The marketplace was bustling—lanterns hung everywhere, bright and festive, as if some grand celebration was underway. The street was so crowded it was almost impossible to move, and the air was filled with the shouts of vendors.
I stared in surprise. Perched atop a tiled rooftop was a figure in a black robe, drinking and watching the lively scene below—Soren Black. A faint smile played on his lips, but his demeanor was one of utter boredom.
Amid the throngs, I spotted a small altar piled with food and drink—offerings, it seemed, for ghosts. People would occasionally approach to place more gifts upon it.
It looked like these offerings were meant to placate the ghosts, to keep them from causing trouble. Suddenly, I saw a thin, grimy figure in white clothes, hair hanging loose, moving toward the altar. He grabbed a chicken and started eating.
"Kid, you'd better not touch that, or you'll bring trouble on yourself."
With a whoosh, a pig's trotter was tossed to the filthy ghost. Soren Black caught it deftly. Around them, I saw all sorts of ghosts—Whitecoat Wraiths, Grayshade Wraiths, Shade Ghosts, and even Wraiths. None dared approach the offerings; they simply stared in astonishment at the one who did.
"Heh, interesting."
Soren Black took a sip of wine and set the pig's trotter aside.
The ghost who was eating the offerings kept devouring them, gulping down food and drink with abandon.
"Aren't you going to eat? It's delicious."
Suddenly, I was stunned. That wild-haired figure was John Chou—a typical Shade Ghost. He tied his hair back with a piece of string, looking relaxed and cheerful as he drank.
"Kid, this is Boss Yin's turf. His men will be coming to collect the offerings soon."
John Chou ignored the warning, just smiled, and kept eating.
"Get lost! What the hell are you all crowding around for?"
By now, night had fallen. The streets were nearly empty of people, but plenty of ghosts still surrounded the altar, eyes fixed hungrily on John Chou as he feasted.
"Who the hell are you, brat? Eating our stuff—you must have a death wish."
As he spoke, a burly Wraith strode over, grabbed John Chou by the neck, and lifted him off the ground, glaring murderously.
"Told you, you can't just mess with things around here."
"Heh. My boss is over there. If you've got a problem, take it up with him—he's the one who brought me here."
John Chou changed his tone, pointing a finger. The Wraith let him go, then, with a whoosh, flew up to the rooftop.
"Who do you think you are, causing trouble on our turf?"
John Chou casually pulled out a large bundle, packed with food and spirit money, and walked away, watched by the ghosts.
"Boss, it's your turn now."
Soren Black just smiled, then spoke.
"Go ahead, leave it to me."
In an instant, the Wraith drew a huge blade from his back, ready to strike at Soren Black.
With a clang, Soren Black caught the blade with one hand, and suddenly, a green glow radiated from his entire body.
Immediately, the surrounding ghosts looked terrified, and even the Wraith trembled in fear.
"I'm just passing through, cooling off here. That kid isn't my subordinate—he only used my name to steal some of your offerings and money."
Suddenly, a flash of green light—a crack, and the Wraith's blade snapped. Another Blue Wraith appeared in front of Soren Black.
It was Derek White. I stared at him in shock—his face twisted with rage, green light blazing from his body.
"Hmph, I thought you were here to stir up trouble. Idiot—getting played and you don't even realize it?"
Derek White slapped the Wraith several times, glaring at the offerings that had been eaten and the money that was nearly all gone.
"Go after him. Find that kid and bring him back."
Immediately, a swarm of Wraiths surged out from every direction, drifting toward the outskirts of the city.
"Oh, so you've already held the Hundred Ghosts Feast?"
Soren Black muttered, drained his bottle of wine, then floated upward.
"What do we do if we catch that kid?"
"Naturally, we make an example of him—kill one to warn the rest. Hmph, coming to make trouble on my turf, that's bold."
Soren Black just smiled. With a whoosh, he turned into a streak of green light and vanished.
The scene shifted to a forest, where John Chou leapt and darted about, seemingly practicing something.
"You've really made a mess this time."
Soren Black spoke quietly. Only then did John Chou notice him, perched on a tree, grinning.
"Oh, is that so? I just took a little food. Who says others can't eat the offerings here?"
"You'd better run, kid—they'll find you soon enough."
"How did you find me?"
John Chou looked at Soren Black with interest. Soren Black smiled, then, in a flash, appeared before John Chou and reached out, pulling a green, oily Specter Web from his back.
"First time I've seen this—is this a Specter Web?"
"Aren't you afraid of me?"
Soren Black smiled coldly and spoke. John Chou just shrugged it off with a smile.
"If you wanted to, you could kill me in an instant, or even devour me. But here I am, safe and sound—so you must not want to kill or eat me."
Soren Black burst out laughing as John Chou glanced around and buried all his money at the base of a tree.
(Irrelevant passage: This chapter isn't over ^.^, please click next page to continue reading!)
"Kid, what's your name?"
"John Chou. And you?"
"Soren Black."
We locked eyes, and I saw genuine interest in Soren Black's gaze as he looked at John Chou.
"If you dared to take their offerings so openly, you must have planned your escape route."
Soren Black smiled, while John Chou said nothing, simply sitting down under a tree, showing no fear.
"Do you know how to get to the Underworld Court?"
Suddenly, John Chou asked. Soren Black nodded.
"Why do you want to go?"
"My old steward was taken by the Underworld Court. I need to find a way to bring him back."
Soren Black suddenly burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
"You're just a Shade Ghost—how do you expect to break into the Underworld Court and bring back a prisoner?"
"That's why I'm seeking a breakthrough. If I reach your level, maybe it'll be possible."
Soren Black looked surprised. John Chou didn't seem to be boasting—his eyes shone with hope.
"Let's deal with the immediate problem first. If you solve it, I'll tell you..."
"No need. I'm not the type—well, I'm a ghost now—I'm not the type to owe anyone. I prefer it when others owe me."
Just then, a series of noises echoed nearby as a swarm of Wraiths flew toward them. John Chou leapt down from the tree.