Chapter 84: Ghost Companion Selection, Four Generations Of High Officials
Yuan Zhu ordered the four Ghost Companions to guard the attic and monitor the garden, preventing outsiders from mistakenly entering.
Their limbs were dislocated and attached to the four corners of the attic, shadow vine tentacles wrapping around the mirror surface like a spider web. If there was any disturbance from the outside world, their power couldn’t resist it; they would just need to strangle this 【Space Bridge】 entrance.
As for how to clean up after the mirror surface collapsed? Yuan Zhu spread his hands; he had no solution either.
Looking around the villa interior: the walls were crawling with vein-like shadow veins, slowly pulsating and breathing; under the moldy wooden floor, creaking sounds came through; Shadow Eggplant Seedlings began to sprout and grow, hanging down from the ceiling.
Hmm, after his demon extermination purification, this place had truly become a haunted house ghost house. Anyone could see there was a big problem inside; he didn’t even dare to spend money hiring people for renovation and maintenance.
Renovate? Probably just applying a layer of putty would spawn man-eating mutated mushrooms. Others would just need to glance at it and immediately scream while running to the Security Bureau to report, saying there’s a big Demon’s Den here! Quick, come arrest this Yuan guy!
By then, he, who was personally responsible for demon extermination, wouldn’t that directly expose him? So he could only cover it up + delay.
Yuan Zhu sighed, deeply feeling his fate was not smooth: “Sigh——! Damn after-sales service. For now, just muddle through, take it one step at a time.”
He clearly just wanted to test if his Holy Light was effective? Who knew it would involve so much. It forced him to conceal the existence of the ‘garden’ along with it, seeking benefits from it.
He took out paper and pen from his satchel, scribbled hastily, then slapped a 【Demon Exterminated, Poisonous Gas Inside, Trespassers Die Instantly!】 seal on the edge of the door as a warning, not knowing if it would be effective.
He left the residential area lost in wild thoughts, soon arriving at a fairly lively street.
At this time, night was gradually deepening, the rain from the sky had stopped, the ground was wet and somewhat chilly. The air was filled with moisture; a breeze blew, and colorful signs lit up one after another in the street-side shops, looking somewhat prosperous.
He took a deep breath into the wind, his spirit lifted, becoming much more clear-headed.
At this time, going back to 【Fire Fang】 to turn in the mission was already too late. Better to leave it for tomorrow, and think of an excuse in the meantime.
Just thinking of that garden full of Disease Plants, his heartbeat quickened while also giving him a headache. It was indeed very valuable, yet hard to cash in, and hiding huge risks.
“With just my own Holy Light, the purification efficiency is too low to handle a whole garden. Perhaps I should start with 【Ghost Companions】; if I can mass-refine them, set up 【formations】 in the garden for containment and rearing, then use Holy Light Refinement, I can harvest the garden more efficiently. Even if something goes wrong and it’s really exposed, I can cut ties in time, shove the blame onto the Ghost Companions and the 【Tiger Demon】 behind them. It’s all the conspiracy of evil 【Shadow Demonic Creatures】, what does it have to do with me, a Holy Church newbie full of Holy Qi?!”
His human body chose to reinforce 【Holy Light】, isn’t that exactly for this?!
The sky grew darker; he found a seemingly very popular restaurant by the roadside. He ordered a table of feast: explosive bullfrog, dry pot venison ribs, water basin black goat, sauced wolf elbow, crab emperor buns… one of each, totaling less than two hundred fifty.
After ending the long wait, Yuan Zhu entered berserk eating mode, devouring like a storm.
Ever since imprinting the 【Holy Mark】, he had noticed his physical qualities accumulating and getting stronger bit by bit with each Holy Light Radiation, and his appetite gradually increasing.
Especially today, he had massively incinerated and purified mutated plants, pushing the seal casting progress over halfway. His physical strength had significantly increased, his appetite wide open, urgently needing to intake nutrients to reinforce flesh.
So he alone ate portions for four adults, yet his stomach didn’t feel bloated or stuffed; instead, it was like a furnace, continuously refining the food, even a bit unsatisfied.
Can eat = Get Stronger!
After paying and leaving, he picked his teeth with a toothpick, pondering his next path.
