Poison Dreadstar’s words stunned all of us. On the way to Hades Village, when we first entered the Ten Tribunal Road, it was Grandpa Cat and John Chou who walked together. What exactly they plotted during that time, we have no way of knowing. And even what Poison Dreadstar may have schemed with them—we’re in the dark. Ever since Poison Dreadstar rescued us, she’s kept things to herself. This much, we all understand.
Where will Mason Yu be taken?
I asked, and Poison Dreadstar shook her head.
"That, I really don’t know. Where they’re holding the people they’ve captured—it’s not something they’d let us find out so easily. Alright, get some rest. John Chou will probably be here soon."
Ghost Tomb Mountain was bustling again, as if the recent disturbance was nothing new to those who lived here.
The city gate had been destroyed, and the lowest district suffered varying degrees of damage. Aside from a few shops that were severely wrecked, most others were still open for business as usual.
Justin Huang walked to the window, worry etched on his face as he looked out. I went over to him.
"It’s alright, everyone..."
"No, Qingyuan. I’m not worried about everyone. I’m worried about Mason Yu."
Justin Huang spoke, clenching his fist so tightly that his knuckles cracked.
"He’s more afraid than anyone—terrified of ghosts, always hesitant and timid. Even when there’s a fight, he just watches from the sidelines. Deep down, he’s like a little girl..."
Justin Huang spoke, getting worked up. I could relate—just now, all we could do was watch as Mason Yu faced the Ghost Tomb people alone, trying desperately to save someone. I remember clearly the moment he collapsed, how bitterly unwilling he was.
"Maybe life’s just been too easy, Qingyuan. After joining the Ghost Burial Squad, I’ve had it comfortable. And you—you’ve gotten stronger day by day. But us..."
"Young people—so what? Back in my day, I used to get beat up all the time. Look at me, I survived."
Lan Yin smiled and walked over. We turned to look at him, and he patted us on the shoulder.
"As long as you understand your own weakness, that’s enough. What you’ve gone through this time may be necessary for your growth. No matter the outcome, as long as you’re alive, there’s a way to get stronger. Rushing things gets you nowhere."
Justin Huang and I nodded.
"These past years, my will has been too weak. When we get back, let’s all work harder. Next time something like this happens, we won’t be so helpless."
Hugh Thompson said, and we walked over. Just then, there was a knock at the door. We hurried to put on our hats and veils.
"Didn’t I say no one’s allowed on the third floor?"
Poison Dreadstar saw we were ready and opened the door. Outside stood a hotel staff member, head bowed, trembling.
"Ghost Fiend Star asked me to notify you, Poison Dreadstar: John Chou will arrive tonight."
"Oh, that soon? Heh."
After the staff left, I smiled in surprise, and Lan Yin seemed relieved too. We returned to our rooms and waited quietly.
"Qingyuan, I keep feeling that a lot of what John Chou does isn’t for himself."
Rachel Lan said, and I nodded. I too sensed something strange about John Chou’s actions—on the surface, it seemed self-serving, but there was something off about it.
"Rest for a while. There might be trouble tonight."
I watched Rachel Lan lie down on the bed. She looked exhausted, but she’d been enduring all this time. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.
"Rachel, this time, that..."
"Say it, Qingyuan. Whatever it is, just tell me."
I walked over and sat in front of Rachel Lan, nodding and looking into her eyes seriously.
"If something major happens, find a way to escape."
Rachel Lan stared at me blankly. I didn’t know how to explain it to her.
"Maybe I’m being selfish, Rachel. I just don’t want you to..."
"I know what you want to say, Qingyuan. It’s alright. Everyone will be fine—definitely."
Rachel Lan leaned in, pressing her forehead to mine...
After dinner, we headed straight to where Ghost Fiend Star was. As soon as we arrived, we saw a table set up in the hall, with drinks. Poison Dreadstar went over and sat down, while the five of us quietly stood behind her.
"Well? Didn’t you say John Chou would be here tonight? It’s already past seven."
Poison Dreadstar spoke, and Ghost Fiend Star stood up and poured her a drink.
"Aunt Poison, that guy’s coming through the forest, so he might be late. Come on, it’s been a while since we had a drink together."
Ghost Fiend Star raised his glass, clinked it with Poison Dreadstar’s, and downed his drink in one gulp.
