"Everyone, please forgive us. Master Richard Ming and his Brahma Order encountered some trouble on the way here. We ask for your patience and hope you can wait a few more hours. Thank you for your understanding."
The female Daoist came up to us and spoke respectfully. She was very beautiful, but her stride was brisk and decisive, and her voice was loud and clear.
I glanced at the file. The female Daoist was Jade Quinn, one of the Nine Dao Gate Elders. After she finished speaking, she immediately turned and hurried off to handle other matters. Soon, Samuel Young entered with two people—Poison Dreadstar and the gloomy-faced Ghost Fiend Star. No other members of the Ghost Tomb were present.
This time, after our discussion, fewer ghosts came. Redmond only brought Vivian Maple and The Dragon.
Basil Bertram came only with Miranda Bertram; Yuna Ji brought Granny Nong. Mona Ouyang had no subordinates left, so she came alone, just like Yuna Ji. But Yuna Ji could summon anything from Netherhell at any time and place.
None of the SpecterSense Ghosts from the apartment building came in; they waited outside. To prevent any unexpected incidents, half of Redmond's men were already outside, surrounding the place. Five of Basil Bertram's Eight Ministers were present, along with more than a dozen SpecterSense Ghosts.
"What's wrong, kid? Is someone missing from your crew?"
As soon as Poison Dreadstar and the others arrived, Yuna Ji started teasing, because Ghost Fiend Star looked so miserable. Yin Choujian chuckled.
I sighed, remembering how Yin Choujian humiliated Ghost Fiend Star in the game the other day, forcing him to log off. He must be in a terrible mood lately.
"Little Cleaver, just you wait. I've already figured out how to beat you."
Suddenly, Ghost Fiend Star started talking to John Chou.
John Chou responded with a soft 'oh,' set down a small dish, and looked at Ghost Fiend Star.
"Go ahead, but you don't stand a chance."
At that moment, Ghost Fiend Star walked over to John Chou, grinning from ear to ear.
"Tell me, did you find some kind of bug? You're way too good—it's impossible, totally unscientific! You've only been playing for a little while."
John Chou smiled, looking smug, and patted Ghost Fiend Star on the head.
"Getting good at a game isn't about spending all day in it. If you don't use your brain, why play at all?"
"No way, I don't believe it. Is there a computer around? Let me see how you do it."
Ghost Fiend Star said this while looking around.
"Hey, you there!"
Ghost Fiend Star called out to Samuel Young.
"How can I help you, guest?"
Samuel Young replied courteously.
"Get me two computers, quick. Right now!"
Samuel Young was stunned for a moment, then waved his fan and laughed.
Suddenly, Poison Dreadstar grabbed Ghost Fiend Star by the ear.
"If you keep making noise, I'll cut your allowance in half next month."
"No, Poison Aunt, I won't do it again!"
Ghost Fiend Star immediately hugged Poison Dreadstar's leg and knelt on the ground.
"I haven't eaten in days, Poison Aunt! If you cut my allowance again, how am I supposed to survive?"
"There's food over there. Go get some."
Poison Dreadstar said, and after Ghost Fiend Star got up, he glanced at John Chou.
"Your understanding of game stats and skills is trash. That's why you can't beat me. You should just quit. Every time I see you, I'll crush you."
John Chou suddenly spoke fiercely after exchanging glances with Poison Dreadstar, making Ghost Fiend Star look extremely aggrieved.
"I haven't done any quests in days, John Chou. Don't go too far. As a ghost, just be a proper ghost—why bother with games?"
"Weren't you the one who told me to play? What, are you scared now?"
Ghost Fiend Star was about to explode with anger but swallowed it and ran off to where the food was.
"Thanks, John Chou."
Poison Dreadstar said, and John Chou smiled.
At this moment, I saw an old Daoist in a tattered yellow robe, his white hair tied up, leaning against the counter with a wine gourd, drinking contentedly.
"Hmph, Elder Peach, if you want to drink, go do it somewhere else."
Elder Arthur Young, who was busy, said angrily, looking at him as if he were trash, utterly contemptuous.
Judging by Elder Peach's appearance, he must be from the Mount Mason Order. I've always been unclear about the Mount Mason Order. Long ago, Dao Sect people said Mount Mason was a crooked path.
"You don't know this, do you, Zhang Qingyuan?"
The Dragon came over, licking his lips. When I looked, I was stunned—two-thirds of the dishes on the table were for him, and he seemed satisfied. He pointed at Elder Peach and spoke.
"No matter what, Mount Mason Order's foundation is Daoist, but later its nature changed. They mixed in Buddhist elements, even Tantric stuff, all sorts of odds and ends. Over time, they formed their own sect. Dao Sect used to look down on them—Mount Mason practitioners often used spells to make money, and many drove ghosts to do their bidding, even cursing people. So Dao Sect has always excluded them."
I gave an 'oh' in response, basically understood.
Another round of food appeared on the table. The fat Daoist, Master Claude Long, kept urging the Daoists behind the counter to hurry up with the cooking.
Then I saw a Daoist with dark green hair, looking about fifty, carrying a large earthenware jar on his shoulder. On it was a prominent character for 'wine.'
"Here, everyone, this is our Dao Sect's Awakening Wine."