"Ethan Zhang, you can't rush the matter with this young monk. I, as a ghost, can no longer bear to watch. The ghosts below, but as a ghost myself, this time, what is needed is a human. So, Ethan Zhang, I hope that as a human, you can resolve this matter for me."
I nodded. My cousin was taken away by Matron Noon, as Yvonne May had instructed her subordinates to keep a close watch on him and ensure nothing goes wrong.
But now, just thinking of Leah King gives me a headache. Her temper and personality, plus the past conflict with me and Rachel Lan—how am I supposed to convince her?
"Ethan, you look troubled. Is it that difficult?"
Blackface asked, and I nodded.
"It's simple. Just tie her up and make her sing. She's just a performer, after all."
Swallowwine took a sip and said. I stared at him in disbelief, but in the end, I could only smile helplessly and nod. Indeed, if Leah King refuses, we might have no choice but to use force.
Thinking back, Bertram once said that Yvonne May has a Buddha's heart, but only toward ghosts. I can feel the faint sorrow she radiates.
After leaving the Soulbound Inn, I saw that Long Creek Square was completely empty. The ghosts waiting for the concert had all vanished.
As soon as we stepped out, Rachel Lan ran over, her eyes lighting up with delight as she saw my restored right leg.
"Ethan."
"It's fine, really."
Helen Lane walked over.
"It's all okay now, Rachel. Ethan Zhang is just fine. Let's go home."
Rachel Lan turned to her mother, then nodded. I briefly mentioned my promise to Yvonne May, and Rachel immediately smiled.
"Let me do it. Though that woman is Bertram's daughter, this time, let me teach... educate her properly. Her reputation isn't what it used to be."
Rachel said this, and I was confused, looking at her. Chief Stone came over, smiling, and said:
"Recently, a video surfaced—on a flight to City N, in first class, Leah King's antics were caught on someone's phone and posted online. The girl seems to be on a downward spiral. People are cursing her, and just a few days ago, at a press conference, a fan even splashed water on her. Sigh."
I looked at Rachel Lan, who seemed very happy. But then I remembered she was Bertram's daughter, and I felt a pang of sympathy.
"Solving this will be good for the Hades Circle as well."
"There's an order to things. I can't forgive those people. Those people—they aren't even human."
Blackface sighed and lay down on his own bed, worry flickering in his eyes.
Soon, I drifted off to sleep. Exhaustion quickly sent me into the realm of dreams.
On top of a tall building, lights of all kinds flashed in every direction. Fierce winds howled past, ruffling my hair. I looked up and in the distance, spotted a black dot.
The black dot drew closer, and gradually I could see it clearly—a pair of enormous black wings, bat-like in shape. Ironmask glided down toward me from the sky.
As soon as he landed, Ironmask beamed at me, his wings slowly dissolving into black smoke, vanishing altogether.
"Ethan Zhang, you're back? Have you found it? Your instinct, hahaha..."
Ironmask burst out laughing, but his voice carried a mocking tone.
"Coexistence, huh? Ethan Zhang."
I nodded and smiled at Ironmask. After so long apart, he seemed much more lucid, not as deranged as before.
Ironmask kept smiling. He placed a hand on my shoulder, then suddenly his eyes widened, glaring at me with a ferocious intensity.
"This is a road soaked in blood, Ethan Zhang. One wrong choice, and there's no turning back. Be careful. Heed others' warnings—let them truly sink in..."
"Are you talking about what Blackface said?"
Ironmask turned away and laughed heartily.
"You still don't understand, Ethan Zhang. Oh, and I forgot to tell you—my instinct is called Endbringer. Remember that, Ethan Zhang."
I stared at Ironmask in surprise. Endbringer? I recalled that strange dream in Exile Town, where the entity named Endbringer forced me to choose—and I chose my friends.
"It's all wrong, this world... heh, Ethan Zhang, don't you think so?"
Ironmask spoke, but I shook my head.
"Even if it's wrong, there must still be a right path somewhere in it. I won't fall into despair like before. You shouldn't either, you..."
"You've gotten a bit more eloquent, Ethan Zhang. But you'll regret it—choosing this path. Remember, don't provoke the Immortality Society again."
As Ironmask spoke, the wings on his back unfurled once more, and he slowly took to the air.
"You're not strong, Ethan Zhang. Work hard to become stronger. Those who possess and understand their instinct must cross this path. I'm looking forward to it—one day in the future, take care of yourself."
Ironmask flew off into the distance, his figure fading until it disappeared into the pitch-black night sky.
I walked to the edge of the rooftop, feeling the cold wind blowing against me, my mind full of the warnings from Blackface and Ironmask.
"Is something about to happen soon?"
I muttered to myself, when suddenly I sensed someone standing behind me. I spun around, eyes wide in shock—it was my shadow, standing upright, with a pair of golden eyes staring coldly at me.
"Is it you?"
"That one must be eliminated, Ethan Zhang. While his power is incomplete, find him and finish it."
I was about to speak when my shadow suddenly lunged at me, wrapping around me like a rope. A silhouette of a mouth appeared, grinning exaggeratedly.
"I'll say it again—deal with Ironmask, Ethan Zhang. Only you can stop him. There's not much time left."
With a gasp, I jolted awake. Morning light filled the room. I was panting, and saw Blackface and Swallowwine already up. Glancing at the clock, it was exactly eight o'clock.
"Did you have a nightmare, Ethan?" Blackface looked at me thoughtfully.
"Is the Immortality Society really that terrifying?" I asked. Blackface nodded. Swallowwine was toweling off his damp body.
"I've heard an interesting rumor—the Immortality Society has existed for over a thousand years, supposedly since the time of Qin Shi Huang."
I let out a sound of disbelief, staring blankly at Swallowwine. In the past, I might have thought all this was too incredible, but now, I nodded seriously.
"Please, when we get back, tell me more about the Immortality Society."
"Sigh, even if I tell you, you won't listen, Ethan. Fine." Blackface sighed. There was a knock at the door. I hurried to get dressed and opened it; Stonejian walked in.
"Come on, let's get breakfast, Ethan. I've already contacted Leah King's agent. I told them Leah got involved in a case and we want to investigate."
After breakfast in the hotel cafeteria, Lan Ruoxi, Blackface, Swallowwine, Stonejian, and I drove to the Garden Community in the city center—a high-end residential area close to city hall.
It was said that many government officials and celebrities lived there. Gu Dong also lived there.
"Where's Aunt Lan?" I asked Lan Ruoxi. She smiled.
"She went back already."