Finding A Ghost

Thana feels a little uneasy. She can feel how creepy the emptiness of the palace is. She looked around, and she realized how quiet it was.

"Where is everybody?" she asked, making her voice penetrate through the hall.

"Most have avoided this place since the rumors began," the Supreme Heavenly Lord replied, his tone calm as always. "Even the servants refuse to enter."

Thana raised her eyebrow. "They really believe there's a ghost."

"I do not make light of such matters," he said, his gaze fixed ahead as they walked. "I take all disturbances in the heavenly realm seriously."

Thana sighed, rolling her eyes. "Right. Because a ghost is such a serious threat."

He didn't respond to that, and Thana couldn't tell if he was ignoring her sarcasm or just didn't care.

They reached the main hall of the palace, and the Supreme Heavenly Lord stopped, turning to face her. "This is where the disturbances have been reported," he said, his voice steady. "You should begin your investigation here."

Thana crossed her arms, looking around the empty hall, but there was nothing out of the ordinary.

She looked at the Supreme Heavenly Lord who was still staring at her. "You're not sticking around?" she asked.

"I will remain nearby," he replied. "But this is your task. I will not interfere unless necessary."

Thana had spent the entire day combing through the palace for any sign of the so-called ghost. She had searched every grand hallway, every hidden corner, and every empty room. But there was nothing. No strange noises, no cold drafts, not even a shadow out of place.

She was getting impatient by later noon. As she stepped down the corridor, she had an impression of seeing some celestial servants and deities secretly looking at her. They've been whispering and glancing at her with curiosity.

Thana pulled her hood a little further over her face. She didn't like being the center of attention, but it was hard to avoid it when the Supreme Heavenly Lord himself had personally fetched her from the netherworld. She could practically hear the questions buzzing in their minds. Why would the supreme ruler go to such lengths for someone like her? Surely, he had countless subordinates who could have dealt with this. And yet, here she was.

Thana continued searching, but as the hours passed by, her patience wore thin. The sun was setting down that cast a soft golden glow.

She sighed heavily and sat down on the cold marble floor right in the middle of the large hall, leaning back on a pillar. She let her scythe on the ground.

But as she was getting ready to pack her stuff and go back to the netherworld, she felt a familiar presence. She knew who it was without looking at the person.

"Are you done searching?" the Supreme Heavenly Lord said in a sincere and composed tone.

Thana sighed and raised her head, meeting his eyes. He was standing a few feet from her; he was wearing golden colored robes that were slightly shimmering in the dimming light. His silver hair was tied neatly and his face was emotionless as always.

"There's no ghost here. I have searched everything, and I'm telling you, it was all empty." Thana said.

The Supreme Heavenly Lord regarded her quietly for a moment before speaking. "You're right," he said simply.

Thana blinked, taken aback. "What?"

"There is no ghost," he said in a calm voice.

Thana stared at him in disbelief. "You're joking," she said flatly. "I've been running around this giant palace all day for nothing?"

The Supreme Heavenly Lord didn't answer immediately. Instead, he slowly walked towards her. 

"Well, never said there was a ghost," he said. "I merely asked you to investigate the rumors."

Thana's eyes narrowed. "You could've just told me from the start. I could have saved myself a lot of trouble."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, so subtle that Thana almost missed it. "Would you have agreed to come if I had?"

She was about to argue, but quickly shut it. If he had told her, she most probably would have declined. Still, it did not make her any happy.

"Next time, just tell me upfront," she said, rising off the floor. "I do not like wasting time."

The Supreme Heavenly Lord nodded, and there was a faint gleam of joy in his eyes.

Thana cleaned the dust from her clothes and took her scythe. "Well, it is already dark," she said, looking out. "I have to go. Thanks for the... interesting day."

She was about to turn and leave when the Supreme Heavenly Lord's voice stopped her.

"Stay."

Thana froze, turning back to look at him. "What?"

"I wish you would spend the night here," he said politely. "Continue your search tomorrow. There may be more to this than you've yet uncovered."

Thana raised an eyebrow. "You just said there was no ghost."

"I said there was no ghost," he corrected, his eyes meeting hers. "But that does not mean there is nothing to find."

Thana sighed deeply, shaking her head. "Seriously!" Spending more time in the Heaven Realm was not good for her reputation, but the Supreme Heavenly Lord did not leave her much of a choice. Furthermore, she had a feeling that if she flat-out rejected him, then it would not be a good thing.

"Alright," she agreed, wasn't thrilled about it. "I'll stay."

The Supreme Heavenly Lord nodded in approval, a flicker of something—gratitude, perhaps—crossing his face. He gestured to one of the servants who had been lingering nearby, watching the exchange with wide eyes.

"Take her to the guest chambers," he instructed.

The servant, a young celestial woman with delicate features, bowed deeply before hurrying over to Thana.

"Please, follow me," the servant said, her voice soft and respectful.

Thana shot the Supreme Heavenly Lord one last look—one that said, You owe me for this—before following the servant out of the grand hall and through the winding corridors of the palace.