Ghost Catching System

Zhang Xiaobao saw Master Wuzhong and approached him, asking impatiently, ”What are you doing here again?”

Master Wuzhong replied, ”This time, we’ve brought a token from Master Yun, which she’ll recognize and trust upon seeing it.”

Having learned his lesson from the previous night, Master Wuzhong didn’t dare to arrogantly call them ’a bunch of mortals’ again, unless he wanted to be blasted with a rocket launcher.

A young man to the side was astonished. He had never seen his martial uncle be so courteous, especially to a commoner.

Zhang Xiaobao hesitated but ultimately made a phone call to Chu Hao.

”My boss will be here soon; you’ll have to wait,” he said.

The young Taoist priest scoffed, ”Such grandiosity! Even the Longhu Mountain Elder would show nothing but the utmost respect upon meeting my martial uncle.”

Zhang Xiaobao glanced at him and said coldly, ”Little priest, this isn’t Longhu Mountain.”

Master Wuzhong, aware that the other party possessed cold weapons, advised, ”Ji Cheng, be patient and calm yourself.”

Junior Taoist Ji Cheng could only reply, ”Yes, Martial Uncle.”

The wait lasted over two hours, severely testing Master Wuzhong’s patience, until Chu Hao finally entered Sanqing Pavilion.

Upon seeing the two Taoist priests, Chu Hao gave a slight smile and said, ”Sorry for being late.”

Ji Cheng, already impatient, said irritably, ”It’s been two shichen already!”

Chu Hao justified himself confidently, ”I was at the internet cafe playing games. Can’t let my team down.”

Damn it! I’ve been waiting two hours for you, thinking you were handling some important matter, and you were just playing games at an internet cafe?

Master Wuzhong’s expression turned slightly unpleasant, yet he still said, ”Young friend, we have brought a token from Zhong Minyue and wish to see Qiu Yun’er.”

Chu Hao said, ”She’s out having fun. Just wait a bit longer.”

The young Taoist priest became even more frustrated.

Master Wuzhong added, ”Then, please convey to her that this is truly an urgent matter.”

”Alright,” Chu Hao responded.

This wait stretched on for another three hours, pushing the two Taoists to the point where they felt they were figuratively coughing up blood from frustration. Master Wuzhong grew angry, yet what could he do when the other side had a gun?

Stay calm. I must stay calm.

At that moment, Chu Hao answered a phone call. ”Old Zhao, any news?” he asked.

Zhao Gousheng replied, ”There’s news. Mount Taiding has an impressive background; it’s a branch of the Taoist main line. Although it doesn’t compare to the orthodox main lines like Longhu Mountain and Mao Mountain, it’s said that Mount Taiding has many skilled practitioners. These practitioners have rarely made public appearances since the founding of the country, likely cultivating in seclusion within the mountains. Even Longhu Mountain wouldn’t dare to take them lightly.”

Chu Hao was surprised that even Longhu Mountain wouldn’t underestimate them.

Zhao Gousheng continued, ”Moreover, we’ve discovered a legend about Mount Taiding: it’s said that Laozi, riding his blue ox, passed by Mount Taiding on his way west out of Hangu Pass.”

After Laozi left Hangu Pass, he was never seen again. This alludes to an anecdote from over two thousand years ago.

In Taoism, this is considered an event of extreme importance. As the founder of the Taoist school of thought, could any place he passed by be ordinary?

Chu Hao inquired, ”So, how strong is Mount Taiding overall?”

”It’s not very clear. They’re a rather low-profile branch of Taoism.”

Chu Hao ended the call and walked over to the two Taoists.

Master Wuzhong, clearly impatient, asked, ”Young friend, has Qiu Yun’er arrived yet?”

Chu Hao stated bluntly, ”Whether Yun’er goes to Mount Taiding or not is my decision. Reverend Zhong Minyue asked me to look after her, so just show me the token.”

The young Taoist priest Ji Cheng angrily retorted, ”You should’ve said so sooner!”

No kidding! We just waited three shichen for him! That’s more pomp and circumstance than meeting the Sect Master of Longhu Mountain!

