Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 112: Assessment

The manager of the Underworld was the Force Ghost, who lived in the Underground Pavilion, which was closest to the Human Realm in the entire Underworld. Living there for a long time makes one spirited and full of ghost energy.

“It’s said that he was over a hundred years old when he died. When he first arrived here, his soul was very weak. But after he became the manager and lived in the Underground Pavilion, his physical condition improved a lot compared to us lonely and wandering ghosts,” the Starving Ghost explained dutifully, like a tour guide, as they headed to the Underground Pavilion.

Xu Wang detected envy in his words and said, “Although you can’t live in the Underground Pavilion, you can live next to it and benefit from its ghost energy.”

The Starving Ghost sighed and shook his head. “All the good places are taken. It’s not my turn yet.”

This Starving Ghost already looked miserable, and with his additional sorrowful drooping head, he appeared even more pitiable.

Wu Sheng, who had been observing the Starving Ghost, finally expressed his doubt. “The way you pushed that Ghost Eater into the well earlier was quite skillful. With such abilities, why are you still bullied in the Underworld?”

The Starving Ghost stopped. He turned around and said blankly, “I did that to save you…” After blinking and seemingly understanding Wu Sheng’s question, he hastily added, “I-I have never fought with other ghosts.”

Wu Sheng: “……”

Xu Wang: “……”

Why so honest?!

As they talked, they arrived at the Underground Pavilion.

Entering, they saw a large pot filled with sand in the center of the room, behind which sat an old man with white hair. He wasn’t very tall, slightly hunched, with droopy eyelids almost covering his eyes and a face full of wrinkles representing worldly vicissitudes.

Before they could state their purpose, the Force Ghost patted the side of the pot and said succinctly, “Draw the ghost energy here.”

The assessment for entering the Human Realm from the Underworld didn’t involve fighting or weapons. The manager only looked at one thing—the level of ghost energy.

And that pot was used to measure the ghost energy.

Xu Wang swallowed nervously, suddenly feeling tense. He quickly turned to whisper to Wu Sheng, “What if our visa is rejected?”

Wu Sheng: “…Then we just won’t ‘go abroad’. Traveling domestically is also nice.”

Xu Wang, amused by his cooperation, felt his nervousness strangely dissipate. He took a deep breath and stepped forward first.

Instead of approaching the pot, he stopped two steps away, closed his eyes, and concentrated.

Suddenly, the spirit attached to his back, like a black snake, darted out and plunged straight into the pot of sand!

After a few seconds of silence…

The sand in the tank began to swirl, not stirred by the spirit but as if it had come to life, forming wave after wave, getting faster and faster!

“That’s enough.” The Force Ghost lifted his droopy eyelids, and under his long white brows, his gaze swept over Xu Wang. “Are you a Possessing Ghost?”

The Force Ghost, unlike the gatekeeper in the Western Courtyard, was very discerning. Just being scrutinized by him made Xu Wang feel guilty.

Everyone else was alone, but Xu Wang had a buy-one-get-one-free deal with his spirit. The Force Ghost’s guess that he was a “Possessing Ghost” was already giving him an easy pass.

But the problem was, Xu Wang and the Starving Ghost had confidently claimed he was a spirit attached to the back, and it would be hard to explain if he changed his story now.

“Ahem.” Xu Wang cleared his throat, trying to stay calm. “I’m not a traditional Possessing Ghost. I’m a spirit attached to the back.” He manipulated the shadow in the pot to come out and pointed to the spirit behind him. “This is me.”

It was the same old trick, but the Force Ghost didn’t seem convinced.

Xu Wang felt increasingly uneasy under his gaze.

After a long while, the Force Ghost waved his hand and sighed. “When you live as long as I have, you’ll understand. The body is just a shell. Whether it’s attractive or not, whether you have complete limbs and handsome features or are just a vague black shadow, it doesn’t really matter.”

“……” The Force Ghost seemed to have misunderstood that Xu Wang was ashamed of his shadowy form, which is why he chose a physical shell to hide behind.

But—

“Did you just mention complete limbs and handsome features?”

Thinking Xu Wang hadn’t heard clearly, the Force Ghost emphasized, “Handsome features.”

Xu Wang breathed a sigh of relief, pleased to hear it.

Wu Sheng, who had seen through everything: “……”

The Force Ghost swept his hand over the pot, smoothing the sand, then turned to Wu Sheng. “Your turn.”

Wu Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly, not moving.

In a brief moment, he had reviewed all his stationery in his mind, but none were suitable for supernatural purposes.

While his [Man Catching Vine] might be good for visual deception, it would definitely give him away in a test of ghost energy.

“What are you dawdling for?” The Force Ghost frowned impatiently. “If you want to go to the Human Realm, come here. If not, leave.”

Xu Wang turned and walked back, glancing at Wu Sheng—Leave it to me.

Wu Sheng had thought about asking Xu Wang to secretly help with the spirit attached to his back, but he felt it wouldn’t escape the Force Ghost’s eyes.

But now, he had no choice but to go forward.

He walked up, passing Xu Wang, and stopped two steps away, just like Xu Wang had.

He held his breath, focused, and the vines on his body slowly moved. The next moment, a vine extended and plunged into the sand!

The base of the vine remained wrapped around Wu Sheng, with only the last third quietly resting in the sand.

Wu Sheng and the vine both remained still.

The sand didn’t move either.

Everything was eerily still.

Finally, the sand began to flow, slower than when Xu Wang was tested, but a faint ghost aura could still be felt enveloping the pot.

Wu Sheng’s half-tensed heart relaxed a bit, looking at the Force Ghost with a hint of inquiry.

The Force Ghost waved his hand. “That’s enough. You barely passed. Any weaker, and you wouldn’t have made it.”

Wu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, finally at ease.

“You there.” The Force Ghost looked past Wu Sheng’s retreating figure to the Starving Ghost. “Don’t just stand there like an idiot. Come here.”

“Me?” The Starving Ghost was stunned, quickly shaking his head. “I’m not going to the Human Realm.”

The Force Ghost frowned. “If you’re not going, then what are you doing here?”

“I-I’m accompanying them,” the Starving Ghost said, somewhat nervously under the reprimand.

The Force Ghost sized him up and seemed to think it didn’t matter whether he was tested or not, as he clearly belonged in the Underworld. He didn’t waste any more words.

Shakily standing up and turning around, the Force Ghost faced the wall.

Instantly, the wall clattered down, revealing a dark and deep passage.

“At the end of this road is the Human Realm.” He stepped aside, looking at Wu Sheng and Xu Wang. “Go ahead.”

Xu Wang wanted to say goodbye to the Starving Ghost, but when he turned his head, he caught a glimpse of envy in the ghost’s eyes that hadn’t been retracted in time.

Xu Wang suddenly felt a bit annoyed. “Just trying it won’t cost you a piece of flesh!”

The Starving Ghost was startled by the shout. “Huh?”

“I mean, what’s the harm in just trying the sand pot?” Xu Wang reproached. “You give up before even trying. At this rate, you’ll never be able to do it.”

“But…”

“There are no ‘buts’! Do you want to wander around the edges of the Underworld forever? Never even getting a touch of ghost energy? You died of starvation in life. Do you want to starve to the point of soul dispersal in death?”

“I know you mean well,” the Starving Ghost muttered sulkily, “but why does it sound like a curse…”

Xu Wang, both amused and exasperated, let his spirit nudge the Starving Ghost forward. “Just try it already.”

The Force Ghost, standing beside the pot, didn’t stop him but looked disdainful, clearly not believing this one could pass.

The Starving Ghost hesitantly buried his hand in the sand.

Xu Wang found himself holding his breath, inexplicably even more nervous than during his own test.

The sand around the wrist of the Starving Ghost began to move first, rolling back and forth like blown by a gentle breeze.

Then, the sand slowly started to move. It wasn’t clear whether it was stronger or weaker than Xu Wang and Wu Sheng’s tests, as instead of flowing, it formed a moderate vortex under his hand.

The Force Ghost raised his long white eyebrows in surprise. “Didn’t expect it, but you do have some ghost power.”

Receiving affirmation, the Starving Ghost immediately relaxed, but his complexion worsened.

The Force Ghost observed him for a while, as if seeing through something, and sighed with rare kindness in his voice. “How much suffering did you endure in life? Go ahead to the Human Realm and absorb some ghost energy.”

The Starving Ghost became despondent, no longer speaking.

As the group walked through the dark tunnel in silence, Xu Wang tentatively called out, “Xiao Hungry?”

In the dark tunnel, where no light shone, they could only hear each other’s voices.

“Hm?” Thankfully, the Starving Ghost responded.

“How did you die in life?” Xu Wang asked the question that had been on his mind, but quickly added, “If you don’t want to talk about it, just ignore my question.”

“It’s not that I can’t talk about it.” The Starving Ghost’s voice in the darkness carried a bitter smile, not of complaint but of self-mockery. “I was deceived by a friend. He took all my money and left me alone in the wilderness. Eventually, I starved to death, penniless and unable to find my way home.”

“Didn’t you seek revenge after you died?” Xu Wang suddenly hoped Xiao Hungry was a vengeful ghost.

“I intended to, at first.” The Starving Ghost’s stomach rumbled embarrassingly, and he chuckled. “But then I was too hungry and weak, too lazy to bother.”

Xu Wang: “Too lazy to take revenge?!”

Wu Sheng: “Too lazy to take revenge?!”

Their sudden duet in disbelief made Xu Wang and Wu Sheng instinctively look at each other, but in the pitch-black tunnel, they couldn’t see each other’s figures. However, the overlapping “clear-cut sense of grievance and injustice” in their aura was still very strong.

Since high school, their principle had been to return the favor tenfold and retaliate against any offense, at least with a kick, possibly with an added elbow for interest.

So they couldn’t understand the Starving Ghost’s “generosity”.

“Haa, let’s not talk about me.” The Starving Ghost, clearly losing the argument, changed the subject. “We’re about to meet the manager of the Human Realm. Have you two thought about how to deal with him?”

Wu Sheng: “You said he’s looking for talents to serve in the Heavenly Realm?”

Starving Ghost: “Yes, both literary and martial talents. I heard the Western Courtyard has been restless lately, so the boss is also on edge.”

The words “Western Courtyard” tightened Xu Wang and Wu Sheng’s hearts a bit.

Feeling guilty is a natural human instinct, stronger in some and weaker in others, but non-existent in none.

“Western Courtyard?” Xu Wang pretended not to understand.

The Starving Ghost, unsuspecting, explained everything. “This mansion is divided into east and west courtyards. We are in the Eastern Courtyard, where everything is orderly. The Western Courtyard is more chaotic, without rules. Whoever has stronger ghost power rules…”

“Usually, the two courtyards don’t interfere with each other, but the leader of the Western Courtyard always feels that we in the East have more talented and powerful ghosts. He’s provoked us several times, wanting to take advantage during the chaos…”

“Actually,” Xu Wang carefully chose his words, “having the Western Courtyard join might not be a bad thing. Look at you guys now. To get closer to the Ghost Spring, you have to go through numerous assessments. But the Ghost Spring should be for everyone. It’s not fair if only a few can access it, right?”

The Starving Ghost fell silent.

Xu Wang’s words dissipated in the tunnel, and the air suddenly became awkward.

After an indeterminate time, as light began to seep through the end of the tunnel, the Starving Ghost suddenly asked, “Have you been to the Western Courtyard?”

Xu Wang hesitated for a moment.

