Chapter 151: A Makeup Even Ghosts Detest

Watching the Ghost Bride's movements, Zhang Hao was stunned for a while, and only after a long time did he react.

"Ghost makeup for me? Do you want me to help?"

Zhang Hao took the ghost makeup from the Ghost Bride's hand, formally confirming that the Ghost Bride could now speak.

Although the current Ghost Bride can probably only call out Zhang Hao's name, and even that is just the single character "Hao" without a surname.

Nevertheless, even so, it shows the Ghost Bride's progress and the feasibility of Zhang Hao's cultivation plan for the Ghost Bride.

"Hao~"

Zhang Hao's reply seemed to confirm to the Ghost Bride that the character "Hao" represents Zhang Hao, and she called out again.

The Ghost Bride's voice was hoarse and cold, perhaps because she could not speak before, giving a strange feeling, yet it was clear she was a woman's voice.

"It is, it is me."

Zhang Hao grasped the Ghost Bride's outstretched hand, a slightly chilling smile appearing on his face.

The Ghost Bride's hand was icy, lacking any living warmth, yet delicate, with a smoothness like white jade.

"Madam, do you want me to do your makeup?"

Zhang Hao, holding the Ghost Bride, lifted the Face-Covering Cloth from his face and, near the Ghost Bride's veil, asked softly.

Facing a living person, he felt no emotion at all.

But facing the Ghost Bride, even though his Ghost Power intensity now exceeds hers and he is no longer a Ghost Slave, Zhang Hao still seemed especially concerned.

". Makeup?"

The Ghost Bride tilted her head at Zhang Hao, a sound coming from beneath the veil, but her words were unclear.

At this moment the Ghost Bride's other hand reached out, accompanied by a puff of paper ash, and a portrait appeared in her hand.

It was a scene set in a Hong Bai Shuang Sha room.

In the picture, a bride in red clothing sat before a mirror, holding an open red box, while her other hand seemed to be applying something.

"Alright, alright, I'll help you with makeup."

The Ghost Bride's spoken words were, for Zhang Hao, undoubtedly a huge surprise.

Facing the Ghost Bride speaking and asking him to help with makeup, Zhang Hao immediately abandoned his plan to continue hunting other captains.

Anyway, with his current strength, those captains can no longer pose any threat, so giving them a bit more time alive wouldn't hurt.

Zhang Hao, holding the Ghost Bride, returned to the world of the painting and entered a Republic Era manor.

They arrived at a red wedding room fashioned after a red room; Zhang Hao pulled the Ghost Bride to sit before a mirror, while he stood behind her.

He opened the makeup box, but when Zhang Hao intended to start applying makeup to the Ghost Bride, he froze.

It seemed he didn't know how to do makeup.

Whether it was memories of a Fierce Ghost or memories from Zhang Hao's mortal life, none included any makeup experience.

"Uh, let's give it a try."

Zhang Hao stared at the makeup box for a while, then finally lifted the veil from the Ghost Bride's head, revealing a stunningly cold, emotionless face.

The Ghost Bride's Red Cap was lifted, and her emotionless eyes opened.

Although emotionless, after opening they stared at Zhang Hao continuously, as if trying to imprint his visage completely.

Zhang Hao and the Ghost Bride locked eyes; to others, the Ghost Bride's face was the most terrifying weapon.

Yet before Zhang Hao, aside from the coldness of her face, there was only a blank stare.

Looking at the Ghost Bride, he couldn't tell if it was instinct or some other reason.

Standing behind the Ghost Bride, Zhang Hao slightly crouched, rested his head on her shoulder, wrapped both arms around her shoulders, and held her in his arms.

If one could ignore their oddities, the Ghost Bride and Zhang Hao now looked like a deeply affectionate couple.

"According to human customs, the initial intimate behavior between spouses should be like this, right?"

Zhang Hao looked at the bride in the mirror and couldn't help thinking.

"If the first step is mutual closeness, generating trust."

"The second step is to begin actions that convey intimacy."

"The third step is to enter the marriage hall and complete the wedding ceremony."

