After a busy night, I finally finished handling Tina Yu's ashes. It was dawn by the time I went to sleep.
Around two in the morning, I was awakened again by the smell of food. Yuna Ji was cooking for me.
"Thank you..."
I walked over, awkwardly said thanks, and she gave me a mysterious smile.
"Ethan, if you have time, will you go shopping with me?"
I responded and helped serve the food. Her cooking was truly delicious. After we ate, she went to wash the dishes, and I hurried over to help.
"You don't have to wash. I'll do it, I'll do it..."
But then I wondered, why is my fridge stuffed with so much food?
"Where did all this come from?"
"From the store. I stole... brought it over."
I gasped and quickly took out a thousand yuan, handing it to her so she could return the money.
After a short rest, I headed out. It had been a long time since I'd visited Mrs. Blake and Mr. Cooper. I bought some fruit and planned to drop by.
Fortune Teller's Row, just near the city center. I took the No. 6 bus and arrived around four o'clock.
At the entrance, I saw a renovated shop that had already opened. A middle-aged man sat inside, holding an old almanac.
"Ah, sir, I see darkness gathering on your brow. Misfortune clings to you! Come in, let me read your fortune."
I shook my head. Do I really need you to tell me that?
"Ethan, over here..." Mrs. Blake's voice called from the alley nearby. I walked over, startled to see a hand, as if reaching from another dimension, only half visible, beckoning to me.
I stepped inside and was instantly in Mrs. Blake and Mr. Cooper's shop. Mr. Cooper sat at the table, drinking, already tipsy. In just a few days, both of them looked much older.
Gratefully, I set the fruit down.
"Ethan, you don't have to be so polite. It's enough that you visit me from time to time."
I sat down. Mrs. Blake reached out with both hands, and I offered mine.
Mr. Cooper leaned in.
"Hey, brat, haven't seen you in a few days—did some ghost latch onto you again? Look at you, your crown is pitch black. If you were an ordinary person, this much evil energy would have killed you several times over!"
I shot Mr. Cooper a resentful look. Aside from his mouth, I actually respected him a lot—he even saved my life once.
"Mrs. Blake, I came today because..."
"Ethan, I know what you want to ask."
I poured myself a cup of tea and sat down, quietly listening.
"Ethan, remember this: among the sects that deal with ghosts, besides the Nether Syndicate, Hades Circle, and Ghost Syndicate, the Buddhist ones are led by Universal Temple and its Brahma Lock group. There are also two major sects—the Renegade Monks, who are an external Buddhist order, and the Mount Mason Order, but both have declined. Especially the Renegade Monks; we only saw them twenty or thirty years ago, and now, no one knows where they've gone."
I nodded. Mr. Cooper leaned in, reeking of alcohol.
"Kid, there's also the Ghost Burial Squad—made up of people from the world of the living, mixing members from all the major sects. They specialize in dealing with ghostly affairs."
I let out a sound of surprise.
"So many people? All mixed together—won't that cause problems?" I thought about it; these sects, especially those from the Ghost Syndicate, are supposed to be rivals.
"Not really. To be honest, most of these people lack true insight. In their sects, they're just errand runners, living hard lives. Except for the Brahma Lock group, they're neutral and don't go looking for trouble or hunting ghosts. Some just don't want to be monks and join the Ghost Burial Squad instead."
I took a sip of water, finally understanding the current distribution of forces dealing with ghosts.
"Right now, the Nether Syndicate and Ghost Syndicate are the strongest. As for the Mount Mason Order, their strict rules mean young people can't settle down to truly study. Most just learn a little and go out to show off—there are several on this street who used to be disciples of the Mount Mason Order."
That reminded me of that day—the mustached Taoist named Victor Miles. I explained what happened to Mrs. Blake and Mr. Cooper.
"Not bad—he knows the Mount Mason Order's spirit strike. Must be pretty capable; ordinary wraiths should be easy for him to subdue. But the one haunting you is far stronger than that."
Mr. Cooper said, standing up.
"Old lady, I'm going to cook."
Then I mentioned Rachel Lan. Mrs. Blake sighed and shook her head.
"Ethan, among all the sects, perhaps the most unfortunate are those of the Hades Circle. They are the most numerous.",
I blinked, listening in confusion.
Members of the Hades Circle act as guides for lost souls—those who die and can't report in. Most of them are appointed by the Ten Yama Kings, serving generation after generation as their errand-runners.