Walking together until now, they were almost friends with the Starving Ghost. The guilt of lying to a friend was gradually taking root.

With resolve, he whispered, “No.”

“If you had been, you wouldn’t think so highly of it,” the Starving Ghost said solemnly. “There, the leader changes every few days. Whoever has stronger ghost power reigns. Constant fighting and chaos. Weaker ghosts can’t live peacefully. If you’re unlucky, you might get caught in the turmoil, and your soul will disperse.”

“If I have to choose between war and peace, I’d choose peace. And—” The tunnel reached its end, and the moonlight shone in, making the Starving Ghost’s face look more spirited. “If it were as chaotic as the Western Courtyard, I might never have met you guys.”

He grinned, revealing a sincere happiness amidst his ghostly demeanor.

Xu Wang suddenly found it hard to meet his eyes, changing the subject. “What did you say the Human Realm manager values most?”

The Starving Ghost, unaware of the change, naturally replied, “I heard he particularly values talent and appreciates knowledge of military strategies.”

……

Fifteen minutes later, in the Human Realm, at the manager’s assessment site.

Wu Sheng: “The ‘Thirty-Six Stratagems*’ is divided into Winning Stratagems, Enemy Dealing Stratagems, Offensive Stratagems, Mixed Warfare Stratagems, Combined Stratagems, Defeat Stratagems. Each set has six stratagems making thirty-six in total. Details as follows: Deceiving the Heavens to Cross the Sea, Besieging Wei to Rescue Zhao, Killing with a Borrowed Knife, Waiting at Leisure while the Enemy Labors…”

*A Chinese essay used to illustrate a series of stratagems used in politics, war, and civil interaction. Wu Sheng is basically reciting the contents of it. You can read all the things mentioned by going to the Wikipedia.

Wu Sheng: “’The Art of War’ by Sun Tzu, comprising thirteen chapters, including Laying Pans, The Waging of War, The Attack Stratagem, The Tactical Dispositions…”

Wu Sheng: “In Laying Plans, Sun Tzu said: War is a matter of vital importance to the state; a matter of life or death, the road to survival or ruin. It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied…”

Half an hour later.

Human Realm Manager: “If I give you a ghost army, are you confident in assisting our boss to defend against the Western Courtyard?”

Wu Sheng: “No need for a ghost army. Two ghosts are enough.”

Human World Manager: “Which two?”

Wu Sheng: “This one to my left, as beautiful as a flower, and this one to my right, thin and pale.”

……

At the same time, Underworld, Eastern Courtyard.

Lao Qian and Xiao Kuang were lost.

The Underworld wasn’t only vast but also chaotic. The ghosts were relatively orderly, but the place itself was a mess. The main roads and paths crisscrossed in such a way that they often found themselves back where they started after walking for half a day.

Finally, in utter frustration, they smelled a faint scent of tallow amidst the decaying smell of the ghost mansion, which was as refreshing as menthol.

Following the scent, they sneaked into a secluded courtyard. Before they even reached the window, they heard the sound of men and women laughing—a sticky, ambiguous sound with an adult-only undertone.

There were no ghosts in the courtyard. Each of them quietly approached a window, which was wide open, revealing a scandalous scene inside.

A naked male ghost was lying on a bed, surrounded by four or five female ghosts in sheer garments. Some were snuggling in his arms, some were fanning him, and one was feeding him grapes. The male ghost was enjoying the moment, just like a veritable ghost version of Ximen Qing*.

*A fictional Chinese Song dynasty merchant, womanizer, and murderer in Yanggu County, Shandong. He is the male protagonist in the novel Jin Ping Mei and a minor character in the novel Water Margin.

Qian Ai was disgusted, resisting the urge to slap him, and tried to search the bed while avoiding the various bodies.

Suddenly, a piece of sheer fabric flew out of the bed towards the window!

Qian Ai instinctively dodged, and the fabric brushed past his face but hit Kuang Jinxin on the shoulder. In an instant, it wrapped around Kuang Jinxin tightly, entangling him completely!

Before Qian Ai could react, the fabric retracted, pulling Kuang Jinxin back into the room!

Kuang Jinxin, mummified by the fabric, fell to the floor with a thud.

The Flirtatious Ghost pushed away the female ghosts around him, and with a light flick of his finger, the fabric unraveled.

Kuang Jinxin was dizzy from the fall, and before he could get a clear look at the Flirtatious Ghost, the ghost had already leaned in close.

Kuang Jinxin, startled but immobile, let the ghost scrutinize him at close range. Secretly, he controlled his severed hand to slowly reach for the “ghost bed”. The hint for the badge was “Bed Loving Ghost,” meaning it was either on the ghost or the bed he was enamored with. Since the Flirtatious Ghost, who was naked, clearly had no badge on him, it had to be the bed.

The Flirtatious Ghost and the female ghosts were all focused on Kuang Jinxin, not noticing an extra “severed hand” on the bed.

“Where did you come from? You’ve got nice, tender skin,” the Flirtatious Ghost said flirtatiously, eyeing Kuang Jinxin. “I don’t discriminate between men and women. Want to try it with me?”

Just as he was about to touch Kuang Jinxin’s face, a loud shout came from the window. “Why don’t you try it with me!”

The Flirtatious Ghost, the female ghosts, and Kuang Jinxin all turned to see a flying head zooming in.

Qian Ai, in the form of a “flying head”, rushed to Kuang Jinxin’s side and swiftly pulled him away. Then he replaced Kuang Jinxin, face to face, nose to nose with the Flirtatious Ghost.

“How about me?” Qian Ai flipped his short hair seductively. “I’m especially energetic!”

“……” The Flirtatious Ghost visibly deflated.

Half a minute later.

“Hey, if you don’t agree, just say so. Why run away—” Qian Ai watched the fleeing Flirtatious Ghost in disbelief, feeling severely emotionally wounded.

With the Flirtatious Ghost gone, the female ghosts lost interest and drifted away.

This suited Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin just fine.

The two friends scrambled onto the bed, searching thoroughly.

Soon, they had turned the bed inside out but found nothing—no shimmer and certainly no badge.

They looked at each other.

Kuang Jinxin: “At the Dream Ghost’s place?”

Qian Ai: “That’s the only possibility left.”

Just as they said this, a series of desperate screams approached from afar. It sounded like someone was screaming their lungs out.

Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin were startled, lifting their heads to see the Flirtatious Ghost, who had just escaped, now rushing back like a whirlwind. It dashed straight into the room!

The two of them hurriedly got off the bed, on full alert!

But the Flirtatious Ghost completely ignored them, running straight to the bed and curling up into a ball, shivering all over. Gone was the slightest hint of its earlier flamboyance!

Qian Ai swallowed hard. “Is my shadow that terrifying…”

At the courtyard gate, a crowd of little ghosts had gathered, peering inside with curiosity, whispering among themselves.

Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin walked out, pretending to be curious. “What happened to him?”

The ghosts in the Underworld floated around freely, and seeing two unfamiliar faces come out of the Flirtatious Ghost’s house didn’t seem odd to the onlookers. They were more than happy to share the gossip. “He must have gone crazy or something. He actually floated over to the Dream Ghost’s bed.”

The author has something to say:

Light a candle for the Flirtatious Ghost ╮(╯_╰)╭

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 111: Two Ways

Xu Wang gently pushed open the Moon Gate, and the door creaked softly, like a whimper.

The four entered in single file.

As Qian Ai, who was last in line, stepped into the Eastern Courtyard, the door closed behind them with a “snap”, startling everyone.

Xu Wang turned to pull the door open again, but it wouldn’t budge.

The wind here was colder than in the Western Courtyard, piercing through their clothes.

The scene before them—if ruins could be considered a scene—was more desolate and bleaker than the Western Courtyard, with fallen dead trees and a dried-up pond. The ground was covered in foul-smelling mud, and the pavilion at the end of the corridor had collapsed. In the cold moonlight, it seemed like ghostly figures were flickering among the wreckage.

The companions were certain they had never visited this part of the Eastern Courtyard during their last attempt at 5/23.

“This place is supposed to have good Feng Shui?” Qian Ai said in a barely audible voice, full of frustration. “This is good Feng Shui?”

Wu Sheng sighed softly. “You need to think in reverse.”

Qian Ai: “……”

Wu Sheng: “……”

Qian Ai: “And then? That’s it?”

No further explanation?!

“You’re so dense,” Xu Wang whispered to Qian Ai, pulling him closer. “What he means is, this place might be distressing for humans, but for ghosts, it could be the ultimate comfort zone, get it?”

Qian Ai understood. “…A hell for the living, a paradise for ghosts.”

“Captain, don’t blame Qian Ge for being dense.” Kuang Jinxin joined in, trying to suppress his laughter. “Imagine if Qian Ge understood every glance from Wu Sheng like you do, immediately deciphering the full meaning with just one word…”

Wu Sheng looked up silently at the sky.

“Lao Qian” Xu Wang immediately turned to his teammate and patted him on the shoulder sincerely. “You don’t need to improve; just stay as you are. You’re good.”

Qian Ai: “……”

“You guys—” A ghostly howl came from not far away, eerie yet righteous in tone. “You there, don’t move!”

As soon as the voice fell, a ghostly figure rushed in front of them.

He was around forty years old, lean and gaunt, with a sallow and pallid complexion like a dead man. His lips were black, but his eyes were moving erratically, making him seem more “alive” than other ghosts.

“How did you get in here?” The ghost sized them up suspiciously.

“We… We climbed over the wall,” Xu Wang lied without batting an eye.

“We’re homeless wandering spirits,” Wu Sheng added. “Looking for a place to settle.”

Xu Wang, Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin: “……”

Their advisor had been reading “Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio” on the train yesterday. Whether he learned ghost handling or not wasn’t clear, but he definitely memorized these ancient-sounding lines.

“There’s a main gate. Why climb a wall?” The ghost chided, but his hostility lessened. “If the boss finds out I didn’t guard the gate and let living people sneak in, I’ll be nailed again.”

Again?

Xu Wang hadn’t noticed any obvious wounds on the ghost, assuming he had died of poisoning. But hearing these words and taking a closer look, he noticed a large nail pierced through the ghost’s fontanelle, with only the head of the nail visible, hidden by disheveled hair, and difficult to spot.

“Alright,” the Nailed Ghost sighed in relief. “Luckily, I found you. Come on, I’ll take you to see the boss. Whether you can stay here depends on him.”

The four companions exchanged glances—Are they going to meet the boss now?

Xu Wang pursed his lips—What if this boss asks us to go undercover?

Qian Ai widened his eyes—Infiltration within infiltration?

Kuang Jinxin frowned—This is too difficult…

Wu Sheng held his forehead—No one designs a script to be a never-ending loop!

“Why are you four winking?” The Nailed Ghost walked a few steps, then turned back to see the four hadn’t moved and said impatiently, “Hurry up and follow.”

The four collected their thoughts and quickly followed the ghost through the corridor, twisting and turning, until they arrived at a small, secluded courtyard.

The courtyard was small and could be seen at a glance. There was only a crooked tree that seemed about to fall and a well underneath it.

Xu Wang looked puzzledly at the Nailed Ghost. “Your boss… is in the well?”

“Don’t be deceived by your eyes,” the ghost suddenly said solemnly. “You see it as a well, but it’s actually a gateway to the deeper courtyard.”

“So next…” Xu Wang had a bad feeling.

The ghost: “We jump into the well together.”

He knew it!

