Chapter 133

Chapter 133

Dark Transmigration Bureau Leader: "There's no other way. We'll just have to ask them to handle a few more worlds."

Subordinate: "Report! Ao Tian has discovered the data was tampered with!"

Subordinate: "Report! Ao Tian has restored the data on his own!"

Subordinate: "Report! Ao Tian is storming over here!"

Ao Tian: "Boss!"

Ao Tian: "You can bully me all you want, but how dare you pick on my host! What? You say there's no one to do the work and there's nothing we can do? Well, I can understand that, but hurry up and give me a big starter pack. I want my host to be the toughest ghost of them all. Otherwise, what if my host gets hurt by those powerful ghosts? After all, it's not illegal for a ghost to kill another ghost."

"And for every extra world he has to work, you have to pay my host an extra hundred million! I'm keeping a tally. If in the end there's too much money for my host to spend, then compensate him another way—like immortality or something. If that's not possible, just make a planet and let my host be its king."

Ao Tian: "I've taken note of all the above. Don’t you dare go back on your word."

Ao Tian: "But at most, just two or three more worlds. Even though Chen Zui is capable, you can't just work him like a dog."

Ao Tian: "Now give me the newbie pack I asked for."

Leader, who hasn’t gotten a word in edgewise: ...

Leader: "Ao Tian, you've changed. You've become like a bandit."

Ao Tian: "Thanks for the compliment."

Leader: ...

Leader: "Give him the gift pack and get him out of here."

—

Chen Zui stood by the window, watching the rising sun. After becoming a ghost, he felt somewhat uncomfortable under the sunlight. He wondered if wolf cub had become a ghost and was roaming around somewhere.

He hoped not.

His wolf cub was foolish and loved to make trouble. Without him around, wolf cub would surely be bullied.

"Chen Zui, I'm here! I've got a beginner's gift pack for you."

Chen Zui could clearly sense that the system was acting differently toward him. When they first connected, although he could tell the system had a lively personality, it still acted a bit formal.

Now, it was like a big golden retriever bounding over, tail wagging, clutching some treasure it dug up in its mouth, happily offering it to him.

"Thank you. Could you please help me unwrap it?"

Ao Tian looked at Chen Zui, who was being so polite, and it felt a bit like their first mission world together. Chen Zui had such an easygoing nature—he’d respect any system. But Ao Tian wasn’t a system that could earn respect from just any host.

"Okay~"

"Congratulations! You've obtained the highest combat power and become the Ghost King!"

"Let's hear it!"

Chen Zui was very interested in the phrase "highest combat power." Ao Tian had already started installing the data pack for him, and Chen Zui could clearly feel the changes. Even though the sunlight was stronger, his discomfort had lessened.

Still, he instinctively avoided the sunlight and stood in the shadows.

Ao Tian noticed this and went back to his superior: "Get me a ghost-friendly parasol, make it sturdy. My host needs it."

The alarm clock rang.

Le Ziyou, who was sprawled on top of the quilt, rolled over. After a moment, he reached out without opening his eyes to fumble for his phone. Once he found it, the alarm stopped, and he held the phone and went back to sleep.

It wasn't until the next alarm rang that he finally opened his eyes and turned it off.

He looked out of it, with sheet marks still on his face. He scratched his butt a few times, then moved his hand to scratch his head, and then his face a couple of times.

Even after all that, he still didn't get up. Instead, he opened his phone and started scrolling through apps, yawning in between, stretching his arms and legs, even his toes were flexing vigorously.

Le Ziyou rubbed his arms, feeling chilly.

Chen Zui, who was standing right beside him, thought, "Does this guy have ADHD?"

Le Ziyou suddenly kicked his legs, sat up like a carp kicking up, jumped off the bed, and bolted into the bathroom to wash up.

During this time, Chen Zui received a large black umbrella that humans couldn’t see, which could shield him from the sunlight. It matched well with his suit and black trench coat.

A car horn beeped three times downstairs.

Le Ziyou came out of the bathroom and first put on his underwear. The underwear was quite old, worn to the point where his junk was about to show through the hole.

He went to the wall, grabbed a few talismans and peace charms, and tossed them into his sling bag. Then he went to drink some water, pulling on his pants as he walked back. He threw a few boxes of cinnabar and glutinous rice into the bag, then rummaged for a short-sleeved shirt. Walking to the opposite corner, he picked up a few paper figurines.

To Chen Zui, it all seemed hectic and messy, making him frown.

Couldn't he just do one thing at a time?

Chen Zui's personality really couldn’t handle this.

