Chapter 23: A Sudden Turn, Re-entry, Green Mountain Hospital

Chapter 23: Sudden Change, Re-entry, Qingshan Hospital

As soon as he returned home, Han Lingling busied herself in the kitchen. Despite living just across the hall, she had moved all her belongings in to live with Duan Ming, occupying the adjacent room under the pretext of it being easier to take care of him. Looking at the home he had left less than a day ago, Duan Ming felt as though an entire lifetime had passed. He glanced at the figure bustling in the kitchen, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, and then pulled two items from his Boundary Stone space: the Substitute Doll and the Yellow Toilet Paper, along with the protective amulet hanging around his neck.

After a moment's thought, he put the Yellow Toilet Paper back. It offered a fifty percent chance of avoiding death, but also a fifty percent chance of certain demise—too unreliable. The amulet? It seemed equally useless, only capable of absorbing a single attack from a ghost. And then what? Get eaten anyway?

For now, the Substitute Doll was undoubtedly the best item to ensure Han Lingling’s survival. It could teleport the user to a random location within a one-kilometer radius upon death, guaranteeing both life and safety. Having made his decision, Duan Ming grinned and tucked the doll into his pocket, planning to surprise Han Lingling shortly. He then closed his eyes to rest.

He didn't know how much time had passed when a sudden cry from the kitchen jolted him awake. He rushed inside to find Han Lingling crouching on the floor. Seeing him approach, she hurriedly pulled the sleeve of her shirt down over her forearm.

"It’s nothing, it’s nothing! Look at you getting so nervous. I just got splashed by some oil, it’s fine. Go back, the fumes in here are too strong."

"Oh, alright. Be careful then."

Seeing Han Lingling acting as usual, Duan Ming relaxed, wondering if he had become too sensitive after spending so much time in the Ghost Realm.

After Duan Ming left, the terror in Han Lingling’s eyes could no longer be masked. She gently lifted her sleeve to reveal her left forearm. Where the Green-Faced Ghost Mark had appeared three years ago, new markings were slowly etching themselves into her skin, each stroke bringing a wave of sharp pain. Unlike the previous one, these were purple.

"Why?"
"Why is this happening?"
"I’ve already been in once..."

Han Lingling pressed her hands over her mouth, desperately trying to stifle her sobs. After a long while, she seemed to come to a decision. She smoothed her expression and served the meal she had prepared.

"Duan Ming, stop sleeping. Come eat."
"Oh, coming. Hmm? Lingling, aren't you eating?" Duan Ming asked, puzzled as he watched her head toward her room after placing the dishes on the table.

Han Lingling rubbed her shoulders. "You eat first. I don't know if it's because I was too nervous when I snuck in during the day, but I’m incredibly sleepy. I’m going to rest for a bit. I’ll get up to eat when I’m hungry."

Duan Ming sensed nothing amiss. "Alright, get some rest then. But Lingling, you can't be so reckless in the future. Let me tell you a secret—I'm very powerful now. When you wake up, I have a surprise for you, heh."

"A surprise, huh? Just try to be less of a worry for me," Han Lingling said with a gentle smile. Her gaze lingered on Duan Ming for a long time, as if she were taking a final look.

"Lingling? What's wrong?"
"No... nothing. Eat up, I'm going to finish my nap."

As the bedroom door slammed shut, Duan Ming touched his face and looked over himself, shaking his head before digging into the meal.

...

The rules of time in the Ghost Realm were vastly different from the real world. Despite it being late at night when he exited, it had only been evening outside. After dinner, Duan Ming killed time idly browsing his phone. The big data algorithms accurately pushed various alluring photos to this "wealthy ghost" user, and the time flew by until it was late at night again.

Noticing the room growing darker, Duan Ming finally took notice. He looked at Han Lingling’s door. "Is Han Lingling a pig? How can she sleep so much? Even a pig has to eat."

Muttering to himself, he called out, "Lingling, wake up and eat!"
"Lingling?"

He got up and walked over. *Knock, knock, knock.*
"Lingling!"
"Hmm? Is she really that deep in sleep?"

Since that was the case, there was no need to force her awake. With that thought, he turned to head back to his room. But the moment he turned, a chill shot from the base of his spine straight to his scalp.

Something was wrong. Han Lingling wasn't in the room! Since his body had been strengthened by ghost energy, his five senses had sharpened, and in such a quiet environment, there wasn't a single sound of breathing coming from the room.

Duan Ming immediately tried to open the door. *Click.* It was locked. This made him even more uneasy; Han Lingling never locked her door at night. He kicked the door open. There was no sign of anyone; even the bed was neat and tidy.

"Lingling!"
"Lingling!"
"Sister!"

He checked under the bed, in the closet, and behind the door—every possible hiding spot. There was no trace of her. The window was impossible, too; they lived on the second floor, and the exterior was fitted with sturdy anti-theft bars.

Suddenly, a shocking thought surfaced in his mind, chilling him to the bone.
"Could it be..."
"Was she forcibly entered into the realm again?"
"That makes no sense. Didn't she already go in once three years ago?"

Then, a flash of realization struck him. He remembered the hint from the Mirror Ghost.
"Could it be that the Mirror Ghost's seed was planted on her?"
"It's not impossible! Lingling was waiting outside the classroom before I entered. Why would the Mirror Ghost choose to invade my classroom of all places?"

The more Duan Ming thought about it, the more wrong it felt. His brow furrowed, and his eyes gradually turned fierce.

"Damn it!"
"Mirror Ghost!"
"If anything happens to Lingling, I will hunt you down and grind your bones to dust even if you don't come for me!"

He pulled out his phone and dialed the number Chen Feng had left him. The call was answered quickly. Chen Feng and the others were likely still celebrating at their banquet. Chen Feng’s voice sounded hazy: "Duan Ming? Why are you calling so late? Want to come back and grab a bite? Hahaha."

Duan Ming said coldly and urgently, "Captain Chen, does the Occult Investigation Bureau have any way to detect if someone has been dragged into the Ghost Realm?"

Hearing the tone of his voice, Chen Feng dropped the playful act and asked seriously, "What happened?"
"I suspect my sister has been dragged into the Ghost Realm."
"Impossible. I checked during the day. Han Lingling went in once three years ago; it is absolutely impossible for her to be forcibly dragged in again."
"I didn't ask if it was possible! Just tell me if you can track it!!!"

Duan Ming’s roar sobered Chen Feng up instantly. A moment later, Chen Feng replied, "Yes, the Boundary Stone terminal will show it. With my clearance, I can check it on my phone."
"Brother Chen, can you do me this favor?" Duan Ming pleaded. "Please!"

Chen Feng’s tone became urgent. "Duan Ming, what are you planning? You aren't thinking of using that designated instance entry ticket you got as a newbie reward, are you? Don't you dare do that!"
"That ticket is issued by the Boundary Stone to encourage survivors to continue exploring. It's usually used for teams to join a veteran's group so newcomers can be guided. If you use it recklessly like this, there’s no way to predict the danger."

"I! MUST! GO!" Duan Ming said, every word firm and unshakable.

Chen Feng’s breath caught; he had not expected such resolve from Duan Ming. After a long silence, he gritted his teeth. "Fine. Give me a minute."

He hung up. A minute later, Duan Ming received a text message.
*Chen Feng: Qingshan Hospital Instance.*

"Thank you."

Muttering to himself, Duan Ming took out a thin slip of paper. Elsewhere, Chen Feng returned to the banquet hall after sending the text. Meng Qian and Xu Haoran were still drinking. He tapped the table, his expression solemn. "Stop, everyone. We have work to do."

"It's time..."
"To go help our new teammate."