"The fourth step is to begin the bridal chamber; after the bridal chamber, the couple becomes a complete whole, no longer distinct."

Zhang Hao extracted memories of marriage from his human era.

The memories were somewhat unfamiliar, only fragments of description, with no lived experience.

In his human days, Zhang Hao was a bachelor and never married.

Naturally, he didn't know much about these, having only heard some accounts from elders.

A memory he himself barely understood, Zhang Hao could retrieve even less of it.

"If following this ritual, should I try to complete a real marriage with the lady?"

Zhang Hao thought of his situation with the Ghost Bride; they could only borrow parts of each other's Ghost Power.

If they completed these marriage rites, could they later borrow more of each other's Ghost Power?

In fact, the Ghost Power between Zhang Hao and the Ghost Bride has many complementary aspects.

For example, the Black and White Portrait; if Zhang Hao could use more of the Ghost Bride's Ghost Power, he could truly bring the self within those portraits into reality.

Yet borrowing part of the Ghost Bride's Ghost Power, he can only make his portrait-self act within photos, attacking others with a glance or Crying.

The Ghost Bride's side is similar.

If she could use Zhang Hao's Ghost Power, rather than merely borrowing.

Then the paper ash in the Ghost Bride's Ghost Domain, when falling, might undergo a change, perhaps similar to Paper Money eroding others.

Or perhaps the Ghost Bride's Killing Rule appears in memories.

If she could possess Zhang Hao's Ghost Power, then once the Ghost Bride's Killing Rule triggers, it might become hard to interrupt.

While Zhang Hao was pondering, a rubbing sensation appeared on his face.

Zhang Hao turned his head and saw that, because he had been thinking for too long, the Ghost Bride was now rubbing her face against his.

"Alright, alright, I get it, I'll help you with makeup first."

Zhang Hao, seeing this, lifted his head, stood up, walked to the dressing table, and took a paintbrush from it to start painting the Ghost Bride.

Come to think of it, this makeup case is rather peculiar.

Although the foundation in the case is only a bright red hue, once Zhang Hao dips the brush and begins applying it to the Ghost Bride's face, it can transform into whatever color he desires.

Only, Zhang Hao's painting skill is clearly lacking; he does not possess the Ghost Bride's innate ability as a natural artist.

After Zhang Hao's effort, even as a Fierce Ghost he can now easily keep his hand steady while applying makeup, yet the result is still indescribable.

In short, it can be summed up in a single sentence.

The Ghost Bride after makeup is far less attractive than before.

Zhang Hao's attempt to do the Ghost Bride's makeup not only fails to improve her looks, but actually diminishes her exquisite aura considerably.

Even the Ghost Bride, as a Fierce Ghost that has not yet manifested true intelligence, expressed discontent after Zhang Hao finished her makeup.

Perhaps due to the Ghost Bride's instinct for ghost painting, she has an innate resistance to this half‑finished look.

At that moment, the red makeup on the Ghost Bride's face was wiped off by herself.

The Ghost Bride, having removed the ghostly makeup from her face, stared at Zhang Hao.

She looked as if she could not comprehend why Zhang Hao would scribble all over her face.

"Ugh."

Zhang Hao, seeing this, felt a bit helpless.

"Sure enough, the saying in my memory is true: women are hard to please, even female ghosts are no exception."

"Do I have to specifically look for a Ghost Control that knows how to do makeup?"

Zhang Hao lifted his head, holding the makeup case, and began to ponder.

To strengthen the bond between himself and the Ghost Bride, marriage might be a good option.

Learning makeup is necessary, but where can one find a ghost that knows how to apply it?

With that in mind, Zhang Hao couldn't help but look at the Ghost Bride.

He wasn't sure whether other Fierce Ghosts could do makeup, but the Ghost Bride certainly could. After all, she possesses ghost paintings as a Puzzle, and even the colors Zhang Hao lost, she can paint for him.

Moreover, aside from the eerie feeling, after the Ghost Bride helped color him, Zhang Hao looked indistinguishable from a living person.

