I’d feel too old being your dad, Dong Qi thought, but he didn’t dare voice it, fearing future retribution.
Dong Qi was also a shrewd man, well aware that he was now Chu Hao’s servant and a single careless act could render him an idiot.
Dong Qi quickly said, "Yes, yes! I am Chu Hao’s nephew. In the mountains, my seniority is much lower than his."
Rural seniority was the most complex affair; an eighty-year-old man calling a child "Uncle" was not odd at all.
Wang Meng and his two companions didn’t ask further, treating Dong Qi courteously.
After breakfast, Dong Qi whispered, "Master... Master, I have something I want to tell you."
Chu Hao, holding a magazine with a cover girl, thought, The bikini-clad beauty on the cover looks good. Yi Qinglian in a bikini would surely be quite striking.
"What is it?" Chu Hao asked.
Dong Qi quickly said, "Last night, there must have been two other high-ranking members of the Nether Cult nearby. Like me, they are also among the Nether Cult’s twelve Great Protectors. They must know by now that I have betrayed the Nether Cult."
"When the time comes, the Nether Cult will likely take measures to eliminate me, which might affect you, Master."
Chu Hao waved his hand. "Those Nether Cult people had better not mess with me."
Dong Qi felt bitter. He had come hoping to curry favor with Chu Hao, only to find that Chu Hao didn’t take the Nether Cult seriously at all.
At that moment, Zhong Minyue approached. "Master Chu, the Nether Cult’s power is formidable. We must be cautious."
Chu Hao looked at her curiously. "Master, isn’t it just an evil cult? It had better not provoke me, or I’ll eradicate it."
Both Dong Qi and Zhong Minyue managed a bitter smile. It seemed only Chu Hao could make such a statement.
Zhong Minyue said, "The Nether Cult has existed since the Tang Dynasty, established for over a thousand years. Their influence is widespread, and their followers are innumerable. Even the orthodox sects don’t dare to underestimate them."
Chu Hao became intrigued. "Those sects you see in TV dramas, do they really exist?"
Dong Qi was somewhat speechless. This Taoist Master is completely ignorant of our circle. Where on earth did he learn such powerful Taoist arts?
Dong Qi nodded. "Most have existed from ancient times to the present. With the changing eras, they’ve become very important in the eyes of the state. Many unsolvable problems are left for these sects to resolve."
Chu Hao curled his lip. "As powerful as they are, are they as powerful as the country?"
Dong Qi gave a bitter smile. "Indeed, they’re not as powerful as the country. However, ever since a change in the Yin Realm eighteen years ago, various ghosts and demons have become rampant, and countless ghosts have emerged."
Chu Hao listened with some surprise. "What happened in the Underworld?"
Dong Qi said seriously, "It is said that one of the Ten Halls of Yama Kings rebelled, plunging the Underworld into chaos."
A rebellion among the Ten Halls of Yama Kings?
Chu Hao’s curiosity flared intensely.
"Who rebelled?" he asked.
"The Third Hall’s Song Emperor."
This wasn’t a secret. It had spread eighteen years prior, and anyone of status knew who had rebelled.
The third-ranking Song Emperor defecting... such a prominent figure rebelling must be causing the Underworld quite a headache, Chu Hao mused.
Dong Qi couldn’t help asking, "Master, may I be so bold as to ask, is the brush in your hand the True Word Brush?"
Chu Hao cast a glance at him.
Dong Qi’s heart trembled as a profound fear of Chu Hao welled up inside him. Only those who had personally experienced it could understand just how terrifying Chu Hao was.
Dong Qi’s breathing became rapid, and cold sweat trickled down his back. "Master, I... I didn’t mean that. This servant knows his fault."
He looked as if he wanted to kneel again, but Chu Hao gestured with his hand. "Yes, it’s the True Word Brush."
Zhong Minyue and Dong Qi were shocked. The Taoist Treasure, the True Word Brush, had reappeared in the Human World!
Zhong Minyue and Dong Qi were overcome with excitement. Both knelt on the ground. "We greet the Taoist Master."
