What is the evil ploy of the Ghost Lotus Alliance?

"Ugh! These masks are so annoying! I can hardly breathe properly..." grumbled Yu Xuan, looking around for Zi Qian, who was nowhere to be found. "Zi Qian? Zi Qian?" he called out softly, trying not to attract the attention of the Ghost residents. As he scanned the dimly lit village for his friend, a firm hand suddenly grasped his own. Yu Xuan spun around to see Xiao Yang standing before him. "Shhh! Follow me. Zi Qian will be okay," Xiao Yang urged in a hushed tone.

Taking Yu Xuan's arm, he led him swiftly but quietly through the eerie village into a corner in the village.

They ended up in a smelly corner, with scattered carts loaded with bottles of alcohol. There was heavy air which reeked of strong whiskey and decomposed things. "This is so stinky!" Yu Xuan complained as he used his hand to cover his nose.

"Shush! We are being watched," Xiao Yang warned, glancing about him. "We have to divert that spy for us to find an escape route," he told Yu Xuan while handing him some rags soaked with unclean smells.

"Eee! Where did you find them? And what made you take them away?" He asked him as he looked at the garments with disgust.

We will put it on, I brought so that we can wear them. ," said Xiao Yang undressing. His tousled shirt fluttered off to expose a delicious ivory toned body. He had a strong upper body, broad chest, well defined and appearing in beautiful shadows thanks to the dim, flickering light. Ripped six pack abs were the result of hours of strenuous exercise. Powerful shoulders and sculpted arms, with veins only slightly more evident than his hands.

Yu Xuan was captivated by the scene unfolding before him, unable to tear his gaze away from Xiao Yang's effortless movements as he donned the tattered garments with ease. The way his muscles flexed and moved was oddly mesmerizing, sending a rush of excitement through Yu Xuan. Caught in a moment of admiration, Yu Xuan felt his heart quicken in response. As the realization dawned on him that he had been staring for too long, a blush crept up his cheeks and he let out a small cough, hastily redirecting his attention elsewhere. Hastily mimicking Xiao Yang's actions, Yu Xuan hurriedly changed into the grimy clothes, doing his best to ignore the unpleasant stench and the embarrassing warmth creeping up his face.

"It seems the person watching us is able to distinguish between us and the ghost resisdent by our smell, and wearing these clothes will help us hide our identity because they smell like this liquor," Yu Xuan said, looking at the liquor bottles after changing into the old clothes. "Only the ghost residents can drink this liquor this it might not be edible for a human to consume it. Oh! Now I get it. Xiao Yang, did you think the same?" he asked, looking at Xiao Yang for confirmation.

Xiao Yang nodded and started, "That's why I told Zi Qian to leave us earlier because it seems the spy is following us—or more specifically, you, Teacher Yu," he said, looking suspicious as he walked toward Yu Xuan, who was leaning against the wall.

Yu Xuan felt his heart skip a beat at the words that came out of Xiao Yang's mouth. He had been pretending to be ignorant all this while yet he understood everything about the barrier, the ghost residents and more. He had been testing Xiao Yang and Xiao Yang's observation skills were quite sharp and he did not seem like an ordinary student. Yu Xuan then quickly decided that it would not be wise to confront Xiao Yang here. He required the proper timing and environment for that. For now, collaboration was wiser than confrontation. Realising that he cannot do anything that will further arouse the suspicion of the the latter, Yu Xuan did what he does best – acting.

Yu Xuan coughed and said, "Shen Xiao Yang, you probably don't know this but I am a swordsman and a demon hunter. I've hunted demons from low rank to high rank my whole life. I have many enemies. I don't want you 'children' to get hurt so don't worry. You will all be fine. I will protect you. Don't worry and follow me. " He said as he started walking away while putting on that stinky , ugly mask again.

Xiao Yang snorted and walked along with Yu Xuan as the latter led him through the crowded ghost city. They walked for about an hour and got to an inn. Although, the two were fully aware that the food prepared for the ghost residents was inedible for them, they walked in and sat at a table. They saw the spectral customers entering and leaving. The food of the ghost residents was raw chicken meat, bones of dead creatures, and poisonous plants, which they took with a lot of enthusiasm. On one side, women were engaged in betting.

Shortly, a man arrived at their table and leaned down to their ears and asked in hushed tones, "Would you like to have something, sirs?" The man's voice was made Yu Xuan eyes widened - it sounded familiar.

"You—" Yu Xuan began as he saw Zi Qian, but he was suddenly cut off. "Shhhh," Zi Qian signaled. "Come with me. Don't make any noise." Zi Qian was using sign language to communicate, and while Xiao Yang couldn't understand it, Yu Xuan could.

"What is he saying?" Xiao Yang whispered to Yu Xuan. Yu Xuan sighed and grabbed Xiao Yang's hand, opening his palm. He wrote, "Follow him," assuming Xiao Yang would understand. However, Xiao Yang's expression was unreadable. Yu Xuan and Zi Qian exchanged confused looks. Did he understand, or was he still confused?

Xiao Yang then showed a thumbs up, still maintaining his poker face. Zi Qian and Yu Xuan sighed in relief. They got up slowly and followed Zi Qian into the inn, finally reaching a chamber where the Crown Prince was sitting.

"Crown Prince? You're here?" Yu Xuan asked.

"Yes, you must be our new teacher," the Crown Prince replied. "Please accept my greetings." He bowed gracefully. "Actually, I'm not sure how I ended up here. I remember being in that creepy forest..."

Xiao Yang settled on the bed and closed his eyes while the Crown Prince spoke to Yu Xuan.

"Teacher Yu, I've been here longer than you, and I believe we're being observed. I've noticed some strange individuals around here—they seem sensitive to light and always wear masks. I think they belong to the Ghost Lotus Alliance," the Crown Prince began, sitting cross-legged.

Yu Xuan's expression hardened. "The Ghost Lotus Alliance? They've remained silent for so long, avoiding conflict with the upper land dwellers. Why would they suddenly appear now?"

"They were the ones who kidnapped me, searching for some bead or something right ," Zi Qian whispered.

Yu Xuan nodded.

Yu Xuan then asked everyone to rest, promising they would investigate the matter later. Meanwhile, Zi Qian and Yu Xuan moved to a corner.

"The Ghost Lotus Alliance wants something from us again. It seems they've freed the Headless Demon using the energy of the divine bead," Yu Xuan said, gazing outside.

"Really? I didn't realize they were this evil and inhumane. Even though the old man and the woman who took the bead from me seemed malevolent, that deputy leader didn't give off any evil vibes... What was his name again? Ling Qiang or something," Zi Qian said, making Yu Xuan's eyes widen.