"Divine beings?"
The voice that questioned sounded youthful, yet it came from a man whose hair had turned entirely white.
It was none other than Zhang Liu, Deputy Director of the Ghost Division in Huadu.
With arms folded and eyes narrowed in scrutiny, he said calmly, "Isn't that a bit too rash, Director Chen? Declaring them gods after merely a couple of interventions—shouldn't we be more cautious? We have a responsibility to the entire city."
He stood, gazing out the window where crowds bustled with excitement, talking about the miraculous events of the day.
The emergence of a deity had brought people a desperately needed injection of hope—like a bright light piercing through endless gloom.
"But the greater the hope…" Zhang Liu's voice turned solemn. "The deeper the despair when it fails."
Director Chen Yu-xi fell silent.
He understood all too well.
Zhang Liu had been present when that young girl tearfully claimed that Hei Wuchang himself had saved her.
God, how he wanted to believe her.
But he couldn't afford to.
For over a century, not a single divine entity had ever truly revealed itself.
If real gods now walked the earth, they could become humanity's greatest allies.But if it was a lie—a cleverly crafted illusion—then mankind might tumble headfirst into annihilation.
There was no room for error. Not here. Not in Huaxia.
A nation as vast and populous as theirs had always walked a tightrope above the abyss. One misstep, and the fall would be fatal.
"For now," Chen finally said, his voice steadying, "put the City God matter on hold. The Capital has dispatched an A-Class Ghosthandler to oversee the situation here in Huadu. We'll reassess once he arrives."
"But our more immediate concern," his tone darkened, "is the Daylight Ghost!"
The temperature in the room plummeted as those words fell. Everyone held their breath.
"For over a hundred years, we assumed ghosts could only manifest at night," Chen said slowly. "But we were wrong."
"The hospital incident… was a warning."
"They're no longer just lurking in the shadows. They're waiting."Zhang Liu's voice cut through the silence. "Waiting for the perfect moment. The moment they can fully merge with this world."
Human scholars had long suspected: the ghost resurgence wasn't random. It wasn't just spiritual decay—it was dimensional convergence.
A world of ghosts, long sealed away, might be clawing its way back.
"The Ghost Gate that opened during the Ghost Festival…" Chen murmured, "That could've been a crack in the veil."
"If that's true, then…" he paused. "Then we're heading straight into the worst era imaginable."
Zhang Liu spoke firmly, "We increase daylight patrols immediately. Focus on public areas."
"We've no choice but to go all in."
Chen straightened. His voice rang like a war drum:"If that day ever comes, if the ghosts flood our world…"
"Then I shall give my life without hesitation!"
Zhang Liu rose and struck his fist to his heart."I shall give my life!"
One after another, the Ghosthandlers stood, echoing in unison.
"I shall give my life!""For Huadu! For humanity!"
"If the day comes when the city is overrun with ghosts," Chen vowed, "they'll have to climb over our corpses to get in."
No regrets for being born in Huaxia.If there is a next life—let us be born here again.
Yet in that moment of grim resolve… a fleeting image entered Chen's mind.
A crumbling City God Temple.A vague golden light.A shadow standing tall in its heart.
"Could it be… that gods really do walk among us?" he thought silently.Maybe… it was time to offer a stick of incense himself.
In a decaying room filled with the scent of mold, an old man knelt.
Dust clung to the wooden floor. Moss crept up the corners of a broken desk.
Atop it sat a faceless statue of the City God.
He remembered being a boy, asking his father why Huadu's City God had no face.
His father had smiled."Because He is unique. He is what you believe He is. And He protects this city as no one else can."
Years had passed. Faces faded from memory. But that statue remained.
His grandson lay unconscious in bed, cheeks pale, breath shallow. The boy had fallen ill—and treatment was far beyond what the old man could afford.
They said the City God had appeared in the hospital today.
Some families were rushing to restore old altars.
The old man chuckled bitterly.
"Lord City God, I've honored you all my life. Done good deeds. Never asked for anything. But…"
His voice trembled.
"If you're truly there… let him call me Grandpa again. Let him play in my arms once more."
He would give anything. Everything.
But hope was a cruel thing to keep.
He lit three sticks of incense with shaking hands, bowed his head… and wiped his grandson's face.
And then…
The boy stirred.
His eyelids fluttered open, revealing clear, curious eyes.
"…Grandpa?"
The old man froze.
"Grandpa, how long did I sleep?" the child asked innocently.
Tears welled up and fell freely.
He clutched his grandson, sobbing uncontrollably.
The boy blinked, confused, gently patting his grandfather's back in comfort.
From the corner of his eye, the boy glanced at the statue—
And for a moment, it felt like a handsome youth stood there in golden light, smiling warmly.
"…Big brother," the boy whispered, "was it you who woke me up?"