I thought of Damian Chen from the Nether Syndicate—when he saw Rachel Lan, he called her an underworld lackey.
Mrs. Blake took a sip of water and continued speaking.
For members of the Hades Circle, when one generation dies, they're detained in hell. The next must inherit their role, and only when the following generation is born are the detained released. It's a never-ending cycle.
How awful is that?
The more I listened, the angrier I felt.
Haven't they ever thought about rebelling?
Silly child, Ethan, when people die, they must report to the Ten Yama Kings. There's no such thing as rebellion. If you defy the Yama Kings, not only will your ancestors be tormented, but you might be captured and punished too!
So many ghosts in hell? Why do they need the living to do these jobs?
There are paths for the living and paths for ghosts. Many matters can't be handled by ghosts, so in the world of the living, it's easier for humans to do these jobs.
By six o'clock, we had dinner. During the meal, something occurred to me.
Mrs. Blake, could you teach me some spells or something? I don't know why, but every time I go out, I run into ghosts.
Tuition is two... three thousand a month.
Mr. Cooper immediately chimed in. I shot him an annoyed look and nodded helplessly.
After dinner, I brewed some tea and planned to sit a while longer, hoping to hear more about ghosts.
Ethan, ghosts are just like people, divided into different ranks. Generally, there are six types—the most common are Grey Ghosts. These are ordinary souls, waiting for a chance to be reincarnated. Not wanting to suffer in the underworld, they stay in the living world, and most died of natural causes.
The second type are Pale Ghosts. They remain in the living world because of lingering regrets, often wandering at the site of their accidental death, waiting for a chance at reincarnation.
The third type are Yellow Ghosts. Most are victims of murder or suicide, carrying minor resentment. They rarely harm people unless the victim is weak.
The fourth type are called Black Shadows—usually those who died from chronic illness or wrongful death, carrying significant resentment. Even after death, they suffer from illness and seek a substitute to escape pain. Once they find one, they attach to that person, making them suffer until they fully possess their body.
The fifth type are Vengeful Ghosts. Driven by intense emotions, their resentment is deep and their aura is fierce. They harm others without reason, and even the underworld enforcers struggle to capture them.
The sixth type are Soul-Stealing Ghosts—the highest rank among ghosts. They can absorb souls and change their appearance, even appearing in broad daylight. They are rare. The one haunting you is likely a Soul-Stealing Ghost. We know little about them, but thirty years ago, my husband and I almost died encountering one.
I remembered Mrs. Violet—Yin Choujian said she had just become a Soul-Stealing Ghost.
By the way, Mrs. Blake, do you know about the Banquet of Ten Thousand Ghosts?
Mr. Cooper burst out laughing.
Who told you that? It's just a rumor among ghosts. Many powerful ghosts hold banquets to show off and divide territory. Soul-Stealing Ghosts can host a Hundred Ghosts Banquet, and when they advance, a Thousand Ghosts Banquet. The Banquet of Ten Thousand Ghosts is likely made up by lesser ghosts.
I responded, and on my way home, I thought about what Yin Choujian said about the Banquet of Ten Thousand Ghosts. It didn't sound like a joke, but I decided not to worry—whatever banquet they hold, I'm not getting involved.
I was standing at the bus stop on Spring East Road, thinking about that ghost-run cleaning company. It should still be around. Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder.
I turned around, but no one was there. It was already ten o'clock, and the bus stop was nearly empty. I wondered if I'd run into another ghost.
Ethan, over here!
I heard a familiar voice calling me. Turning, I saw a hand waving from beside the mobile building.
Come here, Ethan!
The voice sounded harmless, so I walked over. Inside, I saw the cleaning company and the three ghosts from my team—Xiaolong Huang, Mao Zhang, and Xin Wang.
What do you want?' I raised my fist. I used to be scared of them, but now, these ghosts are just waiting to reincarnate. I could take them on. Their bodies were pale—they must be Pale Ghosts.
I puffed up my chest and stood my ground, ready to fight. The three seemed scared, quickly bowing and smiling nervously.
Brother, we mean no harm. We just saw you and wanted to return your phone.
Xiaolong Huang handed me the phone I lost at the Rotten-Face Ghost's place. I grabbed it and turned to leave.
Wait up, brother.
I turned around, glaring.
What?
Listen, be careful lately. You’ve upset that fat guy nicknamed Dragon Head. He’s looking for you, and says when he finds you, he’ll tear you apart.