Chapter 112

In fact, Chen Shicheng originally didn't want to deal with this sort of matter.

Moreover, Zhao Dongyang's behavior was tantamount to a forced coup, and he put him on the hot seat, offending those Taoist priests and monks after saying only a few words.

Although he wasn't particularly afraid of them, it inevitably got him into some trouble, and he has always despised such morally coercive tactics.

However, comparatively, what he hates even more is the reaction of those monks and Taoist priests.

At the outset, he took on the demeanor of a senior master, speaking condescendingly—who gets used to such a flaw? He outright ignored the angry monks and Taoist priests, lowered his head, looked at Zhao Dongyang and said, "You know about the Chuang Ghost; it comes without a trace and disappears likewise. I have no effective countermeasures against this kind of spirit demon, so I'm likely willing but powerless."

Seeing Zhao Dongyang's gaze suddenly go dim, and the monks' faces full of smug calculation, Chen Shicheng's tone shifted, "But if we do encounter a Chuang Ghost, I'll definitely step in and avenge you."

Zhao Dongyang's eyes lit up at those words, his reddened eyes pounding heavily, "Senior Gao Yi, Zhao Dongyang is at your command."

The Taoist priests and monks, upon seeing this, instantly lost their temper, pointed at Chen Shicheng, moved their lips twice, then flicked their long sleeves and stormed out.

Instead, the bailiff who had led them here didn't leave immediately; he whispered to Liu Biaoshi, probing Chen Shicheng's background.

Liu Biaoshi had also been part of the scene at the ruined temple yesterday, so he knew Chen Shicheng's strength and immediately began spouting words.

He heard that Chen Shicheng merely waved his hand, split a zombie in two, casually extinguished the Chuang Ghost that emerged from the corpse, and rescued the prefect's son; the bailiff's face lit up with joy, and he hurried away.

But shortly after, he returned to the inn, now holding a document personally signed by the prefect, its content being a recruitment of foreign experts.

【Task Discovered: Slay the Demon】

【Task Description: Recently, demons have been wreaking havoc in Huanglong Jun, causing the people to suffer. The prefect, worried for the populace, issues a sea-capture decree, specially inviting practitioners with unusual techniques to hunt the demons.】

【Task Reward: Upon completion, you may select one Skill from the county city library.】

If Chen Shicheng's earlier promise to avenge Zhao Dongyang was because he looked down on those monks and Taoist priests who, despite being weaker, pretended to be seniors, then now it's profit that moves the heart.

Don't think the prefect's office is helpless even against a mere Chuang Ghost; after all, it is the highest authority in the region.

He doesn't believe the library would lack anything worthwhile; after all, even a rotten ship has three pounds of nails.

However, after Chen Shicheng took the document, he realized this task was a mess; the prefect's office's knowledge of the Chuang Ghost was not as clear as that of this newcomer.

At first, Huanglong Jun only had a few children disappear by chance, which the prefect ignored; later, as the incidents escalated and more children vanished, he assumed it was the work of traffickers.

Thus, following previous procedures, they arbitrarily beheaded a few, both to give the populace an explanation and to deter the traffickers.

Unexpectedly, after the beheadings, the situation worsened.

It was only then that the prefect realized trouble was brewing, repeatedly issuing orders to have the bailiffs capture the true culprit, even dispatching border guards.

Unfortunately, matters did not improve, and even the identity of the perpetrator remained unclear.

In a desperate scramble, they began broadly inviting the surrounding various sects and schools, but the number of pretenders was countless, they refused discipline, each gave their own excuse, offering no respect.

Moreover, the magistrate's office lost its bearings; it could handle ordinary thefts, but when it came to gods and ghosts, it was at a loss.

In the end, they could only let those various sects and schools show their skills, euphemistically called 'delegating authority,' while the prefect curled up in his residence each day.

The so‑called experts around here all look down on others, yet have no real tricks, and have long coveted the prefect's library; whoever completes the task and obtains a skill could become the top figure in the area.

In such a situation, any information sharing is impossible.

"I roughly understand the situation, and I've taken the task," Chen Shicheng shook his head, reluctantly returning the document to the bailiff.

"Sir, the prefect has ordered a gathering of all experts at the prefect's residence; please proceed," the bailiff said cautiously.

A sudden summons to the prefect's residence at this hour? Chen Shicheng immediately caught on—perhaps they learned he killed a soul‑bound zombie yesterday and want him to share intel? He didn't refuse, though; after all, the prefect's son already knows what happened, and information about the Chuang Ghost will spread sooner or later, so missing a day isn't a loss.

Chen Shicheng asked about some city details while the bailiff led him toward the prefect's residence, and only stopped questioning upon reaching the gate.

