On the mountaintop, Douglas Situ stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the many cultivators before him, his expression growing increasingly complex.
These forr friends, except for the dozen or so who swore to follow him to the death, had all betrayed him.
According to his original plan, he intended to join forces with these people to deal with Jiang He. But Ghost Guest's sudden disappearance forced him to change his plans. Fortunately, he hadn't disclosed the date of action to these people; otherwise, Jiang He would have already taken him down.
Although he had anticipated this situation when he changed his plan, the feeling of being betrayed by everyone was still hard to swallow.
From a moral standpoint, he despised these people, even loathed them. But from a practical standpoint, he didn't bla them.
If he were Jiang He, he would do the sa—continuously sending assassins to create fear and make people too scared to follow him.
For the sake of Dusk Mountain's interests, he wouldn't take action against these people; he might even greet them with a smile. But from now on, these people would never hold a place in his heart.
"Mountain Lord, please announce the rules," Ghost Guest lightly coughed when he saw Douglas Situ lost in thought.
Douglas Situ snapped back to reality, turned to look at Ghost Guest beside him, and smiled warmly.
The other cultivators' gazes also fell on Ghost Guest, their expressions varied.
Since Douglas Situ beca the Mountain Lord, Ghost Guest and those dozen or so cultivators were undoubtedly the closest to him.
Now that Douglas Situ had beco the Mountain Lord, Ghost Guest's status naturally rose. Given the strength and connections he displayed today, it was not an exaggeration to call him the second most powerful person in Dusk Mountain.
Douglas Situ spoke loudly, "Now that I am the Mountain Lord, Jiang He's rules are abolished. Monthly contributions will be collected once a month, not in advance. Everyone can focus on their cultivation; the past is behind us, and we are still friends."
The crowd remained silent. With Jiang He's rules abolished, the Spirit Stones collected before naturally didn't count. If Douglas Situ took on this debt, it might take years, even decades, to collect the monthly contributions.
But no one dared to say this; it had always been this way with each change of Mountain Lord.
After dismissing the crowd, Douglas Situ nodded to Robert Zhou and Brian Qin, who were shrouded in black mist, and then, along with Ghost Guest, escorted them down the mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, Ghost Guest stopped, clasped his fists, and saluted Brian Qin and Robert Zhou, "Thank you, senior brothers, for your assistance. I am deeply grateful."
Brian Qin shook his head, "Our grievances are settled; from now on, we only talk about benefits."
Ghost Guest nodded slightly, "As it should be."
Robert Zhou patted Ghost Guest on the shoulder with a smile, "Junior brother, you're generous. Next ti there's such a lucrative task, don't forget to call . I'm really broke."
"Definitely." Ghost Guest smiled, watching the two leave, then looked up at the slowly dissipating mountain-sealing restriction.
Dawn had just broken, and those who died last night wouldn't even have their nas rembered.
Elijah Shen put his arm around Douglas Situ's shoulder, "How about it, buddy? Wasn't I helpful? If you hadn't said you had enough people, I would've brought the folks from South Goose Mountain to take down Jiang He."
"Thanks." Douglas Situ smiled warmly.
"With our years of friendship, there's no need for thanks." Elijah Shen glanced at Douglas Situ, then patted Ghost Guest on the shoulder, "You're impressive, kid. You made see you in a new light tonight. Next ti, bring him to South Goose Mountain, and I'll treat you to drinks. See you."
Douglas Situ watched Elijah Shen leave, then turned and walked up the mountain with Ghost Guest. After a while, he asked, "Did you join the Law Enforcent Hall?"
Ghost Guest nodded silently.
Douglas Situ sighed, "I didn't tell you these things because I was afraid they'd double-cross you. I didn't expect you to get so close to them. Forget it; I won't ask more. I trust you know what you're doing. After a night of fighting, you must be tired. Go rest. Jiang He is dead, and I need to report to the Law Enforcent Hall."
After parting with Douglas Situ, Ghost Guest walked slowly along the mountain path, his steps heavy and dragging. As Douglas Situ had said, ever since he joined the Law Enforcent Hall, his mind had been tense. Now, finally relaxed, he was too exhausted to say a word.
In the courtyard pavilion, Little Tiger was sleeping soundly, wrapped in a blanket by the railing. Laura Jiang and Cynthia Jiang were lying on the stone table, with leftover food and dishes scattered around, indicating they hadn't slept in the loft for a long ti.
Ghost Guest quietly approached the three, gently picking up the fallen blanket and covering the two sisters.
Cynthia Jiang slept deeply, but Laura Jiang was awakened by the slight movent. She opened her eyes groggily and, upon seeing Ghost Guest, instantly beca alert.
"Young Master, you're finally back!"
Her exclamation woke Little Tiger and Cynthia Jiang, who looked at Ghost Guest with excitent.
"Dylan Chen, where have you been these days? Why didn't you co back?" Little Tiger shook Ghost Guest's hand vigorously.
"Young Master, there was a lot of commotion on Dusk Mountain last night. Are you alright?" Cynthia Jiang asked worriedly.
Under Ghost Guest's instruction, Douglas Situ had secretly sent them ssages, but even knowing Ghost Guest was alive, they couldn't help but worry, hoping every day and night for his safe return.
The three had actually just fallen asleep not long ago. The noise from last night's battle was so loud that even through the light screen, they were terrified, sitting anxiously in the pavilion all night until they finally dozed off at dawn.
"It's fine. The Mountain Lord has changed. No one will dare bully you on Dusk Mountain anymore." Ghost Guest sat down with a smile, picked up the bowl and chopsticks they left for him every day, and started eating heartily.
The three looked at Ghost Guest, covered in blood, their eyes still filled with worry.
Ghost Guest spoke lightly, but they could sense the danger he had faced. They couldn't persuade Ghost Guest not to take risks; they could only wait here for his return.
Seeing Ghost Guest eating the leftovers, Laura Jiang finally reacted, "Young Master, please wait. We'll cook sothing fresh. How can we let you eat leftovers?"
Ghost Guest waved his hand, satisfied with the leftovers. When he was young, living with his gambling father, he couldn't even get such leftovers. at and vegetables—it was good enough.
Laura Jiang said softly, "I'll boil so water. You must be tired, Young Master. A bath will help you sleep comfortably."
Ghost Guest nodded. Seeing Little Tiger and Cynthia Jiang resting their chins on their hands, watching him, he smiled, "What, don't recognize ?"
Little Tiger said in a muffled voice, "Dylan Chen, I know you're resourceful, but you must take care of yourself. We've been worried sick these days, afraid sothing might happen to you. Do you know how many tis Cynthia cried for you?"
"It wasn't ." Cynthia Jiang stomped her foot in embarrassnt, "It was my sister."
"I thought it was you." Little Tiger scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.
"Hmph, I wouldn't cry! We've known each other for so long, and you still can't tell and my sister apart. I'm angry!"
"Don't be mad. I apologize."
"Alright, I forgive you. It was my sister who cried. Don't get it wrong again. I wouldn't cry."
"Got it, got it. I'll rember."
Ghost Guest watched the two bicker with a smile, finished his al, stretched, yawned, and headed to his room.
Laura Jiang had already boiled the water and poured it into the wooden tub. She stood by the tub, dazed. When she heard Ghost Guest enter, she quickly wiped her eyes with her sleeve, but Ghost Guest still noticed her red, swollen eyes.
With the matter of Dusk Mountain resolved, Ghost Guest was in a good mood and teased, "Why are you crying alone?"
Laura Jiang's words were exactly like her sister Cynthia Jiang's.
"I'm not crying."
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