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In the bustling Jingxiu Villa, filled with hundreds of people from all walks of life, Bai Zhuo felt a sense of isolation. Among the crowd of four to five hundred, there was only one person he recognized—the monk Hengyuan.
"Hey, monk, what brings you here? Didn't your master say he had no interest in this grand competition?" Bai Zhuo asked.
"Oh! It’s Benefactor Bai. You’ve misunderstood. This ghost-catching competition is fraught with danger, and my master sent me here as a test for myself. It’s no concern for me as I am immune to evil spirits, but for you, Benefactor Bai, you must be extremely cautious," Hengyuan replied.
"Alright, thanks for the reminder. By the way, have you seen my master?" Bai Zhuo inquired.
"Oh, Master Ge is in the conference room discussing tonight's competition details," Hengyuan informed him.
Bai Zhuo sighed, "Looks like my cheap master has completely given up on me."
Hengyuan comforted him, "Benefactor Bai, perhaps this is a trial meant for you. I was quite looking forward to seeing your confrontation with your senior brother after witnessing your standoff earlier!"
Bai Zhuo forced a smile. "Monk, please don’t make fun of me. I'm just a half-baked onmyoji; how can I compete with them? But I can't lose face or let my spirit be crushed. They’ve already climbed over my head to do their business; I have to at least put on a brave front first."
"I don’t see it that way! This is the first time I’ve heard my master speak so highly of someone else! Benefactor Bai, don’t underestimate yourself," Hengyuan said with a grin. "Besides, anyone who can walk alongside the Millennium Ghost Spirit Su Meiniang is not someone to be taken lightly!"
Bai Zhuo was both surprised and embarrassed. "Uh... monk, you know about that?"
"I might forget Benefactor Bai, but I can’t forget this big bump on my head!" Hengyuan joked as he rubbed his bald scalp. "Oh, but I’m not blaming you for anything."
Bai Zhuo explained, "Uh, monk, there were reasons for that incident at night. If you hadn’t left, my... my life would have been in danger! I'm still a virgin; if I lost my brotherhood, it would be better to just kill me."
Hengyuan fell silent for a long moment before responding, "Alright... Benefactor Bai, I won’t pursue this matter any further. However, since your master and mine are friends, we can consider ourselves friends too. I hope next time we meet, you won’t obstruct me again!"
Ever since Su Meiniang moved into his courtyard, Bai Zhuo felt that his life had gradually veered off its normal course. He didn’t have much fondness for Su Meiniang. He shrugged and said, "Heh heh, if I could defeat her, I would have dealt with that vixen long ago!"
Hengyuan nodded in agreement. "That would be best!"
At that moment, a familiar voice rang out from the temporary stage set up in the villa. Bai Zhuo turned around and was astonished to see Elder Ge!
Elder Ge stood tall in his neatly pressed gray and white robe, exuding an air of mastery. Holding a microphone, he appeared somewhat reserved, delivering a few polite opening remarks before hastily stepping down, yet he still received a round of applause from the audience.
Next, an elderly man with a rosy complexion took the stage. He raised his hand to quiet the crowd, and suddenly, silence fell. It was unclear what kind of spell this old man had cast, but his voice rang out clearly without the need for a microphone, echoing throughout half the villa: "Friends from all corners of the world, I am Tang Baifu, the president of the Onmyoji Association in East China. Tonight is the fourteenth day of the seventh lunar month, a traditional festival in our Huaxia—Ghost Festival—and it is also an important day for our Yin Yang Realm!"
Tang Baifu wasted no time on trivialities and got straight to the point: "All of you present are here on the recommendation of esteemed masters, so I trust you understand the rules. Without further ado, this year's ghost-catching competition winner will not only have the opportunity to choose an item they like from my Onmyoji Association's warehouse but also my Tang family is willing to offer half a Thunder Tribulation Divine Tree as a prize for the champion. I hope all you rising talents will strive hard and inject fresh blood into our Yin Yang Realm!"
