Chu Hao spoke with a detached coldness, "Foolish woman, Cao Shanhe is someone I don’t even bother to look at. If I tell him to go east, he wouldn’t dare go west. Moreover, you are merely a canary he keeps."

Liu Qingyan felt a tremor in her heart, Chu Hao’s words piercing deep within her.

"Is... is that why you look down on me?"

Liu Qingyan’s breathing grew rapid, her chest heaving, the fair, deep cleavage exposed by her neckline exceptionally alluring.

Chu Hao, regarding the woman whose beauty was not inferior to that of celebrities, said indifferently, "I’ve never felt that I’ve looked down on anyone. However, there are often those who overestimate themselves, making petty moves in front of me. Such people, I don’t even bother giving a glance, for they are nothing more than jesters."

"DING. Host has acted aloof and haughty, gaining 500 Pretentiousness Points."

Today was impressive; this newly devised method of showing off is surprisingly effective. Plus, today is all about flaunting my luck; I need to earn a hefty sum of Pretentiousness Points.

Liu Qingyan took a deep breath, finding the man overwhelmingly domineering.

It turned out his inner strength was so formidable it left one breathless.

Chu Hao said with a playful tone, "Your forehead is darkened; you’re bound for mishap within a month. This Taoist Master can show you a clear path."

At these words, Liu Qingyan’s whole body began to shake. "Master Chu, I... my forehead is darkened, how can that be? I’m wearing the Amulet from your store, those filthy things..."

Chu Hao waved his hand dismissively. "It’s not about those filthy things. Cao Shanhe is finished, and no one can save him. You just tell me whether you want to live or not."

Liu Qingyan said excitedly, "Yes, of course I want to."

I’ve laid the groundwork for my arrogance and disdain. The next step is to try out my usual method of high and mighty contempt.

Chu Hao spoke indifferently, "If you want to live, follow me. If I tell you to head east, you won’t dare head west."

Liu Qingyan showed a hint of a smile. "Master Chu, are you just trying to take me in then?"

Chu Hao snorted, Inner Strength erupting from his dantian, accompanied by an imperious aura. This presence was incredibly strong, and with it, he said with cold contempt, "Taking you in would be more or less the same, but I want you to call me master."

Let’s see what effect repeating the same routine a second time will have.

Liu Qingyan’s heart quivered. Chu Hao’s aura was immensely powerful, leaving no room for doubt in his words.

"I... I."

With that, Chu Hao turned and walked away. "You only get one chance. Think it over and come find me when you’re certain."

Even after Chu Hao had left, Liu Qingyan’s back was drenched in sweat; his aura was too oppressive, and what he said concerned her very life.

Liu Qingyan fell into deep contemplation.

Perhaps this is an opportunity.

But even if I could escape from Cao Shanhe, would I then just become Chu Hao’s canary?

Liu Qingyan felt bitter. It seems my whole life is destined to be that of a canary.

Chu Hao is even more domineering, wanting to become my master?

「...」

This banquet was rather dull.

Chu Hao sat at the table, an apple in his hand, legs crossed, eyeing the Female Ghost by the pond—it seemed she had drowned, and the pond was probably where it had happened.

She had always appeared wooden and confused.

Chu Hao had seen too many Ghosts to count, and it seemed to him this Female Ghost must have been drowned by someone.

Forget it. Since Brother Hao is a nice guy, I’ll help you out.

Walking over, he asked while biting into his apple, "Why don’t you reincarnate?"

The people by the pondside looked at Chu Hao, baffled, wondering who he was talking to.

The Female Ghost turned her head; the woman she had been before death must have been beautiful. Now, as she wept, blood streaming from her eyes, she presented a horrific sight, yet Chu Hao remained completely expressionless. The terror of such a scene no longer affected him in the slightest.

The Female Ghost said, "I want to see my mother."

A pitiable Female Ghost.

This is how the Human World is; sometimes humans are far more detestable than Ghosts.

"What’s your name?"

"Xia Lu."

"When were you born? What are your birthdate and time of birth?"

Chu Hao then used Yi Jing calculations and quickly discovered some facts about the Female Ghost: she had indeed been murdered.

Yet, the person who had killed her still roamed free with impunity.

"Who killed you?" Chu Hao asked.

"It was Jiang Yuming. I just want to see my mother one last time, please help me," Xia Lu sobbed, her tears of blood flowing endlessly.

Chu Hao’s expression darkened. If I hadn’t come across this, I might have ignored it. But now that I have, I feel compelled to intervene. He committed the name Jiang Yuming to memory and said coldly, "Do you want revenge?"

Xia Lu looked up, her face deathly pale as she nodded and said, "Yes."

System prompt: "A-grade mission initiated: Xia Lu’s Revenge (Requires Xia Lu to personally exact her revenge, find her physical remains for a proper burial, and subsequently reincarnate). Completing the mission will grant 500,000 Experience Points and 30,000 Merit Points. Failure to complete the mission will result in a deduction of 8,000 Pretentiousness Points."

Holy crap!

There’s a penalty for this mission too?

The Experience Points are whatever, and 30,000 Merit Points aren’t bad, but paying 8,000 Pretentiousness Points for failure? That’s no small sum!

Chu Hao couldn’t help but ask, "System, why are there penalties for missions now?"

"Pretentious Expert, mission penalties are randomly assigned, and we hope the Host takes them seriously."

You’re something else, System. Always a new gimmick.

Xia Lu is just an ordinary Female Ghost, so how could she trigger an A-grade mission? There’s only one possibility: this mission is about Jiang Yuming.

Who exactly is this Jiang Yuming?

I don’t care what his background is. Since there’s a mission, I’m definitely getting involved in this.

At this moment, the charity auction began. Many people stood up and turned their attention to the stage.

A handsome man stepped forward. Dressed in a suit, he made a comfortable impression as he flashed a broad smile and said, "I’m Jiang Yuming, the organizer of this charity auction."

"Wow, Jiang Yuming is so handsome! He’s one of the top ten elites in the country, a young man who has founded a billion-dollar public company."

"That’s impressive. Not only is he handsome, but he often does charity work. What kind of woman will be lucky enough to become his wife?"

Jiang Yuming—speak of the devil and he appears. This was the man who had killed Xia Lu.

Chu Hao sized up Jiang Yuming’s features and could tell from his appearance that he probably knew some Mystical Arts, though the extent of his knowledge was uncertain.

Xia Lu’s emotions became visibly turbulent as soon as she saw Jiang Yuming, filled with both fear and hatred.

Jiang Yuming narrowed his eyes and scanned the crowd, his gaze eventually settling on Mu Yufei. His eyes lit up, and he said, "Before the auction, let’s have a dance to boost the atmosphere."

As the music started, Jiang Yuming approached Mu Yufei directly. Such a beautiful woman had caught his heart.

Jiang Yuming asked politely, "Miss, may I have the honor of this dance with you?"

Mu Yufei didn’t like others getting close to her, let alone dancing with them. She was about to decline.

Then she saw Chu Hao walking over. He wrapped an arm around Mu Yufei’s jade shoulder and said, "You’re not worthy to dance with her." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Jiang Yuming was taken aback, sizing up Chu Hao. Who is this insanely arrogant guy?