By the time we returned to the apartment building, it was already past 6 a.m. Rachel Lan went straight upstairs to rest, while the ghosts in the courtyard were still causing a commotion, as if their energy was endless.
After greeting the ghosts, I headed straight for the underground Black Lake.
"So, brother, did you bring that old man back?" John Chou asked with a faint smile.
I shook my head.
"You need to help me heal Helen Chen right now."
I said, my tone firm.
"Brother, since you didn’t bring Mr. Brown back, let’s drop it for now. When you persuade that old man, I’ll help you heal the female ghost."
"I’ve heard some interesting things," I said with a smile. Suddenly, John Chou flew right up to me, gripping my shoulder with one hand.
"Tell me, when you went to see the old man, did he show you anything?"
"Heh, I know all about what happened when you were ten years old."
Suddenly, I saw John Chou's eyes widen in embarrassment—a look I had never seen on him before.
"When you were ten, that day, you went to..."
"Enough, brother, say no more. I'll help you heal the female ghost, but..."
"Don't worry, I can keep a secret. I won't tell anyone else, heh." John Chou eyed me suspiciously while I maintained a calm demeanor.
"That old man didn’t show you the Sanzu Force, did he?"
"Huh? What's that?" I asked, feigning ignorance.
"Alright, let's go, brother."
John Chou didn’t seem suspicious and followed me to the courtyard, where all the ghosts had gathered before Helen Chen’s spirit, watching John Chou.
My heart pounded wildly in my chest as I had just tricked John Chou; my cheeks flushed. Samantha Simons seemed to notice, and she walked over, grabbing my hand.
"Master Ethan, calm down." She handed me a cup of tea. I took a sip, and sure enough, John Chou noticed my change, glancing at me sideways.
"Brother, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, just a bit tired."
John Chou extended a finger, his face looking quite unpleasant.
"Hmph, saving a ghost of this level is a waste. Hmph, listen up, you all—here, I call the shots."
All the ghosts nodded, and then Yuna Ji looked at me.
"That's not entirely true, John Chou. Did you forget the other master here—Ethan Zhang? Right, everyone?"
"Ethan, you have our full support." Wayne Harris spoke, and the other ghosts looked at me.
"Enough, let’s get to work!"
John Chou smiled and extended a finger. A drop of blood fell onto Helen Chen’s spirit.
With a bubbling sound, Helen Chen’s once lifeless spirit suddenly stirred. The dark mass, which had hardened, softened and began to writhe.
"Thank you, Mr. Chou, thank you." Suddenly, all the ghosts seemed to sense something.
"Amazing, her spirit revived in an instant," Wayne Harris said, and the others nodded.
"But it still doesn’t seem fully awake," Evan Zhao said, pressing his finger to Helen Chen’s spirit.
"That’s true. It probably needs a bit more stimulation."
Samantha Simons spoke, while Justin Lee looked nervously at John Chou.
"How is it?" I asked.
"Ethan, the female ghost’s spirit is alive, but it’s still in this state—like a human in a vegetative condition, you understand?"
Wayne Harris said, and I nodded in understanding.
John Chou smiled, leaned forward, and brought his mouth close to the spirit.
"Come out quickly. Your enemy has been found. Don’t you want revenge? If you don’t, I’ll release your enemy, and then you’ll never get another chance."
As soon as John Chou finished speaking, he floated up. Helen Chen’s spirit burst with red light and a piercing scream echoed. Then, I saw hair sprouting from the spirit, and something bulged out—it looked like a head—before popping out of the spirit. It was Helen Chen.
I gasped in shock. Wrapped in red light, Helen Chen emerged, trembling like a newborn, her face deathly pale, mouth pitch black, two white eyes staring around.
With a cry, Helen Chen lunged at me, mouth open to bite. I recoiled, but Samantha Simons reached into Helen Chen’s mouth, and I saw streams of green energy flowing into her body.
After a while, Helen Chen regained consciousness and began to cry out.
"Where is my enemy? Where?"
Once Helen Chen calmed down, Justin Lee explained the situation to her. Then Helen Chen thanked me profusely.
"Ethan Zhang, please, help me, help me find that person, I beg you."
Watching Helen Chen kneel before me, black tears streaming down her face, I clenched my fist and nodded.