Suddenly, the corner of his eye caught under the roadside brick wall, a dog zealously licking a toad, eyes dazed and mind blurred? Hmm… this silly dog is interesting. Running City folks like drinking hallucinogenic mushroom beverages; even dogs have learned to fly on toads.
Soon, his thoughts returned to the Ghost Companion issue. Although Running City was filled everywhere with polluted aura remnants, the number of hidden demonic creatures in the city was definitely not small. Yet they were very uncommon, hidden extremely deep. Every exposure caused accidents of varying degrees, mostly handled by the Security Bureau.
Even if some trash missions leaked to model cooperative enterprises like 【Fire Fang】, the demonic creatures in missions had to be killed and pollution cleaned up promptly. After confirming death, corpses were recovered and handed over to relevant departments; no chance to keep any.
Therefore, the Tiger Demon currently found it hard to hunt demonic creatures en masse in Running City to refine Ghost Companions; the next opportunity would have to be placed in 【Bubble World】.
“Hmm?”
While walking, the corner of his eye suddenly caught a sneaky shadow stealthily appearing in a corner out of streetlight reach, slowly approaching the wild dog whose mind was completely unclear, body paralyzed by toad toxin, trapped in endless happy illusions.
Yuan Zhu continued forward without a change, but his attention was fully on behind him. Then he saw clearly: it was a shriveled, hunched skinny green-skinned Goblin. Malnourished, big head, bald with a few stubbornly swaying hairs, thin arms and legs, height under 1 meter.
At this moment, it approached the dog with a sneaky expression and lewd movements. In its hand was a sharpened but chipped scrap kitchen knife spear, blade aimed at the dog kicking legs and wagging tail in bliss, then one stab through the heart.
“Mmm, awoo… Woof…”
The spear pierced the chest; the paralyzed dog immediately woke in pain, emitting miserable whimpers from its mouth, body still twitching and struggling nonstop, yet unable to get up. Blood rapidly drained, body paralyzed, mind unclear, movements uncoordinated.
Bang! Bang bang!
Seeing the dog’s barks alarming the human ahead, the green-skin anxiously picked up a stone, pouncing forward swinging its arm repeatedly, violently striking the dog head again and again.
The dog didn’t struggle much before completely shutting up.
Yuan Zhu stood under the streetlight without moving, just watching the Goblin, using the cover of night, in a corner of the industrialized cement and steel forest, using kitchen knife spear + stones for primitive hunting. It gave a feeling of time-space disorder.
However, this was just one link in Running City’s ecosystem. Goblins would rummage trash cans at night, hunt stray cats and dogs, catch mice and frogs. They would also collect food scraps, sauces, gutter oil from restaurant kitchen waste, bringing them back to underground caves for secondary processing.
Actually, if it was just that, it wouldn’t be so bad. But the most disgusting part was these trash would pick locks, smash glass for theft, very interested in food and clothes, even knowing to steal wallets and rob pharmacies.
Additionally, they loved destroying city buildings, assaulting drunk pedestrians, defecating anywhere, attacking children at night to vent racial hatred. Most excessively, they bred extremely fast!
Therefore, 【Fire Fang】 had many commissions to clean up Goblins. Everyone hunted them without mercy.
Soon, seeing Yuan Zhu unmoved, the green-skin pretended to be fierce, baring teeth at him. Then it dragged the dog by a hind leg, conveniently bending to pick up the toad nearly licked bald by the dog, stuffing it into the collar of its ragged dirty children’s wear.
Belly protruding like ‘pregnant’, it grabbed its homemade spear, running headlong toward a nearby flipped manhole cover sewer entrance without looking back. Front to back less than three minutes, this green-skin proficiently hunted a stray dog slightly larger than a Teddy, then fled into the sewer.
Looking at its proficient dog-stealing process and toad-recovery action, Yuan Zhu even suspected that the toad capable of secreting neurotoxin was deliberately thrown to the dog by this Goblin?
Holy crap, using stratagems now, truly scary!
“Hmm? Goblin!”
Watching the Goblin disappear into the pitch-black sewer entrance, he suddenly found raw materials for 【Ghost Companions】. Ordinary wild beasts and animals couldn’t be refined into Ghost Companions due to too low spirituality. As for ‘human refining’? He was a righteous Holy Light Cultivator!
