My head aches terribly. The moment I used Deathbane Aura, I felt an unbearable pain in my skull and cried out. At that moment, Abbot Fortune walked over.
"Amitabha, my friend, let this old monk help you for a moment."
As he spoke, a hand pressed toward me. Instinctively, I raised my arm, and streams of Deathbane Aura spilled out. Yet, the moment the aura appeared, it vanished into thin air. I screamed in pain, but then a gentle, bright white light appeared in Abbot Fortune's hand.
I whimpered, but strangely, the pain inside my body gradually faded under the white glow. I stared quietly at the old monk. He was strong—that much I knew.
After a while, the old monk entered a meditative state, completely ignoring me. Feeling much better, I stood up and walked outside. Suddenly, I noticed a waterfall flowing backwards in the distance. At first, I thought I was seeing things, but there it was—a cascade of white water, defying gravity.
It was nighttime, and under the cold moonlight, I saw the temple. It was small, with only the Grand Buddha Hall, a woodshed, and behind the temple, something like a patch of forest and a field to the left. Beyond the field, there were a few small tile-roofed houses. The temple's layout was extremely simple.
I took a few steps, and in an instant, I was stunned. The temple was perched on a sheer cliff, and below it, the depth was unfathomable—no bottom in sight. Even at this hour, mist still curled among the clouds.
I couldn’t fly right now, so I could only wait for my body to recover. I sat on the steps of the Grand Buddha Hall, gazing into the distance, lost in thought. Now, I was completely different from Ethan Zhang in the world of the living.
"Amitabha, Ethan."
I turned my head, my blood-red eyes staring at Abbot Fortune.
"I wonder, Ethan, do you have something weighing on your mind? You can tell this old monk—perhaps I can help ease your troubles."
I didn’t reply, just stared quietly at the distant sky, my thoughts tangled and complicated.
"Ethan, your state of mind is just like that waterfall over there—rushing upward, never ceasing, never stopping."
"I don’t know what you mean, old monk. You said this place doesn’t belong anywhere—time, space—what do you mean by that?"
"My knowledge is limited. Ever since I came to reside in Hidden Falls Temple and became its abbot, it’s been over a thousand years. I’ve never left, and only outsiders can enter. As for me, I cannot leave. Rest and heal, Ethan. Once you’ve recovered, I will send you out."
I responded with a simple 'oh.' Abbot Fortune didn’t seem to have any ill intent, so I didn’t dwell on it. I’d focus on healing and worry about leaving later.
"Ethan, there’s a ‘Yuan’ character in both your name and my Buddhist title. By fate, we’ve met again."
"You’re the one who brought me here, aren’t you?"
Abbot Fortune shook his head, then nodded.
"Yes and no. Amitabha."
"Can you speak more clearly? I don’t understand you."
After I replied, Abbot Fortune smiled and sat down cross-legged beside me.
"In a dream, I sensed a most unusual power awakening in the world of the living. So, through my dream, I searched for this power and the person who possessed it. I searched for a long time and found nothing—until you, Ethan, appeared in the world of the living. Then I found you."
At first, I thought when Abbot Fortune said 'world of the living,' he also meant the place where the Ghost Syndicate was located.
"I was imprisoned by the Ghost Syndicate, so of course you couldn’t find me. That place isn’t part of the world of the living."
"Amitabha, I see. So you were imprisoned by the Ghost Syndicate."
I gazed into the distance at the upward-flowing waterfall, a wave of sorrow rising in my heart. For some reason, tears streamed down my face. Being alone was truly painful, and the road ahead was even longer. I couldn’t see the end, and behind me, there was no one left.
"Ethan, your heart is filled with desolation. Don’t add to your sorrow. We come into this world alone, and when we die, we are alone as well. I’ve spent so many years here, all by myself."
I wiped away my tears and quietly looked at Abbot Fortune, who smiled kindly at me. I said nothing, lowered my head, then leaned back against the steps, gazing at the star-filled sky. But then I noticed something strange.
Where was the moon? No matter how I searched the sky, I couldn’t find the moon—only stars, twinkling one after another.
"Where’s the moon?"
I couldn’t help but ask. Abbot Fortune shook his head.