Chu Hao was taken aback and hurriedly asked Zhong Minyue to rise, noticing many people were looking.
Dong Qi kneeling is one thing, but why are you kneeling too, Master? he wondered.
Chu Hao, perplexed, asked, "Master, what are you doing?"
Zhong Minyue said excitedly, "The True Word Brush is one of the Taoist Treasures. Legend has it that whoever possesses it is the Master of Taoism. As a disciple of one of Taoism’s branches, it’s only natural for me to pay my respects."
Dong Qi nodded. "We are all from branches of Taoism, so whoever controls the True Word Brush is the Master of Taoism."
There’s such a thing? Chu Hao thought. The Master of Taoism... that sounds pretty badass.
Dong Qi said respectfully, "Master, if I can recognize the True Word Brush, Yao Hu can too. If he reports back to the Cult Leader, there will be endless trouble."
He hurriedly added, "Of course, with your strength, Master, you wouldn’t need to worry about even the Nether Cult Leader. However, the Nether Cult has many followers. Their methods are despicable, so it’s better to be cautious."
Chu Hao said indifferently, "As despicable as you?"
Dong Qi’s body trembled. He said with a trace of fear, "Master, I am absolutely loyal. I harbor no treacherous thoughts."
Zhong Minyue sighed inwardly. Dong Qi was also quite an expert, yet now he had fallen to this state.
Zhong Minyue also said, "Master Chu, it’s still wise to be cautious. Never mind the Nether Cult; if other Taoist sects learn about the True Word Brush, they might try to snatch it."
"Steal my things? Let them come. I’d actually like to see who has that much nerve."
Fearing for his life, Dong Qi began to ingratiate himself, helping with the shop’s renovations and building good relations with Wang Meng and the other two.
Yu Sicheng came over. "Ah-Hao! Is that Dong Qi really your nephew?"
Chu Hao shook his head. "That guy tried to kill me before, but I subdued him."
Yu Sicheng was surprised, then laughed. "Got it."
The shop’s renovation was extravagant, covering more than three hundred square meters. Following Chu Hao’s instructions, they spent two million on the refurbishments, and it began to take on a grand scale.
"Excuse me, is Chu Hao here?" A young man in black walked in.
Chu Hao walked over. "Are you looking for me?"
The young man in black hurriedly said, "Brother Hao, our young master would like to invite you over."
Chu Hao glanced at him. "Who’s your young master?"
The young man in black answered, "Cao Gong’s eldest son, Cao Hongzhen."
Chu Hao asked, "What does he want with me?"
"I... I don’t know," the young man in black said, looking embarrassed.
"Not going," Chu Hao said, waving his hand dismissively.
Wow, this Cao Hongzhen sure thinks highly of himself. I don’t even care much for your father, let alone you, Chu Hao thought.
The young man in black left the shop with a bitter expression and made a phone call to Cao Hongzhen.
On the other end of the line, Cao Hongzhen said coldly, "You’re saying he won’t come?"
Cao Hongzhen was angry. All he has is the ability to catch ghosts. Is inviting him really that difficult?
"Come back, then," he ordered.
Inside a villa, Cao Hongzhen’s expression was grim.
Sitting beside him was a middle-aged man in his fifties with a square face and temples streaked with white hair. He smiled warmly and asked, "Hongzhen, will the person come?"
Cao Hongzhen quickly said, "Uncle Qin, I’ll think of another way. This kid doesn’t respond to persuasion or pressure; he’s quite troublesome indeed."
Qin Bo chuckled teasingly. "Such airs! You’re Cao Gong’s son, and he won’t even come when you invite him?"
Cao Hongzhen said bitterly, "Uncle Qin, you don’t understand. My old man forbids us from moving against this person. But honestly, the man really does have skills."
Qin Bo said, "Since you put it that way, I’m keen to meet him myself. I’ll go see him."
Cao Hongzhen was surprised. "Uncle Qin, how could you personally go to see that kid? With your standing, it should be him coming to see you."
Qin Bo smiled. "The heart that loves talent is eager," he said, chuckling softly. "If he truly has some abilities, I’d like to see them for myself."