After going upstairs, Webster first recited an incantation and then counted on his fingers. "Damn, Raul Master, something seems to have happened to old man Rhett."
I was surprised - was Webster really this capable? Could he actually deduce this?
Raul Master's face immediately darkened, his brows furrowing with unmistakable worry. He said if something had happened to Rhett and "those guys" returned, it would be disastrous.
I didn't understand their conversation and quickly asked who "those guys" were. What would happen if my grandfather wasn't around?
Instead of answering, Raul Master mysteriously asked whether my parents had ever come back for me.
I shook my head, saying I hadn't seen my parents in these twenty years.
Raul Master visibly relaxed at this response, which puzzled me even more - were my parents some kind of major criminals?
Then I remembered my grandfather's instructions: if my parents ever came looking for me, I must kill them and cremate their bodies to ashes.
What had my parents done? Why? I wanted to question Raul Master and Webster - perhaps they knew something - but before I could speak, Raul Master anticipated my question and cut me off.
"Son, now's not the time. You'll understand later. But first, can you tell us exactly what happened to your grandfather?" Raul Master asked.
I didn't hold back and directly explained everything that had occurred previously.
"I told you - with Rhett's abilities, nothing should have happened to him. So he did it to save his grandson," Webster said, seeming to reach some realization.
Raul Master nodded. "Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts are indeed sinister. Giving ghosts such tattoos is strictly forbidden - a thousand ghosts surrounding the house is too terrifying. Fortunately it was Rhett. If it were me or Webster, we'd have been dead long ago."
"Son," Raul Master said gravely, "focus on earning money. You must save up 100 million within three years to rescue your grandfather. Otherwise, many people will die."
I froze. Why would that be? If Grandpa got out, would people still die?
This entire conversation left me completely bewildered. Raul Master and Webster made it seem like some catastrophe was coming - something only my grandfather could prevent, or countless lives would be lost.
As for what exactly, Raul Master refused to tell me. Webster kept completely silent. These two old men - I really wanted to kick them for being so cryptic.
Raul Master said I didn't need to know now - with my current abilities, I couldn't handle it anyway. I just needed to focus on making money. If I needed help, he would send disciples to assist me.
I still wanted to ask more questions, but Raul Master waved his hand again, signaling that further inquiries were pointless - he wouldn't say more. Soon after, Raul Master shifted the topic back to the Dai family.
"Kid, when you tattoo the corpse tomorrow, remember to watch out for someone," Raul Master warned.
"Watch out for who?"
"The Dai family's butler - he's a ghost!" Raul Master frowned. "It's surprising that among so many Erebus profiteers, few noticed. This ghost isn't ordinary."
I froze, unsure whether Raul Master meant an actual ghost or some insider. Having stood there all day, I hadn't even noticed which one was the butler.
"Raul Master, the ghost you're talking about is..."
"A real ghost. The actual butler should be dead. I didn't notice at first - credit to Webster's sharp nose. He detected yin energy emanating from the butler, meaning he's already deceased. Yet he walks and talks freely - definite proof he's a ghost," Raul Master explained.
A real ghost? Damn, then this ghost was formidable - even managing to deceive Raul Master. Probably no one else had noticed either. Without Webster's keen sense of smell, it might have gone completely undetected.
I needed to be extremely careful with this ghost! Clearly, the two million wouldn't come easy. A ghost infiltrating the Dai family suggested dangerous underlying schemes - I had to stay vigilant.
I asked Webster why he hadn't exposed the ghost earlier. Perhaps this ghost was the mastermind behind everything, possibly even the one who set up the Seven Fiends Formation.
Webster chuckled and made a fishing gesture. "Kid, ever heard of using a long line to catch big fish? Just focus on your Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts. Leave the rest to us - but stay alert."
I nodded to show understanding. Honestly, I only cared about the money - didn't want involvement in any complex grudges.
With that settled, Webster and Raul Master prepared to leave. Descending downstairs, Raul Master told Stella she could skip future training sessions, but must assist me with my tasks.
Stella pouted reluctantly, but a master's orders couldn't be refused. She mumbled acknowledgment.
Once Webster and Raul Master departed, Stella immediately tried sneaking away, but I grabbed her little ponytail and yanked her back.
"Ouch! What the hell, Roger? Itching for a beating?" Stella struggled free and glared at me.
"You're not going anywhere tonight," I said, checking the time - 2 AM. I ordered her to accompany me to the internet cafe - we needed to investigate something 'dirty' there.
Having Stella along would be safer. I didn't know what lurked in that cafe - if it was a Siberian weasel spirit, Stein and I couldn't handle it alone.
Stella wanted to refuse, but when I reminded her of Raul Master's recent orders, she immediately panicked. She'd just dragged me into the Dai family ancestral tomb to offset the $20,000 debt, yet still couldn't escape me.
"Roger, don't think I'll keep coming back to you in the future! You're just disguising this as making me work for you. Hmph!" Stella grumbled, arms crossed. I ignored her complaints and simply pulled her along.
After checking the address, the three of us arrived at Orwell's internet cafe together. Looking at the sign, Stein couldn't help but remark, "What a yin-infested name. How did Orwell come up with this?"
I couldn't believe it either - Orwell's internet cafe was actually named "Tiandi Internet Cafe." Didn't this share the same meaning as "Tiandi Tongling Money" (Heaven and Earth Spirit Money)?
At first glance it seemed harmless, but upon reflection, the name carried ominous undertones. No wonder strange things were happening here.
We swaggered inside. The internet cafe was nearly deserted - pitifully few customers. I estimated no more than ten people.
The manager glanced at us. "Private room for overnight? We've got early bird discounts." Since the incident, Orwell had been running constant promotions - otherwise they probably wouldn't even have these ten customers.
Stein started to say we were looking for Orwell, but I stopped him. Instead, I paid for three computers, waiting for the old woman Orwell mentioned to appear. Whether Orwell was here or not didn't matter - with so few customers, would she even come?
After browsing for a while, my eyelids grew heavy - it was already 3 AM. Stella lay slumped on the table, huffing impatiently, while Stein watched adult videos in the corner, lewdly unconcerned about being seen.
"Mind your image," I warned. "There's a girl present. Not appropriate to let people see this."
Stein retorted, "How else to stay refreshed at this hour?" He even offered me links, boasting his extensive collection.
"Get lost," I said. "I'm a gentleman - I don't watch such things!"
"Need refreshments? I've got Red Bull!" Suddenly, a pallid voice spoke behind us.
We turned to find an old woman grinning eerily at us, a basket of snacks hanging around her neck.
"Want to buy?" She pulled out a can of Red Bull, her smile unwavering. The computer screen's fluorescent light cast unnatural shadows across her face.
Stein and I exchanged glances, shuddering simultaneously. She had finally appeared!