Ghost Catching System

The power of Chu Hao’s title, ’King of Funeral Love,’ washed over the ghosts. Their minds grew dizzy, filled with an irresistible, magical awe. Subconsciously, Chu Hao seemed utterly formidable, sparking an urge within them to kneel and worship him.

The first ghost succumbed, then the second. One by one, the others followed, each dropping to a single knee as if only this act could alleviate the soul-deep pressure.

”Greetings to the King of Funeral Love!”

All the ghosts knelt on one knee, their gazes burning with adoration as they looked up at Chu Hao.

The few who remained standing were Zuo Li’s subordinates. Their legs trembled, and they were drenched in sweat, suffering immensely under the crushing pressure. Even a few of Zuo Li’s own men eventually succumbed, kneeling as if tormented by an irresistible force within their minds.

Zuo Li staggered back half a step to steady himself. He swayed, gritting his teeth to keep from falling, his face a mask of terror as he stared at Chu Hao.

In the entire hall, only three or four ghosts remained standing; all the others had uniformly dropped to one knee, paying homage to their king.

”DING! Host’s shocking display of pretentiousness has earned 900 Pretentiousness Points.”

”DING! Host’s shocking display of pretentiousness has earned 900 Pretentiousness Points.”

I can’t believe it! Chu Hao exulted internally. I used to think this title was so lame, but it’s actually insanely powerful!

Chu Hao stepped forward, staring down Zuo Li, and demanded, ”You stand before the King of Funeral Love, and still you do not kneel?”

Another wave of intimidating pressure washed over them. The last line of defense for Zuo Li’s remaining subordinates crumbled, and they slowly sank to their knees.

Zuo Li was beyond shocked; sheer terror contorted his face. Who in the blazes is this guy?! And what is this horrifying pressure?!

Zuo Li gritted his teeth and said, ”King of Funeral Love, I refuse to submit.”

Chu Hao stood with his hands clasped behind his back, looking down on Zuo Li with lofty disdain, as if a buddha observing mere ants. The pressure he exuded was immense. ”And why do you refuse to submit?”

Zuo Li was a top-level Xuan Sha Ghost, on the verge of the Ghost Soldier rank. He had never experienced such terrifying authority. The only other time he’d felt such an oppressive presence was after his death, at the Ghost Gate Pass, facing the Judge.

Though his legs trembled, Zuo Li blustered, ”My big brother is on his way! He’ll deal with you!”

Chu Hao glanced sideways at him and said indifferently, ”Since you refuse to submit, then you will be made to submit. I will wait for your big brother.”

Chu Hao had no idea that the ’big brother’ Zuo Li referred to was Gao Jingshou.

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Zuo Li felt a secret thrill. Gao Jingshou is a Ghost Officiant! Would a common ghost dare to challenge a Ghost Officiant? That’s suicide!

Go on, punk, be arrogant for a little while longer, Zuo Li thought smugly. Wait until Gao Jingshou arrives. You’ll get what’s coming to you then!

「At this moment.」

Gao Jingshou arrived at the bathhouse. He appeared, looking as gaunt as ever—tall, rail-thin, and practically skin and bones. He had stepped down from his position as a Soul Hooking Ghost Messenger and been reassigned to Fengdu District 17 as a Law Enforcement Ghost Messenger. This transfer had already put him in a foul mood.

His former role as a Soul Hooking Ghost Messenger had been incredibly liberating. He frequently traveled to the Yang Realm and was largely unsupervised, as long as he completed his tasks on time. Life in Fengdu, however, was mind-numbingly dull, filled with tedious law enforcement duties. He detested it and often found himself reminiscing about his days in the Yang Realm.

However, the transfer had been arranged by Ox-Head and Horse-Face, so Gao Jingshou didn’t dare voice any complaints.

Still, Gao Jingshou harbored a deep hatred for Chu Hao. Ever since that living mortal had killed Humpty Dumpty, his luck had taken a nosedive. Unfortunately, without his Soul Hooking position, seeking revenge on Chu Hao was now out of the question.

Upon arriving at the bathhouse, Gao Jingshou was immediately enraged when he saw Zuo Li wasn’t there to greet him.

What is the meaning of this?! he fumed. Does this paltry gang leader think he can disrespect me, Gao Jingshou?

