Chapter 144: Chapter 144: Frenzied Meng Ghost: The Blood on the Sovereign Lord Can’t Be Washed Clean in a Lifetime

Now,

The only one who could make the decision was Yun Zhenyue.

The members of the Nightmare Hunter all held their breath, their eyes fixed on her.

To be honest, they all had mixed feelings.

If Yun Zhenyue agreed, they could avoid a major battle.

Facing off against a Ghost that might be a high-level Evil Star was certainly a difficult challenge.

But this Meng Ghost was reckless and unpredictable. Even the Lord himself couldn’t tolerate him.

And yet, they also longed for her to refuse.

They couldn’t stomach the thought of letting such an evil Ghost back into the Nightmare Hunter...

Mengmeng’s expression was tense.

She looked at Yun Zhenyue, bitter ripples spreading through her heart.

After all, he was a member of their organization. Even though he had done something unforgivable to her parents, if Yun Zhenyue nodded, he would ultimately face no punishment, and the matter would be forgotten.

Given her position, she couldn’t blame anyone.

The Meng Ghost was also waiting, his anticipation palpable.

’In truth, he wasn’t being entirely sincere.’

’He never wanted to meet Yun Zhenyue in the first place.’

’He was terrified of attracting the Lord’s attention.’

’But now that things had come to a head, agreeing to his terms was the only logical choice.’

’She must be thinking the same thing, right?’

...

At that moment.

"Hooo..."

Yun Zhenyue took a deep breath.

She looked around, her gaze falling on Mengmeng’s lowered head.

Then, she looked out at the streets and alleys, at her compatriots who shambled about like the living dead.

So many of them were young; a great number were even younger than she was.

’If they were truly alive, would they want her to agree?’

Here in this illusory dream, their minds were being gradually eroded and broken, until their spirits were annihilated and their bodies were controlled, making them just another part of this empty dreamscape.

This question.

Yun Zhenyue had long known the answer.

She would not become an accomplice to a butcher.

Agreeing to his demands might have a hundred benefits, while refusing was certain to have a hundred drawbacks.

But in the face of this choice, a choice of the heart...

Yun Zhenyue’s eyes grew clear and resolute.

Under the Meng Ghost’s incredulous gaze, she refused.

"I cannot agree to your request."

"You turned the underground garage into your personal farm, killed so many innocent people, and Mengmeng’s parents went missing because of you..."

"Gu Yuan once told me that kindness toward evil only becomes a blade turned against the innocent."

"No matter what, I cannot possibly bring you back to the Nightmare Hunter."

"If you truly repent, I can take you to see Gu Yuan."

At these words,

Mengmeng snapped her head up, her eyes stinging.

She couldn’t believe Yun Zhenyue had refused a high-level Evil Star for her!

The eyes of the Nightmare Hunter members widened in shock!

They hadn’t guessed wrong!

With the personality of the Lord’s wife, she was bound to refuse!

She was kind, but not naively so.

’So what if we have to fight a high-level Evil Star on his own turf?’

They were more than ready!

...

Seeing this,

the foreign audience members grew excited.

They had been worried Yun Zhenyue would actually agree.

The guy knelt and kowtowed, and she still showed him no mercy.

It just went to show how ridiculously stubborn she was.

So what if a few people from the Dragon Country died and her friend’s parents were taken?

If it were someone from their countries, they would have agreed in a heartbeat.

The benefits to be gained!

They were worth far more than some pointless principles.

[So stupid. Who cares if a few people died? She doesn’t even know them.]

[Everyone I know from the Dragon Country is this stubborn. A bunch of idiots!]

[Heh heh, there’s definitely going to be a fight now, right?]

[Pointless principles. Utterly worthless.]

[She won’t even agree to that? If I were the Meng Ghost, I’d kill them all!]

...

At this moment,

the eyes of the Dream-Weaving Ghost Perpetual Daylight were filled with resentment!

