"That's Eli Lear—Laozi. His Daoist title is Taishang Laojun. That's why everyone was so shocked; in history, there's only one famous Eli Lear."
I quietly watched Susan Zhou.
"Ethan Zhang, are you really planning to go?"
"Just tell me, Miss Zhou. Eli Lear—where is he being held? I want to meet someone like that myself."
The prison where Eli Lear is being held is over a thousand kilometers south of here, deep in a sprawling mining region. Many inmates are locked up there, working day after day in heavy labor.
"Ethan Zhang, let's focus on the matters at hand..."
I said nothing, just went straight up the stairs. Upstairs, the others were already happily drinking.
In a world like this, to still hold onto the dignity of being human—I found myself looking at Eli Lear with new respect.
Susan Zhou pulled out her notebook and opened a file. Inside was information on Eighth Prison, which she'd investigated years ago.
"I bet the guy's just full and showing off. In a world like this, what's the point of acting so high and mighty? Heh."
Felix Zhou muttered. Ghost Painting Book Immortal glanced at him, chuckled, and took a sip of wine.
"Young lady, what you're feeling is perfectly normal. You want to save your mentor, but you don't want to ignore Night's orders. For now, just focus on one thing at a time."
We ate on a street outside Eighth Prison, then prepared to act at night. It was just past noon.
With a sputter, Ghost Painting Book Immortal sprayed wine from his mouth. Even Isabelle Frost's usually smiling face showed a hint of surprise. Except for Kane, Felix Zhou, and myself, everyone else looked utterly shocked.
"What's up with Eli Lear? Why do you all look like that?"
"Let's not get into it now, Qingyuan. First, let's rescue that Eli Lear guy, then we can talk. And hey, maybe brush up on your history when you have time."
Ray Lin said, and I gave a vague reply. Black Moon sighed helplessly.
"We don't even know if it's the same Eli Lear. What's got you all so worked up?"
"So Ethan Zhang, do you know who Daozun is?"
"Qingyuan, you...take me, the Taoist, with you."
"Ethan Zhang, be careful. This guy's not ordinary."
I drew Hell's Sentinel.
"I've heard some outside ghosts came here recently. Never thought it was true. Ha, you ran onto Master Xavier's turf. Perfect, I'll catch you and bring you back."
"That's right, I'm human. Fatty, you were with the Nether Syndicate when you were alive, weren't you?"