Qi stood up and bowed in thanks, but he still spoke up.
"No, Brother Lan, you’ve sacrificed too much. Besides, you care about Miss Mo Yu as well, don’t you?"
Lan Yin simply shook his head.
"Affection is just affection. I believe this is the right thing to do—even if it costs me everything."
Yet Lan Yin seemed gloomy. After finalizing everything with Lucas Qi, he left.
In the days that followed, Lan Yin seemed possessed, collecting souls everywhere, day and night, never stopping for a moment—as if driven by some urgent, demonic force.
During his relentless soul collecting, Lan Yin honed his skills. One month, then two—he’d been at it for over two months, working tirelessly every day, as if he’d learned of something terrifying. His face remained perpetually grim.
But it was during this time that Lan Yin discovered, while collecting souls, that some were being seized by powerful Blue Wraiths. He had no idea what they were being taken for.
Lan Yin wanted to intervene, but found that each Blue Wraith that appeared was stronger than the last. All of this was happening in the south, and the ghosts being taken seemed oddly delighted to follow the Blue Wraiths.
"Hurry up, you lot. The boss is waiting for us."
In a region stricken by drought, many had starved to death. The one giving orders—I recognized him as Ronan Wu—was leading a group of ghosts, who willingly followed him.
At this moment, Ronan Wu had very short hair, wore a white shirt, and looked resolute. I swallowed nervously. Although Ronan Wu noticed Lan Yin, he did nothing, treating him as if he were invisible.
Lan Yin, suspicious, naturally wanted to see what was going on and followed Ronan Wu. Deep in a mountain, the further they went, the heavier the gloom grew. Along the way, there were many ghosts, most clad in armor and wielding weapons, like a well-trained army.
Along the path, many trees had been cut down. I saw buildings everywhere, with many ghosts living inside.
When Ronan Wu entered, I saw the surrounding weapon-bearing ghosts greet him respectfully.
"General Wu, Boss Yin is waiting for you inside. He’s been bored these past few days. You’d better hurry back."
This was just the entrance. Ronan Wu ordered some ghost soldiers to escort the spirits down a side path, then lingered behind with a smile. Suddenly, from the woods, he yanked out Lan Yin, who had been following all along.
"So, someone from Hades Village has come to our Hall of Bloodbane. What business do you have here?"
I nodded and thanked him, then walked step by step into the Hall of Bloodbane. Inside were countless ghosts. I saw Blue Wraiths, and at the far end of the main hall, John Chou sat in a wide black chair, one leg crossed, chin resting on his hand, watching with a faint smile.
"Go on in, Ethan. Boss Yin is waiting for you inside."
"Why can you see me?"
I stared at Ronan Wu in astonishment, but he burst out laughing, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"You’ll find out soon enough, Ethan. Hurry up—if you want to see what Boss Yin is up to."
I immediately ran down the path. Lan Yin seemed petrified, and everything around us felt frozen in time. In the distance, I saw a vast, palace-like building. On its plaque were three bold characters: Hall of Bloodbane.
My heart tightened as I hurried toward the Hall of Bloodbane. I had no idea what John Chou was waiting for me for, but now I could finally see what he was like when he became the Ghost Sovereign.
"You’re here, Ethan."
Just as I reached the steps paved with massive stones, an elderly voice called out. I looked over—it was Uncle Zhuang, smiling at me.
"Young Master, he’s waiting for you inside."
I nodded and thanked him, then walked step by step into the Hall of Bloodbane. Inside were countless ghosts. I saw Blue Wraiths, and at the far end of the main hall, John Chou sat in a wide black chair, one leg crossed, chin resting on his hand, watching with a faint smile.
"What is it you really want to tell me?"
"Brother, from here on, you need to see things clearly. The time to choose has come. You and Lan Ruoxi may be destined never to be together."
My heart skipped a beat. I stared blankly at John Chou as he reached out, pointing at my heart.
"Brother, where does your heart truly want to go? Take a good look at everything. From now on, you need to face what comes."
I nodded seriously, then spoke, word by word.
"No matter what I see, she... is my wife."
"Go on, brother. Whatever happens, remember—follow your heart."
As John Chou finished speaking, everything around me changed. I saw Lan Yin walking out from the path into the Hall of Bloodbane, his eyes filled with determination. Wu Rong was there to see him off.
"Unbelievable, that evil spirit."
"Yes, Boss Yin really is unbelievable."
Wu Rong spoke, showing a look of satisfaction. Then Lan Yin bowed, and I didn't see what happened inside.
"With someone so powerful, anything can be accomplished, no matter what it is."
Lan Yin said this, then left the Hall of Bloodbane.