Ghost Catching System

Chu Hao also overheard two ghosts conversing. ”The Foreign Ghost Army is here again,” one said.

”Yes! They’ve been coming frequently lately. I hope we can hold them off.”

”Haven’t you noticed? The places where the Foreign Ghost Army appears have become much more frequent. Alas... Fortunately, there are quite a few Ghost Cultivators now; otherwise, I really wouldn’t know what to do.”

”If things really go south, Lord Yanjun will stand up for us. We lesser ghosts had better think about how to earn Merit Points so we can be reincarnated into a better life next time.”

”Easy for you to say. I’ve been working in Fengdu for a hundred years and only earned a hundred Merit Points. After living expenses, there’s not much left. When will there be an end to this? Ghost Cultivators have it good; they go out hunting Foreign Ghosts and can get a lot of Merit Points.”

”HEH HEH. You haven’t seen the scene where Ghost Cultivators fight to the death with Foreign Ghosts! Besides, not everyone can become a Ghost Cultivator.”

As Chu Hao walked along, he heard many ghosts speaking, and naturally, the topic that came up most was the Foreign Ghosts. Chu Hao truly had his eyes opened; he didn’t expect the Underworld to be like this.

He didn’t know where to go now. As he wandered around Fengdu, he heard many ghosts discussing how Merit Points were the universal currency of the Underworld. Chu Hao was somewhat puzzled. How exactly does one trade with Merit Points?

Chu Hao released the Ghost Cultivator, who was now just a head. Upon seeing Fengdu, the head heaved a long sigh of relief.

Chu Hao said, ”Don’t you dare scream, or I’ll scatter your soul to the winds.”

The Ghost Cultivator flashed an ugly smile, one that looked worse than crying, and said, ”I... I won’t scream.”

Chu Hao asked, ”How are Merit Points used in the Underworld?”

The Ghost Cultivator replied, ”Every ghost has a Merit Record on them. It’s not just for Merit Points but also serves as a symbol of identity. Without this Record, if you’re discovered by the Netherworld Soldiers of Fengdu, you’ll be expelled from the city.”

Chu Hao was taken aback. ”Where’s your Record then?” he asked.

The Ghost Cultivator said bitterly, ”I dropped mine in the Land of the Vast Ancient.”

Chu Hao cursed inwardly, feeling quite annoyed. What should he do now?

The Ghost Cultivator added, ”I can go and get this Record reissued if you bring me to the management office.”

Chu Hao glared at him. ”Take you there? What about exposing my identity? Do you think I’m stupid?”

The Ghost Cultivator said awkwardly, ”That’s going to be difficult. If night falls and you don’t have a place to stay, you’ll be discovered by the Netherworld Soldiers. And you’re a living person.”

Chu Hao swore, ”God damn it, there’s nighttime in the Underworld too?”

”Of course. It’s just like the Yang Realm here, with day and night. Ghosts also need to rest.”

Chu Hao took a deep breath, stared at the Ghost Cultivator, and suddenly let out a sly chuckle.

The Ghost Cultivator, being stared at by him, felt a chill, like a little rabbit under the gaze of a big bad wolf. He swallowed hard.

Chu Hao said to the System, ”System, purchase a contract spell.”

The System replied, ”Friendly reminder from the System: the contract spell cannot control a Ghost Cultivator. It is recommended that the Host purchase a Soul Binding Curse, which requires 10,000 Pretentiousness Points.”

Chu Hao cursed, ”Damn it, why is it so expensive!”

The System stated, ”Considering that the Host is encountering the Netherworld for the first time, the System would like to remind the Host that Ghost Cultivators are different from other ghosts, possessing soul power more than five times stronger than ordinary ghosts.”

So that’s why, Chu Hao thought. But he didn’t want to spend 10,000 Pretentiousness Points on this guy. After thinking it over, he decided to find Black and White Impermanence; those two brothers had been quite polite to him last time. In fact, Chu Hao didn’t understand why Black and White Impermanence, being of Ghost King level, were so polite to him.