Le Ziyou slung the bag over his shoulder, walked to the door, then turned back to the bathroom. He opened the mirror, took a few bottles of unlabeled liquid from the cabinet behind it, and stuffed them into his bag.

He closed the mirror and looked at himself in the reflection.

Smoothing the stray hairs on his forehead: "Lookin’ good~"

Only then did he leave and go downstairs.

Chen Zui followed behind him. His plan for the day was to first meet that ghost gong and deal with this trouble before handling Le Ziyou.

Mi Jin's car was parked diagonally at the building entrance. As soon as Le Ziyou got in, Mi Jin chucked him two steamed buns while shivering: "Why do you have such a cold aura?"

Le Ziyou, mumbling through a mouthful of buns: "I&……#mmph……"

Mi Jin didn’t wait to hear and hit the gas.

Chen Zui sat in the back, leaning against the door, his legs elegantly crossed. These two fake Taoist priests had no idea there was a real ghost in their car.

Chen Zui looked outside. Ghosts disliked sunlight, so few came out during the day. Along the way, he only saw a mere dozen or so.

So, did the world he originally came from also have ghosts?

Interesting.

Le Ziyou turned around and reached toward the back seat, his hand landed right in Chen Zui’s lap. Chen Zui looked down; the hand, unimpeded, was rummaging through the bag on his seat.

Although it was just searching through the bag, due to the position, it looked very much like...

Le Ziyou pulled out his Taoist robe and turned back to put it on: "This is a big job today—a villa. Let's give them a good scare and try to make a fortune, maybe eighty or a hundred grand."

Mi Jin was already getting excited: "Don't worry, I brought our high-tech projector. It’ll definitely look like ghosts floating around~"

The two discussed how to fake it, coming up with all sorts of tricky schemes one after another, especially Le Ziyou. Chen Zui watched his grinning face.

Ao Tian had already started feeling sorry for him—Chen Zui really enjoyed dealing with little troublemakers.

Arriving at the villa, the two wiped the grins off their faces before getting out of the car—one looking wise and dignified, the other solemn and serious.

They were greeted by the employer's son, Wei Zhou, who didn’t believe in any of this. But since his parents insisted there were ghosts and hired someone to check, he was just there for the show, so his attitude toward Le Ziyou and the other wasn't particularly friendly.

He looked them over disdainfully, thinking they looked like con artists no matter how he looked at them. As he led them into the villa, he suddenly asked, "I heard that nowadays Taoist priests need to graduate from university. Which universities did you two graduate from?"

Mi Jin glanced at Le Ziyou.

Le Ziyou looked straight ahead without flinching: "Those are just amateurs. We come from a long lineage."

Wei Zhou sneered—they even claimed to be from a lineage.

"Well then, Master, have you noticed anything unusual along the way?"

"Heavenly secrets cannot be disclosed."

No matter how Wei Zhou tested him, Le Ziyou remained confident. After all, he was a professional con artist and had the professional pride to maintain.

Once they reached the living room, Wei Zhou stopped his questioning.

His parents were much more respectful toward Le Ziyou and the other, first inviting them to sit and explaining the recent situation.

Mrs. Wei: "It started a week ago. I saw a ghostly face in the bathroom mirror at night."

She was still frightened by the memory, nervously rubbing her warm teacup. Wei Zhou sat beside her and put an arm around her shoulder.

Mrs. Wei continued: "Then, blood came flowing from the sink faucet..."

Mr. Wei: "After that, I saw a shadow flash past the window—and it was on the second floor. Also, things in the room keep tipping over for no reason."

They both looked at Le Ziyou, placing all their hopes on him.

"Please, Master, rid our home of this evil spirit and restore peace."

"Sir, Madam, rest assured. Since I am here, I will ensure the evil spirit is destroyed completely and can never harm again. Please allow me to examine the area."

So the three members of the Wei family accompanied them as they walked around the villa. Le Ziyou looked here and there, occasionally taking pinches of rice from his pocket and arranging them in triangles, circles, and squares in the corners.

He looked very serious.

Wei Zhou: "What are you doing, Master?"

Le Ziyou: "These are spots where evil spirits often linger. The ghostly energy is strong here and needs to be cleansed."

Wei Zhou: "With just rice?"

He clearly didn’t believe it.

Le Ziyou arranged the rice into a diamond shape, unfazed by Wei Zhou’s challenge, still maintaining his calm demeanor: "This is a secret passed down in my family. You'll have to excuse my discretion."

Mrs. Wei tugged at Wei Zhou and smiled apologetically at Le Ziyou.