But since the Ghost Bride chose to handle the makeup herself, she should figure out a way to learn the skill.

"Hmm, let's go ask He Yuelian."

Zhang Hao thought back and forth; aside from ghost paintings and painter ghosts, he truly didn't know where a Fierce Ghost that naturally knows makeup might be.

But whether it's ghost paintings or painter ghosts, they are all with the Ghost Bride.

And as a woman, He Yuelian certainly knows makeup; moreover, she also Ghost Controls the Ghost Bride's Six‑Tenths of the Ghostly Power derivative paintings.

Moreover, He Yuelian has an identical face to the Ghost Bride, so learning makeup from her would be of utmost help to Zhang Hao.

Then, by mimicking how He Yuelian does her own makeup, he could create a beautiful look for the Ghost Bride.

At least it wouldn't result in a drop in attractiveness that even the Ghost Bride herself couldn't tolerate and would wipe off.

"Madam, I still don't know how to do makeup. Let's go learn from He Yuelian, and later I'll give you a nice look."

Zhang Hao pulled the Ghost Bride away from the dressing table.

"?"

The Ghost Bride stood up, looked at Zhang Hao, perhaps unable to understand why he wouldn't do her makeup.

Because in the Ghost Bride's instinct and logic, makeup is a very simple matter.

If she could speak, she would describe makeup with a single phrase: as long as there are hands, that's enough.

"Madam, let's go. When I learn makeup later, I'll do your makeup again."

Zhang Hao tried to lead the Ghost Bride outside, but she remained motionless.

"Hmm," Zhang Hao, seeing this, began to ponder.

According to human concepts, how should one handle this situation again?

"When we return to the Red Room, I, your husband, will redraw a beautiful makeup for you."

"I'll bring you in with an Eight‑lift Sedan Chair, give you a perfect wedding, and make you my beloved wife."

In short, some word must have caught the Ghost Bride's attention; she took Zhang Hao's hand and followed his steps.

Holding the Ghost Bride, Zhang Hao left the Painting World and hurried toward Da'ao City.

Of course, given Zhang Hao's current situation, his tasks go beyond merely learning makeup.

Learning makeup consumes little of the ghostly power, so Zhang Hao can do many other things alongside.

Before taking the Ghost Bride to Da'ao City to learn makeup, Zhang Hao created several duplicates of himself and sent them in different directions.

Having previously helped the Ghost Bride complete the Red Room in Baishui Town, Zhang Hao now clearly knows what the Ghost Bride still lacks.

The primary missing item is Ghost Blood beside the Highway in Dachang City.

That substance is the key for the Ghost Bride to boost her Terror Level, and one of the main ghostly powers allowing her to confront the Red Room.

The Terror Level boost from Ghost Blood is enough for the Ghost Bride to truly reach the Seven Elders rank.

Although previously the Ghost Bride and Zhang Youhong exchanged blows.

In fact, that was because Zhang Youhong was only in a Wraith state, and since both sides' ghostly techniques were similar, the resolution was troublesome and depended on who consumed more.

If facing other Seven Elders, the current Ghost Bride still lacks some ghostly power, and her stacking speed is relatively slow.

Without enough time to stack ghostly power, when confronting the Seven Elders, the Ghost Bride might be dealt with before she can begin stacking.

With Ghost Blood's aid, the Ghost Bride's stacking speed should increase considerably.

At that time, even if the Seven Elders tried to break the Ghost Bride's stacking, she, who was completing the Ghost Blood, still had a brief hard resistance against the Seven Elders on the front.

Besides Ghost Blood, there is also a Red Bed and a Candle Stand.

These two items are mainly for completing the red room.

The Red Bed can forcibly Suppress Fierce Ghosts; a Ghost lying on the bed cannot move. The suppressing power is terrifying, even someone of Seven Elders level cannot ignore the Red Bed's supernatural effect.

As for the Candle Stand, it is a special Supernatural Artifact that can turn various Fierce Ghosts into Candles.

After the Candle burns out, the Ghost that was made into a Candle revives; it can be considered a means of continuously crafting Supernatural Artifacts.

