John Chou kept laughing, a single finger pointed at my heart.
"What is it?"
John Chou shook his head, said nothing, and turned away.
"This time, I'm really looking forward to it, brother. Hurry up and get it done—after all, Redmane can't wait any longer to host the Feast of Ten Thousand Ghosts."
I gave a noncommittal reply. John Chou started walking away, his figure gradually fading into the darkness. I stared blankly at the pitch-black alley, my mind replaying what John Chou had just said to me.
"You must've sensed it too, brother. Some things..."
John Chou's voice echoed in my mind, accompanied by a burst of laughter.
I stood quietly at the mouth of the alley. Indeed, when I approached the masked man just now, I clearly felt the heavy aura of malice around him—especially at that instant when I got close.
A strange feeling rose from deep within my heart.
"Ethan, what are you doing here?" Hugh Thompson walked over. I glanced at him and shook my head with a smile.
"Just as I thought, Ethan. The people from the Immortality Society are formidable, but at the end of the day, they're still human. Since they're human, using guns against them is still somewhat effective."
I nodded. Hugh Thompson was always meticulous, and tonight, it was thanks to him that we managed to injure the masked man. But that 21-year-old university student, Richard Li, was taken away.
"The forensic team has gone back and started working overnight. We should have results by morning. No matter how skilled the Immortality Society is, they can't change their blood type. The culprit has to be among the eleven Richard Lis right now."
"How's Howard Lee?"
"That kid's arm is broken, but it's nothing serious. Our medical resources are decent—he'll recover in a month or two. But you, Ethan, get some rest. Tomorrow we can drag that guy out, and finally see the true face of the Immortality Society."
I nodded, and we headed back downstairs. Chief Stone was there, directing the scene and having the Ghost Burial Squad search the area.
"Old Stone, it's almost over. When it's done, you owe us a meal. You should be getting quite a bonus this time, right?"
As soon as Hugh Thompson finished speaking, Chief Stone exploded.
"Bonus my ass! I don't even know how many reports I'll have to write this time."
I sat in the hospital room. Rachel Lan lay on the bed, turned to one side, her left cheek bandaged, her body covered in various injuries.
"Ethan, you should get some rest."
I shook my head. Just thinking of the masked man made my teeth clench in anger. Rage filled my chest. I looked at the jet-black handgun in my hand, weighing it—Hugh Thompson had just handed it to me. I'd seen plenty of shootouts in movies, but holding a real gun was a completely different feeling.
"Does it hurt a lot?" I asked Rachel Lan, seeing her move slightly. I hurried over to her side.
"It's nothing, Ethan. You were badly hurt tonight too. You should rest early."
"Sorry." I sat down beside Rachel Lan, feeling deeply guilty. Howard Lee was still unconscious.
"No one needs to apologize for what happened, Ethan. Let it go."
I shook my head, a wave of indescribable pain surging in my chest. Suddenly, Rachel Lan turned and placed her hand on mine.
"It'll be over tomorrow, Ethan. Lean on everyone a little more."
I nodded, stood up, moved to the next hospital bed, lay down, and closed my eyes.
A cold, sinister laugh—was it a dream? I quickly realized I was in a narrow alley littered with trash. At the mouth of the alley, a dim streetlight glowed. From inside the alley, a strange sound echoed: smack, smack.
I walked in. Crouched on the ground was a man—and I instantly widened my eyes. It was Ironmask. He was squatting beside a corpse, blood everywhere.
Judging by the clothes, the dead man was a monk. Severed limbs lay scattered nearby, the corpse so badly eaten it was unrecognizable.
"Heh heh, ate another one. The more I eat, the less I fear. I'm not afraid anymore."
Watching Ironmask mutter to himself, I crept forward, trembling. After that incident with the Ghost Burial Squad, the Ghost Syndicate took him away. I hadn't seen him since.
Suddenly, Ironmask turned his head and stared at me blankly. Blood covered the mouth of his iron mask. His mouth hung open, and deep inside, I saw a small lump of red flesh. I stumbled back several steps in fright.
"Don't you recognize me? I'm Ethan Zhang."
Seeing Ironmask's vacant stare, I asked softly.
"Ethan Zhang? Ethan Zhang..." Ironmask tilted his head, looking foolish. Suddenly, he stood up.
"Ethan Zhang, you're Ethan Zhang! Have you come to save me? You're here to save me?"
Suddenly, Ironmask stepped forward and grabbed my hand with his bloodstained hands.
