“Chapter 105”

"Chapter 105"

"There were thousands of participants in the preliminary round, but only a little over a hundred had made it to the rematch."

"The tasks prepared for the contestants were varied, including over twenty tasks like ghost-catching, exorcism, geomancy, divination, and fortune-telling, divided into groups of five for competition. Each task was an S-level difficulty mission provided by the Special Department and the Metaphysics Association."

"Due to the high difficulty, these were longstanding, unresolved missions from the Special Department and Metaphysics Association, brought out for the competition as an opportunity to solve them."

"This not only resolved the competition’s task issue but also accomplished the missions, achieving a win-win situation."

"The task card Shen Wang drew was named Imperial Capital’s Haunted House. He examined the card and found it only provided the location and general key points of the mission, with no further details."

"‘Protect the task initiator, complete the mission, earn points,’ Shen Wang murmured the instructions on the task card, deep in thought."

"This task, seemingly making the five-person team natural allies, actually made them competitors, as there were only so many points available within the team."

"Shen Wang looked around, wondering who else had drawn the same task."

"Noticing Shen Wang's gaze, the chubby boy and Shi Yan showed their task cards, eagerly asking, ‘Shen, what’s your task?’"

"‘Imperial Capital’s Haunted House,’ Shen Wang displayed his task card."

"The chubby boy wailed, complaining tearfully, ‘I got the task to purify the resentment at an ancient battlefield, SSS-level… Many metaphysics sect leaders tried and failed. What use will I be there…’"

"‘Mine is relatively simple, an exploration of an ancient tomb, only S-level.’"

"Shi Yan and Xie Qingming were both lucky and unlucky. Lucky to draw the same task, but unlucky for it being a difficult SSS-level: ‘We have an exorcism task…’"

"Apart from Shi Yan and Xie Qingming, the rest of them, surprisingly, did not draw the same tasks."

"Shen Wang retracted his task card, ‘I wish you good luck.’"

"Shen Wang felt confident in handling whatever came his way, while the others, especially the chubby boy and his group, would have to rely on luck."

"Without a strong ally, the chubby boy and his group were disheartened. When the staff announced the start of the task, they clung to Shen Wang’s clothes, weeping."

"Shen Wang: ‘…’"

"Seeing their pitiable state, Shen Wang handed them a few talismans, then firmly removed their hands and turned to leave without hesitation."

"No kidding, these few ineffective ones aside, he still had his own competition to focus on."

"With the task locations being different, the contestants needed to show their own unique skills. Whoever arrived first would have a subtle advantage."

"Upon leaving the competition hall, while others walked or ran, quickly dispersing, Shen Wang pondered for a moment, then decisively stood by the road and hailed a taxi, heading off."

"Other contestants: ‘???’"

"Hadn’t all phones, cash, and other non-metaphysical items been confiscated? Where did he get the money for a taxi?"

"Shen Wang got into the taxi, directly stated the destination, and the driver nodded cheerfully, ‘Alright, I’ll get you there as fast as I can.’"

"As the taxi smoothly took to the road, the driver couldn’t help but make conversation, ‘Not many young people take taxis these days, they all use ride-hailing apps. Are you in a hurry, young man?’"

"Shen Wang, stroking his chin thoughtfully, replied, ‘No, I just don’t have any money.’"

"A strange silence suddenly fell in the cab."

"The driver tried to lighten the mood, ‘You’re quite the joker, young man…’"

"‘I’m serious, I have no money,’ Shen Wang said, taking off his wristwatch, ‘Can I use this to cover the fare?’"

"The driver was about to pull over and kick him out of the cab, but upon hearing ‘watch,’ he glanced at it and couldn’t help asking, ‘Are you filming a video, young man?’"

"The electronic watch was clearly a branded one. Though not extremely expensive, it was worth a few hundred, more than enough to cover the fare."

"Others watching the live stream from the watch's miniature camera: ‘...Damn, you can’t do this.’"

"This watch was an identity device issued by the competition organizers to the contestants. It not only displayed the points leaderboard but also allowed contestants to send messages to the organizers in case of danger or if they wanted to quit, ensuring their safety."

"It also had a mini camera for live streaming, enabling the observation of the contestants' status."

"Was Shen Wang really using such an important item to pay for a taxi ride at the start of the game?!!"

"Not just the competition organizers, but everyone was stunned."

"This was the contestants’ identity proof! Would losing it this way count as voluntarily withdrawing from the competition?"

"Shen Wang smiled, ‘I'm not filming a video. If you don’t want the watch, I can also offer to read your fortune.’"

"The driver, looking puzzled and taking advantage of a red light, scrutinized Shen Wang again, ‘Fortune-telling? You know how to do that?’"

"This young man, who looked like a TV star and seemed too young, didn’t appear to be someone knowledgeable about such things."

"Shen Wang, with an air of mystery, solemnly declared, ‘Indeed, I am a lay disciple of Baiyun Temple, having studied under the Temple Master himself.’"

"‘You might not have heard of my name, but you know about Baiyun Temple, right?’"

"Baiyun Temple! The driver knew it all too well."

"It was the most famous Taoist temple in the imperial capital, bustling with visitors. People would line up from the top of the mountain down to its base every day to offer incense."

