Chapter Nineteen: The Beast in Distress

  Hutou transformed into a cat shape again and walked in front of Yang Han and the two people who were still in a daze. The whole thing from start to finish didn't take more than 5 minutes, which made the two people a bit unable to react. At this time, Han Yunxue looked at Hutou and remembered its fierce aura just now, so she didn't dare to go forward and hug it again. Yang Hao had a feeling of being deceived. Isn't it a cat? How did it suddenly become a tiger??

  "Oh...alright..." Yang Hao picked up the phone and dialed the police station. Before long, a police car arrived with sirens blaring and took care of the bodies of the murdered security guards. The two people and the cat returned to their vehicle once again.

  "I didn't say I'm a cat either"

  "What did you become a cat for?" Hu Tou almost spat blood when he heard Yang Hao's question.

  "What do you think? If I were to reveal my true form in the city, would that be okay?" Yang Hao thought about it carefully and nodded in agreement. A cat running around in the city wouldn't attract much attention, but if a tiger were to appear, the consequences would be disastrous.

  Yang Hao felt a bit embarrassed and scratched his head as he drove home. Han Yunxue sat in the car with her mind still on the cat that wasn't a cat. If she didn't hold it, her heart would itch; if she did, her hands seemed to disobey her. As for Hutan, he didn't think so much and jumped into Han Yunxue's arms. Before long, they were playing together again. The car stopped in front of Yang Hao's building, everything was peaceful as usual, only a bit earlier than usual today.

  Yang Hao's mother Zhang was busy buying vegetables, Yunxue followed her to practice, and only Yang Hao and Yang Shu were left at home.

  "Hao Hao, you're back just in time. Lord Zhong Kui and the 7th and 8th Masters are about to discuss with you the strategy for attacking the evil spirit's stronghold."

  "Oh, I'll go find them tonight then."

  "No need, since no one is around now, let them come and talk," said Yang Shu, taking out a token similar to Yang Hao's. After some small talk, he heard the response. Not long after, the three legendary figures appeared in the living room.

  Zhong Kui wore a red robe, his eyes blazing like lanterns, surrounded by a halo of red divine energy, sitting upright on the tea table in the living room. The 7th and 8th Grandfathers stood on either side of Zhong Kui, one black and one white.

  "Yang Hao this young fellow, it's only been a few days since we last met, and he's become much more formidable!" Zhong Kui stroked his own goatee, and began to chat leisurely with Yang Shu.

  "Hehe... also thanks to the promotion of King Yan, this little dog is quite impressive, he's willing to work hard and has a master, otherwise with his own abilities, how could he have achieved anything?"

  "Director Yang is too modest, may I ask who is Yang Hao's master?"

  "He is a master with a pseudonym of One Yang... Hao followed him and learned many things."

  "Oh... could it be him..."

  "Does Lord Zhong Kui also know him?"

  "If I'm not mistaken, this person is a practitioner of the Hunyuan Dan Zong sect from Mount Emei. 30 years ago, someone from the underground palace had a fight with him and lost... It seems that he has already become a half-immortal being, truly a dragon among men."

  "30 years ago, Master didn't look that old either, from his facial features, he should be just over 40, did he become a master at the age of 10 or so?" Yang Hao asked out loud after hearing Zhong Wei's words.

  "Hehe... being a half-immortal body, how can one tell the age from appearance? Your master's real age is untraceable. But with his cultivation, it's no wonder that he looks youthful."

  "How could this be? Doesn't the underworld have a record of everyone's birth, aging, illness and death?"

  "You also said that it's only when humans experience birth, aging, illness and death that there will be records. Your master has already reached the state of 'later body returning to earlier heaven', with a single breath connecting heaven and earth, able to merge with nature at will. So his own destiny has undergone a fundamental change. Being able to have such a master is also your good fortune..." The 7th grandfather continued speaking...

  "It seems Master is even more formidable than I expected..."

  "Alright, this time we've come to discuss something with you all and also inform you of the outcome of my recent trip to Japan's underworld." Everyone straightened their backs, waiting for Zhong Kui to continue speaking.

