Green Ghost shivered when he saw the soul, his imposing aura instantly vanishing. He then waved at Lady Shura, sending her out of the hall with an incorporeal hand; and a certain power descended and isolated the hall from the outside world.
“Y-you’re Master Devouring Ghost?” Green Ghost stood up and asked with disbelief.
“Apart from me, is there anyone else in the world who knows your pet name?” answered Devouring Ghost nonchalantly. “Do you mean to tell me you don’t even recognize your own master anymore?”
Green Ghost stepped forth and knelt down emotionally. “This disciple greets the master!”
He couldn’t recognize Linggu Haonan’s body, but he could recognize his master’s soul very well. His master was the only one who knew his pet name, Green Thorn. As for his current name, Green Ghost, it was a name he had adapted after becoming Devouring Ghost’s disciple.
Green Ghost’s strength was most certainly among the top in this Bloodsin City. He had a strength surpassing the Sovereign Realm, yet a person like this was kneeling before a peak Emperor. This was a scene that would shock all the old freaks residing in the city.
“Hehe, looks like you haven’t forgotten your master after all,” said Devouring Ghost’s soul with a faint smile.
“This disciple dares not. I have been awaiting your return all this while, master. After that incident happened to Lord Xiang back then, I went to the Xiang Clan, looking for you. However, they were in a crisis back then, and with my weak strength, I wasn’t even allowed to get through the front gate. Subsequently, I heard that the Xiang Clan had collectively entered seclusion, announcing that they would not reappear in 10,000 years. Since then, I haven’t been able to find out anything about you, master. Therefore, I returned here and focused on developing the Ghostface Sect. The heavens must’ve blessed me for allowing me to see you again, master!” said Ghostface Sect earnestly while kneeling on the ground.
Green Ghost wasn’t showing that much respect to Devouring Ghost because of how kind he had been treated in the past. On the contrary, Devouring Ghost had always been extremely strict with his disciples. When he tempered his disciples, he often did it without regard to their lives.
Even so, that did not stop Green Ghost from remembering what Devouring Ghost once did for him. He still remembered that when he was young, his parents were killed by bandits. He became a vagabond—drifting everywhere, fighting with dogs for food—and lived a harsh life of constantly being bullied. For a while, he lived the life of a beggar.
One day, he was fighting over food with a dog as usual. He was covered in injuries and dog bites, and the dog’s owner nearly beat him to death. He was even forced to eat feces. It was a memory that filled him with grief each time he remembered it. It was at that time that Devouring Ghost was passing by and saved him.
Devouring Ghost, after swatting the dog’s owner to pulp, said, “Stay by my side from now on. I shall teach you how to properly beat up a dog.”
And that was how the young and weak Green Ghost came to become Devouring Ghost’s youngest disciple. Back then, he was called Green Thorn.
The words spoken to him by Devouring Ghost back then were words he wouldn’t forget. Even though he had subsequently undergone extremely harsh training under Devouring Ghost, he had zero complaints. He knew that everything his master did was for his own good: to teach him how to properly beat up a dog, to allow him to live with dignity. Unfortunately, before he could repay his master, something had happened to his beloved master.
All this while, he had assumed that there wasn’t much chance of his master surviving. After all, the incident with the Xiang Clan back then had created massive implications across the entire dominion. They nearly subdued the entire dominion, forcing the numerous top organizations to join hands, and finally, Xiang Dingtian was defeated.
As one of the Five Skyslaying Generals under Xiang Dingtian’s command, it was understandable that Devouring Ghost would suffer the implications of the defeat as well. Fortunately, he was still alive. Although there seemed to be some issues with his current form, that did not stop Green Ghost from showing the respect his master deserved.
He was very clear that just to stay alive, his master had to have gone through a major change to continue surviving in his new form. After all, upon reaching a certain threshold in strength, it wouldn’t be hard for one to take over a body and undergo rebirth.
As Devouring Ghost looked at the deferential Green Ghost, a rare softness appeared on Devouring Ghost’s face, and he said, “Alright, stand up. I am happy enough that you still remember me.”
Green Ghost stood up, as if a great burden had been lifted from him. He then invited Devouring Ghost to the throne and said, “Master, please take a seat.”
Instead of taking the seat, Devouring Ghost looked at Xiang Shaoyun and said, “Young master, please take a seat.”
Green Ghost’s eyes rippled with emotions, but he did not retort. Instead, he looked at Xiang Shaoyun with a mixed look. He could see that Xiang Shaoyun was basically a twin of his master’s previous master, with Xiang Shaoyun being a younger version.
Is this young man really Lord Xiang who has undergone rebirth after stealing a body? thought Green Ghost inwardly.
Xiang Shaoyun rejected the invitation. “No. This is Sect Master Green Ghost’s place. Either of you can be seated there. As for me, forget it.”
“Young master, you’re my young master while he’s my disciple. If you don’t take a seat there, none of us will dare to sit there. Don’t worry. Green Ghost won’t have any objections,” said Devouring Ghost seriously.
After a slight hesitation, Green Ghost agreed, “Yes, young master, please take a seat.”
He had absolute trust in his master. Although this youth was only a King, he definitely had a terrifying background. Otherwise, the Four Great Ancient Academies wouldn’t have tried to recruit him at the same time.
Xiang Shaoyun ignored Devouring Ghost. Rather, he looked at Green Ghost and said, “I will only sit there when I have enough strength to obtain the recognition of Sect Master Green Ghost. As for now, both of you probably have a lot of catching up to do. Have a chat. I’ll wait outside.”
Although Xiang Shaoyun had Devouring Ghost’s recognition, he still knew himself well. Green Ghost would definitely have a problem with him sitting on the throne just like that. Devouring Ghost wanted to say something, but when he saw Xiang Shaoyun’s firm look, he agreed, “Alright. You can take a stroll in the area while I catch up with Green Ghost.”
Green Ghost immediately commanded, “Lady Shura, come in. Attend to Young Master Xiang politely. If anything causes him to be dissatisfied, you will be punished.”
The power surrounding the hall vanished as Lady Shura stepped in deferentially, “Yes, sect master.”
She then looked at Xiang Shaoyun and said, “This way, please.”
Xiang Shaoyun nodded and followed her out of the hall. After they left, Green Ghost sealed the hall again. Devouring Ghost did not stop him. Instead, he walked toward the throne and sat down.
Looking at Green Ghost, he said, “I know you have a lot of questions. I will tell you everything. Just listen.”
Green Ghost thus focused on listening as Devouring Ghost told the story of everything that had happened after the war, including how he was imprisoned at the space beneath the soul spring, how he was saved by Xiang Shaoyun, and how he turned into his current form.
After listening to all that, Green Ghost said guiltily, “Your disciple is useless for being unable to help when you were suffering all these years, master.”
“No, all that does not matter. So long as I get a chance to start anew, I will slowly take my revenge,” said Devouring Ghost with a sharp glint in his eyes.
