Chapter 78: The Ghost King
Lu Xiu responded, "It's alright, I'm just showing Jiang Hong around."
Jiang Hong felt like he had stepped onto the set of a historical drama in a second, the catch being that he and Lu Xiu were still dressed in modern clothes.
"This is Xiang Liu, his name is Lu Zhaoyang," Lu Xiu introduced. "He's the general director of the Monster Association. In Principal Xiang's absence, he handles the affairs of the Association."
Lu Zhaoyang nodded politely at Jiang Hong, who thought this man truly seemed like a Monster King, exuding a regal aura, composed and dignified in Lu Xiu's presence.
After leading them inside, He Rong left, and a girl in Hanfu approached. She was stunningly beautiful, fit for the description 'nation's beauty and heavenly fragrance'. She said, "Lord Fengli is handling external matters, I'm in charge of the palace affairs for now."
Lu Xiu said, "I remember you, your name is Hua Xiaoli."
The girl smiled, "Yes, Little King. You must be tired from your journey. Would you and your esteemed guest like to freshen up or dine first?"
Lu Xiu glanced at Jiang Hong, raising his eyebrows inquiringly, but Jiang Hong's attention was already scattered, observing the palace's décor. He vaguely, with his limited knowledge of magic, could tell the palace was filled with numerous mechanisms and runes, although he was unsure of their purpose.
"Let's bathe first," Lu Xiu decided. "Prepare two sets of clean clothes, nothing too elaborate or difficult to wear."
"Please follow me," Hua Xiaoli said with a bright smile. Jiang Hong noticed the fish scale and golden embroidery on the hem of her Tang-style dress, guessing she might be from an aquatic race.
Suddenly, Lu Xiu said, "I remember there was a Tibetan robe I wore when I first came here. Is it still around?"
"Yes," Hua Xiaoli confirmed. "Would you like it prepared? There are two sets, and later Queen Xiaoduo had another made for you."
Lu Xiu said, "Alter one of them for Jiang Hong to wear."
Hua Xiaoli responded, "I'll see to it right away."
She led them to an open-air bath, where sandalwood was burning. It was a modest-sized hot spring pool, with the mountains not yet fully enveloped in nightfall in the distance. Nestled against the mountain and water, the view was spectacular.
Jiang Hong was a bit dazed until he saw Lu Xiu start to bathe, and then he reacted, stripping off his clothes to join in the pool.
"This is so luxurious!" Jiang Hong exclaimed.
Lu Xiu, unfazed, listened as Jiang Hong asked, "Are we really going to intern here next semester?"
"Didn't your roommate tell you?" Lu Xiu inquired.
Indeed, Jiang Hong had seen some photos taken by his roommate, but they were mostly partial views, and all during the day. No one had captured the palace's interior décor and arrangements.
"Being the king here must be like living a heavenly life!" Jiang Hong remarked.
"Actually, it's quite boring," Lu Xiu said. "Keda, sitting on that throne, just played with his phone all day, which is why he went back to Cangqiong University."
Jiang Hong thought about it; indeed, without daily tasks, it would be dull, especially being alone. Even as a leader of the monster race, it could be lonely, couldn't it?
After soaking in the bath, it was fully dark, and Jiang Hong's stomach growled with hunger. Lu Xiu, having dressed, noted someone waiting outside, but they left after Lu Xiu said something.
Lu Xiu stood and helped Jiang Hong into his clothes, dressing him in a summer Tibetan robe. Although quickly altered, it fitted perfectly.
Jiang Hong couldn't help but steal glances at Lu Xiu in the mirror, finding him incredibly handsome and sexy! But as he watched, he felt he was about to lose his composure and pretended to adjust his robe, offering, "Let me dress you..."
However, Lu Xiu quickly donned his robe, which looked older than Jiang Hong's. The contrast gave it a faint sense of antiquity. He then picked an old amber bead from a plate and wore it, casually handing Jiang Hong a strand of turquoise.
"Stick close," Lu Xiu said, "don't get lost."
The palace was really vast. Even though every area was illuminated, the white drapes fluttered in the mountain breeze, and many corridors looked identical, making it easy to get lost.
Lu Xiu, leading Jiang Hong, walked for a while before arriving at another hall.
Xiang Liu and two other men were already waiting. As Lu Xiu entered, they stood up, performed a simple bow, and remained silent, as if waiting for Lu Xiu to speak.
Lu Xiu sat down without a word, prompting the other three to follow suit. Each had a low table in front of them, with a single-person meal box resembling kaiseki cuisine, containing a delicately prepared dinner. Five of them sat at individual spots, with one seat still unoccupied.
"I was passing through Wushan," Lu Xiu finally spoke, "and brought Jiang Hong to have a look. His grade will be interning here next semester."
Xiang Liu then smiled and said, "Alright, the internships for humans have been happening for some years now, there shouldn’t be any issues."
"Hmm," Lu Xiu introduced Jiang Hong, "this is the Ghost King."
The man sitting opposite Xiang Liu nodded. He was taller and more imposing than Xiang Liu. If Keda and Xiang Liu were XXXL size, the one called "Ghost King" was a 4XL.
"Hello," Jiang Hong greeted, getting a clearer view of his rugged, classically masculine appearance, dressed in ancient attire resembling that of a Han dynasty archer. His eyes, however, were cloudy, and upon hearing "Ghost King," Jiang Hong was startled, wondering if he was already deceased.
"He's a war-dead revenant," Lu Xiu explained, "Don't be afraid. You’ll learn about them next semester. They're also called 'Ba'."
"He's a living dead," joked another young man seated next to the Ghost King. "A zombie."
The Ghost King seemed not to mind at all and opened his meal box. Lu Xiu then said, "Let's eat," and gestured for Jiang Hong to start as well.
"This is the Eagle King," Lu Xiu said, passing a fried crab claw to Jiang Hong, urging him to eat it while it was hot, then introducing, "His name is Liu Heng."
Jiang Hong waved a greeting to him.
"He's the strongest warrior in the sacred land," Lu Xiu remarked. "In terms of hand-to-hand combat, I can at most draw with him..."
"I wouldn’t dare claim that," the Eagle King laughed modestly.
"The other seat is for Fengli," Lu Xiu mentioned, "He's the Fox King."
Jiang Hong remembered, but a look from Lu Xiu stopped him from speaking.
Jiang Hong: "?"
Not daring to speak out of turn, Jiang Hong simply nodded.
"Where is this journey taking you next?" Xiang Liu asked.
Lu Xiu replied, "Our next destination should be Xiangyang."
"Oh?" Xiang Liu nodded, evidently curious, but didn't inquire further, not wanting to press Lu Xiu for an answer.
Lu Xiu, however, was quite open, saying, "We're going to collect some spiritual energy from the earth's veins."
"Collecting spiritual energy from earth's veins for what?" Eagle King Liu Heng asked with a smile. "Does Xiangyang even have any spiritual energy left?"
