Fantasy Novel:

Paradise Hotel   6

【V】The Ghost Emperor Anderson

14

Deep in a valley in Sicily, an abandoned church lay hidden in the dense fog, surrounded by an eerie and bone-chilling silence. This place, known as “Bat Valley,” was filled with an ancient and mysterious atmosphere. The gloomy cemetery passageways crisscrossed in every direction like a spider’s web, leading to more than a thousand burial chambers. Inside each chamber, kerosene lamps flickered with faint light, while dozens of ventilation shafts kept the air dry amid the silence. Here, swarms of bats flew through the darkness, and Anderson’s headquarters of the Ghost Emperors was located in this shadowy land.

The meeting hall was dimly lit, and the damp air was filled with the smell of dust and cooking oil. Anderson’s most trusted commanders had already gathered in the main conference hall. Some stood while others sat, all wearing heavy black cloaks and stern expressions. The Grand Mage Rufus sat to one side, his face filled with calmness and contemplation. The witch Su Mei frowned tightly, while George the Phantom and Jack the Scissorhands had already grown accustomed to the tense atmosphere. Generals such as White Wolf, Black Bear, and Ghost Night Hound were also seated around Anderson, waiting for his orders.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps came from outside the door, and a messenger from the Ghost Guards walked in. His black robe seemed to merge into the surrounding shadows beneath the dim light. The messenger handed Rufus a letter. When Rufus opened the envelope, he found not only a sheet of paper but also several photographs inside. As he looked through the photographs, his expression gradually became more solemn.

He coughed softly, then looked up at the messenger and said, “Go back and tell the innkeeper that I will send someone to investigate the truth and then decide how to deal with Painter Huang.”

The messenger lowered his head and clasped his hands respectfully. “Yes, my lord.”

The messenger quickly withdrew. Rufus handed the photographs to Su Mei. She took them and examined each one carefully, her brows drawing tightly together. When she looked at one of the photographs, her expression became solemn, and she said softly, “This young man with an Asian face looks strangely familiar to me, but I can’t remember where I have seen him before.”

Rufus leaned forward slightly, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity. “Su Mei, your intuition really is sharp. Although I have reservations about the idea of reincarnation, I have to admit that this young man’s facial features and build do bear some resemblance to David Fery, the former commander of the guards.”

“David Fery?” Anderson suddenly rose to his feet, his voice filled with anger and surprise. “Su Mei, use your crystal ball and find out who this young man really is as quickly as possible.”

Everyone present could feel the anger that Anderson could barely conceal in his voice. Only Rufus and Su Mei knew how deep the hatred between Anderson and David ran. Back then, when Anderson led the Bat Army in an attack on the Sky Castle, he was defeated by David’s elite Iron-Blooded Guards. If Rufus had not betrayed David at the critical moment, ambushed him, and beheaded him, the reputation of the Bat Army would have been ruined long ago. David’s name was an indelible humiliation to Anderson, as well as the rival in love whom Rufus could never forget.

Rufus stood up, his voice calm yet resolute. “Your Majesty, regardless of whether this young man is David’s reincarnation, I will find out his identity.”

After hearing this, Anderson smiled with satisfaction. “The Grand Mage has always been cautious. As soon as we confirm that this young man really is David, we should eliminate him as soon as possible so that he cannot cause us trouble in the future.”

Rufus nodded. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Even if this young man really is David’s reincarnation, we should do everything we can to win him over to our side. If he opposes us, then we will have to eliminate him. But as long as he does not defect to Maria, there is no need to take his life, because if he rises up against us, we could end up paying a heavy price.”

Anderson burst into laughter after hearing this. “Hahaha! Grand Mage Rufus really is an old fox. He can swallow anything, except a loss.”

“Master, I will find out where this young man is right away.” Su Mei took a transparent crystal ball from inside her robe and began chanting a spell in a low voice. Soon, an image of Lin Xiaoyang appeared inside the crystal ball.

Su Mei stared at the crystal ball, her voice somewhat low. “The young man is traveling by train, and the scenery along the way looks like the eastern outskirts of Paris.”

Rufus nodded, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “He is heading to Paris. That clue is enough for us. I will send my female disciple Annie to find him.”

