Zhou Huan was momentarily stunned. So many people—were they all here for the Dharma Assembly? It couldn't be; Zhou Huan himself could hardly believe it was real. The process of the roll call official listing names took a full day. The innkeeper was frantic, the kitchen working overtime preparing copious amounts of food and drink. The roll call officials had to be swapped out twice; only when the third official arrived, without any feasting or drinking, did the naming finally commence.

“We begin the roll call now. I have only one final list remaining. Those named will proceed to the Dharma Competition Arena tomorrow to vie for renown.” The official then began reading. In less than fifteen minutes, the roll call concluded. The official tucked his list away, accepted the refreshments sent by the innkeeper, and began to chew.

At this moment, Shi Bingyuan leaned close to Zhou Huan’s ear and whispered, “Master, why weren’t our names called? Is there an error in Tianlang’s list?”

“If we weren’t called, then we don’t go. It will be just as good to go tomorrow and observe. We can search for that traitor from the Tianlang Sect. If we can persuade him to change his mind, that’s best; if not, we’ll capture him and let Tianlang decide his fate when we find the sect later!” Zhou Huan spoke with remarkable ease, as if suddenly liberated, a refreshing lightness washing over him—truly pleasant.

Zhou Huan’s voice carried quite loudly as he spoke, and several of the attendees overheard him. Two participants approached them. “Masters, we saw you two busy these past couple of days. So, you didn't have entrance tickets after all? Really, then what are you staying for—just to watch the fun?”

“Heh, nothing to be done about it. If our names aren't on their list, then we don't go. It matters little!” Zhou Huan’s response remained naturally carefree. Yet, a sudden thought of the previous day’s events struck him: how could the staff from Heshen’s manor come up the mountain to find him, and yet he wouldn't even be listed for the roll call? The reality was that his name was missing. Pondering this, he shook his head and sighed deeply. “Honestly, it’s rather comfortable not having to participate in the Dharma assembly. You all go ahead; my disciple and I will stay here to cheer you on!”

As soon as Zhou Huan finished speaking, the waiter from the inn reluctantly shuffled over. “Excuse me, Masters. You booked so many rooms when you first arrived, and then canceled two after securing them. Isn't that causing trouble? Hmph, taking up our space for nothing!”

Though the waiter’s words were unpleasant, Zhou Huan didn't mind. He recognized these were trivialities, unconnected to the matters at hand, so he paid them no heed. However, he knew he needed to cancel the remaining rooms soon; all his silver had been distributed, leaving him without lodging. He figured he could find some dilapidated temple in the remote area or perhaps a pavilion on the mountain to make do for a few nights before planning the next leg of their journey.

But just then, the roll call official, having finished his meal and drinks, summoned the innkeeper. “I came here today primarily to conduct the roll call for the Dharma Assembly on behalf of the court and the Emperor. But there is one more thing, instructed by Lord Heshen: although one person lacks an invitation for the Dharma Assembly, he absolutely must attend. Furthermore, you must take excellent care of this person. If anything goes wrong, be careful that Lord He doesn't order your inn closed.”

At these words, the innkeeper froze, stammering, “Officer, who is this person you speak of? We must take the utmost care of him! If Lord He personally commanded it, he must be an unparalleled expert. If anything goes wrong, you need only hold this humble servant accountable!”

“I don’t know the specific person, but I know his surname is Zhou and his given name is Huan!” After finishing his statement, the official stood up, patted his stomach, and remarked, “Ah, your refreshments were quite good, very satisfying. Remember, you must handle Lord He’s business properly, or if this person fails to attend the Dharma Assembly, beware!”

“Yes, yes, yes!” The innkeeper nodded repeatedly, trying to smooth things over, though internally he was completely baffled as to who this Zhou Huan was or what his situation entailed. All he knew was that he absolutely had to serve this Zhou Huan well.

Everyone else present grew puzzled. Among so many people gathered at an inn—many there merely to watch the spectacle or conduct business—quite a few names had not yet been called. Thus, no one knew who Zhou Huan was.

The innkeeper, growing tense at this juncture, immediately hurried back to his main hall to check his ledger.

Zhou Huan and Shi Bingyuan exchanged a faint smile, then turned and returned to their room. Upon entering, they found Xiaofang busy mending some torn clothing for Zhou Huan. Seeing Zhou Huan enter, Xiaofang could barely contain her joy. “Brother Zhou, I saw what happened just now. I almost didn't bother mending your clothes, but when I heard you were specially invited by Lord He, I truly don't know how happy I was! Look, I’ve finished repairing the clothes you’ll wear tomorrow. Try them on.”