Guided by the bailiff, he proceeded to the main hall.

At that moment, the room was already full, and Chen Shicheng realized that there were unusually many monsters and demons who had taken the task.

Besides the Taoist priests and monks seen earlier at the inn, there were also some nuns, a few street performers, and farmwives in coarse hemp garments.

Over fifty people were packed in, truly a chaotic swarm of demons. Using the Eye of Bai Ze, he checked their stats; only a handful had reached level 15, while the rest hovered around levels seven or eight.

What made him laugh in disbelief was that these people's three Attributes—Vitality, Qi, and Spirit—were essentially on par with players.

In other words, in terms of aptitude, they are all bottom‑tier; without any extraordinary encounters, this life will likely end here for them.

Most speechless of all, he discovered an ordinary person—can you believe it? This unknown intruder was a boy barely in his teens, perhaps not yet of age, wearing faded torn clothes, curled in the far corner, seemingly ill‑suited to the setting.

Of course, a regular person slipping into such a chaotic gathering isn't a big deal.

What surprised Chen Shicheng, however, was that Hui Siye, who had been missing for a night, was perched on the boy's shoulder.

After seeing him arrive, it said something to the boy, then rushed straight toward him.

"Kid, do me a favor!"

As soon as he got close, Chen Shicheng heard Hui Siye's Divine Perception transmission, but he couldn't reply, for everyone present turned their gaze toward him.

Aside from the earlier hostile glances from the Taoist priests and monks, the rest were mostly curious and inquisitive.

After all, before Chen Shicheng arrived, the crowd had a brief exchange, learning why the prefect summoned them; this tardy newcomer's strength was not lacking, capable of single‑handedly dealing with a Chuang Ghost.

Moreover, his appearance wasn't bad; although his torn clothes lost protective function, the gaodi is a magical artifact, looking valuable, and with the mask on his face, no one despised him.

After giving Hui Siye a glance to calm it, Chen Shicheng, per the prefect's request, recounted yesterday's events.

"Everyone, after hearing Young Hero Chen's explanation, you should have a general grasp of the troublesome demon. Recently this demon has unsettled the people of Huanglong Jun, so I, as the official, have no excuse not to act; I ask you all to act swiftly and restore a bright sky over Huanglong Jun!"

The prefect's impassioned speech led the crowd to the main point, and immediately someone leapt forward.

"Prefect, I previously didn't know the details of the demon's mischief, so I gained nothing; now that I know it's a Chuang Ghost, I happen to have a secret technique to track its movements."

"However..."

The man glanced at Chen Shicheng, then turned his gaze to the boy beside him, "All of you here are accomplished cultivators; my strength is insufficient and I need everyone's help, but this child, if I'm not mistaken, seems to be just an ordinary person."

"I don't know whether he was brought in to stir the waters or just to gain experience, but the fact he doesn't hinder us is already good; after the matter is settled, should he also get a share?"

Presumably, Chen Shicheng's single strike that slayed the demon put him under great pressure.

Thus, after explicitly stating his ability, he enlisted others, attempting to jointly pressure Chen Shicheng.

At this moment, the boy stood clueless behind Chen Shicheng, so whose name the man referred to was obvious.

Everyone present simultaneously fixed their gaze on Chen Shicheng and the boy beside him, whispering, yet the murmurs were audible to everyone.

"I was even curious why there's an ordinary person here; turns out someone brought him in."

Someone's strength may be great, but they can't treat this as child's play, can they?

I know that child; it's said that an elder in his family is a Horse Immortal, not an ordinary person, right?

Still a Horse Immortal? How long have the Five Great Immortals been gone? I reckon they've long since...

You're talking nonsense! The Immortal Family hasn't disappeared; I've already been noticed by the Immortal Family and successfully entered the hall, I'm already a Horse Immortal disciple. As long as I invite the sect leader, you definitely won't be a match!

Those words must have struck some nerve in the boy; his face flushed red‑hot, and he stood up, bristling with anger.

When those words were spoken, the entire main hall fell silent at once, everyone stared in surprise at the little boy, even Chen Shicheng was somewhat dumbfounded.

What's the situation? I've been striving for so long and still haven't taken down Hui Siye, and this boy in just one night has snatched me away? Hui Siye also didn't expect the boy to suddenly step forward; after all, it only discovered this Horse Immortal's sole heir last night and hadn't even had time to enter the hall to teach a Skill.

So although the child is right, asking an Immortal to possess someone is absolutely impossible to succeed.

But the words have already been spoken; if I betray these people, my only current lead might disappear outright, and I can only seek help from Chen Shicheng.

"Chen kid, do me a favor, protect this child for me; consider me indebted to you."

(End of Chapter)