Lu Xiu glanced at Jiang Hong, who thought for a moment and said, "It’s for a sentient artifact of mine."
Lu Xiu, who was previously unaware of Jiang Hong’s intentions, finally got his answer and asked, "Old Sun?"
"Yes, yes," Jiang Hong nodded eagerly, thinking to himself about how delicious the Monster Association's cuisine was. How could it be so tasty! It reflected the luxurious lifestyle of the principal – a fleet of sports cars, dining on kaiseki cuisine thrice a day! It was like living in a seven-star resort.
No wonder everyone, from ancient times to the present, has aspired to be an emperor.
"An artifact?" Xiang Liu chuckled. "Did you make it yourself?"
"Just call me 'you'," Jiang Hong hurriedly replied. "It’s an artifact I bought."
Lu Xiu glanced at Xiang Liu, seemingly thinking he was asking too many questions.
The Ghost King seemed to ponder something and said, "Xiangyang?"
His voice was deep and slightly hoarse, which suited his robust tone perfectly. Jiang Hong, who had previously thought he was mute, was startled by his sudden speech.
Lu Xiu asked, "Is there something significant about Xiangyang?"
The Ghost King then fell silent again, resembling a sloth with a three-minute delayed reaction. Everyone seemed accustomed to this.
Xiang Liu commented, "The spiritual energy of heaven and earth, transformed by the sun and moon, can indeed nurture artifacts into sentient beings."
Jiang Hong surmised that Xiang Liu probably served as a strategist or advisor, as he seemed to know a great deal.
However, Lu Xiu said, "The Ghost King is the oldest living being among the monster race and the Exorcism Commission. He knows more secrets than Principal Cao and Chen Zhen, having many things to share. If he remembers, he can guide you."
Jiang Hong vaguely sensed that Lu Xiu's relationship with Xiang Liu was strained. This feeling started from the moment they entered the Monster Association. What was off? Right!
If Lu Xiu was the 'Little King,' then Xiang Liu should have personally welcomed him. But he didn't, nor did he explain why.
It seemed that Lu Xiu didn't want Xiang Liu to say too much. When Xiang Liu started talking about the artifact, Lu Xiu instead suggested Jiang Hong ask the Ghost King, clearly not wanting him to know too much.
Xiang Liu seemed unconcerned and was about to speak when the Ghost King added, "Xiangyang is the location of Tianxuan in the Beidou Formation, one of the places where Chiyou's soul was sealed."
"Chiyou's soul?" Jiang Hong's curiosity was immediately piqued.
"Chiyou's soul," the Ghost King replied. "It's been over sixteen hundred years."
It turned out the Ghost King wasn't slow to respond; he was just thoughtful.
"Oh..." Jiang Hong said, "I have to visit a few other places as well."
The Ghost King asked, "Are you looking to refine souls?"
Jiang Hong answered, "Refine souls? What is that? I don’t know. I just want to use something called 'Pure Light Crystal' to collect as much spiritual energy from heaven and earth as possible."
"Hmm, Pure Light Crystal, it can indeed be used to collect spiritual energy. It's a good item," the Ghost King nodded, adding nothing more.
Lu Xiu explained, "It's his final project for the term."
Eagle King Liu Heng asked, "Did you assign it? Are university students learning these things now?"
Lu Xiu: "It's taught by Cao Bin."
The conversation then lapsed, and Jiang Hong focused on his luxurious kaiseki meal. The large meal box was just the appetizer, soon followed by hot dishes like Wujing fish cooked in a clay pot. He marveled at the deliciousness of this style of Sichuan cuisine.
"I am back," a voice said from outside the hall. Then Fengli entered, greeting Lu Xiu, "Sorry for not being able to welcome our esteemed guest from afar." He then bowed after entering the hall.
"Just dinner," Lu Xiu said. "I was merely passing through."
Fengli then turned to Jiang Hong, "Nice to meet you. Welcome to the Monster Association."
Jiang Hong: "?"
Jiang Hong felt a discrepancy in his memory but said nothing, simply nodding with a hint of confusion.
"There are fewer monsters here this year," Lu Xiu observed.
Xiang Liu replied, "The young ones prefer the human world, enjoying human society. I actually find it peaceful here."
Liu Heng inquired, "How many left this year?"
Fengli answered, "Over a thousand left their permanent residence here, but when it gets warmer outside, many return."
Liu Heng added, "It'll be lively again when the university students come for their internship."
The four Monster Kings and Lu Xiu conversed little thereafter. Soon after dinner, Lu Xiu excused himself first, and the others dispersed.
"I'm so full," Jiang Hong stretched lazily, absentmindedly reaching out and grabbing Lu Xiu's hand. It was only half past eight, but the Monster Association's palace felt somewhat deserted, probably because it was so large and there were so few monsters around, making it feel less lively, lacking in "human" or rather "monster" vitality. He began to understand why everyone preferred the human world and didn’t always want to stay in Wushan.
"Shall I show you around?" Lu Xiu offered.
Jiang Hong, needing to walk off his meal, followed Lu Xiu along the cliffside path, slowly strolling. Despite being a summer night, the mountain's temperature varied greatly between day and night, and it was quite chilly. Fortunately, both of them wore Tibetan robes, perfect for keeping warm.
Changing into the Tibetan robes, Jiang Hong felt as if he was back in front of Jokhang Temple, instinctively holding Lu Xiu's hand. The cool night breeze was refreshing.
"Has the Ghost King really lived for 1600 years?" Jiang Hong asked.
"Much longer than that," Lu Xiu replied. "He just 'mentioned' events from 1600 years ago. Fengli says he existed since the Qin Dynasty."
Jiang Hong was astonished: "The Qin Dynasty! That means he's over 2000 years old! He must be the oldest living monster in the world!"
Lu Xiu pondered: "Possibly? Unless you count those chaotic prehistoric creatures resurrected by Yinghuo."
The Ghost King was likely the oldest in the Monster Association, followed by Fengli, who was also over a thousand years old.
Jiang Hong couldn't tell that Fengli was that "old," who, rumor had it, was also the ex-boyfriend of their teacher Gegen Tuorule Keda... there must be lots of gossip there.
"Do you want to meet him?" Lu Xiu noticed Jiang Hong's unease.
"Who?" Jiang Hong realized what he meant and said, "Uh... a little, but how did you know?"
Lu Xiu: "Because you rarely talk about anyone else to me."
When Jiang Hong was with Lu Xiu, he almost never spontaneously mentioned others. If he did, it usually meant he needed something.
True enough, Jiang Hong wanted to ask the Ghost King something — he knew the exact locations of the Beidou Seven Star Formation in Shenzhou and might also provide tips on collecting spiritual energy from the earth, like how to make it purer and more powerful.
"Shall I take you there?" Lu Xiu offered. "His home is in that cave over there."
