"Two days from now, at exactly noon, come here. I’ll have everything prepared."
Xu Fu looked at The Undertaker in confusion. Beside me, Yin Choujian and the others also cast doubtful glances my way. Yin Choujian seemed to understand something, but he just smiled silently and patted my shoulder. Ethan Zhang remained silent, his gaze steady.
"The Watcher, huh? Not bad, brother."
I had no idea what was happening, but my body felt incredible. Most importantly, in this darkness, I could move freely. Even though our ghostly powers had returned, we still had to resist the dark force in the air. But now, it was as if that force didn’t exist for me—the previous resistance was gone.
I extended a hand, and Deathbane Aura naturally flowed out as soon as I willed it.
"Let’s go to the shop. There’s more than a day left—let’s drink to our hearts’ content."
I floated up. Lord Shenyan and Basil Bertram both looked at me in surprise, and even Redmond, who usually wore a sour expression, stared at me in disbelief.
Not inviting us to join you, Ethan Zhang?
Xu Fu’s voice came from behind me. I shook my head.
Brother Ethan Zhang, it’s been a while.
I looked at the scene again, thinking I might never see it again—mortal enemies sitting together, sharing a drink. It was a fleeting peace.
Xu Fu looked at The Undertaker in confusion. Beside me, Yin Choujian and the others also cast doubtful glances my way. Yin Choujian seemed to understand something, but he just smiled silently and patted my shoulder.
Are you really planning to stay, Ethan Zhang?
I’ll keep running my little shop. My wife and daughter, Sylvia Blue, could return any time, so I’ll wait here for them.
Xu Fu didn’t complain at all. He carried a huge stack of bowls to the back. The tables in the shop were pushed together—the Immortality Society sat on the left, we sat on the right. I gave Yuna Ji and Redmond some money to buy wine and food.
Many of our old regulars gathered outside.
"Sorry, today I can only host friends—and a few outsiders."
I glanced at the other members of the Immortality Society. Lao Chongyuan smiled, shaking his head helplessly, while Warren Qi gave a slight smile.
This might be the last time we can all sit together in peace and drink, Ethan Zhang.
"Brother Qingyuan, it’s been a while."
Samuel Young smiled as he spoke. I nodded. Instantly, an image flashed in my mind: Samuel Young and The Artisan seemed to be discussing something. Then Samuel Young handed a cloth-wrapped object to The Artisan, who in turn gave him a glowing orb. It looked like they’d just finished a transaction.
Redmond and Yuna Ji returned, carrying heaps of food and wine. I started marinating the meat.
"Are you really planning to stay, Ethan Zhang?"
Yuna Ji leaned over the grill, helping me with the food. I nodded.
Don’t worry, Ethan Zhang. When I get back, I’ll tell those guys everything. We’ll be waiting for you to return.
"I’ve been reborn, Roxie. Since this is your wish, I’ll remain in the Dark, waiting for the day when light returns and our family is together again."
"They’re still somewhere in this darkness. I’ll wait here for them."
As I spoke, Xu Fu burst out laughing beside me.
"This might be the last time we can all sit together in peace and drink, Boss Chang."
I made another sound of acknowledgment.
"Xu Fu, one day I’ll defeat everyone in the Immortality Society. Blood for blood. That’s how the world works, isn’t it?"
Xu Fu grunted in response, handed me a piece of meat, and helped me marinate it.
"We’ve done so many evil things, but where is Heaven’s justice? Heh, they say ‘Heaven’s justice is clear,’ but even Heaven can’t do anything to us. For you to take Heaven’s place and deal with us—that’s the best, the most fitting end."
Xu Fu said, his voice a little excited. I chuckled and shook my head.
"If only you hadn’t been born in such a time..."
I paused as I spoke, then shook my head again.
"But the result would probably be the same. Your innate evil devoured everything in you."
"Looks like you finally understand. We’re just bad people—a bunch of hopeless villains."
A few hours later, we were eating and drinking. I was busy grilling food, with Xu Fu and Yuna Ji helping me. Yin Choujian and the others had already been drinking for a while.
I noticed Earthly Soul and Warren Qi leaving the shop, each holding a cup of wine, their faces looking rather serious.
Howard Zhang asked again. I gave a sound of acknowledgment and nodded.
"Cousin, are you really planning to stay?"
Howard Zhang asked again. I gave a sound of acknowledgment and nodded.
"Sorry, cousin. When you go back, please check in on my parents. And—be careful of Brother Owen."
