Lan Yin's expression was one of excitement. It was as if he had suddenly understood something, and he kept grinning foolishly.
I can defeat him.
Lan Yin declared resolutely. I thought it was possible too—as long as the Blue Wraith couldn't find Lan Yin's true body, he could hide in the shadows and slowly wear the Blue Wraith down.
That may not be the case, young man.
A muffled voice sounded. I looked over and saw a person shrouded entirely in black, with swirling black currents wrapping around him. Instinctively, I felt goosebumps rise all over my body. The black currents weren't killing aura—they enveloped the man completely. Lan Yin watched him warily.
Who are you?
I'm just a passerby. Relax, I'm human—just a little different, that's all.
Lan Yin didn't pay much attention. He simply laughed.
So, friend passing by—do you want to lend me a hand?
Not at all. I happened to pass through and stumbled upon something interesting, so I came to take a look. Then I found a young man who seemed rather intriguing.
Lan Yin gritted his teeth and struggled to stand, pointing at himself.
That's me.
Of course it's you. Who else here could be called a 'young man'?
I couldn't help but look at the pitch-black figure. There was no malice coming from him, but every time I looked at those swirling shadows on his body, I felt a chill. Lan Yin, however, seemed unfazed.
So, passerby, do you have any advice for me?
Advice? Not really. I only know that tomorrow, you'll die.
The smile vanished from Lan Yin's face. He burst out laughing, then held up a rootless finger, followed by seven more.
I know I'll die at 57. Since you could come here, you must know I'm one of the Hades Circle Born.
I do know. But you don't understand the Blue Wraiths. They don't just have multiple ghost souls—they possess things called Shadow Realms and Wraith Armaments. The Blue Wraith you just faced had both. You have no chance of winning. What you're doing now is only buying time. In reality, you're still doomed to die.
Lan Yin sat back down and laughed loudly.
I know, I know—I'll die. But...
Lan Yin spoke, stood up, paused, and continued.
I just know that if I can make it out alive from here, the things I need to do later—I'll have a chance to accomplish them.
Heh, suit yourself, kid. I'll stick around and watch for a bit.
As the man spoke, a twisted space appeared behind him, and he vanished into it.
A member of the Ghost Syndicate? I looked on in surprise. I'd seen that trick several times before—it's used by people from the Ghost Syndicate.
Hmph, so powerful, yet unwilling to help me. Heh, the world really is cold.
It seemed as if Lan Yin was talking to himself. He began to rest again, and after a short break, resumed cutting paper. The smile on his face was genuine, showing no trace of sorrow for what was about to come.
I stood quietly to the side, watching Lan Yin closely. Deep down, I couldn't help but feel a strange emotion toward him.
What is this feeling, this restless stirring inside?
Suddenly, Lan Yin spoke, clutching his chest. After a long moment, he finally recovered, as if reaching some conclusion, and resumed cutting paper.
Looking at Lan Yin, his body was already drained of color—as if all the blood had left him. His skin wrinkled, and you could see the bones beneath.
By nightfall, Lan Yin had vanished from sight. In the city, wild winds swept through, and the paper Four Sacred Beasts danced in the air. The Blue Wraith had returned.
This time, you won't trick me so easily, kid. Tonight, it ends.
As the Blue Wraith shouted, I saw its body begin to change. Green light swirled around it, and slowly, the Blue Wraith raised its hand. Threads of green spectral energy drifted outward, spreading across Hades Village.
The Blue Wraith was now completely enveloped in green light. Its body split into intense beams of green, which shot out like meteors along the spectral threads, scattering in all directions.
Whip Enforcement...
I heard a shout echo from above, and the green beams, like whips, lashed out at the white Spirit Veils that connected the buildings.
A constant tearing sound filled the air. The white fragments fluttered, shredded and slowly disappearing. The paper Four Sacred Beasts, upon touching the green whips, vanished instantly.
The green whips whipped through the corners of the city like a frenzy. Houses cracked, stones flew, and buildings collapsed, raising clouds of dust.
The Blue Wraith's plan was simple: if it couldn't find Lan Yin, it would destroy everything, forcing him to show himself.
The massive green whips kept swinging, rapidly erasing the paper Four Sacred Beasts scattered throughout the city.
I stood above the city, witnessing everything below. Suddenly, the green whips vanished, dissolving into eerie green light and disappearing.
Found you.
(Irrelevant system message about continuing to the next page. Skip this line for translation.)
The Blue Wraith's booming voice rang out. I hurried toward the sound, heading north.
On the city wall, I saw Lan Yin, barely alive and close to death. He was covered in wounds, none of which showed any sign of healing.
A wet, smacking sound echoed. I saw the Blue Wraith chewing on a lump of white substance.
Heh, I didn't expect your soul to taste so good.
My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.
Yeah, heh.
Lan Yin smiled, showing no intention of running away.
You know, kid, I've devoured the flesh and souls of many Hades Circle Born, but yours is the most delicious. Heh, that's enough for today. I'll be back tomorrow—struggle all you want.
With that, the Blue Wraith vanished in a flash of green light. As it left, Lan Yin's finger twitched and he smiled. Though I couldn't see clearly, I noticed a tiny Vermilion Bird paper cutout stuck to the Blue Wraith's body before it disappeared.
Lan Yin seemed at peace. He stopped cutting paper and gazed up at the gloomy night sky. It was pitch-black; the moonlight barely pierced the clouds, and visibility was low.
Why doesn't he run? I wondered. If Lan Yin could use these tricks to distract the Blue Wraith, he could escape—as long as he didn't get dragged into the Shadow Realm.
A gentle breeze played with Lan Yin's hair. He seemed to enjoy it, a faint smile lingering at his lips.
Kid, what's wrong? Not running? It's a rare chance.
It was the man shrouded in black again. This time, the wind parted the clouds and moonlight shone through. Lan Yin waved his hand and shook his head weakly.
Running won't solve anything, will it?
Heh, kid, you're pretty optimistic. A third of your soul is already eaten, and you can't move your legs anymore, can you?
Lan Yin burst out laughing. I realized I hadn't seen his legs move for a while. With a swish, Lan Yin released two strands of Spirit Veil, wrapping them around his legs. Like a marionette, he used the Spirit Veil's power to move his legs and stood upright.
You've got perseverance, kid. You're special—I can feel it.
Is that so? I think I'm special, too. I knew that the day my friend died.
Lan Yin spoke, clenching his fist, always holding that slingshot.
Heh, still refusing to give up? That guy is strong—he spared you today out of curiosity.
I know. You don't have to tell me.
The man shrouded in black looked at Lan Yin with a puzzled expression.
So, kid, what exactly are you...
I want to challenge myself. I want to see if I can overcome this crisis. Then Lan Yin took a letter from his pocket and handed it to the man shrouded in black.
This is...
A crisis like this is just a small part of my life. If I can't get through it, then what I want to accomplish next will never be possible.
My heart jolted—I seemed to understand. Lan Yin wanted to help Mo Yu, but the Hades Circle would surely try to stop him.
Tell me the place, kid. We've at least met once. If you die here, I'll deliver the letter for you.
With a thud, Lan Yin knelt to the ground and sincerely thanked the man wrapped in black. Then he gave him his home address and his wife's name, Mo Yu.
Got it, kid. I'm leaving, too. You still have five days left for your agreement with that guy. Heh, good luck.
The man shrouded in black disappeared in an instant, swallowed by a swirling vortex of darkness behind him.