As the four and the ghost approached the well, the Nailed Ghost suddenly stepped back two steps and gestured. “Jump.”

Xu Wang promptly insisted, “You first.”

“Hurry and jump. Don’t wait for me to kick you in.” The ghost’s tone turned fierce again, and in his fierceness, there was a hint of… urgency?

Xu Wang narrowed his eyes and stood still.

Suddenly, Wu Sheng pulled him behind, shielding him, and negotiated with the ghost. “We’ll jump first, but don’t stand so far away. You need to stay by the well and watch us go down.”

The ghost didn’t speak; he just stared at them, and a wisp of black smoke started rising from the nail in his head.

The next second, the ghost lunged forward, pushing the unsuspecting Kuang Jinxin into the well with force!

Kuang Jinxin’s body tilted, and he fell headfirst into the well!

Qian Ai gasped for air and reached out to catch him, but it all happened too fast. Before he could grasp him, Kuang Jinxin had already fallen!

“Xiao Kuang—” Qian Ai shouted loudly into the dark well!

Wu Sheng quickly extended his catching vines into the well to pursue!

“I’m okay…” Kuang Jinxin’s response finally came from the well.

Soon after, Classmate Kuang was pulled out of the well and back into daylight by his severed hand, which was tightly grasping his collar.

The [Man Catching Vines] didn’t catch up with Classmate Kuang, who managed to save himself using his stationery.

Qian Ai and Wu Sheng were astounded.

This isn’t a severed hand; it’s a divine hand of steel!

Meanwhile, as Kuang Jinxin fell, Xu Wang manipulated his spirit to tightly entangle the Nailed Ghost, wrapping him tighter and tighter!

Could a ghost be strangled? Xu Wang wasn’t sure. But at the moment, he couldn’t think of a better way to deal with this guy.

As he was lost in thought, a dark shadow suddenly rushed from the gloomy corner, grabbed the Nailed Ghost’s waist, and rushed to the edge of the well in one breath!

Kuang Jinxin had already come out of the well, and the three companions instinctively moved aside, seeing a blur of ghostly figures rapidly approaching.

With a swift motion, the shadow pressed against the back of the Nailed Ghost, lifted his legs, and directly shoved him into the well!

It all happened in an instant. The shadow moved so fast that it was impossible to discern its appearance, and the Nailed Ghost had no time to resist!

There was a loud “thud” as the ghost seemed to hit the dry bottom of the well, and then, in the next moment, its wailing cries filled the entire courtyard.

The wailing was so piercing it made one’s scalp tingle and heart tremble.

Fortunately, it soon weakened, and then there was silence.

A pale blue, ghostly flame slowly floated out of the well and landed in the shadow’s hand.

Only then did they see clearly that the shadow was a young man in his twenties. However, he was pale and emaciated and had a haggard appearance. Even among ghosts, he didn’t instill fear but rather evoked pity and the realization of how tough life in the ghost world could be.

“He lied to you,” the ghostly figure said. There was a sense of honesty in his voice. “He’s not a gatekeeper; he’s a Ghost Eater.”

Xu Wang: “Huh?”

Wu Sheng: “A Ghost Eater?”

Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin: “……”

Why did the advisor’s words suddenly seem somewhat cute?

“Yes, a Ghost Eater,” the pale, thin figure said, giving them a disdainful look. His eyes, which were previously cloudy, rolled back, revealing clarity. “He specifically targets new ghosts, luring them here and pushing them into the well. Once their primordial souls are extracted, he devours them.”

“What happens to the ghosts that are pushed in?” Xu Wang asked.

“The moment their primordial soul is extracted, they cease to exist,” the pale, thin figure said.

“We’re new ghosts, inexperienced,” Advisor Wu said, using what had become his standard opening line for inquiries. “Ghosts shouldn’t fall into wells, right?”

“It’s not about falling into wells in general, but this particular well,” the pale, thin figure said, looking solemnly into the well. “This well is called the Soul-Refining Well. Whoever falls in, no matter how powerful they are as ghosts, will have their primordial soul extracted.”

The four looked around the small courtyard, unable to tell that such an inconspicuous and remote corner hid such a deadly well.

Qian Ai broke out in a cold sweat from the realization. “I mean, with such a dangerous place, couldn’t you put up some caution tape or a sign or something?”

The pale, thin figure stared at him for a while and then laughed. “No one’s ever thought of that.”

“Each ghost sweeps the snow in front of their own door. Why bother about the frost on another ghost’s roof tiles? This bad habit, brought from the world of the living to the ghostly abode…” Qian Ai shook his head in disappointment. “I didn’t expect the ghost world to be so indifferent too.”

Wu Sheng and Kuang Jinxin pulled away their overly involved teammate and switched with Captain Xu.

“Is this the primordial soul in your hand?” Xu Wang had been staring at the ghostly flame for a while.

“Yes, consuming it can increase ghost powers.” The pale, thin figure offered. “Who wants to eat it?”

Xu Wang, Wu Sheng, Qian Ai, and Kuang Jinxin: “……”

The greatest sorrow is finally meeting a friendly and united ghost but not being able to share the “nourishing pill”.

Xu Wang chuckled awkwardly. “Well, you saved us. We couldn’t possibly take this from you. Keep it for yourself.”

The pale, thin figure looked at them for a while, then nodded and swallowed the primordial soul with a gulp.

The four companions watched carefully but couldn’t discern any change in the pale, thin figure.

…Maybe he grew in inner strength?

Just as they were wondering, the pale, thin figure’s stomach suddenly growled.

Xu Wang looked at him puzzledly. “Ghosts get hungry?”

The pale, thin figure scratched his head embarrassedly. “I died of starvation.”

The four companions: “……”

Flawless logic.

“Speaking of which, I heard you talking with the Ghost Eater about finding a place to stay?” the Starved Ghost suddenly asked.

Turning back to the main topic, Xu Wang refocused. “Yes.”

The Starved Ghost pressed his extremely flat belly, as if that could make him less hungry. “If you’re not picky, living in the underworld is fine.”

Wu Sheng: “The underworld?”

The Starved Ghost nodded. “Yes, here and the few courtyards ahead are collectively known as the underworld. You can live anywhere. No one will mind.”

Wu Sheng sensed something. “Is there anywhere else?”

“Yes, the courtyards further inside are called ‘the Human Realm’,” the Starved Ghost explained. “‘The Human Realm’ has stronger ghostly energy than here in the underworld, but not just anyone can go there. You have to find the person in charge and pass an assessment.”

“The underworld, the Human Realm.” Qian Ai found it odd. “Why not go higher, like the Heavenly Realm?”

The Starved Ghost: “There is. The boss lives in the innermost part, the Heavenly Realm.”

“……” Qian Ai forced a smile. “As expected of the boss, aiming high.”

Xu Wang seemed to understand. “So if we want to live in a better place, closer to the boss, we need to pass at least two assessments.”

The Starved Ghost looked at him surprised. “You really want to go to the Heavenly Realm? It’s difficult. The Ghost Spring is there, and the boss rarely lets anyone in. Only powerful ghosts can live in the Heavenly Realm.”

The Ghost Spring!

The four companions were startled, not expecting to come across such information so soon.

In the ensuing silence, a severed hand suddenly gently tugged at the Starved Ghost’s clothing.

The Starved Ghost turned, not seeing a ghost at first glance, then looked down to see Kuang Jinxin crouched on the ground.

“Xiao Hungry,” Kuang Jinxin tentatively said. “Can I ask about two ghosts?”

“…?” The new nickname complicated the Starved Ghost’s feelings, but the way it was said was quite endearing, so he felt a bit… not bad about it?

“Who do you want to ask about?”

“The Flirtatious Ghost and the Dream Ghost.” Kuang Jinxin asked, “Do you know where they live?”

Now that they had information about the Ghost Spring, the next target was naturally the badge.

“They’re here in the underworld,” the Starved Ghost replied without hesitation. “I don’t know the specific courtyard, but they definitely haven’t entered the Human Realm.”

Xu Wang leaned in. “So certain?”

The Starved Ghost nodded. “The Flirtatious Ghost isn’t qualified. The Dream Ghost is very afraid of ghosts and always hides in places with no ghosts. He wouldn’t actively seek out the person in charge, and I heard the courtyards get smaller the further in you go. If he entered, he’d have even fewer places to hide.”

Xu Wang and his three companions exchanged glances and then addressed the Starved Ghost, “We’re thinking of going to the Human Realm. Can you take us to find the person in charge?”

The Starved Ghost frowned, advising, “Are you sure you want to go? It’s actually quite nice here…”

“Ghosts aim high, water flows low*,” Xu Wang was now adept at speaking like a ghost. “But the four of us haven’t reached a consensus yet. Can we have some more time to discuss?”

*Water flows to lower places while man goes to higher position (人往高处走，水往低处流) Proverb that means people always seek to climb higher, yearning for a better life, while the habit of water always flows downwards. In this case, instead of man, it’s ghost. 

“Alright,” the Starved Ghost agreed readily, squatting down and holding his rumbling stomach. “You’ve given me a primordial soul. If you really want to enter the human world, I will take you to find the manager.”

On this side, the Starved Ghost waited obediently and patiently.

On the other side, the four friends gathered together for a “Wangwang’s Team emergency meeting.”

“The Ghost Spring is in the Heavenly Realm, and the badge is in the Underworld. If we can’t find the save point, we will have to split up.” Wu Sheng hit the nail on the head.

Qian Ai sighed. “We didn’t find the save point last time we came, and I think we shouldn’t bother looking this time either. Let’s just split up and act.”

Kuang Jinxin said, “I agree with Qian Ge. If the tasks for other teams are simpler, there will be even less time left for us. Rather than looking for a save point where we don’t know where it is, it’s better to complete more definite tasks and find the badge.”

Xu Wang called everyone for a meeting, and this was the purpose. “That’s settled then. Wu Sheng and I will go to Heavenly Realm to find the Ghost Spring and submit our task, while Lao Qian and Xiao Kuang stay here to find the badge.”

A minute later, the four friends returned to the Starved Ghost.

The Starved Ghost was quite curious about the meeting’s outcome. “Have you decided?”

“Yes.” Xu Wang pointed to himself and Wu Sheng. “We are going to the human realm. Of course, it would be better if we could stay in the Heavenly Realm.” Then he pointed to Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin. “These two don’t want to go, so they’ll stay in the Underworld.”

Qian Ai: “……”

Staying in the Underworld. No matter how you hear it, it sounds ominous! Can’t they say underground workers? Even guardians of the negative first floor would be better!

The author has something to say:

Qian Ai: (╰_╯)

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 110: Mission

In the dim corridor, the once bright red paint had turned to reddish-brown, flaking off in patches to reveal the eroded, decaying wood beneath. The corridor led to the inner courtyard, lined with yellowed leaves and dead trees. Scattered on the ground were pieces of paper money, both new and old, with no clear indication of the time of the offerings. 

The four followed the Money Counting Ghost through the corridor, adhering to the principle of speaking less to avoid mistakes, waiting for the ghost to speak first. However, the ghost was even more silent than they were. Out of necessity, Xu Wang asked, “Ghost Ge, where are you taking us?” 

The Money Counting Ghost glanced at him and finally spoke. “Don’t you want to stay here? I’ll tell you, we don’t keep idle ghosts. If you want to stay, you have to contribute.”

“Contribute?” The four companions’ eyes lit up, sensing a task at hand.