  "This time's trip to Japan's underworld for negotiations was quite smooth. Japan's underworld also intends to cooperate with us fully. However, in their registry of departed souls, there isn't anyone who crossed the border and came to China to cause trouble. But Japan's orthodox underworld influence is not very large, and it's getting smaller and smaller. Their underworld forces are numerous, but most of them have their own order. The only ones that give us a headache are the returnee groups centered around Yasukuni Shrine. They have many ghosts and spirits, and the living's faith in them is much stronger than Japan's orthodox underworld beliefs. These delusional remnants want to unify the world even after death, just like they did when they were alive. They still want to continue the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere policy, with China as their primary target. Using the abilities of vengeful spirits and evil ghosts, they plan to swallow up the underworld, create chaos in the cycle of reincarnation, and control the real world. This is how they hope to fulfill their wish for unification that was left unaccomplished in life."

  "Really giving face but doesn't want face... What does he think China is? A soft persimmon?" Hu Tou finally couldn't bear it and burst out with its small universe.

  "This organization has been established for some time, according to the Yang world's calendar, it was founded since the Ming Dynasty era. However, China has always been known as a land of gods, with numerous high-level cultivators emerging one after another. This is also one of the reasons why they are so troublesome. What we did in DL city this time is just a conspiracy."

  "What conspiracy?" Yang Hao and his group asked in unison, even Hei Bai Wu Chang had a questioning face.

  "Sorry, I don't know either. It seems to be using human resentment and hatred to create an incredibly powerful force to destroy the stable power of the Chinese underworld for thousands of years. Yang Hao, your master should know about this, he knows the most about magic and formations."

  "Let me ask my master about it..."

  "Alright... next, let's talk about how to deal with this evil spirit island. First of all, its location is about 1 kilometer south of the city center, on the sea surface, and it only appears during low tide. The island is desolate and devoid of life. My second brother has already set up a seal on the island. For the time being, they won't be able to break through for several days. King Yan's intention is that three brothers - Hu Tou, Ji Feng, Yang Hao, and also Master Yi - you all go to the island during the daytime when the yang energy is strongest, and try your best to eliminate them. As for me, Xiao 7, Xiao 8, and my second brother, we will come out to help you at the most opportune moment. After all, it's not convenient for us to act during the day, and if people see us, it will cause unnecessary panic. Also, two days later is when the seal's strength is at its weakest, so I hope you can arrive on the island on time."

  "Hmm... We will strike on time."

  "Alright, I've said what I needed to say... The two people who went out, Yang Hao's mom and Han Yunxue, are on their way back now, so we shouldn't linger for too long either. In short, everyone be extremely careful."

  "Wait..." Yang Hao's voice stopped Zhong Ke and others who were about to leave.

  "Haha... sorry about that, 7th and 8th Grandfathers, it's rare to see you both at the same time today... isn't it said that ordinary people will become rich when they see you? I'm going crazy lately, although I'm a Yang deficiency, but after all, I'm also an ordinary person, don't know if I can get some wealth from you!!!"

  Hei Bai Wu Chang almost fainted when he heard Yang Hao's words, both of them had a feeling of being robbed. Zhong Kui smiled and didn't say much, who told you two to wear the 'become rich at first sight' hat when you came?

  "We won't waste our money on you, you'll never be short of it." Hei Wuchang said expressionlessly before leaving with Zhong Kui. Bai Wuchang came over and patted Yang Hao's shoulder, gave a mysterious smile, then turned around and followed them out.

  "I said, son, when did you become so clever?" Yang Shu also found it amusing that Yang Hao was seeking wealth.

  "Dad, I'm also being forced to, Yunxue that girl spent 3700 yuan on me for just one meal, this month I don't even have enough money for gas. How can I not worry?"

  "But I heard that someone had promised to treat others to a meal, but dragged it out for a long time without taking action, until the other person's father passed away, and only then did you fulfill your promise? Eating 3700 yuan is not a lot..." Yang Shu said with a smile as he went to make tea, leaving behind a depressed Yang Hao. However, he remembered what his grandfather had said before he left: "You won't be short of money..."

  What does this mean? Do I have unexpected wealth? Or what? Anyway, 8th Master has never lied before... probably true then.... The sound of chatting came from outside the door, and a pair of women who looked like mother and daughter walked in.

  "Hello... Master? It's me, Yang Hao...." Yang Hao picked up the phone and dialed his master's number, not knowing how his master had recovered over the past two days.

  "Oh... Ah Hao... what's wrong?"

  Nothing much, just don't know how Master's body is doing, a bit worried

  "I've almost recovered, your friends and senior classmates are all in a stable condition, they should be able to recover after resting for 2 days... don't worry..."