Goblins were annoying and not recognized internationally as 【Intelligent Species】. But in reality, everyone knew they had intelligence, brains, even language and culture, very high intellect. If educated from young, no worse than Trolls or Ogres.
Therefore, their soul levels far exceeded ordinary wild beasts. Not only did pharmaceutical companies extract and refine Longevity Biomass from Goblins, some evil ability users liked using Goblins for sacrifice, extracting souls for certain research topics.
For the Tiger Demon, it wasn’t impossible to use them as downgraded ‘demonic creature’ substitutes. First use the Disease Garden’s pollution resources to rear Goblins, erode, twist, and pollute these little green-skins, gradually inducing them to transform into demonic creatures, then use 【Universe Within The Belly】 to refine into Ghost Companions, continue eating garbage to get stronger…
“Sigh, in the end, still walking the path of eating garbage!”
Yuan Zhu was utterly unwilling deep down to directly swallow ‘Disease System pollution’. That garden’s style was truly too awful; he could accept purifying and incinerating with Holy Light, but hard to accept 【Universe Within The Belly】 devouring and digesting.
But to get stronger, no shame.
He decided tomorrow to first go back to the company to submit the mission, then immediately capture a batch of Goblins, pull them into the garden world, see if they could be polluted and demonized, then save them, convert to the shadow path.
Eight PM, he arrived home on time.
At this time, his younger brother Yuan Su had placed the prepared dinner on the table, opening his mouth: “Big Brother, why are you back so late? I saved food for you, eat quickly.”
Yuan Zhu felt his digestive system seemed reforged by 【Holy Light】, ridiculously good. Just strolling home after dinner, he felt energized again. So without politeness, he quickly ate up this single person’s portion.
Tsk, this taste compared to the restaurant is really nothing. He put down bowl and chopsticks, saying to his younger brother: “Average taste; you need to hone your cooking skills more in the future.”
“Ah?!” Yuan Su, hearing this, showed a surprised expression.
His inner worry became more obvious, finally unable to hold back, asking: “Big Brother, what’s wrong with you lately? Always coming home very late, sleeping in in the mornings, not going to work. I feel you have something on your mind, your state is very off. Our family has never been picky about food; as long as full is fine. Why suddenly pursue taste? Also, this clothes on you… very expensive, right? The bandage on your wrist, what’s that about?”
Recently holding a bellyful of questions, Yuan Su finally couldn’t hold back, voicing his inner doubts. Something must have changed with Big Brother? Otherwise the changes wouldn’t be so drastic.
Could he really be engaged in some illegal work, the bandage on his wrist hiding a wound? Suddenly had money, so no longer honestly working, instead pursuing oral desires, buying luxury clothing to satisfy vanity?
Yuan Zhu was of course no longer the previous roll dog; he was now a supernatural roll dog!
Seeing his cheap younger brother probing, he was prepared, putting on a thoughtful appearance, replying: “I did encounter some things; my mindset and horizons underwent drastic changes, suddenly wanting to live differently. You thinking my state is off is normal.”
Yuan Su felt nervous inside; Big Brother about to come clean? Hesitating: “Big Brother, you’re not engaged in illegal activities, right?”
Yuan Zhu rolled his eyes: “Are you an idiot? My prime youth and future, how could I throw them into crime? I just found a new part-time job, pays very high salary, new boss (【Mao Mao King】) values me a lot. Even gave senior uniform upon joining, not stolen or robbed.”
Yuan Su breathed a sigh of relief; this seemed plausible?
“Bro, another part-time, can you handle it?”
Lamp Factory, Fire Fang, boxing… now another job?
Yuan Zhu waved: “No problem, I decided to quit the Steam Factory job, freeing up lots of time for part-time, and sleep in.”
“But Big Brother, didn’t you value the factory job a lot?” Big Brother had put in so much for this job. How to just abandon?
Yuan Zhu said lightly: “No regrets. Like I said, my mindset and horizons drastically changed. Suddenly felt my previous pattern too small; now I have new dreams and pursuits. New company (【Happy Home】) has strong strength, bright prospects (【Bubble Layer】); no need to boast to you. Just look at this clothes’ material and workmanship… you can see my current level.”
Yuan Zhu had no other way; directly saying ‘Evil God Sacrifice, Space of Gods, Holy Light Imprint’ would be truly ridiculous. So he could only put on nouveau riche temperament to explain his mindset change.
