The young people of the Mu Family were beside themselves with excitement, quickly crowding around and offering to help with anything they could.
Having witnessed Chu Hao's capabilities, everyone was now much less afraid, each brimming with excitement.
Chu Hao thought for a moment. He felt that his knowledge about ghost-catching was non-existent. So, he immediately checked the System Shop to see if there was anything that could help him understand ghosts better. At the very least, he needed something to lure the One-armed Ghost, rather than searching blindly.
Ghost Sutras: Compiles types of ghosts from all over the world, requiring 3 Pretentiousness Points.
Mao Mountain Tao Hunting Manual: Records knowledge of over a thousand types of ghosts, requiring 3 Pretentiousness Points.
Having just earned a total of 6 Pretentiousness Points, he immediately purchased both knowledge books.
"DING... Host has purchased Ghost Sutras and Mao Mountain Tao Hunting Manual, paying 6 Pretentiousness Points, remaining Pretentiousness Points: 5."
His mind filled with a vast amount of knowledge, Chu Hao was amazed.
He wondered if the System had any knowledge that spanned from elementary school to PhD level, and if it could be purchased—that would turn him into a top student in no time!
Chu Hao snapped his fingers and said, "I need cinnabar, rooster's blood, yellow talismans, talisman-drawing brushes, and also a small amount of arsenic."
Mu Chenglong was also somewhat energized and immediately directed people to get the items. It wasn't just the youngsters who were excited. Even he himself, a big boss who had navigated many rough tides in the business world, was thrilled by his first experience of ghost-catching.
Chu Hao said, "Let everyone stay; tonight, they'll get to see the true face of the One-armed Ghost."
Chu Hao thought that having more people around was good for putting on a show and for gaining Experience Points quickly.
Mu Yuxun was taken aback and said, "Ah! Won't the One-armed Ghost be too scared to come if there are too many people?"
"No worries! The bait is here; it will definitely come."
Hearing that Chu Hao intended to use her as bait, Lin Yulan turned pale with fright, not wanting to be involved.
Mu Chenglang, fiercely determined, said, "You wretch, this is your chance to redeem yourself. If you don't do it, I'll kill you right now."
Unexpectedly, Chu Hao shook his head and said, "The bait isn't her, it's you."
Mu Chenglang trembled with fear, his legs going weak as he spoke with a quaver in his voice, "Taoist Master... how did I become the bait?"
Chu Hao replied coolly, "Nonsense. The One-armed Ghost has been following you; it's most sensitive to your scent. Your wife has been wearing a jade Buddha for a few years, which the One-armed Ghost doesn't dare to approach."
Mu Chenglang was in tears and asked, "Why is it following me?"
Chu Hao glanced at him and said, "Who asked you to spend so many years cavorting with women? Your foundation is unstable, with a surplus of Yin and a deficiency of Yang. If not you, who else would it follow?"
Mu Chenglang grimaced, wishing he could slap himself.
Mu Chenglong clutched his head, lamenting how messy his younger brother's family had become. The men were keeping models as mistresses—a true misfortune for the household.
Mu Yuxun's cousin, the sickly youth, whispered, "Taoist Master, am I... also with surplus Yin and deficient Yang? I've been weak since I was a child; won't ghosts often bother me?"
Chu Hao chuckled, looking at him and saying, "Your constitution is indeed weak, but don't worry, these ghosts generally don't bother people."
The sickly youth heaved a sigh of relief, feeling greatly comforted.
Chu Hao continued, "However, when you walk alone at night and someone calls out to you, don't look back. Be careful not to get lured away."
"Ah!"
The sickly youth's legs turned to jelly. He was probably so scared that he wouldn't dare to walk alone at night anymore after this.
Following the Mao Mountain Tao Hunting Manual, Chu Hao made some simple talismans. This was a kind of folk talisman that could extinguish human Yang Fire. Only when he started drawing the symbols did he realize how arduous it was. He had to concentrate his spirit and energy, and he was soon drenched in sweat.
"Damn! This isn't work fit for humans."
After a few failed attempts, he grew somewhat annoyed.
Just then, a fresh and pleasant voice rose from behind him, "Does the Taoist Master need help?"
