My Specter Web began to wrap around the small black sphere, sensing it. Aside from a gravitational pull, I didn't feel anything else. It was just an ordinary little ball.
Just then, I suddenly opened my eyes. The Dragon, in a flash, gripped his meat hook in both hands. With a swift motion, he drew Hell's Sentinel. Both of us turned toward the south, where a surge of intense ghost energy was rapidly approaching.
With a whoosh, I saw it was Quinn Lee. He held a long sword, and the moment he saw me, he thrust it in my direction.
"Watch out, Ethan Zhang. That guy is fast."
The surroundings creaked. The Dragon was about to unleash his ghost domain. I raised Hell's Sentinel, already seeing that Quinn Lee was aiming his thrust at my chest.
With a clang, I failed to block Quinn Lee's strike. His sword, as fast as lightning, had already pierced my chest.
"Damn it, are you looking to die?"
The Dragon cursed, swinging his meat hook at Quinn Lee. With two metallic clangs, Quinn Lee deflected the hooks, then leapt backward. The Dragon's ghost energy grew stronger, and the rubble around us began to float upward.
"Stop, Dragon."
I spoke, taking out the cracked black sphere. With a snap, it shattered into powder. Quinn Lee's thrust had targeted the pocket on my chest where I kept the black sphere. He himself showed no intent to kill, nor any hostility.
"Friends, please stop. I didn't come here to start a fight. If we clash, neither of us will be able to hold back."
Quinn Lee said, looking at the Dragon, who still wore a furious expression.
"You little punk, damn it, trying to show off in front of me? Come on, let's see what you've got. I don't believe you're that tough."
"Dragon, my cousin's situation is urgent. Stop messing around."
I stared coldly at Quinn Lee. He seemed to recognize me—first puzzled, then he smiled.
"So it's you, Ethan Zhang. And the one next to you must be the Meathook Chef, enforcer for the Eleventh Judge."
I almost burst out laughing. The Dragon immediately looked embarrassed, then withdrew his nearly unleashed ghost domain, looking uncomfortable.
"Enough. That's the last thing I want to hear."
I couldn't help but laugh. That nickname sounded so casual; it was probably Redmond who came up with it.
"Quinn Lee, what did you come here to say?"
I immediately wiped the smile off my face and asked coldly. Quinn Lee pointed at the remains of the black sphere on the ground, which was turning to dust and drifting away.
"That thing is used by Brother Owen to contact his disciples in the living world and to give directions. But you must never trust it—if you follow where it leads, you’ll never make it back."
Quinn Lee continued, explaining that Brother Owen is extremely cunning. He promises the Blue Wraiths or other fierce ghosts in the east that if they complete a task, he’ll give them such a sphere to follow. But the destination is the Graveyard Desert. Once those ghosts enter, they’re never seen again.
"Since you’re both here, please come in."
Quinn Lee gestured toward the south. I was still furious—last time, after our battle with Lord Wraith, he stabbed us in the back.
"Brother Zhang, if this is about old grudges, please come to my Circle City. I will apologize to you personally. But hear me out—last time, I tried so hard to take you away for a reason."
Half suspicious, I floated up. The Dragon and I followed Quinn Lee southward. After about half an hour, we reached Circle City, still bustling as ever.
We flew straight to the highest point in the city, soon arriving before Quinn Lee’s palace, where a banquet was already set.
"Please."
Quinn Lee made a welcoming gesture. We sat down, and immediately ghosts came to pour us wine. The Dragon drank without restraint, quickly started eating, while I kept a cold eye on Quinn Lee.
"I may not be a good person, but stabbing people in the back is something I'd never do," said Quinn Lee.
"Hmph, and who was it that attacked us when we were completely exhausted last time?"
Quinn Lee looked ashamed, then stood up, clasped his hands, and bowed.
"As for that, I really want to explain it to you, Brother Zhang. Last time, I asked Old Nine to tell you, when he saw you, to come down and find me if you had time."
I snorted. Old Nine never mentioned it to me.
"Brother Zhang, last time I just wanted to beat Brother Owen to the punch, restrain them, and bring them to Circle City. After all, Brother Owen wouldn't let you go, but things are different in Circle City. I was ready to face him in battle, so I unleashed my sword technique."
Quinn Lee spoke, and I recalled that scene in the sky—countless ghostly green swords raining down from above.
"Since you brought my daughter back, I'm grateful. Why would I ever do something so heartless?"
I didn't answer. Instead, the Dragon chuckled and spoke up.
"You can't see into people's hearts, much less a ghost's. Quinn Lee, only you know what's really on your mind."
I nodded. Quinn Lee looked a bit awkward, then sat down with a cheerful smile.
"Since my last approach was less than reliable and made you misunderstand, this time I'll do everything I can to help you, Brother Zhang."
"You want your daughter back, right? Well, we have a common enemy, so this guy won't act rashly. If we end up fighting, you go first."
The Dragon made a sarcastic remark to Quinn Lee, whose face darkened but he kept smiling.
"Of course, I'll do my utmost if a fight breaks out. So, Brother Zhang, I hope you'll help me rescue my daughter once again. This time, I've received an invitation from Brother Owen as well."
As he spoke, Quinn Lee pulled an invitation from his coat and threw it on the table with a slap, glaring at it in anger.
"That bastard is holding my daughter hostage. I will never reconcile with him."
I nodded.
"By the way, Quinn Lee, I'll look into your daughter's whereabouts. If I find her, I'll help."
Quinn Lee laughed, then came over with his wine glass, toasting repeatedly with me and the Dragon.
Just as the Dragon said, with a common enemy, Quinn Lee has no choice but to give his all. After all, his daughter Wendy Wood has been taken. I can tell that, no matter how much he arranges for her, he still cares deeply about her.
"Lord Quinn, if you know anything, I hope you'll tell us."
"Of course. In recent years, Brother Owen has rarely shown himself. Since the last incident with Lord Wraith, all my spies stationed in Jialan City have been wiped out, but they still managed to send back useful information."
Quinn Lee told us that Brother Owen used to appear in the city from time to time, holding meetings, but now he barely shows up—even his own disciples haven't seen him in ages.
Brother Owen is in the Jialan Throne in Jialan City. Quinn Lee lost many men to discover this.
Quinn Lee then took out a map and laid it on the table. I looked over and saw a red circle in the west labeled Jialan City, with eight smaller red circles surrounding it.
"Each of these eight places is guarded by one of Brother Owen's eight disciples. To enter Jialan City, we must avoid them."
As Quinn Lee spoke, I began to understand. He connected the circles with a blue pen, drawing lines to form a spiral from the outermost point to Jialan City.
"This time, Brother Owen said I can't bring my men—none of my twenty Blue Wraiths can come. Only a few servants are allowed. Brother Zhang, you and your friend will have to pose as my servants."
The Dragon was immediately displeased, but I didn't mind.
"Will we be discovered?"
Quinn Lee clapped his hands, and soon someone brought over two sets of white Chaoswood Garments. I immediately sensed that these clothes could disrupt the perception of Specter Webs—so close, yet so far. When my Specter Web tried to probe the garments, I found they weren't clothes at all, but two ghosts.
"Is this Chaoswood?"
I asked quickly, and Quinn Lee nodded.
"Yes, it's made from that special tree. I ordered my men to spend a long time crafting these garments. They can't be detected in a short time. I was able to gather intelligence thanks to these Chaoswood Garments."
"If that's the case, let's get going."
Quinn Lee nodded and stood up.
"Wait a moment, I'll bring my ghost soldiers. After all, once the three of us cross over, there might be a fierce battle. My men have already gone ahead and are hiding near Jialan City."