The journey was rather cheerful. Cash Myles would occasionally tell us stories, making both The Dragon and me burst into laughter.
"You know, even though I have eighteen concubines, I may not look like much, but I treat them all very well. Haha, I'm nothing like that pervert Lord Wraith."
I sighed and forced a bitter smile. Lord Wraith, now powerless, can only temporarily reside in Mia Lin’s body, barely surviving. Once a dominant overlord, he’s now reduced to this—everyone mocks him. It’s a bit tragic.
Gradually, the ride became smoother, no longer bumpy. We reached a well-built main road.
In the distance, I saw a dazzling city—gold shining everywhere. Against this dark, oppressive world, it added a splash of color.
I stuck my head out the car window and looked. There were many vehicles, carriages, and ghosts, all coming and going from this city without walls.
The city’s layout was modern. As I walked in, I saw that the walls were painted—mostly gold. Some even had sparkling beads, making the city gleam. Now I understood why it was called Gold City.
The city’s design was rational. Four main roads divided it into quarters. Upon entering, I noticed the left side mostly sold food, and the right side sold clothing.
Cash Myles explained that the city had four districts: one for food, lodging, and entertainment; one for clothing; one for hiring ghosts for travel; and the one we were in, which handled commerce and management.
After entering the city, we headed straight for the southwest district. There, I saw many busy ghosts running around, and some on the second floor appeared to be negotiating.
As soon as Cash Myles’ car arrived, many ghosts lined up to greet us. In the center of this district, I saw a large house with a courtyard, artificial hills, a small river, and a manicured lawn. I was surprised—after getting out, I realized the lawn was actually painted.
From afar, it looked like grass, but up close, it was just green paint.
"Someone, bring out the best food and wine!"
Once inside, Cash Myles called out. He led The Dragon and me straight into the main building. Inside, there were sofas, a TV, carpets—everything. We sat down, and soon a scantily clad, beautiful female ghost came over with tea. Cash Myles gave her a playful pinch.
"Master, stop messing around."
The female ghost said shyly, kissed Cash Myles, set down the tea, and left.
"Ah, sorry for the spectacle, The Dragon, Ethan Zhang. Since we’re ghosts, we might as well live with some style. Please, help yourselves."
The Dragon and I picked up our teacups and drank. Cash Myles began to talk.
Last time, at Lord Wraith’s thousand-year birthday banquet—the Thousand Ghost Feast—Cash Myles didn’t attend. He already knew Quinn Lee and Brother Owen wouldn’t miss this chance. He used an errand in the world of the living as an excuse to skip the banquet, saying he’d apologize in person later.
As for Cash Myles, who only cared about business and was weak in power, Lord Wraith didn’t even bother with him—so he was left alone.
"What about now? Brother Owen and Quinn Lee?"
I asked.
"Those two are peaceful for now, but it’s only on the surface. Everyone knows that two tigers can’t share one mountain. Nobody says it out loud, but secretly, they’re locked in a battle of wits and strength."
Cash Myles took a sip of tea and then smiled.
"I bet Quinn Lee can’t sit still this time. Haha, I heard his daughter, Wendy Wood, was invited to Jialan City as a guest."
I let out a sound of surprise, recalling how Wendy Wood, once a bandit at Trickster Ridge, was tricked and ended up being taken by Brother Owen.
"It’s been a year. Quinn Lee keeps demanding her return, but Brother Owen always replies that Wendy Wood doesn’t want to go back. Everyone knows the truth—Brother Owen just doesn’t want to get stabbed in the back at a banquet like Lord Wraith did, so he uses Quinn Lee’s daughter as leverage."
I sneered, then let out a cold snort.
"That kind of despicable person deserves it."
Thinking back, last time Quinn Lee came straight over, didn’t care that we’d brought his daughter back, and attacked us without hesitation. If Yuna Ji and the others hadn’t arrived, we would’ve been doomed.
By now, The Dragon seemed almost drunk. Cash Myles clapped his hands, and soon eight female ghosts in white floated over, lifted The Dragon, and carried him upstairs.
