Ghost Catching System

The Seventh District was stirred up, and Taoism was making a huge fuss. Apart from Longhu Mountain and Mao Mountain, some other Taoist factions followed suit, clamoring to publicly denounce Chu Hao. Otherwise, Taoism would have no dignity.

These people even involved factions from the Third-rate Nine Teachings of the Heretic Path, fanning the flames and blowing the matter up even more.

The treasures Chu Hao possessed were well-known: not only the Ghost Sutras but also the True Word Brush and the Emperor’s Yellow Seal—each a precious item in itself.

Undercurrents surged, and the calls for a crusade grew louder. At this moment, Chu Hao was thrust into the eye of the storm.

Meanwhile, Chu Hao was performing the final treatment to regulate Grandma Ji’s body. Her health was almost fully restored.

At the same time, he was waiting for news of the kidnapped person.

Then, a phone call from Zhao Gousheng came through. ”You’re in big trouble,” he said.

Chu Hao had been staying at the villa these past few days looking after Grandma Ji. Puzzled, he asked, ”Has my trouble really gotten this big?”

Zhao Gousheng, rendered speechless, responded, ”You don’t know? Taoism is planning a collective denunciation of you, and it might happen soon.”

Chu Hao, nonchalant, replied, ”Let them come.”

Zhao Gousheng frowned. ”Are those rumors true?”

Chu Hao asked, ”What rumors?”

After hearing Zhao Gousheng repeat them, Chu Hao was infuriated. It was obvious that Su Huansheng was behind this—that shameless, despicable person.

Zhao Gousheng questioned, ”Did you kill them?”

Chu Hao responded crisply, ”I did.”

Zhao Gousheng was at a loss for words. ”You’re actually this calm?” he exclaimed. ”All those Taoist people are gearing up to denounce you. You’re taking this a bit too lightly, aren’t you?”

Chu Hao said, ”They plotted against me first, using me as bait to lure out the Ghost King, only to bring trouble upon themselves.”

Zhao Gousheng said helplessly, ”No matter how you put it, the outside world is in an uproar. How many people would believe you if you spoke out?”

Chu Hao stroked his chin. ”It is indeed a bit of a problem,” he conceded.

Zhao Gousheng, exasperated, explained, ”Longhu Mountain and Mao Mountain are leading the charge, along with factions from the Third-rate Nine Teachings. Even some people from Qingcheng Mountain want to join the crusade against you. Among them are some highly skilled experts, people who could even slay a Ghost King.”

Chu Hao was taken aback. ”How many such people can there be?”

Zhao Gousheng sighed. ”How would I know? The depth of Taoism is profound. Some of those practitioners are still vigorous at ninety years old—they’re basically old monsters.”

Damn it! Su Huansheng, you bastard, you’re going to pay for digging such a massive hole for me. Just you wait.

”They’re already dead. What can I do about it?” Chu Hao said helplessly.

Zhao Gousheng replied, ”Let’s think of a solution.”

Chu Hao’s relationship with the Seventh District was quite peculiar. The Seventh District needed Chu Hao to ”suppress” Bai Ling, and Chu Hao occasionally needed the Seventh District. They had a relationship of mutual use and assistance.

Finally, the day arrived when a strange call came to Chu Hao’s phone.

The voice on the line said, ”Your relatives are in my hands.”

This is it, Chu Hao thought, then asked, ”What do you want?”

”Your life,” the person said, his tone chillingly cold.

Chu Hao sneered, ”Are you a rat? Too scared to even face me, yet you want my life?”

”It seems you don’t care about those three. There’s a decent old man among them, protecting two children. I think I’ll start with him. Cut him into pieces, fry him in oil, and slice his soul into slivers. What do you think?” The man, clearly using a voice changer, sounded extremely sinister.

Chu Hao struggled to maintain his composure. ”I will find you,” he declared.

The man sneered. ”I can spare the old guy’s life. But first, you need to do as I say. Start with the He Family of the Nine Gates of Huaxia. Eliminate them.”

Chu Hao asked, ”Are you from the Yan Family?”

The man replied, ”Never mind which family I’m from. If you want those three to live, eliminate the He Family first.”

Chu Hao suddenly said, ”I killed Yan Chen. He died a miserable death, begging for mercy until the very end. But that’s what happens when people offend me—I always return the favor.”

The line went silent for three seconds. Then, the calm response came: ”Are you done? I want to see the He Family eliminated in three days. Otherwise, I’ll kill the old man first.”

The call ended. Chu Hao was filled with helpless anger.

I was just testing him to see if the Yan Family was behind this, Chu Hao thought, but that old fox didn’t fall for it.

”What should I do?” Chu Hao muttered, anxious. Do I really have to destroy the He Family? Clearly, they aren’t the kidnappers. If I eliminate them, how many lives would be lost? And by destroying them, wouldn’t I be falling right into the enemy’s trap? The Nine Gates of Huaxia’s consortium is significant. If it were destroyed overnight, the state would likely not condone it. This is clearly a setup.

Chu Hao took a deep breath, his mind racing. He called back. ”I don’t trust you. I need to hear the children speak to confirm they’re alive.”

”Fine.”

Over the phone came Wang Pang’s small voice, shouting, ”Brother Mouse, there’s water nearby! Lots of waterweeds!”

”You little bastard! Looking for death?” The man roared, evidently striking Wang Pang.

The call ended. Chu Hao sank into deep thought.

Lots of water... Could they be held near a lake, somewhere with waterweeds?

Chu Hao called Zhao Gousheng. The Seventh District had greater resources for searching for places with water and abundant waterweeds.

Soon, Zhao Gousheng replied, ”In Anli City, there are four locations that are lakes with abundant waterweeds.”

Chu Hao had a headache. Wang Pang had exposed their location. It was highly possible the opponent would change spots; there was no time to lose. If we search all four lakes, they’ll be long gone.

Chu Hao sank into thought again. Suddenly, an idea struck him.

Back in the countryside of Jiulong County, we older kids often took the younger ones to play by rivers. These children haven’t seen many lakes; they’re more familiar with rivers. So, could it be a remote river with lots of waterweeds?

Chu Hao immediately asked Zhao Gousheng to search for rivers with abundant waterweeds.

Zhao Gousheng quickly answered, ”There’s a river to the north with the most abundant waterweeds.”

Chu Hao set off immediately, ordering Chen Fugui to bring all the mercenaries for a comprehensive search.

After Yan Chen’s father hung up the phone, his eyes were bloodshot. His hateful gaze was like that of a venomous snake, ready to devour someone whole.

Wang Pang was kicked aside. He quickly scrambled up and tightly hugged a little girl named Little Xin, who was also from the orphanage.

Wang Pang was young, but determination was written all over his little face as he said, ”Don’t be afraid, Little Xin, I will protect you.”

Little Xin was sobbing and looked at where Wang Pang had been hit. ”Big Brother Pang, are you okay?”

Wang Pang, little guy that he was, endured the pain and shook his head.

Yan Chen’s father gave Wang Pang a stern look and said, ”Change locations. Leave Anli City immediately.”

”There’s no need.” Another person was in the room.