Half-asleep, half-awake, I heard a faint rustling sound. Suddenly, I opened my eyes—it was Rachel Lan. She slipped out from under the covers, tiptoeing quietly. Yuna Ji wasn't around; no idea where she'd gone.
I squinted, watching Rachel Lan as she walked past my bed on tiptoe, trying not to make a sound. She was heading out, so I quickly got up.
"Where are you going?"
"Ethan." Rachel Lan looked at me, a little embarrassed.
I smiled and got up. Other than the eerie green glow seeping in from outside, the room was very dark.
"I'll go with you."
Thinking of Yuna Ji—today, every time we mentioned the Ghost-Human Festival, her face turned cold, as if she didn't want us involved.
We went downstairs. The inn's door was wide open, and the street outside was lined with lanterns glowing green. The street was deserted—no people, no ghosts. It was already past three o'clock.
"Where should we go?"
Rachel Lan smiled.
"Let's go to the west side of town. Isn't there a tower over there?"
Sure enough, on the west side of town, there was a tall tower.
We hurried through the streets. Before long, we reached the west side, followed a narrow alley, twisting and turning, until we arrived at a large open space. Tables and chairs were set up—it looked like a banquet venue.
The tower ahead was six stories tall, round, each floor with several small windows. We crossed the open ground and came to the front of the tower.
"Are you two trying to get yourselves killed?"
Suddenly, Yuna Ji's voice rang out, startling me. I turned around—she was floating behind us, coldly watching.
"What's inside, anyway? Today I used the Paper Man tracking technique, and those two ghosts carried the child in here."
Yuna Ji sneered.
"Come here. I'll tell you."
Rachel Lan walked over, and I followed. Yuna Ji landed, gave a mysterious smile, and turned around.
"For disobedient children, you can only tie them up."
As soon as she finished speaking, green light flickered on Yuna Ji's back. Suddenly, two things shot out with a creak—like bone tails, segments of white bone, whipping out like ropes, binding the two of us.
"You..." Rachel Lan began to speak, but Yuna Ji reached out and covered her mouth.
"Someone's coming." With that, Yuna Ji soared into the air, carrying us both, circling to the back of the tower.
"Hey, the numbers are still way too low. What do we do?"
"The Three Patrons and Madam are still waiting for the offering. What now?"
Two voices—one old, one young.
"Fewer people have come these past few years."
"That's right. The Four Wraith Lords' appetites seem to have grown lately. We'll just have to wait and see. Maybe the ones who went out will bring someone back."
The older voice sounded helpless.
"Hey, Uncle Wang, didn't two outsiders arrive today? They look like a married couple."
"Why didn't you say so earlier, kid? Tomorrow, we'll find a way to keep them here."
After a long while, the voices faded. Yuna Ji flew us out.
"Hmph, those four are getting a bit too greedy."
I didn't understand what Yuna Ji meant, but by her green glow, I glimpsed inside the tower—piles of white bones, children's bones.
Back in the room, Rachel Lan and I fastened those bone tails securely to the bed.
"Listen up. As soon as daylight breaks, we're leaving."
"Don't ask why. I told you, we're here to find medicine—nothing else."
"Are those children the offerings?"
Rachel Lan asked.
Yuna Ji sighed. After a flash of green light, the bone tails binding us vanished.
"This place was created by the Four Wraith Lords. From the start, they set the rules: humans can enjoy themselves here without being harmed by ghosts. All ghosts serve humans for free—farming, building houses, whatever. But..."
Yuna Ji paused, hesitating to continue.
"Have you ever seen a carnivore that doesn't eat meat?"
We shook our heads. Suddenly, I understood.
"So... they eat people? Is that what this Ghost-Human Festival is about?"
Yuna Ji nodded.
"Every year at this time, humans must provide living offerings for the ghosts—usually children, or volunteers willing to become food. If that's not enough, they draw lots. Each year, thirty-seven people are required, with children being the most prized."
I sucked in a breath, chilled.
"Then why do so many people still come here?"
"Anyone who volunteers to become a resident here is told these conditions. If they don't agree, they can leave. Many here are criminals—if they go outside, they'll face the law. Better to enjoy life here than get caught out there."