  "That's good, Master. If you have nothing to do tonight, come to my house. My father also wants to see you and there are some things that need to be discussed with you."

  "What's wrong?"

  "It's hard to explain in a sentence or two, why don't you just come and see for yourself?"

  "Alright..." Yang Hao heard his master agree and quickly hung up the phone to inform his uncle that Master was coming. The whole family immediately became tense. His mother and Yunxue were busy in the kitchen, while Yang Hao's father brought out all the good wine and tea he had collected over the years. Yang Hao kept urging him on. Just as a delicious meal was about to be served, Master arrived. As soon as he entered the door, Yang Hao's father stared at him for a long time without saying a word. Yang Hao nudged his father with his hand, and only then did he realize he was being rude. He quickly invited Master into the house... The whole family sat down at the dinner table, chatting about everyday life as if they had never been formal before. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious, and everyone enjoyed the meal very much. It was a peaceful moment before the storm.

  After dinner, Yunxue and Yang's mother went to collect the bowls and chopsticks, while Yang Bo made a pot of top-grade Longjing tea and brought it over. Yang Hao and Yi Yang Shu sat on the sofa in the living room, talking about what had happened over the past few days.

  "Hmm... So you're saying that the Underworld is going to join forces with us to take down this haunted house?"

  "Yes, but Master, that group of ghosts has set up their base on that deserted island, what are they going to do? Zhong Kui said he's not clear either and asked me to ask you. Now the only judgment is that we already know they want to use the power of resentment and hatred to destroy the cycle order of China's underworld." Yi Yang Shu listened to Yang Hao's explanation, furrowed his brow for a moment, and muttered a few words.

  "It's definitely a fallen leaf... It must be a fallen leaf..."

  "What is Rakuyo Jin? Master?"

  "The essence of the Falling Leaf Formation is that when the time limit set by heaven arrives, even the strongest leaves will fall and die. If this formation succeeds, then humanity's fate will be the same as those fallen leaves - only withering death awaits. Fortunately, since ancient times, this formation has never succeeded. But it seems the Japanese have actually learned this evil ancient formation... things aren't that simple."

  "This formation doesn't sound that powerful..."

  "You're wrong, the more beautiful something seems, the more toxic it is. When autumn arrives and leaves fall, it's a beautiful scene to people, but from the leaf's perspective, what is it? It's death... The principle of this array is to utilize the natural geography to form a powerful magnetic field, gathering all evil powers into one point. If a ghost or other evil entity absorbs these powers, it will be forged into an apocalyptic evil god, with abilities that should not be underestimated. Every person has evil thoughts in their heart from time to time, as long as there are people and evil thoughts, it won't disappear. This indirectly explains that the energy source of this array cannot be eradicated, so once it succeeds, there are only two ways to solve it: either all humans become pure-hearted, or after humanity is wiped out, it will lose its energy source and disappear. You say this array is formidable or not?"

  "What to do then??? Yang Hao listened and also broke out in a cold sweat, he himself had encountered some unfairness and grievances at times, and his heart would also have evil thoughts."

  "Is there really anyone in this world who is truly pure?" Even Hu Tou hesitated at this question.

  "There's no other way, I'll just have to go and take a look... As for the method of breaking the formation, I'll go back and think about it..."

  After saying that, Yi Yang Shu got up and left after sitting for a while. The crowd followed suit and returned to their rooms. Yang Hao then came to the underworld again, opened the three secret books given by his master, and started practicing hard. In the next two days, due to Yi Yang Shu's recovery, those small gangs scattered in the city were quickly cleaned up. And Yang Hao's written file for transferring to the Secret Action Group was also issued, but what he didn't expect was that in this secret organization under Yi Yang Shu's jurisdiction, the salary was frighteningly high, with a monthly salary of 200,000 RMB. Moreover, all the treatments were so generous that it was tongue-tied. It just verified Hei Wuchang's words. And Yang Hao spent another two days in the underworld, practicing hard for another two years, and his various skills had greatly improved.

  "Master, tomorrow is the deadline..."

  "Hmm... Are you ready? Maybe we'll both die"

  "Ready, Master... I don't believe we'll lose to a bunch of despicable dregs of a nation."

  Yang Hao and Yi Yang Shu's two sentences floated away on the dark, humid coastline with constant water sounds. A moon with a white halo hung in the sky, seemingly warning that tomorrow would not be a fine day, and also warning of an impending life-or-death storm.