"John Chou, if they're truly convinced they can rouse that girl's mind, then even the Nine Dao Gate Elders themselves will be powerless to stop what follows. Terror will swallow everything whole."
The meeting had scattered, leaving the Nine Dao Gate Elders standing in the gloom, their faces shadowed and twisted with unease.
Redmond's face contorted with rage, his anger radiating in waves that threatened to shatter the tense silence.
"What's the rush? Redmond, didn't we agree you'd all follow my lead at this meeting?"
John Chou maintained a cold, calculating smile as he spoke, the chill in his expression sending a shiver through the room.
"Redmond, don't lose your head. Brother Chou has his reasons—let's place our trust in him, no matter how unsettling it feels."
Basil Bertram interjected from the shadows, while Yuna Ji propped her chin with both hands, letting out an eerie giggle that echoed through the gloom.
"Oh, I'm just afraid that, in the end, John Chou will drag all six of us down with him. If that happens, we'll be damned."
"Shut your mouth, you miserable wretch."
John Chou spat the words, and Yuna Ji darted behind Yvonne May, clutching at her dress and pulling a grotesque face, her laughter sharp as broken glass.
Just then, I saw the Nine Dao Gate Elders huddled together, the air thick with hostility—a storm of conflict brewing. Only Samuel Young stood apart, his gaze cold and detached, while the other seven squared off against Elder Peach.
"What are you really getting at, Elder Peach?" The words hung sharp in the air, bristling with accusation.
Elder Arthur Young's eyes blazed with fury as he glared at Elder Peach, the veins in his neck standing out like cords.
"Heh, this whole circus is nothing but a farce. I just speak the truth. You call yourselves the orthodox Daoist sect? Pathetic—you're all rotten to the core."
With a swift, menacing motion, Elder Arthur Young drew the sword from his back, its blade gleaming coldly as he leveled it at Elder Peach.
"Say one more word, I dare you! Your Mount Mason Order was always a stain among us Daoists. The only reason you have a seat here is..." His threat hung in the air, venomous and raw.
"A seat? What does it matter? Pathetic! I spit the truth and none of you dare face it. Those two have committed horrors beyond words—can any of it be called human? And you, every one of you, not only turn a blind eye, you barter with monsters. I've stomached enough. Kid, let me show you what it means to be human."
Elder Arthur Young hesitated, sword raised and trembling, as Elder Peach stepped forward, the blade's tip pressing into his throat—tension crackled in the air, thick enough to choke.
"I don't want the ritual tool anymore. Do as you please—I'd rather not see it, nor let it poison my heart."
With a harsh clang, Elder Peach gripped the sword pressed to his throat and snapped it, fresh blood gushing from his right hand. He clutched the jagged blade, slicing deep into his fingers, then hurled it to the ground with a savage toss—the blade stabbed into the earth, quivering. Turning away, he took a swig of wine, spat it onto his bleeding hand, and strode forward in grim defiance.
Samuel Young smiled from the side, watching everything calmly as he fanned himself.
"Brother Mao, since you're here, why not wait until the meeting's over before you leave? Just as a courtesy, what do you say?"
Elder Peach said nothing, walked to the edge, sat at a stone table, and brooded over his wine. The other seven looked at each other, faces sour.
"Dog eat dog, all fur in the mouth."
Yuna Ji sneered, and at that moment, John Chou smiled.
"Brother, why not go talk to that Taoist?"
I was thinking the same thing. I had no fondness for the Nine Dao Gate Elders, and Elder Peach, from the Mount Mason Order, seemed hot-tempered and couldn't hide his resentment toward the others and the Immortality Society.
He seemed like Zhang Wuju, a righteous Taoist. So I wanted to talk to him. I walked over slowly.
"Hello, Taoist Master. I am Ethan Zhang. I was hoping we could..."
"No need, Ethan Zhang. I just want to be alone. You're a ghost, and I'm human. Humans and ghosts have always walked separate paths, so..."
"Taoist Master, I have two friends from the Mount Mason Order. Their Daoist skills may be modest, but they are dear friends of mine, and now they've gone missing. So I hope you can tell me anything you know about the Immortality Society—anything at all. Please, Taoist Master."
I bowed my head sincerely as I spoke. Both Mao Xiaoyu and Howard Li practiced Mount Mason Order techniques. Howard's methods were a bit scattered, but his foundation was still Mount Mason Order.
Elder Peach took a sip of wine and smiled.
"Sit down, Ethan Zhang."
I sat down and looked at Elder Peach. He smiled at me.
"I'll tell you one thing, Ethan Zhang. The bodies of the Immortality Society members are closely connected to our Mount Mason Order's 'Transplantation Technique.'"
I studied Elder Peach intently as he continued.