He slowly rose to his feet. Blood trickled from his mangled forehead, dripping into his bloodshot eyes, which now burned with madness and fury!

That answer!

It had driven him to despair.

A bridge of hope had just appeared, but with a few words, Yun Zhenyue had not only demolished it but also crushed his lingering obsession with its falling rubble.

Turning his head,

he stared blankly at the members of the Nightmare Hunter.

"What evil?"

"You... you all think I was wrong?" A radical challenge flared in Eternal Daylight’s eyes.

None of the Nightmare Hunter members answered.

But their gazes were filled with wariness.

And a clear intent to support and protect Yun Zhenyue.

The atmosphere grew even colder.

His agitation mounted.

Eternal Daylight clutched the Dream Catcher on his back, a bitter smile on his lips. He staggered back a few steps, as if to draw a line in the sand between himself and the Nightmare Hunter.

"I only did this to get stronger, to become a high-level Evil Star! My power is to absorb the energy of dreams. I had no other choice."

"Those wastes had no right to remain in the Nightmare Hunter. It was better to turn them into my power. I can absolutely contribute more than they ever could!"

"But what did the Lord say? That day, I was overjoyed, but he told me I was beyond redemption and cast me out."

Eternal Daylight rasped.

Tears streamed from his eyes as if trying to wash away his sins.

When he spoke of the Lord,

his eyes revealed a profound resentment, but also a bottomless fear.

But his words convinced no one.

He even saw the disappointment on Yun Zhenyue’s face.

"He’s lost his mind."

"Be careful. Protect the Lord’s wife."

"Such high-sounding words, but it’s all just selfish excuses."

Seeing that he couldn’t sway them, hearing their hostile whispers, Eternal Daylight stared daggers at the Nightmare Hunter members and shrieked like a madman, "The Lord... you think he’s so benevolent?"

"You think he’s some kind of saint? A supreme, all-merciful savior?"

"Let me tell you, the number of people who have died by my hand is a mere drop in the ocean compared to those who have died by his! You’ve never seen him lose control. *He’s* the real madman!"

"Not even a lifetime of good deeds could wash away the blood on his hands! The sins he has committed... even all the evil Ghosts in the Ghost World combined could not compare!"

"Don’t think he’s become a good person just because he’s staying his hand now!"

"What a joke! The biggest joke of all!"

At this,

he began to alternate between crying and laughing.

The complex emotions twisting his face were beyond description.

Everyone watched him, on high alert.

They could see the blood-red feathers on the Dream Catcher behind Eternal Daylight begin to stir violently.

The entire Dream World began to tremble.

It seemed some kind of transformation was about to take place.

"You don’t think he’s evil, but you blame me. In the end, it’s just because he’s stronger. You’re afraid of him. It always comes down to power. I should have known."

Like a hyena with a broken spine, his mind twisted and diseased, Eternal Daylight suddenly whipped his head toward Yun Zhenyue. Veins bulged on his neck as his face contorted with ferocity.

"Go see him?"

"You make it sound so simple! What right do I have to see him anymore!"

"Since you’re all so eager to die, don’t blame me for overstepping my authority! My lady, and the rest of you, you can all stay here forever!"

"I’m so close! Once I absorb your dreams, I can step directly into the ranks of the high-level Evil Stars!"

"This is my domain! Don’t even think about leaving!"

As soon as the words left his mouth!

Before the shocked eyes of the Nightmare Hunter members!

Eternal Daylight suddenly ripped the Dream Catcher from his back and threw it toward the sky!

The Dream Catcher grew larger and larger, until it blotted out the entire world, blanketing every last dream!

Eternal Daylight’s figure vanished.

But his crazed voice echoed through the air!

"The long night grants me my scepter—"

"Here lies paradise, for an eternity of slumber!"

"Three thousand nightmares shall forge a kingdom of illusion!"

"Behold me, submit to me, and join me for eternity! You! Come, welcome the arrival of [Paradise]!"