Chapter 156 — Night Investigation
劍問蒼天 · Page 1 of 5
The man in black standing at the door was none other than Mr. Ghost, the most mysterious figure in the Ghost King Sect. After Wild Wolf Daoist had been subdued by Ming Li, he had spent some time in the Ghost King Sect and had therefore seen the man a few times. Though he still knew very little of what sort of person Mr. Ghost truly was, he understood well enough that the man's status was no trifling matter and that he was in no way a figure to be mentioned in the same breath as himself.
To run into this man so suddenly in such a place—how could Wild Wolf Daoist not be startled? Zhou Yixuan and Xiaowan did not know the true identity of this mysterious man in black, but seeing the faint look of fear on Wild Wolf Daoist's face, they guessed that the man was likely no good sort, and could not help growing tense themselves.
Mr. Ghost had drifted in unexpectedly, and he too seemed not to have anticipated finding anyone in this remote and ill-omened place—and among them, someone who could recognize him. His body gave an involuntary shudder. After a moment he made out the three people in the room, and Wild Wolf Daoist in particular; at once Mr. Ghost composed himself. His gaze swept over Wild Wolf Daoist, then passed to Zhou Yixuan and Xiaowan, and finally returned to Wild Wolf. His voice was calm as he said, "You must be Wild Wolf Daoist."
In the past, Wild Wolf Daoist had seen this Mr. Ghost several times, always within the Ghost King Sect following behind Ming Li, glimpsing that mysterious black silhouette from afar. Today was the first time he had ever seen Mr. Ghost face to face at such close range. He had not expected that Mr. Ghost would actually recognize him, and could not suppress a shock in his heart. He choked for a moment before saying, "Yes."
Mr. Ghost said indifferently, "Were you not always in the company of Young Master Ming Li? Why have you suddenly come to a place like this—and who are these two?"
Wild Wolf Daoist had half a mind to retort, If you may come, why may I not? But the words died at his lips and he dared not speak them after all. He could only lower his voice and say, "I—I was separated from Ming Li. I will go look for him before long. These two are both my friends."
Mr. Ghost's tone was flat, as though he had not noticed at all how Wild Wolf Daoist had, deliberately or not, weighted the name "Ming Li" as he spoke. "Oh, I see. But you still have not said how you came to be here."
Wild Wolf Daoist was at a loss for words, unsure what best to say, but Zhou Yixuan had been watching this Mr. Ghost from the side for some time, and now he spoke up: "An old man such as myself has a kinsman's spirit tablet here. We came to pay our respects."
Mr. Ghost's gaze sharpened, and he looked past the three of them. Upon the offering table behind them there indeed stood a worn spirit tablet, inscribed with several characters: Spirit Tablet of My Beloved Son, Zhou Xingyun. Mr. Ghost nodded, then seemed to ponder a moment, his eyes flickering uncertainly behind the black veil. Slowly he said, "Since you have already paid your respects—this place is, after all, a house of the dead, a haunt of ghosts, and unfit for a long stay. You had best be on your way."
Wild Wolf Daoist turned to look at Zhou Yixuan and Xiaowan. In his heart he had not the slightest wish to linger beside such a ghostly, sinister figure, and from Mr. Ghost's words it seemed that, were it not for Ming Li's sake, the man might well have chosen to strike the three of them down. Even so, Wild Wolf Daoist was not sure whether Zhou Yixuan understood that this was a man who could not be crossed; and from what he had seen earlier, Zhou Yixuan's feelings for this son who had died young ran deep. To be so curtly ordered out now—who could say whether, given his usual temper, he might not fly into a furious cursing fit?