The so-called "murderous coffins"—yin coffins—are evil, zombie-mutated coffins. Some coffins, when dug up, contain bodies that have transformed into unknown horrors. If an ordinary person were to open one, they would surely die. But a master coffin-opener can not only pry them open safely but also reseal them without error.
Listening to Stein's explanation, it seemed this coffin-opening master was quite skilled. And Erebus—being a profiteer of some renown—must have had something extraordinary about him.
"This must be Elder Brother Philip, right? Long time no see." Hampsey stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Philip waved a hand, signaling there was no need for formality—just his name would suffice.
"And this is?" Hampsey then turned to me and asked.
Luna quickly introduced me. "The heir of Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts, Mr. Roger. It was his work that lifted my curse."
"So, you're the one who freed Luna from her curse. On her behalf, I thank you." Hampsey offered a courteous nod.
"You're speaking for Luna? What are you to her?"
Though Hampsey appeared well-mannered, with refined speech and respectful demeanor, the moment I saw Luna gazing at him with such affection, an inexplicable anger flared up inside me. There was something about this guy that reeked of pretense.
"Hm, didn't Luna tell you? I'm her fiancé." As he said this, Hampsey returned Luna's loving gaze, and the sight of it was downright—damn it all. Fiancé? My goddess was engaged?
It felt as though my world had collapsed. My mind buzzed violently, and for a moment, I swore I saw snowflakes drifting before my eyes.
Frost in June. Devastating!
Why did Luna have a fiancé? Why was there not even a sliver of hope left for me?
I'd been thinking how perfect it would be if they were Jennings' daughters—even if I couldn't have both, I'd have been content with just Luna! But not only was she not Jennings' daughter, she was also betrothed. It was like a bolt from the blue, striking me down mid-flight.
By the time I recovered, Luna and the others had already secured their rooms and headed upstairs. Philip had returned to his own quarters.
"Little Boss, don't even think about it. They've all gone to their rooms—Luna's sharing one with Hampsey. Save your breath. Honestly, don't lose heart. There's still Stella, isn't there?" Stein tried to console me.
"What do you know? How could they possibly be the same?" I was on the verge of tears. Stella was Stella, and Luna was Luna. How could a tigress ever compare to a fairy?
"Different? Aside from Stella having bigger breasts, what's the difference between the two sisters?" Stein still didn't grasp my meaning.
"Shut up. Leave me alone. Let me go cry in my room." With a face full of despair, I stumbled back to my room like a man who had lost his soul.
No more, no more, no more hope. Fiancée. Same room. No more. The goddess belongs to someone else.
"Roger, are we still going to look for Miss?" Jeane followed me back to the room and tapped my shoulder.
How could I be in the mood to search for Daphne now? I'd lost my soul. I couldn't even find myself.
"No more searching. I'm not in the mood for anything," I muttered, burying my head under the covers.
"Alright then. I'll look myself. Thanks for avenging us—take care of yourself." Seeing my state, Jeane didn't bother pressing further.
I felt uneasy leaving her to it, so I poked my head out again. "What's the rush? Didn't the Celestial Master say we're going back to Mount Zhongnan tonight? I don't know why, but he must have his reasons. He's the Six-Coin Celestial Master—we should just listen to him."
"But the lady might not have gone up the mountain yet. If we go now, we might find her at the foot," Jeane argued.
She wasn't wrong, but right now, I just wanted to lie in bed like a puddle of mud. I didn't even understand why—my relationship with Luna was nothing special. Yet, knowing she had a fiancé made me feel as heartbroken and disheveled as if I'd lost a love.
"Is it because of that girl earlier?" Girls really were sharp—she saw right through me.
I shook my head stubbornly, refusing to admit it. But my silence gave me away.
"What's so great about her? She's not even close to our young lady. Wouldn't it be better if you married her instead?" Jeane boasted.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Your lady's a heavenly fairy—way out of my league. I prefer mediocre girls," I replied lazily, not in the mood to argue.
To be fair, Luna's looks were a notch above Daphne's. But in Jeane's eyes, her mistress was seen through a filter.
Whatever. I came up with a compromise—I called in Stein and Antonio and told them to go down the mountain with Jeane to search for Daphne. That way, I wouldn't have to move, and I wouldn't have to worry about Jeane going alone. But I made them promise to return if they couldn't find her and not to venture up the mountain. We'd figure out the next steps when evening came.
After they left, I pulled the covers over my head again, overwhelmed. This was worse than heartbreak. Just imagining Luna sharing a room with someone else made it hard to breathe. Would they still be in this hotel…?
I couldn't take it. It hurt too much. But eventually, exhaustion won, and I cried myself to sleep.
I don't know how long I'd been asleep when a voice suddenly called out to me, jolting me awake.
"Who's there?" I shouted into the empty room. But I was alone—where had the voice come from? Was it haunted? The thought made me immediately reach for my Copper Coin Sword.
But it was still daytime. A haunting in broad daylight? That shouldn't be possible!
But just then, another voice rang in my ears.
"Master, it's me! Come to Philip's room and save me. This Celestial Master is sick!"
The little fox? But I couldn't see her. Why could I hear her voice?
I searched the room thoroughly, even checking under the bed, but still found no trace of the little fox.
Philip's room? Did... I suddenly remembered these words echoing in my ears and immediately rushed upstairs, barging into Philip's room without hesitation.
Upon entering, I saw the little fox hanging from the ceiling beams, tightly bound.
"Wuuuuuuh, Master, you're finally here! Wuuuuuuh, save me! I've suffered so much!" The little fox burst into desperate cries the moment she saw me.
"Philip, what are you doing? I was wondering why the little fox didn't return last night - so you tied her up! And you didn't say a word during breakfast this morning!" I scolded angrily while rushing to untie her. But strangely, the rope wouldn't loosen - the more I tried to untie it, the tighter it became, nearly strangling the little fox until her face turned purple.