"Hasn't anyone tried to run? Surely some can't stand it here?" Rachel Lan asked.
Yuna Ji shook her head.
"I told you—once you feel any attachment to this place, you can't leave. As long as there's even a sliver of fondness for it in your heart, you won't be able to get out."
Yuna Ji said, stepping up to Rachel Lan and looking at her.
"You'd better not grow fond of this place. Otherwise, you won't ever leave."
"Won't they target outsiders?"
Yuna Ji shook her head.
"You must have seen the broken road—it's not natural. Years ago, Quentin Kue came here to hunt ghosts. He discovered this place by accident. For some reason, he and the Four Wraith Lords struck a deal: no harming outsiders. People and ghosts here can come and go as they please."
"Of course, Quentin Kue didn't trust the Four Wraith Lords, so before he left, he used his sword to cut the road between the human and ghost realms, laying down powerful yin-yang magic. The stronger the ghost, the harder it is to leave."
I looked at Yuna Ji.
"Then how did you get out?"
"Ethan, don't ask about that. With the Four Wraith Lords trapped, only little ghosts or willing humans can leave—to bring in the disillusioned, those tired of the mundane world, to live here."
"Didn't John Chou say that ghosts can feed on resentment instead of eating or drinking?"
I asked again.
Yuna Ji shook her head.
"Ghosts that feed on resentment can't keep it up forever. Eventually, it overwhelms them. At that point, it's not just about eating people—they might eat other ghosts. Ordinary ghosts can't manage like we do. Didn't you notice this place isn't that gloomy?"
I shook my head. It's true—most ghost dens are chilly, but this place isn't too creepy.
"All the earth energy here flows to one place—Shadowbane Mountain. That's why resentment can't build up naturally."
Yuna Ji paced around the room, clearly troubled.
"Little girl, keep an eye on Ethan Zhang. I'm heading to Shadowbane Mountain to find the medicine. You two should stay in for the next few days—three days at most. Don't get attached to this place. Tomorrow, ghosts and people will try to persuade you to stay—don't agree to anything."
Yuna Ji gave us many instructions before leaving. Rachel Lan looked grim; she seemed to realize we were powerless this time.
Sure enough, the next morning, there was a commotion downstairs.
Knock, knock, knock—the innkeeper banged on our door.
"Congratulations, guests! Every year at this time, we hold a lottery. According to the order of arrival, you've won! During the Ghost-Human Festival, you can enjoy everything here—free of charge."
I forced a stiff smile.
Rachel Lan seemed quite at ease. Downstairs, people and ghosts alike vied to invite us over to eat and drink, eager to lavish us with hospitality.
I wanted to refuse, but Rachel Lan accepted.
"Why don't we just stay in our room?" I whispered. Rachel Lan smiled.
"It's free—why not enjoy it a little? Don't worry, I had enough of this place yesterday. Since everyone here chooses to stay, we shouldn't meddle."
At lunch, we sat in a lavish restaurant. A tableful of delicious food was brought out, and we began to eat.
"Guests, would you consider staying ten days, maybe half a month? There's plenty to do and eat here."
The innkeeper chimed in with a smile.
"We'll see," Rachel Lan replied, smiling.
After lunch, two carriages waited outside.
"Guests, there's a beautiful cherry blossom grove to the east. You should go see it."
I wanted to go back, reminding myself not to get attached to this place.
Just then, a car pulled up outside—a white convertible.
"Guests, Madam Violet invites you over." The driver, dressed in a white suit, handed me a bouquet of flowers.
I let out a surprised sound. Instantly, everyone around clapped and cheered.
"Guests, Madam Violet is the most beautiful woman around. If she's inviting you, it's surely a good thing!"
I swiftly refused, but Rachel Lan nudged me.
"Ethan, go on. It's fine. People have their paths, ghosts have theirs. If people don't provoke ghosts, ghosts won't mess with people."
With no choice, I got in the car. It drove to the center of town, then north. It wasn't far—soon, I saw a villa at the end of the street. At the gate, a welcoming team played drums and gongs, while pink petals drifted down from the sky.