When I returned to the depths of Old Hell, I saw an even larger army of Hell Troopers approaching. The long column stretched in a straight line, reaching all the way to the green Styx River. Huge white bone monsters sped past me, each one loaded with supplies.
I landed at the spot where Yuna Ji and her group were gathered. Everything that had happened before had already been relayed back here. I descended directly, while Yuna Ji was still discussing matters with her generals.
"Back so soon? Shen Yan and his forces have already taken thirteen cities in a row. Looks like they're quite efficient, all in such a short span of time."
I hummed in response, sat down, and took a sip of wine from the table. The other Ghost Sovereigns were nowhere to be seen; only Yuna Ji remained, still discussing defensive fortifications with the Hell Marshals sent by the Underworld Court. The discussion seemed harmonious, with no sign of resistance. It appeared these Hell Troopers were obedient, showing no reluctance toward their new superior.
I planned to sit quietly for a while longer, drink some wine, and then return to the Living World to look for 001 and 007. After that, I'd begin searching for other Forsaken. The journey back meant retracing the path along the Yellow Springs Road, and I'd have to pass through Fengdu again. In hindsight, closing the ghost realm's entrance to the Living World was for safety, but it made coming and going incredibly troublesome.
"What's wrong, Ethan Zhang? You look troubled."
It seemed Yuna Ji had finally finished her discussion with her subordinates, who began to disperse. I forced a bitter smile and shook my head.
"It's just that going back is a hassle. Yuna Ji, just open the passage to the Living World for me. That way, I can save some time."
Yuna Ji shook her head and replied.
"Impossible. The Underworld Court can't open the entrance to the Living World anymore. The Yellow Springs Road is the only way through. So if you want to go back, you'd better hurry."
A flash of green light appeared before me, and in the next moment, Ray Lin was standing right in front of me.
"I'm not Ethan Zhang. No need to be so familiar."
"Alright, Earthly Soul, you look troubled. Want a lift? I can take you straight to the Living World."
I watched Ray Lin warily. He knew many people, including those from the Immortality Society, and had never stepped out of line, even helping Ethan before. But I knew how unique his ghostly nature was—someone you couldn't be careless with.
"Why so generous? We don't have much of a connection, do we?"
"They say it's hard to refuse a kind offer, Earthly Soul. Hurry up and get in—I don't have time to explain. What's happening in the Living World is probably beyond your imagination."
A horn blared. A taxi appeared before me, and Ray Lin pressed the button to open the door.
"What's wrong? Afraid I'll take you somewhere strange?"
I stared quietly at Ray Lin. To get back to City A would take at least twenty hours. Just as Ray Lin said, I didn’t want to wait that long.
"Alright, I appreciate your kindness."
I got into the taxi and sat in the back seat. Ray Lin glanced at me with a faint smile and put on a white hat.
"We're about to depart. Please fasten your seatbelt, guest."
As Ray Lin spoke, the seatbelt automatically fastened across my chest. I gazed quietly—inside this taxi, I was in a world apart, neither ghost realm nor any other space. An indescribable feeling settled over me.
"Relax. I’ll get you safely to your destination."
As soon as Ray Lin finished speaking, the scenery outside the window blurred. The taxi plunged into a green vortex, racing forward.
Green currents swirled outside the window, as if we were breaking through them, the flow streaming backward.
"Tell me, Ray Lin, who are you really? You seem to know all sorts of things. If your abilities aren’t greater than Yuna Ji’s, she just told me the Underworld Court can't open a passage to the Living World anymore. Yet you can. Why?"
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"I'm just a driver. It’s always been like this. For ages, I’ve ferried ghosts and humans from one place to another. So many faces, so many stories. Maybe I’ll share one with you, if you have time—want to hear a story?"
I sneered, reaching for the seatbelt, but found myself firmly anchored in this space.
"Forget the stories. Since I’m in your car, you’d better tell me where we’re really going. I’m not Ethan Zhang, as you said, and you mentioned hospitality—whose hospitality is it, really? Surely not yours."
Ray Lin smiled slightly, nodded, and then took off his hat.
"You're right. I was asked by someone to bring you here. But don’t worry—once you’ve met those people, I’ll take you back to the Living World. Jinming District in City A, right?"
I immediately fixed my gaze on Ray Lin, black lightning gathering in my palm.
"The car is in motion. Don’t do anything rash. If you leave now, things will get complicated. I mean no harm, Earthly Soul. I’m just fulfilling an old client’s request. Please be patient—since I’m friends with Ethan Zhang, just wait a bit. We’ll arrive soon."
Ray Lin’s tone changed—no threat, just resignation. I withdrew my power, folded my arms, and watched him in silence. I couldn’t figure out who he really was. Thinking back, he’d appeared in many places over the ages, even as our driver when we took human form, ferrying a Taoist from the Immortality Society.
"Can I ask you something? Which side do you support in this war?"
Ray Lin thought for a moment, then laughed helplessly and shook his head.
"I support no one. I’m just a driver—transport is all I do."
"You’ve helped Ethan Zhang several times before. Why?"
Ray Lin chose silence. Outside, the green vortex slowed, and Ray Lin turned to me with a smile.
"We're here, guest."
A faint tremor passed through me. Mist and rocks appeared all around, and the taxi landed steadily on a mountainside. I looked around.
"Where is this?"
"Somewhere on Mount Shade."
I stared in shock, ready to float up, but Ray Lin stopped me.
"Earthly Soul, just wait. The ones who asked me to bring you here will arrive soon. Please be patient."
I held back my anger. As the saying goes, you don’t hit a smiling face. Though I was annoyed by Ray Lin’s actions, I decided to wait. I suspected whoever wanted to see me wasn’t from the Underworld.
I saw more than ten figures coming up from the foot of the mountain—all Blue Wraiths. The leader wore red and had long hair, smiling as he approached.
"Nice to meet you, Earthly Soul. You may call me Redcloak."
I watched Redcloak and the Blue Wraiths around him, sensing their strength—they were at least mid-level Blue Wraiths.
"Alright, I’ve brought him over. Redcloak, you and your group look pretty aggressive—don’t cause any trouble. We’re not far from the Underworld."
Redcloak nodded, floated up, landed before me, and bowed.
"So, which of the three are you working for?"
I asked immediately. Redcloak laughed and replied.
"Straightforward—I like that. We serve Lord Phantom Sage. We’ve been stationed here for more than a thousand years, just waiting for the right moment."
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