"Here, eat quickly. Once you eat, you'll feel better. We'll have strength again."
I nearly screamed as Ironmask brought an eyeball to my mouth, holding it in his hand.
"Why won't you eat? Please, just eat it. You'll die, Ethan Zhang, Ethan Zhang..."
Ironmask spoke, then suddenly burst into tears, sobbing bitterly.
I shook my head.
"I can't eat that. Where are you being held? Can you tell me? I'll find a way to save you."
"He won't eat, Ethan Zhang won't eat, ah..." Ironmask squatted down, tossed the eyeball to the ground, and clutched his iron head, crying.
He was clearly delirious, making conversation difficult. It was hard to ask where exactly the Ghost Syndicate was keeping him. I squatted in front of him again.
"Don't die, Ethan Zhang. Please, don't die..."
Suddenly, Ironmask looked up. Blood-red tears streamed down his face, leaking from the iron mask as he kept calling out. And behind Ironmask, I saw a face.
(This chapter is not finished yet~.~ Please click next page to continue reading the rest!)
Suddenly, I jolted awake. Daylight filled the room. I gasped for breath, looking around. The sky outside was gloomy—it was just after 8 a.m.
I couldn't quite remember the face I saw behind Ironmask. In my memory, it was just a dark blur. But in the dream, seeing that face was what woke me up.
"Ethan, what's wrong? Nightmare?" Rachel Lan sat quietly on the bed. The swelling on her left cheek had gone down, but it was still bruised. I shook my head and smiled.
Then I grabbed my phone and dialed Hugh Thompson.
"Any news?"
"Perfect match—the blood type matches the Richard Li from the Construction Bureau exactly. We're already evacuating people from his hospital ward and closing in."
"I'm on my way."
With that, I hung up and got out of bed.
"Ethan, I'll go with you."
I immediately refused, but Rachel Lan said nothing, got out of bed, put on her shoes, and walked over.
"With this many people, we should be fine."
I was about to leave, but Rachel Lan grabbed me tightly.
"Lean on everyone a little more, Ethan. My injuries aren't a big deal."
With my back to Rachel Lan, I shook my head again, but she clung to my sleeve, refusing to let go.
I turned around and was stunned. Rachel Lan's gaze was unwavering, absolutely resolute. Her eyes seemed to draw me in.
Finally, I nodded. Then Rachel Lan and I walked to the hospital entrance together.
"You two, hurry up. I've been waiting forever. Rachel, after this is over, come to my family's hospital. I'll get a better doctor to look at you."
Vivian Ouyang leaned against a Mercedes, dressed in loose black sportswear—slightly fitted. Her bangs were neat, hair just touching her shoulders, and her pretty oval face had a mischievous charm.
"Ethan Zhang, look at you. Some tough guy, huh? Rachel's in this state and you're still hesitating."
I lowered my head and mumbled an apology.
With a smack, Rachel Lan slapped Vivian Ouyang on the forehead.
"Xiaowei, don't say things like that again."
"Alright, alright, Rachel, I won't say it anymore. Let's go—I'll drive you over. This is my first job since coming back."
Rachel Lan and I got into the black Mercedes. The car roared to life.
Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that Vivian Ouyang was different now. She gave off an air of wicked charm, no longer the gentle girl she used to be—now she seemed more like a mature woman.
Especially when she smiled, I couldn't help but think of Mona Ouyang's sinister grin.
"What are you staring at, Ethan Zhang?" Vivian Ouyang seemed to notice me watching her and snapped. Rachel Lan drove, her face serious—she'd noticed the change in Vivian too.
"You never wear eyeliner. Why today?"
I asked, looking at the black eyeliner tinged with purple on Vivian Ouyang's eyes, and the wicked smile at the corner of her mouth.
"It looks prettier this way, doesn't it, Ethan Zhang?"
I nodded. It was true—Vivian Ouyang seemed more womanly than before. Even I had to admit, she looked stunning.
Then Vivian Ouyang turned away, and for a moment I caught a cold, chilling smile at the corner of her mouth. It sent a shiver down my spine.
Could Mona Ouyang be out?
I quickly shook my head. That old man from Naraku said Mona Ouyang was sealed away and couldn't come out for a while.
Just then, my phone rang. It was Hugh Thompson calling.
"Ethan, get over here, quick. Something's not right."
I hung up and shouted.
"Hurry up, something's happened over there."
Hugh Thompson sounded really anxious.