"Where are those two from the Immortality Society?"
Poison Dreadstar looked around. Aside from the Ghost Tomb people, the two blue-faced men from the Immortality Society were nowhere to be seen.
"Oh, they had something to take care of and went back for a bit."
"What could be so urgent? Kid, what else are you hiding from me?"
Poison Dreadstar said quietly. Ghost Fiend Star quickly stood up and refilled her glass.
"Aunt Poison, come on, we’re family here. They just went to bring Mr. Tuoba over. After all, only John Chou can handle that Bloodbane power."
"And what about Zhang Qingyuan and the others? Not going to catch them?"
Ghost Fiend Star laughed and took a sip of his drink.
"Aunt Poison, already caught them—just this afternoon, over in the old city."
Once again, Ghost Fiend Star lied to Poison Dreadstar right in front of us.
"Oh, really? Bring them out—let me see for myself."
Poison Dreadstar’s words made my heart race. I had no idea what she meant.
"That... Let’s wait for John Chou to arrive, then talk. Aunt Poison, don’t worry. Honestly, there’s nothing else we can do. Things outside are already chaotic—all those Ghost Lords are hunting for us and the Immortality Society. After discussing, we decided it’s best to let things calm down."
"Weren’t you the ones who started this? What now—scared?"
"We’ve lost 137 people already, but because of their special status, it’s hard to track down the Immortality Society folks—so basically, no casualties on their side. Aunt Poison, you know those Immortality Society guys could betray us any day. We need to stay alert."
"So now you get it, huh? Why did you cooperate with them in the first place? When the boss was around, those guys came but got turned away. Now the boss is gone, and you and Merciless Star are running wild."
Ghost Fiend Star looked helpless.
"Aunt Poison, you know our Ghost Tomb has gone through two major disasters—one caused by John Chou, one by the Nether Syndicate. Both nearly destroyed us. Our partnership with the Immortality Society is just that—a partnership. We’re only using them. Surely you know that, Aunt Poison?"
Poison Dreadstar took a sip of her drink and laughed softly.
"Who’s using whom, really? Kid, after all these years, you’re still so naive and straightforward. I give up—you think it’s all that simple? If only it were that easy."
"Aunt Poison, don’t worry. At least we’ve got the Immortality Society by the throat. They don’t know how to make the Bloodbane ghosts, and if they lose those, they’ll be exposed. Information will be harder to transmit, so really, it’s fine, Aunt Poison."
He seemed a bit slow and stubborn. I started to understand—Ghost Fiend Star was like a child around Poison Dreadstar. Maybe someone was coaching him behind the scenes.
Poison Dreadstar sighed.
"Where’s that Ghost Grandpa kid?"
"Oh, him? He...he went to wait in the forest."
He was lying. In that instant, I noticed Ghost Fiend Star’s eyes darting around as he spoke, while Poison Dreadstar chuckled.
"Is that so..."
Poison Dreadstar drew out her words.
"Looks like we’ll have to bring Dreadstar back. Otherwise, with your brains, Ghost Tomb might be wiped out in a few years."
Poison Dreadstar’s words were sharp, but Ghost Fiend Star didn’t dare respond.
Suddenly, Poison Dreadstar raised her hand. Black smoke erupted from the wall on the left, sizzling and burning a large hole through it.
"Ah, mercy, Poison Dreadstar, I..."
It was Ghost Grandpa—he was in the room behind the left wall. As soon as he appeared, he dropped to his knees, begging nonstop.
"One-Eye and Crybaby aren’t here. Ghost Grandpa, do you really think your brain’s up to the task? All you do is teach this kid tricks for children. You think I’m an idiot?"
"No, Poison Dreadstar, I—I really didn’t..."
Just then, Ghost Fiend Star stood up, like a child caught doing something wrong, and quietly stood beside Poison Dreadstar.
"Aunt Poison, it’s not like that. I—I just..."
Poison Dreadstar raised her hand. Ghost Fiend Star immediately closed his eyes, but instead of hitting him, she gently touched his forehead.
"I’ve raised you since you were a baby—taught you to walk, to read, to write, and little by little, taught you the arts. Don’t try to play tricks with me. The Immortality Society isn’t so simple. Just two of their people have managed to tie up most of the Ghost Path and the art world. And the others? Heh."
When Poison Dreadstar said this, we were all stunned.