I explained the situation to the doctor. Several nurses had already started drawing Dalton Fang's blood for testing.
"So, that liquid on him didn't have any effect on you. We don't know the exact reason yet, we'll have to wait for the tests. Miles Mao, come here for a moment."
The doctor called out, and Miles Mao ran over.
"This stuff might be corpse toxin."
The doctor spoke as Miles Mao approached the nurses, pulled out a talisman, and dabbed some of Dalton Fang's blood onto the yellow charm paper. He murmured a few words, and suddenly, the paper burst into flames.
"It really could be corpse toxin, but that guy doesn't look like a zombie at all."
Miles Mao spoke, then walked over to the guy with pustules all over his body, who had been brought to the rooftop by Samantha Simons. He stared closely at him.
At that moment, police sirens kept blaring all around.
"What's going on?"
"Oh, it's Brother Tian. As soon as he heard about this, he told us to rush over and mobilized the police in this district to seal off the scene. Brother Tian said this guy is probably connected to the Immortality Society."
I let out a cry, thinking carefully—it really was possible. His skin was black, veins bulged, and he was incredibly strong.
Vivian Ouyang had already gone down to each floor, trying to sense anything. After a while, she came back up, shaking her head.
"It's useless. There's not even half a ghost left here, although the Yin energy is a bit heavy."
From a distance, I could see a lot of police and armed officers already sealing off the scene. The crowd of onlookers was being kept outside.
"There's something similar to corpse toxin inside, but it's a bit off."
The doctor looked at Dalton Fang. I watched impatiently, and suddenly thought of an idea. I quickly found a scalpel and reached out my hand.
"Hey, Ethan, what are you doing?"
Miles Mao stared in shock, but I didn’t hesitate—I cut open my palm, letting crimson blood drip onto Dalton Fang’s cheek. It sizzled as it landed, and I saw the pustules actually shrivel. Everyone stared in astonishment, and I was shocked too—I had no idea my blood could do this.
"Don't waste it, Ethan Zhang, slow down."
The doctor said, and I clenched my fist, letting the blood slowly drip onto Dalton Fang’s body. The pustules disappeared, though his body was still covered in sores. But Dalton Fang seemed much better.
Afterward, the doctor asked me for more blood. I was starting to feel lightheaded from blood loss, but for me now, this was nothing.
"Damn, Ethan Zhang, how can your blood cure corpse toxin?" Miles Mao stared at me in disbelief. I shook my head, having no idea.
But suddenly, my mind connected a lot of things. It was Yuna Ji—she always made me drink some kind of soup, and I’d had it many times. Last time, when I was in the toxic corpse mist with Little Black, I wasn’t affected at all.
And Ray Lin said Yuna Ji is deeply connected to zombies in countless ways.
I didn’t have time to think about it. The second helicopter flew over and landed on the other side. Hugh Thompson and Chief Stone hurried over, with Hugh holding a laptop.
"Why did you two come here yourselves?"
As soon as he arrived, Hugh Thompson leaned in close to examine the pustule-covered man.
Then Hugh Thompson explained that in this old district, there have been many missing persons cases, all women. So far, there have been 159 cases, with the longest missing woman gone for over ten years.
Today, Hugh Thompson just learned about this and started looking into ordinary incidents. Unexpectedly, he discovered the missing persons cases in this old district.
Dalton Fang was carried into the helicopter, which slowly lifted off and flew away. His condition had stabilized; he seemed to be out of immediate danger.
I began searching room by room on every floor with the Ghost Burial Squad.
By 6 p.m., we still hadn’t found anything. Chief Stone told Miles Mao and Vivian Ouyang to keep searching in the area. I wanted to help, but Hugh Thompson urged me to quickly find what could save my cousin, warning against any delay.
After grabbing a quick meal, I drove the car Hugh Thompson gave me toward the city center. According to Samantha Simons, Rufina Howard was there.
"By the way, how do you know that girl is there?"
"You'll see when you get there, Ethan."