Tang Baifu cleared his throat and continued: "Of course, the champion will also receive that mysterious... gift!" As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd erupted in excitement!
"It's here! The main event has arrived!" "Yes, we came here for that item!" "Exactly..." "If I can get that item, I will definitely become one of the top Onmyoji in Ningcheng or even all of East China!"
"I must get that item!"
"What exactly is it?" someone asked.
"What? You don't even know what it is and still dare to compete for this treasure? Ignorant... seeking your own demise..."
Bai Zhuo cursed inwardly upon hearing this. Was everyone aware of that mysterious item except him? What could it possibly be? Not wanting to lose face by asking too much, he thought to himself: Fine... I'll just have to find out what it is by securing first place.
On stage, Tang Baifu continued: "The fourteenth day of July marks the birthday of The Great Emperor of the Clear Void of Earth. With Yin Qi flourishing, restless souls and ghosts from the Underworld wreak havoc in our world. Tonight, what we aim to do not only involves subduing demons and ghosts but also combines work and leisure—what's not to love?"
"It is now midnight and one quarter past," he announced. "In just one minute, the Ghost Hunting Competition will officially begin. Please prepare accordingly and return here by the hour of the tiger—5 AM tomorrow—to showcase your results." Tang Baifu paused before adding ominously: "Latecomers will not be waited for... life or death... does not matter!"
Bai Zhuo inhaled sharply, shocked: "Oh no, does that mean I'm doomed?" Having faced death twice before, he understood deeply that while ghosts might be frightening, human hearts could be far more terrifying.
"Dead meat! There's not even a single member from the alliance here." Bai Zhuo scanned around desperately for a glimpse of Monk Hengyuan but instead spotted someone he found utterly detestable—Kagura Keiha!
...
At 11:30 PM, an eerie bell tolled from the stage as four to five hundred people surged out of the villa. Those on bikes rode off while others drove away; a sea of dark figures rushed in all directions as Bai Zhuo's slight form quickly vanished into the crowd.
The hosts of the competition whispered among themselves while pointing at members of the audience.
Seated at the center was President Tang Baifu, who pointed at someone in the crowd and said to Elder Ge: "Old Ge, look over there! Isn't that Zheng Ming?"
Elder Ge squinted at a young man carrying a coffin on his back below them before glancing back at Tang Baifu. "This boy has ill intentions; he is no longer my disciple."
Tang Baifu chuckled a few times, "I suppose Elder Ge still harbors a glimmer of hope in his heart!"
Elder Ge, upon hearing this, shook his head in silence. He gazed at Zheng Ming's solitary figure below the stage, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction.
At that moment, an elderly man dressed as a steward leaned in to whisper something to Tang Baifu. Instantly, Tang Baifu's face turned pale, and he was taken aback. Fortunately, it was late at night, and the outside lights were dim; the few people sitting nearby did not notice Tang Baifu's ashen complexion.
He stood up and said he needed to excuse himself, leading the steward away.
"Is it true? Absolutely certain?"
"Master, it is absolutely certain. It was the daughter of the Kagura Family who told me personally. She hopes you understand the seriousness of this matter and that you will promptly halt this year's competition."
Tang Baifu shook his head. "She doesn't understand the stakes involved; this competition cannot simply be stopped."
After a long silence, the steward stood respectfully behind him. Tang Baifu finally spoke, "Take Liang and his team with you and ensure Tang Bao's safety."
The steward complied without question. "Understood, Master. Is there anything else you wish to command?"
"Go ahead." Tang Baifu shook his head, his tightly furrowed brows relaxing. Then, a sinister smile crept onto his lips. "It seems that after this competition, the Yin Yang Realm will undergo a major cleansing! Night Parade of One Hundred Demons... what a splendid name! Go forth and struggle, little lambs; let me see how many of you will return alive!"
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