It was Mu Yufei. She stood with her hands behind her back, her clear, bright eyes curiously watching Chu Hao draw talismans. She had been observing his serious efforts for a while, not wanting to disturb him.
Seeing the elegant beauty, Chu Hao's urge to show off flared again. He smiled and said, "Just a few talismans. For a Taoist Master like me, it's a breeze."
He hurriedly opened the System Shop.
Chu Hao said, "System, quickly find me talisman-drawing skills."
In 0.01 seconds, the System screened out various talisman-drawing skills, a dazzling array.
Skills like Three Pure Ones Black Talisman, Corpse Sect Zombie Talisman, Maoshan Sect Nine-Heaven Thunder Talisman—each one was frighteningly expensive.
Chu Hao was abashed and said, "I just need to be able to draw talismans; nothing too powerful is necessary."
The System suggested, "Recommend Host purchase 'Talisman Drawing Experience'."
One Pretentiousness Point for one year.
Two Pretentiousness Points for two years.
Three Pretentiousness Points for three years.
Four Pretentiousness Points for four years.
Five Pretentiousness Points for five years.
Six Pretentiousness Points for six years.
Chu Hao, acting like a tycoon, purchased three years of talisman drawing experience.
"DING... Purchased 'Talisman Drawing Experience' for four years, 3 Pretentiousness Points spent, 3 Pretentiousness Points remaining."
Chu Hao immediately felt different. He picked up the brush and began to draw. His hand moved with excellent touch, the lines soaring and dancing as if he were drawing not just talismans, but art.
After drawing several talismans in a row, Chu Hao declared triumphantly, "All done!"
Then, turning around proudly, he found that the elegant lady had disappeared, which left him somewhat disheartened.
Just then, Mu Yufei brought over a cup of tea and said gently, "Taoist Master, I didn't want to disturb you earlier, so I went to brew a cup of tea."
Chu Hao was thrilled. Isn't this exactly the wife I've been dreaming of? Gentle, virtuous, and considerate.
Mu Yufei, who usually seemed so aloof, could be incredibly tender, melting one's heart completely.
That smile, like being bathed in a spring breeze, made Chu Hao feel so blessed. How wonderful it would be if she were his wife. To take such a wife home would make all the losers at school green with envy!
"Thank you, Sister Yu Fei," said Chu Hao, somewhat embarrassed.
Mu Yufei smiled lightly and replied, "Master Chu Tian, please don't say that. The Mu Family owes you a great debt."
Scratching his head, Chu Hao said shyly, "Sister, you don't have to call me Taoist Master. It feels awkward. Just call me Ah-Hao."
Mu Yufei blinked, her eyes curving like crescent moons, and said, "Wouldn't 'Ah-Hao' be a bit too familiar?"
Chu Hao felt a jolt. "Ah-Hao? Normally, I wouldn't let just anyone call me that. But who could say no to a sister as beautiful as you?"
Mu Yufei chuckled and asked, "Do you really think Sister is pretty?"
Chu Hao affirmed, "Of course. Whoever marries you is blessed with eight lifetimes of good fortune."
Mu Yufei lightly pinched him with her small fingers and said, "Smooth talker. Since you're calling me Sister, I'll call you Ah-Hao then."
"Mm-hm."
Chu Hao felt much closer to the elegant Yu Fei. He was a bit dazed. When had he become so pure-hearted? Could this be... love?
Mu Yufei asked, "Ah-Hao, how many years have you been in this line of work?"
Chu Hao had already fabricated a cover story. With all his abilities, he definitely needed an explanation that wouldn't seem too outlandish. With a sigh, he said, "Thirteen years."
Mu Yufei expressed her surprise, "You're only about seventeen, right? So you started learning at four?"
Chu Hao nodded. He was quite skilled in spinning tales. Otherwise, how could he have convinced people to let him tell their fortunes on the bridge?
Mu Yufei asked, "What about your parents?"
Chu Hao looked down, then after a moment, lifted his head with determined eyes and said, "I don't have parents."
"How come?" As soon as Mu Yufei uttered these words, she regretted them.
Chu Hao laughed openly and said, "I'm an orphan. My master found me when I was one year old."
The truth was different from what he told her. Chu Hao had a family, but it was a family he would rather do without.