Chapter 105: Pull a Fast One on Zhong Kui

Seeing the goal achieved, Steve finally smiled with satisfaction,

"Thank you all for cooperating; to ensure everyone's safety, please remain here for the time being."

"Don't worry, meals will be delivered, and you needn't fret about using the restroom; there are mobile toilets."

"Wishing everyone a pleasant stay."

Having said that.

Steve walked out of the lobby alone.

As soon as he stepped outside, a group of suit‑clad staff stood outside.

They held documents, awaiting orders.

"The funds are in place; the next step is to gather evil spirits throughout the entire alliance."

"Right, the evil spirits should follow the list I gave: Jack‑o‑lanterns, witches, werewolves, vampires…"

"Halloween is approaching; by then these common Halloween monsters will surely become stronger."

Steve tossed a pile of data to the staff, which recorded information on each summoner,

"Thousand‑Ghost City + Halloween terror series…"

"Honestly, if this still can't defeat Dragon Nation, I don't know what to do."

…

The night wind was noisy.

Zhang Cheng lay on the rooftop, looking down from his height.

Brilliant lights illuminated the darkness, guiding people home.

In the city, hover‑cars zipped nonstop, skyscrapers resembled a steel forest, and floating tracks crisscrossed the whole metropolis,

while the howl of cold wind occasionally reached the ears.

"What, worrying alone?"

System sister swooshed into view before Zhang Cheng, floating in the air with a smiling, squinting gaze.

Zhang Cheng shook his head, "It's not that I'm worried; it's just that the changes feel a bit drastic."

"Tell me, if I die someday in the future, will Dragon Nation continue to prosper as it does now?"

System pressed its chin, thought for a moment, and said:

"I don't know."

"Why overthink it? Isn't it better to cherish the present?"

"Come, come, here's the beer from downstairs I bought for you; drink it to soothe your throat."

Saying that, she handed the beer to Zhang Cheng.

A hiss.

She pulled the tab.

The beer spilled out.

Took a sip…

"Huh? It's not chilled; that's not good."

Zhang Cheng casually set the beer aside; as everyone knows, beer is like a certain kind of black tea,

the chilled kind is a delicacy, while the warm kind is like horse urine.

"Drink it if you like, it's up to you."

System sister pursed her lips, suddenly recalling something,

"By the way, there's something I need to tell you."

"Among the summoned spirits, a fellow who loves staying home and refuses to go out has appeared."

"If you summon him, remember to give him a heads‑up; don't let him laze at home unwilling to leave."

What?

Zhang Cheng frowned, "A home‑bound fellow who dislikes going out?"

"The Blessed Home‑Guardian Saint—Zhong Kui?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

Zhang Cheng spread his hands, "Just guessed from the name."

"He's not a home‑bound person; he's a saint who guards the homeland."

System sister waved her hand, "Oh, that's close enough; I was just giving you a heads‑up."

"Alright, that's it, bye~"

Having said that.

With a swoosh, she vanished before Zhang Cheng's eyes.

"Strange, why specifically tell me that?"

Zhang Cheng sensed a hint of conspiracy.

He thought System sister said it deliberately.

The purpose was to have him summon Saint Zhong Kui.

But what was her intention in doing so?

Could it be because she's close to Saint Zhong Kui and wants him to appear to boost his presence?

Zhang Cheng was puzzled.

But what he didn't expect was.

"Saint Zhong Kui…"

"So he also counts as a Summoned Creature."

Zhang Cheng carefully searched through the memories regarding Zhong Kui.

According to records, Zhong Kui was originally an ambitious young man skilled in both letters and martial arts, who traveled to the capital for the imperial examinations.

With his talent, he could have become the top scholar, but because his appearance was too ugly, he failed the exam entirely.

Zhong Kui's protests were to no avail; ultimately, with his talents having nowhere to be displayed, he fell into depression and, in a fit of rage, killed himself by smashing his head against a pillar.

Later on.

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang had been ill for a long time without recovery. One night in a dream, he encountered a burly man.

That burly man seized a little ghost, severed the ghost's body, ate the ghost's eyes, and shouted to Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, "Failed examination scholar Zhong Kui is here!"

Later.

Zhong Kui was enfeoffed by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang as the Holy Lord Who Bestows Blessings and Guards the Home, and was revered by the people.

As for whether Zhong Kui was human, ghost, or immortal, folk accounts varied.

But one thing was certain.

Zhong Kui held an extremely high place in people's hearts.

In ancient times, nearly every household would paste an image of Zhong Kui on their door to ward off evil and keep peace.

"If possible, I'd also like to see Zhong Kui's true face."

Zhang Cheng felt a faint anticipation in his heart.