On the brilliantly lit side of the Monster Association headquarters was a dark cave, lit only by two white lamps outside, resembling the eyes of some monstrous serpent.
"The cave... is it big?" Jiang Hong was a bit apprehensive.
"The outer part of the mountain is just the external area of the Monster Association," Lu Xiu explained. "Inside, there's the sacred land of the monster race. The war-dead revenant clan lives there, guarding the sacred land."
"Oh, I see." Jiang Hong thought for a moment and said, "Maybe... let's not."
Glancing at Lu Xiu, Jiang Hong didn't want him to know about the Western sword he was forging, at least not before it was ready. After all, he had been preparing it for a long time.
"What are you thinking about?" Lu Xiu asked curiously. "Go on, tell me."
After some thought, Jiang Hong finally said, "I wanted to ask about something regarding Old Sun, but maybe Old Sun doesn't really want..."
Lu Xiu understood and said, "It's okay, I'll take you there. I won't go in."
Just as Jiang Hong voiced his concern, he felt it might be inappropriate and glanced at Lu Xiu, tentatively asking, "You're not upset, are you?"
"Why would I be upset?" Lu Xiu responded. "Let's go."
There was only an old, neglected stone bridge leading to the cave at the bottom of the mountain, with no guards outside. As they reached the bridge, someone hurried after them, calling out, "Lord Lu Xiu!"
Lu Xiu and Jiang Hong turned to see Fengli approaching, holding a shopping bag. "Is this your sweeping robot?" he said. "They just found it in the forbidden area."
Jiang Hong: "…………"
"You went wandering again!" Jiang Hong exclaimed.
Old Sun replied, "I didn’t, I just got lost!"
Fengli handed it back to Jiang Hong, seeming hesitant to speak, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.
Lu Xiu raised an eyebrow in inquiry, and Fengli turned to Old Sun, asking, "How did you get in there?"
Old Sun explained, "I really don’t know. I was lost and just walked around, then I ended up in a place without realizing it was a forbidden area."
Lu Xiu gestured to let it go, and Fengli didn't pursue the matter further. Suddenly, Fengli gave a meaningful look, and Lu Xiu seemed to understand, nodding, "Alright, let Old Sun accompany you. I'll wait for you outside."
"Okay," Jiang Hong looked at the cave that resembled a graveyard, feeling very, very scared. However, the task at hand overcame his fear of ghosts, so he mustered his courage and crossed the bridge.
Lu Xiu and Fengli waited at the bridgehead, seemingly wanting to wait for them to leave before starting their conversation.
"Be careful not to fall," Jiang Hong said. "How did you end up in someone else's forbidden area?"
Old Sun explained, "I first entered a garden, then fell through a hole. That hole was a slope, and as I walked, I somehow ended up in another place."
"You have infrared vision, right?" Jiang Hong remarked.
"Yes," Old Sun replied. "I saw two figures and didn't disturb them. As I wandered, I ran into monsters, and they were looking for the fox."
"Uh," Jiang Hong said, "don't wander off like that again."
Old Sun asked, "Jiang Hong, what are you going to do?"
Approaching the tomb-like cave, Jiang Hong's scalp started to tingle.
"I need to find... the Ghost King," Jiang Hong muttered to himself. "Hello? Is anyone there? I'm looking for the Ghost King! Is the Ghost King home?"
From a distance, Lu Xiu called out, "Just go in! He's inside!"
Jiang Hong looked back and realized he had only walked less than thirty meters from Lu Xiu, just past a bridge.
Ahhh! This is terrifying! I'm definitely going to have nightmares tonight!
"Do you want me to light the way for you?" Old Sun asked. "What do you need the Ghost King for?"
Jiang Hong replied, "Okay, no, no! Don't light it up! Your light is red! That's even more terrifying! I’ll use my phone for lighting... yeah!"
Steeling himself, Jiang Hong finally entered the cave, which was as quiet as a tomb.
"Is... is anyone there?" Jiang Hong called out nervously. "Are you... okay?"
As an exorcist who was afraid of ghosts, this scenario was his worst nightmare. Being a human who feared ghosts or an exorcist who wasn’t afraid had their own trials — humans rarely encounter supernatural events in their lifetime, and exorcists deal with demons and spirits daily without fear.
But Jiang Hong found himself teetering on this cliff edge of life.
"Are you that afraid of ghosts?" Old Sun asked.
"Yes... yes, I am," Jiang Hong's voice trembled. If it weren't for Old Sun's presence, he would have surely sprinted back screaming by now.
Old Sun suggested, "There’s a therapy called 'exposure therapy.' It's a type of shock treatment..."
On the verge of tears, Jiang Hong said, "I feel like I'm undergoing exposure therapy right now. I would never come to this place if it weren't for Lu Xiu..."
Old Sun encouraged, "Go a bit further in, it's quite spacious inside."
Jiang Hong, resigning himself to his fate, took a few more steps inside and shouted, "Is anyone there? Old Sun, where are you? Don't go too far from me!"
Old Sun replied, "I'm right in front of you."
Jiang Hong said anxiously, "Don't run! What's this? Is this a chair? A chair, right?"
Old Sun turned around to provide light for Jiang Hong, who instantly panicked and screamed, "A coffin! A coffin, ahhhh!"
It was a stone sarcophagus. As Jiang Hong screamed, the entire tomb echoed with the heavy sound of stone scraping, as lids began to open.
This moment was perhaps the greatest trial Jiang Hong had ever faced in his life.
"Ahhhh!" Standing amidst countless sarcophagi, Jiang Hong helplessly wailed. There was no Lu Xiu for him to leap into for comfort, nor any path to escape.
Then, a voice behind him said, "You've woken them up."
"Oh God!" Jiang Hong spun around to see the war-dead revenant king, his indigo face illuminated under the mobile phone's flashlight, feeling as if his soul was leaving his body.
Thankfully, Jiang Hong had met the Ghost King before. Finding a familiar face... well, ghost... in this graveyard, he immediately grabbed the Ghost King's hand and screamed, "Please make them go back! Go back to sleep! I beg you!"
The Ghost King remarked, "I may be old, but I'm not hard of hearing. There's no need to shout."
Jiang Hong: "I'm scared of ghosts, ahhh!"
The Ghost King understood, raising a hand that held a small bell.
The clear, crisp sound of the bell, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling, resonated, and the war-dead revenants in the thousands of sarcophagi lay back down, closing their lids.
Jiang Hong: "Oh my God, this scene is just too..."
"Shh." The Ghost King gestured with his finger, signaling not to wake the other war-dead revenants.
Jiang Hong clenched his teeth, feeling as though his hair was standing on end.
The Ghost King asked, "You came to see me for a reason?"
Jiang Hong: "Yes... yes, I have... a request, but could you... please not go too far? Stay close to me."
The Ghost King: "You fear ghosts, yet I am one myself."
