The golden light atop the coffin grew ever brighter. A fierce wind howled as Rachel Lan and I couldn't help but close our eyes. The doors and windows rattled loudly.
"So this is what it means to ascend to heaven."
Just as Rachel Lan finished speaking, I sensed something was off. It was the ghostly threads drifting around us—I could feel them. I hurriedly embraced Rachel Lan and, with a whoosh, released a stream of baleful energy that wrapped around a beam. With a crack, the floor beneath the coffin split open, revealing a gaping black hole.
In that instant, I saw Granny Zinian—now a ghost—falling into the dark abyss. Her face still wore a gentle smile, her eyes squinting, one hand raised as if waving farewell to us.
Suddenly, the hole vanished. The bottomless black abyss was gone, and everything in the room returned to normal. Inside the coffin, only a set of red burial clothes lay neatly at the bottom. Though Rachel Lan and I were a bit stunned, we still burned some joss paper, lit incense and candles, and quietly left some offerings before slipping out the door.
With a creak, I closed the door, glanced around, and let a small smile slip onto my face.
"Let's go, Ethan. If we ever feel like it, we can come stay here for a few days in the future."
"Ethan, we'll handle our own problems. But you—next up, there's a village called Hulu Village, also known as Zombie Village. It's a small mountain village more than 300 kilometers north of L City. We visited it once, over thirty years ago, and ran into a lot of zombies back then."
As she spoke, Mr. Cooper suddenly produced something—a Locking Corpse Mirror. But it looked different from the ones I'd seen before. Around the octagram, there were strange symbols, almost like crawling insects.
Next up was my cousin's matter. According to Yvonne May, I needed to find three items: the Crimson Corpse Jade, Spirit Water, and Lady Meng's Soup. As for the order, I decided to start with the Crimson Corpse Jade.
"Locking Corpse Mirror. Zombies are tough to deal with—their bodies are hard as stone, and you don't know any Taoist arts. If you try to rely on Deathbane Aura, it'll be difficult. With this, for low-level zombies, just shine it on the hollow at their chest, and they'll be immobilized for a while. Remember, don't try to fight them head-on. If you get bitten, even though you're half ghost, your body is still human."
The car was already nearing Linland County. I heard that Sophie Su's father and Mandy Lou had gone to the city, joining Hugh Thompson and the others. As we crossed the bridge out of the county, Rachel Lan slowed the car and pulled over. Frank Niu was standing at the bridgehead, smiling.
"So, Ethan, aren't you staying a few more days?"
I shook my head.
"Ethan, Granny Zinian was lucky to have you at her side when she passed. Thank you."
As I spoke, Frank Niu nodded. Then the car headed off toward the city. Rachel Lan and I planned to drive back overnight, and she told me that the Hades Circle would be holding a major gathering in two days. She had to hurry back and report to their headquarters.
I was curious and wanted to see what the Hades Circle, this organization under the Underworld Court, was like, but after some thought, I decided against it.
At 2 a.m., we entered the city. I had almost fully recovered, my strength returning as well. I asked Rachel Lan to stop the car.
"Ethan, let me take you home."
I shook my head, reached out, and rested a hand on Rachel Lan's shoulder, smiling.
"Once my cousin is cured, let's go have some real fun together."
As I spoke, Rachel Lan smiled and leaned her head toward me. I smiled back and gently leaned in too. Just then, a flash of yellow light and a blaring horn caught my attention. Annoyed, I looked over—it was Ray Lin, pulling up in his taxi right in front of us.
With no choice, Rachel Lan and I smiled at each other face to face. She nodded, and I got out of the car. Ray Lin stepped out, grinning, and looked my way as I walked over, still a bit irritated.
"Ah, sorry to interrupt! But it's about time anyway. As soon as my boss heard you'd left Linland County, he sent me to meet you at the city outskirts as fast as possible."
"For what happened in the dream, thank you."
I got into Ray Lin's taxi. After waving goodbye to Rachel Lan, Ray Lin drove me toward the apartment building.
"By the way, Ethan, what were you just talking about? Something about a dream?"
Ray Lin looked confused, but I was sure that, in the dream, after I entered Horror Stories, it was Ray Lin who helped me remember things.
"Whether you admit it or not, thanks again."
Finally, Ray Lin burst out laughing and turned his head. No matter how many times I saw it, I still felt uneasy.
"Just promise me you won't mention me to anyone for now. As for the reason, I can't tell you yet. I really am a Blue Wraith, and I'm doing my best to hide my ghostly essence."