Zhou Huan smiled. “Since my sister mended these clothes for me, I absolutely must try them on. They must be very comfortable!” Zhou Huan took the garment from Xiaofang and put it on. After cinching the belt, it fit perfectly. The places where it had been ripped or scraped were mended with skill.

“Wonderful! Wearing clothes like these, Brother Zhou, a hundred enemies couldn't defeat you,” Xiaofang said, jumping up with laughter.

Zhou Huan looked at the young, innocent girl before him, feeling an unnameable emotion, yet in his heart, he still regarded Xiaofang as a little sister.

“Xiaofang, your hands are truly skilled. Thank you so much!” Zhou Huan’s words were exceedingly courteous, even more so than one might expect between siblings.

Shi Bingyuan watched Zhou Huan try on the perfectly fitted clothes and silently applauded him inwardly.

After three knocks, the inn’s waiter gently pushed open the door to Zhou Huan’s room. Upon entering, he saw the waiter holding two large food carriers, a rich aroma of cooked dishes already permeating the entire room.

“Mas-Master Zhou, I am truly sorry. I misunderstood earlier. I speak foolishly. Please, Master, overlook my petty offense. Our boss scolded me soundly today, and I have come here sincerely to apologize.” The waiter spoke while repeatedly nodding, bowing so low he dared not lift his head.

Zhou Huan smiled. “Forget it. Don’t bother with these formalities. I am just a commoner. As for what Lord He intends, that is his affair. Let’s not discuss anything else. Whatever this meal costs today, record it on the tab. We will certainly settle it when we have the means.”

“Master Zhou, please don't make things difficult for this lowly one! We don't need you to repay us. As long as you eat this meal, all future room charges will be waived,” the waiter said, setting the two food carriers onto the table in Zhou Huan’s room and arranging five or six dishes.

The scent was intoxicating. Dongzi, who had been lying on the bed, lost all sense of composure upon smelling it. He jumped off the bed, sniffed the food on the table, and instantly lost all rational thought, immediately starting to grab and shovel the food into his mouth noisily.

“Waiter brother, go back and tell your boss he must record this on the tab. If you don't, be warned—I, Zhou Huan, might become vexed.”

The waiter heard the earnestness in Zhou Huan’s tone and quickly nodded before hurrying downstairs. Indeed, downstairs, he informed his manager to put the cost of Zhou Huan’s meal on the ledger. He then went to gather supplies to thoroughly clean Zhou Huan's room—in fact, he was preparing to move Zhou Huan's party to the premier suite, the 'Heavenly Character No. 1' room.

It was at this very moment, while Zhou Huan and his group were enjoying their fragrant meal, with Dongzi eating so heartily that grains of rice clung to his mouth as he kept exclaiming his approval, that the door suddenly burst open with a CRASH! A figure stumbled in recklessly, wielding a short-handled mace, face covered in black gore, and clothes dusted with paper ash.

“Zhou Huan! You thought hiding here would keep me from finding you?”

Zhou Huan instantly recognized the voice, which immediately brought to mind the voice of the Cemetery Ghost King he had heard before arriving in the Qing Dynasty. Although turbulence churned within him, his mind focused on one thing: the connection between him and the Ghost King, whether in the Qing Dynasty or the modern era, was undeniable. Until this bizarre karmic link was severed, this entity would pursue him relentlessly. Either Zhou Huan would perish, or the Ghost King would be annihilated!

“Ghost King, I truly didn’t expect you to track me down here. I am to attend the Dharma Assembly tomorrow. Must you force me to attend with a fatigued body? If I cannot return to the modern world, then our entanglement will never end, and your soul will never return to the Underworld. Tell me, what is the point of all this?” As he spoke, Zhou Huan’s stern face and sharply defined features glared intensely at the hovering soul standing in the doorway.

A blast of foul wind, carrying the sensation of countless grains of sand, swept into the room. Dongzi continued to chew the gifted food, but Shi Bingyuan’s ghostly eyes were now wide open; he could see the Ghost King’s form. Therefore, Shi Bingyuan spoke, “Master, we should settle this tonight. Otherwise, he will certainly cause us considerable trouble tomorrow. Considering our grand objective of returning home, allow me to deal with him!”

Shi Bingyuan possessed such confidence now because, during this recent spiritual training trip with Zhou Huan into the mountains, he had genuinely gained significant benefits. Not only had he recovered all the techniques he possessed when he first arrived, but Shi Bingyuan’s own power had also increased more than tenfold.

Upon saying this, Shi Bingyuan raised his hand for a palm strike, but in his palm, seemingly from nowhere, was clutched a talisman he had prepared long ago.