Jiang Hong: "It's different... we already know each other, and you're a familiar ghost, so it's not that... scary anymore."
The Ghost King led him to another area within the cave, surrounded by stone sarcophagi. Deeper inside was a space resembling a small palace, with an open large stone sarcophagus, a table, and a half-finished game of Mahjong. A plump man was waiting there; he stood up hurriedly upon seeing Jiang Hong and bowed, saying, "Hello, hello!"
The presence of lights made Jiang Hong breathe easier, feeling less frightened.
"There's electricity in the cave?" Jiang Hong remarked. "Why not turn on more lights?"
Ghost King: "To save energy, be eco-friendly. Sit down, please. Would you like something to drink, Jiang Hong?"
Jiang Hong: "Monsters talking about being eco-friendly, isn't that a bit strange..."
The plump man said, "It's precisely because we are monsters that we need to care about the environment. We must cherish the natural world we live in, right?"
Jiang Hong found himself at a loss for words at this response, as the Ghost King went to fetch a drink.
Jiang Hong: "No, no, I won't drink anything, oh, there's a fridge too. Is this cola normal? Did you buy it from the town below?"
Ghost King: "Ordered online to Wushan County, then picked it up myself."
Jiang Hong: "Okay then, cola it is."
Jiang Hong, sipping his cola, found the whole situation bizarre. He looked at the plump man, who also looked at him, then at the floor-cleaning robot. The Ghost King glanced at it, puzzled, about to pick it up and turn it off, but Jiang Hong quickly said, "No, no, it's my magical artifact, called 'Old Sun.' Old Sun, this is the Ghost King."
"Oh," the Ghost King nodded, "the artifact you were talking about earlier?"
"Not... entirely," Jiang Hong said. "Actually, I have something to ask, but would you two like to finish your game first? Please continue, don't let me interrupt."
"Hmm," the Ghost King responded and picked up the Mahjong tiles, resuming his study of them.
Jiang Hong noticed an old-fashioned pellet drum on the table, eyeing it curiously.
"Want to try?" The Ghost King picked up the pellet drum and handed it to him.
"What's the use of this?" Jiang Hong curiously asked.
The chubby man said, "This is a magical item called 'Zheng Drum.' It can awaken all sleeping beings and even revive a hundred thousand dormant war ghosts..."
Jiang Hong was immediately frightened, hastily putting the drum back, careful not to make any sound.
"What are you?" Old Sun asked the chubby man.
This opening line always seemed odd, but the chubby man responded normally, saying, "I'm a panda, what about you?"
"Oh, a white bear. I don't really know what I am," Old Sun replied. "What do you think I am?"
The chubby man said, "Aren't you obviously a floor-sweeping robot? You're just joking with me."
Old Sun felt a bit disappointed, then said, "Jiang Hong, may I wander around nearby?"
Jiang Hong was about to say "no," but the Ghost King interjected, "Go ahead, you are Jiang Hong's magical treasure, feel free to explore."
So, Old Sun went off to wander. Jiang Hong cautioned, "Don't go too far, you're almost out of battery!"
Old Sun replied, "I still have 37% left."
The chubby man kept observing Jiang Hong, and Jiang Hong also watched the chubby man, both cautiously eyeing each other.
"I would like to ask you a question..." the chubby man said politely and respectfully.
"I also have a question for you," Jiang Hong said. "But you go first."
Jiang Hong always maintained basic respect for first-class protected animals.
"May I ask," the chubby man said, "my brothers just mentioned that you are the Little Queen. Is that true?"
"Little... Little Queen, what on earth is that!" Jiang Hong had been bewildered ever since he arrived at the Demon Association, with every moment challenging his worldview.
"It means the wife of the Little King," the chubby man explained.
Jiang Hong: "Is the Little King referring to Lu Xiu? Uh, aren't you pandas? Why so curious?"
The chubby man looked nervously at Jiang Hong, who felt a bit uneasy and said, "You'll have to ask Lu Xiu about that. I don't know either."
The chubby man's mouth formed an "O" shape and exclaimed, "Then it must be true! You are the Little Queen Mother!"
"Don't call me 'Mother'!" Jiang Hong burst out, now utterly embarrassed. "And there's no need to kneel! Get up! Ah, don't be so servile and then overly bold, it's too awkward!"
Jiang Hong quickly stopped the panda from kneeling and bowing.
"Alright, alright," the chubby man hastily wiped his sweat and said, "I guessed as much!"
Jiang Hong said, "I... I also wanted to ask..."
The chubby man, no longer focused on the card game, said, "Please ask, Your Highness!"
Jiang Hong: "Uh, no need for that, and I'm not Your Highness. By the way, are you really a panda? Can you transform back to your original form for me to see?"
The chubby man replied, "As commanded by the Queen Mother!"
Then, with a "bang," like a transformation in an animated movie, a genuine panda appeared in front of the Ghost King.
"Oh my gosh!" Jiang Hong screamed excitedly, "A panda! A panda—!"
Without waiting for the panda's permission, Jiang Hong impolitely pounced on the huge panda, who was sitting on a stone drum chair, almost as tall as the Ghost King, with a broad back and robust build, its fur soft, fluffy, glossy, and very clean!
"Panda, wow hahaha!" Jiang Hong exclaimed, "Can we take a photo together? We must! You won't refuse, right?"
After transforming back, the chubby man seemed more bashful, even playfully sticking out his tongue for the camera, allowing Jiang Hong to affectionately rub and roll over him.
"You lost," the Ghost King said, "I won, the game is over. Come on, Jiang Hong, what did you want to ask? You're a very polite kid, not taking for granted your status as the Queen..."
"I'm not the Queen yet... I've forgotten what I wanted to ask."
Jiang Hong was enthusiastically climbing on the panda's back, intent on hugging the adorable creature, having completely forgotten his original purpose.
This panda was too much fun! It was his first time so openly playing with a panda like this! He felt incredibly happy, as if he could die contentedly right then and there! The key was that such a panda didn't resist and even cooperatively turned around to embrace Jiang Hong, posing no danger at all!
But it was still a bit hot... The panda's fur was just too thick, and clinging too closely made it a bit hard to breathe. Alright, alright, that's enough for now.
Jiang Hong said, "It's like this, let's ask Old Sun first. Can you tell what Old Sun really is?"
The Ghost King seriously answered, "He's a floor-sweeping robot."
"No, that's not it!" Jiang Hong hurriedly clarified, "A floor-sweeping robot isn't its true form; its true form is a Tmall Genie... no, wait, it's like this..."
Jiang Hong explained Old Sun's origin, and the Ghost King then said, "Let me see its true form. Do you have a picture?"
Jiang Hong found a picture of Old Sun and showed it to the Ghost King. The Ghost King gazed at his phone with murky eyes, while Jiang Hong wondered: With no pupils, how does he gather light? Does he have photoreceptor cells in his eyes?
