Ghost Compendium

Inside a well-known nightclub in the Capital City.

Men and women of all sorts were pressed together, dancing wildly in the middle of the dance floor, sweat streaming down as the temperature rose.

Everyone was lost in a daze, indulging in this wondrous night of revelry and dreams.

However, in one of the nightclub's private rooms, about a dozen people dressed in different styles, looking just like anyone else out for nightlife, sat together discussing topics only they could understand—

"I heard the company's CEO and his most capable department manager had a falling out?"

"Haha, isn't it? Anyone near the company that day saw it~ Even the office decorations and the front door were smashed~"

"And I also heard the department manager took a new intern with him? Why? Is the intern quite capable?"

"I'm not sure about that, but that intern was supposed to be someone our enterprise was eyeing. Because of some minor incident, the company poached them in advance."

"..."

Their conversation didn't raise any suspicion from the few hostesses nearby, who merely thought some of them looked like promising young entrepreneurs.

If they could lure one of these golden geese, they could probably earn quite a bit!

Thinking this, the hostesses began drinking more vigorously, their words laced with seduction, and their physical gestures grew ever bolder.

Yet they couldn't see the murderous intent and excitement in each "golden goose's" eyes growing more pronounced.

These dozen or so people were, in fact, members of "Promised Land," hidden among the city streets.

There were quite a few people like them throughout the Capital City, each with different identities.

Some were students; some were housewives; some were vendors selling goods by the roadside; some were nine-to-five white-collar workers in routine jobs...

They each had unique meeting spots, and this nightclub was one of them.

The matters they discussed earlier weren't just some normal workplace gossip.

They were referring to the big event at the Capital City's official headquarters yesterday—the Zodiac Monkey defecting from the authorities!

The so-called intern initially considered merchandise by "Promised Land" for further research was saved by the Zodiac Monkey who eliminated Wu Yeli midway.

"Hey, everyone, calm down. Things are really chaotic right now. Other private enterprises are aligning themselves with the company. Doing business now, be careful not to become the bird that stands out and gets shot!"

In this group of youths, the only middle-aged man with a stubbly beard spoke up.

He had slipped away from his wife and children under the guise of working overtime to discuss their action plan.

If he got caught coming to a place like a nightclub, he'd probably have to kneel on a washboard all night when he got home.

"But there's already someone standing out! The department manager is now blacklisted by the company! Old Cheng, didn't you see how fervently the company is pursuing him, almost as intense as an anti-gang operation!" a trendy young man wearing a hip-hop hat retorted.

He was one of the militant members.

Even before coming to the nightclub to finalize their plan, the trendy youth suggested quickly finding the Zodiac Monkey and snatch back Luo Fei for research.

After all, if the Zodiac Monkey was willing to break off with the authorities over this girl, there must be something unique about her.

Most members of "Promised Land" thought Luo Fei's Awakened Ability must be very valuable, something that, in the Zodiac Monkey's mind, outweighed the status and power granted by the authorities!

Surely it couldn't be that these two fell in love at first sight and eloped?

"Yeah! That intern was supposed to be ours, yet she was purged from the company. Why shouldn't we try to get her back?" the young girl next to the trendy youth chimed in agreement.

Hearing the militant duo's suggestion, the others began to stir as well.

What they said made sense!

It's not like they were attacking official headquarters, just taking someone from a Zodiac Monkey already on the authorities' wanted list. This didn't seem difficult at all!

"Haha, let me ask, has anyone here read 'Journey to the West'? Do you know why, despite eating the Ginseng Fruit to achieve immortality, all those monsters still chose to oppose Sun Wukong, the Victorious Fighting Buddha, to capture the Tang Monk?" Old Cheng chuckled as he spoke.

The others didn't understand why he suddenly asked such an irrelevant question.

They instinctively shook their heads, expressing their confusion.

To this, Old Cheng simply sighed, saying, "The Ginseng Fruit is vegetarian, but damn, Zhen Yuanzi isn't!"

After saying this, he pulled a toy monkey out of his pocket, placing it beside a peach on the fruit plate, then pointed at the toy and said:

"Conquering three major private enterprises in a week, you don't think this monkey is a defenseless Tang Monk, do you? Damn, this is Zhen Yuanzi! Do you think it's that easy to snatch the Ginseng Fruit from his hands?"

Upon hearing this, most people's expressions changed subtly.

Indeed, over these past few days, the stance of those three major private enterprises had become increasingly clear, as if they intended to share the government's fate.

The source of all this seemed to be the reappearance of the Zodiac Monkey in the Capital City.

To say that the change in attitude of these three private enterprises had nothing to do with the Zodiac Monkey, well, no one would believe it.

"So what about Zhen Yuanzi! I'll say it again, he's just one person! If we don't dare tackle a monkey on the wanted list, how can we talk about a great transformation? We might as well disband and go home!"

The trendy youth, after a few seconds of thinking, stood up cursing.

Those who were initially ambivalent couldn't help but show a glimmer of determination in their eyes upon hearing the words "great transformation."

Yes! "Promised Land" is already competing on the same stage as the authorities!

If they're too timid to deal with someone on the authorities' wanted list, what would Lord Pioneer think of them? What right would they have to participate in the great transformation of humanity into Fierce Ghosts?

"Then damn it, let's do it!"

"Exactly! It's just a monkey!"

"Let's make a plan then! Take back the intern!"

"..."

The increasingly excited words of his companions left Old Cheng a bit helpless; he knew everyone had been too oppressed by the authorities lately.

At last, they found a release and couldn't just stand by while the Zodiac Monkey hid away.

But still... he couldn't help but worry.

The whole confrontation with the authorities was just too eerie.

"Forget it, let's vote then. Raise your left hand if you want to go after the monkey, and your right hand if you want to continue hiding."

But ultimately, Old Cheng had to compromise.

Swish, swish, swish—

The crowd raised their hands to express their stance, then exchanged knowing smiles.

In the whole private room, Old Cheng was the only one who raised his right hand, opting to hide!

The final outcome was clear!

"Alright! Then we'll act according to the vote! You fifteen go find the monkey, I'll hide. Meeting adjourned, farewell!"

The rest: "????"