"Ethan, come with me for a moment."
Ray Lin muttered. I looked around; the Twin Reapers already appeared injured, and Victor Wei was still tending to Mr. White. Redmond hadn't moved.
I followed Ray Lin out of the small pavilion. Judge Cui glanced at us.
"What's up?"
Ray Lin smiled and pointed ahead. I looked over—something in the air was rippling, and a Spirit Note fluttered nearby. With a swoosh, both Ray Lin and I drifted over.
"Come out, fatty."
With a sputter, blood sprayed out. King Hollowbelly’s figure appeared, gasping, his ghostly aura almost gone. He looked badly beaten by Judge Bane.
I turned back again. Judge Bane had attacked Redmond several times, but none of the blows threatened him; Noah Grimm easily blocked them all.
"Do you know how to get out?"
Ray Lin asked. King Hollowbelly slumped to the ground, snatched the falling Spirit Note, stuffed it into his mouth, and swallowed. He shook his head.
"Now the Great Wailing Inferno is sealed—no one gets out. All the souls meant for punishment here have already been moved to other hells. Looks like Judge Bane planned this long ago. I used to wonder why the souls kept getting relocated, one by one. Heh."
King Hollowbelly said, propping himself up and laughing with his head thrown back.
"But none of that concerns me."
"You're a real money ghost, aren't you!"
Ray Lin said. I watched King Hollowbelly—his gaze was fixed on Redmond.
"Gotta get my patron back, or all that money’s gone."
"Aren't you afraid of Judge Bane?"
I asked. King Hollowbelly burst out laughing.
"Judge Bane? How much is he worth?"
"You truly loved once, deep in your heart..."
King Hollowbelly raised a hand and shook his head.
"Let’s not talk about the past, Ethan Zhang. Now I’m just a money-grubbing ghost, and things like love and virtue mean nothing to me. Only money is real. If you enter my belly, I’ll find a way to help you escape."
I nodded. Suddenly, Judge Cui flew right up to us.
"King Hollowbelly, are you trying to help them escape?"
King Hollowbelly nodded immediately.
"Ethan Zhang, you’d better stay put. Judge Bane will never let this happen."
I knew exactly what Judge Cui meant. No need for extra explanation—since the preparations were made long ago, escaping now is nearly impossible.
"I have a way."
If I can reach Mr. Brown, there’s a chance. The only way is through John Chou’s instinctual killing.
"You already tried, didn’t you? You can’t use your instincts, or enter your instinctual space."
Judge Cui said, and I stared at him in surprise.
"Infernal Binding—an absolute prohibition. As long as you’re in Desolation Hell, you can’t defy Judge Bane."
King Hollowbelly muttered, sighing. Judge Cui glanced over, his expression growing serious.
"To restore peace to hell and the living world, we have no choice but to fight."
With a swoosh, Judge Cui flew over to Victor Wei. Lucas Dao drifted down slowly, Marshal Leopard close behind. Only the Bullheaded Keeper and Horsefaced Enforcer remained seated.
"To defeat that guy, you have to clear your mind. Even a hint of aggression, and Malice Wraith will latch onto you—turning you into a living target."
Lucas Dao said. Mr. White stood up, wiped blood from his mouth, and nodded. Mr. Black had recovered too.
"Boss, what now? Looks like all six of them are about to join in. Tough situation."
Noah Grimm muttered. Redmond sneered.
"I’m not here for anything else. I just want them to understand—the Hall of Malice is no empty name."