“Uh-huh.” The ghost continued walking forward, unaware of the four pairs of eager eyes behind him. “The West Courtyard is currently in need of ghosts. The boss has been worried about not finding new ghosts, and here you are. If it weren’t for such a coincidence, I wouldn’t have interrogated you like this.”

“The West Courtyard?” Xu Wang hadn’t heard of this term during his last visit.

“Don’t ask so many questions,” the Money Counting Ghost replied impatiently. “Anyway, I’m taking you to meet the boss now. If the boss agrees to take you in, you’ll have a place to stay, understand?”

The four companions exchanged glances, wondering about meeting the boss.

Last time, as soon as they entered, there was a ghost looking for something. Another team arrived simultaneously and snatched that task, so they found another ghost and undertook the task “Moon over the Willow Top, Ghost Date after Dusk.” But whether it was “searching” or “romance”, tasks were directly assigned by NPCs, with very clear objectives. 

However, they had been following this NPC for quite some time now, and the <Cheat Sheet> hadn’t updated any tasks. 

It was evident that “meeting the boss” wasn’t part of the task. 

“Um, Ghost Ge.” Xu Wang hurried forward, asking with a smile, “Don’t you have something lost that we need to find? Or perhaps some love troubles that we can help you reunite?” 

The Money Counting Ghost slowly turned, looking at him with a lifeless gaze. “Do you think a ghost like me could be fancied by a female ghost?”

Xu Wang: “……”

This question, imbued with deep sadness, silenced the male ghost and made the female ghost cry.

The air suddenly grew quiet, with only the eerie sound of the wind passing through the corridor.

Xu Wang seemed to think of something and quickly changed the topic. “Ghost Ge, do we have a bridge here?”

“A bridge?” The Money Counting Ghost looked at him, puzzled.

Just as Xu Wang was about to elaborate, like asking about a bridge over a stream in the back garden—any bridge would do—Wu Sheng suddenly pulled him back and held him firmly by the shoulder.

“It’s okay, Ghost Ge, he’s just talking nonsense. You don’t have to pay attention to him.” Wu Sheng smiled apologetically at the Money Counting Ghost.

The Money Counting Ghost, now having a good impression of this mountain ghost, nodded without suspicion and continued forward.

Xu Wang gave Wu Sheng a nudge with his elbow, not hard, but the meaning was clear—who’s talking nonsense?

Wu Sheng remained expressionless, only extending his arm in front of Xu Wang, pausing for two seconds, then quickly withdrawing it.

But it was enough for Xu Wang to see clearly. The badge manual opened by their advisor showed that the hint for the badge on 5/23 was “Bed Loving Ghost”.

Xu Wang was stunned; just now, it was “Bridge Ghost”!

To be precise, since ten days ago, when the hint for “Wall Ghost” changed to “Bridge Ghost”, the hint for the 5/23 badge hadn’t changed. Today, upon entering the level, he confirmed it again. Who would have thought that in just a few minutes, a team would have found the badge?!

No team could be that efficient. The only explanation was that a team had incredible luck, encountering the flashing ghost as soon as they entered the mansion. They might have been clueless when they got the badge.

Regardless, it was indeed an oversight on their part.

A tinge of annoyance crossed his mind, and the hand on his shoulder tightened, followed by a light sigh from Wu Sheng.

Xu Wang heard five words in that sigh—Can’t do it without me.

He glanced at Wu Sheng reluctantly, pouting—Alright, I was careless.

Wu Sheng smiled, his lips curving in contentment.

Xu Wang narrowed his eyes at him—Can you take your hand off now?

Wu Sheng raised his eyebrows, puzzled—Huh?

Xu Wang: “……”

Were the previous eight hundred sentences communicated through looks, but this one he couldn’t understand?! 

Unbeknownst to them, Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin had fallen behind the team captain and advisor. They saw the badge manual displayed by the advisor and knew the prompt had changed. At the same time, they watched the whole scene of “communicating through looks + flirting”.

Kuang Jinxin watched with amusement.

Qian Ai watched with righteous indignation—This is what they call a mad love affair at public expense!

Passing through the corridor and two small courtyards, the four companions and one ghost finally arrived at a council hall. The Money Counting Ghost asked them to wait outside and went in first. In less than two minutes, he returned, saying the boss agreed to meet them.

The four followed the ghost into the council hall. 

The hall wasn’t large, with a row of ghosts on each side, all maintaining their tragic appearances from before death. Some had eyeballs hanging by a thread, others’ jaws torn open, unable to close again. Yet, they were all drinking tea or smoking, each with their own style, all like bosses.

But the real boss was naturally seated in the foremost position, at the head.

He was a gaunt middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, who must have had a cheerful and kind appearance in life. But now, his face was the color of death, bluish-purple, with a bullet hole in his forehead, piercing through his head. From the front, one could see the wall behind him through the bullet hole.

As the four entered, all eyes turned to them.

The previously noisy council hall fell silent. Being stared at by so many ghosts, the nerves of the four companions instantly tensed.

The Money Counting Ghost respectfully said, “Boss, these are the four new ghosts. The one with only his head left is the Flying Head Ghost, the one with an extra severed hand is the Severed Hand Ghost, the one with a shadow is the Shadow Ghost, and the one with a dashing appearance is the Mountain Ghost.”

Xu Wang, Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin: “……”

Is it necessary to be so obvious about your preference?

The Bullet Hole Ghost slightly tilted his head, examining the four of them, and then asked the Money Counting Ghost, “Have they been checked?”

“Rest assured, they’ve all been checked,” the Money Counting Ghost replied. “The cause of death is clear, and their conditions are reasonable, with nothing suspicious.”

The Bullet Hole Ghost’s face showed no expression, and it was unclear whether he believed it or not, but after a moment of silence, he finally said softly, “I happen to need some new faces. Xiao Qian, you’ve done well with this matter.”

The Money Counting Ghost, not often praised, shrank his neck and shyly smiled at the compliment, creating an almost beautiful scene.

The Bullet Hole Ghost said nothing more, just gazing steadily at him.

After a few seconds of bewilderment, the Money Counting Ghost realized something and immediately excused himself, thoughtfully closing the council hall door from the outside.

As the door closed again, a heavy and oppressive atmosphere enveloped the council hall.

The vigilance in the hearts of the four companions slowly heightened. Advisor Wu even began to contemplate whether to flee or fight if things went south.

Beside the Bullet Hole Ghost, a “body” slowly appeared.

To be precise, it was a ghost with only a body and no head, dressed in blood-stained clothes full of wounds. The incision on its neck was uneven, as if the head had been removed with an ill-suited weapon after much effort.

As soon as the Headless Ghost appeared, a slightly sharp voice echoed in the hall. “To stay in the West Courtyard, you must contribute. Understand?”

Compared to the Bullet Hole Ghost, this Headless Ghost didn’t exert as much oppressive force. As soon as it appeared, the Bullet Hole Ghost leaned back, leaving it in charge. Clearly, this was a strategist or advisor of sorts.

The four companions understood that the boss wouldn’t personally explain the tasks in detail to the lower ranks, so a spokesperson was necessary. But… How could this headless figure convey sound? Such unscientific phenomena were really worrying!

“Ahem,” Xu Wang said, forcing himself to ignore the source of the voice. “I understand contributing, but I’m not quite clear on what exactly we need to do…”

The Headless Ghost spread its hands as if to start a lecture, while the sharp voice overhead patiently explained the mission.

In this eerie scenario of disembodied communication, the four companions learned their mission background. “This old house is divided into the East and West Courtyards. The West Courtyard, where we are, is our territory, while the East Courtyard is the domain of the Heart Digging ghost. We have always wanted to move to the East Courtyard, but the Heart Digging Ghost won’t yield an inch…”

“Excuse me. May I ask a question?” Xu Wang timidly interrupted.

The Headless Ghost said, “Speak.”

“The West Courtyard seems quite nice, spacious and open, with dead trees and a gloomy wind.” Xu Wang genuinely wondered. “Why do we have to move to the East Courtyard?”

“You don’t understand,” the Headless Ghost snorted. “The feng shui of the East Courtyard is a hundred—a thousand times better!”

“But…” Xu Wang glanced over the ghosts with missing eyeballs, torn jaws, severed hands and feet, and finally at the one a bullet hole in their foreheads and the one with a missing head, earnestly asking, “Are we still so particular about feng shui in our state?”

The Bullet Hole Ghost frowned.

The Headless Ghost immediately scolded on behalf of the boss. “Since ancient times, ghost energy comes from the east. Without residing in the east, how can we dominate the world of ghosts!”

Xu Wang, Wu Sheng, Qian Ai, and Kuang Jinxin, who had only heard of “ascending to heaven in the west”: “……”

Indeed, there’s knowledge everywhere, regardless of the realm of the living or the dead.

“So… how can we help?” Xu Wang quickly asked the key question, afraid that continuing the conversation would reveal more knowledge about the ghost world, which was hard for him to keep up with.

The sharp voice above didn’t answer, but the Headless Ghost suddenly walked down.

Watching a headless body approach wasn’t a pleasant experience. The four companions unconsciously huddled together, seeking a bit of human warmth from each other.

The Headless Ghost stopped in front of Xu Wang, and the sharp voice above said, “Hold out your hand.”

Xu Wang complied.

A small paper packet was placed in his palm.

“This is Soul Extinguishing Powder,” the Headless Ghost said. “Your task is to infiltrate the East Courtyard, find the Ghost Spring, and pour the powder into the spring.”

Xu Wang looked at the small paper packet in his hand, bewildered. “And then what? What will happen?”

“The Ghost Spring is the source of ghost energy for all the ghosts in the East Courtyard. Once it’s destroyed, all the ghosts in the East Courtyard will vanish.”

Xu Wang felt a bit remorseful. “Isn’t that a bit harsh…”

The Headless Ghost turned and walked back to the boss’s side.

The Bullet Hole Ghost said quietly, “Carry out the mission, or I’ll eat you right now.”

“The flying head ghost is mine,” the sharp voice quickly interjected. “I just happen to need a head.”

Qian Ai: “……”

It’s one thing to fear ghosts stealing, but another to fear them coveting you!

With the conversation reaching this point, Xu Wang knew they had no choice but to accept the mission. Or rather, from the moment they spoke with the Money Counting Ghost, they were destined for this task.

“We’ll take it,” Xu Wang lifted his head.

“Ding——”

[Cheat Sheet]: [Mission] Infiltrate the East Courtyard, find the Ghost Spring, and pour in the Soul Extinguishing Powder!

Without looking, the four companions knew what their fate would be…

Not only did they have to conceal their human identity to survive in the ghost mansion, but they also had to hide their West Courtyard identity to survive in the East Courtyard and seize the opportunity to poison. This wasn’t just a double agent situation, it was a triple agent dilemma!

……

The Headless Ghost personally escorted them to a very concealed moon gate in the inner courtyard.

“Beyond this gate is the East Courtyard.”

“Thanks, Headless Ge.” Qian Ai was eager to get rid of this ghost who was eyeing his head. “We’ll be careful. Take your time leaving.”

The Headless Ghost didn’t move.

Just as Qian Ai was wondering, the Headless Ghost suddenly cupped his head with his hands!

Being held by a headless body was too much for Qian Ai. He was so frightened that his hair stood on end, and he let out a loud scream that could have pierced the night sky.

The Headless Ghost was startled too. “What are you howling for!”

Qian Ai’s teeth chattered. “Why, why are you grabbing my head!”

The Headless Ghost replied, “Maybe it will be mine soon. I’m just admiring it in advance.”