Yuan Su curiously touched the ‘Mao Mao King uniform’, couldn’t discern anything unusual, just felt the fabric very comfortable, looked especially fitting on Big Brother, very temperamental: “Uh… indeed very precious, not something we could afford.”
Yuan Zhu smiled satisfied: “Not fooling you, right? This boss has huge background; as long as I work hard, soon surpass past dreams (Factory Owner). You can bask in my light later, live good days.”
The more Yuan Zhu comforted him this way, the more uneasy little brother felt inside, quickly asking: “Bro, what nature is your new job? What content? Is money that easy to make?”
He still feared Big Brother walking crime path, unaware his bro had surpassed traditional gangsters, starting to slaughter Filthy Bone Demonic Creatures, Yellow Springs Evil Ghosts, Mad Tomato Eggplant Ghosts in otherworld… this morning smashed through a haunted house, killing from Du Ling into Spirit Layer, hands full of mutated pollution. Now plotting to monopolize ‘Disease Garden’, shove black pot to others, leagues above traditional criminals.
Yuan Zhu: “【Mao Mao King】, heard of it?”
Now it was younger brother’s turn to be dazed: “Mao what King? Don’t get it.”
“【Mao Mao King】 ah, a super famous clothing brand. Never heard? Does luxury children’s wear. Each deal has high price, so earns a lot. Rest assured, not some criminal undertaking.”
“Luxury goods? Children’s wear? Foreign brand?”
Such distant words; he probably only wore nice children’s wear during days when mother was still around.
“Selling children’s wear, very profitable? And you… your image doesn’t match children’s wear at all. Bro, you applying as bodyguard?”
Yuan Su couldn’t imagine Big Brother selling children’s wear. Kidnap kids, gun to head, force parents to buy luxury children’s wear with ransom to release?
“Don’t worry about that. Company has Confidentiality Agreement; anyway, I do honest work, diligently earn by skill, clear conscience.”
Yuan Su nodded: “Okay, I won’t pry.”
Gradually taking on big brother role, Yuan Zhu fulfilled duties, questioning: “And you? School grades not dropping?”
“No, always top three in school.”
He nodded satisfied: “Good! Keep it up, don’t get arrogant. Right, any girls still pestering you lately?”
Younger brother annoyed: “Yes, lots, so troublesome. But I remember Big Brother’s teachings, won’t get distracted. At best age, focus fully on studies, not waste youth!”
Yuan Zhu suddenly frowned; how can go to school without dating? After graduation face marriage pressure, must seize premium girls early: “No, I mean, premise of keeping grades steady. Definitely seriously select girls excellent in character, looks, and grades. If any, go for it! Fishing multiple fine too, Yuan family inheritance can’t break, must carry forward, glorify the family!”
“Ah?!” Younger brother stunned hearing this! Big Brother’s brain really messed up, possessed?!
Yuan Zhu angry at his lack: “Ah what? I worry you’ll become bookworm, after graduation no girls want.”
“Impossible, good grades, how lack girls?”
Yuan Zhu disdainful: “Tch, what good grades? My company colleague (Meng Xiyue), she’s Taixi’s university student. Couple days ago a client (senior student), also 【Rain Courtyard】 top graduate. You… far off.”
So that’s it! University students, true someone superior to others.
Yuan Su eyes flashed understanding.
Looks like Big Brother recently contacted too many high-end people, his high school dropout education too low, self-esteem stimulated, became so strange. Horizons and pattern opened, new life goals.
Got it, now finally at ease.
Yuan Zhu unaware younger brother brain-supplemented what motivational persona for him, continued boasting: “Must maintain current grades; when you graduate, I’ll send you to 【Rain Courtyard】 for university.”
Younger brother eyes full of yearning and desire: “Good, I’ll work hard. Heard university can access and systematically learn Supernatural Knowledge. True?”
Yuan Zhu nodded: “Yes. Only mastering Supernatural Knowledge can defy fate, revitalize family. Think of Yuan clan, four generations three nobles…”
“Big Brother rest assured, I’ll study hard, not disappoint you. Also, don’t believe mom’s lies, all novel lines, she fooled us.”
Yuan Zhu: “…”
You think I don’t read Romance of the Three Kingdoms?
