I sat quietly beside my cousin, supported by Rachel Lan. Susan Li had stopped crying and was wiping away her tears, while Rachel gently comforted her. I reached out and placed my hand on my cousin’s body.
A warm sensation passed through me—my cousin’s body still retained the normal temperature of a living person. He seemed to be merely asleep, unable to wake, his eyes closed.
"Do you know where Yun Mei is now?" I asked Lord Shenyan, looking at him. He nodded and replied.
"Still at Long Creek Square."
I let out a sigh of relief. Long Creek Square wasn’t far from here—just over an hour’s journey. Thankfully, there was no need to search. I immediately greeted Chief Stone.
"Mr. Blackmask, come with me. You’ll follow Ethan Zhang."
Vincent Swallow, supporting Victor Chen, looked helplessly at his young disciple. Although the bleeding had stopped, Victor Chen’s right hand was completely ruined.
Mr. Blackmask approached, a smile in his eyes.
"Ah, alright. I was a bit rough just now. You..."
"It’s not your fault. I was simply outmatched." Victor Chen grinned, showing his teeth, and spoke cheerfully, without a hint of anger.
Several Blue Wraiths from the courtyard wanted to come along, but I stopped them. Soon, our group left the apartment building and boarded two black vans belonging to the Ghost Burial Squad, heading toward Long Creek Square.
It was already past ten o’clock. Chief Stone placed a police light on the roof of the van, so even if we ran red lights, it wouldn’t be a problem.
Rachel Lan was driving. I sat in the back seat, Mr. Blackmask was in the front passenger seat, with Master Jianyun beside him. Behind us sat Rachel’s mother, Helen Lane.
“Amitabha, Benefactor Zhang, I wonder when you might be available. My master sincerely wishes to have a detailed conversation with you. I hope you can find time soon to visit Universal Temple and meet with him.”
I glanced at Master Jianyun and smiled. The anger in my heart had completely dissipated. My cousin was in the second van, with Chief Stone driving, so I felt at ease. After all, Vincent Swallow was trustworthy, and Victor Chen and Susan Li were there too.
The two vans weren’t far apart. At this moment, Mr. Blackmask turned around and glanced at me, as if he had something to ask.
“Benefactor, please speak freely. Don’t mind this old monk.”
Master Jianyun seemed to notice and said with a cheerful smile.
“Ethan Zhang, just now in the courtyard, who was that young man who hurriedly left?”
I let out an 'ah,' looked at Mr. Blackmask, thought for a moment, and answered.
"He’s a friend from the Ghost Burial Squad, named Terry Hu."
"Oh, really? Didn’t you notice anything odd about him, Ethan Zhang?"
I looked at Mr. Blackmask in surprise, not sure what he was getting at, and asked in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"Zhang Qingyuan, you should think about what to do once we arrive. I’m afraid the Ghost Sovereign won’t agree to help you so easily."
I turned to look at Helen Lane.
With a screech, the van stopped—there was a traffic jam ahead. Seeing the line of cars stretching like a dragon, I couldn’t help but grow anxious.
After a while, the cars in front still hadn’t moved. Rachel Lan immediately sounded the alarm, and the police siren blared. Chief Stone’s vehicle pulled up behind ours.
Chief Stone got out, took out his police badge, and walked straight ahead. Rachel Lan followed him. I grew more anxious—Lord Shenyan had said that the Soulbound Inn could only be entered at midnight, for sixty seconds. A second late, and it would be impossible. He’d already gone ahead to wait.
I checked the time—it was almost eleven, and we were barely halfway there.
“Ethan Zhang, things are such a hassle in the human world these days. Such a wide road, yet these metal boxes take up all the space.”
I gave an awkward smile. Mr. Blackmask opened the car door; his movements were a bit clumsy, but by the second try, he had it down. After getting out, he came to my side and opened the door for me.
"How about I carry you over, Ethan Zhang? You just need to tell me the way."
I looked around—Rachel Lan and Chief Stone hadn’t returned yet. I nodded. Mr. Blackmask carried me, holding my leg that had turned to stone, and walked to the other van.
“What’s wrong?”
Vincent Swallow muttered, and Mr. Blackmask shook his head.
“Who knows how long this will last. Vincent Swallow, can you keep up with me?”
Vincent Swallow laughed, greeted Victor Chen, then carried my cousin from the back seat and got out of the van.
I softly apologized.
“Time to go, Ethan Zhang.” I nodded. Mr. Blackmask looked around, then crouched slightly. With a sudden burst, the ground dropped away beneath me—he leapt onto a building. The wind howled around us. Nervous, I pointed in the direction of Long Creek Square.