Su Mei raised an eyebrow and asked, “Master, are you planning to use the beauty tactic?”

Rufus gave a cold laugh. “Yes, exactly! I will have Annie approach David and lower his guard. David is a worthy opponent. If we can win him over to our side, we can weaken Maria’s power at the same time.”

Anderson nodded approvingly. “With David as such a formidable opponent, fighting him head-on would obviously be a poor strategy. The Grand Mage’s plan is definitely the right one!”

15

Annie gently pushed open the door to Rufus’s training room. She bowed slightly, placed her palm lightly against her chest, and offered him a respectful salute. Her gaze was steady, although there was a faint uneasiness in her heart. Inside the room, Rufus sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion with his eyes slightly closed. In the quiet atmosphere, it seemed as though some invisible force was flowing through the room. Under the dim yellow light, his figure appeared especially steadfast, like an immovable mountain.

Rufus slowly opened his eyes and cast a cold gaze toward Annie. His tone was stern and commanding. “Annie, I want you to go to Paris immediately and carry out a mission. There is a goatskin pouch on the table. Inside are a photograph and your mission instructions. Follow the instructions.”

Annie lowered her head slightly, her fingers lightly touching the table as she silently repeated every one of her master’s instructions in her mind. She nodded and replied firmly yet gently, “Yes, Master.” She then reached out and picked up the goatskin pouch from the table. Its weight seemed to foreshadow the importance and danger of the mission.

“After you arrive in Paris,” Rufus’s voice sounded again. This time, he stood up and walked steadily toward the window, looking out at the streets as though he could see through everything. “Find the boy in the photograph, approach him, and become his lover.” His gaze was as sharp as a blade, piercing straight into Annie’s soul. “I want you to act alone. Do not contact any of our local branches, so that you do not arouse suspicion. This is very important!”

Annie’s eyes silently responded to her master’s stern command. Her heartbeat unconsciously quickened, and she repeated once again, “Yes, Master.”

She bowed lightly, her fingers trembling slightly as she closed the goatskin pouch. She then turned and left the training room. Her steps were steady and swift. Her heart was filled with questions and faint uneasiness, but she knew that this was a mission from which she could not retreat.

Just as Annie was about to leave, the door opened again, and Lorna and Keith, the couple, walked in. The two bowed together, clasped their hands, and offered Rufus a simple yet respectful salute.

“Master, we are here.”

Rufus nodded slightly. His tone remained as calm as still water, yet it contained an unmistakable authority. “You two, go to Lake Lucerne and secretly investigate Robert, the innkeeper. He has had some grievances with Painter Huang in the past, and I want to find out whether Robert is using this opportunity to take personal revenge. Once you uncover the truth, handle the matter according to the instructions.”

He handed Lorna an envelope, his fingers lightly brushing over the seal on it, as though entrusting them with a code of destiny. Lorna accepted the envelope, determination flashing in her eyes. She and Keith spoke in unison.

“Understood, Master.”

The two then clasped their hands and bowed before leaving together.

Rufus stood by the window, gazing at the gloomy sky outside. He murmured to himself, his voice carrying a faint trace of sadness and helplessness. “David, the grievances from our previous lives are over. If you truly have been reincarnated, I don’t want you to become my rival in love again.”

16

Lin Xiaoyang immediately boarded a train bound for Paris, carrying the negatives and slides of Huang Lihua’s paintings. The train traveled through the mist, while the scenery outside the window changed constantly. An indescribable sense of anticipation and anxiety intertwined within him. When the train arrived in Paris, it was as though time had come to a standstill. Filled with a longing for the unknown, he stepped out of the station and set foot on this land that carried the dreams of countless artists.

He went to the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. When he entered the director’s office, three giants of the art world were already waiting for him. They were the directors of three major French public and private art museums. The room was filled with the scent of old oil paintings, and the atmosphere was quiet yet tense, as though every painting were whispering its own history and story.

Lin Xiaoyang gently opened his briefcase and took out several large albums and sets of slides, carefully placing them on the long table. Every movement was extremely cautious, as though these paintings were treasures in his heart, carrying a little-known story behind them.