Chapter 78: The Ghost King
Lu Xiu responded, "It's alright, I'm just showing Jiang Hong around."
Jiang Hong felt like he had stepped onto the set of a historical drama in a second, the catch being that he and Lu Xiu were still dressed in modern clothes.
"This is Xiang Liu, his name is Lu Zhaoyang," Lu Xiu introduced. "He's the general director of the Monster Association. In Principal Xiang's absence, he handles the affairs of the Association."
Lu Zhaoyang nodded politely at Jiang Hong, who thought this man truly seemed like a Monster King, exuding a regal aura, composed and dignified in Lu Xiu's presence.
After leading them inside, He Rong left, and a girl in Hanfu approached. She was stunningly beautiful, fit for the description 'nation's beauty and heavenly fragrance'. She said, "Lord Fengli is handling external matters, I'm in charge of the palace affairs for now."
Lu Xiu said, "I remember you, your name is Hua Xiaoli."
The girl smiled, "Yes, Little King. You must be tired from your journey. Would you and your esteemed guest like to freshen up or dine first?"
Lu Xiu glanced at Jiang Hong, raising his eyebrows inquiringly, but Jiang Hong's attention was already scattered, observing the palace's décor. He vaguely, with his limited knowledge of magic, could tell the palace was filled with numerous mechanisms and runes, although he was unsure of their purpose.
"Let's bathe first," Lu Xiu decided. "Prepare two sets of clean clothes, nothing too elaborate or difficult to wear."
"Please follow me," Hua Xiaoli said with a bright smile. Jiang Hong noticed the fish scale and golden embroidery on the hem of her Tang-style dress, guessing she might be from an aquatic race.
Suddenly, Lu Xiu said, "I remember there was a Tibetan robe I wore when I first came here. Is it still around?"
"Yes," Hua Xiaoli confirmed. "Would you like it prepared? There are two sets, and later Queen Xiaoduo had another made for you."
Lu Xiu said, "Alter one of them for Jiang Hong to wear."
Hua Xiaoli responded, "I'll see to it right away."
She led them to an open-air bath, where sandalwood was burning. It was a modest-sized hot spring pool, with the mountains not yet fully enveloped in nightfall in the distance. Nestled against the mountain and water, the view was spectacular.
Jiang Hong was a bit dazed until he saw Lu Xiu start to bathe, and then he reacted, stripping off his clothes to join in the pool.
"This is so luxurious!" Jiang Hong exclaimed.
Lu Xiu, unfazed, listened as Jiang Hong asked, "Are we really going to intern here next semester?"
"Didn't your roommate tell you?" Lu Xiu inquired.
Indeed, Jiang Hong had seen some photos taken by his roommate, but they were mostly partial views, and all during the day. No one had captured the palace's interior décor and arrangements.
"Being the king here must be like living a heavenly life!" Jiang Hong remarked.
"Actually, it's quite boring," Lu Xiu said. "Keda, sitting on that throne, just played with his phone all day, which is why he went back to Cangqiong University."
Jiang Hong thought about it; indeed, without daily tasks, it would be dull, especially being alone. Even as a leader of the monster race, it could be lonely, couldn't it?
After soaking in the bath, it was fully dark, and Jiang Hong's stomach growled with hunger. Lu Xiu, having dressed, noted someone waiting outside, but they left after Lu Xiu said something.
Lu Xiu stood and helped Jiang Hong into his clothes, dressing him in a summer Tibetan robe. Although quickly altered, it fitted perfectly.
Jiang Hong couldn't help but steal glances at Lu Xiu in the mirror, finding him incredibly handsome and sexy! But as he watched, he felt he was about to lose his composure and pretended to adjust his robe, offering, "Let me dress you..."
However, Lu Xiu quickly donned his robe, which looked older than Jiang Hong's. The contrast gave it a faint sense of antiquity. He then picked an old amber bead from a plate and wore it, casually handing Jiang Hong a strand of turquoise.
"Stick close," Lu Xiu said, "don't get lost."
The palace was really vast. Even though every area was illuminated, the white drapes fluttered in the mountain breeze, and many corridors looked identical, making it easy to get lost.
Lu Xiu, leading Jiang Hong, walked for a while before arriving at another hall.
Xiang Liu and two other men were already waiting. As Lu Xiu entered, they stood up, performed a simple bow, and remained silent, as if waiting for Lu Xiu to speak.
Lu Xiu sat down without a word, prompting the other three to follow suit. Each had a low table in front of them, with a single-person meal box resembling kaiseki cuisine, containing a delicately prepared dinner. Five of them sat at individual spots, with one seat still unoccupied.
"I was passing through Wushan," Lu Xiu finally spoke, "and brought Jiang Hong to have a look. His grade will be interning here next semester."
Xiang Liu then smiled and said, "Alright, the internships for humans have been happening for some years now, there shouldn’t be any issues."
"Hmm," Lu Xiu introduced Jiang Hong, "this is the Ghost King."
The man sitting opposite Xiang Liu nodded. He was taller and more imposing than Xiang Liu. If Keda and Xiang Liu were XXXL size, the one called "Ghost King" was a 4XL.
"Hello," Jiang Hong greeted, getting a clearer view of his rugged, classically masculine appearance, dressed in ancient attire resembling that of a Han dynasty archer. His eyes, however, were cloudy, and upon hearing "Ghost King," Jiang Hong was startled, wondering if he was already deceased.
"He's a war-dead revenant," Lu Xiu explained, "Don't be afraid. You’ll learn about them next semester. They're also called 'Ba'."
"He's a living dead," joked another young man seated next to the Ghost King. "A zombie."
The Ghost King seemed not to mind at all and opened his meal box. Lu Xiu then said, "Let's eat," and gestured for Jiang Hong to start as well.
"This is the Eagle King," Lu Xiu said, passing a fried crab claw to Jiang Hong, urging him to eat it while it was hot, then introducing, "His name is Liu Heng."
Jiang Hong waved a greeting to him.
"He's the strongest warrior in the sacred land," Lu Xiu remarked. "In terms of hand-to-hand combat, I can at most draw with him..."
"I wouldn’t dare claim that," the Eagle King laughed modestly.
"The other seat is for Fengli," Lu Xiu mentioned, "He's the Fox King."
Jiang Hong remembered, but a look from Lu Xiu stopped him from speaking.
Jiang Hong: "?"
Not daring to speak out of turn, Jiang Hong simply nodded.
"Where is this journey taking you next?" Xiang Liu asked.
Lu Xiu replied, "Our next destination should be Xiangyang."
"Oh?" Xiang Liu nodded, evidently curious, but didn't inquire further, not wanting to press Lu Xiu for an answer.
Lu Xiu, however, was quite open, saying, "We're going to collect some spiritual energy from the earth's veins."
"Collecting spiritual energy from earth's veins for what?" Eagle King Liu Heng asked with a smile. "Does Xiangyang even have any spiritual energy left?"
