The town was in turmoil, ghosts everywhere. They went door to door, searching for any trace of me. Redmond himself joined the search party. I blended in, following the orders of ghosts who were stronger than my current form, searching relentlessly.
Vivian Maple arrived with Rufina Howard. Although I wasn't worried they'd recognize me, I still felt uneasy. Just the slightest trace of my aura, and I was exposed.
What concerned me most now was the Celestial Hound Fang attached to Rufina Howard. My gaze drifted over, barely noticeable.
Suddenly, a sinister laugh echoed inside my head. It was the Celestial Hound Fang. I was startled.
“What exactly are you trying to do?”
I spoke with my mind, but all I got in return were shrill peals of laughter. The Fang did not answer me. Unease crept in—if the plan failed, the worst outcome would be my inability to return, perhaps being trapped in this world forever.
“Nothing, Ethan Zhang. You needn't worry. I can't do anything to you. I'm merely a vessel—a vessel for memories. Haven't you noticed something odd?”
I was startled. Instinctively, I glanced at Noah Grimm, who had already come closer, his face grave. I moved toward where the ghosts were gathering, pretending to search for something.
“Noah, are you sure you sensed it right?”
Redmond couldn’t help but shout. I saw clusters of black flames of malice floating all over the sky.
I still remembered how Redmond and the others had spent months in Exile Town before finally leaving. If I stayed any longer, I might be trapped here for months as well. The thought made me immediately call out to Juchen Realm.
Strangely, Juchen Realm did not appear.
“You’ve made a huge mistake, Ethan Zhang. If you can’t fix it, you’ll never get out of here.”
I was startled, and instantly understood—I’d truly been discovered here. I had to erase any evidence that I was still in Exile Town.
A solution came to me at once. I used my mind to instruct Spirit Snake to release a trace of Deathbane Aura at the entrance to Exile Town—just a tiny amount, enough to cling to the tree at the village gate and linger for a while.
Just as Spirit Snake finished, Redmond had already drifted over to that spot.
Several ghosts followed, and I mingled with them. When I reached the tree, Redmond waved his hand and a thin wisp of black Deathbane Aura appeared in his palm.
“Noah, you’re really clueless. Ethan Zhang has lingered here so long, it’s normal to find traces of his aura. Probably some fool got contaminated by Ethan Zhang’s Deathbane Aura, making you think he’s still in town. Just a few days ago, I spoke to him through the flames of malice.”
Though Redmond said this, Noah Grimm still looked doubtful.
“Alright, everyone go back. Little girl, you’ve rested enough—it’s time to get to work.”
Redmond shouted at Rufina Howard, who had been brought over by Vivian Maple. Rufina just snorted in response.
“Got it. If you’re so capable, why don’t you get out yourself?”
Redmond looked ready to explode again, but this time he just laughed.
“Hmph. I won’t stoop to the level of a snot-nosed brat. Tell that fat guy to get me something good to eat. I want a drink.”
I glanced back at Rufina Howard. She was already crouched at the entrance to Exile Town, at the corner where stepping out would lead right back inside. She began to inspect the area. I followed the other ghosts and returned.
Redmond had talked about building a palace, and the demolition work had already started. I was assigned to Shadowbane Mountain to cut timber. I received an axe and went with one of Redmond’s Blue Wraiths to Shadowbane Mountain.
The vast earth energy beneath our feet flowed toward the gray, misty mountain ahead. Redmond and the others had already visited Shadowbane Mountain but found no useful medicinal herbs—the best ones had already been taken by Yuna Ji.
“Listen up! Chop down the thick trees. When you’re done, haul them straight back.”
Hundreds of ghosts landed with resignation. It was my first time seeing Shadowbane Mountain—a vast range shrouded in gray mist. Some ghosts began vomiting; the Yin energy here was overwhelming. Weaker ghosts couldn’t handle it, so only the stronger shadows and fierce ghosts stayed behind, chopping at the massive trees that required three or four people to encircle.
Many of the plants and trees here were unlike anything I’d ever seen before.
My wounds had healed thanks to the medicine Yuna Ji found here. After it was prepared and I drank it, I gradually recovered. I still have no idea what that strange medicine was—and what disgusted me most was that it contained zombie ingredients. Just thinking about it made my skin crawl.
