"Oh, come on, you idiots! So stupid! What on earth are you three doing?"
Rufina Howard pressed her forehead, looking exhausted as she watched the three humanoid figures. She wanted to teach them something and then send them off to mess with Redmond, but failed—these three acted just like clueless children learning for the first time.
The three humanoid figures couldn't comprehend anything Rufina Howard said.
Rufina Howard couldn't sleep all night. Early the next morning, after asking around, she learned that the arrogant young man was Sean Chen, son of Charles Chen, the influential northern tycoon. He'd made several big deals along the way, so when the county mayor heard he was coming, he immediately invited the local gentry, hoping to strike a business deal with the big boss.
The name was chosen so casually. I couldn't help but sigh—I'd heard before that Redmond had been in business for over a hundred years, which is why Redmane Entertainment is so powerful today. His labor costs are basically zero; those Blue Wraiths work for him day and night, making him a fortune.
Suddenly, something came to mind. Long ago, Thomas Tang, the Taoist, captured Rachel Lan and tried to turn her into a zombie. Redmond appeared out of nowhere and said something: he'd been watching me since I was born.
Rufina Howard wandered around all day. Although Mayor Guo wanted Redmond to stay at his house, Redmond insisted on staying at the same inn where Rufina Howard was lodging.
"You three, listen up! When that guy comes upstairs, you grab this thing and trip him."
Rufina Howard took a rope and demonstrated over and over for the three humanoid figures, repeatedly pointing at Redmond, who was being entertained in the lobby by the local gentry.
But the three humanoid figures seemed to have no idea what Rufina Howard was doing. They just stared at the rope, puzzled.
That night, Rufina Howard went to bed early, her mood much improved. The Three Mimics dissolved into three interwoven streams of energy, swirling around her pillow.
After a while, Rufina Howard drifted into sleep. Suddenly, a golden light flared up, startling me—it was the Eastern Emperor and Western Guardian.
"This is no place to linger. Eastern Emperor, you must have confirmed it by now. That one... is likely an Evil Ghost wearing human skin, hiding so deeply."
"Yes, I've investigated. When that girl used Ghostworm Technique, although it was faint, the quality of the ghostly aura was extremely high—too dangerous. We must act."
Suddenly, The Three Mimics solidified beside the Eastern Emperor and Western Guardian, laughing and saying something. Yet I noticed the two Guardians couldn't see them at all—truly strange.
"For now, let's restrain the girl and leave tonight."
As the Eastern Emperor spoke, his golden light flickered and he took on Rufina Howard's exact appearance, preparing to merge with her body. But just then, I saw the Gray Humanoid Entity and Deathbane Wraith clasp hands, blocking the Eastern Emperor's path.
"What's going on? I can't replace her soul."
The Eastern Emperor looked surprised. The Western Guardian was perplexed as well; he transformed into Rufina Howard, but the result was the same.
"It must be that Evil Ghost did something. This is bad—the bloodline may be exposed."
The two Guardians continued to discuss what to do, while The Three Mimics stood nearby, mouths agape, laughing loudly.
"Huh? How are you unharmed?"
Early the next morning, Rufina Howard saw Redmond and asked in surprise. Redmond chuckled, placing a hand on her head.
"Little girl, you really dared to try it, huh? The little worm you put in my food? I already crushed it."
His words made Rufina Howard stare at Redmond in terror.
"What exactly are you..."
Redmond ignored her and walked straight out of the inn.
Once Rufina Howard regained her composure, she hurried back to her room, took out the bamboo tube, and checked it over.
"I'm doomed. The worm's dead. My master will kill me for this."
Wandering the street, Rufina Howard felt deeply dejected. She decided not to quarrel with Redmond anymore and instead resolved to figure out what The Three Mimics really were.
She returned once more to the lakeshore, sitting quietly by the water.
"Listen up, you three—stop copying what I say."
The Three Mimics exchanged glances, then began parroting Rufina Howard's words.
Determined, Rufina Howard resolved to at least teach these three how to speak. She started with the simplest numbers.
By day's end, she was so exhausted her mind felt foggy, unwilling to think about anything else.