Lu Xiu glanced at Jiang Hong, who thought for a moment and said, "It’s for a sentient artifact of mine."
Lu Xiu, who was previously unaware of Jiang Hong’s intentions, finally got his answer and asked, "Old Sun?"
"Yes, yes," Jiang Hong nodded eagerly, thinking to himself about how delicious the Monster Association's cuisine was. How could it be so tasty! It reflected the luxurious lifestyle of the principal – a fleet of sports cars, dining on kaiseki cuisine thrice a day! It was like living in a seven-star resort.
No wonder everyone, from ancient times to the present, has aspired to be an emperor.
"An artifact?" Xiang Liu chuckled. "Did you make it yourself?"
"Just call me 'you'," Jiang Hong hurriedly replied. "It’s an artifact I bought."
Lu Xiu glanced at Xiang Liu, seemingly thinking he was asking too many questions.
The Ghost King seemed to ponder something and said, "Xiangyang?"
His voice was deep and slightly hoarse, which suited his robust tone perfectly. Jiang Hong, who had previously thought he was mute, was startled by his sudden speech.
Lu Xiu asked, "Is there something significant about Xiangyang?"
The Ghost King then fell silent again, resembling a sloth with a three-minute delayed reaction. Everyone seemed accustomed to this.
Xiang Liu commented, "The spiritual energy of heaven and earth, transformed by the sun and moon, can indeed nurture artifacts into sentient beings."
Jiang Hong surmised that Xiang Liu probably served as a strategist or advisor, as he seemed to know a great deal.
However, Lu Xiu said, "The Ghost King is the oldest living being among the monster race and the Exorcism Commission. He knows more secrets than Principal Cao and Chen Zhen, having many things to share. If he remembers, he can guide you."
Jiang Hong vaguely sensed that Lu Xiu's relationship with Xiang Liu was strained. This feeling started from the moment they entered the Monster Association. What was off? Right!
If Lu Xiu was the 'Little King,' then Xiang Liu should have personally welcomed him. But he didn't, nor did he explain why.
It seemed that Lu Xiu didn't want Xiang Liu to say too much. When Xiang Liu started talking about the artifact, Lu Xiu instead suggested Jiang Hong ask the Ghost King, clearly not wanting him to know too much.
Xiang Liu seemed unconcerned and was about to speak when the Ghost King added, "Xiangyang is the location of Tianxuan in the Beidou Formation, one of the places where Chiyou's soul was sealed."
"Chiyou's soul?" Jiang Hong's curiosity was immediately piqued.
"Chiyou's soul," the Ghost King replied. "It's been over sixteen hundred years."
It turned out the Ghost King wasn't slow to respond; he was just thoughtful.
"Oh..." Jiang Hong said, "I have to visit a few other places as well."
The Ghost King asked, "Are you looking to refine souls?"
Jiang Hong answered, "Refine souls? What is that? I don’t know. I just want to use something called 'Pure Light Crystal' to collect as much spiritual energy from heaven and earth as possible."
"Hmm, Pure Light Crystal, it can indeed be used to collect spiritual energy. It's a good item," the Ghost King nodded, adding nothing more.
Lu Xiu explained, "It's his final project for the term."
Eagle King Liu Heng asked, "Did you assign it? Are university students learning these things now?"
Lu Xiu: "It's taught by Cao Bin."
The conversation then lapsed, and Jiang Hong focused on his luxurious kaiseki meal. The large meal box was just the appetizer, soon followed by hot dishes like Wujing fish cooked in a clay pot. He marveled at the deliciousness of this style of Sichuan cuisine.
"I am back," a voice said from outside the hall. Then Fengli entered, greeting Lu Xiu, "Sorry for not being able to welcome our esteemed guest from afar." He then bowed after entering the hall.
"Just dinner," Lu Xiu said. "I was merely passing through."
Fengli then turned to Jiang Hong, "Nice to meet you. Welcome to the Monster Association."
Jiang Hong: "?"
Jiang Hong felt a discrepancy in his memory but said nothing, simply nodding with a hint of confusion.
"There are fewer monsters here this year," Lu Xiu observed.
Xiang Liu replied, "The young ones prefer the human world, enjoying human society. I actually find it peaceful here."
Liu Heng inquired, "How many left this year?"
Fengli answered, "Over a thousand left their permanent residence here, but when it gets warmer outside, many return."
Liu Heng added, "It'll be lively again when the university students come for their internship."
The four Monster Kings and Lu Xiu conversed little thereafter. Soon after dinner, Lu Xiu excused himself first, and the others dispersed.
"I'm so full," Jiang Hong stretched lazily, absentmindedly reaching out and grabbing Lu Xiu's hand. It was only half past eight, but the Monster Association's palace felt somewhat deserted, probably because it was so large and there were so few monsters around, making it feel less lively, lacking in "human" or rather "monster" vitality. He began to understand why everyone preferred the human world and didn’t always want to stay in Wushan.
"Shall I show you around?" Lu Xiu offered.
Jiang Hong, needing to walk off his meal, followed Lu Xiu along the cliffside path, slowly strolling. Despite being a summer night, the mountain's temperature varied greatly between day and night, and it was quite chilly. Fortunately, both of them wore Tibetan robes, perfect for keeping warm.
Changing into the Tibetan robes, Jiang Hong felt as if he was back in front of Jokhang Temple, instinctively holding Lu Xiu's hand. The cool night breeze was refreshing.
"Has the Ghost King really lived for 1600 years?" Jiang Hong asked.
"Much longer than that," Lu Xiu replied. "He just 'mentioned' events from 1600 years ago. Fengli says he existed since the Qin Dynasty."
Jiang Hong was astonished: "The Qin Dynasty! That means he's over 2000 years old! He must be the oldest living monster in the world!"
Lu Xiu pondered: "Possibly? Unless you count those chaotic prehistoric creatures resurrected by Yinghuo."
The Ghost King was likely the oldest in the Monster Association, followed by Fengli, who was also over a thousand years old.
Jiang Hong couldn't tell that Fengli was that "old," who, rumor had it, was also the ex-boyfriend of their teacher Gegen Tuorule Keda... there must be lots of gossip there.
"Do you want to meet him?" Lu Xiu noticed Jiang Hong's unease.
"Who?" Jiang Hong realized what he meant and said, "Uh... a little, but how did you know?"
Lu Xiu: "Because you rarely talk about anyone else to me."
When Jiang Hong was with Lu Xiu, he almost never spontaneously mentioned others. If he did, it usually meant he needed something.
True enough, Jiang Hong wanted to ask the Ghost King something — he knew the exact locations of the Beidou Seven Star Formation in Shenzhou and might also provide tips on collecting spiritual energy from the earth, like how to make it purer and more powerful.
"Shall I take you there?" Lu Xiu offered. "His home is in that cave over there."