I swung my axe at the trees, but the wood was so tough it was hard to chop down. If I used too much force, the trunk would crack. At the Blue Wraith’s insistence, we could only chop bit by bit.
“Noah Grimm, Vivian Maple, what brings you here?”
I was startled—I had no idea how the two of them had shown up here.
“Everyone head back. No need to chop today—the town needs manpower. The boss wants to throw a banquet, so chopping can wait.”
I mingled with the ghosts and headed back to Exile Town, but something still felt off.
“Right, a few of you stay and come with me into the mountains to gather wild vegetables.”
Noah Grimm began pointing out who should stay. I tried my best to avoid his gaze.
“You come too.”
I couldn’t shake my unease, but I had no choice but to follow. Only seven ghosts were left behind. We followed Noah Grimm and Vivian Maple, climbing the mountain. Noah Grimm asked me to help gather moss, saying it would add a nice flavor to the food.
"Be careful. If you use too much force on this moss, it won't work."
I nodded and watched as Noah Grimm carefully peeled the black moss from a rock, bit by bit. I went over and did the same.
"There’s no one else around now, Ethan Zhang."
I was startled and stared silently at Noah Grimm, not answering.
"Why are you still here? The boss just spoke with Ethan Zhang and the others through Yin Chou. So why does this Ethan Zhang still exist here?"
I said nothing. There was no hostility visible on Noah Grimm’s face.
The plan had failed—I was panicking inside. Just then, I sensed a fierce aura approaching from behind.
With a snap, I turned into black mist. A streak of violet—a sword slashing through the air—I dodged Vivian Maple’s attack. Noah Grimm just smiled.
Suddenly, several Vivian Maples appeared around me, each slashing their swords in different directions.
They were all real, created by ghost energy—deadly afterimages. I didn’t dare let my guard down and immediately wrapped myself in Deathbane Aura.
There was a series of metallic clangs as I held my defense. With a swish, Vivian Maple sheathed her sword.
"It’s definitely Ethan Zhang."
Vivian Maple said coldly. Noah Grimm just smiled.
"But not the Ethan Zhang of now."
I was startled, looking at Vivian Maple. I still hadn’t revealed my true form.
"Don’t worry. The boss’s ghost aura doesn’t reach here—he won’t find you. Ethan Zhang, from your look, you’ll probably get along with us in the future. But why did you come here?"
Faced with Noah Grimm’s question, I didn’t know where to start. If I answered, I’d never be able to return.
"How did you discover me?"
Noah Grimm smiled and pointed to himself.
"I was a constable chasing criminals in life—maybe it’s just in my nature. So after death, once I’ve sensed an aura, no matter how it changes in the future, it can never escape my ghost senses."
"I noticed you right away, Ethan Zhang. You were hiding in the tree, but I’ve always been a spy, probing secrets since ancient times. Your hiding method was far too obvious. As for our boss, that fool wouldn’t have survived this long without us."
I let out a sound of surprise. These two acted one way in front of Redmond and another behind his back, but their respect for him wasn’t fake.
"We won’t force you, Ethan Zhang. Just one question—did you come here from the distant future because of Lady Yvonne May?"
With no other choice, I finally nodded.
"Then that settles it. Heh, impressive, Ethan Zhang. You really became strong in the future."
A hint of joy rose in my heart, but it quickly faded.
"So why did you come back to the past?"
Vivian Maple looked at me with concern. At last, I spoke.
"Something happened to the girl. I can’t tell you what or how. Now that you both know who I am, maybe I won’t be able to go back."
Noah Grimm laughed and tapped his head.
"High-level Blue Wraiths can erase any memories they don’t want to keep, if they choose to."
I was startled, but I knew that was true. Instantly, I felt relieved.
"So, Ethan Zhang, what’s your plan? The two of us will help you from the shadows. Our boss may be clueless and reckless, but his instincts are sharp. He’s already noticed something special about that girl."
"Why would you...?"
"I’ll only say this to you, Ethan Zhang."
Noah Grimm spoke, then continued.
"The boss once said you’re someone worth trusting."