“Please take a look. These are the lifelong works of a Chinese painter who lived in Switzerland.” His tone was steady, and his eyes revealed a certain determination.

Director Louis flipped through the album. His brows gradually furrowed, and surprise and confusion flashed across his eyes. His fingers lightly touched the paintings, as though trying to sense their soul.

“Mr. Lin, are you saying that these are all the works of a single artist?”

“Yes. His name is Huang Lihua, and he currently lives in Switzerland.”

Jean-Pierre also examined the works carefully. His brows tightened as his eyes moved back and forth across the paintings, as though searching for some clue. He paused, then turned toward Lin Xiaoyang, his voice filled with confusion.

“His works are of remarkably high quality, including drawings, prints, watercolors, and oil paintings. But I don’t understand. Why is there an interval of eighty years between the dates signed on his earlier and later works?”

Lin Xiaoyang smiled slightly. His expression remained calm, but a trace of regret showed in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t give you a reasonable answer to that question at the moment.”

Dastini, the director of the Louvre, could not help frowning as he carefully examined each album. His fingers gently brushed across the images, as though he could feel the artist’s heartbeat through the texture of the canvas.

“This artist is a true genius. He is undoubtedly one of the most astonishing discoveries of the beginning of this century. Mr. Lin, we will need two or three days to examine this collection of works.”

Louis looked at Lin Xiaoyang with curiosity, his tone carrying a faint hint of inquiry. “Mr. Lin, where are these works currently being kept?”

“These works are currently being kept in a private hotel on the shores of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland.”

Jean-Pierre lightly tapped the table, his tone thoughtful. “There are a great many paintings here. We will probably have to store them separately in order to accommodate them all.”

Dastini, however, had a different opinion. A decisive light flashed in his eyes, and his tone revealed a thoughtful determination. “Why not consider establishing a museum dedicated exclusively to these works?”

Louis nodded in agreement, his tone carrying the glow of collective wisdom. “That’s an excellent idea. We could invest together.”

Jean-Pierre turned to Lin Xiaoyang, his eyes filled with expectation and professional interest. “Then, what kind of assistance do you need from us?”

Lin Xiaoyang paused for a moment and raised his head. A flash of firm resolve passed through his eyes as he looked at them. “Once I have organized these works, I will contact you and ask you to send personnel and vehicles to collect, inventory, and transport them.”

Louis nodded, his tone becoming even more professional and practical. “All right. As for these paintings, you can name a price, but it should be reasonable and within a range that the three of us can jointly afford.”

Lin Xiaoyang thought for a while before slowly speaking. “The donor hopes that the collecting institutions will jointly provide a sum of money to establish a foundation to provide grants for Chinese youths who come here to study art. I will let you know the exact amount by telegram after consulting the person concerned.”

Louis smiled slightly after hearing this, his eyes showing his approval of the proposal. “No problem. We will entrust you with managing the foundation.” The other two men also nodded in agreement.

At that moment, the three giants of the art world and Lin Xiaoyang reached an agreement. The road to future cooperation seemed to have already unfolded before them.

17

On the weekend, a gentle breeze swept along the banks of the Seine, while sunlight spilled across the shimmering surface of the river. Lin Xiaoyang strolled casually along the walkway, quietly admiring the scenery around him, feeling quite relaxed. Suddenly, a riverside park caught his attention. Crowds of people were streaming through it, clearly indicating that it was a weekend flea market. One stall after another was filled with all kinds of secondhand goods in a dazzling array of colors and forms. There were so many items that they seemed impossible to count, and the entire market was filled with the excitement of treasure hunters.

Lin Xiaoyang wandered aimlessly through the market, occasionally stopping to examine the objects that carried the atmosphere of an earlier era. His pace was neither hurried nor slow, and his eyes occasionally swept across the antiques and books, but his mind was completely blank, without any particular purpose.

Just as he was beginning to feel tired and was about to find a shady place to rest, several street artists’ painting stalls suddenly caught his attention. They had gathered beneath the shade of a tree, painting portraits for passing tourists. Lifelike faces were gradually taking shape on the canvases. The artists were completely absorbed in their work, their brushes seeming to converse with the souls of the paintings.