Qian Ai fought the urge to punch. “…..”

The Headless Ghost released his hand and sighed.

“……” What kind of ghost admires a head and then sighs!

Having said everything that needed to be said and having looked at the head, the Headless Ghost left without further attachment.

Wu Sheng suddenly called out to him, asking, “Headless Ge, you’ve been a ghost for a long time and have a lot of experience. Do you know of a type of ghost called a ‘Loveseat Ghost’?”

The three companions quieted down, knowing their advisor was probing for clues about the badge.

“A Bed Loving Ghost?” The Headless Ghost shook its head, but since it had no head to shake, it just swayed its body. “Never heard of it.”

Wu Sheng asked further, “What about a ghost that lingers around beds? Is there any ghost that particularly likes staying in bed?”

The Headless Ghost’s sharp voice suddenly became suggestive. “If you put it that way, of course, there are such ghosts. The Flirtatious Ghost, ‘dying beneath a peony flower, remaining a playboy even in death.’ They cling to beds they like and refuse to leave, endlessly whining and moaning, haha…”

Xu Wang, Qian Ai, and Kuang Jinxin collectively wore indifferent expressions: “……”

They weren’t interested in joining the ghostly fray, thank you.

“Only the Flirtatious Ghost?” Wu Sheng’s face showed scientific rigor, completely undistracted by the ghostly banter.

The laughter of the Headless Ghost stopped. After a moment, his voice suddenly dropped. “The Dream Ghost.”

“The Dream Ghost?”

“Those who die in nightmares and become ghosts still cling to their beds, repeatedly reliving the nightmares they had before death.”

Having received his answer, Wu Sheng had no more questions.

But Xu Wang, sensing something unusual in the sudden change in the Headless Ghost’s voice, asked, “Is the Dream Ghost very dangerous?”

The Headless Ghost didn’t answer, just giving a reminder. “Just remember one thing: Don’t get on its bed.”

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 109: Identity

The two small teams crossed the threshold into the old mansion, consciously separating to the left and right, distinctly divided.

This was the front courtyard of the old house. It was vast and seemingly endless. Many trees were scattered around the yard—some dead, some fallen, and others struggling to hold on to their last bit of green. Amidst the tree shadows, clumps of green ghost fire occasionally appeared, and shadows darted from corners, sending shivers down one’s spine.

The night was chillingly cold and eerily silent, making the whole mansion seem like an abandoned coffin in the wilderness, waiting for lost souls to enter.

Xu Wang looked at Wu Sheng, who slightly turned his head to the left. Understanding the cue, Xu Wang nodded and then glanced at the Camo Team captain, subtly hinting with his eyes to go left—a clear message, “We’ll take this side.”

The Camo Team captain readily agreed, tilting his chin to the right as if to say, “Then we’ll take this side.”

This level was similar to the Castle Hotel challenge, where each team’s tasks might not intersect. The Castle Hotel had various task lines like love, horror, and puzzle to choose from. In this level, it depended on which ghost NPC the team encountered first. Different ghosts led to entirely different tasks.

Also, being “exposed” was a fatal weakness in this level. Being too close to a competing team could mean disaster. If one team was exposed, the exposed team would likely drag the nearby team down with them.

Considering all these factors, parting ways as soon as possible and not interfering with each other became a common goal for both teams.

One team went left, the other right. After a short walk and looking back, they could no longer see each other’s silhouettes in the darkness.

The cold night wind blew through the old mansion’s courtyard, evoking a sense of transience and change…

Xu Wang’s reflections were interrupted as the [Man-Catching Vine] knocked on his head. Looking up, he saw Wu Sheng’s resigned face.

“Everyone’s gone. Stop being so sentimental.”

“……” Xu Wang wanted to say he was just being cautious!

Just after glaring at Wu Sheng, he turned his head and saw… Qian Ai’s head.

Xu Wang’s heart skipped a beat.

After a few seconds, he finally gasped for air and recovered.

“No, Lao Qian.” Xu Wang pushed away his teammate’s floating head. “Your look is too impactful. Stay away from me…”

Qian Ai felt aggrieved and was about to defend himself when someone nearby suddenly spat.

“Ptui!”

The sound wasn’t loud, but it was clear. After spitting, there was a barely audible murmur that couldn’t be understood. In the old house, it was particularly creepy.

The four companions tensed up, not daring to make any sudden moves. Slowly turning their heads towards the sound, they saw a middle-aged man in tattered clothes sitting on the threshold of a side door leading to the inner house, counting money. He was small and hunched, but his eyes gleamed brightly as he stared at the banknotes.

Stumbling upon an NPC was better than choosing one. The four friends exchanged looks and decided: this was their guy.

“Are you ready?” Xu Wang confirmed softly for the last time. “Once we start, there’s no turning back.”

Wu Sheng gently raised his vine-wrapped arm, saying calmly, “No problem.”

Qian Ai’s head bobbed confidently. “I’m fully confident.”

Kuang Jinxin patted the disobedient hand on his head. “Let’s go, Captain.”

Xu Wang nodded and took the lead. “Let’s move.”

[Ghost Mansion Infernal Affairs, First Challenge — Verifying Identity upon First Entry!]

The four cautiously approached the Money Counting Ghost, soon standing right in front of him, their combined shadow looming like a wall.

However, the middle-aged man was so engrossed in counting his money that he didn’t notice them at first.

“……” The companions waited patiently.

Finally, after counting the last note, the ghost contentedly stuffed it into his pocket and cheerfully stood up, apparently ready to head back inside. But as he stood up, he finally noticed the four figures… Well, three figures and a head.

“Who are you?” The previously ordinary-looking middle-aged man suddenly turned semi-transparent. His expression was wary, and his mouth split an inch wider at the corners to reveal yellow, sharp teeth.

The four felt a chilling wind behind them, penetrating their bones.

But on their faces, none showed a trace of fear.

“We are homeless ghosts with nowhere to go,” Xu Wang said, his voice steady yet filled with earnest sincerity, tinged with a pitiful tone. “We want to find shelter here.”

“Get lost, get lost, get lost.” The Money Counting Ghost waved his hand impatiently. “This place is already overrun with ghosts. There’s no room for you.”

Wu Sheng frowned. The [Man-Catching Vine] on his body started to creep along the ground, quietly wrapping around the ghost’s feet, trying to intimidate him to show that they weren’t ordinary spirits. However, before he could exert any force, the vine passed right through the ghost’s ankles!

The [Man-Catching Vine] couldn’t touch this Money Counting Ghost at all!

Wu Sheng pursed his lips, realizing that ordinary stationery might be ineffective against the ghosts in this challenge.

“Smack—”

The severed hand that had been floating above Kuang Jinxin’s head suddenly flew over and slapped the ghost’s dismissive hand hard.

“Be polite to our big brother!” Kuang Jinxin shouted aggressively.

The Money Counting Ghost covered his sore hand. “…”

Xu Wang, Wu Sheng, Qian Ai: “……”

They didn’t know how to react to such fierceness, but Kuang Jinxin’s show of force helped Wu Sheng resolve his doubts. It wasn’t that stationery couldn’t be used, but ordinary stationery was ineffective against ghosts. Only stationery with similar supernatural attributes could affect them.

While Wu Sheng was pondering, the Money Counting Ghost seemed less guarded after being smacked, taking a more serious look at them.

“Recently, there have been too many people pretending to be ghosts, causing trouble here,” the ghost said. “The boss asked me to guard this door, so I have to do it well.”

“Don’t pretend.” Qian Ai’s head sneered. “If it weren’t for seeing us, you would’ve run away by now. Is that how you guard?”

“Do you want to go in or not?” the ghost shouted irritably, feeling embarrassed.

“Of course we do. Why else would we be wasting our breath here?” Perhaps the costume gave him confidence, as Qian Ai now felt he was a noble among ghosts.

“Then be honest about your backgrounds.” The ghost scanned them one by one, speaking solemnly. “How did you die? What can you do? If you’re useless, don’t think about staying here eating and drinking for free.”

Qian Ai was speechless. “What can a ghost eat anyway?”

“Yuanbao candles,” the Money Counting Ghost said. “People always come to burn them in the back mountain…” He stopped mid-sentence, suddenly eyeing Qian Ai suspiciously. “You don’t even know this?”

Qian Ai was at a loss for words. After swallowing hard several times, he retorted defensively, “Right, I don’t know. My parents never cared for me. No one ever burned candles or yuanbao for me. Are you happy now?”

The Money Counting Ghost was yelled at to the point of feeling inexplicably ashamed, and within that shame, a sense of sympathy and reluctance emerged. “Err, I didn’t mean to hit a sore spot…”

“How did you die?” Having reached this point in the conversation, the Money Counting Ghost genuinely became interested in the story behind this floating head.

“Well—” Qian Ai sighed heavily while glancing at his teammates, signaling that it was his turn to take the stage as the fourth drama king.

“Everyone else becomes a ghost after they die, but not me,” Qian Ai said, sitting on the threshold with an expression of deep sorrow. “I was a ghost when I was alive—a poor ghost¹.”

Xu Wang, Wu Sheng, Kuang Jinxin: “……”

Even though they had rehearsed their characters and script beforehand, they were still deeply impressed by their teammate’s performance.

“Who asked what type of ghost you are?” the Money Counting Ghost said, not quite satisfied. “I’m asking how you died.”

“How do you think I died when I was a poor ghost¹!” Qian Ai glared at him. “I died of poverty!”

¹Clarity: The joke here is he using poor wretch (穷鬼) to describe himself while he was still alive. The word has (鬼) which means ghost, so the Money Counting Ghost is thinking he’s saying he’s a poor ghost, when the meaning is more like “I was a poor wretch when I was alive.”

Money-counting ghost: “……”

“I was poor and addicted to gambling, losing everything in my house.” The floating head looked at the Money Counting Ghost with red eyes. His voice was hoarse and choked. “Later, when I had no money left but still wanted to gamble, what could I do? I gambled my hands, my legs, my body—”

“Are the people you gambled with sick?” The Money Counting Ghost scratched his face in confusion. “What use would they have for your body?”

“Don’t worry about that. Anyway, I lost, and as a man of my word, I gave away my arms, legs, and this body!” Qian Ai dramatically continued; his solitary head still fit the crown for best actor.

Money-counting ghost: “So you died?”

Qian Ai: “With just a head left, wouldn’t you die?”

The Money Counting Ghost felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint any major flaw. Hesitating, he saw Kuang Jinxin and the hand on his shoulder, asking instinctively, “What about you? He’s only left with a head; why do you have an extra hand?”

Kuang Jinxin said, “This hand is his.”

The Money Counting Ghost’s eyes widened in shock. “What?”

“I gambled with him. He had no money, so he bet his hand. He lost and gave it to me,” Kuang Jinxin explained earnestly.

The Money Counting Ghost was still puzzled. “But you won. Why did you turn into a ghost?”

“Ever since he gave me his hand, I’ve been getting weaker. The doctors couldn’t find any cause, and then I died.” Kuang Jinxin looked at the hand on his shoulder and then at the ghost, his expression turning solemn and his voice growing husky. “After I died, I realized this hand had never left me. I didn’t die of illness.” He leaned closer to the ghost, speaking in a dark, ominous tone. “The severed hand claimed my life.”

Money-counting ghost: “……”

He was a ghost, yet he was still scared by ghosts!

At this moment, Kuang Jinxin was no longer fierce but a ghostly actor of the highest caliber.

