The full moon hung high in the sky, emerging from behind the black clouds. After days of oppressive gloom, the heavens finally cleared. Tonight was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Having just finished dinner, Leonard Lane lounged drunkenly in his rocking chair, gazing at the perfect moon.
All these years, though he could not move, these were the happiest days of his life. His three children had grown up—Leonard Lane had just turned eighteen this year and managed all the affairs of the Lan Family with skill. Leonard only offered occasional advice, yet a persistent thought haunted his mind: his lifespan, always uncertain, with no end in sight.
Lately, his wife seemed troubled, always on the verge of speaking but never quite able to share her worries.
This Mid-Autumn, only he and his wife were home. Leonard Lane had gone to Hades Village, Lancy Lane and Blake Lane were out collecting souls.
It was already late at night; Judy Luo had gone to bed. Tonight, Leonard Lane was restless, unable to sleep. He told his wife to rest and decided to stay out in the courtyard himself.
A gentle breeze swept by, carrying the scent of wine. Leonard Lane lifted his nose to inhale. A jar of wine floated slowly onto the table before him; two cups appeared beside it, perfectly aligned.
"The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is."
Leonard Lane replied. A faint breeze drifted down between the shadows, and with a wave of his hand, the wine jar opened. The wine poured out, splitting into two streams that filled each cup. One cup floated gently to Leonard, and with a sip, his mood immediately improved.
"Excellent wine."
The two of them sat in silence, gazing at the full moon above. No words were exchanged; they simply drank together, until Leonard Lane began to feel the effects of the wine and John Chou set his cup down.
"Do you not resent me? After all these years?"
Leonard Lane shook his head, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
"Maybe I should thank you. Even though I've ended up like this, these past few years have been the happiest of my life. If I think about it, you actually saved me."
John Chou burst out laughing.
"I'm not that kindhearted. After all, I'm an evil spirit, and you're a human."
"I'm not as easy to fool as others, John Chou. Thank you."
John Chou said nothing, simply refilled his cup and drank in silence.
"The Dark Banquet."
Suddenly, John Chou uttered those words. Leonard Lane looked at him in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"The place Lan Miu went to is called the Dark Banquet. That's all you need to know. And those two voices inside you—they're almost impossible to suppress now, aren't they? The powerful force born from your will... Even now, you still can't see your own ending, can you!"
John Chou glanced at Leonard Lane, his tone probing.
"You really can't hide anything from you. You've investigated my body and my thoughts, so you know what I'm thinking and what I've been through. Still, even so, Leonard has grown up and can stand on his own. The Lan Family's future is already set."
"That child isn't able to shoulder everything. Leonard Lane, it's you who should bear it all. Stop trying to run from the cruel fate you must face. If you keep hiding, one day when it arrives before you, you'll witness hell again."
Leonard Lane smiled, staring at John Chou through his glasses.
"Why are you telling me all this?"
With a thud, John Chou sealed the wine jar and floated away.
"After all, it's rare to meet someone with two instincts in this world. I only like strong people, that's all. Take care of yourself."
John Chou was gone for a while, leaving Leonard Lane deep in thought. Lan Miu's final words echoed in Leonard's mind, again and again: should he take a step forward, or remain stuck, sinking into this place?
There was no answer, only memories of painful experiences from the past. Leonard Lane understood exactly what John Chou meant—one day, he would have to face it all.
The obsession he once felt to change Hades Village had faded. For a long time now, such thoughts hadn't crossed Leonard's mind.
Just as Leonard Lane's thoughts grew chaotic, a shadow appeared beneath the moon. Leonard's eyes widened in shock—it was that figure, shrouded in black mist with golden eyes. He passed slowly in front of Leonard, then suddenly turned his head to look at him.
"Young man, we meet again. This is the second time!"
The memory of his youthful days, running around for Miss Mo Yu and encountering the Blue Wraith, suddenly sprang to mind.
"Still searching for your destination?"
The figure nodded and then smiled.
"Bad things happen to those who meet me twice, young man. You should be careful."
Days passed, then a month, then two. By the third month, Julian Lu arrived at the estate.
"What's happened to Leonard Lane?"
Seeing Julian Lu's troubled expression, Leonard Lane asked anxiously. Leonard should have returned after Mid-Autumn, but there had been no news at all.
"He went somewhere with Jason Su and Miss Wendy Hsieh, but there's been no word from them since."
"Where did they go?"
Julian Lu glanced at Judy Luo and the two children, hesitating as if he wanted to speak but couldn't.
"You all should leave."
Only after Leonard Lane's wife and children left did Julian Lu sit down.
"I tried to stop them. I suggested that the other Guides go together, but Jason Su wouldn't listen—he insisted on going."
"What kind of place is it?"
"Oath Island."
Julian Lu gazed calmly at Leonard Lane.