1 Banquet Invitation
Zhen Guan Shou, Main City, Ghost Realm
Gui Wen stared blankly at the wine in his cup for a long time. He appeared to be lost in his thoughts as he took a gulp and sighed.
This man was secretly praying that the 'meal' that he had delivered for the ghost emperor had now been devoured. Somehow, he felt nervous just by thinking of the three figures that he had caught that day.
"Leader Gui Wen, why do you look so tense? Those three cultivators won't be a problem for us. As long as we delivered the meal, the ghost emperor will be happy. Come! Drink more!" one of Gui Wen's companions consoled him and added a liquor on his cup.
The man looked up and scanned the place as he tried to gather his composure. Something was bothering him and he could not identify the source of his troubles.
"I am not certain of what would be the result. The ghost emperor had to rely on us. And those 'meals' that we sent to him were not affected by our enchantments. I only tricked them to come and meet the ghost emperor," Gui Wen continued to express his worries.
His companions were quick to refill his cup with another wine and urged him to have fun.
"Aiyooo, you worry too much! Drink wine to calm your mind! Earlier, that headache that we felt was too strange. We must relax before hunting again. Let's enjoy!"
"Leader Gui Wen, drink, we will order another batch!"
Despite the enthusiasm of this group, Gui Wen's troubled expression did not change. The lines on his forehead creased even deeply as if it was carved by a sword on his skin.
"I think I should check the majesty and see if he is satisfied with the 'meals'," Gui Wen thoughtfully mumbled and stood from his seat. He took some silver coins in his pocket and gave them to the attendant as payment for his drinks.
"Thank you, brother. See you again!" the attendant expressed politely and waved his hand.
Gui Wen nodded his head and started to head out. Just as he was about to exit the wine tavern, a sudden force surged from the outside and flew in his direction. He instinctively stepped on the side to dodge the force.
Everyone was shocked and the force went through the front desk, creating an explosion. The attendant of the place were quick to pull out his weapon and was ready to attack the newcomer.
"Who is creating trouble in my business?" the owner of the wine store shouted in anger. He stared at the damaged tables and also unsheathed his sword that was strap on the side of his leg.
In the midst of their anger, the figure finally emerged. But the man was someone that they do not dare to offed. He was one of the supreme ghosts that was known of his violence.
"HAHAHA, Gui Wen, you are still capable of evading my attack! Impressive! Anyway, take this invitation to your useless ghost emperor. Hehehe, tell him to join the banquet of superior ghost tomorrow," said the arrogant figure of an elder ghost.
A black marble instantly floated in the air and stopped in front of Gui Wen. The newcomer then continued to walk inside the tavern. His footsteps resounding every corner of the establishment.
This elder stopped three steps away of the owner and gave him some gold coins which was obviously the payment for the damages he had caused.
"Ohh, it is you elder Jian Ren Xin. Hehe," the owner awkwardly uttered his greeting and offered a customary bow before he accepted the payment. His sword had already returned to its sheath.
Seeing the token of invitation, Gui Wen's face became dark. He clenched his hand into a fist and glared at the figure. The man was not just one of the superior ghosts that had been provoking the ghost emperor, he was also trying to lead a campaign to the entire realm and convinced other citizens that the ghost emperor must renounce the throne.
"Elder Jian Ren Xin, you are so generous. I will send this invitation to the majesty," Gui Wen coldly said and left the place. He was not a reckless subordinate of the ghost emperor. Even if he had the ability, it was not enough to fight this man. So he decided to go back to the Castle of Gui, the residence of the ghost emperor.
He was aware that the superior ghosts had been crafty with their mockery towards their ruler. And this invitation was just a scheme so that they could lure the ghost emperor out of his castle so they could kill him.
'The majesty is too pitiful. In the past, these elders are even afraid to even make an eye contact at him. Now, they really dared to call him useless,' Gui Wen lamented and he flew in the direction of the castle.
