"What's wrong, Blackfang? Are you scared?"
I stayed silent. It was already past 5 a.m., nearly dawn. Tomorrow, Rachel Lan—the Eastern District's highest administrator—would deliver an important speech at Skywatch Platform, more than fifty kilometers from here.
Julian Zhu's words made me even more certain—it was definitely Rachel Lan. Even though I hadn’t seen her, I was sure of it. Over two years ago, she suddenly took office, acting with ruthless decisiveness. She killed the previous Eastern General God and became one of the Five General Gods.
According to Julian Zhu, Rachel Lan was terrifyingly ruthless. As soon as she took office, she crushed all the rebellious factions in the Eastern District—leaving no survivors, killing every last one.
"If Rachel Lan really is the same person as before, then those people must have the power to create things in this world after death—almost like rewriting a program. They’ve changed everything about Rachel Lan. You’d better be ready, Blackfang."
I grunted and stood up. Julian Zhu had already prepared the car. According to him, it wasn’t just ghosts here—some people possessed powers, techniques unique to humans, truly extraordinary. Especially Rachel Lan, whose strength was overwhelming.
Isabelle Frost, on the other hand, looked deeply worried.
"You know exactly what you need to be ready for, don’t you?"
I nodded.
"Be ready to stand against Rachel Lan."
We set out, heading further east. The streets were jammed with traffic, and helicopters kept flying overhead toward the east. I even spotted several news crews.
We rode in a bus, with quite a few other passengers. Most were already talking, discussing today’s topic.
"I wish I could see Lady Rachel’s beauty again."
"Yeah, but just seeing her from afar is enough. Today’s speech is probably about Crimson Night, right?"
My excitement faded. I didn’t know what awaited us next, but I was certain—we might be wandering this world for a long time.
Around 1 p.m., we arrived at Skywatch Platform—a platform about five or six hundred square meters, more than ten meters high, located in a place called Skywatch Square. Police surrounded the area, maintaining order. By now, the place was packed with people, and plenty of reporters were present.
The speech was scheduled for two o’clock. At that moment, Skywatch Platform was empty. After watching from the perimeter for a while, I saw several luxury cars parked to the north, where many armed police stood guard. Barricades had been set up on both sides.
Time crawled by—every second felt like a year to me.
Finally, at two o’clock, the same police officer from yesterday stepped onto the stage, holding the microphone placed at the front of Skywatch Platform.
"Quiet, please. Now, let’s welcome the Eastern District’s highest administrator, Lady Rachel Lan, to deliver her speech."
A hand hoisted me up—it was Kane. At the edge of the surging crowd, my view cleared; I could see the platform.
My heart was pounding in my throat. I stared wide-eyed as soft footsteps approached. The police officer bowed his head, gave a slight bow, then stood aside with his hands behind his back.
Bright eyes and white teeth, long hair cascading over her shoulders—a face of delicate beauty and pale, slender cheeks. Rachel Lan, the one who haunted my dreams, the one I’d tried to cry for but couldn’t, stood on Skywatch Platform. She wore a fiery red cloak embroidered with nine phoenixes, a phoenix crown atop her head, her hair fluttering in the wind, her eyes icy cold—just like the first time I saw her after losing a soul. She was beautiful. It was those eyes that captivated me then, and even now, I recall every moment I shared with Rachel Lan.
"Good afternoon, citizens. I am Rachel Lan. Today, I want to address the recent surge of assassinations in our Eastern District—not just once or twice. I know some of you have dealings with Crimson Night. The reason for this speech is clear: starting tomorrow, we administrators will begin a purge. Anyone connected to Crimson Night will be executed without exception. Better to kill a thousand by mistake than let one go."
My mind buzzed—the Rachel Lan before me had the same face, the same voice, the same mannerisms, but I no longer knew her.
No one dared utter a word. Rachel Lan’s icy gaze swept the crowd.
"As for why I chose this place today—first, the view is broad; second, it makes it easier for Crimson Night’s people to try and assassinate me. If you want to come, now’s your chance."
The instant Rachel Lan finished speaking, the crowd erupted. People began running and shouting; chaos broke out.