Chu Hao asked the Ghost Cultivator, ”Where do Black and White Impermanence live?”

The Ghost Cultivator exclaimed in surprise, ”What do you want with Black and White Impermanence?”

Chu Hao bragged, ”Do you think that I, a Taoist Master, entering the Underworld in a living body, am just anyone? Black and White Impermanence and I have some connections.”

He originally wanted to say that Black and White Impermanence were his underlings, but on second thought, he decided against it. This was their turf, and if his pretense failed, he would be in for it.

”DING... Host has successfully postured, gaining 900 Pretentiousness Points.”

The Ghost Cultivator was indeed scared. This Chu Hao entered the Netherworld as a living person, and he even knows Black and White Impermanence? This man’s background is truly extraordinary!

The Ghost Cultivator said, ”Black and White Impermanence reside in the Third District of Fengdu, which is far from here. Even by bullet train, it would take half a month. Besides, you can’t possibly take a bullet train; it requires identity verification.”

Chu Hao thought, Damn! A five-to-six-day journey? Just how huge is this Fengdu?

The Ghost Cultivator added, ”Furthermore, Black and White Impermanence are often out, so even if you go looking for them, you might not find them.”

Indeed, what the Ghost Cultivator said wasn’t wrong.

Chu Hao couldn’t help asking, ”Just how big is this Fengdu?”

The Ghost Cultivator replied, ”There are one hundred and eight districts. This is the Fifteenth District, which is relatively close to the Third District. If you were in the Hundredth District, it would take a year even by bullet train.”

How vast is this Fengdu, seriously! Chu Hao was deeply shocked. It seemed that finding Black and White Impermanence was a lost cause.

He also had a Ghost Token, given to him by an Underworld Deity he had beaten up. Chu Hao thought about it and decided against seeking out this Underworld Deity. An Underworld Deity, having been beaten up by him last time, would surely hold a grudge. What if he walked into a trap? Moreover, Chu Hao considered waiting until he was more powerful before seeking his parents. After all these years, a few more wouldn’t make much difference. The problem was, he hadn’t even solved his current issues in Fengdu, let alone going to the Great Netherworld – wouldn’t that be suicide?

Chu Hao took a deep breath, fixed his gaze on the Ghost Cultivator—now just a head—and asked, ”Is there any way to get an identity here?”

The Ghost Cultivator couldn’t help but laugh. ”Stop kidding! You’re a living person. If you walk into the Underworld Administration, you’ll be caught red-handed.”

Chu Hao inquired inwardly, ”System, what level of ghost can detect the aura-changing effect of the Devil Mask?”

The System responded, ”A Ghost King can detect it; those below the Ghost King level cannot.”

Chu Hao asked the Ghost Cultivator, ”Are there many Ghost Kings around here?”

The Ghost Cultivator answered with a strange look, ”Of course, Ghost Kings are few. Each one is a major figure, hard to come by.”

Chu Hao pressed, ”Are there many Ghost Kings in the Underworld Administration? If I go to verify my identity, will I encounter a Ghost King?”

The Ghost Cultivator pursed his lips. ”Ghost Kings aren’t that idle. Trust me! Take me to get my Merit Record reissued. I won’t pose a threat to you.”

Chu Hao ignored his words and continued his line of questioning, ”What are the requirements for processing an identity?”

The Ghost Cultivator looked at Chu Hao in disbelief. He actually wanted to process an identity? And he was a living person!

The Ghost Cultivator said, ”It’s impossible. Firstly, you’re a living person, so your name won’t possibly show up in the Underworld Administration’s records. Only the recorded deceased can process an identity. Moreover, only those deceased who are approved from above can even enter Fengdu!”

Upon hearing this, Chu Hao realized it was indeed difficult. It was like processing an ID card in the Yang Realm, only much harder here in the Underworld.

Suddenly, Chu Hao thought of something and asked, ”Is there any place here where I could get a fake identity?”

The Ghost Cultivator fell silent, then shook his head. ”No.”