“What do you want?”

  Zheng San's eyes narrowed. He wanted to shoo Ulrich away, but couldn’t.

  The Eternal Club was secretive to the extreme, and even as an official member, he was ignorant of its inner workings. Forget about the organization's secrets; even the names of other members were a mystery.

  And yet, this stranger at his door, not only knows the name “Eternal Club” but also the specific assignment under his name!

  Ulrich smiled. “I need you to accompany me on a trip.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  As I thought, he’s slow but not stupid!

  “You want money? I can give it to you, but this one favor is all I ask for. It’s not much, trust me.”

  Trust you? Why do I feel like I’m being scammed?

  After about a minute, Zheng San let out a deep breath. “Where do you want to go?”

  Already prepared, Ulrich reached into his pocket and pulled out a world map. After which, he unfolded it flat and placed his finger on an obscure island in the far east.

  “This remote island?”

  “That’s right.”

  Hearing this, Zheng San had the urge to palm his face, but held himself back, “Don’t tell me there’s treasure on this island. If you do, I’m going back to sleep.”

  Even if there is, you wouldn’t dare take it. Ulrich chuckled, though only saying, “Maybe, maybe not.”

  “Why do I find your words a little annoying?”

  It was a strange feeling. This was his first time meeting Ulrich, yet he couldn’t help but feel a peculiar sense of familiarity. That voice, speech, and manner of speaking, it itches him in ways that shouldn’t be possible!

  Ulrich shrugged and stuffed the map back into his pocket. “I’m in a rush, do you mind?”

  “You are, but I’m not.”

  “Then I’ll find someone else.”

  I don’t know anyone else… But Zheng San didn’t know that.

  “It can’t be that important—Wait, are you paying for this flight? Or am I..?”

  Once again, Ulrich smiled. Looking at that smile, Zheng San's face twisted.

  Wh—Why do I feel I just got hoodwink…

  Fortunately for Ulrich, it did not take much to convince Zheng San. As long as he knew the man’s desire and mindset, it wasn’t difficult to persuade him. Of course, this wasn’t the only route he could’ve taken, though it was efficient.

  If anything, stealing that black book from Gu Lan’s apartment and using it to earn Zheng San's trust is also feasible. But honestly, Ulrich didn’t want to waste that extra time, especially when his body is currently in the shadow realm.

  After all, convincing Zheng San is just a means to an end. His goal was elsewhere.

  At this moment, they boarded a plane in economy class. Ulrich didn’t spend a penny, and still, he coughed.

  “I thought you’d have some savings… No girlfriends, no family, and no friends, but where is all your money?”

  Zheng San's brows raised, finding it ridiculous, “You didn’t even pay, why are you complaining?”

  “And where did you even hear this from? I want to know the person insulting me behind my back!”

  Ulrich shrugged his shoulders.

  Wouldn’t you like to beat yourself for telling me this?

  Seeing this, Zheng San sighed, “Forget it. Can you at least tell me what is on this island?”

  That’s what I like to know too…

  Unexpectedly, Ulrich didn’t ignore him or change the topic. “If my guess is correct, perhaps I will find my home there.”

  “Home? Are you crazy?”

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  Forget about the fact that someone can actually live on such a remote island at sea. How would you not know if it’s your home or not?!

  Either way, Ulrich turned and stared at the vast sky. From here, the island slowly came into view, its color vibrant and full of life. However, what he was looking for wasn’t the scenery of the forest, but something else.

  No fog, no buildings… It’s just a wild island. Was I wrong?

  Belham was big, perhaps just slightly smaller than Donghai. Even if this dream was six hundred years into the future, it makes no sense that every single trace of the past was erased. There wasn’t even a single ‘sea beast’ in sight either.

  Could it be…?

  He had a foreboding feeling which reminded him of his conversation with 1999, as well as skimming through Gu Lan’s journal.

  Is there someone, or something manipulating the flow of history, ensuring that it was concealed? For what purpose?