"The driver couldn’t help but regard Shen Wang with respect, ‘So, you’re a master from Baiyun Temple. I apologize for any disrespect. But master, how…’" did you end up without even the fare for a taxi?

"Unfazed, Shen Wang spoke slowly, ‘You see, I may look like I’m in my twenties, but I’m actually over forty. I’ve been practicing in Baiyun Temple for years, rarely leaving. I came down from the mountain to exorcise demons and didn’t expect the world to have changed so much in just a few years.’"

"‘Indeed, a day in the mountains, a thousand years in the world.’"

"Shen Wang had a handsome face with a slightly wicked charm. However, when he deliberately maintained a serious demeanor, his naturally sinister aura receded, replaced by a semblance of an ethereal Taoist air."

"The driver was completely taken in by Shen Wang’s act, also expressing his thoughts, ‘You do look young for a master. Indeed, a master from Baiyun Temple. Well, practicing has its merits, but the secular world has its charms too. Technology has advanced rapidly these days…’"

"Unbeknownst to the driver, those watching the live stream were utterly speechless at Shen Wang's cunning tactics."

"Someone comparing Shen Wang and Gu Dongting had a sudden realization, ‘No wonder he looked familiar to me.’"

"Shen Wang’s feigned demeanor was exactly like that of Gu Dongting!"

"A middle-aged judge actually from Baiyun Temple was fuming, ‘That rascal!’"

"‘Impersonating a member of Baiyun Temple, isn’t there anyone who can stop him?’"

"As he voiced his anger, others tried to pacify him, ‘Let it be, he does have real skills, and he hasn’t tarnished the reputation of Baiyun Temple.’"

"‘It’s just a competition, and there’s no rule saying contestants can’t claim to be from other sects…’"

"‘Take it easy, at least now he won’t have to pawn his watch to the driver.’"

"During the drive to the haunted house, Shen Wang and the driver chatted amiably. Not only did he read the driver’s fortune, leaving him astounded and calling him a 'real immortal', but upon leaving the taxi, he also gave the driver a talisman for safety."

"The driver waved reluctantly from the window, ‘Master, I’ll definitely visit you at Baiyun Temple!’"

"‘Master, be careful in there! The haunted house is notoriously sinister among the old residents of the imperial capital!’"

"Only after Shen Wang waved goodbye did the driver contentedly place the safety talisman carefully into his embroidered car charm, exclaiming, ‘Who would have guessed the master is in his forties or fifties? Incredible, truly incredible.’"

"The driver felt he had a story to boast about for a year."

"Though he didn’t charge for the ride this time, he felt like he had earned something."

"Shen Wang was satisfied, the driver was satisfied, and the judges watching the live stream were nearly slack-jawed in astonishment."

"It should be noted that apart from points for completing tasks, the competition’s scoring also included the contestants’ on-the-spot performance."

"For example, getting to the task location with a ghost’s help could earn extra points; whereas those who chose to walk wouldn’t receive any."

"But Shen Wang’s case was unique…"

"‘You can’t say he didn’t use metaphysical means, he did.’"

"‘But if you say he did, it seems like he didn’t.’"

"How should they score him? The judges exchanged puzzled glances."

"The middle-aged judge from Baiyun Temple, still fuming, drew a big zero on the score sheet, ‘Exploiting loopholes! Zero points!’"

"Unaware that transportation was also a scoring criterion, Shen Wang walked towards the haunted house, keenly observing his surroundings."

"Despite being near the outskirts, the area around the haunted house in the imperial capital, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, was filled with well-decorated villas, clearly a wealthy district."

"The landscaping was meticulously arranged, but unlike other areas, the most abundant vegetation here was low shrubs."

"Without vast grasslands or tall trees, the area somehow felt desolate."

"It would probably feel quite eerie at night."

"Shen Wang didn’t need to check the map again. He followed the direction where the yin energy was the strongest and stopped before a dilapidated mansion."

"A young man playing with his phone outside the house looked up at Shen Wang and brightened, ‘Hello?’"

"Shen Wang thought for a moment and responded, ‘Hello?’"

"After a few minutes of mutual contemplation, the young man, unable to bear the awkward silence, initiated, ‘Excuse me, are you here for the competition?’"

"‘Are you the task initiator?’ Shen Wang gave the young man a once-over, subtly furrowing his brow."

"The young man nodded excitedly, ‘Yes, master, hello!’"

"Shen Wang had learned from the taxi driver that this large house was an old building from decades ago, once a famous club. It fell into disrepair following a war and subsequent reforms."

"In modern times, though attempts were made to demolish the old house and construct something new, anyone who tried ended up going mad, only recovering their sanity after leaving the vicinity."

"Thus, the old house became a notoriously haunted site in the imperial capital, even affecting the property values of the surrounding villas."

"Looking up at the haunted house, Shen Wang’s gaze revealed immense yin energy slowly seeping out, yet seemingly trapped within a three-meter radius as if hindered by something."

"Despite being daytime, the area was shrouded in a gloom as if night had fallen, all grey and murky."

"The young man, noticing Shen Wang’s gaze, also looked back at the old house, rich in history and full of stories, and remarked, ‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it? These old buildings have a special kind of beauty.’"

"Shen Wang: ‘...I can’t say if it’s beautiful or not, but you certainly have a unique taste.’"