"A man who abandons his wife and child—this is Lao Chongyuan, always repeating the label he’s given himself."
My mood remained unsettled for a long time. When I was young, just starting school, my ability to see ghosts made me withdrawn. My older cousin, Howard Zhang, knew this well. He would always pull me along and never left me to face things alone.
Several times, I was bullied at school. I never spoke up, but my cousin always stood up for me. I wouldn’t say a word, but inside, I seethed with anger, fantasizing about killing those who bullied me—more than once.
"You know it well, don’t you? Your state of mind is turbulent, Ethan Zhang."
I let out a sound and nodded.
"Everyone has things in their mind and thoughts that can’t be shown to others. Those are evil, aren’t they? Fantasizing about killing someone, yet living a life that’s nothing like that in reality."
"Haha, it’s like when someone sees a photo of a pitiful animal and says, ‘Oh, how sad,’ but in real life, they ignore it and walk by indifferently, doing nothing. There are many people like that. That’s why this world is full of hypocrisy, and without hypocrisy, people couldn’t survive."
"That’s true."
After I stood up, memories from my school days flooded my mind. I couldn’t help but smile.
"Luckily, I had my cousin. The evil in me hasn’t erupted all these years—because of him. That guy... Ethan Zhang, Earth Soul, is the same."
I looked at Xu Fu, bowed, and said thank you.
Indeed, I am different from you all, because the people I met and the things I experienced were right. For me, these things are right, not wrong. I think I finally understand what Mr. Laozi meant by being uniquely endowed.
It's good that you understand. So, what do you plan to do next?
I clenched my fist, looked at Xu Fu, and nodded.
Let this world return to its original state. This world didn’t use to be like this. I once visited the Ninefold Abyss of the Underworld, and now that I think about it, everything there feels exactly the same as what I’m experiencing now.
Suit yourself, Ethan Zhang. I’ll be heading back soon. I’ll tell you more of the story when I have time, but for now, you don’t have the power to intervene. Think carefully about the Spirit Domain I took you to the other day and what you accomplished there. Next time we meet, I hope you’ll be stronger—maybe even strong enough to stand before us in a few years.
With a whoosh, Xu Fu spoke as he floated up. He glared at me, smiling.
I will stop you all, with these hands.
Deathbane Aura slowly seeped from my hands. Xu Fu burst out laughing, his face twisted with evil. His smile was chilling, no matter how many times I saw it.
Yes, I’m looking forward to it, Ethan Zhang. If this world had no adversaries, it would be lonely indeed. When I get out of here, the world of the living may become even more chaotic. The seven Ghost Lords can no longer stop me. If you return, pass a message to Yin Choujian for me.
Go ahead.
Xu Fu looked at me quietly. His long hair was tousled by the breeze, and a fearful aura emanated from him.
In the end, the one left standing will be me—Xu Fu.
The room was empty; Xu Fu had already left. I went up to the rooftop, where the warm sunlight shone on the balcony. I sat cross-legged. Rachel Lan was not home, busy every day with matters that seemed to trouble her.
I wonder how those guys are doing.
It’s been almost a month since I arrived at Rachel Lan’s home. I have no idea what’s been happening outside, but now, I need to find a way to make myself stronger.
Thinking back, the place Xu Fu took me to that day was unique—where water and sky merged as one. I raised my hands, flames and streams of water appearing in each.
With a hiss, the flame in my right hand was extinguished by the water in my left. That day, I managed to fuse water and fire, which seemed connected to the place Xu Fu took me. I stood up and sighed; it seems I won’t succeed in a short time.
Looking at the distant street, I felt the breeze on my face. But today, the wind carried something different. I sniffed the air—a wave of heat; the wind felt scorched.
With a thunderous boom, a golden light suddenly shot up far away from me. In an instant, a powerful gust swept in this direction.
I could barely stand as the rumbling continued. The city all around was shaken; glass shattered and chaos erupted on the roads.
With a whoosh, I floated up, looking at the golden flames raging in the air. At the tip of the flames, I saw the shadow of a Vermilion Bird—it was Rachel Lan.
My heart raced as I quickly floated toward her.
Getting closer, I saw thick smoke everywhere; the area was ablaze. Soon, I could see clearly—a huge crater on the ground, and in it stood Rachel Lan, her hair whipped by the heat.
In the pit beneath Rachel Lan’s feet, red-hot magma bubbled.
A pair of cold, ruthless eyes stared at me. I stood motionless, looking at Rachel Lan.
Only now did cries and screams erupt around me. The attack came without warning. I clenched my fist, anger flickering on my face.
Are you trying to blame me?
Her voice was icy, but now I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. I shook my head.
I don’t want to blame you for anything. The current you feels no compassion for anything around you. But you’re still you, Rachel.
With a chilling laugh, Rachel Lan walked past me.
If you find those people from Scarlet Night, get them all out. Tell them: prison or death—those are the choices.
The disaster kept spreading. I watched quietly, raising a hand as Deathbane Aura began to pour out of me.
Flames spread all around. The oppressive Yin energy in the air still suppressed my power.
Am I too weak? Is that why you refuse to coexist with me?
I muttered, forcing a bitter smile. The heat beneath my feet kept rising, evaporating the thick Yin energy in the air. Looking at the magma below, the situation was dire—far beyond human ability to resolve.
Even with only some Vermilion Bird power left, it was enough to burn me the instant I got close to the magma’s surface.
The Vermilion Bird’s power kept eroding the Deathbane Aura on my skin. At this moment, the Yin energy that suppressed me was gone—I could release my power freely.
Half-crouching, I drew Beauty with a swish. Deathbane Aura poured out of me like a wild horse, while the remaining Vermilion Bird power kept resisting.
I knew exactly what I needed to do. No matter the situation or the world, evil always exists. When I face evil, I cannot turn a blind eye. I firmly believe that what I see and what I consider right truly exists.
Instinct... coexistence...
With a thunderous noise, wild Deathbane Aura burst from around me, chilling the air. The magma beneath my feet turned black and began to solidify.
You all—release your power.
I shouted, drawing my Ghostblade with a swish and swinging it at the sky. A pillar of Deathbane Aura shot upward.
Hissing sounds filled the air as Deathbane Aura turned into mist, spraying outward. Black ice crystals formed in the sky, and huge black snowflakes drifted down.
The raging flames on the ground began to die out; more and more black snowflakes started to fall.
The restless atmosphere faded. I slowly floated up, surrounded by crying crowds. They stared at the strange black snowfall. In front of me was Rachel Lan, staring motionless.
Why are you doing this? What’s the point? Are you trying to stop me?
There’s no point, Rachel. Everyone has a place inside them called darkness. You’re human, you’re still you. But the part called restraint, the part called kindness, is gone. The darkness in your heart controls everything now, and I…
I raised my fist and pounded my chest.
I’m taking you home—darkness or sunlight, it’s all you, Rachel.
It’s too late, Ethan Zhang. It’s already…
It’s not too late. You’re still here, still breathing, still able to talk face-to-face. Everything you taught me—I remember it. These things, the most important ones for being human, you helped me understand, bit by bit.
I reached out my right hand, but all I got was a cold laugh. Rachel Lan slowly turned her head.
Even you—if you try to stop me, you’ll die.
Watching Rachel Lan leave my sight, I took a deep breath and shouted.
I won’t die. Not until I’ve resolved all this, I won’t die. I once dreamed of all that happiness I should have had—I’ll seize it this time and never let go. Did you hear me, Rachel Lan?