"Indeed, you're very smart, Hugh Thompson."
Luke Ling spoke as he landed behind the two Blue-Faced Men, who respectfully retreated and knelt on one knee.
"From elementary school to university graduation, except for subjects like Chinese, you didn't always score full marks, but in math, science, and foreign languages, you were always perfect. At the police academy, for five consecutive years, you were first in every subject, even in sports. After joining the force, you became a level-three inspector within two years. But after your son died, you transferred from the police department to the Special Handling Division—the Ghost Burial Squad. Heh."
Luke Ling seemed to know everything about Hugh Thompson, reciting his history as if it were a list of treasured facts.
I saw Hugh Thompson remove his glasses, his face full of rage, while Luke Ling laughed and mocked him in a shrill voice.
"It's a pity. Your son was just like you—just started kindergarten, already so smart. You were supposed to have a happy family, but it shattered. Heh. Because you hated ghosts, you joined the Ghost Burial Squad, right? That scar on your chest, it's not something that will heal so easily."
Hugh Thompson clutched his chest and put his glasses back on, his expression darkening.
"I'm not Ethan Zhang. Words like these have no effect on my mind."
I let out a sound of surprise. Hugh Thompson turned to me and smiled. I rolled my eyes at him; I'd been provoked by the Immortality Society too many times before.
"Is that so? Scars don’t heal so easily, you know. Hehehe..."
Hugh Thompson clutched the fabric over his heart, looking pained, but he still wore a smile.
"At first, it was true—I hated ghosts and only wanted to help everyone get rid of them faster. But now, saying I don’t hate is a lie. I just won’t let families like mine go through the same tragedy again. That’s why I stayed in the Ghost Burial Squad. After all, the rest of them just play mahjong all day. Heh. Without me, it wouldn’t work. If I’m the brain, everyone else is the limbs, the body. No matter how much time passes, I’m still myself. I never had an unworthy heart, so I stand here, on this side—not yours."
Luke Ling burst into wild laughter, then lowered his head before suddenly looking up.
"What a shame, Hugh Thompson. If you went into business, you’d be an extraordinary entrepreneur. If you went into politics, you’d be a remarkable statesman. Why choose to be an ordinary person? And as for the arcane arts, you never tried to improve. Such a waste, truly."
"Words are pointless. Precisely because I am ordinary, I can accomplish many things. If I took your path, I wouldn’t be human anymore."
Then Luke Ling stepped back, and the two Blue-Faced Men stood up. At that moment, we all saw his eyes—they had turned golden, just like a hawk’s, staring intently at us.
Hugh Thompson squatted on the ground, quietly observing the situation across from us.
"It's like a giant chessboard—one wrong move and it's all over."
I nodded. Indeed, Luke Ling could instantly see through the fighting techniques of all the Specter Guides, and once he cracked them, he’d know our weaknesses. That made him extremely dangerous.
"Evan Zhao, come here."
Hugh Thompson called out, and Evan Zhao reluctantly descended.
"Sigh, never thought I'd have to help an old enemy. It’s a complicated feeling."
Indeed, Evan Zhao had been imprisoned by the Ghost Burial Squad for over a hundred years. There was real resentment there.
"The current Ghost Burial Squad is independent, different from before, isn’t it?"
Hugh Thompson said, and Evan Zhao nodded.
"Yeah, the old Ghost Burial Squad was rigid—just followed orders, like livestock. You guys now, you’re more interesting."
Then Hugh Thompson stood up, leaned close to Evan Zhao’s ear, and whispered a few words. Evan Zhao nodded.
"Remember, if he’s in danger later, I’m counting on you, Mr. Ray Lin."
"I understand. Don’t worry. I’m the fastest at saving people here—the escape route is ready. It’s a way out."
Then Evan Zhao slowly floated up, his whole body glowing faintly green. He flew toward the other side, holding a black-green Poison Scorpion Stinger. He stopped about ten meters from the two Blue-Faced Men and watched them quietly. At that moment, one Blue-Faced Man turned and quickly returned to stand behind Luke Ling.
"Damn, looking down on me, huh?"
Evan Zhao cursed loudly, and Luke Ling nodded.
"It’s not that I look down on you, Specter Guide of your level—it’s just that you’re not even worth noticing."
"You’ll regret that soon, damn it."
Evan Zhao’s face turned blue with rage. He crouched, turning sideways, raising both hands to his chest, aiming two black-green Poison Scorpion Stingers at the Blue-Faced Man on the ground.
"Go."
As soon as Luke Ling finished speaking, the Blue-Faced Man on the ground stomped hard and swung his fist at Evan Zhao in midair.
Suddenly, I saw a flash of green light. Evan Zhao and the Blue-Faced Man crossed paths, and with a ripping sound, a gash appeared on the Blue-Faced Man’s chest, spraying black blood.
"Ha, how about that, I—"
Before Evan Zhao could finish, he spat out a mouthful of green blood. The black-green shell over his chest cracked open.