Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Haunted The clear moonlight spilled over the alleys of Stone Bell City, and from the tavern came melodious music, like a nocturne. Through the window, one could see the roaring fireplace inside, radiating a warm glow. The wooden sign at the entrance bore the words ’Golden Barley Tavern’. Sunan pushed open the wooden door and went in, met immediately by the bustling noise. The scent of hormones filled the air, mixed with the strong smell of alcohol. Raucous men played drinking games, and provocatively dressed maidens carried trays, weaving between the tables, their bare thighs flashing in the light. Sunan, familiar with the scene, found a table in the corner and sat down, slipping a few silver coins into the passing maiden’s bosom. "The usual." The maiden threw him a flirtatious glance and soon brought over a pint of ale and some food. The ale had a low alcohol content, with little aroma, a rough texture, the liquid murky, carrying a sour taste, but even such ale was a rare pleasure for the lower classes, most only ordered a pint to be satisfied. Sunan rarely drank, and had only tasted the finest brews; the tavern’s cheap ale was hard for him to swallow. The food was prepared with the simplest cooking methods, no pepper, MSG, soy sauce, honey, or butter as seasoning, merely roasted or boiled with salt. In this world, sugar was a luxury item, and spices even more so, typically only appearing on the tables of the nobility. The reason Sunan ordered ale and food was merely to blend in, avoiding standing out too much in the tavern. Normally, a tavern was a good place for bragging and showing off; here, one could hear various drunkards boasting about their past glories, so after arriving in Stone Bell City, Sunan would come to the tavern every evening for a while to gather information. The rest of the time, he’d conduct secret investigations near the hideouts of the Starfire Sect in Stone Bell City as extracted from the Black Sword Knight’s inquiry. Unfortunately, he had made no progress for three consecutive days. "If nothing comes out tonight, I’ll just have to seize someone for questioning." Sunan pondered silently. At that moment, a conversation from the neighboring table reached his ears. "Have you heard? Lord Kubero’s manor in the northern part of the city is haunted." "Haunted? Don’t talk nonsense; how could there be ghosts in this world?" "I’m serious. My brother-in-law works as a soldier under Lord Kubero, and after the haunting, Master Kubero moved out, later sending several knights inside, but no one has come out for days, and now the entire manor is sealed off!" "Seriously? Even the knights are dead?" "If it really is a ghost, it’s not surprising the knights can’t handle it." "By the way, is the ghost male or female?" "Why, Lance, interested in a female ghost?" "Heh heh, if she’s beautiful, I wouldn’t mind." The group burst into laughter, and the conversation quickly shifted to women and licentiousness. Sunan wore a contemplative look. To talk of ghosts, they indeed exist in this world. The most common are phantoms. Generally, people who suffer a violent death most easily turn into phantoms. A phantom’s appearance mirrors that before death, often with visible traces of the violence they suffered. However, phantoms are not very harmful, and even if they possess a person, it only makes them feel a chill. Normal humans find it hard to see phantoms. Furthermore, phantoms cannot withstand sunlight; under its rays, they weaken and soon dissipate into nothing. Even without sunlight, phantoms typically can’t survive long in the material world. If phantoms are considered harmless, then vengeful spirits are truly dangerous types among ghosts. In life, vengeful spirits usually bore intense hatred, so strong that even in death, they can’t rest, becoming undead solely focused on revenge. Formed vengeful spirits can absorb human energy on contact or mentally dominate individuals with weak willpower. This ethereal being is immune to physical attacks, deadly to ordinary people, and only knights mastering Fighting Qi can harm them. If a vengeful spirit kills enough humans and absorbs sufficient soul energy, it advances into a powerful evil spirit. Evil spirits typically possess a tethering property, occupying a territory to transform into a ghost domain. Once formed, evil spirits don’t fear sunlight or physical attacks; it’s doubtful even a great knight could handle it. Above evil spirits lie aberrant spirits and malevolent entities. Malevolent entities are terrifying enough to doom a nation. The emergence of each malevolent entity often heralds a country’s demise. Based on the drunkards’ conversation earlier, if Kubero Manor is truly haunted, it’s like attributed to an evil spirit. "An evil spirit..." Sunan felt slightly intrigued. Evil spirits are excellent materials for crafting soul crystals. If he could acquire a soul crystal, he could create a puppet stronger than the Black Rock Leopard. "Forget it, for now, focus on the Starfire Sect; investigating the evil spirit can wait." Listening a bit longer, Sunan rose and headed upstairs. The Golden Barley Tavern also offered lodging; he had been staying there these days. Not far away, several maids whispered as they watched Sunan ascend the stairs. "I bet he’s a nobleman, even more refined and handsome than the second young master Elvin I’ve seen before." "Elvin can’t compare to him; yesterday I accidentally brushed his arm, and oh my, the muscles were so firm. He may not look strong, but he’s certainly solid." "Are you going into heat, little girl?" "Hah, like you’re not smitten!" "Hehe, if you’re really interested, knock on his door at night and offer a massage service; maybe a fling will unfold." "Not a bad idea, Sandy, if you don’t go, I’ll seize the chance." "I didn’t say I wouldn’t go; just watch, I’ll test him tonight!" The maids burst into laughter, attracting many fiery glances from nearby patrons. Late at night. Sandy donned a slightly shorter maid’s outfit, pulling down the neckline, and approached the room where Sunan stayed. She raised her hand and knocked on the door. Knock, knock! No response. "Would the guest like a massage service?" Sandy knocked again, but still no answer. "He must have fallen asleep?" Sandy felt a wave of frustration. At that moment, the door next door creaked open, and a man peeked out, a lewd smile spreading across his face as he noticed Sandy. "Your tavern offers massage services too? I’ll take one!" Sandy glanced at the man’s full-cheeked face, and replied expressionlessly, "Sorry, the tavern offers no such service." "But I clearly heard..." "You misheard!" Without waiting for the man’s reply, Sandy turned and walked away without looking back. And meanwhile, Sunan’s room was already empty.