Xu Wang, Wu Sheng, Qian Ai: “……”

They were completely immersed in their roles.

“No, wait,” the Money Counting Ghost frowned, looking at Qian Ai and then at Kuang Jinxin, finally noticing the problem. “If that’s the case, you two should be enemies. Why are you together after death?”

Qian Ai: “……”

Kuang Jinxin: “……”

That was a sharp question.

“Haa.” Xu Wang patted the Money Counting Ghost’s shoulder. “There’s a kind of relationship in this world called ‘love and hate’. You wouldn’t understand.”

The Money Counting Ghost turned to look at him. “If you tell me you died because of gambling and happened to know them before death, I really will be angry.”

“No way. That would turn into a soap opera.” Xu Wang gave him a “reassuring” look, then looked back at the shadowy figure behind him and then at the Money Counting Ghost. His eyes darkened. “I was killed by it.”

The Money Counting Ghost didn’t understand. “Who?”

Xu Wang pointed to his own face. “It.”

The Money Counting Ghost stared at him blankly for a long time. “Brother, you’re pointing at yourself.”

“No, this isn’t me.” Xu Wang shook his head, pointing to the shadowy figure. “This is me, the one talking to you right now.” He pointed at himself again. “This is just an empty shell.”

Money-counting ghost: “But it’s moving its mouth…”

“Shh, don’t interrupt.” Xu Wang placed his finger on his lips, blinked, and then pointed back at the shadow. “I was born a ghost. You can call me ‘Spirit Behind’. The only bad thing I ever did was want a body, so I killed this person…” He pointed at himself again. “But after killing him, I realized that I could control this body, but it would never truly be mine.” He pointed back at the shadow. “So I could only forever follow behind this body, watching the sin I once committed, eternally tormented…”

The Money Counting Ghost’s head followed Xu Wang’s finger back and forth, back and forth, successfully getting confused.

Xu Wang sighed wearily. “You might not be able to understand the relationship between me and it…”

“Enough!” The Money Counting Ghost had no desire to understand!

“In short, it died, and you died too. You two are inseparable. End of story!” The ghost succinctly concluded, holding onto his last shred of sanity, then looked at Wu Sheng. “And you…”

“I died in the mountains. I’m a mountain ghost.” Wu Sheng stood still as the [Man-Catching Vine] slowly winded around him.

The Money Counting Ghost narrowed his eyes. “Mountain ghost?”

Wu Sheng nodded. “Mountain ghost.”

The Money Counting Ghost frowned. “That’s it? No life story?”

Wu Sheng replied, “That’s it.”

The Money Counting Ghost grabbed Wu Sheng’s hand. “Brother, I admire you!”

“Ding—”

A unifying notification sound rang out.

The Money Counting Ghost showed no reaction, as if he hadn’t heard it.

[Cheat Sheet]: [Identity Verification] successful.

The author has something to say:

Sheng Ge’s acting style is called minimalist.

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 108: Repeat

The banquet hall of the Castle Hotel in 6/23 was probably the most pressing location in the first six levels. From 1/23 to 5/23, the challenge was to simply enter and proceed, facing NPCs and watching out for sneaky opponents, but only here in 6/23 did each team have to make their own “decision”.

Teams of five that came down from the levels after 6/23 had to downsize and recruit new members, while teams of four that came up before 6/23 had to increase their numbers and pair up.

All this was part of the challenge, and the later a team completed its lineup, the later they would enter the real challenge, putting them at a disadvantage.

Despite the banquet hall’s luxurious and dazzling decoration, with endless champagne and exquisite food, no one was in the mood to linger over these luxuries.

Chi Yingxue was an exception.

He loved the cakes here the most: cream, chocolate, mango, orange… all but raspberry flavor, which he tried once and never touched again because the tartness overpowered the sweetness.

At the moment, he was sitting in a quiet corner, having just enjoyed his midnight tea. Seven or eight small plates were placed on the table in front of him, mostly empty except for two that still had small cakes on them, one pink and one white, exuding an enticing sweetness.

He couldn’t eat any more, so he looked at the remaining two cakes with particular regret.

Looking around the room, excluding the NPCs, the rest of his “colleagues” were all anxious. It was already 00:30, and since they were here, they all wanted to move forward. Whether it was teams that hadn’t formed completely or individuals who were alone, none could afford to watch time pass calmly.

Chi Yingxue single-handedly raised the “leisure average” of his peers.

While others were here to form teams and face the level, he seemed to be here just for the cake buffet.

Sighing contentedly with nothing else to do, Chi Yingxue took out his phone and played a single-player game for a while. Eventually finding it boring, he opened WeChat on a whim.

He originally only had one friend on WeChat, Chi Zhuolin, but recently added four more, as well as a group named “Unlucky Kids”.

Seeing this name, he instinctively frowned—every time he opened WeChat, he had to genuinely despise it—and reluctantly clicked into it.

Naturally, there was no internet connection in the Owl, but he could still look at the chat history.

[January 9^th]

Wangwang: Welcome to the new group member! Quack quack!

Tea Sage Lu Yu’s Little Fan: Quack quack!

Sheng Ge: Welcome.

Ai Qian: [Let’s cherish this connection made through the internet.gif]

Especially Good-looking Chi Yingxue: …

Ai Qian: Captain, aren’t you a bit too blunt with his group nickname? Put some thought into it!

Wangwang: That’s his actual WeChat name!!!

Especially Good-looking Chi Yingxue: Is there a problem with my name?

Ai Qian: …No, it’s factual and accurate. Giving you a thumbs up. [Thumbs up.gif]

Tea Sage Lu Yu’s Little Fan: Qian Ge, you have so many gifs.

Ai Qian: As a streamer, I always stay on top of online chat trends.

Shengsheng: [Thumbs up.gif]

Ai Qian: Class Monitor, why did you suddenly change your name? [Ominous feeling.gif]

Shengsheng: Just a whim.

Ai Qian: Don’t tell me you felt jealous that Xiao Kuang and Xiao Xue’s WeChat names sound more like a couple than yours and the captain’s! Hahaha.

Ai Qian: ??

Ai Qian: Class Monitor?

Ai Qian: I’m just joking. 💦 If you don’t reply, I’ll knock on your door. 😭

Wangwang: He’s working on a new tactical plan.

Ai Qian: Phew, good, good. I knew the advisor wouldn’t take me seriously.

Wangwang: New plan main force: Qian Ai. Support: Qian Ai. Coordinator: Qian Ai. Rear guard: Qian Ai.

Ai Qian: ……

[January 15^th]

……

[January 21^st]

……

[January 29^th]

Wangwang: @Especially Good-looking Chi Yingxue We’re just short of 5/23. Where are you?

Especially Good-looking Chi Yingxue: 6/23

Tea Sage Lu Yu’s Little Fan: That’s fast!

Ai Qian: Xiao Kuang, can you not be so obvious with your flattery? He only needed to collect 2. We have to find 4. [Knock on the blackboard.gif]

Especially Good-looking Chi Yingxue: I’ve been here for three days.

Ai Qian: [I’m young and naïve. Please don’t take me seriously.gif]

Tea Sage Lu Yu’s Little Fan: 🤭

Wangwang: Xiao Xue, wait for us there, okay?

Shengsheng: Don’t flirt.

Especially Good-looking Chi Yingxue: ……

Ai Qian: Seems like we scared Xiao Xue away.

Tea Sage Lu Yu’s Little Fan: No, he just types really slowly.

Especially Good-looking Chi Yingxue: I’m very popular. You better hurry.

Ai Qian: Ah, it really is slow.

Tea Sage Lu Yu’s Little Fan: 😳

Especially Good-looking Chi Yingxue: …

Shengsheng: @Especially Good-looking Chi Yingxue Tomorrow.

Wangwang: We’ll definitely be there.

“Ding—”

The sudden notification sound interrupted Chi Yingxue’s recollections. He looked at his phone and saw an invitation to increase the team’s numbers.

Just as Chi Yingxue was about to decline, he noticed the light dimming. Looking up, he saw a former teammate standing in front of him.

“I saw you on the overall leaderboard recently,” the teammate said without any preamble, offering a compliment. “Pretty impressive.”

Chi Yingxue remained silent, just quietly observing him, waiting for the substantial part.

The man, not getting a response, touched his nose in embarrassment but quickly put on a warm smile again. “I sent the invitation to increase the team size. I’ve been observing you for two days. You haven’t formed a team yet, right?”

Seeing that Chi Yingxue’s expression still showed no change, the man got straight to the point. “It’s better to work with someone familiar. We’ve teamed up before and know each other a bit. I know you’re unstable, but I also know you’re capable. Let’s join hands to get through this level. As long as you don’t fight passively and don’t drag the team down, we can tolerate everything else. If you perform exceptionally well, we might even consider keeping you on the team long-term…”

“It’s too late.” Chi Yingxue interrupted him indifferently.

The man, mid-speech, stopped abruptly. “Huh?”

Chi Yingxue put his phone back in his pocket, glancing at him. “I already have a team.”

The man looked around, clearly skeptical. “Where are they?”

“That’s none of your concern.” Chi Yingxue shrugged. “You just need to know one thing.” He raised his brows slightly, his eyes shining with unprecedented pride. “I’m in high demand.”

……

Half an hour earlier, 23:59 Beijing time, Xuchang City, Henan Province, near a construction site.

The construction site was pitch black, surrounded by blue metal boards, eerily quiet. The metal boards were next to the sidewalk, where four “sneaky” figures loomed.

The wind at the end of January was like a knife, painfully cutting across their cheeks. The four classmates, either raising their collars or shrinking their necks, bravely stood their ground.

If you got close enough, you could hear their conversation—

Xu Wang: “You guys, your Sheng Ge proudly boasted to Xiao Xue that we’d get the badge and pass the level tonight. Let’s all try hard and don’t let your Sheng Ge lose face.”

Wu Sheng: “……”

Qian Ai: “Advisor, look at how he treats you. What on earth do you see in him? I really don’t understand it.”

Wu Sheng: “You don’t see how he treats me well.”

Kuang Jinxin: “For example?”

Wu Sheng: “Like just now in the hotel when he—”

Qian Ai: “Hey, it was just getting to the good part. Don’t cover his mouth—”

“Hoot hoot—”

The Owl’s call came through the cold night wind, right on time.

The manhole cover at their feet turned into a purple vortex, and the four friends, putting aside their jokes, looked at each other and solemnly jumped in.

Twenty days ago, they failed in level 8/23 and had to retreat to 5/23, forcing their five-person team to become a four-person team. After discussing, they decided to use this opportunity to collect badges from levels 1–5. Xu Wang, Wu Sheng, Qian Ai, and Kuang Jinxin, who were missing badges 1, 2, 3, and 5, made a pact with Chi Yingxue, who only needed 2 and 5, and set off on their separate journeys.

Now, before the end of January, Xu Wang and his team had already collected badges 1-4, but Chi Yingxue was faster and was already waiting at 6/23.

This was their second time at 5/23, the “Ghost House Infernal Affairs”, where, as ghosts, they entered the old mansion. Without being detected by various monsters, ghosts, and evil spirits, they had to complete the mission. The mission could change each time.

Even though they had decided not to submit their papers when they retreated from 8/23, they still tried their best to understand the content of this level.

So this time, they came prepared.

After the dizzying spin, their vision cleared, and the four friends found themselves in a desolate wilderness, facing a dilapidated old mansion. The mansion was large but in ruins. The door was hanging off its hinges, the plaque lay broken in two on the ground, and the surrounding walls had mostly collapsed. The weeds inside and outside the walls grew together indistinguishably.