  The crux of the matter was that he was too weak and too ignorant of the truths.

  One step at a time.

  Leaning back, he closed his eyes, hoping that this journey would allow him to grasp another clue toward the truth of this dream.

  By the time they arrived on the remote island, the sun had submerged halfway into the sea. In the sky, the round and beautiful moon glistened, like a pearl resting against a bed of clouds. To see both the sun and moon occupy the same sky was breathtaking.

  Finally!

  This flight took hours, and Ulrich's bottom ached just standing on the sandy shore.

  Looking at it, he was blessed that this island was not entirely ‘stranded’. Since it was near Donghai, there is some demand for tourism, though not exactly popular. Either way, it’s enough to push the capitalists to build a runaway here.

  “I hate the fishy smell of the sea!”

  Zheng San exclaimed, stretching his limbs. The airplane’s seat was uncomfortable throughout the entire flight. But as a member of the Eternal Club, he’d travel by plane often enough that it wasn't unbearable.

  Noticing Ulrich's stiff posture, he laughed. "First time on a plane, huh? You look like you've been sitting in a coffin for the past few hours!"

  He smacked Ulrich on the shoulder, grinning. "What, afraid it was going to fall out of the sky? I saw you gripping those armrests like your life depended on it."

  This feeling of triumph justified the price of this long trip alone!

  Ulrich brushed his arm off and sneered. “Screw off.”

  Zheng San’s attitude reminded him of a certain annoying priest that he’d encountered recently. The memories haunted him, and luckily, Zheng San didn’t start praising the sun.

  With that said, he walked into the forest, leaving Zheng San speechless.

  “Hey! Hey! Where the hell are you going this late? Do you even know where you’re going?!”

  Ulrich shook his head and continued walking.

  The island was quite flat, though he’d already seen that from the top view of the airplane. However, what he didn’t expect was the thick trunk of the trees, vines, as well as bushes that blocked his path. It didn’t look that dense from atop, but seeing it in person was different.

  Fortunately, the sun was still alive, blessing the land with its golden glow. Thus, he was able to traverse the terrain without worrying about a lack of light.

  As he made his way toward the center of the island, his expression darkened. The further he wandered, the more restless he became.

  Not a single building, or signs of life that’s expected from a city is here. Was I wrong? He can’t help but begin doubting if this was the correct place.

  At this moment, he stared into the sky while it gradually descended into darkness.

  Should I perform a dream divination?

  Just as that thought passed, he shook his head. The trauma from encountering that Leviathans in the dream realm was fresh in his mind.

  A coin divination should be fine…?

  Ulrich took out a coin from his pocket, closed his eyes, and channeled his spirituality. Back then, it would’ve taken some time to enter resonance. But now, his ability to sense spirituality and control it had improved. This is despite the fact that he was still human.

  In that moment, his voice dropped to a whisper as the coin began heating.

  “This island is Belham.”

  What the hell is this fool doing in the middle of the forest?

  Zheng San noticed that Ulrich had stopped moving, only standing there menacingly. He had the urge to walk up and smack him on the shoulder, but froze when a gust of wind blew on their clothes.

  “I feel cold all the sudden.” He murmured.

  Ulrich didn’t care for Zheng San’s antic and repeated several statements quietly.

  “The land of the Ministry. Houses of the believers of the Night Mother. A haven for restless souls from the fog sea.”

  The first statement alone should be sufficient, but to ensure it was more accurate, he decided to add as much information as possible. This was all in an effort to reduce interference.

  Upon reaching the last line, Ulrich paused. He gave it a second thought and added one final line:

  “The home of Ulrich Constantine!”

  With that said, the wind grew increasingly wild and cold. In that moment, Zheng San shivered, but Ulrich didn’t move at all.

  He smiled and tossed the coin in the air.

  Tink!

  Swiping his hand in the air, he caught the coin, holding the hot piece of metal in the center of his palm.

  Let it be Belham. And let me end my search…!