C94 The Complicated and Confusing

The Ghost Doctor shook his head and told me, "Actually, I deceived Lei Lih earlier. There was additional information written beside the secret door. It doesn't require the 'death' character on your palm to open it. What it needs is someone with a resolve to face death."

"A person resolved to face death?" I asked, confused.

"Changsheng, do you know why I refuse to return to Murong Chui's tomb? It's because I'm aware that the secret door is impossible to open! Do you know the fate of those three individuals seventeen years ago? They stumbled upon that door, became soulless, and ultimately failed to escape, perishing within the tomb," the Ghost Doctor explained.

"What? What's the deal with that secret door?" I asked, astonished.

"As I mentioned, only someone prepared to die can open the door and, by doing so, find life beyond death. But all seven of us were obsessed with Immortality back then, and that's why... that door is cursed. Touching it is like being hexed. Just heed my warning—don't go near it," the Ghost Doctor advised sternly.

I nodded, half-convinced. The Ghost Doctor seemed to read my skepticism and added, "Changsheng, have you considered that the Lei family brothers and your father might also be familiar with the death inscription? They knew too well the dangers of that door, which is why none of us dared to approach it carelessly."

I froze, processing his words. If the Ghost Doctor was right, then Second Master Lei's intention for me to open the door was akin to sending me to my doom.

But then again, if Second Master Lei truly knew the real way to open the door, he wouldn't have come to me. He would have sought someone with a genuine readiness to die within the tomb.

My head was swirling with confusion. With both men casting doubts and cautioning me against the other, whom was I to trust?

"Changsheng, don't trouble yourself over this. Just follow my instructions; it won't harm you in any way. That's all I have to say. You can go now," the Ghost Doctor concluded.

I nodded, somewhat bewildered, and bid him farewell. But as I was about to ascend the steps, the Ghost Doctor spoke up from behind me, "Changsheng, if you manage to survive the tomb this time, I'll share a secret about Half Immortal Zhao with you."

"What secret?" I asked, startled.

With a cryptic smile, the Ghost Doctor shared, "Shortly after our narrow escape from the ancient tomb, your father inexplicably stole our sect's sacred treasure and was stripped of his powers. Around the same time, a prominent figure sought him out for a fortune-telling."

"Who... Who was that person?" I exclaimed, shocked.

The Ghost Doctor, ignoring my question, continued, "Logically, given your father's frail state, even minor divinations could have harmed him, and he would never have agreed to it. Yet, for reasons unknown, he risked his already precarious health to perform a divination that revealed a heavenly secret for that individual, which led to his dire retribution and left him with less than three years to live. You must be aware of these events; your father would have told you. Changsheng, you know your father well. He's not one to be swayed by coercion or bribery. Half Immortal Zhao acted of his own free will! Although I'm unaware of the divination's specifics, I do know the identity of that influential person." His murky eyes fixed on me intently.

"Who is it?" I couldn't help but raise my voice.

"I said I would tell you after you return alive from the ancient tomb..." The Ghost Doctor's revelation was cut short by Second Master Lei's voice from above, "Changsheng, are you alright?"

Second Master Lei must have heard my earlier cry and thought something was amiss. I quickly called back, "Second Uncle Lei, I'm fine, I'm coming up now."

Glancing back at the Ghost Doctor, I said, "Master Ghost Doctor, I will return to see you."

He smiled and nodded, then lifted the oil lamp from the table to light my way through the pitch-black passage. I ascended the stairs with caution, activated the hidden mechanism, and opened the secret door.

Finally outside, Second Master Lei extended his hand to pull me up. I took a deep breath of the fresh air, feeling instantly invigorated.

I glanced back and gave a wave to the Ghost Doctor lurking in the shadows. He acknowledged with a slight nod and bent down to snuff out the kerosene lamp he was holding.

But in that instant, I froze in shock. As the light flickered out, I saw a chilling symbol of death materialize above the Ghost Doctor's head.