The cold wind sent shivers down their spines.

In the distance, there seemed to be ghost fires, and close by, ghostly whispers…

“Brother, don’t those few over there look familiar?”

Huh, that sounded too down-to-earth to be a ghost.

The four friends turned towards the voice and saw several dark figures a few meters away. After recognizing them in the moonlight, they were surprised.

Xu Wang, Wu Sheng, Kuang Jinxin, Qian Ai: “Little Camo?!”

Camo Burly Man + Teammates 1, 2, 3: “……”

Shouldn’t people give a heads-up before nicknaming others?!

In the real world, where it was freezing cold, the Camo Team also wore down jackets, naturally in camouflage patterns. In the ghostly wilderness, their protective coloring was at its peak.

“It’s been almost a month since we last met, right?” the Camo Team captain said, arms crossed and eyebrows raised. “You only passed one level? That’s slow.”

When they last encountered each other at 4/23 and the Camo Team lost. They should have been sent back to 1/23. Xu Wang calculated, “You’ve only passed four levels.”

Camo Team Captain: “…Only four? Eight levels, and you’re on the leaderboard!”

Xu Wang was about to respond when someone patted his shoulder.

“Low key,” Wu Sheng advised him, whispering.

Xu Wang’s ears warmed from the wind, swallowing the boast he was about to make. Ever since he made the leaderboard once, he’d been a bit inflated, but luckily, he always had his advisor to remind him.

He had once asked Wu Sheng, “How do you stay so calm?”

The reply was, “I’m used to getting good grades.”

He held back from kicking him. Yes, that was true love.

Ignoring the Camo Team, Xu Wang turned back to his own team. “Get ready. It’s time to test our acting skills.”

Pretending to be a ghost required both acting skills (software) and a convincing appearance (hardware). Once the hardware passed, their ghost identity would be half-confirmed.

Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin nodded in agreement, immediately raising their arms, ready to use their stationery to enhance their “fierce ghost” personas.

But Wu Sheng didn’t move; instead, he looked past Xu Wang’s shoulder at the Camo Team, whispering, “They’re not here for the first time either.”

Xu Wang looked back to see the Camo Team already in “costume”. One was floating on clouds, one seemingly invisible, and another with red eyes from colored contact lenses. At first glance, they were indeed scary.

Noticing the attention, the Camo Team captain pondered for two seconds before chuckling maliciously. “You guys aren’t prepared, are you? Then you’re done for. You’ll be torn apart once you go in.”

His gloating didn’t reveal any specifics about the level, clearly not wanting to give away information to potential competitors without knowing if they had been here before.

Xu Wang sighed. “We know this level is a large-scale supernatural acting scene.”

The Camo Team captain frowned. “Then why aren’t you dressing up and focusing on us?”

Xu Wang replied, “I’ve never seen such rudimentary ghosts, so I couldn’t help but take a second look.”

Camo Team Captain: “Haha, then let’s see how exquisite you can be?”

“Click-clack-click-clack—”

A plant sprouted from the ground at Wu Sheng’s feet, breaking through the soil and pushing aside the stones, growing wildly. In an instant, it reached the same height as Wu Sheng. It was completely wooden in color, with a thick stem that bore a large, gaping mouth, emitting a creepy, subtle whistling in the night wind.

Wu Sheng extended his hand, and the plant suddenly uprooted itself, wrapping around his arm and upper body, creating a rather sharp look.

“[(Offense) Man-Catching Vine].” Wu Sheng first introduced his “costume”, then his identity. “Mountain Ghost.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a severed hand appeared above Kuang Jinxin’s head, eerily touching his hair.

“[(Offense) Whose Hand is Brushing Your Black Hair].” Kuang Jinxin proudly declared his lineage, “Severed Hand Ghost!”

Xu Wang activated his stationery, and soon, a cold breeze rose. A shadowy human figure faintly appeared behind him. It was faceless and featureless, looking just like a dark silhouette. Only when it smiled could you see a flash of white, like a gaping mouth.

“[(Offense) Ghost Behind].” Xu Wang was quite satisfied with his identity. “I’m the Ghost Behind You.”

Camo Team Members 1, 2, 3: “…”

Camo Team Captain: “Could you be a bit more responsible with your naming…?”

The word “responsible” disappeared into the sinister night wind.

Next to the Mountain Ghost, Severed Hand Ghost, and Ghost Behind You, where the tall and burly man originally stood, was now just a floating head.

“Headless Ghost!” Qian Ai declared forcefully. But after saying it, he felt something was off. It seemed like he was missing everything except for his head. In that case, shouldn’t it be called a “Headed Ghost”…

In the desolate wilderness, near the terrifying old mansion, the floating head was quite impactful, especially since it was still smiling at them.

Camo Team Members 1, 2, 3 instinctively swallowed hard, their hair standing on end.

The Camo Team captain’s voice trembled slightly. “What kind of stationery is that?”

That’s too much like a real ghost!

“Oh,” Qian Ai was not secretive. “[(Defense) Cloak of Invisibility].”

While both were using invisibility, Camo Team Member 2, who was entirely invisible, couldn’t understand. “Then why is the head still visible?!”

“It’s an invisibility cloak, not an invisibility hat,” Qian Ai said confidently.

The author has something to say:

A new journey begins!

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 107: Extra — Moonlight Forest (Part 2)

Deep within the Moonlight Maze, along a path, the walls were lined with secret doors. Opening any one of them allowed one to traverse through the maze’s wall and enter an adjacent path.

At the end of the neighboring path, a small whirlwind supported a sleeping girl in a black cloak. She lay peacefully on her side, sleeping soundly in her clothes, with a serene expression.

Suddenly, a slight change appeared on her calm brow. First, it furrowed lightly, then relaxed, but soon furrowed again, growing deeper.

Eventually, she opened her eyes, sat up, and looked toward the end of the straight path in confusion.

At the end of that path was a corner leading to the next path, where a strange vibration was distinctly coming from.

The girl in the black cloak blinked gently, and the wind carried her to the end of the path. She turned to see a new straight path.

The girl didn’t move further. First, she shouldn’t enter this path; second, there was nothing unusual about this path. The vibration, coming from a far distance, had likely passed through countless left and right turns before reaching her.

The vibration was faint but clear.

So clear that she could almost be sure she had never encountered such a vibration before.

“Almost”, because she was still 1% unsure of her memory.

She remembered many things. As a Pathkeeper, she was here to test those who were lost. Those who passed were allowed to proceed; those who fail must leave. These memories were orderly and stable.

But she always felt that she had forgotten many things. Her mind was filled with fragments, but these fragments had no images, only sounds. These included phrases like “I have the moonlight. That’s enough,” “This woman is too difficult to handle,” “This must be the fucking final boss,” “Outside, there is a forest”…

These voices were so vague that she couldn’t even distinguish which were her own and which were from others.

But these were just fleeting thoughts.

These small spots in her memory didn’t cause much disturbance in her calm heart.

The vibration weakened, becoming intermittent, and may soon disappear.

The girl silently closes her eyes.

Suddenly, long vines sprout from the walls of the labyrinth, and the next second, [(Illusory) All Roads Lead to Rome] was released.

The vines turned at a corner, then the path was slowly straightened, and the vines continued along the straightened maze wall, following the direction of the vibration. They turned at the next corner, and as the new path was straightened, the vines moved on…

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the maze.

Xiao Bai closed her eyes in some panic and retracted the dollhouse. Xiao Huang, trapped inside, returned to the maze path, crouching and gasping in pain.

“You’re so strange. Others are fine.”

“You’re the strange one…”

……

“Then who are you?”

“A Pathkeeper.”

“Me too.”

After a long stare, Xiao Bai spoke first with disbelief and a bit of excitement. “Where do you guard? I’ve never seen you before?”

Xiao Huang was at a loss for words. How could he describe the location where he guards?

“Far away,” was all he could ambiguously answer.

Xiao Bai wasn’t satisfied. “How far?”

Xiao Huang helplessly looked at her. “As far as your vines have wildly grown. That’s where I guard.”

Xiao Bai frowned in frustration. “I was only chasing the card and didn’t keep track of the path.”

“You didn’t keep track?” Xiao Huang was thunderstruck. “Then how do I get back?”

Xiao Bai smiled sweetly revealing her dimples. “Then don’t go back. Stay here and play with me.”

“……” Xiao Huang felt a little bit moved by this suggestion.

Rustle.

Rustle.

The familiar sound returned. Xiao Huang reflexively looked up and sure enough, dark green vines crawled over the maze wall. Remembering the fear of being bound and controlled by them, Xiao Huang, exhausted, sincerely said, “I’m already here, and I’ve given you the card. Can you withdraw the deadly vines?”

“Don’t name it randomly. It’s called ‘Coral Vine’… No wait.” Xiao Bai approached the maze wall, looking closely at the vine plant. “This isn’t my Coral Vine.”

As if sensing someone nearby, the vine suddenly stopped, lying quietly on the wall.

Xiao Huang also looked closely but couldn’t see any difference from the plant that previously “bullied” him. “Isn’t it the same?”

“Where is it the same? Look at the edges of the leaves; Coral Vine is smooth, this is serrated, and then there’s this vein of the leaf…”

Xiao Huang, still unable to see the difference, was nonetheless impressed.

So the question arose.

“If it’s not yours, then who created these vines?”

Before Xiao Huang finished speaking, the ground beneath them started to shake.

Startled, he looked at Xiao Bai, who was also baffled and surprised.

The next moment, the entire maze path begins to move slowly amidst the shaking!

Xiao Bai instinctively moved closer to Xiao Huang, and Xiao Huang, trying to be steady, did the same. The two newly acquainted companions stood shoulder to shoulder, anxious amidst the sudden change.

Finally, the maze path stopped.

But the corner ahead was gone, and the section of the path they were on had become very long, stretching beyond sight.

“What’s going on?” Xiao Bai was confused.

“The path seems… to have straightened?” Xiao Huang was also perplexed.

“Should we go?” Xiao Bai asked.

“Let’s wait and see,” Xiao Huang replied.

A breeze came from the end of the path, light and cool.

Xiao Huang’s eyes showed alertness, and he pulled Xiao Bai behind him.

Soon, a petite figure in black appears in the distance.

She rode the wind, approaching slowly, and as she got closer, the coolness in the wind became more apparent.

Finally, she stopped about three or four meters away from them, quietly observing them with an indifferent expression.

“This wanderer must be very strong,” Xiao Huang said to his friend. “You might not be able to handle her alone. I’ll help you.”

The response from behind was a sigh.

“Your brain is no better than the dolls in my room.” Xiao Bai smacked his back irritably. “After one misunderstanding, can’t you ask first?”

Then, without waiting for Xiao Huang, she stepped forward and looked at the girl in the black cloak. “Are you a wanderer?”

The girl in the cloak shook her head. “No.”

Xiao Bai then asked, “Are you a Pathkeeper?”

The girl in the cloak nodded. “Yes.”

Xiao Bai smacked Xiao Huang again, this time with pride. “See?”

Before Xiao Huang could react, he heard the girl in the cloak ask, “Who are you?”

Her voice was as light and cool as her wind.

But now, Xiao Bai and Xiao Huang found this coolness quite comforting.

They both smiled radiantly, one with a bright grin and the other standing tall and proud, and in unison they declared, “We are Pathkeepers too!”

