Ghost Catching System-Chapter 584 - 583: Exposing the Task (Part 3)_1
Chu Hao's face turned ugly. "As an orthodox Taoist sect, does Mount Taiding specialize in launching sneak attacks?" he asked.
Not just Chu Hao, but Wu Jian also frowned and looked towards the square-faced Taoist priest.
The square-faced Taoist priest's expression was cold, but his eyes burned with an intense fervor. He said, "Little beast, Mount Taiding will not allow you to act so recklessly! Put down the artifact in your hands, and I might spare your lives."
"My lord, don't worry about me," Liang Qian said, her voice filled with shame.
Chu Hao was furious, grinding his teeth. He wished he could take out the Greenwood Flame Fan and burn Mount Taiding to ash.
He didn't hold back his words either, cursing, "Old beast! You have the nerve to launch a sneak attack? If you have any guts, fight me one-on-one!"
The square-faced Taoist priest seethed with anger; he had never been called an "old beast" before.
Daoist Wu Jian frowned. "Junior Brother Min Ran," he said, "what you're doing is hardly in keeping with the dignity of our Taoist ways, is it?"
Taoist Min Ran shook his head. "Senior Brother Wu Jian, this is none of your concern. I will not let a single one of those who dare to invade Mount Taiding escape."
Daoist Wu Jian fell silent.
Chu Hao asked, "What do you want?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
Taoist Min Ran's eyes burned with fervor, though he concealed it well. "Throw the artifact in your hands over here," he said.
Chu Hao could feel that the other party desperately wanted the Ritian Stick, this artifact. Is this how Taoists behave? They're even more shameless than I am! Such utter hypocrites.
Chu Hao said, "Let her go."
With that, he threw the Ritian Stick over.
Liang Qian was deeply moved. Her lord had actually given up such an important artifact for her! She resolved then and there to remain utterly loyal to Chu Hao for the rest of her life.
Taoist Min Ran was ecstatic as he caught the Ritian Stick. This was definitely a true artifact!
In the current age, artifacts were exceedingly rare, each one a sect's foundational treasure.
Taoist Min Ran did not release Liang Qian. Instead, he continued to choke her and ordered, "Seize him and lock him up in the iron prison!"
Such actions left many of the Taoist priests present stunned.
Daoist Wu Jian couldn't help but interject, "Junior Brother, you promised to let them go!"
Min Ran replied indifferently, "Senior Brother, don't interfere."
How could he possibly let Chu Hao go? The secrets of this artifact hadn't been uncovered yet!
Chu Hao sneered. "Is this the shamelessness of the Taoist priests of Mount Taiding? All this talk of being an honorable and righteous sect—you're just a bunch of hypocrites!"
Min Ran said, "What's the use of saying all this now? You've lost your artifact, so how can you still act so brazenly? Senior Brother Wu Jian, what are you waiting for? Take this brat down!"
"No! I'll be the Saintess! I'll do whatever you ask of me, just don't hurt Brother Chu Hao!" Qiu Yun'er cried, kneeling on the ground, tears streaming down her face.
A pang of anguish tore through Chu Hao's heart. To have forced Yun'er to this point… you all deserve to die!
A murderous aura flared within Chu Hao as he stared intently at Taoist Min Ran. Suddenly, a thought struck him.
Chu Hao possessed the Ghost Eye, which allowed him to see things invisible to ordinary people, similar to the Yin Yang Eye. The Ghost Eye was stronger than the regular Heavenly Eye, capable of perceiving even the faintest traces of evil Qi and Ghost Demon Qi.
He hadn't looked closely at Taoist Min Ran before. Now that he did, he discovered a faint trace of Ghost Demon Qi on the man. It was incredibly faint, yet it couldn't escape Chu Hao's eyes.
Chu Hao looked again. The wisp of Ghost Demon Qi flickered and vanished, almost making him wonder if his eyes were playing tricks on him.
System prompt: Host has triggered a chain quest: "The Hidden Ghost Demon of Tai Ding Taoist Temple." Reveal the existence of the Ghost Demon.
System prompt: Completing the task will grant 2,000,000 Experience Points.
