Because he had taken two days off, Ethan Zhang didn't go to school. Instead, he followed Ben Chen's advice. Ten years ago, Ben Chen had already sought help from a down-and-out Taoist.
That Taoist was quite skilled. He told Ben Chen very clearly: if you want to use spellcraft to find someone, the first thing you need is the bond between people—emotion is the thread that ties them together. Blood relations come second. But Ben Chen had been away from his wife and daughter for over thirty years. At first, they might have hoped he'd return someday.
However, as time went on, that hope likely turned into anger and sorrow. Eventually, as those feelings faded bit by bit, nothing remained. Once the emotional bond between people is severed, no spellcraft can help you find the person you're looking for. As for blood ties, unless Ben Chen could bring the blood from when he was still alive, but that's impossible—his body was cremated long ago, so there's no way.
There was one other way: if Ben Chen's wife and daughter were already dead. But at that time, both were still alive, and there was no reaction at all. Ben Chen spoke his wife's name, but the name didn't trigger anything—it was likely already changed.
A name is the most important thing for a person. Once it's changed, countless variables arise, and everything from before becomes confused.
Hearing this, Ethan Zhang could only sigh helplessly. I puzzled over it—when Ethan mentioned his cousin just now, a wave of familiarity hit me, but I just couldn't remember.
"Today I'll buy some groceries and cook a nice meal. Don't lose heart."
"Aren't you short on money, Ethan? No need to splurge."
Ethan Zhang shook his head.
"It's fine, Ben. I still have plenty left from last month's job. We're not eating anything fancy—just a good meal, and I can afford that."
After that, Ethan Zhang bought wine, roast chicken, and plenty of side dishes—many of which ghosts are fond of. He casually set up an altar at home, and when night fell, he and Ben Chen began eating and drinking.
After a few rounds of drinks, Ethan Zhang started talking. Since childhood, he'd been able to see ghosts. At first, he resisted it—and saw plenty of hungry ghosts too. But among his father's friends was an old man who seemed to know a lot about ghosts and would share things with Ethan from time to time. Gradually, Ethan stopped rejecting the ghosts.
Many ghosts are malicious, but it's mostly harmless mischief—they like to play tricks. Ethan had been pranked countless times growing up, sometimes so frustrated he'd stomp his feet. Eventually, he got used to it. Some ghosts would even ask him for favors. At first, Ethan agreed, but over time he grew tired of it. Many requests were impossible for him, some were bizarre, and others had ulterior motives.
"That's why you weren't scared when you saw me at first—but you were annoyed, right, Ethan?"
"Yeah, helping ghosts is a hassle. Plus, it worsens the Deathbane Aura around me. My father's friend also said it's best to ignore them—they won't really do anything to you."
A constant sense of unfamiliarity kept swirling in my heart. I didn't know why—these things were strange, always carrying a feeling of alienation and weirdness.
"How about this, Ben—can you draw? If you can, sketch a portrait of your wife. I'll print it and ask around the old folks in the neighborhood."
Ben Chen was startled—it was a good idea, but he couldn't draw. The only way was to possess someone who could, using his will to guide their hand.
Once they'd made up their minds, Ben Chen planned to go to the university that night to find an art teacher. Ethan Zhang repeatedly reminded him not to hurt anyone, then went to sleep, feeling at ease.
But the next morning, Ben Chen didn't return. I stayed at Ethan Zhang's place all night. On the second and third days, Ben Chen still hadn't come back. Instead, there was an incident at the school—a female art teacher, Ms. Artwell, was found dead in her dormitory early that morning.
Outside the art academy in University Town, crowds were asking questions—Ethan Zhang among them. I saw anger in Ethan's eyes. I had no idea what Ben Chen had done, so I went straight into the school.
At the crime scene, there was a heavy residue of Yin Energy, but it wasn't Ben Chen's—it belonged to other ghosts.
On the fifth day, Ben Chen finally returned to Ethan Zhang's room 410. Instantly, Ethan grabbed him by the collar.
"What exactly did you do?"
Ben Chen stayed silent, letting Ethan Zhang shove him around. For a moment, I saw rage flash across Ethan's face—he was truly furious. He even pulled out the Sanctified Prayer Beads that Zhou Qin had given him. Ben Chen instantly shrank into a corner, terrified.
