"Hmph, don't you know my master despises people from the Hades Circle? Lan Yin, you've come here before, haven't you? Hmph, get out of here—my master will not see you."
Matron Noon spoke, then looked at me.
Ethan Zhang, come in.
I glanced awkwardly at Lan Yin—he was turned away at the door just like that. Then Lan Yin spoke to me.
You go in first, Ethan Zhang.
Lan Yin said this and gave me a look, hoping I could persuade Yvonne May to meet him. I nodded, Matron Noon opened the door, and I walked inside.
As soon as I entered, I saw the former Soulbound Inn Blue Wraiths—Quinn Lee, the short one, and Mason Kee, the tall one. One held a broom, the other a rag. Quinn Lee was sweeping diligently, while Mason Kee was vigorously wiping the tables and chairs in the lobby.
"Ethan Zhang..." The two saw me and exclaimed in surprise, their eyes full of pity.
What are you doing? You two idiots, get cleaning! Don't just stand around.
Matron Noon said this, walked over, and slapped Quinn Lee's head twice. He didn't dare make a sound and swept even harder. Back when I stayed at Soulbound Inn, Quinn Lee had saved me before. I hurried over and said with a smile.
Matron Noon, you can't just make them clean all the time.
Hmph, they made this place filthy and messed up a lot of the buildings. If they don't restore it, I'll kill them.
I swallowed nervously. Since her recovery, this old woman seemed to have changed—like a strict supervisor. I saw many low-level ghosts in the hallway, all dressed in white, uniformly cleaning.
Matron Noon led me to a door, raised her hand, and opened it. Inside was a vast bamboo grove and a quiet path flanked by dim stone lanterns. At the end, I saw a small pavilion.
Go ahead, Ethan Zhang. Lady Yvonne May is waiting for you inside.
I nodded and walked in. I had to persuade Yvonne May to meet Lan Yin.
In no time, I arrived at the small bamboo house and saw my cousin and Susan Li.
Uncle Ethan!
I turned around, and from the bamboo grove, my little nephew Mark Zhang darted out. I picked him up.
Don't worry, your dad will be saved.
"You're back, Ethan Zhang."
I nodded. Yvonne May set down her pen. Dressed in a long purple gown, her hair in a high bun, she looked beautiful in the moonlight. She gave me a cold look and spoke.
"Where's the Awakening Water?"
"It's outside."
I said, pointing to the end of the path.
"Then go get the Awakening Water. I'll awaken your cousin right now."
I shook my head and looked seriously at Yvonne May.
"If possible, can Lan Yin come in?"
"I told him centuries ago—I won't help him. You can tell him, no matter what, I won't help anyone from the Hades Circle."
Yvonne May's voice was icy, her gaze even colder, making me shiver as if I were in a freezer.
As for you, Ethan Zhang, after this is over, I don't want much contact with you either. Don't come looking for me again. The Soulbound Inn will be moving elsewhere.
I didn't know what to say and grew anxious. Yvonne May looked completely resolute. Just then, her golden-red eyes suddenly fixed on me.
"Hmph, such petty tricks."
As she spoke, Yvonne May suddenly reached out and pressed her hand against my chest.
"You want to..."
Before I could finish, I suddenly cried out. Yvonne May's hand reached into my chest and, with a swift motion, pulled out a blazing red flame. I stared in shock as she flicked it to the ground, where it gradually formed into a human shape—Lan Yin.
"Miss Yvonne May, forgive my intrusion," Lan Yin said respectfully, staring intently at her.
"Lan Yin, I told you long ago: many things in this world cannot be reversed. Bring me the Awakening Water. Once we're done, you can leave."
Lan Yin nodded, took out a Soul-Calling Gourd, and handed it to Yvonne May. She shook it, then walked over to my cousin. We all watched anxiously, especially Susan Li and Mark Zhang, full of hope.
I watched as Yvonne May approached my cousin, unscrewed the Soul-Calling Gourd, and let a drop of pure, white liquid fall onto his forehead. Instantly, it seeped into his body, and his eyelids twitched—he seemed to react.
Then Yvonne May returned the Soul-Calling Gourd to Lan Yin and placed her hand on my cousin's forehead.
Slowly, as Yvonne May raised her hand, my cousin floated upward, surrounded by streams of pure white energy. Lan Yin watched Yvonne May intently.
After a while, Yvonne May set my cousin down. I noticed he seemed younger—though he was five or six years older than me, now he looked about my age, not even thirty.
Just as I was surprised, my cousin suddenly opened his eyes and screamed. I rushed over to hold him as he convulsed, black foam and liquid pouring from his mouth.
I stared in shock as my cousin vomited repeatedly. I patted his back, and Lan Yin quickly came over, igniting the Vermilion Bird's flame. The black liquid vanished in the heat.
After a while, I looked at my cousin with excitement. He seemed weak, staring at me blankly.
Cousin, you died too? Haha, I heard there are plenty of female ghosts in the underworld. Now I can see all those beauties from history.
Cousin... snap out of it.
I was about to slap my cousin's face, but Susan Li beat me to it, delivering two sharp slaps.
Zhang Hao, you nearly died and you're still thinking about such filthy things.
Susan Li started crying. I let go of my cousin as she clung to him, sobbing. Mark Zhang joined her, crying too. I stood aside, wiping tears from my eyes, overwhelmed with joy—my cousin was really back.
After a while, my cousin seemed fully awake. One hand patted Susan Li's back, the other rested on his son's head.
So it is. Only you could do this, Miss Yvonne May.
Lan Yin said quietly, then glanced at my cousin lying on the ground. My cousin noticed Lan Yin, and they locked eyes. After a moment, both started to smile.
"Seems we're kindred spirits."
My cousin said, and Lan Yin smiled too.
"Seems so."