The back of one Chinese painter made Lin Xiaoyang’s heart suddenly race. He was dressed in a long robe and mandarin jacket, giving him a mysterious and somewhat old-fashioned appearance. His figure and posture sent a shock through Lin Xiaoyang’s heart. It seemed to be that man—Huang Lihua!

“Could it really be him? How could he be here?” Lin Xiaoyang wondered, unable to suppress the excitement that suddenly flared within him.

Lin Xiaoyang cautiously approached and noticed that the painter’s glasses had a familiar shape. The rimless design was exactly the same. At that moment, his heart seemed almost ready to leap out of his chest. As he slowly drew closer, he suddenly could not resist reaching out and tapping the painter on the shoulder, calling out excitedly, “Hi! Senior Lihua…”

Hearing the voice, the painter slowly turned around. Lin Xiaoyang froze. The man had a deeply wrinkled face and completely white hair, looking far older than the Huang Lihua in his memory. He seemed much older than Lin Xiaoyang had imagined, yet the style of his glasses and clothing was exactly the same.

Lin Xiaoyang’s expression changed, and he quickly apologized. “I’m sorry. I mistook you for someone else!” He gave an embarrassed smile, a faint flush appearing on his face. This painter merely bore some resemblance to Huang Lihua.

However, a trace of curiosity flashed in the painter’s eyes. He gently set down the charcoal pencil in his hand and asked with a faint smile, “Young man, do you know Huang Lihua?”

Lin Xiaoyang was somewhat surprised, but he still could not help nodding. His voice carried a trace of emotion. “Ah! If he hadn’t sacrificed himself to save me last month, I probably would have died.” His eyes darkened slightly, as that memory still lingered in his mind.

The painter raised an eyebrow, his expression becoming more serious. He then pointed to the bench beside him. “Have a seat. My surname is Qiu, and my given name is Shenzhi. I’m from Shanghai. You said Huang Lihua saved you? What happened?”

Following the painter’s gesture, Lin Xiaoyang sat down. After a brief pause, he slowly began to describe his experience at Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. “Yes. At that time, I stayed at a very strange hotel... That place was filled with an unusual atmosphere. That was when I first met Huang Lihua.” His voice was low, as though he had still not completely recovered from that experience.

After listening, Qiu Shenzhi’s expression clearly showed disbelief. His brows tightened as he said, “That’s impossible, isn’t it?” He gently put down the charcoal pencil in his hand and fixed his gaze on Lin Xiaoyang. “Huang Lihua was my teacher. He died several decades ago, and I was even the one who personally handled his funeral. How could you possibly have seen him again?”

A cloud of doubt also rose in Lin Xiaoyang’s heart. He frowned slightly. “Oh? Is that so?” He could not help recalling his encounter with Huang Lihua, his heart filled with confusion.

Qiu Shenzhi’s gaze became even more resolute as he delivered a shocking statement. “Huang Lihua is already dead. He is buried in the cemetery at that hotel. If you don’t believe me, I can take you to the cemetery and show you.”

Lin Xiaoyang’s eyes widened in astonishment. “The cemetery? But I just said goodbye to him a few days ago... How could that be?” he murmured to himself, his mind becoming a tangled mess.

“Huang Lihua told me that something terrible had happened to him at the hotel, but he hadn’t died... He had become a vampire. But now... Qiu Shenzhi insists that he is already dead. What exactly is going on?”

Qiu Shenzhi seemed to sense Lin Xiaoyang’s confusion and continued firmly, “My teacher is buried in the garden behind that hotel. If you don’t believe me, once I finish the work I have here, I can take you there and let you see for yourself. I haven’t gone to pay my respects to him for several years either.”

Lin Xiaoyang was still filled with confusion, but he knew that he needed to leave for now. “No, that won’t be necessary. Thank you for your kindness, but I still have some important matters to take care of. Until we meet again.”

He stood up, smiled slightly, and then turned to leave.

Qiu Shenzhi watched Lin Xiaoyang’s departing figure, a trace of suspicion flashing through his eyes. A sense of uneasiness welled up inside him.

“This young man says he just said goodbye to Huang Lihua? Unless Huang Lihua faked his own death and deceived me back then! Hmm, I have to find some time to go back and get to the bottom of this.”