I stared in disbelief. As expected, Mona Ouyang—like Lord Dream—could appear beside someone, or in any place, without being detected by the naked eye.
The clatter of chains echoed once more, heavy with supernatural dread.
"It's pointless. All your crying and fussing... After years of cooperation, you must be exhausted. Heh. Now, I'll go pay a visit to my old employer—it's been centuries since I last saw the Ghost Sovereign of the Hundred Ghosts in the Dream Realm."
As he spoke, Victor Duan swept me up and plunged into the swirling, multicolored vortex. I reached out a hand—Simon Wang smiled and waved goodbye to me.
"Uncle Ming..." I cried out, my voice raw with emotion.
"Let me go!" I yelled, but Victor Duan gripped me tightly, refusing to release me. In an instant, I was back in the courtyard—the place where Vivian Ouyang stood, near the Gate of Dreams.
"Brother, what's wrong? You look pale." Yin Choujian's familiar voice called out from nearby.
"Not bad, son-in-law. You managed to retrieve it, heh. Lord Wraith will be pleased—the Hundred Ghosts are restless tonight."
It was Uncle Moe. He walked over, step by step. My mood was heavy—Ken Wang's father was still trapped inside. Deep down, I knew he might never escape, but in this moment, my heart ached.
With a soft thud, Victor Duan set me down. The sound of leather boots followed as Yin Choujian approached, smiling and extending a hand.
I looked up at him. For a moment, I seemed to see the bloodthirsty Yin Choujian from the stories of Mona Ouyang and Ouyang Weng—their shadows overlapping, blurring reality and nightmare.
"You've worked hard, brother. Get up."
Yin Choujian's voice was unexpectedly gentle. I shook my head, forcing a smile and reached out my hand. This was only the second time I'd seen him show such warmth—gentle as sunlight breaking through the gloom.
Uncle Moe came over and patted my shoulder. The residents of East City and the Dreamers were all tense, haunted by the threat of the Dream Wraiths.
"Son-in-law, don't be in such a rush. Isn't there a founder of the Wordcraft Wang family in your apartment building? Heh, when you get back, ask him for advice."
I let out a startled sound, looking at Uncle Moe. The West City Gate and its residents, the Dreamers, were all on edge.
"How do you know?"
A burst of crimson light appeared, accompanied by the cry of the Vermilion Bird—a mystical creature. The small bird settled on Uncle Moe's shoulder, its presence igniting the air with supernatural tension in Dream City.
"It was me who told Martin Lane. What's the problem?"
I gave a small sound of acknowledgment. Indeed, when I returned, I had to tell Ken Wang everything and find a way to reunite him with his grandfather. Maybe the old eccentric could help rescue Simon Wang.
I stared in disbelief. As expected, Mona Ouyang—like Lord Dream—could appear beside someone, or in any place, without being detected by the naked eye.