That was all I could say. There were no more words left; I had nothing else to offer him. My heart was cold and burning at the same time. I wanted to speak, to shout it out loud, but the words wouldn't come. He and I—we were already strangers.
"Stop killing people. I can help you."
Just that simple sentence set my heart ablaze with pain. I wanted so badly to say it, to shout it out—I am you, Ethan Zhang. I am another you, and you are me.
I let out a cold laugh, spread my wings, and soared into the air without another word.
Even after waking, I remained silent. Everything I had done and seen in the dream still lingered—as if I had yet to awaken from a great sleep.
"Amitabha. Benefactor Zhang, how do you feel? Have you fully become a ghost now?"
I shook my head. Within me, there were only twelve ghost gates—one was still missing.
"It seems there was a slight deviation, but it doesn't matter much. Benefactor Zhang, you're no different from any other ghost now, and the missing gate might even be to your advantage."
I said nothing, silent and lost in thought, regretting not telling Ethan Zhang everything.
Deathbane Ghost burst into laughter, striding over.
"You promised me—let Ethan Zhang in. Hurry, Ethan Zhang, it's time for you to go out and fulfill your promise."
I stood up and spread my wings. Master Frank Yuan smiled warmly, raising his hand. From the ground, a pillar of light shot upward, piercing the sky.
"Go, Benefactor Zhang. Amitabha."
I felt a pang of reluctance. In the days spent with Master Frank Yuan, I had learned so much, and finally understood what my path truly was.
"Benefactor Zhang, if fate allows, if even a thread remains, perhaps this old monk and you may meet again someday."
I nodded. In Deathbane Ghost's eyes, there was anticipation—waiting for Ethan Zhang to come. Yet I had no intention of saying anything to him; like me, he would have to rely on himself.
Immersed in the blinding white light, I beat my wings and slowly ascended. The light before me grew brighter and brighter, and a vague unease stirred in my heart.
I sensed a strange aura, growing stronger by the second. My whole being was engulfed in this soft, white glow. I knew—I was returning to the world of the living.
Night winds raged across the sky. Beneath me, the city was ablaze with lights. I drifted in the darkness above.
"Brother, are you out? Where have you been lately?"
A cold, sinister voice echoed, accompanied by a face twisted in a mocking smile. I looked over—a flash of red light: it was John Chou. He stood before me. Toward him, I felt only anger, deep and bitter, yet this fury was suppressed because of Ethan Zhang.
I had no fondness for John Chou. Deathbane Aura began to seep from my body. With a harsh crack, John Chou was torn apart before me, pierced through a thousand times. He kept smiling, offering no resistance, merely gazing at me in silence.
With a swift motion, I severed John Chou's head. Consumed by rage, I unleashed Deathbane Aura, reducing him to fragments. The frenzied aura nearly blotted out the sky, yet it could not soothe the dissatisfaction burning within me.
"Have you vented enough anger, brother?"
A gentle hand rested on my shoulder. I broke down, sobbing like a child—my cries echoing in the pitch-black sky. Tears could only slide down my iron mask.
"May I call you brother? By now, you must have realized what your true origin is."
I let out a cry, and together with John Chou, reached the rooftop of a tall building. I sat quietly at the edge, my tears already dried.
I understood so much now—too much. But for me, it only meant a deeper, heavier loneliness.
"Since we've set foot on this path, brother, let's walk it without regret."
"Ah, you don't need to say it. I will. John Chou, I'm already alone—there's nothing left behind me. That guy, I'll leave to you."
My voice was low and heavy as I spoke. At that moment, John Chou placed a hand on my iron mask.
"I'm sorry, brother. Back then, I couldn't save you, and that's why things turned out this way."
"No need, John Chou. You'd better make your decision and preparations soon. One day, he and I will have to face each other."
John Chou smiled, stood up, and gazed into the distance.
"Yes, one day, inevitably. So, help him. The road he'll walk in the future may be hundreds of times harder than yours."
"I understand, John Chou. All of this..."
John Chou flashed an 'OK' gesture.
"Don't worry, brother. I won't tell Ethan Zhang about any of this—including your secrets."
I unfurled my wings and slowly took flight, heading into the endless black night. Behind me, John Chou waved goodbye. At the corner of my mouth, a knowing smile appeared.
"Maybe only you can give Ethan Zhang the best guidance. John Chou, thank you."
"Everything is clear now, Ethan Zhang."
I sat quietly at the top of a tree, gazing at Heavenly Soul. In his golden eyes, endless sorrow flickered. My own heart was desolate, but this sadness could no longer become tears. I choked back sobs, crying inside as the grief surged again and again.
"Where is he?"
"Even if you know, so what?"
Heavenly Soul spoke, and I stood up, clenching my fists.
"It doesn't matter. I just want to go find him."
Heavenly Soul revealed an excited smile.
"We have a common enemy. Now, I need help."
"Is it for dealing with the Immortality Society? Even knowing what that guy intends to do in the future?"
I let out a cry and nodded.
"Even knowing what that guy will do in the future, I still have to find him—find Earthly Soul, Ethan Zhang."
"Alright, I'll tell you. But whether he'll see you is uncertain. His iron mask—I've already destroyed it."
"For the sake of forming Blackfang, and for evil, I must find him. And I must contact Mr. Wraithshade as well."
Heavenly Soul laughed, his laughter echoing. I gazed quietly into the distance—the vast, lifeless forest—my heart utterly silent.
"You still haven't told me how to repair a shattered ghost soul."
Heavenly Soul laughed.
"Go ask Ghost Fiend Star. You must have seen it—when Earthly Soul, Ethan Zhang, was on the verge of death, he was swallowed by that powerful evil spirit belonging to the Ghost Mound Boss. When spat back out, his soul was restored."
My body began to emit waves of black light. I was about to vanish into Heavenly Soul's Instinctive Space.
"Thank you, Heavenly Soul. Thank you for always staying by my side."
"It doesn't matter to me, Ethan Zhang. From here on, perhaps a chaotic era is coming—one no one has ever seen. And you, standing between humans and ghosts, must decide what you truly want to do."
I nodded. My consciousness began to fade. When I opened my eyes, I was in my Instinctive Space. All the ghost souls were there, and on each of their faces was a faint sorrow.
"What's wrong? Did you all see it too? Heh, it's fine. As always, I'll keep walking this path of coexistence. The promise I made with you—I will fulfill it."