In a derelict factory on the outskirts of Zhongyuan City.
The ghost car raced all the way in, driving directly into the factory.
"Little Diaozi!"
Even though Bai Lu was in a state of insanity at this moment, when facing an extremely strange and eerie environment, his heart began to panic a bit.
This is the instinct of all creatures to seek benefits and avoid harm.
"Please, Your Highness, get off the vehicle!"
The driver's seat "Zhou Xin" was the first to get out of the car. After that, he respectfully opened the door on Bai Lu's side with a demeanor typical of a servant.
"Wait a moment, you guy, who exactly are you? Xiao Qizi wouldn't treat this prince like this. You must tell me your identity before I get off!"
Bai Lu is only mentally unstable, but that doesn't mean he's stupid.
Mentally ill people may have a different perspective on the world compared to others, but their IQ is still present.
"Please, Your Highness, wait a moment."
Zhou Xin observed Bai Lu attempting to shrink further into the car, and he showed no sign of impatience. Instead, he continued to maintain a humble demeanor and performed a respectful bow towards Bai Lu.
Then, "Zhou Xin" stepped back several steps and extended his hand, making several rapid, imaginary taps in the air.
Accompanied by a gray-colored talismanic paper suddenly appearing out of thin air, everything around them underwent a drastic change in an instant.
From the outside, the factory still appeared to be the same abandoned facility.
But once inside the factory,
What used to be dilapidated and rusted walls and pipes transformed into an ancient, intricately carved door featuring ferocious beasts.
Above the gate, there was a dark plaque inscribed with three large characters in red.
Ghosts' Gate.
What were previously piles of waste material and debris on both sides instantly turned into a sea of red flowers emanating an odd fragrance.
As the chilling aura spread, surrounded by the sea of flowers.
Within the ghost car, Bai Lu's white clothes shone with black light, and his black python robes once again appeared.
Bang!
The ghost car seemed to detect some terrifying aura, and its entire body began to shake repeatedly, appearing extremely frightened.
"Be quiet!"
Zhou Xin outside the ghost car uttered a low growl, and as his voice echoed, his figure suddenly expanded.
It was the ghost official who had previously made a deal with Zhou Xin.
"Yu Shi Lu? I didn't expect you to be alive."
Inside the car, having changed into his python robe, Bai Lu straightened his posture, glanced at the ghost official outside after getting a good look, and then calmly alighted from the vehicle.
"Subordinate Yu Shi Lu prostrates himself before Your Highness. May Your Highness be blessed."
Ghost official Yu Shi Lu instantly knelt down, and the huge white figure also shrank slowly in an instant, eventually becoming the size of an adult, kneeling before Bai Lu.
"Rise up, let's count the time. We haven't seen each other for eighty years."
"Seeing that you are still alive, I am greatly comforted."
Bai Lu reached out to help Yu Shi Lu stand up.
This was one of the few guards left under his command.
Over the years in the mental hospital, he had thought that his guards had met with misfortunes, never imagining that he would see them again.
"We are grateful for Your Highness's concern. Besides myself, there are only three more ghosts, Yue Ba, Yue Shihai, and Yue Jiu. We are all currently serving in the underworld and await Your Highness's return at all times."
Yu Shi Lu briefly recounted his experiences to Bai Lu.
Hearing his account of the hardships and struggles of the past years, Bai Lu felt deeply moved.
As a prince, he had sought refuge in the mental hospital, while his subordinates continued to work for him outside the world.
Hearing the moving parts, Bai Lu's golden eyes trembled, and they slightly turned red.
"Please rest assured, Your Highness. Although we have endured some hardship, we are now living in peace and comfort. And look, Your Highness."
Sensing Bai Lu's emotional fluctuations, Yu Shi Lu quickly changed the subject, presenting a small ghost like a treasure from his waistband.
"Hmm? It's a qi essence ghost. People are still raising this thing these days? Does the heavenly court not care?"
Bai Lu took the little ghost with a look of surprise, then gave a pull, tearing off its arm and chewing it carefully in his mouth.
The qi essence ghost, as the name implies, is a malevolent ghost race that feeds on the qi essence of living beings.
Its method of birth is extremely sinister, requiring the blood of seventy-seven sets of boys and girls to be converged, which is not tolerated by heaven and earth.
Once formed, this little ghost can absorb the qi essence of all living beings and store it within its body.
Just like humans need to eat grass but won't choose to eat grass themselves, they will opt for cows and sheep that naturally graze on grass.
In the underworld, the ghosts want to gather a stronger ghostly body, which requires not only diligent cultivation but also ways to increase the qi essence within their bodies.
However, the ghosts in the underworld cannot actively absorb qi essence from other races.
Therefore, little ghosts that have absorbed qi essence have become the favorites of ghosts in the underworld.
This method, which obviously increases cultivation without any responsibility, is simply perfect.
"Hmm?"
Biting and chewing, Bai Lu suddenly paused.
Why does this qi essence ghost have the scent of Zhou Qian within it?
"Where did you get this little ghost? Have you seen her before?"
Bai Lu gradually realized the situation as well, and his golden eyes narrowed slightly.
Since Yu Shi Lu could assume Zhou Qian's form to gain his trust, it must mean that he has had contact with her.
Moreover, from the fact that Yu Shi Lu is very familiar with the procedures in the mental hospital, it seems like he is hiding a lot of information.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness. In fact, the subordinate had discovered Your Highness's whereabouts ten years ago. However, at that time, Your Highness was sealed by heavenly court, so the subordinate dared not rashly contact Your Highness."
"But since this human named Zhou Qian appeared, she... huh? She's here!"
Suddenly, Yu Shi Lu turned to look towards the direction of the factory entrance.
He could clearly sense that the token he sent to Zhou Qian was approaching him at an extremely fast speed.
"Is Xiao Qian coming?"
Bai Lu's eyes brightened upon hearing that, but before he could continue to say anything, a loud bang echoed.
As the distant wall collapsed with a resounding noise, a fire-red figure suddenly descended from the sky and landed abruptly between Bai Lu and Yu Shi Lu.
"Harran! Who dares abduct my patient! Are you crazy!"
Zhou Qian's entire body emitted a bright red glow, her slender swan neck was covered with a dense array of red fur, and her eyes, with their lively red color, were staring intently at Yu Shi Lu's direction.
"Ah, Xiao Qianzi, it seems you are very concerned about the well-being of the Imperial Highness. How quickly you've managed to catch up."
Bai Lu, protected by Zhou Qian behind him, couldn't help but smile slightly at the corner of his mouth.
"There's no need for small talk, she deceived you by using my identity. If she can't find you, the blame will be on me! How am I supposed to explain this to the police station?"
"I understand the hospital has a lot of people, so why did you have to pick me? Damn it!"
"Couldn't you learn from that celestial soldier and pretend to be a relative of Bai Lu? That way, I wouldn't have to take responsibility; it would be perfect!"
Zhou Qian turned her back to Bai Lu, her lips tightly pursed in dissatisfaction.
