I didn't plan to search blindly. Instead, I intended to go straight to Sonny Four and take his former boss, Louis Ox, to Universal Temple. Since Susan Li is at Universal Temple and had her memories altered, it's likely Louis Ox's memories have also been tampered with. I need to know exactly what those memories are.
Once again, I've been played by the Immortality Society. No matter what, they always find ways to drag me into darkness, trying to make me become just like them. I clenched my fists. I will never, ever become like them.
I arrived at the place where Louis Ox lived. As soon as I landed in the open space in front of the house, Sonny Four hurried out to greet me.
"Boss, you're here! It's nothing, my old boss just got drunk and fell asleep."
I nodded and explained that we needed to take him to Universal Temple. But Sonny Four couldn't act during the day, and I couldn't just drag someone through the sky.
"Wake Louis Ox up. You should talk to him properly."
As I spoke, Sonny Four nodded. We were about to enter Louis Ox's room when I grabbed Sonny Four's hand, stopping him from stepping inside.
Though faint, I sensed traces of spellcraft around the room. The power was weak—an ordinary White Wraith could enter without anything happening.
"What's wrong, Boss?"
I shook my head.
"Have you been inside the room these past two days?"
I asked, and Sonny Four shook his head.
"After all, I'm a ghost now. If I went in, my old boss is already plagued by bad luck, and if he gets contaminated by ghostly energy, he'd have even worse luck. So I just stand guard outside."
I nodded and slowly released my Spirit Veins to sense the area. The spell was extremely weak, likely meant for detection. My perception is much stronger than before, and if we step into the room, whoever set the spell will know immediately.
"Step aside. I'll go in alone."
As I spoke, I lifted the edge of my cloak, planning to use the Spirit Snake Shedding Skin to wrap myself completely before entering. Just then, with a sudden whoosh, the Spirit Snake appeared.
"I'm afraid that's not going to work, Ethan. The spell inside is like spider silk—any slight vibration will expose you."
I let go of my cloak and nodded. But right now, I didn't have anyone from the spell world at my side. After thinking it over, I decided to give up for tonight. I need to find a way to get Louis Ox out, then take him to Universal Temple.
"What does your old boss like?"
I asked Sonny Four, and he smiled.
"Well, my old boss likes a lot of things, but..."
I raised my hand and suddenly gave a cold, sinister smile. Sonny Four was so startled he took a few steps back.
"Boss, that smile of yours gives me chills down my spine."
Louis Ox is living in dire straits now. Judging by his clothes and the hair nearly covering his eyes, everything he wears is cheap, and the wine he drinks costs less than ten yuan a bottle—cheap liquor. He needs money.
I could force my way in and take Louis Ox, but I can't guarantee the Immortality Society hasn't already done something to him. If anything happens to Louis Ox, the trail could go cold. I have to hold back for now.
I've already figured out how to get in. Tomorrow morning, I'll find someone with strong yang energy and possess them. My ghostly energy will be nearly undetectable, and with the Spirit Snake Shedding Skin concealing me, I'll think of a way to trick Louis Ox into going to Universal Temple.
I discussed my plan with Sonny Four, but he just laughed.
"Oh, Boss, my old boss doesn't believe in any of that—ghosts, gods, Buddha, whatever. He actually hates that stuff."
I considered asking my cousin or Hu Tianshuo for help, but I immediately dismissed the idea. The Immortality Society probably doesn't know I've contacted Sonny Four or discovered what's happening here, but they know my cousin and Hu Tianshuo.
Sonny Four also mentioned that Louis Ox has a violent temper. Back in his old days, everyone called him Old Ox. He'd often get into fights over the smallest thing, but he treated his subordinates well, especially Sonny Four—they're very close.
Suddenly, an idea struck me. I looked at Sonny Four.
"By the way, where are your remains? Do you have any keepsakes or anything?"
Sonny Four said his remains were dumped in the northern forest outside the city after he died. He only managed to get his body cremated and stored in an urn thanks to a few ghost friends. As for keepsakes, there's just a small knife Louis Ox gave him long ago.
I told Sonny Four to fetch the small knife, then write a letter, put it in an envelope, and state that his remains are at Universal Temple. On the back, mention someone is after Louis Ox, and he's already told a master. If he dies, his friends from the orphanage should deliver the items to Louis Ox.
