Chu Hao didn't return; instead, Old Yuan invited him to the Seventh District.
Not seeing Feng Ju, Chu Hao asked, "Where is your deputy director?"
Old Yuan replied helplessly, "The deputy director has resigned."
The deputy director of Anli City's Seventh District resigned?
After He Tao arrived with the intention of replacing Feng Ju and sidelining him, Feng Ju couldn't stand it. He had worked for so many years, only for the higher-ups to sideline him just like that. He saw through it all and simply resigned to go home.
Old Yuan said helplessly, "Master Chu, Anli City is now facing a great crisis. In just three days, there have already been more than a hundred supernatural cases."
Old Yuan looked at Chu Hao with a resentful, aggrieved expression.
Chu Hao said, "It couldn't be because of me, could it?"
Old Yuan sighed. "According to information received, most of these evil demons and ghosts come from the south, and their primary target is the True Word Brush."
Chu Hao's heart skipped a beat. Over a hundred supernatural cases in three days, all caused by those evil demons and ghosts.
"Humph! So you are Chu Hao?"
A man in black walked into the conference hall. He was a tall, sturdy fellow with an odd attire, resembling a Miao ethnic Gu Master. This was Xu Yang, an A-Class Exorcist of the Seventh District, on the same level as Chu Feng.
Xu Yang said angrily, "Evil demons and ghosts are rampant in Anli City nowadays. You must take full responsibility."
Xu Yang was furious. There were too many ghosts recently, an overwhelming number to catch, and he hadn't closed his eyes for two days.
Chu Hao also felt somewhat guilty after hearing this. At least several dozen of those hundred-plus cases were definitely related to the True Word Brush.
Those evil demons and ghosts, upon reaching the city, needed Yang Qi and naturally targeted the people of Anli City.
Old Yuan quickly said, "Xu Yang, calm down. This can't be blamed on Master Chu."
Xu Yang said coldly, "The people who have died are just the beginning. There will be many more evil demons and ghosts. Before long, Anli City will be devastated, its people suffering terribly."
"Young man, you still have one chance. Hand over the True Word Brush to the Seventh District for safekeeping, and these evil demons and ghosts will retreat on their own."
A voice rang out. The newcomer was tall, with a square face and short-cropped hair, looking energetic, about forty years old.
"Lord Shi Yunlong," the others quickly said.
Shi Yunlong, an AA-Class Exorcist. There were only about twenty such powerful exorcists throughout Huaxia.
Shi Yunlong looked at Chu Hao and said, "Your strength is good, but it should be used on the right path. Do not be led astray."
Hearing his elder-like, lecturing tone, Chu Hao felt very uncomfortable and responded indifferently, "I don't know what you consider the right path."
Shi Yunlong said, "With your abilities, you should be on a quest to save the country and its people, not be idle. Do you know how many people have died because of you? They were all innocent. Can your conscience bear that?"
His words were meant to pressure Chu Hao into handing over the True Word Brush to the Seventh District for safekeeping.
Chu Hao replied coldly, "Don't lecture me in that tone. It's not your place to direct how a Taoist Master like me does things. Mere evil demons and ghosts—they will all be exterminated tonight."
Shi Yunlong shouted angrily, "You're too arrogant! Even I wouldn't dare to say I could exterminate them all."
Chu Hao stood with his hands behind his back, exuding the aura of a Grandmaster—young, promising, and self-assured. He said, "Am I arrogant? Correct. This Taoist Master is arrogant. There hasn't been anything in this world I couldn't resolve. Just mere evil demons and ghosts; tonight, they will be reduced to ashes."
Shi Yunlong was left speechless. This youngster was simply too arrogant. Where does your confidence come from? I've belittled you so much, yet you remain so confident. Could it be that you're overconfident? Besides, it wasn't just evil demons and ghosts; some esteemed and righteous forces have also arrived.
Shi Yunlong said, "And what if you cannot resolve it tonight?"
Chu Hao turned and walked away, saying, "Give you the True Word Brush? If I resolve it, then you! Get out of my sight."
DING. Host has shown cool arrogance, gaining 400 Pretentiousness Points.
Pretentiousness was all about this vibe.
The staff of the Seventh District were all stunned.
That was an AA-Class Exorcist, yet Chu Hao hadn't given him any face at all—not only that, he had made a bet.
Shi Yunlong was hopping mad; that little bastard was too arrogant.
"I really want to see how you're going to deal with these things," he fumed.
「Come nightfall.」
Chu Hao arrived at the central stadium in Anli City.
The people of the Seventh District were observing in secret. Both Shi Yunlong and Xu Yang sneered when they saw Chu Hao there. There are no ghosts here, so what is he doing?
Chu Hao was serious now. After all, over a hundred people dying in three days was somewhat his responsibility. These events had completely infuriated him, so he didn't plan to let any evil ghost escape.
Chu Hao muttered to himself, "System, purchase Advanced Taisui Meat."
DING. Host has purchased Advanced Taisui Meat, consuming 2,000 Pretentiousness Points.
Advanced Taisui Meat was much more expensive than the medium variety, but fortunately, Chu Hao had accumulated 7,600 Pretentiousness Points during this period.
Item: Advanced Taisui Meat
Rarity: ★★
Ability: Possesses a fatal attraction for evil demons and ghosts, effective within a hundred-mile radius.
A piece of Taisui Meat that looked like streaky pork appeared appetizing. Chu Hao planned to use it to attract them.
I wonder how effective it is?
As soon as he took out the Taisui Meat, a strange aroma spread, so enticing that even Chu Hao felt like taking a bite.
Chu Hao wiped his mouth, saying, "Why does this smell so good?"
Not just him; even Shi Yunlong and Xu Yang, who were hiding, smelled the fragrance. The two exchanged glances.
Xu Yang said, "Master Yunlong, what is that?"
Shi Yunlong said uncertainly, "Seems like streaky pork?"
Both were speechless. What on earth did he plan to do with streaky pork?
In less than a minute, a ghost shadow appeared on the field, drifting toward Chu Hao.
The Yin Yang Eye could see both Evil Qi and Yin Qi. Evil Qi comes from ghosts who have killed people and emanates a ghastly aura. Yin Qi, on the other hand, is from ordinary ghosts, similar to Wandering Wild Ghosts, which have a chance to be reincarnated.
The incoming ghost carried a clear aura of Evil Qi, meaning it had killed before.
The ghost was anxious; the Taisui Meat had too great an allure. It couldn't resist and came drifting over as soon as it caught the scent.
When it saw the Taisui Meat, it felt its powers instantly enhance, undoubtedly perceiving the meat as a rare treasure. The shock was imaginable, and without caring about the living person standing before it, it pounced directly.
Chu Hao didn't even need to lift a finger; Sadako was summoned.
Now nearly at the Xuan Sha Ghost Level, Sadako moved almost instantaneously, tearing the evil ghost rushing towards the Taisui Meat to shreds.
DING. Sadako has killed an evil ghost, earning 10,000 Experience Points. Host has gained 10,000 Experience Points.
When a Ghost Servant killed a ghost, the host also gained Experience Points—a clear advantage.
In the corner, Shi Yunlong and Xu Yang frowned upon seeing this.
"That white-dressed female ghost is very strong. He has actually raised a ghost?" Xu Yang said.
Shi Yunlong snorted coldly. "She is indeed strong, but still no match for me."
Xu Yang quickly flattered, "Of course, Master Yunlong is widely recognized as an AA-Class Exorcist in Huaxia."