Just as this thought arose in him.

He did not notice.

In his mind.

The System trembled slightly.

At the same time, a helpless sigh came through.

Sigh!

Not long after Zhang Cheng left,

atop the rooftop,

five figures gathered together as if by telepathy.

They were Ox-Head, Horse-Face, Black and White Impermanence, and Sister System.

"It's settled—Zhang Cheng intends to summon Holy Lord Zhong Kui. Let's see how he dodges this time!"

Hei Wuchang wore a satisfied smile on his face.

Bai Wuchang, however, seemed somewhat worried. "Come to think of it, having Sister System say it so bluntly—isn't that too obvious?"

"I think we should change our strategy, otherwise if Holy Lord Zhong Kui notices, he'll be furious."

"Let him be furious!"

The rough Ox-Head muttered,

"When we played mahjong before, we agreed: whoever loses volunteers for the next match."

"And the result? Holy Lord Zhong Kui lost but refused to admit it, and even dragged us into a rematch. This time, no matter what, we can't let him welsh!"

"What Old Ox hates most is people who owe debts and don't pay!"

This matter went back to a few days ago.

At that time, Black and White Impermanence and other underworld errand-spirits were wandering idly in the mortal realm when they chanced upon a drunk Zhong Kui.

Thinking to earn some extra money, they pulled Zhong Kui into a game of mahjong—really, they just saw he was a novice and wanted to fleece him.

It turned out Zhong Kui had no money.

So he had to make a pledge.

Whoever lost would voluntarily take part in the match.

Unexpectedly, the next day when Zhong Kui sobered up, he went back on his word!

"Hey, hey, hey, Old Ox, watch your mouth."

Horse-Face, seeing Ox-Head rambling on nonstop, hurriedly reminded him,

"Holy Lord Zhong Kui is our superior, after all. We still need to give him due respect."

"What's there to fear!"

Ox-Head didn't care at all. "He's not the superior who directly manages Old Ox. He can't control me."

"Besides, he still owes Old Ox two strings of paper money!"

"I admit, when it comes to catching ghosts, eliminating evil, and protecting the common people, Holy Lord Zhong Kui truly earns my utmost admiration."

"But that's no excuse for him to welsh at the mahjong table!"

Hearing this, all the Summoned Creatures present nodded in agreement.

"Only Holy Lord Zhong Kui could get away with this. If it were anyone else, Old Ox would have turned on them long ago."

"I'd definitely jab a pitchfork right into his forehead and see if he ever dares to welsh again."

Ox-Head grew more animated as he spoke, and looked up at Black and White Impermanence and the others, only to find them unusually quiet, their eyes darting about, seemingly trembling.

"Hmm?"

"Why aren't you talking?"

"Holy... Holy Lord Zhong Kui," Horse-Face's voice trembled slightly.

"What? Old Horse, you're joking."

"It's this late—Holy Lord Zhong Kui is already asleep. If you want to fool me, pick a better time."

Ox-Head turned around as he spoke, only to see a tall, sturdy figure standing silently behind him.

Niu Tou: "……"

He slowly turned his head,

He pretended not to see anything.

"Let's... let's go, we should go back to rest."

"Tonight's wind is really noisy…… hehehe."

Before his words even finished, Ox Head wanted to slip away.

But Zhong Kui grabbed him.

""Underworld Constable Ox Head, what did you just say?" Zhong Kui narrowed his eyes, emitting an aura that made one's heart tremble."

He had a strange appearance, extremely fierce, his widened eyes like copper bells, his wild beard making him look even more terrifying; even ghosts seeing him would cry out, "Seeing a ghost!"

"Er……"

Ox Head's eyes darted around, and suddenly a clever idea struck him.

"Oh dear!"

""Aren't you the famous Blessing‑Granting Home‑Guarding Holy Lord? It's so late—why aren't you sleeping?""

""You're also here to moon‑gaze? Well, I have to admit, tonight's sky is indeed nice.""

""The moon is round as a jade plate.""

Ox Head said, raising his head to look at the sky,

but saw only a crescent moon.

Niu Tou: "……"

"Forget it."

""Holy Lord, since you've heard all that, I, Old Ox, won't pretend anymore.""

Ox Head, as if injected with chicken blood, suddenly became bold.

""Speaking from the heart, you might not know, but I, Old Ox, truly admire you from the bottom of my heart.""

""This is the notebook and pen I just bought; come, Holy Lord Zhong Kui, give me your signature.""

After saying that,

He actually pulled out a brand‑new notebook and pen from his pocket,

beside it was a portrait of Zhong Kui.

Black and White Impermanence: "……"

Horse Face: "……"

System Sister: "……"

This Ox Head guy had planned this all along!