I grunted in response and kept driving along the highway, thinking about that man covered in pustules. The look in his eyes was inhuman. And the thing that pierced my body from his stomach—when it retracted, his belly closed up. On closer inspection, it looked like a mouth.
That thing couldn’t even be called human.
Following Samantha Simons’s directions, I parked in a lot on Commerce Avenue. Together, we walked out onto the street.
"Where exactly is it?"
Samantha Simons slowly raised her hand. Even though it was past eight, Commerce Avenue was still bustling. This was the most prosperous part of the city. I looked over and saw the Twin Towers—two 81-story buildings connected by a skybridge, brilliantly lit and spectacular.
I knew that many major companies were located over there.
We arrived at Tower 1. I remembered this was an entertainment company, with lots of celebrities. The grand lobby glittered with gold, bustling with people. The decorations were lavish, and on the right as you entered was a large lounge area. Many men and women sat there, discussing something.
Most of them looked like models or newcomers hoping to break into the entertainment industry. As soon as we approached, a security guard tried to stop us, but Samantha Simons pulled out a card. The guard saw it and quickly let us in.
I blinked at Samantha Simons.
"What's going on?"
Just then, I spotted Leah King. She sat in a corner with her manager, looking lonely. An unpleasant-looking man was talking to Leah King and her manager, his face full of disdain.
Concerned, I moved a little closer.
"Stop coming here. Redmane Entertainment really isn't interested in signing Miss Leah King. There’s been too much negative press lately, and honestly, Miss King’s age is neither here nor there. There’s still so much criticism. You should just go back."
"I can start as a newcomer."
Leah King stood up and looked at the manager, but he just smirked and prepared to leave.
Just then, a huge crowd surged at the entrance. Luxury cars pulled up, and I saw a swarm of reporters packing the doorway. In an instant, two or three dozen security guards rushed over to keep them out.
Ding—the doors of a spacious private elevator slid open. I nearly dropped my jaw. Redmond strode out with a large entourage, Rufina Howard by his side, looking distinctly displeased.
Behind them trailed a noisy crowd. I spotted Wuming and a few other Emerald Shades—all disguised as humans, all ghosts. Samantha Simons burst out laughing, and I followed her gaze to see the three Ghost Kings from Exile Town at the end of the group, looking exhausted and sighing.
I recognized Lou Tianyun, but I didn’t know the names of the other two ghosts, one old and one young. Redmond seemed to notice me, glanced over, and waved.
"Ethan, what are you doing here?"
My breath quickened and I crouched down. Just then, I saw the people in the lounge and the managers talking to newcomers all stand up and respectfully call out in unison.
"President."
My heart skipped a beat—this was probably the most shocking thing I’d ever heard. Supporting myself on the floor, I almost lost my breath.
"Come on, what's so surprising, Ethan? Long time no see. You’ve gotten a little stronger, haha."
I stared at Redmond in disbelief, totally lost. Then I remembered—the managers all called him President. I gaped at Redmond as he burst out laughing.
Redmane Entertainment Company is a nationwide entertainment conglomerate. They manage celebrities and many related industries—a truly formidable financial group. And its president is none other than Redmond.
"Ethan Zhang, what are you doing? Get up—there are so many people watching." A bulky figure came over and hauled me to my feet, patting my back. It was The Dragon, dressed in a suit and looking pretty intimidating, almost like a mobster. I shoved him away.
Redmond then walked over to the lounge area and snapped his fingers. The managers immediately started to leave.
"Let’s just eat here tonight."
As he spoke, I saw Redmond’s men rush to the glass windows, pulling the curtains and getting busy. Just then, Leah King walked over step by step.
"President Mao, I’m Leah King. I hope your company can give me a chance."
Leah King looked at Redmond with unusual seriousness. Redmond gave a wicked grin and reached for her chin. Suddenly, a petite figure flew in and kicked Redmond in the chest—it was Rufina Howard.
Smack—Redmond caught Rufina Howard’s foot and then patted her on the head.
"Girl, don’t make a fuss."