As they walked ahead, the ghost of a hanged person appeared beside the pile of rice, opening its mouth as if to eat it, but its tongue completely blocked its mouth. Another ghost, holding its own head, hung upside down from the chandelier and dangled its head in front of Le Ziyou’s face.

Le Ziyou walked straight through the apparition, saying, "There’s more than one evil spirit here. It might be troublesome to deal with, and I’ll need to use more materials."

Although he was making it up to scare them, he had accidentally spoken the truth.

Mrs. Wei: "Use whatever you need. We’ll pay for whatever's needed."

Le Ziyou: "Your devotion is noted. Today, I will rid this place of all evil spirits."

Chen Zui, who hadn’t yet gotten out of the car, looked at the villa. It was shrouded in dark energy, with ghosts lurking in the shadows on the roof even in broad daylight—it was practically a haunted house.

A black umbrella emerged from the closed car door, opening up. The hand holding the umbrella was a faint shadow, followed by feet in black leather-soled shoes touching the ground.

The umbrella lifted, and the tall figure fully appeared.

The moment Chen Zui stood under the umbrella, the ghosts on the roof and in the shadows sensed the threat and danger. After glancing toward the entrance, they fled to their base as fast as they could. The ghosts inside the villa did the same.

It was like mice fleeing from a cat.

A vase on the table was knocked over by a frantic ghost, catching the attention of Le Ziyou and the others.

Mrs. Wei moved closer to Wei Zhou, pointing: "Look..."

The round-bellied vase wobbled on the table, creating an eerie scene.

Mi Jin and Le Ziyou exchanged looks.

Mi Jin: "What’s going on? Are there really ghosts?"

Le Ziyou: "Impossible. Don’t scare yourself."

Their years of tacit understanding allowed them to communicate with just a look.

Le Ziyou turned back, produced a yellow paper talisman toward the vase, chanting an incantation no one could understand. With a final "Hey!" he pressed the talisman onto the vase.

At the same time, he steadied the vase with his hand, stopping its wobbling.

Then he slowly turned around: "Just a minor spirit. It’s dealt with. Next, I will prepare the altar for the ritual. Please remain silent no matter what happens."

—

As Chen Zui entered the villa.

All the ghosts in the villa gathered in the attic, cowering and prostrating on the ground. Seated in a chair before them was their master—Xu Shuhuai.

Xu Shuhuai, resting his head on one hand, slowly opened his eyes. The powerful ghostly energy of another spirit was aggressively dominating every corner of the villa.

Clearly, this was a sign of disrespect.

A provocation.

And a challenge.

Xu Shuhuai lowered his hand, sweeping the hair from his shoulders behind his neck. This family had hired a Taoist priest to exorcise ghosts—how had they attracted such a powerful spirit?

He couldn’t rely on the useless ghosts before him.

He released his own ghostly energy to counter the foreign spirit's and, at the same time, left his seat. The next moment, he appeared before the sacrificial altar on the first floor. The items on the altar made him smirk, but his smile froze when he saw the Taoist priest standing behind it.

In an instant, scenes from the past flashed through his mind, ending with his beloved dying in his arms.

Xu Shuhuai stared, captivated,; if he weren't a ghost, he would surely have shed tears by now.

His presence caused the temperature to drop suddenly, and everyone clearly felt a chill. Le Ziyou, who was pretending to light incense, glanced at the nearly extinguished incense stick in his hand.

"Did it get damp from being left on the floor at home?"

He stuck the incense into the rice-filled incense burner.

As he approached the altar, Xu Shuhuai couldn’t resist reaching to touch his cheek. He had never imagined they would meet again—was it heaven's mercy?

But before his hand could reach Le Ziyou, Le Ziyou, having placed the incense, stepped back. A ghostly shadow flickered behind him, and Chen Zui appeared, under a black umbrella.

Le Ziyou seemed to step right into his embrace, standing beneath that black umbrella.

He was half a head shorter than Chen Zui—a height difference perfect for tilting his head up for a kiss.

Chen Zui’s gaze fell on Xu Shuhuai. Their eyes met, and without a word, they immediately shifted into combat mode.

Le Ziyou looked back; it felt as if he had bumped into a wall, and why did it seem even colder now?

Goosebumps popped up all over his body.

The others, too, shivered and huddled uncontrollably from the cold. Even Wei Zhou, who didn’t believe in any of this, looked around nervously, unsure if it was just his imagination, but feeling that something was off.

The moment Le Ziyou took the peach wood sword from Mi Jin, a fierce wind roared through the room.