Master Wuzhong was indeed upset, but there was nothing he could do. As the saying goes, ’Even a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local serpent.’ He took out a handkerchief and said, ”This is a token from Fellow Daoist Zhong.”

Chu Hao looked at it. Sure enough, it belonged to Zhong Minyue; she had used it to wipe her hands many times, and Chu Hao had seen it before.

”Is Reverend Zhong doing well at Mount Taiding?” Chu Hao asked in an unhurried manner.

Master Wuzhong replied, ”All is well.”

Chu Hao frowned and asked, ”Then why didn’t she come herself?”

Master Wuzhong answered, ”This relates to internal matters of Taoism, and it’s not convenient to discuss.”

Chu Hao sneered inwardly. Standing up, he said, ”I’ll give the token to Yun’er. Whether she goes with you or not is another matter entirely.”

As a result, Master Wuzhong and Master Ji Cheng left, dejected.

After leaving Sanqing Pavilion, Master Ji Cheng couldn’t help but lament, ”Martial Uncle, this man is just a mere mortal! If we used some of our methods, we could easily take her away. Why go through so much trouble?”

Master Wuzhong felt inwardly depressed. Do you think I don’t want to? But the other party has significant worldly power—they even managed to get their hands on rocket launchers! If we forcibly took her away, he (Chu Hao) would surely go to Mount Taiding and raise hell! Master Wuzhong had seen movies before, those crime films where villains mobilize artillery and missiles to bombard a mountain. Just the thought made his scalp tingle.

”Nephew, let’s not be hasty,” he reassured. ”Qiu Yun’er will surely come with us.”

「」

Upon seeing the token, Qiu Yun’er immediately said she wanted to go. Her master was the closest person to her in the world. She wanted to know why her master couldn’t come to find her personally and understand the situation.

Chu Hao nodded and said, ”I’ll go with you.”

Qiu Yun’er shook her head and replied, ”Master once said that outsiders are not allowed to enter Mount Taiding.”

Chu Hao said, ”You silly girl, do you think that’s a problem for me? If something happens to you and your master, I’ll be there to help.”

Qiu Yun’er, touched, said, ”Thank you, Brother Chu Hao.”

Thus, on the third day, they informed Master Wuzhong that Qiu Yun’er wished to go to Mount Taiding, and Chu Hao would accompany her.

Master Wuzhong thought to himself, It wasn’t easy, but we finally ’invited’ her out. As for Chu Hao tagging along, he didn’t mind at all. Once they were there, it would be Mount Taiding’s territory. How could Chu Hao, a mere mortal, dare to act arrogantly then? Comforting himself with these thoughts, Master Wuzhong felt pleased. You might be powerful in the secular world, Chu Hao, but that won’t work over there. He even had another idea: once they were on his turf, he would give Chu Hao a good scare to repay him for his earlier intimidation.

And so, the group set off.

This time, Chu Hao was not traveling alone; he had also brought Liang Qian along.

Liang Qian had previously expressed her desire to learn from him. Besides, having a beautiful woman for company on this otherwise dull journey would certainly lift his spirits.

Liang Qian was elated to be able to accompany Chu Hao and was determined to do her utmost to be helpful.

Yan Chen also went along. Of course, he didn’t dare show his face in front of Chu Hao, so he wrapped himself up tightly and wore a mask.

They opted not to drive, instead taking a flight to the Fuzhou area, where Mount Taiding was located.

Honestly, it was Chu Hao’s first time on an airplane. He was quite curious at first, but eventually, it became just another experience. The flight attendants, however, were quite nice.

After the flight, they arrived in Fuzhou.

Fuzhou, a second-tier city located by the strait, was rather prosperous among its peers. The urban landscape along the way also presented a different view.

Nevertheless, Mount Taiding was still some distance from Fuzhou, requiring them to travel by car.

A day later, they finally arrived at a county town. Behind the town lay a mountain range, and on the other side was the sea, offering beautiful scenery and a light, refreshing sea breeze. Mount Taiding was perched atop that very range.