C91 The Tomb

I was shocked to see a few large, blood-red characters on the tombstone: "Tomb of the Ghost Doctor Zhang Ziliang"...

"This... How did the Ghost Doctor die?" I exclaimed in surprise.

Second Master Lei remained composed, chuckling as he replied, "Hehe, the Ghost Doctor isn't dead. What you're looking at is his home."

"Could it be that he..." I began, but was cut off by a raspy voice emanating from the tomb, "Who's out there? How many times must I say it? I treat the living by day and the dead by night."

"It's me, Lei Lih," Second Master Lei called out confidently. As his words faded, the ground rumbled, and a secret passage appeared behind the tombstone.

Soon after, a stooped old man emerged from the passage. Upon seeing his face, I could have sworn I'd seen a ghost.

The Ghost Doctor's face was bizarre: the left side was dark with a twisted smile and sunken eyes, while the right side was ghostly pale, as if afflicted with vitiligo, with a downturned mouth and bulging eye sockets.

His face was a mix of light and dark, joy and sorrow, more terrifying than any specter!

"Second Manager, what brings you here? It's as if the sun has risen from the west. What could possibly bring you to this vile and ominous place today?" The Ghost Doctor asked, his voice grating like a metal spoon scraping glass, sending shivers down one's spine.

"Old man, if it weren't for something important, I wouldn't set foot in this accursed place," Second Master Lei retorted with a sneer.

The Ghost Doctor snorted in response, "Your presence never bodes well."

"Old man, do you intend to leave us hanging in this graveyard, or will you invite us to tour your abode?" Second Master Lei pressed, his gaze fixed on him. I got the impression that there was no love lost between the two.

With a scoff, the Ghost Doctor lit his oil lamp and led us into the pitch-black, sinister tunnel.

Descending the stone steps beneath our feet felt like entering an ancient tomb. The flickering oil lamp in the Ghost Doctor's hand cast his dichotomous face in an even more ghastly and macabre light.

We soon arrived at the Ghost Doctor's home, a modest underground space of about forty square meters. The furnishings in the secret room were sparse, consisting of a bed, a table, a cabinet, and a few chairs.

A chilling presence permeated the room, which was unsurprising considering it was situated beneath a graveyard. I ran my hand over the table, feeling the damp mist that clung to its surface. I couldn't fathom why the Ghost Doctor chose to live in such a place; it was hardly fit for human habitation.

The Ghost Doctor set an oil lamp on the table and offered us several chairs. Second Master Lei briskly dusted himself off and sat down with an air of ease, casually playing with his agate walnuts.

As Ghost Doctor took his seat, he grabbed some tobacco from the table and rolled himself a dry cigarette. Observing them side by side, they presented a vivid contrast.

Second Master Lei was clad in a luxurious silk Tang suit, his hair slicked back. His hands were adorned with an exquisite bodhi seed bracelet and a jade thumb ring, exuding an aura of affluence.

In stark contrast, Ghost Doctor's appearance was disheveled, his clothes ragged and worn, making him look less dignified than a beggar.

"Second Manager, I'm afraid I don't have any tea to offer you, so please don't mind," Ghost Doctor said with a grin, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth.

Second Master Lei gave a dismissive snort. "Even if you had tea, I'd be wary of drinking it. But let's get to introductions. This young man here is Zhao Changsheng. Are you familiar with his father?"

Ghost Doctor scrutinized me with his peculiar gaze, and noticing my discomfort, he exclaimed in astonishment, "Zhao Changsheng... Zhao... Second Manager, surely you're not suggesting his father is Zhao Guixu?"

"Indeed, his father is Zhao Guixu," confirmed Second Master Lei. My father, who had retired from public life, was known as Zhao Hongbo, but his true name was Zhao Guixu.

"Why isn't Half Immortal Zhao here? It couldn't be that..." Ghost Doctor trailed off, glancing at me again.

"Yes, my father passed away recently," I said with a heavy sigh.

To my surprise, the Ghost Doctor, who was usually so cold and detached, as if he were a corpse himself, let out a sigh. He actually offered me comfort, saying, "Grieve not, child. Your father was a good man."

At a loss for words, I managed to express my gratitude, "Thank... thank you."

The Ghost Doctor's smile was eerie yet seemed genuinely kind. However, when his gaze shifted to Second Master Lei, his face reverted to its usual icy demeanor. He inquired, "Second Manager, what brings you here today with the son of Half Immortal Zhao?"

"Old man, let's not beat around the bush. I'll get straight to the point. I intend to visit Murong Chui's tomb again and I want you to join us. You can set your own terms," Second Master Lei said bluntly.

To my astonishment, the Ghost Doctor immediately responded, "I refuse. No matter what you say, I'm not going."