After returning, Rufina Howard went to check out of her room—her funds were running low. But the innkeeper greeted her with a smile, telling her she could stay as long as she liked and eat whatever she wanted.
Rufina Howard asked why. The innkeeper said the inn had recently made a fortune, all thanks to her. Rufina Howard seemed to understand, stopped asking, and ordered a feast, eating and drinking heartily in her room.
In truth, Redmond had arranged it all. He seemed to sense the strange power within Rufina Howard and grew interested.
Day after day, Rufina Howard kept teaching The Three Mimics to speak. Progress was slow, but she was happy, spending her days playing in the city, never worrying about food or shelter. She had no idea that every move she made was being watched by Zifeng.
Half a month passed in a blur, yet Rufina Howard was still unable to figure out what The Three Mimics truly were.
But gradually, Rufina Howard noticed something off about the three. Sometimes, the way they looked at her made her uneasy.
One night, while Rufina Howard was sound asleep, she suddenly felt something grab her hands and feet. She woke in alarm to see The Three Mimics lifting her up, carrying her out the window toward the mountaintop.
"What are you doing? Let me down..."
With a thud, the three tossed Rufina Howard onto the mountaintop. They were rough, surrounding her. Now, their hollow eyes were no longer friendly but terrifying, staring straight at her.
"What do you want..."
Suddenly, the black mimic grabbed Rufina Howard's hand and yanked her up, while the other two opened their mouths wide.
"Stop it, what are you doing..."
Rufina Howard screamed in terror. Suddenly, with three loud bangs, the three gray mimics flew backward, chunks missing from their bodies.
Footsteps sounded behind her, accompanied by a scornful voice.
"Well, poor girl, why aren't you sleeping? What are you doing up here at night?"
Redmond strode out, arrogant, staring at Rufina Howard.
"You... just now, were you..."
"Those three were about to eat you, you know. Haven't you heard the story about raising a tiger and inviting disaster?"
Rufina Howard swallowed, watching the three mimics fly toward her, mouths wide. Redmond raised his hand.
"Vanish, you wretches."
"No, don't..."
Rufina Howard screamed, and in an instant, the three mimics were reduced to ashes, vanishing in black flames.
Watching the black smoke drift into the lake, Rufina Howard gazed sadly at Redmond, pointing at him.
"You..."
"Your bloodline is special, isn't it, Prime Ancestor?"
Suddenly, golden light burst from Rufina Howard's body. The Eastern Emperor and Western Guardian flew out, weapons raised, attacking Redmond. But Redmond instantly seized their weapons with both hands.
"So it's true—you Evil Ghost want the Prime Ancestor's blood. Even if we..."
"Get lost, wretches. Eating this brat is pointless."
Rufina Howard lay motionless on the ground, eyes vacant, as if she'd lost consciousness.
The Eastern Emperor and Samuel Southgate were repelled by Redmond's ghostly aura and landed on the lake, glaring at him with hostility. Redmond turned, smiling.
"Next time, I'll destroy you both outright."
"What exactly is that guy?"
Watching Redmond head down the mountain, the Eastern Emperor muttered.
"In this world, there aren't many ghosts who could defeat us so easily. But it seems that guy isn't interested in the girl."
"Your bloodline is special, isn't it, Prime Ancestor?"
Suddenly, golden light burst from Rufina Howard's body. The Eastern Emperor and Western Guardian flew out, weapons raised, attacking Redmond. But Redmond instantly seized their weapons with both hands.
"So it's true—you Evil Ghost want the Prime Ancestor's blood. Even if we..."
"Get lost, wretches. Eating this brat is pointless."
Rufina Howard lay motionless on the ground, eyes vacant, as if she'd lost consciousness.
The Eastern Emperor and Samuel Southgate were repelled by Redmond's ghostly aura and landed on the lake, glaring at him with hostility. Redmond turned, smiling.
"Next time, I'll destroy you both outright."
"What exactly is that guy?"
Watching Redmond head down the mountain, the Eastern Emperor muttered.
"In this world, there aren't many ghosts who could defeat us so easily. But it seems that guy isn't interested in the girl."