System prompt: Completing the task will grant 50,000 Merit Points.
System prompt: Completing the task will grant one Diamond Treasure Chest.
Chu Hao was startled. Now he could be certain that the Ghost Demon Qi on Daoist Min Ran was real. Could he be the hidden Ghost Demon? He couldn't jump to conclusions yet. The System had indicated this was a chain quest to expose the hidden Ghost Demon. Knowing the System's usual antics, there would definitely be follow-up tasks.
Daoist Min Ran said, "Senior Brother Wu Jian, what are you still waiting for? If you won't make a move, I will!"
Daoist Wu Jian hesitated.
At this moment, Chu Hao suddenly smiled. "Mount Taiding? It seems more like a den of demons to me."
Chu Hao's sudden declaration caught everyone by surprise.
Min Ran's face registered shock, then he angrily retorted, "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Chu Hao pointed at Daoist Min Ran. "Stop pretending," he said. "I am a Taoist Master, and my Dharma Eye is profound. I've long seen through this facade of yours. The Ghost Demon Qi on your body cannot escape my Dharma Eye!"
The others were bewildered. Some grew furious that someone would dare accuse Daoist Min Ran of Mount Taiding of being a demon.
Daoist Min Ran showed a flash of panic but quickly concealed it. He sneered, "You little beast, what utter nonsense are you babbling about? Seize him! How dare he act so recklessly in Tai Ding Taoist Temple!"
Chu Hao took a step forward. "Old beast, you claim I'm spouting nonsense? Do you dare let me verify it?"
Min Ran retorted, "What do you think this place is? Seize him immediately!"
It was then that Daoist Wu Jian, having truly calmed down, spoke. "Young Benefactor, please don't speak recklessly. Mount Taiding is a prestigious and righteous sect; how could there be any demons here?"
This sword cultivator was no mere Sword Maniac; he had his own thoughts. Although he focused on his swordsmanship and generally ignored the temple's daily affairs, he and Min Ran were once fellow apprentices. Their Senior Brother, who was effectively the sect leader, had ordered Min Ran to manage all temple matters. After that, Min Ran had even traveled extensively outside. Initially, Min Ran managed things quite well. In recent years, however, he had changed. These changes brought a hint of a tyrannical aura about him. Others, who interacted with Min Ran less frequently, might not notice, but Wu Jian and Min Ran had grown up together. How could he not see it?
Chu Hao said nonchalantly, "Demons are cunning. If you could all discern them so easily, what need would there be for a Taoist Master like myself?"
The statement made sense, but it was also contemptuous towards the Taoist priests present. It implied they were so inept they couldn't detect a demon in their midst, despite their claims of being a prestigious righteous sect.
Chu Hao, with his hands clasped behind his back, smiled faintly. "Do you dare let me test you?"
Enraged, Min Ran tightened his grip on Liang Qian's neck, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes. "You little beast!" he barked. "It seems you have no intention of leaving Mount Taiding alive, spouting such utter nonsense!"
Chu Hao's expression turned grave. He looked at Daoist Wu Jian and said, "I can leave the artifact here. Let us go now. Whatever happens to Mount Taiding in the future will have nothing to do with me."
Daoist Wu Jian said, "Junior Brother, let them go."
Min Ran retorted with some anger, "Senior Brother, whose side are you on?"
Wu Jian rebuked sternly, "Junior Brother! We practitioners of Taoism are defined by our integrity and always honor our commitments. Since he no longer poses a threat, what more do you intend to do?"
Currently, in Mount Taiding, only Daoist Wu Jian dared to speak to Daoist Min Ran in such a manner. This also demonstrated that Daoist Wu Jian's strength was indeed formidable.
Min Ran took a deep breath. "Fine," he said.
He released Liang Qian.
Min Ran waved his hand. "All of you, leave the mountain."
Chu Hao ignored him and turned to Qiu Yun'er. "Yun'er, what happened to your master?"
Wiping away her tears, Qiu Yun'er replied, "Brother Chu Hao, Master has fallen gravely ill and is in a coma. She... she doesn't have much time left. She will soon... will soon pass away."