As he arrived few meters away from the entrance of the castle, he suddenly saw a familiar figure of a lady dressed in plain white garments. And the ghost emperor was also standing beside the lady. The two figures were walking in the front yard of the castle and seemed to be in a deep conversation.
Gui Wen's heart raced rapidly. The lady was one of the 'meals' that he had delivered to the ghost emperor. This was the figure that he had been praying to be devoured.
"Your majesty, this subordinate is here. I have something to report," Gui Wen quickly appeared from behind and secretly took a glance at the lady.
The ghost emperor looked at him and then to Ye Shin. "Ye Shin, this is my loyal subordinate. He is called Gui Wen," he casually introduced him to the lady.
Gui Wen bowed his head and hoped that the lady did not remember his face. But this wishful thinking is but impossible. In the calm and clear eyes of Ye Shin, she could easily identify the man.
"Yes, he is a good subordinate. Gui Wen, I am called Ye Shin," the lady introduced in a tone that is neither soft nor loud.
"Your majesty, may I boldly asked you... uhhmm, how do I address the lady?" Gui Wen whispered to the ghost emperor. He could not tell if the ghost emperor did spare one of his 'meal' and was selecting for an empress of their domain or if there was something else in this arrangement. 'Perhaps, the ghost emperor was attracted to how calm the bearing of this lady is,' he mentally commented
"Hahaha, this subordinate... Gui Wen, her name is Ye Shin, then address her by that name," the ghost emperor casually stated.
Gui Wen scratched his head and stared at the lady in confusion. So the emperor was not choosing an empress! But why is this lady still alive?
Earlier, he had caught prey in the forest of the divine realm. This lady is one of the three prey. But, how is she still alive and was even walking side to side by his emperor was a mystery that he wanted to solve. What happened after he delivered the meals?
On the other hand, Ye Shin cast a glance at Gui Wen and sensed his confusion. For some reason, she had long seen through the trickery that he made.
"Your ghost emperor and I had reached an agreement. He already explained his struggles to me. From the destruction of his divine weapon and the threats of his throne. I will assist him. Subordinate Gui Wen, you should already know my ability since we have met earlier?" Ye Shin spoke while her hands clasped behind her back.
That's right. His enchantment technique was not effective when he tried to capture the prey earlier that day. In fact, the lady's ability to evade his enchantment was the source of his anxiety in the wine store.
Since this woman and her companions were looking for the Hallowed Lair of the ghost realm, he tricked them into coming with him to the castle of the ghost emperor.
At that time, he never guessed that the lady could negotiate with the ghost emperor! He even prayed that she would be devoured by his majesty before he comes back to the castle!
"Ohh," Gui Wen sounded but then he found himself lost of words.
"What are you going to report to me? Is it the invitation of superior ghost banquet?" the ghost emperor initiated but somehow he could deduce the reason why his subordinate looked tensed.
Upon hearing what the ghost emperor said, Gui Wen's eyes constricted. Based on his expression, the ghost emperor could confirm that he had guessed correctly.
Gui Wen took a black marble and handed the token of invitation. Then, he bowed his head and made a plea, "Your majesty, don't attend! Those superior ghosts just want to lure you out of the castle. If you go to that banquet, they will surely kill you!"
Gui Wen sounded so distress and feared that the ghost emperor would really face his end by the hands of those vile elders. He could not bear the thought of it.
The ghost emperor curled her lips into a smile and looked at Ye Shin. But the lady did not show any reaction on her face. She was just calmly watching Gui Wen on the side.
"Hehe... In the past, I always refused this banquet even if I lost face to them. Since my weapon was destroyed, I do fear for my life. But, Ye Shin is here and agreed to protect me. Gui Wen, you don't need to worry. The three of us shall attend this gathering tomorrow," the ghost emperor declared and proceed to walk inside his castle, leaving Ye Shin and Gui Wen behind.