"It was me. I killed that woman."
Ethan Zhang's eyes widened, the prayer beads trembling in his hand.
"Why? Why did you take her life?"
Ben Chen clutched his head, squatting on the ground in confusion. Under Ethan's relentless questioning, he finally revealed the truth: possession isn't easy. People have Triple Flame on their bodies—ghosts at Ben's level can't get close without being burned.
Ben Chen tried several young, strong male teachers, but failed each time. Eventually, he found that female teacher—her health was poor, her Yang Fire weak. So he chose her. After possessing her, her body couldn't withstand the Yin Energy and died.
I watched Ben Chen quietly. His aura was already changing—his curse power was stronger, and a trace of black energy seeped from his body. He didn't mean harm, but ghosts do hurt people, especially through possession.
Anyone possessed by a ghost will feel heavy-headed and weak for a week. That's because when a ghost invades the body, the Yang energy fights against the Yin Energy, draining the person's vitality and even bringing bad luck.
After Ethan Zhang learned all this, he sat on the bed, wracked with guilt—his whole expression changed. Ben Chen, ashamed, stopped mentioning his daughter and quietly slipped away.
For days, Ethan Zhang became irritable and short-tempered, tormented by the thought that his request had led to someone's death. It was more than he could bear—he stopped going to school.
Ben Chen didn’t go far—he lingered near the apartment building, watching Ethan Zhang every day, full of guilt. The portrait was finished long ago, but now he no longer had the nerve to ask Ethan for help.
"Every cause has its effect. No matter what the cause—evil or good—the results will be many and varied."
Just then, a voice echoed in my head. I immediately looked around, clutching my head.
"Is it the Law of Karma?"
I shouted, but there was no response. I hadn't sensed anything strange either. At that moment, Ethan Zhang left the house.
He found Ben Chen, looking terrified, at the back entrance of the apartment building.
"Since I promised you, I'll help you find your family. Once I do, I'll personally visit Ms. Artwell's relatives and do everything I can to bring her back to life. For now, you need to find a way to preserve her body—use whatever means you have. Do you hear me?"
Ethan Zhang's expression changed completely as he grabbed Ben Chen by the collar.
"Why are you like this, Ethan? It was my fault. I didn't..."
"The blame is mine. If I hadn't come up with this plan, you wouldn't have rushed to possess someone, and Ms. Artwell wouldn't have been targeted. The cause was mine, so I'll bear the consequences—good or bad. For me, when a mistake happens, I have to fix it."
Ben Chen left immediately, gathering several friends and heading to the funeral home. To preserve a body, ghostly Yin Energy is best—it prevents decay completely. As long as the 'seven-day passage' hasn't passed, there's still hope.
Ethan Zhang took the bus home, planning to seek help from his father's old friend.
I followed Ethan Zhang all the way to the old district near the north of the city. In a rundown apartment, he found his father's old friend, Master Zachary Wu.
I was surprised by the elderly man before me—thin, but still ruddy-faced, his presence radiating gentle power. He was delighted to see Ethan Zhang. After hearing the whole story, Master Zachary Wu smiled.
"Ethan, I told you before not to get involved with ghosts. But since it's happened, take me to her. Ms. Artwell might still have a chance—she didn't die a natural death. As long as there's a trace of vitality, she can be revived."
Late at night, Master Zachary Wu brought many items and accompanied Ethan Zhang to the funeral home where Ms. Artwell lay.
With help from Ben Chen and other ghosts, they opened the funeral home doors. The ghosts, on Master Zachary Wu's orders, stood guard outside.
"Is there still hope, Master Wu?"
Ethan Zhang asked anxiously. After checking Ms. Artwell's body, Master Zachary Wu nodded with a smile.
"There's still a trace of vitality left, but things will get dangerous. Are you willing to make the journey, Ethan—to the Underworld Court?"
Ethan Zhang agreed, and Master Zachary Wu nodded.
"To bring the dead back, only the living can do it. But if Ms. Artwell is revived, it may cause some trouble."
Ethan Zhang shook his head.
"Let the ghosts help with that when the time comes."
Following Master Zachary Wu's instructions, Ethan Zhang lay beneath Ms. Artwell's corpse. Master Wu began the ritual, setting up several Ritual Arrays.