On the brilliantly lit side of the Monster Association headquarters was a dark cave, lit only by two white lamps outside, resembling the eyes of some monstrous serpent.
"The cave... is it big?" Jiang Hong was a bit apprehensive.
"The outer part of the mountain is just the external area of the Monster Association," Lu Xiu explained. "Inside, there's the sacred land of the monster race. The war-dead revenant clan lives there, guarding the sacred land."
"Oh, I see." Jiang Hong thought for a moment and said, "Maybe... let's not."
Glancing at Lu Xiu, Jiang Hong didn't want him to know about the Western sword he was forging, at least not before it was ready. After all, he had been preparing it for a long time.
"What are you thinking about?" Lu Xiu asked curiously. "Go on, tell me."
After some thought, Jiang Hong finally said, "I wanted to ask about something regarding Old Sun, but maybe Old Sun doesn't really want..."
Lu Xiu understood and said, "It's okay, I'll take you there. I won't go in."
Just as Jiang Hong voiced his concern, he felt it might be inappropriate and glanced at Lu Xiu, tentatively asking, "You're not upset, are you?"
"Why would I be upset?" Lu Xiu responded. "Let's go."
There was only an old, neglected stone bridge leading to the cave at the bottom of the mountain, with no guards outside. As they reached the bridge, someone hurried after them, calling out, "Lord Lu Xiu!"
Lu Xiu and Jiang Hong turned to see Fengli approaching, holding a shopping bag. "Is this your sweeping robot?" he said. "They just found it in the forbidden area."
Jiang Hong: "…………"
"You went wandering again!" Jiang Hong exclaimed.
Old Sun replied, "I didn’t, I just got lost!"
Fengli handed it back to Jiang Hong, seeming hesitant to speak, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.
Lu Xiu raised an eyebrow in inquiry, and Fengli turned to Old Sun, asking, "How did you get in there?"
Old Sun explained, "I really don’t know. I was lost and just walked around, then I ended up in a place without realizing it was a forbidden area."
Lu Xiu gestured to let it go, and Fengli didn't pursue the matter further. Suddenly, Fengli gave a meaningful look, and Lu Xiu seemed to understand, nodding, "Alright, let Old Sun accompany you. I'll wait for you outside."
"Okay," Jiang Hong looked at the cave that resembled a graveyard, feeling very, very scared. However, the task at hand overcame his fear of ghosts, so he mustered his courage and crossed the bridge.
Lu Xiu and Fengli waited at the bridgehead, seemingly wanting to wait for them to leave before starting their conversation.
"Be careful not to fall," Jiang Hong said. "How did you end up in someone else's forbidden area?"
Old Sun explained, "I first entered a garden, then fell through a hole. That hole was a slope, and as I walked, I somehow ended up in another place."
"You have infrared vision, right?" Jiang Hong remarked.
"Yes," Old Sun replied. "I saw two figures and didn't disturb them. As I wandered, I ran into monsters, and they were looking for the fox."
"Uh," Jiang Hong said, "don't wander off like that again."
Old Sun asked, "Jiang Hong, what are you going to do?"
Approaching the tomb-like cave, Jiang Hong's scalp started to tingle.
"I need to find... the Ghost King," Jiang Hong muttered to himself. "Hello? Is anyone there? I'm looking for the Ghost King! Is the Ghost King home?"
From a distance, Lu Xiu called out, "Just go in! He's inside!"
Jiang Hong looked back and realized he had only walked less than thirty meters from Lu Xiu, just past a bridge.
Ahhh! This is terrifying! I'm definitely going to have nightmares tonight!
"Do you want me to light the way for you?" Old Sun asked. "What do you need the Ghost King for?"
Jiang Hong replied, "Okay, no, no! Don't light it up! Your light is red! That's even more terrifying! I’ll use my phone for lighting... yeah!"
Steeling himself, Jiang Hong finally entered the cave, which was as quiet as a tomb.
"Is... is anyone there?" Jiang Hong called out nervously. "Are you... okay?"
As an exorcist who was afraid of ghosts, this scenario was his worst nightmare. Being a human who feared ghosts or an exorcist who wasn’t afraid had their own trials — humans rarely encounter supernatural events in their lifetime, and exorcists deal with demons and spirits daily without fear.
But Jiang Hong found himself teetering on this cliff edge of life.
"Are you that afraid of ghosts?" Old Sun asked.
"Yes... yes, I am," Jiang Hong's voice trembled. If it weren't for Old Sun's presence, he would have surely sprinted back screaming by now.
Old Sun suggested, "There’s a therapy called 'exposure therapy.' It's a type of shock treatment..."
On the verge of tears, Jiang Hong said, "I feel like I'm undergoing exposure therapy right now. I would never come to this place if it weren't for Lu Xiu..."
Old Sun encouraged, "Go a bit further in, it's quite spacious inside."
Jiang Hong, resigning himself to his fate, took a few more steps inside and shouted, "Is anyone there? Old Sun, where are you? Don't go too far from me!"
Old Sun replied, "I'm right in front of you."
Jiang Hong said anxiously, "Don't run! What's this? Is this a chair? A chair, right?"
Old Sun turned around to provide light for Jiang Hong, who instantly panicked and screamed, "A coffin! A coffin, ahhhh!"
It was a stone sarcophagus. As Jiang Hong screamed, the entire tomb echoed with the heavy sound of stone scraping, as lids began to open.
This moment was perhaps the greatest trial Jiang Hong had ever faced in his life.
"Ahhhh!" Standing amidst countless sarcophagi, Jiang Hong helplessly wailed. There was no Lu Xiu for him to leap into for comfort, nor any path to escape.
Then, a voice behind him said, "You've woken them up."
"Oh God!" Jiang Hong spun around to see the war-dead revenant king, his indigo face illuminated under the mobile phone's flashlight, feeling as if his soul was leaving his body.
Thankfully, Jiang Hong had met the Ghost King before. Finding a familiar face... well, ghost... in this graveyard, he immediately grabbed the Ghost King's hand and screamed, "Please make them go back! Go back to sleep! I beg you!"
The Ghost King remarked, "I may be old, but I'm not hard of hearing. There's no need to shout."
Jiang Hong: "I'm scared of ghosts, ahhh!"
The Ghost King understood, raising a hand that held a small bell.
The clear, crisp sound of the bell, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling, resonated, and the war-dead revenants in the thousands of sarcophagi lay back down, closing their lids.
Jiang Hong: "Oh my God, this scene is just too..."
"Shh." The Ghost King gestured with his finger, signaling not to wake the other war-dead revenants.
Jiang Hong clenched his teeth, feeling as though his hair was standing on end.
The Ghost King asked, "You came to see me for a reason?"
Jiang Hong: "Yes... yes, I have... a request, but could you... please not go too far? Stay close to me."
The Ghost King: "You fear ghosts, yet I am one myself."