I added a reminder. I could already sense where Brother Owen and his five disciples were. Master Swallow was with them; they looked like they’d be heading back soon.
Time flew by. I barely stopped working, grilling food nonstop. By the next day, a little after 11 a.m., we were all standing in the center of Thirteen Pillars Plaza.
A huge black formation was ready. Yin Choujian, Xu Fu, and the others stepped inside. Sure enough, I saw Brother Owen—he looked fully recovered, and the innocence of childhood had completely vanished from him.
"Hurry up, I can’t wait to go back."
Brother Owen shouted. Just then, Earthly Soul came over to me.
"Ten years from now, how strong will you be? I’m looking forward to it."
I made a sound of acknowledgment.
"Same to you. If I miss this chance, maybe when we get back, it’ll be ten years later. If you have time, keep an eye on the Ghost Burial Squad for me. Skylar Tian and the others need help now, and they can also help you track down the Forsaken."
Earthly Soul nodded, patted my shoulder, and walked away.
Everything I’ve been through this past year is about to disappear. I glanced at Deathcurse, who nodded at me.
"Don’t worry, Qingyuan. When I get back, I’ll tell those guys everything. We’ll be waiting for you to return."
"Don’t worry, Ethan Zhang. When I get back, I’ll tell those guys everything. We’ll be waiting for you to return."
"It’s almost time. Get ready—I’ll send you all back."
The Undertaker floated up slowly, raising his hands. I noticed that each of the thirteen pillars was emitting black energy, which gradually enveloped everyone in the center until they couldn’t be seen anymore.
I took out a pocket watch and quietly watched as the time ticked closer and closer to noon.
"Brother, since you’ve chosen to stay, you’ll have to shoulder some burdens. Good luck!"
I raised a hand and waved toward the center, now shrouded in darkness. For a moment, I saw Yin Choujian wave back at me, a faint smile on his face.
"When I get back, I’ll be able to help you too, Yin Choujian."
The ticking of the second hand echoed. I tilted my head back, feeling a wave of melancholy—noon, sharp.
A burst of bright white light exploded. I covered my forehead against the glare. When it faded, everyone was gone, except for The Undertaker, who slowly descended in front of me.
"Watcher, you are the sixth being in this darkness to be personally granted a name by the will of the Dark."
"I see. I’ve read Wraithshade’s memories. When you contacted him, there were five of you, but now only three remain. Where are the other two?"
The Undertaker shook his head helplessly and extended a hand.
"I formally welcome you to the Dark. You are now one of us, Watcher."
I reached out and shook his hand.
"Has Wraithshade never been acknowledged by the will of the Dark?"
I asked, and The Undertaker nodded.
"Names granted by the will of the Dark come in two ways: bestowed directly, or through us. Wraithshade was never mentioned by the Dark, as if he never belonged here. Never mind, he’s gone now. We’re heading to Ancestor Emperor Huang’s domain for further research. What about you, Watcher?"
I looked up at the sky.
"I’ll keep running my little shop. My wife and daughter could return any time, so I’ll wait here for them."
"I see. If you need anything, just let us know. You’re free here in the Dark."
The Undertaker slowly floated up as he spoke. I nodded.
"One last question."
"Go ahead."
The Undertaker looked at me seriously.
"Are you all protecting the Dark?"
The Undertaker said nothing for a long while, then nodded.
"Looks like you really have been chosen by the will of the Dark, Watcher."
The Undertaker vanished. Smiling, I slowly floated upward. The world before me opened wide—I could sense everything for dozens of kilometers, even a grain of sand on the ground. My mind felt like it was expanding without limit; this was the gift of the Dark.
In this calm, all-embracing darkness, I returned to my shop.
The shop was empty and quiet, the previous bustle gone. I started tidying up, smiling to myself.
"I’ve been reborn, Roxie. Since this is your wish, I’ll stay in the Dark and wait for the day when light returns."
There are many things in this world worth waiting for—like a dazzling gem sunk deep in the ocean. One day, someone will find it. This beautiful, striking gem is like the darkness that shrouds the world.
"Welcome..."
I looked up. Someone had entered my shop, and I greeted them with a broad smile.
It truly is incredible. After more than a year of tempering in this darkness, my heart is now as solid as stone.
After tidying up for a while, I served dishes to my guest, stood at the doorway, leaned against the frame, lit a cigarette, and took a drag. It was a bit harsh—I coughed.
"Ten years feels like a long time."
I glanced at the passersby on the street. They were truly human—I could sense every joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. Here, in this strange land, lived a group of people—the residents of the Dark.