Chapter 9

It must be the greedy nature of all ghosts; that beautiful bead held an irresistible allure for me.

I deliberately looked away.

“You’ve had this refined bead for a while now. Why haven’t you used it?”

Sunlight dappled through the leaves. Jay gathered me into his arms, holding me for a long time before answering cryptically,

“Who says I haven’t? She is already whole, and by my side.”

I thought I was good at understanding people, but his words were a complete enigma.

Since he was shielding me from the sun, I snuggled comfortably in his arms and didn’t argue.

“From now on, call me Jay dear. Alright?”

“How could I? That’s your name with Miss Yunxi. She would be heartbroken if she knew someone else called you that.”

Jay chuckled. “We’ve already been dual cultivating. How do you explain that?”

I felt a pang of guilt but remained stubborn. “If Miss Yunxi knew you were always so melancholic, she would permit me to offer you some comfort.”

“Besides, didn’t you say I could become a Ghost King with boundless power? When that time comes, you can go avenge Miss Yunxi, and I can help you.”

Jay paused.

“Do you even know what I plan to do? Why help me? Even that old crone said Miss Yunxi’s sins were heavy.”

“Who can truly know the rights and wrongs of it all?”

He was unwilling to speak of Miss Yunxi, so I didn’t press him.

“Aren’t you planning to wreak havoc on the sects of the Nine Provinces? But their foundations run deep. No matter how powerful you are, it’s nearly impossible to escape unscathed on your own.”

“If I become a Ghost King, I can help you crush the sects and claim your justice. Afterwards, I can take you back to the Ghost Realm and hide you away. Wouldn’t that be perfect?”

The man behind me was silent for a long moment.

A flicker of unease made me turn my head, only for his lips to meet mine.

“You saucy little ghost, wanting to hide me away?”

Jay chuckled, his voice low.

“How about we start with a little dual cultivation in broad daylight…?”

The seasons turned, spring giving way to autumn, year after year.

Jay and I cultivated like this for three whole years.

The calendar turned once more to the seventh month.

On the fifteenth day, the Gates of Hell open.

Jay stood in the afterglow of the setting sun. Behind him was the familiar verdant valley; before him, the ominous path between realms.

He extended his hand to me.

“Are you ready to seize the throne of the Nine Nethers, my Ghost King?”