"This technique has been lost for many years. I don't know it myself, because it was classified as a forbidden art by the Daoist Sect over a thousand years ago. It's long gone."
"So what exactly is..."
"That's enough, Ethan Zhang. I can only tell you this much, and that's all I know. Don't ask for more—I don't know. You're a ghost, and I'm human."
I smiled, then turned around and said:
"Is it really so black and white, Taoist Master?"
"Yes."
"Black is black, white is white. Even gray belongs to black."
"So, what about people who do things worse than evil spirits, and ghosts who act kinder than humans?"
Elder Peach laughed, gulping down a large mouthful of wine.
"Refreshing! The distinction between black and white has never changed in my heart, and it never will. It's not about how high the Dao stands or how strong evil grows—good is good, bad is bad."
I looked at Elder Peach with gratitude, bowed deeply, and left.
The next morning, the meeting still hadn't started. Of the Nine Dao Gate Elders, only Samuel Young and Elder Peach remained. The other seven were nowhere to be seen, and the Immortality Society showed no signs of activity.
John Chou said nothing, telling us only to keep waiting. Redmond, however, was completely restless.
"Is it something about Rufina Howard?"
Redmond looked anxious, and then Vivian Maple walked over.
"Rufina Howard's condition is deteriorating. It's getting serious."
Vivian Maple spoke as Redmond nodded. At that moment, I saw four Blue-Faced Men in the distance, carrying something covered in black cloth. I stared in surprise—it had to be a coffin.
John Chou's eyes instantly lit up with excitement, and he began to smile. The other six Ghost Sovereigns also showed looks of disbelief.
"Just as expected—it's in their hands."
Yvonne May spoke, and John Chou nodded. Clearly, they had paid a hefty price for this.
With a bang, the four Blue-Faced Men placed the coffin covered with black cloth on the table. People from the supernatural world gathered around, then Wu looked at John Chou.
"Is that enough, John Chou? You seven should know very well what's inside. It's true—it's in our hands, the Immortality Society."
I looked over—the black cloth seemed glued to the coffin. Even when the wind blew, it didn't move at all, yet it looked just like ordinary black fabric draped over a coffin.
"Deal. The trade is done."
John Chou spoke up immediately. I wanted to ask what was actually inside the coffin, but I doubted John Chou or any of the other seven Ghost Sovereigns would tell me. Grandpa Cat, however, seemed very interested, examining the coffin closely.
"Uncle Chou, whose corpse is inside this coffin?"
Grandpa Cat asked, and John Chou sneered before replying:
"Little Cat, don't ask."
Grandpa Cat nodded. All around, the onlookers were astonished, but I noticed a faint smile on Samuel Young's face, which he quickly hid.
Samuel Young seemed to know something. Then John Chou and the other seven Ghost Sovereigns walked over and gathered around the coffin.
"John Chou, when will you return the people?"
Wu asked, and John Chou replied with a smile:
"Once this meeting is over, you can have your people back."
"We're even now, John Chou. As for Rufina Howard, I'll go personally and heal her. When the time comes, I expect Zuo Quanyi and Luke Ling to be at the Hall of Malice."
Wu said fiercely.
"Alright, you have my word, Wu. I, John Chou, still have some credibility."
John Chou glanced at Lord Shenyen, who immediately placed a hand on the coffin. Gradually, I saw a white flame and heard a crackling sound—it was the Ghost Domain. Lord Shenyen then stored the coffin inside the Ghost Domain.
"The transaction is complete, John Chou. There's nothing left for us here."
Wu left the stage with the four Blue-Faced Men, quickly departing. Wang Qi never appeared.
"May I ask something off-topic, Brother Zhang?"
Samuel Young came over to me. I nodded, and we walked to a stone table together.
"What do you think is inside that coffin?"
Samuel Young asked immediately. I shook my head—I couldn't sense anything, not even sure there was a corpse inside.
"Do you know something about it?"
I asked at once, and Samuel Young nodded.
"Indeed, I know a little. The corpse inside is sealed with a Daoist Sect spell."
I gasped, looking at Samuel Young in surprise.
"I sensed it just now—the thing inside carries the power of the Daoist Sect. That's why I smiled. As for what it actually is, I don't know. Only the Immortality Society and those seven Ghost Sovereigns would know."
With a swish, Samuel Young opened his folding fan.
"Brother Zhang, how about we make a deal?"
"Sure."
I replied casually.
"After the meeting, I can tell you the location of an Immortality Society stronghold. All I ask is that you do me a favor. When the time comes, let's meet again and discuss this trade."
"Agreed."
I looked earnestly at Samuel Young, but inside, I couldn't help feeling excited. Now I finally had a lead on an Immortality Society stronghold.