Jiang Hong: "It's different... we already know each other, and you're a familiar ghost, so it's not that... scary anymore."
The Ghost King led him to another area within the cave, surrounded by stone sarcophagi. Deeper inside was a space resembling a small palace, with an open large stone sarcophagus, a table, and a half-finished game of Mahjong. A plump man was waiting there; he stood up hurriedly upon seeing Jiang Hong and bowed, saying, "Hello, hello!"
The presence of lights made Jiang Hong breathe easier, feeling less frightened.
"There's electricity in the cave?" Jiang Hong remarked. "Why not turn on more lights?"
Ghost King: "To save energy, be eco-friendly. Sit down, please. Would you like something to drink, Jiang Hong?"
Jiang Hong: "Monsters talking about being eco-friendly, isn't that a bit strange..."
The plump man said, "It's precisely because we are monsters that we need to care about the environment. We must cherish the natural world we live in, right?"
Jiang Hong found himself at a loss for words at this response, as the Ghost King went to fetch a drink.
Jiang Hong: "No, no, I won't drink anything, oh, there's a fridge too. Is this cola normal? Did you buy it from the town below?"
Ghost King: "Ordered online to Wushan County, then picked it up myself."
Jiang Hong: "Okay then, cola it is."
Jiang Hong, sipping his cola, found the whole situation bizarre. He looked at the plump man, who also looked at him, then at the floor-cleaning robot. The Ghost King glanced at it, puzzled, about to pick it up and turn it off, but Jiang Hong quickly said, "No, no, it's my magical artifact, called 'Old Sun.' Old Sun, this is the Ghost King."
"Oh," the Ghost King nodded, "the artifact you were talking about earlier?"
"Not... entirely," Jiang Hong said. "Actually, I have something to ask, but would you two like to finish your game first? Please continue, don't let me interrupt."
"Hmm," the Ghost King responded and picked up the Mahjong tiles, resuming his study of them.
Jiang Hong noticed an old-fashioned pellet drum on the table, eyeing it curiously.
"Want to try?" The Ghost King picked up the pellet drum and handed it to him.
"What's the use of this?" Jiang Hong curiously asked.
The chubby man said, "This is a magical item called 'Zheng Drum.' It can awaken all sleeping beings and even revive a hundred thousand dormant war ghosts..."
Jiang Hong was immediately frightened, hastily putting the drum back, careful not to make any sound.
"What are you?" Old Sun asked the chubby man.
This opening line always seemed odd, but the chubby man responded normally, saying, "I'm a panda, what about you?"
"Oh, a white bear. I don't really know what I am," Old Sun replied. "What do you think I am?"
The chubby man said, "Aren't you obviously a floor-sweeping robot? You're just joking with me."
Old Sun felt a bit disappointed, then said, "Jiang Hong, may I wander around nearby?"
Jiang Hong was about to say "no," but the Ghost King interjected, "Go ahead, you are Jiang Hong's magical treasure, feel free to explore."
So, Old Sun went off to wander. Jiang Hong cautioned, "Don't go too far, you're almost out of battery!"
Old Sun replied, "I still have 37% left."
The chubby man kept observing Jiang Hong, and Jiang Hong also watched the chubby man, both cautiously eyeing each other.
"I would like to ask you a question..." the chubby man said politely and respectfully.
"I also have a question for you," Jiang Hong said. "But you go first."
Jiang Hong always maintained basic respect for first-class protected animals.
"May I ask," the chubby man said, "my brothers just mentioned that you are the Little Queen. Is that true?"
"Little... Little Queen, what on earth is that!" Jiang Hong had been bewildered ever since he arrived at the Demon Association, with every moment challenging his worldview.
"It means the wife of the Little King," the chubby man explained.
Jiang Hong: "Is the Little King referring to Lu Xiu? Uh, aren't you pandas? Why so curious?"
The chubby man looked nervously at Jiang Hong, who felt a bit uneasy and said, "You'll have to ask Lu Xiu about that. I don't know either."
The chubby man's mouth formed an "O" shape and exclaimed, "Then it must be true! You are the Little Queen Mother!"
"Don't call me 'Mother'!" Jiang Hong burst out, now utterly embarrassed. "And there's no need to kneel! Get up! Ah, don't be so servile and then overly bold, it's too awkward!"
Jiang Hong quickly stopped the panda from kneeling and bowing.
"Alright, alright," the chubby man hastily wiped his sweat and said, "I guessed as much!"
Jiang Hong said, "I... I also wanted to ask..."
The chubby man, no longer focused on the card game, said, "Please ask, Your Highness!"
Jiang Hong: "Uh, no need for that, and I'm not Your Highness. By the way, are you really a panda? Can you transform back to your original form for me to see?"
The chubby man replied, "As commanded by the Queen Mother!"
Then, with a "bang," like a transformation in an animated movie, a genuine panda appeared in front of the Ghost King.
"Oh my gosh!" Jiang Hong screamed excitedly, "A panda! A panda—!"
Without waiting for the panda's permission, Jiang Hong impolitely pounced on the huge panda, who was sitting on a stone drum chair, almost as tall as the Ghost King, with a broad back and robust build, its fur soft, fluffy, glossy, and very clean!
"Panda, wow hahaha!" Jiang Hong exclaimed, "Can we take a photo together? We must! You won't refuse, right?"
After transforming back, the chubby man seemed more bashful, even playfully sticking out his tongue for the camera, allowing Jiang Hong to affectionately rub and roll over him.
"You lost," the Ghost King said, "I won, the game is over. Come on, Jiang Hong, what did you want to ask? You're a very polite kid, not taking for granted your status as the Queen..."
"I'm not the Queen yet... I've forgotten what I wanted to ask."
Jiang Hong was enthusiastically climbing on the panda's back, intent on hugging the adorable creature, having completely forgotten his original purpose.
This panda was too much fun! It was his first time so openly playing with a panda like this! He felt incredibly happy, as if he could die contentedly right then and there! The key was that such a panda didn't resist and even cooperatively turned around to embrace Jiang Hong, posing no danger at all!
But it was still a bit hot... The panda's fur was just too thick, and clinging too closely made it a bit hard to breathe. Alright, alright, that's enough for now.
Jiang Hong said, "It's like this, let's ask Old Sun first. Can you tell what Old Sun really is?"
The Ghost King seriously answered, "He's a floor-sweeping robot."
"No, that's not it!" Jiang Hong hurriedly clarified, "A floor-sweeping robot isn't its true form; its true form is a Tmall Genie... no, wait, it's like this..."
Jiang Hong explained Old Sun's origin, and the Ghost King then said, "Let me see its true form. Do you have a picture?"
Jiang Hong found a picture of Old Sun and showed it to the Ghost King. The Ghost King gazed at his phone with murky eyes, while Jiang Hong wondered: With no pupils, how does he gather light? Does he have photoreceptor cells in his eyes?