"Ever since I took charge of Hidden Falls Temple, I’ve never seen the moon."
This place was truly strange. Gentle energy filled the surroundings, and I couldn’t even sense the earth’s energy or anything else.
"Ethan, what do you plan to do next? Why not share it with me?"
I clenched my fist, then looked at Abbot Fortune.
"I’m going to end both humans and ghosts."
Abbot Fortune laughed, then looked at me. I was a little displeased.
"Amitabha, please don’t misunderstand, Ethan. I mean nothing by it. I just found your words interesting, that’s all—there’s no mockery at all. What you said, I understand well, and I know you’re capable. After all, the power you possess is truly extraordinary."
I looked at my own hands and asked.
"Old monk, if you’re not mocking me—then is what I’m doing really right?"
I was a bit confused. Just then, the smile vanished from Abbot Fortune’s face. He stared at the muddy waterfall and asked a question.
"Ethan, do you think what the waterfall is doing is correct?"
I let out a sound, then shook my head.
"A waterfall should flow downward."
I said, and Abbot Fortune laughed again.
"Amitabha, Ethan, that waterfall isn’t like the ones you’ve seen in the world. Yet you deny it, just as you’re questioning yourself—whether what you’re doing is right or not."
As Abbot Fortune spoke, he stood up and slowly walked toward the edge of the cliff. I hurried after him, feeling my mind begin to lighten a little, drawn in by his words.
We reached the edge of the cliff, halfway up the mountain, where mist still lingered. Abbot Fortune sat down cross-legged and pointed to the distant waterfall.
"Does this waterfall exist, Ethan? Can you see it?"
I nodded, and Abbot Fortune smiled.
"If it exists, then it is right. Everything in this world has its origin, its reason for being. Ethan, don’t let your thoughts become a tangled mess."
A faint warmth filled my chest. I nodded, tears once again welling in my eyes. At that moment, images flooded my mind—Ethan Zhang and Rachel Lan, together once more.
A smile appeared at the corner of my mouth.
"He has his reason for being, and do I have mine?"
"Amitabha, Ethan, if I can help you untangle some worries, then that too is a merit."
I looked at Abbot Fortune a bit awkwardly, then lowered my head and spoke.
"Thank you, Master Fortune."
Just then, I heard a sound from the misty mountains—a noise like rocks tumbling, followed by someone shouting. My heart skipped a beat.
"Someone down below?"
Abbot Fortune shook his head.
"Ethan, I’ve never gone down there myself. Sometimes there are noises from below, so I can’t be sure. If there’s someone, they’ll come up one day. If not, perhaps it’s a ghost—I really don’t know."
I made a sound of acknowledgment, but I was certain that the cry could only come from a human or a ghost—it sounded so miserable.
I kept watching, and at that moment, Abbot Fortune stood up.
"I’m going to sleep now, Ethan. It’s already midnight. You should rest too."
I made a sound and looked at Abbot Fortune. I didn’t feel tired at all, nor did I want to sleep. Lately, I hadn’t slept for a long time.
"Come, Ethan, let me make your bed."
I made a sound and followed him. Abbot Fortune led me to the left of the Grand Buddha Hall, behind the vegetable garden, to the leftmost of three small rooms. He carefully made the bed for me.
"Master, ghosts don’t sleep."
I said, but Abbot Fortune just shook his head.
"Amitabha, Ethan, tell me—does the night fall?"
I blinked, completely unable to understand what Abbot Fortune meant. He smiled faintly.
"Go to sleep, Ethan. It’s late."
With a creak, Abbot Fortune closed the door. I had no choice but to lie on the freshly made bed. But no matter how I tossed and turned, I couldn’t sleep. If I were still human, on such a quiet night, in such a nice place, I should easily fall asleep.
But now I’m a ghost. I raised my hand, wanting to release some baleful energy. Yet as soon as I released just a tiny bit, like a strand of hair, my whole body felt as if it were burning—I writhed in agony on the bed.
Again, a howl echoed from the misty mountains below. I immediately got up and ran out toward the sound. This time I was sure—the thing down there was either human or ghost.
"Is anyone down there?"
I shouted loudly. A gust of cold wind swept by, and the mist began to dissipate.