They were indoors, and the windows were closed.

Such a strong wind appearing out of nowhere made everyone uneasy. The three members of the Wei family huddled closer together.

Mi Jin eyed Le Ziyou meaningfully.

Le Ziyou understood—this was one of Mi Jin’s new trick props. Not bad at all.

“No need to panic, everyone. I’ve just released my sealed power.”

Though the Wei family was confused, it sounded impressive, so they nodded eagerly, their fear slightly eased.

Le Ziyou turned to face the altar and began reciting the jumbled incantations he had pieced together.

Above him.

Chen Zui threw a punch at Xu Shuhuai, his ghost qi condensing into a massive fist that nearly filled the space, causing the hem of his trench coat to whip around.

Xu Shuhuai also swung his fist.

Their ghost qi collided violently first, shaking the eight-tiered crystal chandelier on the ceiling fiercely.

Le Ziyou stole a glance. "Damn! How much did Mi Jin spend on these effects? They’re amazing!"

He took the opportunity to raise his sword-wielding hand and began slowly rotating it, as if he were manipulating the chandelier from a distance.

Wei Zhou’s eyes widened. It seemed he had misjudged him—this guy might actually have some real skills.

The violently colliding ghost qi clashed against each other, dissipating and stirring up a cold wind that made it hard to keep their eyes open.

Le Ziyou: “Don't worry, everyone! The evil spirit is on its last legs!”

Xu Shuhuai couldn’t withstand Chen Zui’s punch; his form grew even more indistinct.

As he fell to the ground, his hand struck the altar, nearly toppling the incense burner.

Chen Zui glanced at the posturing Le Ziyou, then at the Wei family behind him.

He steadied the incense burner, landed beside Xu Shuhuai, and thrust his closed black umbrella, pressing it against the other’s forehead.

“I have only one demand of you.”

Xu Shuhuai remained silent, waiting.

Chen Zui: “Do not obsess over this person.”

Xu Shuhuai looked at Le Ziyou, who was now circling the altar, muttering mysteriously.

Chen Zui: “He is not your beloved.”

Xu Shuhuai frowned at him.

Chen Zui: “He is mine.”

The icy wind picked up again, forcing Le Ziyou, who had been about to wrap up the act and collect his fee, to resume waving his peach wood sword around.

He moved here and there, gesturing with his hands and mumbling under his breath.

Meanwhile, Chen Zui and Xu Shuhuai exchanged blows right beside him.

As he circled, Le Ziyou secretly signaled Mi Jin: "Hey! That’s enough! I’m exhausted!"

Mi Jin: "Le Ziyou! I think there’s really a ghost!"

Their signals were completely crossed.

Chen Zui kicked Xu Shuhuai, sending him flying, then pursued him, grabbing and slamming him to the ground. Throughout it all, his expression remained blank, as if he were doing something utterly mundane, despite the violence of his actions.

If he were human, his dark eyes might have gleamed with excitement.

But as a ghost, his eyes were pitch-black, hollow and deep.

Everyone felt a sudden “boom.”

Le Ziyou: "That must be the cue to end this. After this, I’ll tell Mi Jin to shorten the effects."

He circled back to the altar.

Sheathed his sword.

Chen Zui stood nearby, restraining Xu Shuhuai, who could no longer resist. Though the other refused to cooperate, it didn’t matter.

He could just be locked away.

Le Ziyou turned to the terrified Wei family: “The evil spirit has been defeated by me.”

He coughed a few times, feigning injury.

Mi Jin hurried over to support him, his voice trembling as he spoke: “Taoist priest, that evil spirit was powerful. You’ve been severely injured this time.”

The two of them looked toward the Wei family.

The Wei family members darted their eyes around, nervously and timidly glancing about. It had truly quieted down, and it didn’t feel as cold anymore either.

Le Ziyou coughed forcefully a couple more times.

Mr. Wei was the first to snap out of it, though he still didn’t dare approach the altar, staying where he was: "Thank you for your hard work, Master. We have no way to repay your great kindness. Please accept this."

He took out a bank card.

——

The Wei family respectfully escorted the two of them to the door, including Wei Zhou.

Le Ziyou: "I’ve set up a protective array outside the villa. No ghosts will dare come near again."

The Wei family was overflowing with gratitude.

The car drove off.

Le Ziyou happily eyed the bank card in his hand: "Two hundred thousand yuan! This family is quite generous. We scored big this time."

He put the bank card away: "But that wind special effect of yours lasted way too long. Shorten it a bit. I’m a Taoist priest, not a spiritual charlatan. We need to have some class."