Gunshots rang out—sniper rifles. Then a rocket streaked toward Skywatch Platform. The police officer beside Rachel Lan suddenly floated up, catching several sniper bullets mid-air, then grabbed the small rocket and hurled it far away.
With a thunderous boom, three or four dozen people armed with all sorts of weapons appeared in the panicked crowd, charging at Rachel Lan.
A jolt of fear shot through me—I wanted to fly over, but quickly gave up.
"Courting death."
Rachel Lan uttered two cold words. Suddenly, golden light radiated from her body. My eyes widened—it was the power of the Vermilion Bird.
"Phoenix Wings."
Golden flames ignited along Rachel Lan’s back. With a cry from the Vermilion Bird, she soared into the air, her wings beating.
In an instant, golden light erupted. A hand pulled me back—it was Deathcurse. We retreated.
(Irrelevant system message skipped.)
Before my eyes, everything turned into a sea of fire. Those who hadn't escaped were instantly turned to charcoal. The attackers were reduced to ash, their remains scattered by the wind.
"It’s done. How many did we get this time, Louis Luo?"
"Lady Rachel, this time there were at least over three hundred Crimson Night members."
Rachel Lan smiled in satisfaction as she looked around. Meanwhile, those at the outskirts who hadn’t been touched by the flames began to wail in agony.
"Blame Crimson Night. Listen carefully—anyone involved with Crimson Night, I will show no mercy. All of you..."
Rachel Lan’s voice stopped. She put down the microphone. On my back, black Vermilion Bird wings beat. I stared at Rachel Lan, expressionless, as her eyes locked onto mine.
"Oh, Ethan Zhang. You found your way here, did you?"
"Yeah, Roxie, I made it here."
With a swish, a sword burning with golden flames appeared in Rachel Lan’s hand—the Phoenix Blade, familiar yet strange. The Vermilion Bird’s power became fire, waves of heat rolling toward me. My whole body began to burn.
"Oh, little girl, I didn’t expect you to get the power of the fifth rebirth. Where did you get it?"
Zhu Tang poked his head out, looking at Rachel Lan. She still recognized me, but we were already strangers. Between us, it felt like an unbridgeable chasm.
Rachel Lan slowly floated upward, the Phoenix Blade in her hand pointing at me.
"So? Now that you’re here, do you want to reminisce with me? Ethan Zhang, you’re just as weak as ever—a useless man who can’t even protect his own woman."
"Yeah, Roxie, I really am useless. That’s why I’m standing here."
With a thunderous crash, Rachel Lan swung the Phoenix Blade. A massive wave of golden fire surged toward me.
"Aren’t you getting a bit too arrogant, little girl?"
With a crisp clang, Isabelle Frost stood in front of me, blocking the flames with one hand. The rest of my companions gathered around.
"If you have something to say, say it now, Blackfang. This might be the last chance to speak with Rachel Lan."
A hand pressed on my shoulder—Ray Lin gave me a push. After Isabelle Frost stepped aside, I floated forward, took a deep breath, and shouted.
"Roxie, I made it here. Can you hear me? I, Ethan Zhang, have come here. Being able to see you... it’s really good."
Rachel Lan sneered, her eyes completely devoid of emotion.
"So what if you’re here, Ethan Zhang? I’ve long forgotten about useless people like you. In my memory, you’re just a name, just a face—nothing more."
"Then pass this on to your resurrected friends: I, Blackfang, leader of Blackfang, thank them from the bottom of my heart. But I will make them regret it."
I spoke, then turned away, glancing at Rachel Lan from the corner of my eye. The pendant on my chest grew warm. I beat my wings quickly, and my companions followed.
Soon, we left Skywatch Platform. Once we landed in a deserted spot, everyone suppressed their ghostly aura. I sat down on the ground.
"Have you confirmed it, Blackfang?"
I let out a sound, then looked up at the Ghost Painting Book Immortal.
"She really is Rachel Lan, but also not—maybe just a part of her."
I clenched my fists and stood, trembling all over.
"This joke has gone too far—the creators here."
"So, Blackfang, are you planning to act?"
Looking at Isabelle Frost, I nodded. Just then, a car screeched to a halt outside our alley. It was Julian Zhu, looking anxious.
"Hurry up and get in the car."