Sonny Four stared at me, dumbfounded.
"Boss, isn't that a bit much?"
"Are you not going to listen to me?"
After a few complaints, Sonny Four left. I told him to hurry back, then started searching nearby for someone to possess—someone Louis Ox doesn't know, preferably close in age to Sonny Four, and with a legitimate job.
I searched everywhere nearby, but couldn't find anyone suitable. Too many people here know Louis Ox. With no other choice, I went to the new city district. It was already past 3 a.m.
Just then, I sensed something familiar—faint, but definitely my own power. Following the trail, I entered an apartment building, went up to the sixth floor, and stepped into a room. The house was neat and tidy. Suddenly, I saw a sword hanging on the wall burst into light.
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It was the power of a spell. Shielding my eyes, I heard a swish—the sword suddenly leapt from its scabbard and stabbed at me. I grabbed it with one hand, feeling waves of killing energy wrap around it. With a boom, the yellow talisman stuck to the sword burst into flames. I put the sword back.
It was very strange—this was Kevin Chiu's home, the teacher I possessed when I first left the Forest of Desire and went to the mall near Dragon Plaza to look for Gregory Wu. He'd been possessed by me before, so his body still had some residual ghost energy. It's faint, and he might have some bad luck, but it'll pass in time.
He was really the best candidate—at most three or four years older than Sonny Four, with a legitimate job and a car parked in the lot next to the building.
I looked at Kevin Chiu, who was sleeping soundly, a smile on his lips as if he was having a good dream. I smiled too. This was the second time I'd possessed him, and strangely enough, his body accepted me easily—no resistance at all. With a whoosh, I entered Kevin Chiu's body.
After getting up, I packed a few daily necessities, went downstairs, found the car, started it up, and drove straight out of the complex toward Louis Ox's house.
Around 4 a.m., I arrived in front of Louis Ox's house and parked the car far away. Sonny Four still hadn't returned, and it was already dawn. If the sun came up, Sonny Four wouldn't be able to come out. I didn't want to wait too long.
Finally, around 6 a.m., Sonny Four came back, carrying his urn of ashes, along with the letter and small knife he'd prepared. I nodded.
After Sonny Four died, Louis Ox had the gang look everywhere for him, but they never found the body or any remains. Louis Ox was devastated, and soon after, things went wrong.
After 9 a.m., I got out of the car, holding the letter and knife, and walked to Louis Ox's door. Sonny Four was inside his urn; I put the urn in the trunk.
I knocked on the door. After a long while, Louis Ox finally opened it, yawning.
"Who is it? What do you want with me?"
Sure enough, he looked half-asleep and a little angry.
"Hello, Mr. Louis. I'm Sonny Four's old friend, Kevin Chiu. I have something for you."
In an instant, Louis Ox's dull, cloudy eyes widened. He grabbed my hand, visibly excited.
I handed him the letter and the small knife. He opened the letter, and after a long while—snap—Louis Ox's eyes widened. My heart skipped a beat.
"Damn, that little bastard."
Then I was stunned—big tears rolled down Louis Ox's cheeks. His hands trembled.
"That...that little bastard, still the same as before... I told him to learn more words, but what the hell did he write..."
Louis Ox started bawling. I glanced at the letter on the table—sure enough, it was full of mistakes. After a while, he finally stopped crying, thanking me over and over.
"Sonny Four's ashes are now at Universal Temple. I hope you can go and retrieve them."
Without another word, Louis Ox started packing, clearly eager to go. But inside, I felt uneasy.
Finally, we got in the car. Universal Temple is over 700 kilometers away, to the northwest. I started the car; Louis Ox sat silently, smoking. Just then, the phone rang, and I had no choice but to answer.
"You wretch, you'd better return Kevin Chiu's body soon, or I won't be so polite."
The voice was furious. I couldn't be bothered to deal with him.
"Sorry, you've got the wrong number."
Seeing that Louis Ox didn't care, I quickly hung up. Kevin Chiu must've felt unwell after I left and called a Taoist for help. I didn't have time to worry about all that, so I drove off into the street.