Gao Jingshou strode into the bathhouse. In the main hall, a group of Shamate stood in two rows, glaring at him fiercely. Gao Jingshou frowned.

”Zuo Li, what is going on?” Gao Jingshou demanded.

Seeing Gao Jingshou, Zuo Li was ecstatic. ”My Lord! You’re finally here! Please, you must help me!”

With tears streaming and snot running down his face, Zuo Li recounted what had happened. Gao Jingshou erupted in fury, bellowing, ”Who dares cause trouble in territory under my jurisdiction!”

The assembled ghosts were startled, and panic rippled through them. The person Zuo Li had been waiting for was actually a Ghost Officiant! They might have some influence in Fengdu, but confronting a Law Enforcement Ghost Messenger was an entirely different matter. Such an Officiant wouldn’t care about their backgrounds; he’d arrest them first and ask questions later. Furthermore, for serious offenses, they could even be sent for ’reformation’ in the dreaded Eighteen Layers of Hell!

Fear gripped the ghosts, and the thought of escape began to dawn in their minds.

Zuo Li smirked. With the Law Enforcement Ghost Messenger present, he was confident Chu Hao was finished. He shouted, ”Hey, punk! The Ghost Officiant is here! Aren’t you going to hurry over and pay your respects?”

Gao Jingshou stood ramrod straight, not taking this rabble seriously in the slightest. They had dared to cause trouble on his turf; they wouldn’t get off lightly.

However, as Gao Jingshou’s gaze followed the direction of Zuo Li’s shout, he saw a young man lounging on a sofa, looking back at him with an air of utter indifference.

Chu Hao chuckled, ”You’re Gao Jingshou?”

The instant Gao Jingshou saw Chu Hao, he thought his eyes were deceiving him. He rubbed them vigorously, but there was no mistake—it was Chu Hao’s detestable face.

Gao Jingshou staggered back several steps, his already pale face turning a ghastly white.

”You! You... are Chu Hao?” Gao Jingshou was scared out of his wits.

Chu Hao. That name alone was a nightmare for Gao Jingshou, a living person who had seared himself into his memory. He felt like crying. He was no longer a Soul Hooking Ghost Messenger, demoted to this miserable Law Enforcement post, and still, Chu Hao wouldn’t leave him be!

Damn it all! Gao Jingshou despaired. This mortal’s thirst for revenge is terrifying!

Gao Jingshou’s actual strength was at the Ghost Soldier level, though it was diminished when he went to the Yang Realm. Even at full power, he wouldn’t dare fight Chu Hao. Not after Chu Hao had subdued Baxia at the Ghost Gate Pass.

Baxia! Such a terrifying Ghost Demon, a being at the peak Ghost General level, had been subdued by Chu Hao! What was he, Gao Jingshou, in comparison? Nothing! Absolutely nothing!

Gao Jingshou was so terrified he stammered, ”I... I’m not Gao Jingshou. You... you’ve got the wrong person.”

Chu Hao said, ”If you’re not, then what are you afraid of?”

Gao Jingshou backed away further, forcing a smile that was more grotesque than a grimace. ”I... I just remembered! I’m out of rice at home. I need to go buy some.”

The excuse was so absurd it was almost dizzying. A dignified Ghost Officiant needing to rush off to buy rice? It was utterly unconvincing.

In that instant, Gao Jingshou felt a murderous hatred for Zuo Li. That bastard Zuo Li! He set me up! If I somehow survive this, I swear I’ll personally throw him into a vat of boiling oil and fry him!

Gao Jingshou turned to flee.

Chu Hao said indifferently, ”Did I say you could leave?”

Gao Jingshou froze, not daring to take another step.

Before the astonished eyes of all the other ghosts, Gao Jingshou turned around, dropped to his knees with a THUD, and kowtowed, trembling. ”Master, please, spare me! I’ll never dare to offend you again!”

”DING! Host’s shocking display of pretentiousness has earned 900 Pretentiousness Points.”

All the ghosts were dumbstruck.

A Ghost Officiant! The very symbol of the Underworld’s authority! And here he was, a dignified Ghost Officiant, scared into kneeling! Did he have no spine at all?!

Spine? What use was a spine at a time like this? No one present understood Chu Hao’s terrifying methods better than Gao Jingshou.