"Don’t worry, Ethan Zhang. I’ll send someone to find out where Howard Zhang is."
I nodded. Cash Myles left. Shortly after, a group of fierce ghosts in black suits arrived. Cash Myles gave them instructions, and they quickly dispersed.
"It’s all arranged. You can trust me."
I sighed. Cash Myles sat down and explained that the trouble started when Brother Owen’s men got into a fight near Circle City, which is under Quinn Lee’s control.
Wendy Wood happened to be there and was taken away in the chaos. Quinn Lee wanted to storm Jialan City immediately, but his subordinates held him back.
After all, things had just calmed down. Nobody wanted more trouble at this critical moment. The priority was to split up Lord Wraith’s remaining forces. Quinn Lee had no choice but to swallow his anger and keep absorbing Lord Wraith’s leftover troops and assets.
"I heard Lord Wraith didn’t die and was chased down, right?"
Cash Myles nodded and told me that when Quinn Lee was consolidating his forces, he discovered Lord Wraith was still alive—living inside Mia Lin’s body. He immediately sent five Blue Wraiths to hunt down the weakened pair.
But as luck would have it, there was a powerful Blue Wraith living near Deadwater Pool. He saved Lord Wraith and Mia Lin, killed the five Blue Wraiths Quinn Lee sent, and when Quinn Lee showed up himself, it all fizzled out. Quinn Lee then announced to everyone that Lord Wraith was finished.
I smiled. I’d seen Quinn Lee fight before—always obsessed with appearances, a lousy guy chasing fame and fortune.
From what I know of John Chou’s strength, Quinn Lee isn’t his match. John is bold and emits a stench that scares off ghosts. Nobody gets close to him, so Quinn Lee’s failure to kill Lord Wraith never got out.
"So, Ethan Zhang, if you’re heading to Jialan City, you’ll have to pass through Quinn Lee’s territory. No matter how well you hide, any Blue Wraith will sense you. Just like when you entered my Ghost Market—I immediately knew something was off."
That’s a real problem. If we pass through Circle City, Quinn Lee will probably notice.
"Then let’s take the Graveyard Desert route."
I suggested, but Cash Myles immediately shook his head.
"Ah, it’s called Graveyard Desert for a reason. Even the three great Blue Wraiths have only crossed it once—and that was Lord Wraith, who wandered for decades before making it back."
I made a sound of surprise and looked at Cash Myles. Thinking back, it was the fierce ghost Li Si, who died for his sister in Halfstep Town and once saved me. I couldn’t help but feel a little sad—I was powerless in so many things back then.
Since we can’t cross Graveyard Desert, we’ll have to detour through Lord Wraith’s territory. At our speed, it shouldn’t take long. I asked, but Cash Myles still shook his head.
"You should know, Lord Wraith’s territory borders the Underworld Court. If you head northwest, you’ll definitely pass through their land. And you and the Underworld Court have some friction, don’t you?"
I made a sound of surprise and looked at Cash Myles. He smiled and started talking about how news of my clash with the Day and Night Patrols in Halfstep Town had already spread.
"I heard it all from the ghost officials. Haha, Brother Zhang, you’re impressive—picked the right side, and in such a short time, you’ve become powerful. I bet Bloodbane Ghost Sovereign, John Chou, is really something. I’d like to meet him someday."
I smiled. Cash Myles didn’t say anything more.
"Alright, Ethan Zhang, have some fun here. If you want, I’ll send over some beauties to keep you company."
"No need."
I refused without hesitation. After Cash Myles left, I sat quietly, thinking about how to get through Quinn Lee’s territory. Maybe Chaoswood could help. I stood up and checked my phone—the Bing app was eighty percent downloaded.
Once it finished downloading, The Dragon and I would head to the Chaoswood forest, find Chaoswood, and use it to pass through Circle City and reach Brother Owen’s territory.
Just then, a crowd of ghosts burst in from outside, looking terrified.
"Bad news, Mr. Cash, someone’s here to cause trouble!"
One fierce ghost shouted, looking terrified. With a loud boom, I saw a huge cloud of dust rising in the northeast.