Mi Jin’s face was pale, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly: "That wasn’t me."

Le Ziyou: "If it wasn’t you, then who was it? Do I actually have magical powers? Hahaha, you’re kidding."

Mi Jin swallowed hard: "...Maybe there really was a ghost."

Le Ziyou scoffed: "You’ve made too much money and gone crazy."

He glanced at Mi Jin: "How could there be a ghost? I—" His gaze passed over the rearview mirror and met a pair of void-like black eyes—dead, empty black, staring straight at him.

In that instant, Le Ziyou’s throat felt as if it were being choked, unable to make a sound.

He stared intently at the rearview mirror.

Mi Jin: "But if there’s no ghost, what was with the wind and the flickering lights?"

Le Ziyou’s heart was about to jump out of his throat. Those eyes were getting closer, the chilling aura behind him almost icing him over.

Just as those eyes were about to press against his—

"Ah!"

Le Ziyou let out a scream, curling into a ball and shrinking toward the car door.

Mi Jin: "What the hell! What are you doing? What’s wrong? What’s wrong?"

Le Ziyou practically buried his head in the footwell, pointing backward: "There’s someone in the back! Someone!"

Mi Jin broke out in a cold sweat, too scared to look back: "Really? Don’t mess around!"

The two of them were shouting and panicking.

Sitting in the back seat, Chen Zui frowned slightly. Beneath his feet was Xu Shuhuai, bound by his ghost qi. Xu Shuhuai had been beaten until he was almost translucent by him, now just the most useless little ghost, completely unable to break free.

It took a while before Le Ziyou lifted his head, repeatedly telling himself it must have been his imagination. How could there be ghosts in this world? In the era of socialism and technology, believing in ghosts is less likely than believing he’s the First Emperor.

He took a deep breath, raised his hand, and patted his face. After patting, he felt he’d used too much force and rubbed it gently.

Like he was stealing a glance, he slowly turned his head, not daring to open his eyes fully, squinting, scrunching his nose, and pouting as he peeked backward.

Only after confirming he saw nothing did his eyes, like a wolf pup's, open, blinking a couple of times.

No one, no ghost—just the same bags on the seat.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

Phew… just his imagination.

Mi Jin: "Well? Anything there?"

Le Ziyou turned back: "Yep."

Mi Jin’s hair felt like it was standing on end.

Le Ziyou: "There’s a handsome guy, over six feet tall, eight-pack abs, slim waist, long legs, and a big dick. Want to turn around and take a look?"

Mi Jin pursed his lips and relaxed.

Ao Tian: "Wait, he saw you? Not only saw you but could see through your clothes and know you’re big."

Chen Zui stared at him, clearly talking crap again.

——

The two ate dinner out, divided the cash, and went their separate ways home. Le Ziyou, carrying the 100,000 yuan bank card, was skipping down the street.

While he was in the bathroom washing up, Chen Zui crammed the tied-up Xu Shuhuai under the bed.

Xu Shuhuai glared at him, but since his mouth was also blocked by ghost qi, he couldn’t even speak.

Chen Zui had given him a chance.

Now he had no chance. He’d stay here until Chen Zui’s mission was complete.

After his shower, Le Ziyou came out stark naked, his little bird still dripping water. He collapsed onto the bed, picked up the bank card, planted a kiss on it, and then placed it in the safe by the bed.

He opened his phone and started binge-watching shows, continuing until late into the night when his phone dropped and smacked his face. He let out an "ow," turned off the phone, and went to sleep.

The night was deep.

Even though it was midsummer and the fan was blowing, the sleeping man inexplicably felt cold.

His body instinctively curled into a ball.

An intangible hand suddenly landed on his calf, which immediately broke out in goosebumps.

The large hand squeezed his calf, then moved upward.

Le Ziyou felt someone touching him, touching him in a lewd way.

He wanted to open his eyes, but his eyelids refused to budge, as if glued shut.

At that moment, one of Chen Zui’s hands was pressed over his eyes.

Le Ziyou desperately struggled to get up but couldn’t move a muscle. He struggled, he was uneasy, he was terrified.

He opened his mouth to call for help, but even his tongue was frozen too.

Chen Zui grabbed the soft, warm tongue and pulled it out of his mouth.

Xu Shuhuai was dealt with.

"Baby."

"Our game has begun."

Xu Shuhuai struggled under the bed, but Chen Zui slammed his hand on the mattress, and Xu Shuhuai was knocked unconscious by ghostly energy.