“You are also Pathkeepers?” The girl in the black cloak showed obvious surprise in her serene eyes for the first time.

“Yes.” Xiao Huang pointed at Xiao Bai. “This is the path she guards, and my path…” He paused mid-sentence, glancing up at the distant end of the path, and corrected himself. “Well, this might not be entirely her path anymore…” He looked worriedly at the girl in the black cloak. “You didn’t straighten my path as well, did you?”

The girl in the black cloak looked back, shaking her head honestly. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Xiao Huang was unprepared for this answer. “Weren’t you the one who straightened the path?”

“Yes,” the girl in the black cloak said. “But I don’t know if your path is included.”

“Then why did you come here?” Xiao Huang was puzzled. He was drawn here by a card, but the card had not flown out again, so what drew her here?

“I felt a vibration,” the girl in the black cloak said. “A very strange vibration.”

Xiao Huang’s curiosity was piqued. “What kind of strange vibration?”

The girl in the black cloak quietly looked at him and Xiao Bai, then, as if identifying the “source of the vibration”, she didn’t answer but counter-asked, “What were you doing just now?”

Doing?

Xiao Huang looked at himself, then at Xiao Bai, and gave a particularly sincere answer. “Talking.”

Xiao Bai rolled her eyes, wanting to tie a Coral Vine around his head to see if it would knock some sense into him.

“I wanted to play a game with him.” She looked at the girl in black. “But he started acting weird as soon as he entered, so I let him out again.”

“Not right?” The girl in the black cloak tilted her head slightly.

“Yes.” Xiao Bai clearly remembered the recent event. “He seemed to be in pain, then started shouting, and the dollhouse began to shake. Is that what you felt?”

The girl in the black cloak thought for a moment and said, “I don’t know.”

Xiao Bai and Xiao Huang looked at each other, equally helpless.

With so many extraordinary events happening, they hadn’t even figured out their own cards, let alone helped others with their questions.

The three of them looked at each other, and the atmosphere suddenly fell silent.

The wind blew along the straightened maze path, reaching far into the distance.

“I’m Xiao Bai.” The lively girl in the white dress extended a friendly gesture, her curious eyes constantly glancing behind the girl in the black cloak. “How did you straighten these paths?”

“Stationery,” the girl in the black cloak answered simply.

To her, it seemed like nothing worth boasting about.

“I’m Hei Momo,” she said, before her thoughts could catch up. After speaking, even Hei Momo herself seemed startled.

“I’m Xiao Huang.” The yellow-haired young man, who loved lively scenes, welcomed the new companion with a gesture of holding his skateboard.

Right, the skateboard!

A flash of insight crossed his mind, and Xiao Huang immediately closed his eyes to sense his skateboard, causing it to move through the air.

He could even hear the sound of the skateboard sliding… whoosh—thump!

Alright, it hit a corner.

The path straightened by Hei Momo didn’t include the one he guarded.

Xiao Bai, curious as ever, hopped around Hei Momo, trying to see if she could jump onto her wind.

She failed.

As Hei Momo watched her, the indifference in her eyes softened, touched by a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

She gently lifted her hand, and a small gust of wind lifted Xiao Bai into the air.

Xiao Bai joyfully spun in the wind, nearly tumbling to the ground several times, and after enjoying herself, she suddenly remembered something and asked Hei Momo, “Have you ever thought about what the outside world is like?”

Hei Momo paused, looking at Xiao Bai with puzzled eyes. “Why do you ask this?”

Just as Xiao Bai was about to show her card, Xiao Huang on the ground already handed his over. “Xiao Bai and I both have a card like this. The question Xiao Bai asked is the question on the card.”

Hei Momo took the card, examining it carefully.

Xiao Bai found it strange. “Don’t you have a card like this?”

She had one, Xiao Huang had one, and she had thought all Pathkeepers would have one.

“No, I’ve never seen it before.” Hei Momo handed the card back to Xiao Huang, then looked at Xiao Bai. “But I know, outside, there is a forest.”

Xiao Bai: “A forest?”

Xiao Huang: “Have you been there?”

“No.” Hei Momo looked up slightly at the moonlight. “It’s just that… someone might have told me about it.”

“So, let’s play a game in the dollhouse first, and then go to the forest together, okay?” Xiao Bai eagerly extended an invitation, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Hei Momo hadn’t spoken yet when Xiao Huang interrupted, “Please, your dollhouse is deadly!”

Xiao Bai blew on hair and glared. “Then you’re dumb!”

“What does being dumb have to do with this…” Xiao Huang was wronged.

In the midst of their bickering, a door suddenly opened on the maze wall. Before they could react, the door creaked open.

Outside the door was lush vegetation, and the night was serene and clear.

Xiao Huang and Xiao Bai looked incredulously at Hei Momo, their eyes wide in the same astonished manner.

Hei Momo smiled. “Shall we go out together?”

If a wanderer passed her test and surprised her more, she would open such a door, directly sending them out of the maze. However, she had never thought to use it for herself.

Even now, she didn’t have much longing for the outside world, but she wanted to spend more time with these two.

The towering trees, the low and dense shrubs, the dew-covered grass, and the little insects hopping on the grass tips painted a beautiful and tranquil picture of a moonlit forest.

The three friends walked in it, unaware of the direction or what lay ahead, simply following their instincts. Along the way, there was constant chattering, mainly from Xiao Bai and Xiao Huang, and continuous amazement, again mostly from Xiao Bai and Xiao Huang. The shared feeling among the three friends was one of freedom and joy.

It turns out the world isn’t just maze paths but also forests, animals, soft soil, and a vast canopy of sky.

Xiao Huang was used to only smelling the scent of grass, but now, he was walking on it.

“You might as well lie down on the ground to smell it,” Xiao Bai joked, watching him walk, stop, and squat.

Xiao Huang was in good spirits, even happy to be teased. Yet, a lingering doubt that had been circling in his mind surfaced as he muttered to himself, “Strange, why isn’t it any of them?”

Hei Momo stopped and seemed to catch on, asking, “What are you looking for?”

“The scent,” Xiao Huang said as he bent down to sniff a small yellow flower in a clump of grass, only to be disappointed again. He stood up and looked at his companions. “Haven’t you smelled it? There’s been a sweet fragrance all along the way, but none of the flowers or grass I’ve smelled are the source.”

Hei Momo looked at him, almost laughing but held it back.

Xiao Bai, speechless, plucked a small, inconspicuous flower from her ear. “The scent you’ve been smelling is from this!”

Xiao Huang stared blankly at the light pink flower in her hand, finally understanding why there had been a continuous fragrance along the way.

Hei Momo couldn’t hold back any longer and chuckled.

Xiao Huang scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.

Xiao Bai sighed, opened her palm, and after a few seconds of concentration, two identical flowers appeared in her hand. She pinned one behind Hei Momo’s ear and the other behind Xiao Huang’s ear, admiring her work with satisfaction.

“This is the Nightrose Flower. Its fragrance is sweet and clear but doesn’t last long. Soon after walking a bit more, the scent will be gone,” Xiao Bai explained, mostly for Xiao Huang’s benefit since Hei Momo, who could also manipulate plants, would already know.

Touching the flower on his ear, Xiao Huang felt a bit reluctant at the thought of the scent disappearing soon.

“If you really like it, I can give you some Nightrose Flower extract,” Xiao Bai added. “You can apply the extract on anything, and the fragrance will last a very long time…”

She elongated her tone and stretched out her arms to emphasize how long.

Xiao Huang’s lips curled upwards, not only feeling the “long time” but also tasting the even sweeter scent of Nightrose Flower extract, which sweetened his heart.

As the three were about to continue walking, a sudden gust of wind blew through the forest.

The unexpected strong wind pained their cheeks, and simultaneously, a voice echoed in their minds—it’s time to go back.

This voice emerged abruptly but firmly, as if it had been slumbering there, waiting for the right time to sound the alarm.

“It’s time to go back.” Hei Momo was the first to speak, her tone light again, but no longer aloof.

Xiao Bai knew it was time to return too. There was no reason; it just felt like the right thing to do. Yet—

“I don’t want to leave.” She didn’t want to leave this forest or part ways with her companions. After guarding the maze path for so long, this was the first time she felt this way.

“Xiao Bai, can you make Nightrose Flower extract now?” Xiao Huang suddenly asked.

“Yes, but what do you need it for?” Xiao Bai asked, puzzled.

Xiao Huang looked at her and then at Hei Momo, his smile brightening, revealing his white teeth. “Let’s make a promise.”

……

Beijing Time, Owl Time, unspecified.

In the Moonlight Maze, there was no concept of time.

Hei Momo sat mid-air, looking up at the moonlight, feeling peaceful.

She had just been through a battle that was intense and exhausting, but in the end, the wanderers had failed to pass her test.

She thought she could have won more easily if not for the long journey she had taken earlier, which had drained her energy.

Huh?

Hei Momo’s beautiful brow furrowed slightly, wondering why she had such a thought.

A long journey before?

Where did this come from?

Why would she take a long journey? Where had she been? Who was with her? She had no recollection of any of it.

Under the watery moonlight, she smelled a sweet fragrance. The scent was intermittent, elusive, as if hiding somewhere, unwilling to come out.

Hei Momo looked down at the ground, at the mess of green plants and broken stones, and spotted a hint of pale pink.

With a sweep of her hand, the path was clean again, leaving only the crushed pink flower.

Hei Momo descended to the ground, picked up the flower, and placed it in her palm, gently blowing away the dirt.

A Nightrose Flower, a small flower with a sweet scent. Hei Momo recognized it.

But…

Hei Momo brought the flower closer and sniffed it carefully. Indeed, the flower had lost its scent. However, the fragrance that lingered around her hadn’t disappeared. It was still faint, shy, as if hiding somewhere and didn’t want to come out.

“It’s not you, so who could it be?” Hei Momo whispered to the flower as if it could understand.

The flower lay quietly in her palm, offering no response.

Hei Momo thought to discard the flower, but the moment she moved to do so, her heart was struck by a pang of reluctance.

She paused, stayed silent for a moment, and then placed the flower in a secret pocket of her cloak.

But the next second, something pricked her fingertip in the pocket.

Hei Momo was startled, pulling out the object that pricked her—a half-torn card. The slightly stiff corner of the card had jabbed her.

The sweet fragrance suddenly became more intense, almost overwhelming.

Hei Momo widened her eyes, brought the card close to her nose, and sniffed. Yes, it was the scent on the card!

Curiously, she lifted the card in the moonlight, reading the words on it—

1. Why are you
2. Is this your
3. Have you ever thought about

The tear was so clean that only the first half of each sentence remained.

Hei Momo felt inexplicably downcast, but suddenly, she lifted the card higher, and the moonlight illuminated the words on the back.

She quickly flipped the card over. Compared to the neat writing on the front, the back was almost illegibly messy. It was written with Nightrose Flower extract, crowded and varying in size, almost tumbling over each other. She had to look closely to distinguish them—

Hei Momo, Xiao Huang, Xiao Bai, promise, when the wanderers disappear, to go to the forest again together. Hei Momo and Xiao Huang don’t move; Xiao Bai’s Coral Vine will follow the scent of Nightrose Flower extract and find you.

Rustle.

Rustle.

Hei Momo looked up, seeing the Coral Vine already crawling around the corner at the end of the path, heading towards her, full of life and vigor.

Kinky Thoughts:

This marks the end of volume two. I always enjoy these extras at the end of each volume revolving around the cast in the instances.

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