This Ghost is of great use to the Dry Corpse Bride before she has mastered the Ghost Painting.

Because Candles are portable, the Ghost Bride can carry them and directly perform Ghost Summoning of the Fierce Ghost inside.

However, for a Ghost Bride who possesses a Ghost Painting, the effect may be smaller, since the Ghost Painting's ability to carry Fierce Ghosts is more convenient than carrying Candles.

Of course, it would not be completely useless.

After all, the Candle Stand can, like the Ghost Candle, produce two types of Candles: Ghost Summoning and Ghost Blocking.

In Da'ao City, at this moment He Yuelian sits on her own bed, holding a series of portraits in her hands.

These portraits all appeared that night when He Yuelian first met Zhang Hao, due to her wild thoughts.

Now He Yuelian looks at these portraits, unable to stop smiling.

Suddenly, He Yuelian seems to sense something and leaps up.

"A very terrifying Fierce Ghost is approaching Da'ao City."

He Yuelian walks to the window, her gaze fixed on a certain direction, her expression turning cold.

As Supernatural Incidents increase, even the interior lands have become unsettled lately.

Even though He Yuelian does not know much about supernatural news, she knows the domestic situation is only slightly better than abroad.

However, after staring into the distance for a while, He Yuelian's face breaks into a smile.

"This familiar feeling is Zhang Hao's aura."

Recently, while in the interior, He Yuelian learned some news about Zhang Hao, discovering that he is the White Evil of the Red and White Double Evil.

But in He Yuelian's mind, Zhang Hao could never be a Ghost.

In her view, Zhang Hao's many deeds in the interior were all forced upon him.

After all, the original Red and White Double Evil caused trouble in Dajing City, seizing the Ghost Painting's supernatural, yet now she commands the Ghost Painting.

"No, Zhang Hao is coming; I must go meet him. This is his first time actively seeking me; don't let him fail to find my house."

Upon sensing Zhang Hao's aura, He Yuelian hurriedly ordered the servants to tidy the room.

She herself went to the mirror to check her makeup for any flaws.

After confirming her face looked perfect, the most beautiful in her eyes, He Yuelian hurried outside.

"Zhang Hao! Why did you come?"

On a bustling street in Da'ao City, He Yuelian pretended to be strolling, then, as if noticing Zhang Hao's arrival, she showed surprise and ran forward to grab his hand.

"It wasn't easy for you to come to Da'ao City; this time you should at least come to my house, right?"

A woman of unparalleled beauty, like a mortal enchantress, suddenly showed such enthusiasm toward another man on the street, naturally drawing many eyes.

At this moment, many onlookers stared at Zhang Hao, noting his odd attire and the bride‑dressed woman by his side, feeling a complicated mix of emotions.

Damn, holding a woman in his hand—what merit does he have to earn such passion from a top‑tier rich lady? Zhang Hao looked at He Yuelian but said nothing.

In fact, the moment he entered Da'ao City, he knew He Yuelian had sensed his arrival.

Even Zhang Hao could feel that He Yuelian's position kept shifting after his arrival, eventually appearing on the street he had come from.

"If you don't want to go, then never mind."

He Yuelian, seeing Zhang Hao's silence, said with some disappointment.

"But this time you're going out, you can't leave me alone in Da'ao City."

As she spoke, He Yuelian's face showed a pleading, pitiful expression.

"Don't worry, I'm here to find you this time; I need your help with something and will probably stay in Da'ao City for a while."

Zhang Hao's tone remained calm, unaffected by He Yuelian's behavior.

"Is that so? Great, I'll take you to my house; you can stay there, and I'll make sure you're cared for comfortably."

He Yuelian, hearing that Zhang Hao plans to stay in Da'ao City for a while, showed excitement, grabbed his hand and headed toward her own home.

The other men on the street, witnessing this scene and hearing those words, felt a heart‑ache so intense they could barely breathe.

It hurts, so painful—after finally falling in love at first sight, even the fantasy ends before it begins.

(End of Chapter)