I nodded and looked at Ray Lin, who let out a sigh of relief.
"Aren't you going to doubt me, Ethan Zhang?"
I shook my head.
Clenching my fists, I looked at Ray Lin.
"If we really become enemies, then we'll just have to fight it out."
Ray Lin burst out laughing. I didn't ask about what came next, but even though it was late, I decided to go straight to Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Blake's place to ask about the location where the zombies appeared.
After I told Ray Lin, he changed the route and drove me toward Fortune-Telling Street. At 3 a.m., seeing no one around, I got out of the car and entered Fortune-Telling Street.
There were still some shops with lights on along the street. Occasionally, I saw a few figures in white drifting by. I hurried toward Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Blake's home.
"Ethan, come in quickly!"
Just as I reached the alley entrance, I saw Mrs. Blake already standing outside, waving to me. I called out and hurried over.
As soon as I entered, I told Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Blake that Granny Nina had passed away. Instantly, Mrs. Blake burst into tears. Mr. Cooper tried to comfort her, then pulled out some peanuts and a bottle of liquor, drinking in silence—he looked deeply troubled.
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I didn't press for more details about her final words, but after hearing everything, both Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Blake's faces changed, looking visibly distressed.
"Granny, if there's anything I can help with, just say the word."
"Help, my foot! Mind your own business, brat. If you get mixed up in our affairs again, even ten lives won't be enough for you."
I grunted in response, looking at Mr. Cooper, wanting to say more, but Mrs. Blake spoke up.
"Ethan, we'll handle our own problems. But you—next up, there's a village called Hulu Village, also known as Zombie Village. It's a small mountain village more than 300 kilometers north of L City. We visited it once, over thirty years ago, and ran into a lot of zombies back then."
As she spoke, Mr. Cooper suddenly produced something—a Locking Corpse Mirror. But it looked different from the ones I'd seen before. Around the octagram, there were strange symbols, almost like crawling insects.
"What's this?"
"Locking Corpse Mirror. Zombies are tough to deal with—their bodies are hard as stone, and you don't know any Taoist arts. If you try to rely on Deathbane Aura, it'll be difficult. With this, for low-level zombies, just shine it on the hollow at their chest, and they'll be immobilized for a while. Remember, don't try to fight them head-on. If you get bitten, even though you're half ghost, your body is still human."
I put away the Locking Corpse Mirror and checked my pocket—not much cash left.
"Alright, consider it a gift. At least you delivered the message for us, so you do have some decency."
I let out a sound of surprise, and Mrs. Blake laughed.
"Ethan, Granny Nina was lucky to have you at her side when she passed. Thank you."
As Mrs. Blake spoke, she stood up. I quickly grabbed her arm.
"No need to thank me, Granny. I should be thanking you both."
"Alright, old lady, now that we know the place, we're heading out. Ethan, we might be gone for months."
I let out a surprised sound. Mr. Cooper finished his drink, then pulled out a copper basin filled with water. Mrs. Blake suddenly raised her hand—two thin red strings, each tied with a small needle. She began chanting under her breath.
With a splash, Mr. Cooper tossed four Spirit Coins into the basin. Then, two large needles dropped into the water, somehow landing upright in the coins.
"Ethan, if you need anything, just face this basin of water, clear your mind, and think about what you want to tell us. We'll know. If something serious comes up, we'll find a way to hurry back."
I made a sound of acknowledgment, then watched Mrs. Blake and Mr. Cooper pack their things. I helped Mrs. Blake out to the street.
"Take care, Granny. Take care, both of you."
I watched Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Blake support each other as they walked away. I thought about asking Ray Lin to drive them, but knowing them, I figured they'd refuse, so I kept quiet.
"Sigh, Ethan, be careful—watch your step everywhere. The one waiting for you at the excuse is no ordinary person."
Mrs. Blake paused after a few steps and turned to say this to me. I nodded, watching them disappear around the distant street corner.
"Oh, Ethan, if we can't make it back, remember to see us off when the time comes."
Mr. Cooper half-joked, but I just watched them quietly as they vanished into the distance.
Back at the entrance to Fortune-Telling Street, Ray Lin was still waiting for me. It was almost 4 a.m., and as the rooster crowed, I decided to fly myself home.
"What are you afraid of? Hop in, Ethan! I don't mind the sunrise. Come on, let me tell you a bit more about zombies."
I widened my eyes and quickly climbed into the car, eager to ask questions.
"Do you know something about this?"
"Sort of," he chuckled. "These days, zombies rarely show up anymore. If you want to know why, it's all tangled up with Yuna Ji!"