Istanbul is a city I truly adore—being here fills me with joy.
"Your ghost ability is indeed formidable," Mo Lin said, not in flattery, but with genuine admiration.
To others, the "Ghost Eye" technique might seem like a minor, impractical skill.
But for Mo Lin, it held immense value.
With the Ghost Eye, he could seek out powerful spirits.
After all, the capacity of the Demon-Suppressing Tome was limited.
If he filled it with weak, low-level ghosts, what would happen when he encountered a stronger one and had no room left to capture it?
That would be a tragedy.
The Ghost Eye served a unique purpose—it helped Mo Lin eliminate the lesser spirits from consideration.
"Master Mo," Chen Xi said, her eyes swiveling unnaturally in their sockets as she locked her gaze onto him, "would you like to capture a ghost more powerful than I am?"
Mo Lin frowned, clearly irritated. "Stop making that grotesque face—it disgusts me."
He meant it from the depths of his soul.
The ghosts he had met in Yetou were each uglier than the last. Now, anything unsightly sparked an instinctive revulsion in him.
Chen Xi quickly ceased her antics and gave an awkward smile. "My lord, I know of a ghost in Jiangzhou—far more terrifying than I. A fear-class ghost. With your strength, I believe you could subdue it."
Since she had chosen to follow Mo Lin, she wanted to offer useful advice, to demonstrate her worth.
"Take me to it."
Mo Lin's interest was piqued. If the ghost was indeed formidable, capturing it and sealing it within the Demon-Suppressing Tome would make for a valuable addition to his forces.
…
Following Chen Xi's guidance, Mo Lin descended the mountain and headed east, walking along a narrow concrete road.
The road was only just wide enough to accommodate two small vehicles side by side.
The surrounding hillsides were overgrown with wild grass.
After roughly ten minutes of walking, Mo Lin came to a halt.
In the distance, he spotted a small village.
Calling it a village was generous—it consisted of fewer than ten households, their homes nothing more than crumbling mud-brick huts.
No one appeared to live there.
Even from afar, the place exuded an eerie strangeness.
"The Jiangzhou ghost is inside," Chen Xi reminded him.
But Mo Lin didn't rush in to confront it.
His attention had been captured by something else entirely.
"Wanhui Braised Chicken Restaurant."
Even before stepping inside, the tantalizing aroma of sizzling chicken wafted through the air, making his mouth water.
There was no harm in eating before dealing with the ghost.
Who could understand what it felt like not to have eaten real food in seven years?
Seven long years…
During his time in the Underworld, Mo Lin had survived solely on ghost energy.
Whenever hunger gnawed at him, he absorbed spectral energy to sustain his body, though it never truly satisfied him.
Seven years of that kind of existence...
The scent of braised chicken now was enough to stir deep cravings.
Mo Lin lingered outside the shop for a moment.
"Young man, looking for a meal?"
The proprietress stepped outside to toss the garbage and noticed him hovering near the door. She greeted him warmly.
"I'd love to eat… but I don't have any money," Mo Lin admitted awkwardly.
All he had on him was spirit currency—not a single yuan in real cash.
"You don't look like someone without money…"
She'd once worked in costume design, and immediately recognized that Mo Lin's elaborate outfit wasn't cheap.
A cosplay costume of that quality would easily cost over a thousand yuan.
Someone dressed like that, without money? Unlikely.
"I only have spirit coins. Think I can pay with those?" Mo Lin quipped.
"Of course you can."
The proprietress took hold of his arm and ushered him inside enthusiastically.
"Wait, spirit coins are accepted now?" Mo Lin was bewildered. When had that become standard currency?
"How long have you been living under a rock?" she laughed. "Spirit currency has been in circulation for over six years now. Many ghost tamers prefer using it."
She handed him a menu.
Spirit currency had become a widely accepted medium of exchange in the ghost-tamer community. Many tamers were willing to pay good money to acquire it.
The prices were surprisingly affordable.
A large plate of braised chicken cost just thirty cents—in spirit coins.
"I'll have two."
Without hesitation, Mo Lin ordered two portions.
In a short while, two steaming plates of braised chicken were brought to his table.
Perhaps it was the years of deprivation, or perhaps the food truly was divine—but to Mo Lin, the flavors were exquisite.
The aroma was intoxicating, the taste rich and comforting.
He devoured the food with great relish.
His vigorous eating drew the attention of an elderly man at the next table.
The old man's face was a maze of wrinkles, his clothes plain and dusty gray. A cloth satchel hung across his shoulder.
"Young man," the old man asked, pointing east, "are you here for that… thing too?"
"…Yes," Mo Lin replied between bites, shoveling another chunk of chicken into his mouth.
"That one inside… it might be a danger-class ghost. I advise you not to go. You could lose your life."
The old man's warning was sincere.
"It's alright. I'm not afraid."
Mo Lin was a judge of the Underworld. What reason did he have to fear a mere ghost?
The old man sighed and shook his head with a bitter smile.
He had encountered many hot-blooded youths like Mo Lin—brimming with bravado but lacking true understanding of their own strength.
They always rushed to challenge the unknown, only to meet a tragic end.
Saying no more, the old man stood up and left.
Mo Lin waved his hand, retrieved three ten-cent spirit coins from his Demon-Suppressing Tome, and handed them to the proprietress to settle the bill.
By the time he exited the restaurant, the sky had darkened.
The restaurant's entrance was illuminated by a warm, yellow bulb.
Suddenly, a harsh glare bathed the road in blinding light.
Two imposing Mercedes G-Class SUVs roared up and parked outside the restaurant.
Five people stepped out.
They were all around the same age—late twenties to early thirties.
"Elder Yun..." they said respectfully, cupping their hands toward the old man in gray robes.
A slender woman in silver high heels gracefully descended from one of the vehicles.
She wore a form-fitting black qipao that hugged her willow-like figure, her hair piled elegantly atop her head, her features exquisitely refined.
Golden earrings sparkled on her ears.
She looked every bit the part of a wealthy noble.
"Elder Yun, this is the team I brought. Will they suffice?" she asked softly.
"Three third-tier ghost tamers, two second-tier," Elder Yun replied after examining the group. "Yes, that will do."
Relieved, the woman exhaled.
"Elder Yun, I am relying on you today. Please, help me capture the danger-class ghost within."
She hoped to rise to the rank of third-tier ghost tamer herself, and capturing this ghost was the key.
To ensure success, she had spared no expense—enlisting Elder Yun, hiring five skilled tamers, and spending over three million yuan along with two precious ghost artifacts.
If it meant securing her future and solidifying her position within the family, the cost was worth it.
"And who is this?" she asked, noticing Mo Lin standing beside Elder Yun.
"I don't know him," Elder Yun answered calmly.
Since Elder Yun didn't know him, the woman paid Mo Lin no further attention.
"Seal the road," she commanded.
The seven bodyguards accompanying her quickly pulled barricades from the vehicles and blocked the road leading into the village, denying access to others.
With that, the woman followed behind Elder Yun, stepping together into the haunted village.