"We've got news about that person. Once I find them, I'll take you to them."
Back in my room, I called Hugh Thompson to ask about Helen Chen’s enemy.
"The bully from Chenshire, Chen Miaoqiang, has changed his name and identity. The only source of information is Edward Ouyang—Vivian Ouyang’s father—who might know something, including details about the Immortality Society."
"Vivian Ouyang’s father?" I asked in confusion. Then it hit me—Edward Ouyang, the director of the city’s largest private hospital, whose family also owns other businesses. He’s a major player in the business world.
"Got it. After I wake up, I’ll head to Vivian’s house."
"Where were you? Why are you only sleeping now?"
"Just had some things to take care of, haha."
After hanging up, I took another shower before finally going to bed.
(This chapter isn’t over yet ^.^, please click next page to continue reading!)
At 2 p.m., the smell of food woke me up. Rachel Lan was already preparing a meal.
"Hugh Thompson already told me, Ethan. We’ll head to Vivian’s house soon."
"Are you sure it’s okay not to keep an eye on John Chou?"
Rachel Lan nodded.
"It’s fine. By the way, Ethan, I just found a jade pendant in the bathroom. Is it yours?"
Rachel said as I glanced at the blood jade on the table.
"Y-yes, it’s mine. What color is the pendant?"
"It’s emerald green," Rachel replied, turning to look at me with a serious expression.
"What’s wrong?"
I skipped over the part about Uncle Mo and said I got it from an antique shop. It was green at first, but later I saw it turn red—though others only ever saw emerald green.
Rachel examined the pendant for a long time, but couldn’t see any red at all.
"Alright, let’s eat first. We have work to do."
After eating, we left the apartment building. Rachel drove toward the city’s urban village—Garden Estates.
At 8:30, we entered the urban village. Though small, it was fully equipped—with a hospital, school, and everything you’d expect.
I’d been here a few times before. Howard Zhang’s family owned a villa here. Many wealthy people from all over the country had villas in this scenic, lakeside area.
Upon entering, we saw a tall mountain—supposedly man-made—and below it, large lakeside villas.
We found the parking lot and stopped the car. The street was lively. Rachel Lan had already called Edward Ouyang, Vivian’s father. As soon as we left the parking lot, a man dressed as a butler greeted us.
We entered a high-end restaurant. It was quiet, with a pleasant environment and soft music playing.
A man in gray sportswear sat quietly at the table. Though middle-aged, he exuded a mature air, with a bit of stubble at the corner of his mouth.
"Uncle Ouyang." Rachel greeted him as soon as we approached.
"Hello, Mr. Ouyang." Edward Ouyang looked up and smiled at me.
"Oh, you must be Ethan Zhang. Xiao Wei always says you’re competing with Rachel for her attention!"
I stared at Rachel, dumbfounded. What was that supposed to mean?
We sat down, and soon a beautiful spread of dishes was served.
"Rachel, you’ve all been busy lately, so I haven’t kept you long. Now that things are settled, stay a few days and cheer up Xiao Wei. She’s been cooped up at home, gaming and watching anime—she’s practically a shut-in. I even have to bring her meals to her bedroom door."
I made a sound of surprise, and Rachel smiled.
"Uncle Ouyang, we’re not just here for Xiao Wei. There’s something we’d like to ask you about."
"It’s about the Immortality Society, isn’t it? Let’s eat first."
Rachel and I both froze, staring at Edward Ouyang. Through the whole meal, I was distracted, watching him, wondering—could he be part of the Immortality Society?
After dinner, Edward Ouyang smiled, lit a cigarette, and spoke slowly.
"Rachel, Ethan, let’s drop this matter. Don’t investigate any further."
"Uncle Ouyang, are you a member of the Immortality Society?" Rachel asked suddenly.
Edward Ouyang smiled and shook his head.
"I’m not qualified yet. Maybe one day I’ll have the chance to join, but honestly, I’m not that interested in immortality."
"Do you know Chen Miaoqiang?"
I asked, and Edward Ouyang shook his head.
"He’s changed his name now—probably a government official and member of the Immortality Society. Mr. Ouyang, if you know anything, I hope you’ll tell us."
"Alright, let’s go home." Edward Ouyang said, standing up to leave. I wanted to keep asking, but Rachel pulled me back and shook her head.