I widened my eyes and stared at Black Moon. He was still laughing, but my shadow had already reached him, a hand gripping his throat.
Hmph, your words might fool a child, but if you want to trick Ethan Zhang...
You come from the darkness, don't you? Heh, I know that, Ethan Zhang.
In an instant, my shadow said nothing, its childlike eyes staring at Black Moon with murderous intent. The Heavenly Soul drifted over to Ethan Zhang.
Old Tom said, "Let's hear what he has to say first."
What surprised me most was what Black Moon said—my shadow comes from the darkness. Ethan Zhang felt a chill as Old Tom watched in silence.
Is it that place from the Dark Banquet, Ethan Zhang?
I asked, word by word.
After becoming a ghost and still possessing a shadow, only twelve people have done so in history. Ethan Zhang, you are the thirteenth.
How do you know that, Ethan Zhang?
Ethan Zhang was completely convinced—what Black Moon said was true.
But those twelve people have truly died. On your side, in the darkness, Ethan Zhang, you should call them...
Black Moon didn’t continue. My gaze stayed fixed on my shadow—his eyes were wavering.
"Now you should believe me a little more. Our Nether Syndicate’s doctrine strictly forbids revealing anything from within. What I’ve told you is already a serious violation. I’m risking the gravest punishment by telling you this, especially you, Ethan Zhang. You should know just how strong Old Tom really is."
Black Moon was speaking to me. I watched him quietly and thought carefully about Old Tom. Until now, he’s never shown his true strength. All I know is that he single-handedly killed the first leader of the Renegade Monks, the Ghost Worm Monk, and most of their sect.
"Put it this way: if our founder wanted to, he could come here at any time. The only reason he hasn’t appeared yet is because of you, Ethan Zhang."
I quietly watched Black Moon.
"Then let that old man come here, and we’ll believe everything you say."
My shadow spoke. Black Moon burst out laughing at Ethan Zhang's reaction.
"So what are you going to do, Old Tom? They’ve already said as much."